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I'd rather buy next to a house than a church, in fact I looked at a house to buy as a rental last fall and it backed up to a Church. Lot's of noise and traffic Thursdays and Sundays, not to mention an empty lot where crime happens after hours. The house had beer cans and stuff that were obviously thrown in from the Church parking lot, that also had a couple beer cans in it. Buying a house that backs to a house is normal, and will not affect resale value. A church behind you is NOT normal. It will lessen your pool of buyers. And for what? 5ft? 5ft by what? How many SQUARE feet?
I would not buy a house that backed to a church. I lived between 3 churches when I was a kid and there was always something going on that caused noise or traffic. I also like to sleep in and would not want to hear the entire congregation parking their cars behind my house early Sunday morning.
I'm looking to purchase a new build home and am torn between buying a lot that is 5 ft larger but backs to a church that is being constructed, or a standard size lot that will back to another house. I really like the extra 5 ft deep backyard, but am concerned about resale value, noise and lights from the church.
I've attached a picture of the church site plan and my lot would be one of the R1-4 lots backing to it. Can anyone offer their opinion?
Thanks.
No no no no no no no no and no! No churches, schools, businesses, hospitals or busy/main roads.
If you like the house that much, you shouldn't have to worry about resale. But since you're already thinking resale, don't do it.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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Is there a graveyard? Does the graveyard border the property you're considering?
My aunt and uncle lived next door to a church, but their property line bordered the graveyard. Their lot was also much bigger than their neighbors'. FWIW, my aunt is a realtor.
Also the church entrance was from a road that was parallel to my relatives' property so it didn't impact them at all.
Anyway, I spent a lot of time there and I don't remember any issues at all.
Is it a big church? Small church? Lots of activities aside from weekly services? Is there a school? Meeting rooms?
If it's a big church, with a school or lots of meeting rooms that signify plenty of activity and traffic, I would look elsewhere. If it's a small neighborhood church, that wouldn't bother me one bit.
Is it a big church? Small church? Lots of activities aside from weekly services? Is there a school? Meeting rooms?
If it's a big church, with a school or lots of meeting rooms that signify plenty of activity and traffic, I would look elsewhere. If it's a small neighborhood church, that wouldn't bother me one bit.
It looks like there are about 700 parking spaces! almost like a shopping mall parking lot to me. I'd call it a mega-church.
Sounds like a nightmare regardless of its denomination but what if it eventually becomes a mosque and then you get to listen to the adhan called out by the muezzin five times a day?
Years ago I rented an apartment across from a church. Lots of traffic, which could be annoying, but at least it was at predictable times. Biggest issue that made me crazy was the funerals, often with bagpipes. (This was just outside Boston). Imagine trying to sleep in on a weekend morning and then suddenly the bagpipes start. Can be beautiful, but really, really loud. No way you're sleeping through that.
Also found that a big empty parking lot can attract some shady characters in the night.
Overall, I wouldn't completely rule it out for a rental again, but would never even consider actually buying adjacent to a church.
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almost like a shopping mall parking lot to me. I'd call it a mega-church. 
