ecohome guy

Yesterday I spent the morning showing my clients several properties. Nothing unusual there for a real estate broker. Except that we did all the showings on foot. It was cold and overcast but my Buyers were game so we covered some ground in the Old Fourth Ward. The tour included a range of homes, from a $49K 1895 row house within view of the MLK Jr. birthplace to a stunning $749K 3 story modern with city skyline views from the roof terrace. All within a few city blocks. Talk about diversity.

This is a logical approach to buying when part of the attraction to the area is the walkability.

The latest demographical and consumer behavior data suggest that this may become a routine experience for me. A recent Urban Land Institute report focuses on major demographic waves to watch in the new decade. The study centered on four major people groups: Aging Baby Boomers, Younger Baby Boomers, Generation Y, and Immigrants. All of these groups have some common characteristics that reflect a desire to live in more pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented, mixed-use environments that de-emphasize auto dependency, whether the location is urban or suburban, the report noted.

So how do I articulate this growing demand? In the past I've promoted Rail Estate [homes within 1/2 mile of MARTA] and homes within bike-friendly communities. Real Estate company Pedal to Properties calls bike-friendly properties Wheel Estate. I'll take a cue from them and call homes in walkable neighborhoods Heel Estate.

If you find yourself in step with this trend you should know that The Old Fourth Ward scores high in all these categories: 

• WalkScore.com gives the neighborhood high 80's, making the area rich in "Very Walkable" Heel Estate.
• Located in close proximity to heavily-trafficked bike paths on Freedom Parkway and the Edgewood Avenue corridor makes bike culture increasingly pervasive and Wheel Estate abundant. 
• As a primary node on the developing BeltLine, the area will continue to evolve as premium territory for pedestrian-, bike-friendly, transit-oriented lifestyles. Or Rail, Wheel, and Heel Estate. 

Ready to go house hunting in a walkable, historic, intown community? Put on your walking shoes and let's stroll!