Over the past few years, you’ve probably heard the term “walkability” thrown out. For those who have lived in big cities, this is a common factor to use when deciding where to live or work. If you can catch a quick bus or walk to the office, the grocery store, restaurants, or a movie theater, there’s a fair chance you’ll pay more for where you live. But, most real estate investors aren’t thinking about this, and their ignorance could cost them.

Jeff Speck, city planner and writer, is on the show to discuss how walkability, smart urban planning, and intentional property design can help you make much more money while improving the lives of your tenants and neighbors. Jeff has seen time and time again how smart urban planning leads to higher home appreciation and rents and a safer, happier community. The problem? Most of us are stuck in car-reliant American suburbs with little walkability and lacking public transportation.

After hearing this episode, you’ll easily be able to spot the properties that will grow faster in value due to smart city planning. So, before you go out and buy your next property, make sure it aligns with Jeff’s four components of walkability because if it does, you could have a valuable property on your hands that most other investors won’t even notice!

In This Episode We Cover:

Walkability explained and why this is such a crucial factor in home and rent prices

The four components of walkability and how to ensure your property fits

The huge portion of Americans who want walkable properties and communities

Mixed-use development and why Americans want more than big yards and big houses

Urban design trends to pay attention to that could change the real estate landscape

How to get your city leaders to take the steps to building more walkable communities

And So Much More!

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Books Mentioned in the Show:

Walkable City by Jeff Speck

Walkable City Rules by Jeff Speck

Suburban Nation by Andrés Duany

The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

Homelessness is a Housing Problem by Clayton Page Aldern and Gregg Colburn

The High Cost of Free Parking by Donald Shoup

(00:00) Intro

(01:07) Why We Need “Walkability”

(07:32) Americans WANT Walkable Spaces

(09:49) Bringing Back Walkable Cities

(15:19) Profit Potential to Look For

(19:33) Will This Increase Affordability?

(25:13) Urban Design Trends to Watch

(33:01) What Investors Should Do

Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/on-the-market-210

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210: Why More Investors Are Building Wealth with "Walkable" Properties w/Jeff Speck 42:17 Share

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Shownotes Transcript

210: Why More Investors Are Building Wealth with "Walkable" Properties w/Jeff Speck