How Walkability Helps in Selling Real Estate

Walkability has suddenly become a buzzword. It is a broad topic that involves health, economics, community, demographics, and the environment. It might seem complicated, but it is just common sense.

Homes that have easy access to shops, services, and offices by foot tend to sell for a price premium but that is hardly surprising. When people have convenient access to service areas, they get to save a lot of money on transportation. They also get to save time. And when they walk their health improves. When more people walk there will be fewer vehicles on the road. As you can see, this is good for the environment as well.

In other words, walkability makes a community more livable and eco-friendly. Developers are keen to provide walkability. When they build communities where people don't have to drive, they can charge a higher price.

People now want to walk to work. They also want to live in bustling townships that have everything they need within walking distance. Walk score, a new metric that developers now use to sell their properties, is a measure of services available within a certain distance. Homes that are close to food stores, transit and government offices tend to have a walk score of 90 percent or above. Unfortunately, this metric doesn't consider the quality of the walk. A short walk along a dark underpass is much less pleasant than a relatively longer walk along a tree-lined street with beautiful homes and shops.

Here are a few things builders need to take into account when they build homes that boast of walkability.

Future proof the homes

When walkable homes are built with care and craft, their value will continue to appreciate. The key is building communities where people want to live and spend time.

Be street smart

The sidewalks should be at least 5 feet wide. If they are narrower, they won't let couples stroll.

Builders interested in creating long time value now even consider building streets that are lined on either side by trees. If budget permits go for it and when choosing trees mix them up.

Encourage interaction

When you build public spaces, you need to look at them as outdoor living spaces that provide a sense of privacy and enclosure. They must be configured in such a way that stores should face each other. Also include large porches in the front so that families can interact with their neighbors. Porches that are too close to sidewalks need to be built with special care. These kinds of porches should be elevated so that homeowners feel comfortable.

Choose tenants wisely

While choosing tenants for the stores, make sure that they complement each other. For example, a bookstore, a clothes store, a restaurant and a coffee shop contribute to one another and add to the amenities.

The growth of the walk to work culture

In cities that have a well-defined work culture, more and more people are looking for properties that are within walking distance of their workplace. These properties command a price premium and their value tend to appreciate over time.

While trying to develop walkability, real estate professionals and builders must not compromise on aesthetics. Simply put, walkability helps sell homes.

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