Table of Content

Is Trulia’s Crime Map Accurate

Is Trulia an Accurate Crime Map?

Best Crime Maps

Trulia Crime Maps

CrimeReports

CrimeMapping

Area Vibes

Niche

Neighborhood Scout

How to Determine if Your Neighborhood is Safe

3 Ways to Tell a Neighborhood is Unsafe

3 Ways to Tell a Neighborhood is Safe

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How accurate is crime map?

How do I check if an area is safe?

How to know if your neighborhood is safe?

How to find out crime rate in an area?

How to check crime in an area?

How to track crime in your neighborhood?

Is Trulia’s Crime Map Accurate

Buying a home is more than just a financial investment or about the four walls that contain your personal retreat. One of the essential rules in real estate always rings true: location, location, location. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, more than 1 out of 2 buyers cite neighborhood quality as a significant factor when deciding where to purchase their next property.

The quality of the neighborhood will not only affect your lifestyle but the resale value too. That’s why it’s crucial to do your research about the community just as much as you should research a home. This article will give you an idea of the most accurate crime maps, what you should be investigating, and how to ensure you’re making a safe move.

Is Trulia an Accurate Crime Map?

While Trulia is a subsidiary of Zillow, it has a few key functions that are vastly different. It all began when the founders were searching high and low for off-campus housing and couldn’t find local real estate information that was up to date or even available online.

While Trulia was founded in 2004, its crime map sector didn’t launch until 2011. Using a color-coded system, crime risk information is available in specific neighborhoods or metropolitan areas. While its accuracy cannot be 100% confirmed in all regions due to local enforcement participation and skewed color codes due to densely populated areas, it is comparatively accurate compared to other online crime maps of the same nature. When researching a neighborhood to buy a home in, it’s best practice to run their numbers against other online services to ensure accuracy.

Best Crime Maps

Trulia Crime Maps

The trulia crime rate map pulls data from multiple credible sources such as EveryBlock, CrimeReports and SpotCrime, which get their information directly from local law agencies that choose to participate in the crime map real estate system. You can use the site for free and understand where higher crime lives from the heat map trulia provides.

You can check out trulia safe neighborhoods through the trulia map search. Darker areas mean more crime, and lighter colors highlight the safest areas through the real estate heat map trulia takes pride in.

CrimeReports

CrimeReports is one of the resources that feed into the trulia crime data process. Their site claims they have the most considerable amount of cooperating law enforcement agencies, so they may be worth using as a comparative tool in your search. The only downside, as with many services such as the trulia crime rates system, is that if local law enforcement doesn’t participate, you may not see any accurate data in your area.

CrimeMapping

Compared to the crime trulia reports, another trustworthy source is CrimeMapping. This is another website you can use absolutely free. The big difference between CrimeMapping vs the trulia crime map miami or anywhere else for that matter is that it reports on information directly uploaded by local law enforcement agencies that participate rather than depending on third-party data. Some of your search options will be similar to the trulia crime report and include the date, crime type and more. You can even set up notifications, so you’re aware when a specific kind of crime happens in the neighborhood, such as a stolen car or a home break-in.

Area Vibes

Although Area Vibes is different from your typical trulia crime rate map, it offers an exciting way to understand your neighborhood and indicators of whether it’s safe or not. Instead of direct crime rate reporting, you’ll notice that neighborhoods have what’s called a “livability score.” This combines any crime rate trulia may report on and takes into consideration the average cost of living, the weather, employment, education, housing, and local amenities. Talk about the total community package! The only con from users is that it’s best to compare city to city rather than specific neighborhoods.

Niche

Niche is another free resource that can assist buyers with their search for the perfect neighborhood that will provide them with safety and security. Another well-rounded evaluation process occurs where neighborhoods are graded with a letter after observing diversity, family-friendly atmosphere, nightlife, schools, crime, and housing. It is arguably the most comprehensive report compared to other trulia price map or crime map for data of the lifestyle the neighborhood promotes.

Neighborhood Scout

Neighborhood Scout is best for buyers who know exactly which neighborhood they want to move to. The reason for this is that compared to the trulia map overlays, this is a paid service. The company strives to provide the most accurate, specific and detailed reports compared to its free competitors. They not only offer crime rates but information about the real estate trends, forecast analytics, demographics, housing, schools and more.

How to Determine if Your Neighborhood is Safe

While comparing online data, there is only so much you can compare without driving around yourself or asking neighbors about their experiences. What you can do, is keep a list of what to look out for and the big red flags.

