Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (2024)

Thethree most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location.

Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake.

What is it about the location that makes it so vital to real estate investing?

The condition and price of any home can be changed. You can even change the size of the house. The one thing you can't change is the home's location.A great location can change an entire neighborhood seemingly overnight as happened inDowntown Raleigh.

Supply and demand are two factors that will always play a role in real estate appreciation. Housing supply in great locations is limited to the number of homes in that location.

The location creates desirability, desirability creates demand, and demand raises real estate prices.

Here are some of the things to consider whenlooking for a great location to buy real estate:

Reverse Engineer the Future of the Neighborhood

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (1)Anyone who doesn't understand how the real estate market works will tell you to buy in a good/safe neighborhood. Well, guess what, neighborhoods change, just like everything else.

Don't buy in a good or bad neighborhood, buy in a neighborhood that you can see the future of. Do your research when it comes to neighborhoods as well just keep in mind most of the best neighborhoods are going to be more expensive investments. For the best investment, you want a neighborhood on the verge of being 'next' best.

Let's start with a real-life example of a home I purchased in a 'bad neighborhood.'

Ten months later I am up an estimated $63,000, andconsidering a less desirable home down the street sold for $200,000 in three hours on the market, it's up more than that. There's another, smaller home, listed for sale at$319,000 on my street as well (it's overpriced). UPDATE: This home is nowestimated at 325,000 (in 2021).

This neighborhood is now one of the more desirable locations,especially formillennials.

Guess what buying in a 'bad neighborhood' offers, that buying in an already 'good neighborhood' doesn't? A higher floor. Meaning the neighborhood is less likely to depreciate since it's already considered 'bad' and this reduces risk.

This home is less than a mile from Downtown Raleigh, NC, and with the growth of the city, there are plenty of buyers raising their hands to buy in this location.

Raleighand Charlotte are some of themost desirable locations for millennials, young families, and retirees. They are great cities to live in!Everyone seemingly want to live downtown, especially millennials and millennialsmake up more than 60% of all buyers.

People need to stop looking at the current status of the neighborhood and start paying attention to the future of the neighborhood. This is what I call reverse-engineering the future of the location you are buying a home in.

A lot of Real Estate Agents will tell you 'buy in a safe neighborhood' andwhile this makes sense it is missing the fundamentals of real estate investing. Just because the neighborhood is safe right now, doesn't mean it's going to be safe in five years.

Alternatively, just because the neighborhood isn't safe right now, doesn't mean it won't be safe in five years.

Safe neighborhoodsare good to consider, even more, important though is to ask the question 'where will this neighborhood be in five years?'

Millennials

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (2)Understanding that millennials represent over 60% of buyers is extremely important when searching for a location.

Is the area you are buying in attractive to this demographic? If so, that is a strong indicator you are buying in a location that is going to have strong demand, and demand raises real estate prices. The number of millennials who are choosing to buy instead of renting is growing.

When you're buying a house you should do so with a plan. The average person moves every 7 years, so if you pay attention to who your buyer is likely to be in the future it will make selling it down the line a lot easier. If you buy in a location that is equally attractive to the largest pool of buyers you will have a much easier time when you go to sell.

What do millennials look for in a location? Under $300,000 is the sweet spot for Millennial buyers, they also want great schools, easy commutes to work, and local amenities.

Schools

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (3)What makes the location so important is the fact you can't change it - you also can't change the school district your home is located in (though the citycan). Making schools a very important part of your home's location, especially when you consider many millennials are buying a home to raise a family and want a great school district.

To the right is a photo of one of the best elementary schools inthe Cary, NC area. Davis Drive Elementary School has a 10/10 ranking on GreatSchools.org. The homes that are for sale in the Davis Drive Elementary school district are highly desirable estates.

Schools may even be the most important factor in a location, especially when you are going to reverse engineer a neighborhood. Are there plans to develop brand new schools in that area? Are the schools that are there rated well?

