‘Living near a bus line’ can bring value

“Location, location, location near public transportation” may be the new real-estate mantra according to a new study released today by the American Public Transportation Association and the National Association of Realtors.

Data in the study reveals that during the last recession, residential property values performed 42 percent better on average if they were located near public transportation with high-frequency service.

“Higher home values reflect greater market demand for areas near public transportation,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Transportation plays an important role in real estate and housing decisions, and the data suggests that residential real-estate near public transit will remain attractive to buyers going forward. A sound transportation system not only benefits individual property owners, but also creates the foundation for a community’s long-term economic wellbeing.”

The study, The New Real-Estate Mantra: Location near Public Transportation, investigates how well residential properties located in a half-mile proximity to high-frequency public transportation or in the “public transit shed” have performed in holding their value during the recession compared to other properties in a given region.