Long Distance Commutes Are Hazardous to Your Marriage

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In sprawling metropolises like Los Angeles, hours traveling to and from work is part of daily life for many. But a study from Sweden's Umea University reveals major marital consequences to countless time spent on the road. According to the research, "The risk of separation is 40% higher among long-distance commuters than among other people."  

The rules of the road are shifting. Quality of life, high gas prices, and climate change are altering the real estate landscape. The result is that more people are looking to work closer to home, not only because commuting is becoming more expensive, but also because of the diminishing returns of working far away from home.

The lure of suburban developments, often located many miles from city centers, once offered both a relief from the bustle of urban life, and also the opportunity to get more home for the dollar. But with rising gas prices and the stress of braving hours of highway gridlock, the costs of long commutes are outweighing the benefits. Add growing concern over a nation hooked on foreign fossil fuels, and the result is a paradigm shift in homebuyer consciousness.

"The current economic slump means that people are working longer for the same pay. Add a long commute and you've tossed another heavy burden onto an already stressed-out workforce," says Myra Nourmand, Los Angeles Real Estate Broker and author of the book From Homemaker to Breadwinner.

More than ever before, homebuyers are thinking twice before relocating to far-away suburbs. "Consumers are adding the price they're paying at the pump, and the time they spend in their cars into their overall home buying decision," says Nourmand. Which, according to her, are two reasons why buyer demand remains high in areas like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, and Hancock Park. Homes in these neighborhoods possess the three-part formula for high curb appeal: prime location, appealing architecture, and sought-after square footage. And this winning combination has remained the same despite a soft market.

"None of my clients are short-selling their homes, so you won't find any fire sales among my listings," says Nourmand. In addition, foreclosures and subprime fallout are non-existent within her housing inventory. Meanwhile, comparably prestigious outlying areas, which were often viewed as alternatives to high-end L.A. neighborhoods, have experienced hard times.

"Long commutes are making less and less sense to buyers, so demand for property in desirable neighborhoods near urban centers should remain strong," says Nourmand.

To learn more about real estate sales trends and the book From Homemaker to Breadwinner, visit Myra Nourmand's blog at http://www.homemaker2breadwinner.com.

Contact:

Lawrence Ineno
Tel: 310.508.5750
[email protected]

Bio: Myra Nourmand is the First Lady of Beverly Hills Real Estate. She is a top-producing broker for Nourmand and Associates, a real estate firm specializing in Los Angeles premiere properties. Myra's life experiences have inspired her throughout her career. While raising her children, she became a licensed broker. She quickly earned top sales status, and 20 years later she continues to love her work every day. A native of New York, the author earned her B.A. at SUNY-Buffalo. Myra and her husband, Saeed, have called Beverly Hills home for the last 30 years.

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SOURCE Myra Nourmand