Let's say you find a house you love. It checks all the boxes -- number of bedrooms, layout, finishes and features, etc. You can picture yourself living there.

But then we pause to re-think for a moment given the location and setting of the house, thinking about...

What can I walk to from this house?

Let's imagine this same exact house in three very different settings:

1. In a neighborhood with sidewalks and other homes nearby.
2. On a quiet rural road out in the County.
3. On a very busy main road just outside of town.

All three settings might work for you (or any other buyer) but it's important to consider what your day to day life and activities will look like given the setting and location of the house.

When we are exploring houses together, I'll encourage you to think beyond the house itself and consider the implications of the lot, location and setting of the house.

Depending on the usual patterns of your life, or your phase of life, the setting might be just as important as the house -- especially if you want to be able to...

1. Go for a walk or bike ride yourself
2. Head out with young kids in a stroller or on bikes
3. Train for a 5K or go out on regular runs and feel safe doing so
4. Walk to a park or playground
5. Grab a few groceries without needing to drive

Some homes are within walking or biking distance of schools, parks, trails and more. Others might require getting in the car for everything.

Again, this isn't a right-or-wrong or good-or-bad scenario -- it's about what matters most to you.

If you're someone who loves being able to walk to a coffee shop on a Saturday morning or to hit a nearby trail after for a run after work, then a quiet County road or a high-traffic City road might not be the right fit for you even if the house is perfect.

On the other hand, if you're mostly concerned about privacy, nature and separation from neighbors, a house in a neighborhood might not be the right fit.

So let's keep asking -- not just "Do you love the house?" but also: "Do you love what you can walk to from here?"