House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

If a house was 2 blocks from the train station, close enough to hear the train as it passed, do you think it would decrease the property value or would it be a value added feature for resale since its so close to the station for commuters?

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

decrease.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Think it depends on how loud the train is from the house and how busy the station is.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

ironically, if it were an apartment, i'd say increase because of the convenience, but for a house...i'd lean more toward decrease

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Is the station elevated or street-level?

Street level would definitely be a decrease as the horn would blow pretty frequently. Elevated isn't too bad.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

i think it depends on the person - commuters may love that, non-commuters not so much.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

it was a selling point for me that our house was walking distance to the train which means that we are also close enough to hear the train. having lived in my house for almost a year I can tell you it doesn't bother me at all to hear them.

I'm sure some people will disagree though.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Of course, it depends on the buyer, but for resale value, I'd generally say being 2 blocks away would DECREASE value. Most people want to be close to the train for convenience, but not close enough to hear or see it.

If it is an income property (like a multifamily home that the buyer could rent out), then it might increase the value.

Generally, I'd say rentals have more value if they are near transportation, stores, and other amenities.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

For us, we were looking for something within walking distance because we've been saving a lot of money by only having 1 car. DH commutes to the city 2x a week.

I think sometimes you see some "undesirable" commercial properties around train stations/tracks too. We don't have that around here (St. James) and the station itself is small and cute. I'm biased because I chose to live here, but it's never bothered me. My neighbors feel the same.

The conductors take care not to lay on the horn at night too, so it's totally fine.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I really don't think it would increase the value at all, since most people wouldn't mind a short drive to the train station. It wouldn't really decrease it too much for me, since you can be miles away from the train and still sometimes hear the horn.

As long as it is not so close that you can see it go by, you are probably okay. Just like anything else, you learn to tune things out, so the horn is something you probably wouldn't notice as time passed.

Also - depends on the station and how frequently it passes per hour and the night schedule make a huge difference.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I would say decrease too. More than the horn I would worry about rumbling. You can block out some of the horn noise with good double pane windows but you can't do anything about how the house shakes when the train goes by. I know you said few blocks-maybe the rumbling won't be too bad!

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I had an apt a block from the train and in the summer when a train went by we couldnt hear the TV or each other.

Not a good selling point.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Its an elevated platform on the Babylon line so the train does come through fairly frequently. We've hung out during both day and night and you can definitely hear the bing bong of the doors from the street and see the train pass. We will be able to hear it from our backyard but you can't hear it at all from inside the house with the windows closed and can hear it only slightly when the windows are open. Also you can't see the train and platform from inside the house, only from the street.

I don't know if that makes a difference. I actually grew up a walking distance from a train and we could hear it in the summer when our windows were open but i do agree with a pp that the conductors are usually pretty good about laying off the horn at night.

Thanks everyone for your honest opinions!

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I grew up in a house 1 block away (well, 13 houses from the corner, lol) from an elevated Babylon line station. I must say, you didn't see the station/tracks at all b/c of the trees on the street and on the side street by the station. We would hear the bing of the doors ONLY if you were outside in the summer and there was no other noise.... I can count on one hand how many times I've heard the horn. I remember being younger and one time being observant that a glass vibrated when an Express went by. It was a major selling feature for the house b/c my parents commute to the city and it was walking distance. No train station car needed. As a buyer, DH commutes, so we would have loved a location like that and actually looked for something like you're describing.

If you're not a commuter and any noise bothers you, then I'd say it decreases value and would be a deterrent, however, if the noise is a minimum and you don't see it, I'd say it has no impact to the average buyer.

We had an apt in Mineola and the train runs by it and it's further from the tracks and MUCH louder b/c it's a street level train.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Ill agree with the decrease for a home sale, increase for a rental.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

we've talked but, if it were me and knowing the situation and having spent MUCH time in a home around the block - it would NOT be a factor. I love the area. i would buy there in a heartbeat!

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I go to the Hibernian hall on Locust by the Babylon train station and when you are standing in the parking lot you can hear the doors and even the annoucements. If it was buying my forever (or even for a while) house, I would avoid being that close.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I voted decrese, because I do think it generally will decrease the value, but for us personally, we are looking for a home near the train and both grew up near trains that we could hear, so for us it would make the property MORE desirable.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

decrease

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I say OTHER,

since it could be where its a noise level problem but also a PLUS for someone who takes the train to work and can walk to the train station.

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

I grew up in a house 3 blocks from the train station (Babylon line) and it was fine. We moved there purposely so my dad could walk to the train and commute.

Yes, you could hear the train, sometimes the house would rumble a little bit, but we lived on a great block in a good town and it was ideal for my dad (as well as the other commuters on my block).

My parents still live there and anytime I need to go into the city, I park at my parent's house!

Re: House 2 blocks from LIRR- increase or decrase value?

All I will say, and I have no idea if you remember where my parents house was, but it was nearby Vinny/Rose's house, right near ER train station and when my parents put it on the market, they couldn't keep up with the offers.... They ended up taking it off and selling to my brother, but there were no issues. The walk to the station is the best for commuting!