Would you live next to a highway or busy road to buy a better home for less?
Location, location, location – it’s the three-headed mantra that is key to determining the value of your property.
But while houses in, say, a popular tourist spot or a “vibrant” neighborhood in the city center will obviously bounce, does it have any merit in buying a house if you hear the most cars and trucks go by outside your window?
Surprisingly, the answer is yes, according to experts, albeit with some caveats. Highway – yes, highway – locations can prove to be a smart purchase.
Look no further than the residents who live beneath Birmingham’s infamous Spaghetti Junction. And who this week declared that they love living a stone’s throw from this maze of five-level freeway lanes.
Down the road: Some experts now agree that buying a property near a highway could prove to be a smart purchase, albeit with some caveats
Even though it is one of the largest transport hubs in Europe — with more than 200,000 vehicles driving on it every day. Some said they found the sound “soothing.”
Clearly they have no issues with their location, location, location. What are the advantages of buying a home near a highway and how do you avoid potential pitfalls?
More for your money
Obviously, the closer you are to a highway, the noisier it will be – so bear in mind that even a short distance can make a difference.
It’s important to visit the property at different times of the day to get a handle on how the tides, tides and noise vary. The advantage is that you get more bang for your buck.
“Buying a property near a highway can be a way to land a bargain as location is reflected in the price,” said Chris Breckenridge, a partner at Corum Property.
According to Jonathan Rolande, a director of purchasing agency housebuyfast.co.uk, a comparable property a mile away would be about 15 to 20 per cent cheaper if they were close to the road.
Rob Houghton, CEO of moving services comparison site Really Moving, agrees: ‘Properties close to motorways are usually worth less than directly comparable properties in quieter locations, so buyers needing more space may be pleasantly surprised by what they can get. to get. – and if they live in a city center at all, they are probably well adapted to a certain level of background noise.’
Cool for commuters
Living near a highway gives you easy access to the road network, making your commute easier, especially when our railways are plagued by strikes or if you don’t live near a bus stop or train station.
The location is also a boon if you are buying to rent.
“Near a highway exit, Airbnb rental rates for long-distance travelers could be higher,” says Jonathan Rolande.
Neutralize the sound
Running sirens, racing boys and rumbling trucks can keep you from buying a house near a highway. But noise can be mitigated, says Chris Breckenridge. It just needs some thought.
“Triple glazing reduces noise while supporting energy efficiency, which is an important consideration in the current climate.
‘You can also plant trees in the garden to block noise or place a water feature to divert the noise.’
Keep the noise down: Installing a water feature or trees can help keep things quiet
However, Jonathan Rolande advises choosing the right time of year to visit motorways.
‘Planting fast-growing conifers reduces noise and visual impact, as does tall fences. But you should be aware that you are viewing a property near a highway in the summer when deciduous trees are in leaf and form a sound barrier. The noise will be worse in winter when the trees are bare.’
It’s worth considering a study that found adults fall asleep 38 percent faster when they listen to white noise, with some people even enjoying being lulled to sleep by the sound of highway traffic.
Eliminate problems
Michelle Niziol, real estate agent and owner of IMS Property Group, suggests opting for an interior layout that places the living spaces away from the side of the property that faces the highway.
“This can help reduce the direct impact of noise,” she says.
It’s also worth seeking a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) specialist or mechanical and electrical advice on an effective ventilation system, adds Danny Campbell, an architect from Edinburgh and Glasgow based HOKO Design .
‘There are products that continuously filter fresh air and also have noise-reducing functions.’
It’s also worth remembering that 7 percent of all cars are now electric, which are much quieter and less polluting.
And this figure will rise, thanks to the government’s commitment to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and switch to electric vehicles as early as 2030.
“In the meantime, using sound-absorbing materials inside, such as rugs and heavy curtains, can help reduce noise,” says Rob Houghton,
It is always important to take an inventory of any potential property and especially if it is located near a main road, which can increase the risk of subsidence due to the vibrations caused by vehicles traveling at high speeds.
Where the wind blows
The wind can carry sound, so if you’re considering buying a home near a highway, find out which direction the prevailing wind is blowing over a particular area.
You can do this by visiting the property for a few days and putting your nose to the wind to regularly check where it comes from.
Then check with a compass app where the highway is in relation to the house. (Note that wind direction is about where it’s coming from, not where it’s going).
