Ever notice how some communities seem full of charm or vigor? That’s the neighbourhood character. You can’t put a price on feelings, but you can read the neighborhood character study to see if a community is where you want to live now or in future.

Is your proposed neighborhood:

easy to navigate or complicated by cul-de-sacs
walkable, with bicycle or pedestrian paths, or car-centric
on a greenbelt or waterfront with public pathways and views
beside a community center, swimming pool, or entertainment complex
near stores, services, schools, or daycare
decaying or revitalized?

Every neighborhood has character. A neighborhood character study can help your community evolve into the vision of what you and your neighbors want it to be.

Is it any wonder real estate developers and urban planners alike turn to a neighborhood character study when they want to know what makes a community appealing, change zoning for designated areas like warehouse districts, or preserve heritage buildings?

Traits That Add Neighbourhood Character

A neighborhood character study identifies essential traits desirable places share:

architectural compatibility in building heights, sizes, or materials
harmonious building designs and colors
appropriate scale, such as placing big box stores together
vistas or termination points like a pleasing view
a distinctive personality
renewal and restoration initiatives
attention to streetscapes (light fixtures, benches)
ease of navigation via signs, pathways, or street designs
interpretive signage for visitors
entrances and exits that direct traffic and pedestrians
and attractive landscaping.

Huge Heart Display that adds traits to neighbourhood character

Overlaying Character on Existing Neighborhoods

When your neighborhood matters to you, but your community looks dated, urban character overlays may be the answer. Overlays lay down development standards like architectural features, where buildings are placed, or how many floors buildings can be. They’re a zoning tool for controlling development in designated areas.

Designing Dundas Place, re-imaging community streets.

How to Do a Neighborhood Character Study

Step-by-step guide:

Plan Land Uses Wisely

Residential, commercial, and industrial uses can change over time and even be contradictory. Who puts a neighborhood pub beside a daycare? A neighbourhood character study can identify conflicting trends in land use approvals and make a plan for future, more compatible development. See a neighbourhood character study in action.

Choose Pleasing Urban or Visual Designs

Mature trees and view corridors with public vistas like parks, courtyards, or waterfronts are on many home buyers’ lists. A neighbourhood character study looks at the blend of building styles, sizes, types, and arrangements that make a community unique.

It can recommend urban design practices that make residential and business areas more

visually interesting to live and work in like:

creating gathering places along a waterfront
restoring historic streets
installing public art
or adding street furniture or signs.

Do’s and don’ts of heritage home renovations.

Create Cultural Resources

Entertainment, entertainment, entertainment — local museums, art galleries, nightclubs, and theatres give your community high livability scores on a neighbourhood character study. Creating cultural districts adds resale value to your home. Where millennial house buyers (Ontario) can find liveable communities.

Measure Your Quality of Life

Crime rates or quick access to services like hospitals worrying you? A neighbourhood character study gives you a snapshot of quality of life issues like employment stats, housing affordability, and street safety.

Design User-friendly Streets

Are you really prepared to trade price for a busy street? A neighbourhood character study can alert you to traffic issues like how new developments will affect road users. It gives you fair warning about potential conflicts like being on an airport flight path and suggests ways to calm traffic in your area.

See what we mean when we say character creates value? More on how to plan a neighbourhood character study.

Why You Need a Real Estate Lawyer

Let Axess Law review your agreement of purchase and sale for terms and conditions that could stop you from receiving your deposit back or force you to close sooner than expected. Before you agree to close the deal, talk to an experienced Ontario real estate lawyer.

Your Axess Law real estate attorney looks for mutual consent clauses that allow you to withdraw your offer if desired. We include a professional home inspection in the offer to purchase and ensure that subject-to conditions aren’t lifted until you are fully satisfied.

If a home inspection turns up problems, your Axess Law real estate lawyer negotiates with the seller’s attorney to agree on who will pay for repairs. We search the title for financial encumbrances that could hold up your purchase and let you know when the title is clear. Searching title to property. What to bring to your Axess Law appointment.

Finding financing can make timing your closing tight. Your Axess Law real estate lawyer liaises with private lenders, banks, trust accounts, and credit unions to finalize legal documents you need to discharge mortgages. Our flat rate fees are lower than you might pay for traditional legal services and we keep your real estate transaction moving along. Qualify for private mortgages.

Affordable Real Estate Lawyers, Anywhere You Are

Access lawyers for less in the Greater Toronto Area, Ottawa, or anywhere in Ontario when you buy, sell, or transfer property. Axess Law’s flat fee real estate lawyers are affordable, and our rates are all inclusive (excluding taxes, disbursements, and third-party charges). Axess Law offers you only the legal services you absolutely need. Your final invoice includes no surprises or hidden charges. Your itemized statement of adjustments is explained when we deliver it, and we answer any questions you have about it.

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Video conference with virtual real estate lawyers using Axess Law’s secure, confidential online services. We connect with you from anywhere in Ontario via a compatible home computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile device. Your Axess Law real estate lawyer witnesses your signature online, and forwards a final copy for your records. How to use a remote real estate lawyer.

Book Online or In-person Appointments Quickly and Easily

Want to know more? Axess Law has an affordable flat fee real estate lawyer near you, online or in person. We close real estate transactions quickly and for less than you might expect. Call our 647-479-0118 lawyer line in Toronto (toll free to 1-877-402-4207) or use our easy online booking form to arrange a videoconference appointment anywhere in Ontario. Meet in person with a lawyer at our conveniently located Ottawa or Greater Toronto Area law offices.