Re: Which house would you choose?

#2

Location, Location, Location!!!!

When I was looking to buy, I didn't even consider houses on main roads.

And a lot of people are like that -- not all, but many buyers are cagey about that.

Message edited 1/29/2015 10:14:12 AM.

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Bump with an update in the first post...thanks everyone :)

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I would look for a smaller house in that area. To me deal breakers were no main roads and no backing onto a main road. To get the four bedroom we wanted in the neighborhood we wanted we gave up getting a basement. It had everything else we wanted. A basement would have added an additional 100,000 -150,000 to the purchase price.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I personally wouldn't feel comfortable with that house b/c I'd be worried of lurker in the woods behind my house or an easy escape route for someone who breaks into your house.

I don't know if the noise would concern me, it would really depend on how deep the space is behind your house to know if you'd hear anything. We live next to the Wantagh (side faces it) and don't hear any traffic noise, but there's woods and a street in between.

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

we put an offer on a house that the back was the southern state. so yes I guess I would have lived there but also at the time I didn't think of noise lever or the other concerns people think of. we ended up not getting the house cause we found another one listed a couple of days after we put the offer in and ended up buying that one

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I would have no problem with house #2 and would love not having neighbors in the back.

If you love the house and location and the only issue is the SS, I would go for it. I live across from the SS and the only time I ever hear anything when I am in the house is during the summer months when the motorcycles like to speed down the highway.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

If you didn't her noise IN the house, then I think #2 is fine. I live near railroad tracks & a parkway & the noise doesn't bother me. Occasionally I will hear sirens on the parkway, but only if the windows are open & there is no other noise.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

my house backs to the SSP in wantagh. i actually love it. i don't hear anything inside my house and outside it actually sounds like a rain forest. i love that there are no neighbors in the back. i don't need curtains on my back windows.

ETA I'm not worried about lurkers. there is a huge forest between the house and the parkway. its pretty impossible for anyone to walk through it.

Message edited 1/30/2015 12:27:32 PM.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Up to your personal preference. If you think the background noise will drive you crazy then don't buy it. I live near a parkway too but I guess I have just become used to it.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

IMHO I would NEVER move into a home that close to a highway. period.

I want to enjoy my backyard. I would HATE HATE HATE hearing that noise.

What happens if there is trafiic?

And the pollution!!!

Nope. Noway. No how.

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Thanks everyone for all the opinions they are really appreciated. We really like house #2 and are going to see it again.

BTW we are coming from the city where we live right off the FDR drive and we are very used to noise I was just wondering about the value it will take away from the house behind so close to a highway.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Posted by jellybean78

Thanks everyone for all the opinions they are really appreciated. We really like house #2 and are going to see it again.

BTW we are coming from the city where we live right off the FDR drive and we are very used to noise I was just wondering about the value it will take away from the house behind so close to a highway.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

The pollution/ air quality issue would bother me mother then the noise. Don't settle, keep looking.
Both houses will have re-sale issues!

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I wouldn't hesitate given the tree-line buffer. My parents house is similarly situated. When you are outside you hear the parkway but truly don't hear it after awhile. Visitors often think They are hearing water nearby. The occasional siren or motorcycle can be annoying.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I think it's personal preference, tolerance, and budget for the area.

But I will say that buyers are much more open to living across the street from a parkway, and facing it in the front, than having a parkways behind the backyard. With the former, a lot of buyers express that they love not having a front neighbor looking in on them. But quiet enjoyment of the backyard and noise potential tend to be concerns, If there is a large wooded area buffering it, that's maybe less of a concern, but I know of certain houses in good condition and desirable areas that linger ion the market forever because of parkway proximity (particularly if an exit/entrance ramp runs behind the house).

As I always tell my clients, you have to really look at what can't be changed - including location - and decide if you can live with it and be happy. Dated interior can always be fixed but location is forever.

Message edited 1/30/2015 11:32:10 PM.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

As I've said on another post, I am afraid of a car careening off the parkway into the residential area. I know that really does not happen, but it could. I can't tell from the pic, but it looks like that house is close enough. I personally wouldn't be comfortable with it, but that's just me.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I grew up in a house abutting the LIE service road.

My advice is to pass on both and keep looking.

Message edited 1/31/2015 5:57:03 PM.

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Grew up in a house with the same location....probably closer to the parkway! Loved not having another neighbor. It was weird moving away bc the parkway noise became my white noise!

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

I'd pass on both. I wouldn't want to buy a house that backs up to the SSP. We spend a lot of time outside and the noise would make me crazy.

Re: Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

IMHO, neither is a good choice. I would not be interested in a home off a double yellow line nor one that backs a major parkway. It may not matter now, but resale value is significantly diminished in both scenarios. Location is key.

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Re: the house near the Southern State
Can you see the highway from the house? Drive over to the house at 4 or 5pm, park, and roll you windows down. How loud is it? Could you live with that sound all day, every day, for years? Are there other homes that meet your size/price/style needs in the area? Are you looking for a "starter" home or a place that you'll live in for decades?

Good luck!

Update with more questions and a pic...Which house would you choose?

Keep looking. I would not buy a house that borders government property. The parkway and surrounding easement is maintained by NY State. If you have a problem with something encroaching or damaging your property, it will be a huge hassle to get it addressed.