Buying A Long Island Home: How Important Is Commute Time

Written by Posted On Friday, 14 December 2018 21:43

When you're searching for a new home, there are plenty of things to consider. You want a house with all the amenities you need, is affordable, and is located in a great Long Island community. If you think you've found the ideal home, but your commute to work will be less than perfect, should it be a deal-breaker? The answer is "it depends." 

It's no secret that your lifestyle has a significant influence on whether a home will make you happy. If the house you're considering has everything you need, including an otherwise great location, you may find that a long drive to work is acceptable. However, if a long commute will put a serious damper on your day-to-day life, it's likely that the sacrifice won't be worth it. We have gathered a few important points to consider when making your final decision. 

Impact On Home Prices

Depending on where you live, a willingness to move into the suburbs can have a major impact on the price you'll pay for your home. In some cases, buyers who want a short commute to work find that homes in the area are outside of their price range.

Our real estate agents can help you explore nearby neighborhoods and find a location that strikes the perfect balance between affordability and commute times. 

Costs To Commute

A longer commute brings additional costs including gas, tolls, and wear and tear on your vehicle. When considering the cost of your new home, be sure to factor in these expenses.

Buyers also tend to overlook the non-financial costs of a long commute. This includes the physical demands of sitting in the car for long periods of time, mental stress and frustration, and loss of time you could spend doing other things. These factors may seem insignificant right now, but years of daily commuting are likely to take a toll on your overall well being. 

Work Flexibility

If your dream home is further away from your job than you would like, you may still have some options. Many jobs now allow employees to choose their work hours or provide other flexibilities. Making adjustments to avoid rush-hour traffic or working longer hours over fewer days could significantly reduce your commute time. You may also consider asking your boss if telecommuting, even a few days a week, is a viable option for your position. As long as you anticipate the flexibility will remain throughout your career, these adjustments may make your chosen location far more feasible. 

Laffey Real Estate - Your Long Island Real Estate Professionals

The first step in deciding whether a home is right for you is identifying what's truly important to you. A qualified real estate professional can help you weigh the pros and cons of each location you're considering and make the best choice for your individual needs. Contact us at Laffey Real Estate to start your search for finding the right home. 

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Laffey RE

Laffey Real Estate is Long Island’s largest independently-owned family real estate company with 16 offices in Nassau, Suffolk & Queens Counties. Headquartered in Greenvale, New York, Laffey and its wholly-owned subsidiaries provide all of the tools and resources that buyers and sellers of residential real estate need to experience a smooth and timely closing.

www.laffey.com

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