Craig Massie

If you're planning to stay for 10+ years, the specific school district matters less for long-term appreciation. Over a decade, general market growth tends to level the playing field. While a prestigious district definitely helps with resale, it's often more about liquidity, how quickly the home sells, rather than a massive, outsized jump in value just because of the zip code. However, if you're there for less than 5 years, it matters significantly. In a short window, your home hasn't had much time to naturally appreciate. In that scenario, the 'school district premium' (even if it's just an extra $10,000 or $20,000) represents a much larger portion of your take-home equity and acts as an insurance policy if you need to sell fast.