Nowadays in 2023, more people are working from home. By working from home, workers can avoid commuting, and along with the increase in the price of cars, many are trying to get along without a car in their day-to-day life. Walkable access to daily needs and public transportation are the keys to selling the car or at least keeping it parked for longer periods.
Using a patented system, Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. It is based on a point system where amenities within a five-minute walk are given maximum points. Using a declining system, points are given for amenities for up to a 30-minute walk, with no points awarded after 30 minutes. They also use an algorithm to analyze pedestrian friendliness by reviewing population density and road metrics like block length and intersection density.
The Walk Score Point system is based on the scale below:
In IRES, our local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) or database of properties, which covers most of northern Colorado, you can search for properties based on their Walk Score categories shown above. People desiring to get along without a car can search for a high walk score, whereas those who want to get away from it all can search for a low walk score. The search field looks like this:
Currently, in IRES, you can search for Walk Score and Bike Score®.
Bike Score measures how optimal an area is for traveling by bike. The Bike Score is calculated for a given location using an algorithm that takes into account bike infrastructure, hills, trails, road connectivity, and the number of bike commuters. The Bike Score point system looks like this:
Transit Score® is a patented measure of how well a location is served by public transit. Transit Score is based on data released in a standard format by public transit agencies.
To calculate a Transit Score®, a “usefulness” value is assigned to nearby transit routes based on the frequency, type of route (rail, bus, etc.), and distance to the nearest stop on the route. The point system for Transit Score looks like this:
Go to walkscore.com and type in your address where you live or a home you are thinking about buying. If you are looking for a home, you can ask your Realtor® to utilize the Walk Score search feature on the IRES Multiple Listing Service.
By Duane Duggan. Duane graduated with a business degree and a major in real estate from the University of Colorado in 1978. He has been a Realtor® in Boulder since that time. He joined RE/MAX of Boulder in 1982 and has facilitated over 2,500 transactions over his career, the vast majority from repeat and referred clients. He has been awarded two of the highest honors bestowed by RE/MAX International: The Lifetime Achievement Award and the Circle of Legends Award. Living the life of a Realtor and being immersed in real estate led to the inception of his book, Realtor for Life. For questions, e-mail duaneduggan@boulderco.com, call 303.441.5611 or visit BoulderPropertyNetwork.com.