HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Dec 14, 2003 06:11 AM

FI and I really like this home on a busy street w/ heavy trucks passing through (can not be heard indoors)... BUT we can afford it and its in a good area, with a nice back yard??? should we make a sacerfice and buy it??? please tell me what you think... Also they only came down like $5,000. 00 whats normal?
thanks

Sonicstef Posted: Dec 15, 2003 05:09 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

You know what drives me really crazy? The sound of crickets!!! I dont know how people sleep with that racket? I much prefer the drone of cars passing by than crickets.

Suzanne Posted: Dec 15, 2003 05:13 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

ohh i love the sound of crickets, and rain ..my street is not a major street but its busier than most and i cant wait to move because our new house is on a street where i can probably say not that many cars will pass..

I love the quiet..

ILT1221 Posted: Dec 15, 2003 09:02 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

I love the sound of crickets and rain too. Now where I am sometimes its too quiet...i's all relative.

In terms of the house on a busy street I think it ultimately matters what is important to you and your FH for down the road. You definitely want to keep children and pets as a factor.

Perhaps you can talk them down. I saw this beautiful house on a very busy street and they went down like $20k because it was off a main road and the backyard faced the intersection. Maybe you can get them take off more than 5K?

ChristineC68 Posted: Dec 15, 2003 09:08 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

It's so weird what you get used to.

I grew up with my bedroom window facing three main streets that intersect across the way from a rowdy bar. There were frequent fights, a car drove into our building twice and a store across the street burned down and I slept through ALL of it.

At my last apartment I lived at the end of a dead end street with windows facing the back yard - it was super quiet. Once I got used to it I never noticed the silence.

I moved to my current place and we have foot traffic outside & in the hallway plus cars and what not and I am like it's too loud in here

I think child safety would be an issue if you are the quietest street or the busiest street.

Like I said, we were on a busy street and with some supervision (luckily) none of us kids that played on the block were ever hurt because of it.

Good luck with your decision!

dgtlsunshine Posted: Dec 16, 2003 12:01 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

I grew up in Brooklyn on a busy street and it never bothered me. When I moved to Maryland on a quiet street I almost died b/c I always felt like where is everyone.

It wore on me. Now when we were looking for a house I was adament about not living on a busy street.

It just depends on the person and what you are used to.

Though those prices in LI if I could get a good neighborhood for an affordable price I would live on a busy street.

[email protected] Posted: Dec 17, 2003 05:13 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Thanks girls all helpful suggestions.... i am so torn, maybe if she comes down a little more she only came down 5Kand we went up 7 K from our first bid...i suppose i could deal with it if she came down atleast another 5K its not like i have this $ to spare .. we have to start from scratch with 0 furnature...i am welcoming more comments
Thanks!

wacky Posted: Dec 17, 2003 06:34 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Are you in a rush, dont be to rash and think this is the only house. Keep looking.

Never buy a house when youre desperate

JENHOS Posted: Dec 17, 2003 08:30 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

I have to agree with Wacky on this one. It is a big investment and shouldn't be rushed into. The process is frustrating and takes a long time but the 'perfect' house is out there. And furnitutre is a fortune!!!

Kelly9904 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 09:01 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

million- we are in the same position....no furniture, nothing! Houses are alot so whatever you do, make sure you can live there happily for a long period of time. Its not like an apt where if you dont like it you can move in a year or two! IF you do that with a house you will wind up losing money most likely. Also you have alot of time still so maybe you should look around more, you just dont feel you should settle or rush in.

Trust me I know how daunting a task it is, FH and I have been looking on and off since August and its a huge decision.

IF you dont mind me asking, where are you looking?

Suzanne Posted: Dec 17, 2003 10:05 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

I will agree with dont rush into it, if your not 100% then dont. It took us about a year to find our house. I put bids on houses I wasnt sure about, just to get a house, but i am so glad that they didnt work out, because this house I love, i love the location and the block and the square footage (1455 without a dormer) The house is VERY VERY outdated, and not in move in condition (i will need to paint and ripo up rugs and rip out panneling.. but i love it anyway.

So the moral of my long story is where this one came from there will be others.

wacky Posted: Dec 17, 2003 10:08 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Where are you looking sometimes, word of mouth is good.

Sonicstef Posted: Dec 17, 2003 11:03 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Maybe its different in Brooklyn but I dont know anyone who has been able to find a place that 100% fit all their desires unless they had an unlimited budget. In this real estate market, everyone is making concessions from what I can see.

I agree - dont rush into it. But like with everything, you have to have prioritize what you want and try to get the most you can for your money.

ILT1221 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 11:13 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

If you are not totally comfortable with your decision don't go through with it. In this housing market, I can tell you it is very easy to get frustrated and settle for something that is 'almost.' You will find the right house for you and you will know when you see it.

stacedz Posted: Dec 17, 2003 12:16 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

I grew up on a quiet street, my husband grew up right off of Jericho and now we live on a pretty busy street. He told me I'd get used to it, I haven't! We have central air in the house and I think the previous owners put it in so you didn't have to open in the windows in the summertime. Honestly, at 9 am on a Saturday morn when I want the windows open in the fall/summer, etc. I can't hear my TV. We have been there almost 3 years and it still bothers me. Luckily we have a nice backyard and having kids one day it will be fine but people who say you will get used to it, you might not! Plus, we have a HS right down the road and those buses in the morning, kill me!

I HATE crickets too Stef!!! I used to shake the bushes outside of the house I grew up in because they would annoy me!!!

Sonicstef Posted: Dec 17, 2003 01:19 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Stacey: You have the worst of both - hate the crickets and hate the traffic

stacedz Posted: Dec 17, 2003 02:36 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Stef: You are right AND I have a snoring husband, do I win a prize??!!

Sonicstef Posted: Dec 17, 2003 02:49 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

How about a nice set of matching luggage - UNDER YOUR EYES!!

stacedz Posted: Dec 17, 2003 02:56 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Claud2001 Posted: Dec 17, 2003 03:27 PM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Personally, I would not be comfortable buying a house on a busy street. There are definitely pros and cons - but, like someone else said, you need to prioritize and decide what's best for you.

Very good friends of ours just bought a house on a very busy street (double yellow line), and I will say that it IS very noisy all the time. I can even hear the traffic noise when I speak to them on the phone! Also, visiting their house is a problem when it comes to parking! That's not something that homeowners often consider...but, if you plan to entertain family/friends in your home often, will you have a large driveway for parking, or will it be somewhat dangerous for people to park/get in and out of their cars/walk across a busy street to get to your doorstep?

Don't rush into this decision. We almost bought a very small house on a semi-busy street in Sayville, and looking back now, I am thanking my lucky stars that we did not get the house! I much prefer my cul-de-sac location to a street often used as a cut-through. JMO.

[email protected] Posted: Dec 18, 2003 01:10 AM

Re: HELP: what do you think of buying a house on a busy street???

Thanks girls i feel a little bit better i was feeling despreate today the thing is the most $$ we can swing is like 275...were looking at homes for 300. so we can make offeres and get lucky...which doesnt leave us much room for looking i want a good school dist. cause we plan on making babies after we get married ...We are looking in Deer park, lake grove, port jeff sta, Holbrook maybe even farmingville, selden (basicly those areas ) (I would Love Commack but i cant afford it).. a 3 bed room ranch with a dining room (we have big families) PLUS i want to be kinda close to mom incase i need her if i am pregnant or for babysitting ....Plus FI thinks we should get into a home beore we get married and fix up what we can by then ... The Hot season for house shopping is comming up and that may not leave us with many choices we can afford...& he hates his apartment. I am so glad i can talk to you girls what do u think????