These are the type of questions you need to be asking yourself, as many people will not consider buying a home in a location where the schools are bad.

One of the safest ways to invest in real estate is to invest in the school district. Keep in mind schoolsare not set in stone. In Raleigh, there is a growth rate of nearly 70 people per day, and thus the schools are becoming overcrowded. They are building new schools to keep up with consumer demand and this can change the school assignment of the home.

A safe way to invest in real estate is to invest in a great school district. Period.

Transportation

Easy commutes to work are the icing on the cake for many home buyers.

Whether it's driving a car, biking, public transportation, or even walkability the commute time is a factor when choosing a location.

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (4)In major cities, if you buy a house in a location where the city isgoing to build a new train stop you will see instant appreciation once that train becomes available. Obviously, if you live right on the tracks it is a different story, however, a short walk to the train stop should make the desirability of your home increase. It's also likely that a train stop will bring other local amenities such as grocery stores and restaurants.

Time is the most valuable asset in the world, and this is why peoplewill always pay to save time. To be within a twenty-minute drive of work is a factor when choosing the location of a home. This is why the areas close to highways, trains, or other means of easy transportation always seem to appreciate faster than areas farther away.

People love the idea of being able to walk to work, or to the grocery store, restaurants, and other local amenities. The best location for easy transportation is near a major highway or public transportation. Typically, downtown living is a great place for walkability.

Local Amenities

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (5)Local amenities have a direct impact on real estate prices in the area.

Grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, are some of the top amenities people are looking for when buying a home.

Buyers want these amenities within a 5-10 minute drive. If the location of the home you're buying is within a few miles of most of these amenities it will help raise your property value.

Some of the buyers I work with personally make certain amenities a requirement in their home search. Particular grocery stores have to be within a 10-15 minute drive for certain buyers or they won't even consider the house. Buyers preface their choice of amenities with statements like 'this may sound weird, I have to be within 10 minutes of a Trader Joe's' not realizing how normal that request truly is!

How Does LocationAffect Values

The location has the largest effect on home values thanks to the impact the location has on the desirability of a home. The location of a home provides convenience to things like Downtown, Airport, Shopping, and more! The closer you are to the convenient hot spots the better your location and the likelier your home will appreciate in the future. Land is one thing they aren't making more of and this is a big reason why the location has such a large effect on home values. If you're looking to buy a real estate investment location is always going to be your number one priority because you're looking for appreciation and rentability.

The better the location the easier it will be to rent the home out and the more you can get per month, while also experiencing great appreciation. In Raleigh, some of the best areas to buy real estate investments are areas with great locations where the real estate prices don't necessarily reflect that. That's how you experience maximum appreciation, catch the neighborhood on its way up in the beginning.

What's More Important Location or House?

This one can be a tough decision for many people, especially those who are buying a home for the first time. The answer is easy, location. Location is more important than the house when it comes to the property value. When it comes to which home you will enjoy more, only you can answer that! It's often a matter of patience finding a home you will love in the right price range, so don't jump at a house that is outside of your desired location! You can always make updates and upgrades to a home, you can't update the location!

If you're looking to make a move on a house that is outside of your desired location you really need to step back and ask yourself if you will be happy living outside of your desired area. Many times, our clients will sell their home because they want to be 'closer' to something. Whether that's school, work, or their favorite hang-out spots, location is always a motivating factor for people. When you're buying a home make sure the location of the home is your top priority and you will find yourself in a great situation.

Final thoughts on the Importance of Location:

If you're buying a home, the first thing you should do is choose a location. It's the most important factor when buying real estate.

Location matters, even the location inside the neighborhood will have a large impact on your home's value. Once you choose the general area you want to live it makes sense to start searching the specific locations within those neighborhoods. You want to buy on the low end of the neighborhood's price range because the other homes in your neighborhood will bring your value up.

Another factor to consider when choosing a location is buying near water. People love water.

