Screenshot of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate lifestyle search
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC has launched a lifestyle search option on its website, the Realogy subsidiary announced today.
A survey released in conjunction with the launch also found that 1 in 5 homeowners have moved or would like to because their community doesn’t fit their lifestyle.
The online survey was conducted between April 20-29, 2011, and received 1,085 responses. About 84 percent of survey participants identified themselves as homeowners and an additional 10 percent said they planned to purchase a home within the next three years.
The survey was conducted in collaboration with Meredith Corp., which licensed the Better Homes and Gardens name to the real estate franchise network.
"While the relation of price to features has become very favorable in many areas throughout the country, ultimately the surrounding community may determine how happy you are with your home purchase," said Sherry Chris, president and CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, in a statement.
The company’s lifestyle search is accessible on its home page, BHGRealEstate.com, under a "Find a Community" tab. Users can search by geographic area, type of neighborhood, and median home price.
They can also specify how important certain factors are to them, including whether a community is "family friendly," proximity to health and safety services, highly rated schools, whether a community favors public transportation, accessibility of amenities and stores, availability of cultural activities and entertainment, and prevalence of golf courses.
When searching for their next home, current homeowners surveyed indicated their top concerns would be ease of commuting by car, access to health and safety services, and a family-friendly neighborhood.
| Top Lifestyle Priorities When Searching for Next Home | |
| Ease of Commuting by Car | 38% |
| Access to Health and Safety Services | 34% |
| Family Friendly Neighborhood | 33% |
| Availability of Retail Stores | 32% |
| Access to Cultural Activities | 21% |
| Public Transportation Access | 19% |
| Nightlife and Restaurant Access | 18% |
| Golf Friendly Area — Access to Golf Courses | 6% |
Source: Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC
