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Realize the Benefit

Do schools impact home prices? Absolutely! As a licensed Realtor, I can tell you that most people who are looking to buy a house in this area are first and foremost interested in our schools.

Don’t just take my word for it—in 2013, The National Association of Realtors found that 29 percent of buyers listed school quality as a deciding factor in their decision. Realtor.com found buyers were willing to pay up to 20 percent more for a home with access to good schools.

So why should you care if our schools are good? Better-performing school districts raise the value of property in that town. Whether it’s a young couple thinking about starting a family or folks who have already put their children through school, buying a home in a good school district is a wise business decision. Yes, it does cost more in tax dollars to have great, high-performing schools. No one wants to pay more in taxes, but consider the increased equity in our homes as a result of a reputable school system.

Your readers may just have to wait until you sell your home to realize the benefit of high quality schools and the overall value of real estate.

Mark Auletta

Clinton