External Home Research Tools
These are the home research tools and websites I point people to when they want to check out an area, a property, or the real cost of living somewhere.
Looking for my own checklists and guides? Browse my Home Buying Resources, Home Selling Resources, and Home Improvement Resources.
These are independent third-party sites. GPI takes no responsibility for their accuracy or content, so please verify anything important before relying on it.
Area & Neighborhood Research
Use these to get to know a new area, understand your current one better, or research somewhere you’re thinking of moving to.
Detailed local data on demographics, housing, income, and crime.
Neighborhood rankings with clear breakdowns for easy comparison.
An overview of local demographics and community character.
Crime heatmaps, school ratings, and property trends.
Compare cities on cost of living, climate, and quality of life.
Public school ratings across the U.S.
Profiles of private schools nationwide.
Color-coded crime maps and safety insights.
Real-time maps of police incidents.
Local crime reports and alerts.
Check typical rents in any neighborhood.
Income, housing, education, commuting, and more.
AHS Housing Charts (U.S. Census)
Government charts on housing types, utilities, affordability, and age trends.
Local Area & Environment
Check natural hazard risks, noise, getting around, and what life outdoors looks like in an area.
Maps risk levels for storms, flooding, earthquakes, and other natural hazards.
Official FEMA flood zone information for any address.
A non-government tool for exploring flood likelihood.
Noise levels, flight paths, and traffic sound data.
Walkability, transit, and bike-friendliness ratings.
Public transport options and routes for getting around without a car.
Interactive maps of local and regional outdoor trails.
Find out which plants grow best in your climate zone.
Living Costs & Energy
Get a realistic picture of what it costs to live in an area and run a home there.
Forbes Cost of Living Calculator
Compare living costs between cities.
Cost-of-living comparisons, including rent and utilities.
Explore energy-saving options and local rebates.
Compare energy plans and find the best option for your home.
Estimate how much energy a solar system on your home could produce.
Compare your home’s energy efficiency with similar homes.
Learn how ENERGY STAR ratings and standards work.
HOA & Building Codes
Understand the rules, regulations, and standards that apply to a property before you buy, build, or renovate.
What to Know Before Buying in an HOA
Guidance on HOA rules, restrictions, and what to expect.
Condo and HOA guidelines and legal references.
Free access to state-specific building codes.
The baseline national codes that most states adopt and adapt into their own.
NACHI Home Inspector Resources
Inspection standards, home system basics, and repair guidelines.
HVAC & Construction
Clear explainers on how the main systems in a home work, plus practical building guides.
How to Build a Deck (AWC Guide)
A step-by-step guide to residential deck construction.
Heat Pump Systems (Energy.gov)
Explains the different types of heat pump.
How Central AC Works (Goodman)
Clear diagrams showing how central air conditioning works.
How Gas Central Heating Works (Goodman)
An overview of how furnaces and gas heating systems operate.
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace (Goodman)
How the two compare on performance and energy use.
Packaged HVAC Systems (Goodman)
A simple overview of all-in-one residential HVAC units.
HVAC Learning Center (Goodman)
General HVAC guides and system explanations.
Many of these topics are covered in more detail in my articles on staging, design, and home improvement. Head to the blog to explore the full collection.
Disclaimer
Great Property Ideas (“GPI”) provides the resources, templates, links, and information on this page strictly as a courtesy for general informational purposes. Content is provided “as is,” without warranties of any kind, and GPI does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or timeliness. Nothing here constitutes legal, financial, tax, or real-estate advice, and no professional relationship is created. References to third-party sites, products, or services are not endorsements; GPI is not responsible for their content, availability, or policies. Your use of these materials is at your own risk, and GPI will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from their use.