Walkable Neighborhoods Remain a Top Priority for Homebuyers in 2026

When homebuyers start searching for a new home, it's easy to focus on the obvious things: price, square footage, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, school district, property taxes, and the size of the yard.

But increasingly, buyers are looking beyond the four walls of the house.

They are asking questions like: Can I walk to a park? Are there restaurants and shops nearby? Is there a downtown area I can enjoy without getting in the car? Are there sidewalks? Can I walk my dog safely? How far will I have to drive for everyday errands?

Those questions aren't just minor preferences. According to the National Association of REALTORS®' 2026 Community and Transportation Preference Survey, walkability remains one of the most important factors Americans consider when deciding where they want to live.

For homebuyers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Florida and across the country, this trend is worth paying attention to because it can affect not only where people choose to purchase a home, but also how much they're willing to pay for it.

How Important Is Walkability to Today's Homebuyers?

The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed 2,000 adults in America's 50 largest metropolitan areas to better understand what people want from their communities.

The results were significant.

According to the survey:

• 89% said sidewalks and places to walk are important when deciding where to live.

• 82% said being within an easy walk of shops and parks is important.

• 74% said having a place to walk or exercise a pet is important.

• 63% said they would be willing to pay more to live in a community where they could easily walk to parks, shops and restaurants.

• 59% preferred a smaller lot in a walkable neighborhood over a larger homesite that required more driving.

Those numbers tell us that today's homebuyer isn't necessarily looking for the biggest house on the biggest lot.

For many buyers, the neighborhood surrounding the home has become almost as important as the home itself.

What Does a "Walkable Neighborhood" Actually Mean?

Walkability can mean different things depending on where you live.

In a major city, a walkable neighborhood might mean being able to leave your home and reach restaurants, grocery stores, public transportation, entertainment and work without needing a car.

In a suburban community, walkability may mean something different. It could mean having sidewalks, parks, walking trails, a nearby town center, restaurants or local shops within a reasonable distance.

In Florida, buyers may place a premium on communities where they can walk to restaurants, recreation, beaches or community amenities.

The important point is that walkability isn't limited to urban living.

A suburban neighborhood can still provide the convenience and lifestyle today's buyers are looking for, and many planned communities have been designed specifically around this demand.

Buyers Are Willing to Pay More for Walkability

Perhaps the most important finding from the NAR survey is that 63% of respondents said they would be willing to pay more for a home in a community where they could easily walk to parks, shops and restaurants.

That is significant for both buyers and homeowners.

It suggests that walkability isn't simply a nice feature. For many people, it has actual financial value.

Consider two similarly sized homes.

One might sit on a larger lot but require a 10- or 15-minute drive for nearly every errand, restaurant visit or recreational activity.

Another might have a smaller yard but be located near a downtown district, park, restaurants, coffee shops and walking trails.

For many buyers, the second property may be more desirable—even if it provides less land.

That's a major shift from the traditional idea that more land and more square footage automatically make a property more desirable.

Would You Give Up a Bigger Yard for a Better Location?

NAR asked respondents to make essentially that choice.

When given the option between a larger homesite that required more driving and a smaller lot in a walkable neighborhood, 59% chose the walkable option.

That doesn't mean larger properties are losing their appeal.

There are still plenty of buyers who want acreage, privacy, larger yards, pools, garages and more space between neighbors.

But it does show that there isn't one definition of the "perfect home."

For some buyers, a larger home is worth a longer drive.

For others, giving up some square footage or yard space is a worthwhile trade if it means being able to walk to dinner, take the kids to a park or enjoy a community without constantly getting into the car.

Understanding which category you fall into can make your home search considerably easier.

Location Still Matters—But Buyers Are Defining Location Differently

Real estate has always been about location.

What's changing is how buyers define a good location.

Traditionally, buyers might have focused heavily on commuting distance, school districts and proximity to major highways.

Those things still matter.

But today's buyer may also consider:

• Sidewalks and walking paths

• Parks and recreation

• Restaurants and coffee shops

• Grocery stores

• Downtown districts

• Shopping

• Public transportation

• Bike paths

• Community events

• Beaches and waterfront areas

• Fitness and recreational facilities

• Dog-friendly areas

• Access to everyday services

For buyers who work remotely or have hybrid schedules, commuting distance may also carry less weight than it once did.

That can allow buyers to prioritize lifestyle differently.

Instead of asking only, "How long will it take me to get to work?" they may also ask, "What can I do once I'm home?"

Walkability Can Influence Your Home-Buying Budget

Here's where this becomes especially important from a mortgage perspective.

