How Walkable is Your Neighborhood?

Though not everyone wants a home in the center of town, there's a really clear set of home buyers looking for vibrant communities where they can walk or bike to most places they want to visit. Being able to get to the store, walk your kids to school, get to work and even go out for dinner on a Friday night - all without a car - now tops the list of what's desirable in a neighborhood for these people.

As it turns out, neighborhoods with a deliberate mix of residential and commercial properties, public green space and community centers are packed with more than just people. With so many nearby destinations they also encourage healthy living. According to a report published in the Journal of American Planning, more walk ability equals less waistline. The report shows that when a neighborhood's walk ability increases by just 5%, the neighbors' body mass index decreases by .23%. The study echoes the results of numerous studies showing clear links between health and neighborhood design. Less driving, reduced impact on the environment, more social interaction, increased connection with neighbors and a stronger local economy are other perks.

Though the term is becoming increasingly popular, walkable communities aren't new. The old town village was a walkable community. The world's biggest metropolitan centers started out as small, walkable communities long before the invention of the car. These cities were natural places for people to settle, build their homes, businesses, schools and town halls - close together.

GET YOUR WALK SCORE

There's been such an increased interest in the concept of walkable communities in fact, that a Seattle company has just launched a website where users can plug in an address and get the "walk score" for that neighborhood. The application is based on information found in Google Maps and though it has it's flaws, is a great tool for home buyers doing a home search outside their region.

The site will generate a walk score for any address that can be found in Google Maps from Tampa to Juneau. The results tend to be fairly accurate, but the generated walk score sometimes trips over the things that Google doesn't know about a neighborhood. Criteria that affect walkability like weather, crime, hills, trees, rivers and public transit are not taken into account by the Walk Score site. Yet.

One visitor to the site suggests that the application's short comings can be compensated for by "the Web 3.0 app called going outside and investigating the world for yourself." Very funny, but when you're looking for a home in Tampa while you live in Minnesota, this kind of firsthand information isn't possible. What is possible, however, is to use the Walk Score results as a springboard for dealing with your Realtor. Your Realtor makes it their business to know the neighborhoods they serve. If they also have a good understanding of the importance of walk ability to your home search - you're well on your way to finding the right home in the right neighborhood, whether it's in the next state or on the other side of the country.

Calum MacKenzie is Tampa Bay Real Estate agent who centers his business on personalized service. Visit http://www.tampahomes24-7.com to see homes for sale in Tampa Bay and start your home search right now.

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Finding the Perfect Real Estate in Historic Hendersonville, NC

Finding just the right real estate for your needs generally takes some time and effort. Finding that property in a historic area, such as Hendersonville,NC, can take some extra time and added effort. If you are looking to purchase property in the area, you will definitely want to work with local Hendersonville real estate agents.

Real estate agents everywhere can help you to buy and sell property, but by working with a local real estate agent you can ensure the best knowledge of the area in which you are considering a purchase. Only a local agent will know the "ins and outs" of a particular area. They can go a long way to help you avoid pitfalls and understand quirky local regulations. And, as well, living in a historic district can mean plenty of rules and regulations to be aware of and comply with.

If you are looking to purchase property for your main residence or vacation home, there are a few things you should consider before meeting with a local Hendersonville real estate agent. By taking the time to make some preliminary decisions you can help your real estate agent be able to help serve you better. None of your preliminary decisions are set in stone, because they can always be changed. However, they start you on the road to finding your perfect property and can save you a lot of time and frustration.

The first thing you will want to decide is if you want to live within the city limits or outside the city in a more rural setting. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Living within city limits generally means living with other people closer to you but with more availability to shop and visit restaurants. Living in a more rural setting can be more private, but you will find you need to drive more to shop and visit the city. Do you work in Hendersonville? Do you work in another city and commute?

Consider both location options and decide which option would likely work the best for you.

Once you have decided if you prefer to live in the city or out in the country, the second thing you will want to consider is the style of home you are looking for, and how much property you would like it to be on. For instance you may want a nice farm house on land to grow your own food, or you might prefer a Colonial style home in the city and on a smaller lot. By deciding these two things you can help your future real estate agent to better select the properties they take you to see.

