Is buying a house across an elementary school a No?

[Jack Jiang]

Hi fellow BPer, I am planning to purchase my next property in GA, and I came across a house located in one of the top neighborhood. Everything is great (condition, rent, school) but the property is directly across an elementary school (parking lot) near a 2-lane road.

I am fairly new to investng and I don't have experience living in or dealing with a house next to a school. Would noise from schools be a major concern to the renter/buyer? Also is appreciation of such a house significantly lower than one on a quieter street? The per sqft is certainly lower but not sure about the appreciation.

It's kinda rare to find a house that could cash flow in such a district, so I am wondering if it's worth pulling the trigger. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Owen Dashner]

It's not the noise as much as it is the traffic.  Mornings and afternoons can be brutal with traffic near schools, especially on a 2-lane street.

With that being said, you may have a stay-at-home parent that doesn't have to worry about commuting during those times and desperately wants to have their child in a good area/school district.  If the property is in a top neighborhood like you say, it should appreciate just fine.

I always look for properties in desirable areas.  You may have a somewhat thinner applicant pool due to the traffic considerations, but I would bet you'll have good demand.  Lots of parents like to be close enough to school to walk their kids to and from.  I wouldn't let it deter you from buying it.