How to handicap presence of train thru back yard (Fitchburg: fit in, buying a house)

[traffic_lover]

I like a house that has commuter rail tracks right there in back yard maybe 200 ft from house. How the heck do I factor that into market analysis if making offer.
What percentage of ppl would this be a deal breaker?? I know it's personal tolerance but if I turn around & hafta sell....

[CaseyB]

How do you know it wasn't already considered when the house was listed? Don't you think the agent took that into account?

[goyguy]

Plant yews or arbor vitae. They grow like gangbusters and would make a great noise muffler. And a "wall" of green is far better than one of the wooden variety.

I once rented a room in a house "smack-dab" up against the heavily traveled Fitchburg commuter rail line, and the trains were a total non-issue. All you hear is a "whoosh" and all you feel is a slight vibration. So long as street-level crossings are nearby, the engineer rarely has to blow the whistle OR slow down.

What does it matter how many "ppl" wouldn't be interested in the house when you sell it? All it takes is one person or household and you've got yourself a deal. A Groton address is more than half the battle won right there.

[traffic_lover]

Hi guys
I should trust listing agent that it's priced market value? Ummmm....no can do. As buyer I need to establish market value and offer accordingly.
I'm selling out of groton. Turns out we aren't country woods ppl. Thanks for train info tho, I tend to agree.

[MikePRU]

Don't you have a buyer's agent who can help you figure this out? It's not something you can just assign a number to like any house within X ft. of train tracks is worth $X or X% less than one that is not. It can be very tricky to a put a number on such a thing.

[Parsec]

Sorry Groton didn't work out. Seems like you just moved there!

[traffic_lover]

Originally Posted by MikePRU

Don't you have a buyer's agent who can help you figure this out? It's not something you can just assign a number to like any house within X ft. of train tracks is worth $X or X% less than one that is not. It can be very tricky to a put a number on such a thing.

I guess I was looking for general sentiment. The life lesson groton taught me was when you're buying a house assume you'll need to sell it in a year, will you be able to?

[sparklingforest]

depends on the town and how often and fast the train goes by. If it's a desirable town it probably makes little difference.

[kingeorge]

Can you afford all the fees and commission? Can you afford to take out less than you have put in?

In your case, I would try to adjust to this recent change first. Staying one-two more years as you are learning about your new area will be beneficial not just financially but, you might end up liking community more than you imagine right now. It is rare to move, and immediately get instant fast friends, and great sense of community overnight. You both need time to settle in, and become regulars there first.

And, even if you sell your new home well right now (potential buyers will wonder why so fast, and try to low-ball you), and successfully buy yet another place, and move to e.g. Wakefield, there are no guarantees that you will fit in, that house will not have some expensive surprise after the closing, or that you will be happier in your new place. What then? Sell and buy something else again?

This all being said, you are an adult, and it is your life and your decision. Just my five cents.

Good luck!

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by traffic_lover

I guess I was looking for general sentiment. The life lesson groton taught me was when you're buying a house assume you'll need to sell it in a year, will you be able to?

If you're concerned that you might be selling in a year then I definitely would not buy a house that abuts train tracks.