Would you buy a house close to a dual carriageway?

onix22

Hi,

We are first time buyers who struggle to buy a home. We found something that we like in beautiful Surrey but it is next to a busy carriageway. The house is priced as other houses in quiet areas though.

I ran a free valuation and it turn out it is valued 20 % less than the price they are asking, even if they slashed the price with 10 %.

I am afraid that even if we manage to buy the house at a lower price they ask at present, we will have problems selling it in the future, even if the area is really nice.

What do you think?

ognum

onix22 wrote: »

Hi,

We are first time buyers who struggle to buy a home. We found something that we like in beautiful Surrey but it is next to a busy carriageway. The house is priced as other houses in quiet areas though.

I ran a free valuation and it turn out it is valued 20 % less than the price they are asking, even if they slashed the price with 10 %.

I am afraid that even if we manage to buy the house at a lower price they ask at present, we will have problems selling it in the future, even if the area is really nice.

What do you think?

Don't buy it, location really is key!

pickles13

For me, I wouldn't consider it at all, especially if it is priced the same as other houses. I am renting on a main road at the moment (nothing like a dual carriageway) and wouldn't even buy on this road. Even with decent windows, we are always aware of the traffic (coupled with the fact that this road is a main road to the hospital so we hear sirens constantly). In fact, that was one of our 'must not's' when looking to buy a house recently.

lizards

We considered it, due to the incentives offered by the builders. But ultimately there was no way. The noise would be too much for me personally. I love spending time in the garden and I find the noise of roads annoying enough when out for country walks that go near a road, let alone all the time.

I've rented next to busy roads, heck, I rented next to a train station with depot once, and learned to black out the noise. Although I completely noticed the difference when in other people's gardens/houses. My sister who is even more hypersensitive than me rented next to a very busy road for years as it was the only way she could get a detached property (she would rather road noise than noisy neighbours, don't blame her) but ultimately that's renting. It was a means to an end and only ever temporary. It feels very different if it's your own home where you intend to stay at least five years.

Many people can live with it but the fact you're even asking suggests you might not maybe?

And I agree it could well be harder to sell except at a big discount.

piglet25

No I wouldn't. It would be a nightmare to resell and I would be driven daft by the noise.

Annie1960

If I was starting out and wanted to get onto the property ladder, than yes, I would consider it. Plenty of people do. However, the price should be lower when you buy it than similar properties in quieter areas, and of course you will get less for it when you sell compared to quieter properties.

ManuelG

There are some houses like that near where I grew up, and frankly they'd have been the only way I could ever have afforded to stay in that area too, the way the prices have gone.

They're lovely little cottages too, with large back gardens that open onto fields. In the front, you don't really notice the noise either tbh, with modern soundproofing and being a little set back.

What completely put me off however, was the fact to enter your drive you have to slam on your brakes and do a sharp left. Don't fancy doing that every rush hour! And if someone's too close behind you have to loop up to the roundabout and back, then up to the roundabout before, so there's 3-4 miles extra on your journey...

chickens11

No I wouldnt wish to buy on a main road , the traffic would do me in , the fumes , for one are bad enough , and constant drone of vehicles when your out in the garden , plus you cant have windows open because you will never sleep properly for noise and fumes...

Mind you ive spent 57 years in the countryside so perhaps thats why I wouldnt live near a busy road ...

jbainbridge

I think I'd consider it - but not for the same as properties in a quieter location.

System

We saw one. It backs on to a slip road to the M4. The difference was noticeable. I live behind a train track and don't mind it at all. Living behind a dual carriageway on the other hand, I could have never done.

It is all personal preference. Familiarise yourself with the sound at different times if the day and see if you could live with it.

makeyourdaddyproud

Walk away. Even with a discount you are unlikely to see any great gains when you come to sell. Houses that are too easily available for offers to be made (at any price) are "too" available for a reason.