If you take away anything from this article, take this:

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location.

What are your thoughts on the importance of location in real estate? Let us know in the comments section below!

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? (2024)

FAQs

Why is Location so Important in Real Estate? ›

One of the reasons why location is so important in real estate is that buyers often want and need close access to amenities and transportation options. This means relatively close proximity to restaurants, grocery stores, dry cleaners, shopping and entertainment.

Why is property location important? ›

Location is key to valuable real estate. Homes in cities that have little room for expansion tend to be more valuable than those in cities that have plenty of room. Consider the accessibility, appearance, and amenities of a neighborhood as well as plans for development.

Why is location most important? ›

Location plays a huge role in attracting and retaining the best employees, many of whom keep a close eye on where they're based in order to optimize work-life balance. Good location decisions can significantly boost a company's long-term performance.

What are the 3 most important factors in real estate? ›

The three most important factors when buying a home are location, location, and location. Too often I hear people talking about making decisions based on the home itself, instead of the location, and that is a mistake.

What is location in real estate? ›

A quick definition of location:

In real estate, it is the boundaries of a piece of land. In mining law, it is the act of claiming a piece of land for mining. Location can also refer to a contract for renting something for a short period of time.

Is location still important in real estate? ›

Any Realtor will tell you, it's “location, location, location.” Believe it or not, the location of a home is the single most important factor to consider when looking for a new home.

What is the most important factor in real estate? ›

Property Location

The adage "location, location, location" is still king and continues to be the most important factor for profitability in real estate investing. Proximity to amenities, green space, scenic views, and the neighborhood's status factor prominently into residential property valuations.

Why location is the key to success? ›

By: Max Estates. The location of the office of your business can be one of the most crucial factors that drives its success by determining access to market forces, clients, and resources. It also plays a critical role in the way a brand is perceived by customers or audiences, by serving as a landmark of identity.

Is location or house more important? ›

The location of a property is generally the single most important consideration. Without even considering nearby amenities, the location of your home can have major implications for the future value of the home. Some neighborhoods and communities simply appreciate faster than others.

Why is location important for a building? ›

For some project owners, it's important to have their building seen from a certain location such as highways, interior roads, natural areas, or even other buildings. How a building is designed and positioned on a site could make the difference between a pleasing accent to the natural landscape or an ugly eyesore.

What are the three C's of real estate? ›

They evaluate credit and payment history, income and assets available for a down payment and categorize their findings as the Three C's: Capacity, Credit and Collateral.

What is a prime location in real estate? ›

Proximity to hubs: A prime location is always close to all the commercial hubs and prominent places in the city like restaurants, shopping complexes, hospitals, etc. This ensures better convenience for people visiting your property.

What four main elements determine real estate value? ›

The Four Essential Elements of Value are:
  • Scarcity: How much is there of it?
  • Transferability: Can it be sold?
  • Utility: Can it be used?
  • Demand: Does anybody want it?

Why is location an asset? ›

The unique characteristic of the location asset is that it is not subject to borrowing constraints. Agents can always borrow, namely, transfer resources from the future to the present, by going to a cheaper neighborhood or city with worse opportunities.

What makes a location? ›

A location is the place where a particular point or object exists. Location is an important term in geography, and is usually considered more precise than "place." A locality is a human settlement: city, town, village, or even archaeological site.

What does location of sale mean? ›

Destination of a sale" means the location to which the retailer makes delivery of the property sold, or causes the property to be delivered, to the purchaser of the property, or to the agent or designee of the purchaser.

Why is location important to consider when renting? ›

Location significantly impacts happiness, comfort, and to some extent, even health. The selection of a home or apartment should go well beyond financial considerations. It should include questions of convenience to schools, shopping, work, and transportation.

