The value of a view depends on the exact lot, and a spreadsheet does not capture that. It is one of the biggest reasons that a citywide average can mislead.
- What it covers
- Homes whose value depends on the specific lot and the view it offers.
- Typical homes
- Houses and some townhomes on slopes, from older to newer.
- Reading the data
- Compare homes with similar views and orientations, not just similar size.
- Watch for
- How strongly the view drives price, and what could change it.
Why the numbers move
A home with a broad, protected view can be priced differently from a similar home a few doors away with a partial view. Summary data blends them all together.
What to ask
- What kind of view? Ocean, canyon, town or partial.
- How protected is it? Ask about anything that could change it.
- Which comparable sales had similar views? Insist on that match.
A better approach
Work from a short list of truly comparable sold homes and ask your agent to describe how the views and lots differ from yours.
Nothing here is a forecast, an appraisal or a guarantee.
More Market Watch guides
- Reading the Data: Pier Bowl and Downtown — Small sample sizes and a mix of condominiums, cottages and unusual homes make these figures bounce.
- Reading the Data: Beach-Close Neighborhoods — Why homes near the sand are hard to summarize, and how to compare them fairly.
- Reading the Data: Planned Communities — Similar homes make comparisons easier, but association fees and phases can change the picture.
- Reading the Data: Condominiums and Townhomes — Why attached homes should be analyzed separately from houses, and what the association changes.
- Reading the Data: Seasons in a Beach Town — Why comparing this month with last month can mislead, and what to compare instead.
General information only. Boundaries are informal and details change, so confirm specifics for any property you consider.