Opinions on buying a home

We saw a house yesterday we really liked, in our price range, a lot was redone and it's pretty much move in condition.

The problem....the back yard borders a very busy street. We aren't too concerned with the traffic noise, as it probably wouldn't be any worse than what we have now and most of the bedroom windows are in the front of the house. I am a little worried about a car getting out of control and coming through the fence at some point. The real estate agent said something about putting up a sturdier fence, but realistically, is any wooden or PVC fence going to keep a speeding car out?

Does anyone own a home with a similar setup? Just looking for opinions on this and whether or not this would keep you from buying the house.

TIA!

Re: Opinions on buying a home

Well, I kind of live in a similar situation except my house is across the street from the Southern State Parkway so there is some space between us and the actual parkway. There actually was a huge accident that started on the SS and the guy flipped over and ended up on our side of the street (on our tenants car) My only relief now is what are the chances of that happening ever again?

I do have to say though - I used to rent a house with friends that backed up to the SS and there was a BIG difference in the noise level. We literally had to yell to each other in order for anyone to hear. We don't have that problem now in our backyard. That would be my biggest concern. Maybe go to the house and really sit in the backyard for a few minutes and see what you think. The noise was really enough to drive us crazy.

Also, that was the SS Pkwy - maybe you are talking about one with less traffic?!

Re: Opinions on buying a home

The street behind the house is a county Road, I think. We were there at about 3:00 on a Saturday, so i think that is probably average traffic. I am sure rush hour would be worse, but since we both work 9-5, I don't think we would be home for the worst of the traffic.

Is your homeowners insurance affected at all by the proximity to the parkway?

Re: Opinions on buying a home

Dh's aunt's house backs up to Old Country Road and a less busy road. There are constantly accidents there and at least a few are fatal each year, but I will say that the noise is not bad at all. They have a cyclone/hurricane fence on the road side and then a wooden fence on their yard side. I have never heard a story of anyone crashing through, but I will ask.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

My grandparent's house backyard borders Hillside Ave - which is pretty busy.
It's never been a problem for them and I don't even know how long they've lived there....but it's at least 50 years.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

My mom lives not far from a busy road, and on that road cars are constantly hitting houses, cars in the driveway, all the time. It is different since your backyard is up againts the raod so you can put up a barrier - I would put up a concrete wall if it was my house.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

We looked at a house like that. it was a great house, too. We decided not to buy it. We ended up in a similar style house, not much more money, but not bordering a main road. We love our location within the development now and we are glad we waited.

ETA: no, I don't think there is any barrier that can be a guarantee.

Message edited 5/20/2007 1:31:16 PM.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

the backyard of my parents house is Merrick Ave and i never found it to be a problem. i actually liked it cause i would just look out my bedroom window and if there was traffic i knew to take an alternate route.

its not noisy at all and we've never had any problems with cars going out of control or anything bizarre like that.

if anything, use the busy street to your advantage and apply that to your offer. tell them youre offering X amount because of the busy street.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

Posted by alnem

the backyard of my parents house is Merrick Ave and i never found it to be a problem. i actually liked it cause i would just look out my bedroom window and if there was traffic i knew to take an alternate route.
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Re: Opinions on buying a home

My Aunt's backyard faces Vet's Highway. I always forget that when I'm there; it's pretty quiet. As far as I know there hasn't been an accident that affected anyone's house on her street.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

Thanks everyone for your input. It's something we are going to think about. I guess the chances of anything happening are slim, but I'm not sure if it is something I would always worry about.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

My in-laws house backs up to Seamen's Neck Road - a pretty busy road. My mother in law grew up in the house and still lives there (she's 60). Nothing like that ever happened. BUT friends of mine live on a road that backs up to N Jerusalem Ave and a car DID crash into their fence. They were lucky no one was in the yard, but it was a few feet from the swingset. I guess you just never know. Plus you have to think about resale value.

Re: Opinions on buying a home

If it's just the possibility of an accident that you're worried about, we live on a fairly quiet road, and have had two incidents with cars careening onto our property . We aren't even on the corner. I've seen other houses on relatively quiet roads that have had cars come onto the property. You can't predict when and where an accident will happen. I am thinking of putting up a very sturdy split-rail fence in the front. Since it's in the back yard, you could be very creative with concrete, timbers, or stones. I've seen a few houses with very large stones along the property line that could stop a semi at 80 mph! I've also seen a lot of dirt mounds that would absorb and deflect a car, while also doing the same for noise.

Message edited 5/21/2007 9:35:27 AM.