What are the top two reasons for choosing an area to purchase? ›

If you're thinking of buying a house, consider these five location factors:
  • Schools. If you have children, this is probably at the top of your consideration list. ...
  • Commute times. ...
  • Lifestyle. ...
  • Local amenities. ...
  • Resale value.
Sep 6, 2013

What are 3 positive aspects for real estate? ›

10 Reasons To Invest In Real Estate
  • Steady Cash Flow. Owning real estate is a way to boost your monthly income. ...
  • Great Returns. ...
  • Long-Term Security. ...
  • Tax Advantages. ...
  • Diversification. ...
  • Passive Income. ...
  • Ability To Leverage Funds. ...
  • Protection Against Inflation.

What are the 3 most important things when looking to buy real estate? ›

What to Look for When Buying a House
  • Search for the right price.
  • Prioritize the location.
  • Think long term.
  • Assess property condition.
  • Don't focus on minor cosmetic details.
  • Stick with your must-haves.

What is the biggest risk in real estate? ›

High Vacancy Rates

High vacancies are especially risky if you count on rental income to pay for the property's mortgage, insurance, property taxes, maintenance, and the like.

What is a location strategy? ›

Simply put, location strategy is a plan that includes determining the objectives of your company and then finding the right location to achieve them. There are many factors to consider, so choosing a new location should be preceded by an in-depth analysis.

Do you think location is the key factor that attracts customers? ›

The importance of business location factors cannot be understated. It is not only to attract customers but also to attract the right talent to make the business successful.

What is measuring the success of location? ›

Measuring the Success of Location

Most important factors are listed such as customer's level of spending, degree of competition, Personal Disposable Income (PDI), availability of locations, etc., and minimum acceptable level for each factor is defined and the countries are ranked.

What is the most important part of a house? ›

The foundation on which a house is built is the most crucial element for it, regardless of how big or tiny it is. If the house is not built on a stable foundation, the foundation will break with time, causing harm to the house's internal and external walls.

What is the most important position in the house? ›

The Speaker of the House acts as the leader of the U.S. House of Representatives. Every two years, the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives vote on the first day of each new Congress. Both of the major political parties nominate one candidate for the position of Speaker.

What is the most important place in the house? ›

The kitchen is by far the most important room in the house for a buyer. A well-apointed kitchen dramatically increases the value of your home. As you build your new home to meet your personal interests and needs for your kitchen, you should consider these items in your kitchen design: Modern appliances.

What is the purpose of location planning? ›

A location plan provides an illustration of the proposed development in its surrounding context. This enables the planning authority to properly identify the land to which the application refers, and is typically based on an up-to-date Ordnance Survey (or similar) map.

What are the benefits of business location? ›

Five location advantages you should consider are trade access, consumer/market proximity, adjacent business communities, proximity to talent sources and lower costs.

What are location factors for construction? ›

A location factor is an instantaneous (current—has no escalation or currency exchange projection), overall total project factor for translating all of the project cost elements of a defined construction project scope of work from one geographic location to another.

What are the 4 pillars of real estate? ›

The 4 pillars of real estate include: cash flow, appreciation, amortization and leverage, and tax benefits.

What does AAA mean in real estate? ›

AAA [Additional Agent Acknowledgement]

What are the 5 aspects of real estate? ›

There are five main categories of real estate which include residential, commercial, industrial, raw land, and special use. Investing in real estate includes purchasing a home, rental property, or land. Indirect investment in real estate can be made via REITs or through pooled real estate investment.

How do you describe a prime location? ›

Prime location means that the presence of real-estate developers is evident, presumably because of better locational attributes (i.e. well connected with the major part of Dhaka, services are available, etc.) relative to other locations.

What is a common way to measure areas in real estate? ›

There are three common real property measurement methods; the Gross Building Area (GBA), Gross Living Area (GLA), and the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). While each method is specific in what areas are included and excluded, all of them calculate the property size based on square footage.

