San Francisco's Walkscore

September 30, 9:41 AMSF Real Estate ExaminerCece Blase

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Walkscore is a website that measures a neighborhood's 'walkability.' It's used frequently by home shoppers.who can type in a property address and immediately get a score between one and one hundred on how easy it is to get around by foot.

I describe San Francisco's most walkable neighborhoods as the ones where you can go get an ice cream cone without having to use your car. Walkscore's system is a bit more sophisiticated. In addition to strong commercial centers, the site factors in transit lines, bike lanes, density and proximity of public parks.  .

As Walkscore has become more popular, Realtors like to boast a home's high score. October's California Association of Realtor's Magazine reports that a 1 point increase in  a home's Walk Score was associated with an increase in value ranging from $500 to $3000.  In the typical area studied, the premium for neighborhoods with above-average Walk Scores ranged from $4000 to $34,000."

Nine of the last twelve homes I sold were rated a 'walker's paradise.' That doesn't mean I'm really good at finding you a house where you can walk everywhere. It just means that San Francisco is full of good walking neighborhoods.

Of course Walkscore doesn't give you the real flavor of a home's location.  One of my sales is a big house just three doors down from one of the Castro's best known gay bars. Another little condo is right next to a sex club. And a third Victorian apartment is just around the corner from a pot dispensary.