Answers by Scott Selleck

Your parents are raising a real concern, and it deserves a straight answer. Yes, a busy road does create friction for a lot of buyers, especially families with young kids. But whether it\'s a deal breaker for you depends on specific factors you can measure right now, before you commit. Here\'s what the market tells me after 30+ years and 500+ closings: a property on a busy road typically sells slower and for less than an equivalent home on a quiet street. The discount varies by location and severity. In parts of Bergen County, I\'ve seen anywhere from 5 to 15 percent haircut, sometimes more. That matters when you eventually resell. Noise, traffic vibration, air quality concerns, safety worries about kids playing outside—these become real once you have a family living there, even if they feel abstract now. But this isn\'t automatically a no. It\'s a financial question that needs numbers attached to it. Start here: What\'s the price you\'re paying for this home? Then find three comparable homes (same size, condition, general area) on quieter streets that sold in the last 60 days. Compare the price per square foot. That gap is your future resale penalty. Run the math: if you\'re buying at $500,000 on a busy road but that same home on a quiet street would cost $550,000, you\'re building in a $50,000 headwind when you sell in five or ten years, even if the market stays flat. Next layer: How busy is the road, really? Is it a secondary route with moderate traffic, or is it a state highway or major commuter corridor? Proximity matters too. A house set back 200 feet with mature trees is different from one sitting 30 feet from the curb. You can visit at different times of day to test noise and vibration yourself. Finally, ask yourself two things: How long do you realistically plan to stay? If you\'re looking at five years or less, the resale hit stings more. And when kids arrive, will that road concern you enough to move? Because if the answer is yes, you\'re potentially buying a home you\'ll outgrow. What does the price difference look like between this home and comparable ones in quieter locations in your target area?

The first step in buying a home is getting mortgage pre-approval. Without it, you\'re not ready to move forward, and sellers won\'t take you seriously, especially in competitive markets in the area your looking. Pre-approval clarifies your total cash outlay and shows you exactly what your monthly payment will look like, including principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and HOA if applicable. You\'ll find out what price range you can actually afford, which saves you time from falling in love with homes outside your budget and getting disappointed later. The pre-approval process also uncovers errors in your credit report early, when you still have time to fix them. That matters because even a small change in your credit score during the mortgage process can cost you thousands in higher interest rates. Some buyers qualify for first-time homebuyer programs, grants, or discounted rates too. A good lender will surface those during pre-approval. Talk to a trusted lender who understands the local market and can walk you through everything. The best part is there\'s no cost. It\'s free. Once you have that pre-approval letter in hand, you\'re positioned to act quickly and with confidence when the right home shows up. You\'ll have clear numbers, you\'ll know your walk-away price, and you won\'t be making emotional decisions. Feel free to contact me with any questions on my past Expert Profile for Scott Selleck, KW City Views Realty. Cell 201-970-3960.