When looking at home listings and comparing neighborhoods, you may notice a number attached to the listing or neighborhood called “walkability score.” Have you ever wondered what that means?

Walkability score measures how easy it is to get around in an area on foot. The higher the walkability score, the more pedestrian-friendly an area is.

Walkability scores can be helpful when choosing a new place to live or visit. If you’re looking for a place where you can easily walk to nearby shops and restaurants, for example, a high walkability score is a good indicator that you’ll be able to do just that.

The Walkscore.com website calculates the Walkability Score of a property. Walkability scores are calculated using several factors, including the number of nearby amenities, population density, street connectivity, and block size. These factors play a role in how easy it is (or isn’t) to get around on foot.

Rankings are based on a 0 – 100 scale. Here’s how the scores translate to an area’s walkability:

• 90 – 100: Walker’s Paradise. Daily errands do not require a car.
• 70 – 89: Very Walkable. Most errands can be accomplished on foot.
• 50 – 69: Somewhat Walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot.
• 25 – 49: Car-Dependent. Most errands require a car.
• 0 – 24: Car-Dependent. Almost all errands require a car.

In addition to a Walkability Score, Walk Score also evaluates for Transit Score (how well a location is served by public transit) and Bike Score (whether an area is suitable for biking). 

These scores can help you determine your values when buying a home. They can also be helpful to profile the kind of buyer who might be interested in a home you’re selling. It’s important to understand that a high or low walkability score is not necessarily bad. It all depends on personal values, such as people that dislike highly-trafficked areas.

One of the attractive qualities of living in an area like Prescott, Arizona, is the luxury of area attractions being close enough to reach by walking. The many levels of Prescott’s Walkability make it attractive to a wide range of homebuyers. Residents near downtown can walk to the numerous venues and shops located in the famous, beautiful, and historic downtown. Along with this, the Prescott Area offers communities that are rural and separated from high traffic.

How to Use the Service

1. Simply enter an address 
2. That’s it!

If you’re curious about your own home’s walkability score, or you’d like to learn about the most and least walkable neighborhoods in a given city, you can search for addresses on the Walk Score website at http://www.walkscore.com/.

You will get reports of the pros and cons of walking and biking from that address to nearby shops and attractions. The service also supplies a map of the area that was analyzed.

If you are curious about the communities in the Prescott Area or are looking for your new home, contact me today, I’d be happy to help you will all of your real estate needs!

Beware of Lipstick Flips

Have you ever looked at a property that was “flipped” or “rehabbed” and thought it seemed “too good to be true”? Well, there’s a reason for this, because many times these are “Lipstick Flips.”

What is a “Lipstick Flip,” anyway? A “Lipstick Flip” is one where the rehab on the property has been kept very minimal. Touch-ups to cabinets, fresh coats of paint on walls/doors/trim – basically just enough to make the house look nice for showing.

Lipstick Flipping is done in hopes of “showing” the property well enough to “steal it.” The “Lipstick Flip” attempts to distract the buyer from the lack of “meaty rehabs,” like replacing all flooring, drywall, etc.

Don’t worry, not all flipped homes are money pits. Prescott has many homes to offer. Some are recently renovated, some are simply beautiful. However, always lean on the side of caution when looking to buy a flipped home. While many are upstanding folks, there are those out there who will cut corners to boost their return. Just take a quick look at the quality of the products used and the renovation details before getting ‘wowed’ by the fresh new paint.

Once buyers close on a home, they’re responsible for the home. This includes issues that may be costly to repair or remain simply unsafe for habitation. This is why it’s vitally important you take the necessary steps to protect yourself before signing off. Here are some tips to prevent the headache and heartache of a bad “lipstick flip” home:

• Do not waive the inspection. In addition to the usual areas, inspect the attic, and mold is inspected for exposed wiring. Include a termite inspection.
• Ask for a complete list of all work done with receipts for the work. 
• For all work done, make sure the seller uses a licensed contractor.
• Ensure the work on the home passes inspection and is up to code. Request a copy of the certificate of occupancy.
• Ask the seller for a current disclosure statement, as required by law.

If the seller balks at these requests, it may be necessary to pass on the home. If issues come up during inspection, you may change your mind about the house, or you may negotiate for repairs or closing credits, depending on your agent’s advice.

When buying a home, always get reports from an engineer, inspector, or contractor that have nothing to do with the selling party. Always have a professional look over any “Lipstick Flip,” no matter how nice it looks! They can provide invaluable information in determining issues with your “lipstick flip” house before they become major problems.

As a trusted real estate advisor, I like to ensure my clients don’t get burned! Let me use my years of experience and help you look for your next home.