Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

Jenn524 Posted: Feb 16, 2004 10:19 PM

Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

We're thinking of making an offer on a house that's on a well traveled street. Not busy like Old Country Rd., but not a quiet street either. There are plenty of stop signs around so people wouldn't be going fast, but there is heavier traffic then a back road would have. It's not a main road in anyway.

We really like the house and it has a lot to offer. You can't hear cars inside the house or even in the backyard. But there's no way our kids could some day play in the street. And we would have to put up a fence for safety.

LIPrincess00 Posted: Feb 16, 2004 10:26 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

If you truly love the house I say go for it.

jessnjoey Posted: Feb 17, 2004 12:04 AM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I agree...if the house is what you want, and in the area you wanted then I say yes.

Misha Posted: Feb 17, 2004 09:19 AM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

We actually moved out of a house that was on a side road (right off Old Country Rd.), not a main one, because it was too busy and noisy. It appeared people used it as a cutoff and although there were plenty of stop signs and a speed limit of 25, drivers would race down the street, with no regard for stop signs or speed, as if they were on Old Country Rd. We moved because it just wasn't safe and we had just had our baby. Now we are on a dead end street with no noise at all! So my answer has to be no way! If I were you, I would at least go spend some time near the house at all different hours of the day to see what the traffic flow is really like.

MarcellaBella Posted: Feb 17, 2004 11:29 AM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I would.. I see no problem with that.

Jenn P Posted: Feb 17, 2004 12:02 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

When we were looking, a relatively quiet street was one of our very few must haves. It's probably largely what you're used to; DH and I both grew up in quiet neighborhoods and we wanted that for ourselves and our children.

You have to live in that house every day and if you're thinking about it hard enough to post I would suggest you keep looking.

Good luck.

Julybaby Posted: Feb 17, 2004 12:14 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

Just keep in mind that amount of dust that will kick up from the well-traveled road into your home. We live in an apartment on a fairly-busy road (not a major road, but a busy one nonetheless) and we have so much dust in the apartment. I also agree with Misha that some people will use the road as a shortcut instead of the major highway, so that's something else to consider. Good luck with your decision.

yabbobay Posted: Feb 17, 2004 12:31 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I grew up in a quiet negihborhood...except during rush hour...where people would use our street as a cut through street

my mother picked the plot out herself...and she still kicks herself for not seeing what could happen...b/c of resale..

but they have been inthe house 40 years...they are making a nice profit...

Kelly9904 Posted: Feb 17, 2004 01:06 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I wouldnt, I want to be on a block where my kids can ride their bikes outside or something like that! but this is JMO!

kmcwed Posted: Feb 17, 2004 01:28 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

BellaBella Posted: Feb 17, 2004 03:25 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I grew up on a dead end street, and I always said that that's where I would find a house (or a (coldesac) (sp). Mostly b/c I would hate to have the constant cars driving thru. It's nice to have a basketball net out in the street, or play hockey, and less aggravation worrying about your child or pets outside, sicne the only cars who drive on your block are your neighbors.. But if you really love the house, then that's all that should matter.

LisaT Posted: Feb 17, 2004 03:55 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I don't think I would...but who knows what'll happen when we start house hunting.

Keep in mind it will affect the resale value and limit your potential customer base.

FYI, when I appraise houses, I deduct about $10K for busy roads/external obsolesence (the $$ varies depending on how busy, commercial, etc).

Jenn524 Posted: Feb 17, 2004 05:44 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

Thanks for all the feedback!!

The road isn't overly busy but like I said it's not a quiet street. I mean it's not like there's bumper to bumper traffic. And the streets around it are quiet, so we figured our kids can ride their bikes there. We also would have a VERY long driveway. The house is on a pretty big piece of property. So the kids wouldn't be any where near the street once we get a fence up. The best way to describe the street is I don't think we would have to wait a long time to back out of the driveway. Not any longer then most streets. It's just a little bit busier then a street in a 'neighborhood'

As far as noise goes we didn't hear any cars going by when we were in the house and outside it was barely noticeable. I think because of how long the house is. The house is not wide but very long.

We've decided to put a bid on it and see what happens. We also feel that we'll have to keep our eyes open as to whether or not the road get's busier over the years and if it does then we decided we will sell before it gets too bad.

yabbobay Posted: Feb 17, 2004 05:59 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

jenn...its sounds very similar to where I grew up...it was the busiest street in a quiet neighborhood...

heres a good question to help you...is that street straight? that could be an indicator of future traffic...

you mention stop signs...that is usually the effect of too much traffic...but a lot of times it works...

good luck on the bidding..and maybe you could use that to your advantage when bidding...

Teri Posted: Feb 17, 2004 06:02 PM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

Jenn - good luck with the house! We're looking at one now that's near a busy road, but to be honest, the way the market is right now, we're just not going to get all we want....somethings are worth settling for, others aren't. It's just a matter of deciding what's best for you - easier said than done though!

Good luck and keep us posted!

februarybride Posted: Feb 18, 2004 10:38 AM

Re: Would you buy a house that's on a slightly busy road?

I live off a pretty busy road and at first I thought it was no big deal. However you can hear cars or buses passing. I would prefer not to hear them, for my next home it will be a huge consideration.