Love a morning coffee from your local cafe? Or need to be near the train line or school for pick-up? The amenities close to home can shape your lifestyle in more ways than you think.
They’re not just about convenience – they can also affect your property’s value. That’s why it pays to know what’s around when you’re house hunting.
REIWA’s interactive map functionality makes this part of the purchase process easy, connecting buyers with a range of information on local amenity, utilities and land data. To access this feature, simply select the map view on any property listed on reiwa.com to discover local schools, cafes, shops, entertainment, public transport routes and more.
Which amenities should you look for when you buy a new home?
Whether you’re downsizing, making a sea change or purchasing your first family home, think carefully about the lifestyle you want to lead and the amenities that you will need, now and in the future.
Healthcare
Healthcare needs little explanation as it directly impacts safety, wellbeing and quality of life for you and your loved ones. Before deciding on a property, consider the access that it gives you to general practitioners, hospitals, dentists and other specialist services that you may need. For older residents, timely healthcare can make all the difference when it comes to ageing safely at home.
Food and retail
Local access to a diverse and convenient range of food and other essentials is another important consideration when you buy a new home. Check for nearby markets, supermarkets and retail stores when choosing a location.
You’ll also appreciate having local pubs, cafes and restaurants nearby for catching up with friends.
Schools and childcare
If you’re relocating with young children or thinking about starting a family, remember to research the availability and quality of local schools. To be guaranteed a place at your preferred WA public school, you have to live in the right catchment zone.
To confirm local in-take areas, use the interactive map feature for any property listed on reiwa.com or check out the Department of Education’s Schools Online directory.
Culture and recreation
Places like libraries, gyms, sporting clubs and recreational centres are important to our health and wellbeing and help to build community, social connections and belonging. Museums, cultural centres, pop-up markets and local festivals are other important amenities that add to the richness and quality of life. Local council websites are a great place to find out what’s available and what’s happening in and around your new neighbourhood.
Public transport
Efficient public transport networks help to keep us connected and make getting to work, school, leisure and other activities much easier without a car. Use REIWA’s interactive map feature to explore local public transport routes for properties listed on reiwa.com.
Parks and open spaces
If you love the great outdoors, have young children or pets with boundless energy to burn, you’re probably already hot on the trail of parks and open spaces. In doing your research, you might want to consider:
- Space for dogs to run off-lead and pet-free parks
- Playgrounds for young children
- The availability of public toilets, lighting and paths for walking, running and biking
- The impact of public spaces on nearby properties during weekend sports and other community events
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