The impact of Elder Care issues on corporate America will continue to grow as our elderly population increases:

- Employees juggling job responsibilities with care giving are a reality in workplace of today and future. Workers are torn between demands of their job and ability to provide quality care to their relative.

- One out of three American workers is also managing care of an older relative.

- Loss of productivity resulting from time off to care for an aging relative is estimated at $6100 per employee per year.

- Caregiver stress accounts for a 27% increase in use of company health insurance benefits.

Depending on highest and best use for property, you may be able to attract a wide spectrum of potential buyers to your site. In addition to basics such as price or zoning, experienced buyers – local or national – will consider several key factors of each potential site, including:

* Location and visibility * Any existing physical improvements on site * Average daily traffic count, or ADTC * Site access * Utility availability * Environmental status of property * Any existing or planned surrounding commerce

Let’s explore some of primary features of commercial land, and how each is interpreted by buyers.

Location, Location, Location

Because real estate is finite, location is a fundamental consideration in purchase decision formula for buyers. Unless a property is undevelopable, each site has unique benefits that will meet needs of a buyer seeking a particular criteria. Increasing number of potential buyers is dependent on efforts to realize and market full value of a parcel’s location.

Location not only encompasses city and state, but also variables such as traffic arteries and surrounding commerce. Research neighboring parcels to learn what sort of future commerce, residential communities, or roadways are planned for development.

Aerial photos are a great way to showcase a site’s potential. Google’s free satellite mapping service provides detailed aerial images for most of United States. To view your property, visit: http://maps.google.com.

Existing Physical Improvements

Contrary to popular belief, existing physical structures on a parcel may hinder a property’s value, as opposed to increasing it. If a site has exceptional location, access, and traffic, but includes a functionally obsolescent structure, cost of razing structure will be a primary consideration for any prospective buyer.

If your property includes an obsolete or deteriorating structure, consider razing structure before marketing site. Incorporating this expense into asking price is oftentimes easier and more profitable than deducting it from price during negotiations with buyer.

Average Daily Traffic Count (ADTC)

The volume of daily traffic traveling on nearby roadways can be an excellent selling point for even most difficult properties. Many counties maintain Average Daily Traffic Counts (ADTC) records for major roadways. If property is located near or adjacent to an intersection, acquire ADTC for both roads. Prospective buyers will appreciate these figures being readily available in site’s marketing materials.

ADTC is a significant factor particularly for national entities, such as quick- and full-service restaurants, gas/convenience stores, hotels, and other entities that depend heavily on daily traffic patterns to draw patrons.

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