The Effect of a Gated Community on Property and Beach Amenity Valuation

Jeffrey Pompe

Abstract

We examine how location in a gated community affects the value of a single-family home and the valuation of a beach. Using data on 2,358 sales on barrier islands near Charleston, South Carolina, the empirical results indicate that homeowners pay a premium of 18.6% for a property in a gated community. The value of location near a beach is greater in gated than nongated communities. (JEL R21, Q51)