Regarding cars in the driveway — Definitely must be a local “tell” where you are. Around here it is common to see a car or two in the driveway, even in multi-million dollar communities of homes with 3 or 4+ bay garages. Of which there are many. Nobody would think a thing of it.
yes, it could very well be a regional thing.
Very few homes here were built before 1950, and nearly every home here has a 2 car garage.
In my experience (based on the area in which I live and work). The sure signs that your neighborhood is on the decline are: (in ruff order of decline)
- cars parked in the driveway and or in front of a house overnight (especially older beat up cars) usually because they have filled their 2 car garage with junk. (first sign of decline)
- lawns no longer being maintained and flowers are no where to be seen.
- joggers (especially women joggers) and women with strollers disappear.
- former owner occupied homes now being rented out, homes being converted into duplexes, lots of for rent signs, ect.
- dilapidated sidewalks and parks
- Roaming bands of teenagers at night
- vacant homes, and especially homes that have been tagged by the city (final stage of death)
some of you might be offended by my observations, but this information can save new homebuyers from making a costly mistake that can destroy their lives.