The third consideration is your affordable price for your real estate purchase. By visiting a mortgage broker you can get pre-approved for a mortgage you can afford. By having this pre-approval, you will know which real estate options fit into your own budget. This will keep you from wasting your time, and your real estate agent's time, by looking at properties over your price range.

After you have an idea of where you would prefer to live, what style of home you would like, how much land you would ideally like to have, and how much you can realistically afford, then you should start interviewing Hendersonville real estate agents to find the agent you can best work with. You should interview at least three agents to get a feel of how they work and if your personality meshes with theirs or not. Your goal is to find the real estate agent you can work the best with.

Finding the right Hendersonville or Asheville North Carolina real estate for your needs can take you some time and effort, but it is well worth it in the end. There is no better area to live or vacation than the Blue Ridge Mountains region of North Carolina.

Work with the experienced, local real estate agents at Preferred Real Estate Center. You can be assured the best knowledge of the Hendersonville, NC area. Start you on the road to finding your perfect property and save time and frustration in your search.

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Questions Before Purchasing Property Or Land

When purchasing a piece of property, there are so many things to consider. What are you looking for? Some are looking for a mountain-top piece of property with great views. Others are looking for something in the city limits for convenience. Then there are some that are looking for something in between. The options are endless, but you must decide where you and your family would feel most comfortable.

Once you decide WHERE you want to live, you should then consider some other questions:

1. How much acreage do you want to purchase? Some people want a simple building lot that consists of ½ acre to 1 ½ acres.Others want a mini private estate consisting of 3 to 5 acres. Then there are others that want a large parcel or 5 acres or more, and maybe as large as 20 acres. What are you looking for?

2. How much do you wish to spend on this piece of property or real estate? Depending on where you want to live, an acre of land can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $1,000,000 and up. Then there are larger parcels that could cost a lot less per acre if you buy the whole 20 or 30 acres.

3. What type of home do you want to build on this property? Restrictions can regulate what your neighborhood will become in the future. If there are restrictions, you can make sure that you home value will rise and that no homes will be built in your area to compromise that. A good question that our Realtors are ready to answer is "What are the restrictions on this piece of property?"

4. What will your home appraise for on this building lot? Some clients and lenders ask for a "Pre-Appraisal". A Pre-Appraisal is an estimation of what your new home built on this piece of property will be worth when it is completed. Some get a Pre-Appraisal and another Appraisal once the home is finished. When you get an Appraisal after the home is finished, it sometimes shows the value a little higher than the Pre-Appraisal because they are looking at a finished product and not just a concept. The Post-Appraisal being a little higher will also allow you to get a better mortgage rate.

This is simply a starter guide when looking for a piece of property. Some other questions to be considered:

1. Size of your property? Will the home you want fit on it?

2. How should the house sit on the property to allow for a garage and driveway?

3. How much grading and clearing will need to be done on the property?

4. Will you need to build or improve access to your home? Will the improvements/construction require a gravel or paved surface? How about drainage for the road?

5. What type of foundation do you want or what type of foundation is required? Whether you install a slab, crawlspace or full basement will determine the final cost for your home.

6. Does the area have access to a public water and a sewage system, or will a water well have to be drilled and septic system need to be installed?

7. Is there adequate space and drainage for the septic system needed for the size home you want to build?

8. How far away from your daily routine will your home be? Is it convenient to your job, family/friends, grocery store, gas station or church? Or will the distance matter to you at all?

9. Are utilities (electric, cable, gas) available in the area, or will you have to add these costs to your building budget?

10. Will your home increase in value over the years? Is this what you are anticipating?

11. How are taxes assessed and at what rate in the area you've chosen? Will your home raise in value as the taxes do? Is this a concern for you?

12. Has the property been approved for building by the local permitting office?

There are many bases to cover when dealing with Real Estate. Make sure you ask questions, negotiate, and feel completely sure about the deal before you make a purchase.

Author: Janet Marie http://www.AshevilleBuildingAndRealEstate.com

For Complete Asheville North Carolina Information, Guides, Search Engine, & More... please visit http://www.AskAsheville.com

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