The ying of finding the right home needs to be balanced by the yang of locating the appropriate neighborhood for your needs. Home buyers can determine if the neighborhood fits their parameters by following these simple tips by Mark Nash author of four books including his latest 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home and as a regular columnist for RealtyTimes.com.

-Drive through a neighborhood or community at different times of the day and night. In the morning when residents are going to school or work. During the day to see whether properties are maintained, including alleys. At night to check on traffic noise, parking availability, and lighting.

-Walk or bicycle through areas to get a slow look, include schools, playgrounds, and parks.

-Talk to local store and shop owners. They might offer a different perspective from home owners and could give you insight into future plans for commercial development.

-Determine if stores, shops, and restaurants are open late at night and first thing in the morning if you need to run out for a gallon of milk, fill a prescription or pick up a cup of coffee.

-Make a trial run between different establishments that you will use for services. Can you easily group errands or are providers spread out over a wide area?

-Attend school and village board meetings to understand what the local issues are.

-Visit the library to see whether their collection is thorough enough for your families needs. Read some issues of the local newspaper.

-Stop by the village hall and inquire about garbage and water rates, watering bans, street cleaning and snow emergencies. Will your car need a village sticker?

-Check out the hospital and emergency room, it's better to know before you have a need what kind of facilities and services are offered.

-Community funded park district and sports leagues can make a big difference. Locate the locate facility and see if offers programs and amenities your looking for.

-Inquire about public transportation. You might think you won't use it, but the day you're late for work and the car won't start you be looking for automobile alternatives. Pick up bus and train schedules and locate taxi stands, just in case you'll need them.

-Surf the Internet for community-related sites.

-Visit the police station and inquire about crime statistics and neighborhood watch groups. In some states, you may search online to learn whether a sex offender lives in a neighborhood or community.

-Don't ask local realty agents if a neighborhood is safe. It is a violation of Fair Housing Laws for real estate agents to make a judgment on the characteristics or demographics of a community, block, or neighborhood. This practice is steering and is considered discrimination.