Buying first home

Hi everyone! I've been poking around this site for a little but this is my first post. Hoping you can help me with something.

DH and I are looking at this house in hauppauge, and we put an offer in and it got accepted. We love everything about the house, except for the fact that new highway is behind the house. We got an amazing deal on it, and its totally livable right now (we will eventually do updates) but everything structurally is great - brand new roof, new siding, new cac, brand new extension, etc. and even what we would want to eventually update is pretty nice right now.

I love the house, love the neighborhood but the only thing that concerns me is that new highway is behind the house. There is about 40 feet of woods that separate the house and the road, and I know it's not a crazy busy road all the time but its still in the back of my mind. DH loves the house, and we got into a little tiff yesterday about the road behind the house because he thinks the house has the much potential to be amazing.

Since we r first time home buyers, I'm hoping that someone can provide some advice about buying a house like this. Any suggestions?

Note that this is our starter home. We don't plan to be in the house for more than 5-7 years....

TIA and sorry so long!!

Message edited 10/7/2012 7:39:56 AM.

Re: Buying first home

Honestly, everyone has a different tolerance for this type of thing. It wouldn't bother some people at all... other people wouldn't want to live there. What matters most is what you and your husband think.

If you were my customer, I would tell you to make sure you were there at different times of day to hear what the traffic sounds like. Are you noise sensitive? Do you like to sleep with your windows open at night? Do you plan to spend a lot of time in your yard? Is it loud? Do you care?

Also, realize that since it's been late summer/early fall, the trees are still filled in. It will be noisier in the dead of winter when the trees are bare. [ETA - Also, the woods won't provide as much of a visual buffer in the winter, too, when the trees are bare, so the road will be more visible.]

There are going to be tradeoffs and compromises with any house you buy. It sounds like this issue is a big concern/"con" for you -- so the question would be, do the "pros" outweigh this con. Is this home so unique that you couldn't find a comparable one with similar pluses in your price range in a better location for you? If you could, then why take this one if the road concerns you? If not, then maybe it's worth it.

Just keep in mind, since you plan to move in 5-7 years, that your hesitation and concern will be shared by future buyers. Homes that are on a main road or back a main road or railroad tracks or something like that can take longer to sell, and sell for less than comparable homes on quiet street or that don't back a major road. So there will be an impact on your resale value, which wouldn't be a big concern if you didn't plan to move again. But since you do - you need to be aware that while these homes will sell, they need to be priced right. You can't price a home that backs up to a main road (or a commercial area, or train tracks, etc.) comparable to a similar home a few blocks away that doesn't have the same issue with backing New Highway, you know?

Good luck with your decision!

Message edited 10/7/2012 8:16:18 AM.

Re: Buying first home

This is something very serious to consider, especially if you think it won't be your forever house. Highways behind homes seriously effect resale. I know I would never purchase a home with a highway behind it, for my own sanity and for resale. It's up to you but I would pass. Only you can decide but know if you sell down the line MANY buyers won't even look at a home with a highway behind it.