3 Ways to Tell a Neighborhood is Unsafe

• High crime rates: you can use online maps or local law enforcement information to determine if the crime rates are above average. Don’t use this as your only determining factor, especially if you’re in a densely populated area.
• High police activity: if you’re constantly seeing police officers with their lights on or keeping an eye out in the neighborhood, that’s a sign it’s an unsafe place to live. However, it is normal for officers to patrol, but keep an eye out for blaring sirens throughout the day and night.
• Abandoned homes and businesses: if you see a lot of empty homes and storefronts, this could be a sign that it’s an unsafe neighborhood. Research shows that there is a direct correlation between foreclosed, vacant and abandoned properties to increased crime and reduced property values, according to the US Department of Housing.

3 Ways to Tell a Neighborhood is Safe

Ensuring that you’re moving to a safe neighborhood is crucial for your wellbeing and the resale value of your home if you choose to move. These are the three most helpful hints that you’re making the right choice about a safe neighborhood:

• Low crime rate: using an online tool matched with local information is your first step to determining if a neighborhood is safe.
• Kids are playing outside: parents who have lived in the neighborhood for a more extended time will want to protect their children. If you notice kids playing outside, it’s a good sign you’re in a safe neighborhood.
• Thriving businesses and bustling community events: you’ll notice the community comes together more in a safe neighborhood. Businesses proser, community events like farmers’ markets or block parties bring people together. If you see this in an area, it’s a great indicator that you’re moving to a safe place.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How accurate is crime map?

To date, crime real estate maps are known for their level of accuracy, but there may be some other factors to consider when checking crime rates in a neighborhood. On a surface level, in 2012, the Department of Justice evaluated several crime risk map services and reported CrimeReports and SpotCrime as accurate based on incidents by location after studying their validation methods and data acquisition. Since trulia heat maps gather data from third-party resources, such as CrimeReports and SpotCrime, it is also likely accurate.

However, do note other factors that go into these real estate crime statistics. For example, a densely populated area may show more trulia crime statistics because more people live within that geographic target. Looking at the numbers per capita, a smaller populated town may have a higher overall crime rate after a closer look.

How do I check if an area is safe?

There is more than just checking the best crime map to determine if an area is safe. Using the tools we mentioned in this article, you can also do your own research to check safety of neighborhood:

1. Do neighborhood drivebys at various times throughout the day to keep an eye out for real estate crime. Don’t just stick to afternoons, but check in late at night too. Do you see anything suspicious? How are the neighbors interacting with each other? Do you notice anyone out on a stroll or children playing?
2. Ask around the neighborhood if you feel comfortable knocking on some doors. Nobody will know the area better than its neighbors!
3. Keep an eye on local news online, in the newspaper, and especially on the crime reporting section for the most up-to-date information.

How to know if your neighborhood is safe?

Moving into an area to immerse yourself in the lifestyle and community can be stressful. After all, how do you know if the neighborhood is safe? You can use a community crime map combined with the trulia local scoop, the traditional ways of doorknocking and making a call to the local government to check crime in an area you may be interested in.

How to find out crime rate in an area?

There are many online tools and local resources you can use to find out crime rate in an area that goes beyond any trulia crime map. Some of these include:

1. LexisNexis Community Crime Map: Similar to most online tools, participating police stations and law enforcement agencies provide information on an interactive map. You can sort through filters such as the day or time crimes are reported. They are widely known as the best website for crime statistics as it provides valuable tools to explain what you’re seeing.
2. Local Law Enforcement: For the most accurate data on crime rate in an area, check with the local authorities. Their direct knowledge is better than any crime map overlay. In fact, you’ll get your own local crime map and give you information on trends.
3. National Sex Offender Site: The government provides information for the public to locate registered sex offenders by city, zip code or address in a neighborhood.

How to check crime in an area?

Besides using local resources, you can use a website to check neighborhood safety. Some of the popular ones aside from crime maps trulia are:

1. FBI Crime Data Explorer: Helps you check crime in your specific state.
2. Family Watchdog: Best for finding sex offenders to be aware of.
3. AreaVibes: Best for getting an idea of overall safety from several factors.
4. SpotCrime: Best user-friendly tool to keep an eye out for crime.
5. The Neighbors App: Connect with your neighbors and keep an eye out for suspicious activity to report.
6. CityProtect: Best for specific crime data

How to track crime in your neighborhood?

There are several ways to track crime in your neighborhood, especially if you’re questioning the trulia crime map accuracy. What you’ll want to do is establish a realistic crime radius and try other online sites to compare it to. From there, keep up with community news, and if your local police station has it, their Facebook Page. To do a complete neighborhood search crime process involves many steps, including speaking with neighbors, attending neighborhood watch meetings and keeping up with the latest data when you check crime rate by zip code.

While Trulia is reportedly an accurate crime map, there are other factors to consider before putting an offer on a home in a neighborhood you aren’t familiar with. Be studious by using multiple online tools, speaking with local resources in the community and doing your research. Once you find the perfect neighborhood to move to, contact Richr to help you buy your dream home and earn 2% cashback on your purchase to help you build wealth, starting at home.