House on busy road?

browneyedbazzi

Is it cheaper than a similar house that isn't on the main road? A lot of people will be turned off by a busy road and all that comes with it but there are people who will accept it as a compromise if being on the busy road means they get more space or a cheaper house.

I've lived on a busy road and really disliked it so it's not something I would compromise on - others would be less bothered.

Dukesy

Speaking as someone who has owned a house on a main road:

Our first house was literally bang on the A49 in Herefordshire, right at the top, for those that know it, of the Callow hill. Basically one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the county - in 6 years we saw/saw the aftermath of numerous collisions, many fatal.

We bought it as it was a super cheap character cottage in need of renovation.

The road noise was a huge problem for me - couldn't open the windows at night as too much road noise. There was also the problem of frequently having to drive past the house and turn around in the layby down the road to have another crack at getting onto my drive as, despite indicating and braking to turn into my drive, people would still be accelerating right up close behind me and wouldn't have been able to stop had I done so. Had seen so many accidents there that I wasn't going to take any chances.

When we came to selling it, we made a good profit thanks to the renovations, but the EAs informed us pretty bluntly that there was a pretty solid ceiling price due to the location. Had it been where we now live, we could have upped the asking price by £20-£30,000.
However, as it was rural, pretty unique, and everything else in the price range was pretty bland and uninteresting, we managed to sell it within 6 weeks of putting it on the market (in 2011).

I think, on this basis, that houses on main roads shouldn't be avoided if you can put up with the noise, but DO bear it in mind that it will likely be worth less than something just around the corner.

D00gie72

They busy road will put some people off - but for others it wont be a problem. Assuming you are not an investor and are buying the house to live in just think about if you are happy to live there - presumably for a good few years. Anything can happen to the area (or the property market) before you next want to sell - so just be concerned with what you are happy with and what price you have paid - rather than worrying too much about what people may think in the future. Houses are homes too - not just investments.

benjus

Any house will sell if the price is right.

The fact that it's on a busy road should already be factored into the price (if it isn't, walk away). When you come to sell it, your asking price will also take it into account. I don't really see the issue personally.

DKLS

The busy road noise can be easily fixed, but I would be massively put off by a primary school nearby, but that could be really attractive to people who have/want children.


There was a house posted on here recently that looked out onto a kids playground, which again could be ideal but would put me off viewing.

hazyjo

I wouldn't buy on a main/busy/fast road, but then I have cats who go outside.

If you have/want cats/dogs, please think very carefully before proceeding

Jx

Horizon81

The busy road will encourage people who don't want kids playing in the street outside their house, hoofing balls around till all hours and turning the street into a playground. Can't beat a main road for that.

However, the building of a primary school nearby will lead to cars being parked up all over the place, regardless of double yellows, at school start and finish times.

TeamLowe

We bought a house on a busy main road and love it- I wanted a Victorian terrace and there's not many of them in my town that aren't on main roads, and we have a huge garden and off road parking including garage round the back so really the front door onto the main road doesn't need to be used.

So it depends on the rest of the house but it just being on a busy road wouldn't put me off as I don't mind traffic noise and it depends on the success of the school if that will attract parents wanting to buy in the catchment area

Prothet_of_Doom

My wife's Grandad would only buy a house on a busy road. Something about it always being gritted, and less crime.

Noctu

On a main road plus a primary school with screaming kids? No blinking chance (IMHO)!