Buying a house is going to be one of the most important and expensive purchases in your lifetime. Whether you are buying the house to make it your primary residence or buying it as part of your real estate investment, there are several factors to consider before making the purchase. Amongst the variety of factors, one factor that you need to consider is its location. Deciding whether to buy a house on a highway or not is the dilemma every homebuyer faces.
To make the decision easier, Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has listed some of the pros and cons of buying a house on a highway.
Pros and Cons of Buying a House on a Highway
People who want to live in a calm environment might not prefer living near a highway. On the other hand, some people value convenience and accessibility to the city, which makes buying a house on the main road a good option.
If you’re thinking about buying a house on a highway, the following are some of its advantages.
Easy Access to Public Transport and Mass Transit
Living near a highway gives you the benefit of easily hopping on and off public modes of transport, as most bus and train stations are often located near the main roads. If the ease of transportation is something that you’re looking for, then having a home on the main road is a huge plus.
Accessibility to Amenities
Shopping centres, restaurants, cafes etc. are some amenities that are easily accessible from such areas. Generally, these amenities are located within walking distance and you can easily commute to these places without using a car or any other mode of transportation.
Good Street Maintenance
The connecting streets are generally in poor condition as they don’t hold as much importance as highways and, hence, are not as regularly maintained by the concerned authorities.
Easy Access to Offices and Schools
Buying a house on a highway gives you easy access to offices and schools as they are located near the developed areas of the city. This can result in shorter travel times and less transportation costs.
Good Security
The houses in such areas have much better security compared to houses in quiet locations. They are close to the hustle and bustle of the city, and you feel safer walking alone at night on the main road compared to walking alone on the quiet roads of a far-off community.
Affordable Housing Option
Buying a home near a highway is generally a more affordable option as most people don’t like to live amidst the noise and pollution, hence reducing demand for properties in such areas.
Cons of Buying a House on a Highway
Following are some of the disadvantages of buying the property near a highway.
Noise
People who live on the main road often complain about the noise, which is the main reason behind the low demand for these properties. You can reduce these noises with well-insulated windows and doors. However, if you want to live in a peaceful environment, then buying a house in a busy street would not make sense.
Dust and Pollution
These houses are subject to more dust and pollution as more cars drive past the houses that are on the main road. Hence, the air quality is compromised, and if that happens to be your main concern, then buying a property on the main street might not be the best option for you.
Lack of Privacy
With a lot of people walking by, there is certainly a lack of privacy for people living near highways. If privacy is one of the major concerns, then it’s probably best to look for properties in other areas.
Parking
People living on the connecting streets can often park their cars in the street if they don’t have the parking space for the extra vehicle. This is something you don’t get in houses near the highway. So, if you have an extra vehicle that you cannot park in the garage then parking can prove to be an issue.
Resale Value
The housing options on a highway are cheaper but they are also a lot harder to sell. When people think about buying a house, they look at different factors and, if they are looking for a place with less traffic and more privacy, then a house on a highway is not an option on their list. The less pool of potential buyers makes it harder to sell.
Some people prefer living near the city while some prefer to live in the suburbs. However, when you’re buying any real estate, you should look at its pros and cons to make an informed decision.
To get more information about home buying, visit our blog at Graana.com.
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