Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investment that you will make in your lifetime and it is a 15-30 year commitment. So you want to feel safe about the area.  Here are some tips for conducting research so that you don't fall in live with the eye candy home and know nothing about the area.  Your agent will find you the best house for the right price but it is YOUR resposibility to learn about the community even if you have lived there in the past or if you are familiar with the area because demographics change often.  Don't be a victim to eye candy!  Learn about the neighborhood. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE.  

Whether you are buying or selling a home, keep your head up, your hopes high and remember that it is not over until the keys are exchanged!

The websites mentioned includes:

Researching Homes:  realtor.com and homesnap.com

Demographics: city-data, Movoto, The Census Bureau, City websites, County websites, Neighborhoodscout, Google

Crime: Neighborhoodscout, spotcrime, city-data

Sex Offender Registry: The Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services (public information)