Home Office Highway
Question
How much does a house backing onto a highway affect price?
My wife and I attended a home builder's sales office yesterday. In one are, they have one home left. It is on the biggest lot in the entire area, with a custom design. It backs onto a fairly busy 2 lane highway. The sales person told us the sound proofing fence has already been put up. Does anyone know how well this fencing works and just how much does this kind of location affect the value/pricing of the home. Surely there must be a reason that this is the last home left available. Oh yeah, and are builder's prices negotiable?
2 years ago - 6 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
Builder's prices are negotiable. I once lived along a well traveled 2 lane highway, and although we had trees and such, noise was an issue. I eventually got accustomed to it, but it also effected my ability to resell this house, which is something you need to factor in. Sound travels, so I don't care if they put up a concrete wall, you still are going to be able to hear traffic. I would go stand on the lot, especially during a heavily traveled time such as rush hour and check it out.
Source(s)
Oregon Realtor
by godged
2 years ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
Yes, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...its probably a duck. You are right to question this property. I would not purchase this. It affects the value for sure. They just want to get rid of it b/c they can't sell it. I would not buy it.
by totalstressor- 2 years ago
Location, location, location. The three important words in real estate. There's not just sound, constant noise, but also exhaust fumes. Should be substantial discount, especially in this horrible real estate market.
by chatsplas@sbcglobal.net- 2 years ago
it will affect he value a lot, why do you think they are trying to make it as quite as possible, living by a highway is very loud, 18 wheelers, sirens for emergency vehicles blowing of the horns, and now think about out side activities such as b-b-q's, I wouldn't buy a house that backs up to a busy highway and if you were to resale it you will have a hard time or come down off your price quite a bit to get rid of the property.
by kelly- 2 years ago
You can negotiate with the builder, especially if you are placing a large down on the home. However, it will be tough (next to impossible) to ever sell it. How good is the wall? Stand in the lot and decide for yourself.
by Landlord- 2 years ago
My wife and I currently own and occupy a home backing up to a multiple lane highway. Sound is not a problem; you'd be surprised how quiet highways are when it isn't rush hour. Nonetheless, we got a hell of a deal - about $150,000 less than the comparable homes in the neighborhood. So far as builder's prices, I can't say - we purchased from the prior owners.
by Carl Hamlin- 2 years ago