Why Drive Times, Public Transportation, & Nearby Roads Should Factor into Buying a Home

One factor that buyers can sometimes overlook is transportation around the home. It’s easy to be wooed by top-tier amenities and gorgeous kitchen details. But with Americans spending hours on the road each year, how you get to work, the grocery store, or your kids’ sports impacts your quality of life. When researching properties, don’t just consider the commute now, but what it may look like if you change jobs. Or, how it might impact a future homeowner should the buyer ever sell.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

People with Shorter Commutes Are Happier

Before deciding whether an hour-long commute is an acceptable trade-off for a home with more space, consider what researchers have learned about commute time. There is a strong correlation between short, easy commutes and happiness. Researchers discovered that adding 20 minutes to a commute can cause a loss of satisfaction equal to losing 19% in pay.

Further, researchers showed that the ideal commute time for happiness is 16 minutes. People able to commute on foot or by bike were even happier than those who had short commutes by car, bus, or train.

It’s not always possible to find a home with an ideal commute. Housing close to urban centers is more expensive and involves trade-offs like high noise levels and traffic congestion. However, buyers should consider whether a longer drive time to home will truly boost their happiness before trading price and space for a drive.

Easier Commutes Make a Home Easier to Sell

In a recent real estate survey, respondents said that a short commute to work or nearby access to public transportation were among their top concerns when choosing where to live. For 16% of respondents, it was the number one factor in selecting a home.

The current commute matters, but what might the future might look like? Is the home close to major roads that connect to nearby urban centers? Is there quick and easy access to public transit? Will new construction and developments increase road traffic and drive times?

Lifestyles change; the job someone has now may not be the one they have in five years. Additionally, if a buyer thinks that they will not stay in the home long term, they should weigh what will make the home most appealing to the next buyer when they are ready to sell.

A Long Commute Can Make It Harder to Get a Loan

Many people are surprised to encounter extra challenges when purchasing a home with a longer commute. Some potential buyers have to show additional documentation to lenders from their employers if their prospective home address is too far from work. That’s the case with some remote workers, where the headquarters are in one state and they’re buying a home in another.

This can come in the form of a confirmation of employment from HR or a statement it is a remote work position. In other cases, the borrower may explain that they work from home part of the time and only commute a couple of times a week.

The reason is this: lenders are generally more comfortable with owner-occupied homes. While a house up to one hour’s drive from the buyer’s workplace is logical, lenders might be concerned if they see a two-hour commute. This may make them worry that the home is being used as an investment property rather than a primary home. Some loan programs specifically fund primary residences and not second-home properties.

No one factor can determine the perfect place to live for everyone. However, by adding potential drive times to the list of criteria, buyers can be more sure that they have found a home that will make them happy—not just on a day-to-day basis, but when life changes or when they are ready to sell.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

Updated April 2024