Cost of the Commute-- It SHOULD BE a MAJOR Factor in Home Buying

 Sadly, four of my clients have come to regret buying the cool house with the hour-long commute. They all had jobs with non-rush-hour hours. They all liked driving. But a long drive gets old fast. It costs at least 50-cents a mile to commute....when you factor in wear and tear and maintenance as well as gas. The hidden costs of a long commute include MUCH MORE STRESS. Traffic is very aggravating. Being far from home when you have children is stressful. Driving in bad weather is dangerous. Yes, if you look 30 miles farther away, you can probably find a nicer house on a bigger lot for a cheaper price. But how much will that commute really cost?