If buyers are willing to pay more for homes in walkable communities, those neighborhoods may come with higher purchase prices.

That means buyers need to understand what they're actually comfortable spending before they begin shopping.

Suppose you're comparing a $425,000 home in one community with a $475,000 home in a more walkable area.

The question shouldn't simply be whether you can qualify for the more expensive house.

You should understand what that additional $50,000 means to your overall financing.

Your mortgage payment can be affected by:

• Purchase price

• Down payment

• Mortgage interest rate

• Loan program

• Property taxes

• Homeowners insurance

• Mortgage insurance, when applicable

• HOA or condominium fees, when applicable

This is why a mortgage pre-approval is about more than obtaining a letter to give a real estate agent.

A good pre-approval process should help you understand the numbers behind your home search.

Don't Shop Only Based on Your Maximum Approval

This is one of the most important conversations I have with homebuyers.

The maximum mortgage amount you can qualify for isn't necessarily the amount you should spend.

If a lender tells you that you qualify to purchase up to a certain price, you don't automatically need to shop at that maximum.

Your lifestyle matters.

Maybe you travel frequently.

Maybe you have children.

Maybe you have significant monthly expenses that aren't fully reflected in traditional mortgage qualification calculations.

Maybe you'd rather have additional money each month for retirement, vacations, vehicles, hobbies or savings.

And perhaps you're willing to pay somewhat more for a walkable community because you know you'll use those amenities every day.

Those are personal financial decisions.

The goal should be to find a home and mortgage payment that work together—not simply to purchase the most expensive house a lender says you can qualify for.

Could Walkability Save Money in Other Areas?

There's another part of this conversation buyers sometimes overlook.

The purchase price isn't the only expense associated with where you live.

Transportation costs matter too.

If you live in an area where nearly every activity requires driving, your household may spend more on fuel, vehicle maintenance and other transportation expenses.

A walkable neighborhood doesn't automatically eliminate those costs, especially in suburban markets, but it may change how often you need to drive.

That can become part of the overall lifestyle and affordability equation.

The cheapest home isn't always the least expensive lifestyle.

Likewise, the most expensive home isn't automatically the best lifestyle.

Homebuyers should look at the entire picture.

Walkability and Home Resale Appeal

Most people don't buy a home thinking immediately about selling it, but resale should still be part of the conversation.

Nobody can guarantee what a particular property will be worth in the future. Real estate values depend on many factors, including overall housing supply and demand, interest rates, employment, economic conditions, property condition and local market trends.

However, today's survey results demonstrate that a large percentage of consumers place real value on walkability.

When you're considering a home, it's reasonable to think about whether the characteristics attracting you to that neighborhood might also appeal to future buyers.

Features such as nearby parks, established downtown districts, restaurants, shopping and recreational areas can help differentiate one community from another.

What This Means for New Jersey Homebuyers

New Jersey provides buyers with an enormous range of housing and community styles.

You can find everything from dense, walkable downtown areas to traditional suburbs, rural communities, shore towns and larger properties with considerable acreage.

In South Jersey alone, buyers can compare communities that offer completely different lifestyles within a relatively short driving distance.

Some buyers want to be near a traditional Main Street or downtown area. Others prioritize larger lots, newer construction or access to major highways.

Neither choice is inherently better.

The key is understanding how much you're paying for each lifestyle and how the financing fits into your overall budget.

For buyers searching for a mortgage in New Jersey, getting pre-approved before seriously shopping can help establish a realistic purchase range and make those comparisons much easier.

What This Means for Pennsylvania Homebuyers

Pennsylvania offers a similarly diverse housing market.

Philadelphia provides highly walkable neighborhoods where residents may have restaurants, shopping, parks and public transportation nearby.

Move into suburban and surrounding markets and buyers can choose among town centers, established neighborhoods, newer developments and larger properties.

For someone considering a Pennsylvania mortgage, this creates an important decision.

Do you prioritize proximity and convenience, or do you move farther from a major population center to potentially get more home or land for your money?

There isn't one answer that works for every borrower.

Running the mortgage numbers for multiple purchase prices can help you understand the financial trade-offs before making that decision.

What This Means for Delaware Homebuyers

Delaware homebuyers also have a wide variety of options, from communities near Wilmington and northern Delaware employment centers to beach and retirement-oriented areas farther south.

Walkability can have different meanings depending on the market.

For one buyer, it may mean proximity to employment and everyday shopping.

For another, it may mean being able to walk to restaurants, recreation or a beach community.

