A nearby highway is being widened. You buy property along the highway expecting property values to increase in the area. In making this investment, you are primarily using the principle of?

The principle of anticipation is the correct answer in this scenario because it revolves around the expectation of future benefits or values derived from a current investment. In real estate, anticipation occurs when an investor makes decisions based on the expected changes in property values. By buying property with the belief that the widening of the highway will lead to increased property values in the area, you are essentially banking on the future prospects of development and demand driven by that highway expansion.

This principle plays a crucial role in real estate investment, as it underscores how various factors, such as infrastructure development like highways, can influence property values. Investors often consider such future changes when evaluating potential returns on their investments.

While the other principles relate to various aspects of property evaluation and dynamics, they do not align closely with the concept of making an investment based on anticipated future value. Progression refers to the idea that a property can increase in value due to surrounding higher-valued properties, conformity pertains to maintaining similar characteristics in properties to sustain value, and change emphasizes the continuous evolution of property values due to external influences. However, they do not directly address the specific act of anticipating a future increase in value based on the development happening nearby.