Can an Elementary School negatively affect a SFH rental-ability?

Question

Hello!

I am currently looking for potential deals. I ran into a deal that is right across from an elementary school. My question is specifically to anyone out there who has a property located directly in front of a school? Did this seem to negatively affect the rental ability of the property in anyway?

Thank you for your time, Jerry Tello

Greg Scott · Answer

Why are you concerned it would negatively affect the property?  I would think it would be a benefit.  Families with young children would love to live there!

We've owned a number of properties near schools.  High School kids can cause some typical teenager problems, but otherwise it is a strong selling point.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

@Jerry Tello in my experience renting next to elementary schools is a huge advantage. Families love being close to school. My personal home is three houses from an elementary school. All the houses close to the school sell very quickly at higher than market value. There is traffic, but it is limited to a 30 minute period in the morning and afternoon. We just avoid driving through at the busy times. In the summer it is quiet.

I guess the only negative is if you don't want kids in your rentals, because that location will attract mostly families.

One other advantage in my state is we have special laws within 500 or 1000 feet of a school or park that increase penalty for certain crimes and limit where sex offenders can live. There is also more police presence by schools.

We try to buy houses close to elementary schools or parks. Overall I think most real estate agents will agree it is a positive for home value. I agree with others to stay clear of high schools.

Bill B. · Answer

I have purposely avoided buying within blocks of high schools as there are literally hundreds (in some cases 1000+) of teenagers walking through the neighborhood when it lets out.

I currently live 2 blocks from an elementary and it’s only a slight negative. Traffic is HORRIBLE from 1:30-2:30. Between the 15mph school zones for a mile and 100’s of parents in cars parking anywhere they can (they get theee at east 30 minutes before school gets out every day. So much free time.) making u turns and just stopping and opening their doors to let kids get in buckle them down etc.

Karissa Sampson · Answer

I own a duplex across the street from an elementary school on a corner lot. I love its location. Attracts families and people comment on how it seems like a safe place to rent because its so close to a school. There is some congestion on the roads in the morning and afternoon for about 30-60 min each time but its not bad. The city also just installed a few 4 way stops (former 2 way stops), repaved the road and added speedbumps to keep traffic moving slowly through the neighborhood since the kids cross the streets. There's a good amount of lighting in the neighborhood as well. Overall, I think its a very attractive location to be near an elementary school.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Depends on the renter......if they have kids it's a plus, if they don't it's probably a negative....

For me it would be a negative either way.....too much noise and foot traffic ....

Theresa Harris · Answer

What ever happened to kids walking to school? They still do it where I am.  Drive around the neighbourhood when school is getting out and see what it is like.  Most people are working from 9-5, so they won't be home during the day when kids are there.  Plus you have open fields across from the house and no neighbours to deal with.  At least for the schools around here, I'd have no problem buying across from a school.

Melissa Hawkes · Answer

We own a rental diagonally across the corner from an elementary. Yes there is increased traffic at drop-off and pick-up times. But we've found that families with young children like to be within walking distance of the school and will continue to rent (renew leases multiple years) until their kids age out of the school.

Jerry Tello · Answer

Thanks for the input Greg Scottand Bill Brandt. My immediate thought was the traffic and noise level may deter some tenants.

Can an Elementary School negatively affect a SFH rental-ability?

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