How to sell a house in noisy areas?

Owning a property in a prime location, such as a busy airport or close to an arterial road, is a major advantage. The property owner is expected to benefit from such a house as it will fetch good rental income or high returns when sold. However, properties in bustling locations are likely to experience constant traffic noise, which could pose challenges when buying or renting. While it may be a good idea to purchase the property as a good investment option, potential buyers, including families and young individuals, might be concerned about the high noise levels and may not be interested in purchasing the property. In this guide, we share tips on selling a house located in noisy areas.

Concerns homebuyers on properties in noisy areas

• Traffic noise: Homes situated near highways, railway tracks or airports are exposed to constant noise from the traffic.
• Pollution: Main roads or industries close to residential areas pose health risks to the residents due to the high pollution levels.
• Privacy issues: Noisy areas also refer to areas with high footfall, especially if the property is located near the ground floor, walkways, etc., in housing societies. This can disrupt privacy and peace for the residents.

How can a noisy neighbourhood impact the property value?

Firstly, high levels of noise pollution in an area are a major health risk. People living close to places such as airports or other noisy areas face an increased risk of hypertension, hearing loss, sleep disturbances, etc. Moreover, an airport or factory area nearby can also lead to respiratory issues due to the pollution levels. These factors can significantly impact the desirability of the neighbourhood and the demand for properties. High noise levels could turn away potential buyers. Sometimes, the noise could be seasonal or time-dependent and may not have such a negative effect on the property sale prospects. As a result, it may have reduced the property’s resale value, compelling the property owner to sell the property at a slightly lower price.

Tips to sell a house in noisy areas

#1. Soundproofing

While making a house completely soundproof may not be feasible, there are some effective ways to reduce noise:

• Install acoustic panels: Acoustic panels come in different shapes and sizes and can be installed in the house to reduce noise levels. Allowing some gaps behind the acoustic panels will help improve noise absorption.
• Fill walls with soundproofing materials: Fill the room walls with a damping compound and cover them with soundproofing panels.
• Noise-reducing curtains: Place thick, heavy curtains or blankets on the room walls and windows to reduce noise.
• Secondary glazing: Secondary glazing is an effective method to reduce noise from a window. Double or triple-pane windows containing additional glass panes can provide more buffer and muffle noise.

#2. Landscaping

If the house has outdoor areas, such as a garden or a patio, you can consider revamping this area to block noise. For example, you can construct a wall or fencing to block sound, which can help lower noise levels. Stone, brick or stucco are ideal materials for this purpose. Besides, the property owner can grow trees, shrubs, etc., as an additional layer of greenery will help absorb excess road noise.

#3. Highlight positive aspects of the house

The property owner can adopt an effective marketing strategy. Whether they are trying to sell offline or by listing their property online, they should highlight the positive aspects of the house, such as the spacious rooms, renovations or upgrades, natural lighting and ventilation, outdoor areas, etc.

If the property is close to a business district, an airport, a metro station, etc., they should highlight the accessibility to key locations. Moreover, they should showcase the amenities available in the housing society and the nearby social infrastructural facilities.

#5. Focus on improving property listing

Property sellers can hire professional photographers to take high-quality pictures of their homes and create virtual tours for prospective buyers. Many buyers may be on the lookout for a spacious and modern home. So, consider adding a detailed description of every room or area. Mention if the property has amenities catering to an international standard lifestyle.

#6. Set the right price

Depending on the scenario, market situation, road noise and other factors, the seller may have to lower the price slightly. However, property sellers must ensure they price their homes correctly and

Analyse the price trends of similar properties in the neighbourhood over the past few years. Sellers can also check the property price trends online or work with a real estate agent. They can hire property valuation services to determine property prices based on the current market trends.

#7. Target the right buyers

Sellers should understand that there are several buyers who may look beyond the negative aspects like a noisy location and show interest in the property. There could be potential investors looking to get a good rental income or prospective buyers seeking an affordable home. Property sellers should tweak their strategy to cater to such buyers and reach out to them directly or through a local broker. This will help close the deal faster.

#8. Address buyer’s concerns

During property visits, potential buyers may have concerns about the location, the returns on the investment or future appreciation. As a seller, make sure to gather sufficient knowledge about the current market scenario. If there is an upcoming infrastructural development in the area, talk about the appreciation of property prices and long-term returns.

#9. Plan for a longer selling time

The property’s time on the market, involving property visits for potential buyers, negotiations, etc., is a key factor to consider. During this time, sellers should concentrate on improving their strategies and improving the visibility of online listings to attract potential buyers. Besides, they should ensure that the property is in good condition.

#10. Offer incentives to buyers

To make the property more attractive to prospective buyers, property sellers might consider offering some incentives in the form of flexible payment terms, home warranty plans to cover future repairs, installing appliances or furniture, etc. Such offerings can help make the property stand out in the neighbourhood and give an edge over similar properties. This can make the property more appealing and influence the property buying decisions in the seller’s favour.

#11. Focus on effective negotiation

While owning a property in a noisy neighbourhood can impact the resale value, sellers should be cautious about not undervaluing their property as it could mean a financial loss. They should use the data based on professional property valuation to negotiate the prices better.

Housing.com News Viewpoint

Selling a property in a noisy area may be too difficult if there are other positive aspects to offsite this downside. The seller may have to prepare for a longer selling time if there are no specific location advantages. Tweaking the marketing strategies, such as renovating the property or offering incentives, can help in getting a successful property deal.

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