Some home improvements that increase density in the suburbs can actually lower the value of a home.
A recent effort to precisely gauge how much a particular improvement will addto a home's sale price reveals some surprising insights about the nature of the suburbs. Research shows that not all home improvements pay offeven somerather expensive ones. Hedonic modeling of recent sales data shows that characteristics such as professional offices and in-law suites can lower a suburban home's price.
This article explores the reasons why certain property elements actually devalue a house. It argues that the neighborhood context may determine the relative value of some housing characteristics. In general, features that add to a property's "urban intensity" can lower the sales price of single-family detached suburban homes.
The paper examines why suburban residents mostly resist changes that make their environment seem more like a city. It also considers what implications this resistance has for developers using New Urbanist design and suggests future research to better understand the market for denser and more urban suburbs.
[Editor's note: The link below is to a 400Kb PDF.]
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Valuing the Suburbs: Why Some “Improvements” Lower Home Prices

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas
Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions