Have you ever wondered why you can't find any properties for sale within a particular zip code?
All zip codes are not created equal. There are four major zip code categories used by the US Post Office. These include: Unique zip codes, Post Office Box only zip codes, Military zip codes, and Standard zip codes.
Questions like this one above set apart Realtors® who really know their marketplace.
Even though most professionals would realize that the average sold price per square foot would not be a meaningful statistic at the zip code level, there is a BIGGER reason why this question could never be satisfied... 75014 is a Post Office Box only zip code. :-)
What Are Unique, PO Box and Military Zip Codes?
Post Office Box only zip codes are exactly what they sound like... zip codes that are assiged to PO Box addresses. Only. There is no real estate data to be found here. Move along.
Unique zip codes are broader by definition. These zip codes are used to define delivery points receiving high volumes of mail, such as businesses (e.g., distinct buildings, campuses or organizations), government agencies, colleges & universities, apartment complexes and prisons. While generally these should be excluded from market statistics for real estate purposes, it does happen on occassion that a particular subdivision or residential development can become so large that it will be annexed out into its own unique zip code. We are predicting such a thing might happen with Light Farms, a master planned community currently aligned under the city of Celina, TX. If this were to happen, we would then see Light Farms become Light Farms, TX with all residential addresses in the community having their own unique zip code.
Military zip codes are perhaps more familiar to consumers than the other two categories. Military zip codes are reserved for use with an Air/Army Post Office™, Fleet Post Office or Diplomatic Post Office (APO/FPO/DPO) address, where parties enjoy domestic pricing for overseas shipments. Like PO Box only zip codes, these should be excluded from market statistic where real property data is concerned.
Where can I find more information about Zip Codes and Zip Code Boundaries?
One of our favorite free zip code boundary tools is maps.huge.info. You can type in any zip code and instantly visualize the boundary lines for that zip -- or alternately, if no boundary lines appear, you know you are working with another zip code category.
If you are interested in a particular city or neighborhood in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex or surrounding communities, and would like more information on zip codes relating to the area, please give us a call at 469.645.6363.
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