Looking at STR but it's near a busy road

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Looking at STR but it's near a busy road

Member since 2024 · 179 posts · 76 votes

Hello - i'm looking at a SFH that is off of a main road that has a lot of cars passing by. This road has many single family homes along the road, so i know that people are living there as their primary residences.

My concern is the road noise might lead to bad guest reviews. Should I just pass on this property if there's a lot of cars that are driving by and might cause road noise leading to bad guest reviews? Maybe it's not a big deal, but maybe it is.

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Andrew SteffensBusiness Member

Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes

10mo

Generally speaking I like these for STR IF there is a private fenced yard and road noise is minimal inside the house. The reason I tend to like these is they are less desirable so you can get a deal AND the neighborhood tends to be less cohesive so less likely to get neighbors in your business. That said, it will be tough for you to sell when that day comes and you must be up front in your listing about it, so check how others are performing in that market first.

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Marc Shin:

Hello - i'm looking at a SFH that is off of a main road that has a lot of cars passing by. This road has many single family homes along the road, so i know that people are living there as their primary residences.

My concern is the road noise might lead to bad guest reviews. Should I just pass on this property if there's a lot of cars that are driving by and might cause road noise leading to bad guest reviews? Maybe it's not a big deal, but maybe it is.

I would see how noisy it is from inside the house.
You also have to worry about Families with smal children or pets.
I would try and find something else. You will likely get some bad reviews over this.
Are there any other STR'S on this street? Just for grins look at their reviews.
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Bruce WoodruffPro Member
Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
10mo
Quote from @Marc Shin:

Hello - i'm looking at a SFH that is off of a main road that has a lot of cars passing by. This road has many single family homes along the road, so i know that people are living there as their primary residences.

My concern is the road noise might lead to bad guest reviews. Should I just pass on this property if there's a lot of cars that are driving by and might cause road noise leading to bad guest reviews? Maybe it's not a big deal, but maybe it is.
I would pass. I'm sure you can do better...
How would you like staying there?
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Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
10mo
Generally speaking I like these for STR IF there is a private fenced yard and road noise is minimal inside the house. The reason I tend to like these is they are less desirable so you can get a deal AND the neighborhood tends to be less cohesive so less likely to get neighbors in your business. That said, it will be tough for you to sell when that day comes and you must be up front in your listing about it, so check how others are performing in that market first.
[email protected]813-563-0877
Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
Website View Page
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Collin HaysBusiness Member
Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
10mo
We have STRs on busy roads that do just fine. They don't get the best of reviews, but make money year after year.
[email protected]806-672-7102
SMOKY MOUNTAIN FALLS INC.51 Review
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Jeremy Jareckyj
Real Estate Agent · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2020 · 490 posts · 205 votes
10mo
Yeah I think for an STR youd be ok as long as the noise inside is marginal. I would consider resale value though.. always harder to move the homes on the busy street
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Andrew Street
Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 292 votes
10mo
It really depends on your guest profile and how you set expectations. Homes on busy roads can still perform well as long as you’re honest in the listing and take steps to soften the noise inside the house. Heavy curtains, rugs, door sweeps, and even a white-noise machine can make a big difference.

If everything else about the property is strong, I wouldn’t immediately write it off. But if the traffic feels truly disruptive even when you’re inside, then it may be better to pass.
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Justin Miller
Interior Decorator · Nationwide · Member since 2017 · 44 posts · 35 votes
10mo
The Good News about my first Airbnb property in San Francisco: It was close to the freeway.
The Bad News about my first Airbnb property in San Francisco: It was close to the freeway.
I would not recommend it for the following reasons:
1. The noise surprised some guests, even though I clearly mentioned it in my description.
2. It caused lower guest reviews because of the noise.
3. It cost me more money to provide earplugs.
4. The dust from the car tires constantly made the home exterior dirty.
So, too much dirt and too much noise; I would pass!
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
10mo
Hey @Marc Shin, how far off the road is it? Did you check with the city/county on a car count?

