Buying (or renting) a house on a main road has several advantages (but also several disadvantages) as shown below:
Proximity to means of transport
Once you live close to a main road then you will have easy access to Bus stops, train stations, plus bike and walking trails. If transportation and recreational access mean a lot to you, then a street home could be a real advantage.
Secure access to businesses, schools, and security
Access to places of convenience is more secure in areas where there are lots of people on the street, this is true for locations that are on main roads.
Main roads are better lit and have more shopping options, school choices, fire stations, and often a stronger security presence.
Pricing Discount
Houses on busy streets tend to sell at a discounted prices because most people prefer less traffic and noise than is found on a main road. That discount can be 5% to 10%, depending on the location. This can be an advantage for those who love to live on street homes.
Good Street Maintenance
Main roads get a lot more attention when it comes to maintenance simply because they have a lot of traffic. Potholes are filled first and, when it’s time to resurface, busy streets get first priority.
That’s where the action is
If you are the kind of person who likes to be in a busy place then a main road in any town would be a good place for you, there will be a lot of vehicle traffic and human traffic on any busy street which can be a good thing with highly social people.
On the other hand, there are several disadvantages of buying a home on a main road
Dust and Pollution
If you are particularly sensitive to air quality especially if you don’t have a good air filtration system in your house, you will quickly realize that a house on a main road is subject to more dust, automobile exhaust, and other forms of pollution, that could be a problem.
Noise
Noise is one of the biggest challenges for those who live on street homes. If noise matters a lot to you, a busy street does not make sense. Although well-insulated windows and doors can help, you will be able to tell the difference.
Parking
If you have more cars than your garage and driveway can handle, parking can turn out to be a problem. People who live off the main street often have lots of parking. This is not always the case when you live on a main road.
Lack of Privacy
If privacy is your major concern, then living on a main road may not be good for you. All those neighbors walking past and even people in cars will look your way and, especially when it gets dark, into your windows.
Resale Value
There is a smaller pool of available buyers for street homes which is the main reason for the need to discount the selling price. Which means that the discount advantage you have as a buyer becomes a disadvantage when you sell.
Conclusion
“Location, location, location” certainly means a lot. And many people tend to look at homes on main or busy roads as less desirable, or something to outright avoid. But don’t let that get in the way of finding and getting the best home for your wants and needs.
What other people tend to think is not as important as what you think. Hopefully this has given you some food for thought. An also, take this all as “permission” to go after the house of your dreams if it happens to be on a main road.
Kind Regards
Julius Czar
Author: Julius Czar
Company: Zillion Technologies Ltd
Mobile: +256705162000
Email: Julius@RealEstateDatabase.net
Website: www.RealEstateDatabase.net