Why School Districts Matter for Military Families (Even If You Don’t Have Kids)

My name is Evan Kaufman, your VA Loan Educator. Today I want to talk about the importance that school districts can have on home values—even for military families who don’t currently have children in school.

How School Districts Affect Home Values

When you’re purchasing a home, there are many factors that can drive home values. Some of the most common include:

• Population growth in the city.

• Major employers in the area.

• Location relative to those employers.

• Proximity to amenities like parks, libraries, and shopping.

• Proximity to schools—and importantly, the quality of those schools.

That last factor—schools and school districts—can have a major impact.

Why School Ratings Matter

Now, real estate agents and lenders aren’t supposed to tell you directly whether a school is “good” or “bad.” But you can find that information for yourself through sites like Niche.com, GreatSchools.org, or other school rating platforms.

Generally, higher school ratings correlate with higher home values. So when you’re looking at a home, don’t just consider how close it is to a school—think about the quality of the schools nearby.

Here’s the key:

• You may not care about school ratings right now if you don’t have kids.

• But a future buyer of your home very well might.

• To appeal to the widest audience of potential buyers, it’s smart to consider school ratings now, even if it doesn’t directly affect your family.

Buying Without Kids: What to Consider

If you don’t have kids, you may not need the highest-priced home in the best-rated district. A lower-priced home in a different district could still work well for you.

But you should still ask:

• Will this home be attractive to families in the future?

• Does the school district rating make the home more or less desirable?

Even if you personally don’t need top-rated schools, remember that resale value is influenced by how future buyers see the property.

Exceptions to the Rule

Now, is this always the case? No.

There are exceptions:

• Areas with many private schools — Public school ratings may not matter as much if families choose private education.

• Older demographics — In areas where fewer families have kids at home, school ratings may not impact value as heavily.

• Unique market demand — Some neighborhoods with lower-rated schools still have very high home values because of location, lifestyle, or other factors.

Also, school districts can change over time. Ratings may improve, sometimes dramatically. Some buyers even speculate by purchasing in an “up-and-coming” district, hoping that rising school ratings will boost home values later.

Key Takeaway for Military Families

Military families often move every few years. Even if you don’t have kids now, it’s important to consider school districts when buying a home.

Why? Because:

• It helps protect your resale value.

• It ensures your home appeals to a wider pool of future buyers.

• It could even position you for long-term appreciation if the district improves.

So as you PCS, keep in mind: school districts matter.

Final Thoughts

We’re heading into a new school year—it’s already August, and schools are starting soon.

I hope this was valuable for you as you think about your next move.

Again, my name is Evan Kaufman, your VA Loan Educator.
Take care!