Transportation Considerations for Homebuyers

It may seem counterintuitive, but homebuyers should consider how to get away from the house while they consider how to get themselves into the house. Homebuyers sometimes overlook transportation options. Here are a few transportation issues to consider when buying a new house.

Public transportation

As gas prices keep rising, public transit will become increasingly important. Your real estate agent or the house listing may highlight the proximity to bus lines or rapid transit systems. That doesn't mean you can get to work or school easily from the neighborhood stop. Study the mass transit schedule and maps for a better estimation of your commute.

It is also important to make sure it is safe to get to the transit stops - both from your house and your office.

Also consider the eventual selling price of the home. Depending on the city, access to a light-rail, subway or bus line will affect property prices - both up and down. A house behind railroad tracks might be quiet for about 23 and a half hours per day, but really loud for the other 30 minutes. The occasional noise will still hurt property values, especially if rail freight grows more popular. On the other hand, a suburban home with relatively easy access to a light-rail station could increase in value.

Driving

The same distance can be a 10-minute drive or a 50-minute drive depending on traffic, routes and speed limits. Particularly if you are moving to a new city, it is hard to know area traffic patterns without actually driving the route. Consider places you will visit several times per week, such as work and schools. Drive to each location from your prospective new house at different times of day.

Check with co-workers about possibly carpooling with them, or find out if there is an area where many co-workers live. Also check Craigslist or local message boards for information about possible carpooling options. Many metropolitan areas also have official vanpool matching programs. A new or sparsely populated neighborhood may not have many carpooling options.

Walking

Again, close doesn't mean accessible. A map may show a grocery store, park or strip of restaurants half a mile from your new house. But there may be a major highway crossing that half-mile or even a busy street you don't want to cross with your family.

It's worth walking to the park or grocery store to make sure there are sidewalks and few dangerous streets.