Should I Buy a Road Facing Appartment?

jimmy1593 on 17/08/2023 - 21:11
Last edited 18/08/2023 - 08:49 by 1 other user

Hey guys, need your brilliant advice and thoughts on my next big step in my life that am planning to take.

So, there's a property that I visited in Western Sydney that's on market for about 3-4 weeks now. It's a nice apartment which agent initially quoted for $500k and is willing to settle for $480k. The apartment is nice and renovated and is in good condition.

Cons I found:

  1. East facing
  2. Faces a quite busy road - no other windows etc, has big sliding doors that all open overlooking the busy four lane road.
  3. The unit number is 13, though I don't believe in all these numerology etc, I definitely would not wanna buy that has issues selling in future.
  4. Not that great schools in catchment - there are public schools nearby, but they're not reputed.

So please help me decide what should be my next steps.

Poll Options expired

  • 23
    Leave it
  • 41
    If you like it buy it
  • 4
    Negotiate further and crack the deal
Home & Garden

Comments

  • SnowDragon on 17/08/2023 - 21:28
    +4

    Stand next to the door and see if you enjoy the constant hum of traffic.
    Obviously it'll be less at night, but it's not for everyone. Most people get used to it - I've had friends who have lived next to highways and it becomes second nature to them, but when they stay somewhere quiet it's strange.

    The fact that you've made this post to begin and made four separate points somewhat indicates you need convincing. Flip a coin and see if you're relieved or happy with what it lands on.

    • CheapskateQueen on 19/08/2023 - 22:08
      +1

      i bought an apartment on a main road and it nearly sent me to a mental hospital.

      i was about to $30k to put double glazed secondary system but i figured I'd be miserable living in a vacuum sealed box (i did one bedroom and then ended up basically living in that room). I sold and gtfo and have noise phobia now, which is making my next purchase a lot harder (if I sniff traffic noise in the air I run scared haha)

      OP, before buying on a main road, id suggest renting on a main road first.

      if you spend little time at home, might not bother you. if you prefer windows closed, might not bother you. etc etc etc

      id also check whether the road is a main thorough fare for trucks at night. it's not something i ever thought about until i lived in mine.

      The road was a sound tunnel and 4am was peak truck action.

      ugh. idk how tf anyone ever gets use to it.. or maybe they all just become highly strung nervous wrecks but don't realise

  • Tiredman on 17/08/2023 - 21:40
    +5

    Personally i hate living next to a busy road. Not good for sleep and air is probably not good too. End of day, depends on what is important to you.

  • Transient on 17/08/2023 - 21:43
    +1

    It's a matter of preference but I prefer east or north facing. I like waking up to the morning sun. I find west facing too hot in the afternoon during Summer. With south facing, tends to be too dark especially in Winter.

  • DingoBilly on 17/08/2023 - 21:45

    This is way too personal a decision to make without enough information given. You have to make this decision yourself, Ozbargain won't be able to do it for you. I hate noise and would never want to live on a busy road. For someone else it makes no difference. The house may be underpriced by $100k, or it may be $200k more than it should be etc. etc.

  • AngoraFish on 17/08/2023 - 21:57
    -1

    I don't recommend buying a road, regardless of what it is facing.

  • draouht on 17/08/2023 - 22:29
    +3

    I spent two years living next to a main road and can’t emphasise enough how bad it is. I just purchased a new place on a quiet street and honestly its the dream, I sleep better and feel better because of it.

    If you can afford to wait for something else I would.

  • horseshoe on 17/08/2023 - 23:10

    What level is it? If it's high enough then it should reduce the air/noise pollution.
    Not sure why east facing is a con. West is usually the undesired facing as it means you get more heat in the afternoon.

    Better questions you should be asking are things that affect the financials of this apartment, as if things go well in 5-10 years time you'll be taking another big step. For example:
    1. What is the rental/resale potential of this apartment?
    2. What are the strata fees?
    3. Does the building seem structurally sound/is the builder reputable? I don't mean will it fall over, but any defects that happen due to cut corners will surface as increased strata fees. As it's not brand new you may be able to detect any issues just by that.

  • Gunnar on 17/08/2023 - 23:17
    +2

    What road does it face?

    Noise issues aside, facing a Main road brings in a lot of dust and pollution. It makes leaving doors open for ventilation difficult / annoying

    When I was young my parents’ first place faced Liverpool rd in Strathfield. I would definitely not do it again

    Just remember with a place like that - it will be easy to buy because it’s cheap and the location which also means it will be harder to sell

    • CheapskateQueen on 19/08/2023 - 22:13

      oh yes i forgot about this. when i left the kitchen window open for the day, id come home to a layer of black dirt on the kitchen bench

  • hasher22 on 17/08/2023 - 23:42

    Look at the unit again if possible, close the door and listen. You could potentially get heavy, sound minimising curtains to reduce the noise. As you said, it's only the balcony door.

    If your bedroom is on the otherside, it shouldn't be a problem. Close your doors and install weather proof seals in the inner part of the door to reduce further sound.

    Currently, I live next to a train station with a cargo line and on a busy residential street (alot of units). My bedroom is on the other side of the busy street and approx 50m away from the train line and I sleep fine. I rarely hear the cargo trains which are loud AF and the street hooligans with their wannabe loud cars are not really a problem after a few weeks. You get used to it.

  • gofree on 18/08/2023 - 02:02

    Well if you like counting cars, enjoy drag races or burnouts, like to guess how many ponies a car has or how many decibels an exhaust makes, then go for it.
    In the end I think the worst thing about living next to a busy road is pollution. I live in a forest.

  • Hugh G Rection on 18/08/2023 - 07:20
    -3

    hell no.

    i would wait, don't be in a rush. prices will go cheap soon when interest rates continue to rise. i feel sorry for the people that will lose there houses, but dont' worry i will be there to the rescue to buy it for a lot cheaper. foreclosed homes are at a 10 year high, so it will be just in a matter of time. hang tight, great sales coming.

  • morse on 18/08/2023 - 07:53

    Personally I wouldn’t, I don’t like road noise. Also you’ll likely rarely go on the balcony if that is the outlooks and you’d have poorer air quality. Wait until you find something you’re sure about.

  • Lord Fart Bucket on 18/08/2023 - 08:01

    How old is it? I'd be seriously worried about anything built in the last 10 years.
    Why (in this climate) is the seller willing to take $20 off?

  • jjjaar on 18/08/2023 - 08:11

    I like being able to watch traffic / people walking by, but an apartment that only has windows on one side is awful for air flow. Definite no for me.

  • ForkSnorter on 18/08/2023 - 08:28

    I wouldn't live in that apartment if it was free. Living near busy roads increases dementia risk and Alzheimer's risk

  • shaybisc on 18/08/2023 - 09:20

    East facing isn't that bad. It's the second best orientation after north and good luck finding one of them. You will be able to wake at the crack of dawn every sunny day of the year.

  • Sinnerator on 18/08/2023 - 09:26
    +1

    Negotiate Further
    install double glazed windows
    buy an air purifier

  • urahara on 18/08/2023 - 09:56

    Be ready for issues with an apartment ..Friend is regretting his decision
    Having said that, get double glazed window installed . You can also stick on some sound proofing if u are that concerned.

  • Oz8argain on 18/08/2023 - 15:59

    We had to install double glazed windows after moving in, couldnt deal with the trams especially when they drag race at night. it definitely helped but at the cost of almost 10k!

  • [Deactivated] on 18/08/2023 - 16:05

    Two too many lanes

  • jimmy1593 on 19/08/2023 - 22:04
    +1

    Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I think I've made my mind and will keep you guys posted ;-)

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