Because property taxes, homeowners insurance and other housing expenses vary by location, buyers should compare the total estimated housing payment rather than looking at purchase price alone.

What This Means for Florida Homebuyers

Walkability can be particularly important to certain Florida buyers.

Florida attracts primary-home buyers, retirees, second-home buyers and real estate investors, and each may have different priorities.

A buyer relocating to Florida might prioritize a community where restaurants, recreation and entertainment are easily accessible.

A second-home buyer may want to park the car after arriving and have amenities nearby.

Others may prefer larger suburban or gated communities where neighborhood amenities are built into the development.

Florida buyers also need to pay close attention to the complete monthly housing expense.

Homeowners insurance, flood insurance when applicable, condominium or HOA fees, taxes and other property-specific expenses can significantly affect affordability.

That's why comparing two Florida homes solely by asking price can give you an incomplete picture.

Get Pre-Approved Before You Choose the Neighborhood

Many buyers do this backward.

They spend weeks browsing listings, identify several neighborhoods they love, find a home, and only then begin seriously discussing financing.

A better approach is to understand your financing first.

Mortgage pre-approval can help you determine:

• A realistic home-buying price range

• Estimated monthly principal and interest

• Down-payment options

• Potential closing costs

• How property taxes affect your payment

• How homeowners insurance affects affordability

• Whether mortgage insurance may be required

• Which loan programs may fit your situation

Depending on your qualifications and the property, financing options may include conventional, FHA, VA, USDA and other mortgage programs.

Once you understand your numbers, you can shop for neighborhoods with much more confidence.

Compare Monthly Payments, Not Just Home Prices

If you're deciding between different communities, ask your mortgage professional to show you different scenarios.

For example, instead of simply comparing a $400,000 home and a $450,000 home, compare the estimated complete monthly payments.

A lower-priced property in an area with higher property taxes could potentially have a monthly payment closer to a higher-priced property in another area than you might expect.

Insurance can create similar differences.

HOA and condominium fees can change the equation again.

This is especially important if you're comparing properties across state lines or considering relocating from New Jersey or Pennsylvania to Florida or Delaware.

The asking price is only one piece of the affordability calculation.

Should You Pay More for a Walkable Neighborhood?

There is no universal answer.

If you'll actually use the amenities, paying more for a walkable community may be worthwhile to you.

If you rarely walk to restaurants, parks or shopping and would rather have a larger home, bigger yard or more privacy, paying a premium for walkability might not make sense.

That's what makes buying a home such a personal decision.

The NAR survey isn't telling buyers where they should live.

It tells us what a significant majority of Americans currently value.

And right now, accessibility, convenience and walkability rank very high on that list.

The Housing Market Is About More Than Mortgage Rates

Homebuyers naturally pay close attention to mortgage rates.

Rates matter because they directly affect borrowing costs and monthly payments.

But waiting for the "perfect" mortgage rate while ignoring everything else happening in the housing market can be a mistake.

Home prices, inventory, seller motivation, competition, concessions, neighborhood selection and your personal financial situation all matter too.

The right home-buying opportunity is rarely determined by one number.

Instead of asking only, "What are mortgage rates today?" buyers should also ask:

"What can I comfortably afford?"

"What kind of home do I want?"

"Where do I want to live?"

"What amenities matter to me?"

"How long do I expect to own the property?"

"What financing options are available?"

Those questions lead to a much more useful home-buying strategy.

Start Your Home Search With a Mortgage Plan

The latest NAR research reinforces something homebuyers have been demonstrating for years: buying a home isn't simply about buying a building.

You're buying into a neighborhood and a lifestyle.

For a growing number of Americans, being able to walk to parks, shops, restaurants and other destinations is valuable enough that they're willing to pay more for it—and many would even choose a smaller property to get it.

If you're planning to buy a home in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware or Florida, the first step should be understanding what your financing looks like.

Before you decide whether the bigger house, better location, larger yard or more walkable neighborhood makes the most sense, let's determine what the numbers look like.

A personalized mortgage pre-approval can help you understand your buying power, compare loan programs, estimate your monthly payment and establish a comfortable price range before you start making offers.

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, purchasing your next home, relocating or considering a second home, having the financing strategy in place first can make the entire process easier.

Ready to see what you may qualify for?

Contact Mortgage Mike to discuss your home-buying plans and get started with a mortgage pre-approval.

Michael DeSantoMortgage Loan OfficerCrossCountry MortgageNMLS #1766709Licensed in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware & Florida856-263-8111