Physical Characteristics
Source: HOUSES-Third Edition by Henry S. Harrison
Certain
physical characteristics of neighborhoods may be considered desirable
by some people and undesirable by others. While a person’s
individual taste may not agree with the opinions expressed here, he or
she must remember that property values are governed by the tastes of
the majority.
Paved streets, shade trees, an
attractive view and, in urban areas, sidewalks and curbs usually are
desirable characteristics. The preferred topography is a rolling
terrain so that the whole neighborhood is on higher ground than the
surrounding area. Values tend to go up with the height of the
land in most areas. Curved and dead-end streets that are lit and
have street signs are what people desire.
On the other hand, people generally
do not like very flat land or excessively rugged terrain without
reasonable access. They worry when they live on straight streets
that carry through traffic and appear to present traffic hazards.
Neighborhoods with flooding danger, fire hazards, stagnant ponds,
marshes, poor surface drainage and excess dampness are understandably
unpopular.