My name is Erik Martin and I am a reporter for a nationally syndicated real estate section published weekly in newspapers across the country. I’m looking to interview realtors/agents, mortgage/lending professionals, and other housing experts for the following story:
STORY: OLD SCHOOL RULES BEFORE BUYING: THAT HOME YOU'RE EYEING GETS AN A, BUT DOES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT GET A PASSING GRADE? This article would delve into why it's important to evaluate the quality and standardized test scores of the school district in the area you're considering purchasing a home, what to look for, red flags, private school options to consider, and more. Below is a list of questions I’m seeking answers to. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, please email me back full-sentence written responses that I can use as quotes). My deadline is noon central time, Wednesday, March 2.
QUESTIONS:
1. Why is it so important to research/consider the quality of the school district in the area you’re going to purchase a home before you buy it? Should this still be an important consideration if you don’t have or plan to have children?
2. How does the quality of the school district affect your property’s value and the quality of life in/around your neighborhood?
3. What should prospective buyers be researching carefully when it comes to the school district/schools, and why: standardized test scores? No child left behind data? Pass/fail rates? Graduation rates? Student-to-teacher ratio? Proximity to your home? Availability of bus service? What else?
4. What are some red flags that should warn you that it’s not a good school district and perhaps you should buy a home elsewhere?
5. If the public schools in your chosen purchase area are not up to par, to what extent should the prospective buyer be considering/researching private schools? What should be considered carefully here?
6. If the schools/district appear up to par on paper, to what extent should the home shopper meet with/ask questions of the principal/superintendant/teachers/etc.?
7. Any other thoughts, tips or suggestions on this topic?
8. What is your full name, title, company, city/state location, and email address?
Keywords
realtors/agents, mortgage/lending professionals, housing experts
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