For most homeowners, the belief is that it’s all about location, location, location.

Now, a community preference survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that, along with access, is indeed the case.

According to the Lansing State Journal, the survey shows that most homebuyers say their ideal community is one with a mix of houses, stores and other businesses that are easily walkable, rather than neighborhoods that require more driving between home, work and recreation.

“More and more consumers are being drawn to mixed-use neighborhoods that come with shorter commutes and more walkable areas,” said Meghan Webber, CEO of the Greater Lansing Association of Realtors.

The NAR survey also showed that a majority of Americans prefer houses with small yards and easy walks to schools, stores and restaurants, over houses with large yards that require owners to drive to schools, stores and restaurants.

While those surveyed say that they prefer walkable communities, that preference does have its limits.

A majority of consumers responded that they prefer communities where it is easier to walk and their commute is shorter, but when comparing a detached single-family house to an apartment or townhouse, the detached home wins out, even with a longer commute and more driving.

“Today’s buyers want a community where they can walk to shopping, restaurants and schools,” said Webber.

“Yet buyers aren’t willing to compromise on a single-family house; they want the house and the walkable community.”

Overall, the survey suggests a growing momentum away from the sprawling suburban environments of the past and toward mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly communities.

“Consumers’ attitudes are changing and it’s becoming evident that suburban neighborhoods – where amenities are spread out – aren’t as desirable as they once were,” said Webber.

“Keeping a community attractive, livable and functioning well is a complex task.”

MH & Modular – Practical Solutions?

As Daily Business News readers already know, both modern manufactured and modular housing provide quality, easy to implement and cost effective alternatives, especially in mixed use areas where site built structures can be time consuming and expensive.

For more on how modular is being used as a solution to housing in the city of Boston, click here. ##

(Image credits are as shown above.)

Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.