What is another way to say prime location? ›

What is another word for prime position?
advantagefront
leadpole position
first chairfront position
front seatpole
inside positionstarting grid

What is the best indicator of value in real estate? ›

Housing supply is a strong indicator of price. If the housing supply in an area goes down, it means that more people are moving to that area. This raises the average price of each home and means you'll have more competition if you want to buy.

What factors affect property value? ›

We've outlined some of the most important factors that influence your home's value:
  • Neighborhood comps. ...
  • Location. ...
  • Home size and usable space. ...
  • Age and condition. ...
  • Upgrades and updates. ...
  • The local market. ...
  • Economic indicators. ...
  • Interest rates.
Jun 4, 2022

What are the three types of property value? ›

You should know the difference between these three values; in particular: Market Value, Assessed Value and Replacement Cost of a property.

Is a location an entity? ›

Entities are typically nouns such as product, customer, location, or promotion.

Why does store location matter? ›

Accessibility, Visibility, and Traffic

Retailers want to be located where there are many shoppers but only if those shoppers meet the definition of their target market. Small retail stores may benefit from the traffic generated by nearby larger stores.

Why is location a resource? ›

As far as RBV theory is concerned, Location is a strategic resource as it is tied up with competitive advantage and tend to compete on convenience.

What makes a location unique? ›

The physical and human characteristics of a place make it unique. Physical characteristics include the natural environment, such as landforms, elevation, water features, climate, soil, natural vegetation, and animal life.

What are the two main types of location? ›

There are two ways to describe location in geography: relative and absolute. A relative location is the position of something relative to another landmark. For example, you might say you're 50 miles west of Houston. An absolute location describes a fixed position that never changes, regardless of your current location.

What are the characteristics of a good location? ›

In order for an audience to connect with your story, a location should provide three characteristics: emotional meaning, a backdrop, and a place for interactions.

Why is location important in sales? ›

Deciding where to locate a business has always been important. Location plays a huge role in attracting and retaining the best employees, many of whom keep a close eye on where they're based in order to optimize work-life balance. Good location decisions can significantly boost a company's long-term performance.

What is the meaning of location in real estate? ›

Place where real estate is situated. The geographic location of property affects its value. For example, real estate in a good neighborhood is worth more.

Why is location important in planning? ›

Location planning decisions are crucial for any business. Placing your Stores, Branches, or any other contact places at the most suitable locations will help your company strive. Location Data and Analytics will help you to avoid costly mistakes.

What to consider when choosing house location? ›

How To Decide Where To Live: Factors To Consider
  • Your Housing Budget. This should be an important factor to weigh when you're thinking of moving to a new place. ...
  • Cost Of Living. ...
  • Local Real Estate Market. ...
  • Job Opportunities. ...
  • Big City Vs. ...
  • Established Area. ...
  • Culture And Entertainment. ...
  • Outdoor Offerings.
May 2, 2023

Why is it important to own where you live versus renting where you live? ›

One of the advantages of owning your own home is that you will typically have more stable monthly mortgage payments year over year. Landlords often increase rent with every lease renewal. While there may be some variation based on taxes or your loan product, it's traditionally more stable than renting.

What are some important factors to consider when looking for a place to rent Ramsey? ›

That's why, when you're deciding between renting a house versus an apartment, you need to figure out two things: 1) how many people you'll be living with, and 2) where you'll be living. Once you nail that down, do some research and see which option is the most affordable. It all depends on your individual situation.

What are the examples of location advantages? ›

The advantages accrued by a firm through being located at a particular site or within a jurisdiction. These can include access to raw materials, key markets, low wages, special taxes or tariffs, and the benefits of agglomeration.

What are the key success factors in location decision? ›

Location Decision General Procedure

These factors will differ depending on the type of facility but there will usually be only a few important factors that will greatly impact the decisions. These factors include accessibility of raw materials, proximity to consumers, transportation costs, and space requirements.

What are the three factors most important to deciding which home to buy? ›

You should examine your income, savings (for a down payment and closing costs), and recurring debt to figure out how much house you can afford to buy.

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