Schools influence the majority of buyers

Seventy-three percent of recent buyers said that schools were a top factor in their home search.

According to realtor.com®, naturally, buyers with children were more likely to consider school boundaries important, but 34 percent of buyers without children also consider it a top need when searching for a home. Younger buyers were also more invested in the schools near a home, with 84 percent of buyers 35-54 years old and 86 percent of buyers 18-34 citing its importance. Only 37 percent of buyers 55 and older said it was important.

Seventy-eight percent of buyers reported that they compromised on wanted features in their new home in order to be near a good school.

Buyers were most willing to compromise on a garage, with 19 percent giving it up. Eighteen percent reported they gave up a large backyard and 17 percent sacrificed an updated kitchen or a desired number of bedrooms. Sixteen percent comprised an outdoor living area. Younger buyers were more likely to make sacrifices than older buyers.

Determining what schools to live near depended on a few factors. Test scores was the top feature, at 59 percent, with accelerated programs at 53 percent. Nearly half said arts and music, while 43 percent said diversity. Programs both before and after school were important to 41 percent. Older buyers were more invested in whether a school had an accelerated program, while younger buyers were looking for diversity in schools.

In Pennsylvania, realtor.com® found that Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Apollo was the most-searched elementary school and Hempfield Area Senior High School in Greensburg was the most-searched high school.