Highway Noise Can Reduce Home Value

Good info and visuals Dave Halpern !  I always give my buyer clients a word of caution regarding situations like homes close to highway noise.  No matter what you do, you can't remodel your way out of the location.  It will always impact the value of the home and reduce the rate at which it will resell.  That being said, some people don't mind the noise and it isn't a guaranteed deal breaker.  However, people who choose to invest in a home near a loud road just need to move forward with a clear understanding of the impact it will have on their investment.

Good points Dave. Had a seller recently that built a home in the back of a presitigous neighborhood that backed up to a busy road. Although a berm was created the noise was still too much for most. Took seven years of off and on the market status reducing the price everytime until he finally found a buyer. He admits he never should've built there regardless of how great the neighborhood was.

I showed a home a couple of weeks ago right next to the Interstate. The buyer's dad didn't like the noise and the daughter didn't notice. Needless to say dad's influence swayed her away from the property. 

Some people say you get used to the noise, but i never did when Living next to a busy highway

I do let our buyers know when a property is near a major highway. It's not for everyone, but these homes do sell to buyers who don't mind the noise.

Dave, Yes so important for buyers to know that not all people can tolerate the noise from a major highway and can make selling the house down the road a real challenge.

Years ago I lived the same distance to I-95 north of Philly and I never got used to it.  The only good it did was I could tell if it was raining outside by the sound of the traction on the road.

Great post, Dave.  Noisy areas will have a lower value, great place for the hard of hearing.

Dave - that is a very good way to look at it.  Highway noise is a big deal for many.

Dave Halpern 
The tree buffer makes a big difference as does the grade of the stretch of highway.  My parents' home backed up to the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. Thousands of night sleeping listening to the low murmer of cars as waves on the beach. Flat grade - no shifting for hills.
All the best - Lynn

That is a difficult obstacle to overcome Dave.  I have been to show a house and as soon as we got out of the car, we heard the noice.  That killed the deal before it could happen.

This is very good advice to share with prospective home buyers.

That is pretty much exactly the positioning of my current home. Add a toll booth to the pic and it's even more interesting! 

When we purchased the home it was winter and with the windows closed the highway is not an issue at all. Come summer with the windows open it gets pretty noisy, but it's something you do get used to. The only issue is when we are watching tv and a loud motorcycle goes by.

It's a beautiful neighborhood and a beautiful home....the highway did not make a difference when we made our offer. That said....I agree with you that it would make a difference to other people.

We may be selling soon, if we find what we are looking for (downsizing) and it will be interesting to see if the highway comes into play with our potential buyers.

Hi Dave,

Freeway noise could significantly reduce the resale value of a property. If you want to purchase the property anyway, make sure you are getting a good deal and are taking into consideration the noise factor. 

The first thing I look at on listings is the blue freeway line. If it is anywhere close I tend to shy away, not just because of the noise, but the bad air quality also.

Hi Dave, As you clearly point out here, the noise may not be a factor when the house is well hidden by all those trees. Aerial photos do help make those kind of decisions.