If you are considering buying a house or investing on a property in an entirely new neighborhood be sure to first check on your pre-approved credit with you mortgage consultant if the price is within your range. Gather information on any specific financing procedures in that area. Communicate with your financial advisor so you can avoid any additional expense later on.

You can do some investigation starting with the local papers. Most towns have real estate magazines that are for sale at any rest stop or convenience stores. Check the available properties in the area, if you like the roster of house available then you can call and inform you Realtor back home. Give her the information such as the location of the property you specifically want. Your personal Realtor in turn can provide you additional details, what properties are available for selling and/or renting when she access the MLS database. Most probably there is an affiliate office in that area and your Realtor can set up an appointment with the local Realtor. In this way, you will be taken as a serious buyer because of the referral as compared to somebody who just walked in to their office to buy.

When an appointment has been set and you are meeting the local Realtor, make sure to ask the same questions as you would if you were buying a property in a familiar neighborhood. Ask about the schools, convenient stores, police departments, crime rate and so on. You would also want to know the population, tourism, economics and commerce as well as special events that takes place and drive tourists in that area. Get information on real-estate rules and regulations as well. Since this is an unfamiliar area, make sure you get all the information you need.

As an investor, I think you are better off to start buying in an area that you know by heart. If, nonetheless, you really like a property which is located in an unfamiliar location, try to inform your personal Realtor prior to making any major financial decision.