Warning: Don't Make This Mistake

When buying your country property, one thing to keep in mind, is your route to work. That is one trip you have to make on a daily basis and should be a major consideration when you choose your property.

Though we do not have traffic jams here in Kuna, every year we see more traffic on our roads. Properties in the Kuna area have two challenges you should be aware of.

1. South of the railroad tracks. Unless you are taking a route that runs due east or west, you have to cross the tracks to get to the highway that takes you north to the interstate. I have been stuck at the tracks for what seems like forever, sometimes shutting off my engine to conserve fuel. This would be a major source of frustration for me.

2. Getting on to Meridian Road. We were all sad to see the introduction of the first traffic light into our small community, but it has been a life saver. If you have to get onto this major highway without the help of a computer controlled traffic cop, you are taking an additional traffic risk every time.

…..There is one subdivision on Meridian road that is having trouble selling homes and I believe access to Meridian road is one big reason. The entrance to this subdivision is directly off the highway right below a little hill. Entering and crossing the highway, to head into Boise, is extremely difficult and dangerous.

…..The intersection of Columbia and Meridian road has the worst accident rating on Ada County Highway Districts list of intersections scheduled to get a traffic signal.

This intersection has been scheduled to get a traffic signal for the past four years. Because of a change in design, the project will not start until 2010. That could change but probably only because of an increase in serious accidents, not what anyone wants to see.

…..The Ten Mile Interchange planned for 2010 will definitely give some alternative routes for traffic to get to the interstate.

Of course these concerns are worst during certain times of the day. And if you have young drivers in the household, another worry to add to the already long list.

Your real estate agent should be looking out for your best interests. If they do not talk about the traffic issues, bring it up to them. If they are not familiar with that area, they should be able to give you a source for you to check it out. Visit that property during rush hour, at night and early morning, check out your route to work and school.

Of course, if the realtor helping you actually represents the seller (like in a model home open house), you may never know until the first day you drive to work. Remember it doesn’t cost you, the buyer, anything to have a real estate agent promote your best interest and keep in mind all the necessary details when considering your next investment.