Visiting any country or regional town across Australia the very first thing a real estate observant person notices - the major churches have prime real estate sites.
Similarly, real estate observant people notice the location of McDonalds fast food stores. One person noted this food chain primary interest is their real estate location.
The perennial question therefore is whether 'views' or 'location' bear equal significance to a sale of a property. The examples above indicate there might well be two very different answers depending on the requirements.
Here are some illustrations
A garage mechanic needs to be located appropriately – ocean views is not a primary consideration
Those wanting ocean views - inner-city high rise won't be on their agenda
The suburban rail network is vital for those working in the city - such people won't be looking for a bush block with a 50ks trek to public transport
Churches developing community ministries into new suburbs today consider: land for schools, retirement villages, sporting complexes, medical centres, child care .... indeed, buying a single corner block is no longer on the agenda
Views – Location
These illustrations clearly demonstrate that views and locations are not mutually exclusive.
Home buyers face an entirely different set of parameters -
A real estate agent told me - coast communities rule of thumb is if your property is within 5ks from the beach as the crow-flies you have beach-coastal living / life style and even a faintest spot view of the ocean is deemed as 'ocean views'.
That sounds awfully like marketing but in reality the "ocean view" factor only applies to actual ocean views.
Those living in rural Australia, for many, the ideal location is the rural 5 acre block where views are the least of all the considerations. Rather - Existing fencing. School bus. Town water.
Those in cities likewise, the location is paramount rather than views. How close is the hospital. The school. The shopping centre. Car mechanic. Auto electrician. Work place. Transport.
Isolation and space
One of the factors that has seen the Laguna Quays Respite missionary cottage have such brilliant mission visitor-numbers is that it is located is some isolation with space.
It is on Repulse Bay and 20 minutes from Proserpine airport. It is 25 minutes from Proserpine supermarkets, hospital, doctors, fire station, ambulance. It has town water, good roads, NBN wireless, a school, a Tavern and small shops, a Post Office, delightful beach .... in essence, coastal rural living in the fishing community of Midge Point.
A friend said it's location is ideal, in that it is isolated enough not to have people coming to annoy the missionaries seeking respite, and ideally situated to visit the Whitsundays.
Missionaries / school chaplains / those in ministry - are welcome to contact Dr Mark Tronson timeout@bushorchestra.com 0419 917 713
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html