I would be curious as to how busy the road is and when. During the day it might not be a big deal but if it is busy at night, then that would be more of an issue.
Is it fenced like @Andrew Steffens mentioned?
What would bring people to that area to stay? What is nearby?
If it has amazing neighborhood amenities with lots close by or a stadium etc, then it might be worth the risk.
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James Carlson
Real Estate Agent · Colorado | stan.store/JamesCarlson · Member since 2014 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
10mo
I have a client with an short-term rental on a somewhat busy street in the Denver metro area. It does just fine because it's a newer townhome with easy access to the action.
Exactly how bad is the noise? Like @Andrew Steffens said, it might also mean that the surrounding neighbors -- used to some commotion -- might be less picky about STRs nextdoor.
Plus, is the busy street a straight shot into the heart of wherever? I believe anything can be okay in an Airbnb with the proper amount of disclosure and expectation setting.
Buuuut if the noise is so bad that you're apologizing for the property before anyone books, then you'll have issues.
Good luck!

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Tyler Divin
Property Manager · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2018 · 175 posts · 134 votes
10mo
We manage two properties with noise concerns. Here are my thoughts.
- IMO, you'll have to add a discount to nearby, comparable properties that aren't on the busy road to entice guests and provide an appropriate value; therefore, you should pay a discounted value for the property.
- Provide white noise machines, box fans, and earplugs in each bedroom.
- Are any of the bedrooms on the roadside of the house? If so, consider the cost of adding noise insulation to the street-facing walls. We're putting up decorative wood-slat noise panels next week for this purpose. I've read that adding a layer of drywall helps more, but it's a more intrusive process.
- Be clear/upfront about it in the listing description and the photos. Hiding it and letting guests be surprised will spell disaster.
- Prepare to issue a refund if guests complain. You can frame it as buying them breakfast/lunch/dinner for the trouble.
- Up the hospitality at the property to buy goodwill/happy guests. Extra towels, sheets, pillows, trash bags, and soaps. Provide snacks, bottled water, premium coffee, s'more kits, maybe even a small gift. You want them to walk through the door and be wowed with something unexpected pulling in off the noisy road.
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- Bruce WoodruffPro Member
  Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
  10mo
  Quote from @Tyler Divin:
  
  We manage two properties with noise concerns. Here are my thoughts.
  - IMO, you'll have to add a discount to nearby, comparable properties that aren't on the busy road to entice guests and provide an appropriate value; therefore, you should pay a discounted value for the property.
  - Provide white noise machines, box fans, and earplugs in each bedroom.
  - Are any of the bedrooms on the roadside of the house? If so, consider the cost of adding noise insulation to the street-facing walls. We're putting up decorative wood-slat noise panels next week for this purpose. I've read that adding a layer of drywall helps more, but it's a more intrusive process.
  - Be clear/upfront about it in the listing description and the photos. Hiding it and letting guests be surprised will spell disaster.
  - Prepare to issue a refund if guests complain. You can frame it as buying them breakfast/lunch/dinner for the trouble.
  - Up the hospitality at the property to buy goodwill/happy guests. Extra towels, sheets, pillows, trash bags, and soaps. Provide snacks, bottled water, premium coffee, s'more kits, maybe even a small gift. You want them to walk through the door and be wowed with something unexpected pulling in off the noisy road.
  Yes, he's right. You can make any property 'work'.... But why spend extra time and money on a place that will make less money and have more problems - guaranteed....?
  
  There are plenty of properties out there. Plenty. Just find an easy one. Easy is good.
  2 Reply
Jules Aton
MD/DC · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10mo
STRs are not my main income so that can make a difference but regardless I'm always looking for the exit strategy and hesitate to purchase anything with a huge red flag when it comes to resale. Unless a noisy location is par for the area, for example a hot up and coming city neighborhood or main drag at beach I wouldn't consider.
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Quinton Brown
Lender · Seattle WA · Member since 2025 · 212 posts · 33 votes
10mo
If the road’s busy, that might actually help you negotiate a better deal on the purchase. I’d also look at where that road leads—if it offers easy access to a popular attraction, landmark, or downtown spot your guests will use, that’s a huge plus. Just make sure to highlight the convenience in your listing to offset any potential noise concerns and manage expectations upfront so it doesn’t ding your reviews.
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Laura Winters
Member since 2021 · 124 posts · 87 votes
10mo
To make something like this work, you gotta have a real good benefit to outperform the negative of staying on a busy road. For example, your property has to be next to a popular place like a convention, concert center, beach or convenient place like a large grocery store, popular restaurant or bakery. Without these factors, guests will not tolerate the inconvenience of the noise and traffic.
Also these properties appreciate more slowly than other houses.
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