A nice house can't make up for a bad school.

Your children's futures are very important, and a good education in a good school can really make a difference in helping them fulfill their potentials and their dreams.

So educate yourself about schools where you're thinking about living. You'll discover that different cities-and different neighborhoods within those cities-frequently offer a variety of schooling options.

Another thing-don't just go entirely by the reputation of a school or a school district. Visit the schools your children would attend while the schools are in session, since almost any school can look pleasant when it's empty! Also, try to attend a local PTA meeting as you narrow your search for an acceptable neighborhood. This will give you a feeling for the kind of education that your children will receive, you'll find out if their educational priorities and values match yours, and you'll even get to meet some of the families that might be your neighbors.

Zoning regulations can help you or haunt you. Find out what they are before you buy.

A home is obviously a major investment. And a change in residential land near your home could have a dramatic impact on the value of your investment, in terms of opportunities and limitations.

An example? That beautiful grove of trees behind your property might look great when you move in. But it could soon be removed for a new shopping center.

That's why you should study zoning restrictions and deed restrictions carefully before you buy. Another thing to keep in mind is that a neighborhood with good restrictions is usually a better investment than a neighborhood with few or no restrictions.

For instance, can residents park boats and large RV campers on the street? Are trucks permitted free access and parking rights? Not only do these things affect the visual appeal of the neighborhood, they might be dangerous to your children when they are playing.

Get a grip on reality. Look into all the potential long-term costs.

Ask about taxes. Get the rates for school and property taxes for the previous 3 to 5 years. Not all neighborhoods have identical tax rates; that's because land values and other variables are involved. And remember that your mortgage payment is not the only long-range cost in home ownership. There's insurance. Maintenance (including energy and water bills). And possibly even membership fees in a homeowners association, too. The smart homebuyer will take all these things into consideration. That way, you'll know the "real" cost of the home and you can prepare to handle it, financially.

Sidewalks, streets, greenbelts, parks, community clubhouses and pools-think of them as part of a house.

Not all neighborhoods have amenities like these. Make it a point to notice if the ones you're looking at do. Without sidewalks, for instance, your children may have to walk on the streets if they want to go to a neighbor's house. So think hard about whether you would mind living in an area that does not provide pedestrian walkways, recreational areas, and community facilities. And keep in mind that amenities like this also tend to improve the re-sale values of homes in the neighborhood. So they're part of your investment in your home.

Did you know that many subdivisions and neighborhoods have what developers call "street patterns"?

When a new subdivision is first being planned and designed, the streets are laid out to achieve certain results. One of these patterns is called The Curvilinear, and it creates a neighborhood traffic flow that discourages people driving straight-through in one end and out the other. This pattern slows cars down, so it adds safety. Another pattern is called The Loop, and it provides a street that is the only exit and entrance for the neighborhood. This is a clear advantage when it comes to forming a Neighborhood Crime Watch.

If you decide to sell your home later, will the neighborhood you've invested in pay off?

Before you buy, check into market prices of homes in the area-especially any that are similar to the one you're looking at. Real estate agents may not have this information, but most real estate boards or brokers do. If they seem reluctant to give you this information, you should definitely speak to someone at a local title insurance company. It's very important.

Think a lot-about the lot.

Is the lot is big enough to "fit" you and your family? Do you want a large front or backyard? Is there enough room if you want to add a swimming pool? Is there enough space for children to play? And will a lack of a spacious lot make it harder to sell your house later? These are all questions you should answer before buying a home.

Lakes are nice. But not when they're in your home!

How well a neighborhood's drainage system has been designed is really important in the Valley. That's because the climate and the flat coastal plains can combine to turn a poorly designed neighborhood into a lake in just a few hours. Check to see if the neighborhood you're looking at has been planned with lowered streets and careful grading of all surface areas, so that water is directed away from the houses.