House next to train line

[Melaniais]

Hello, I put an offer on a house where train line runs behind its garden. I mean there is a few meters gap, plus train track is low, you can’t see trains from the garden. The track is barely used atm, only freight. Few trains per day at best. But I just saw on news that London mayor and affected boroughs try to restate it for passages use in the future, this will be part of West London Orbital. Given behest and money it’s probably good few years from now, if ever… but of plans come into force will it affect negatively property value ? Or positively, not far from the property they will open a new station. My offer was rejected, but I have indication for real estate agent how much more I shall offer to get the house. It will be a financial stretch but possible. Lovely house on a nice street, possibly one of last chances before we get priced out of area/London. should I put plans for opening train line as risk to property value and negotiate the price even lower from my offer? Or abandon the plans as too risk involved with train line development. Any views?

I live by a train line. It is a negative to the house but we wouldn't have afforded it otherwise and on the whole is much better than a busy road and has the bonus of meaning we back on to trees and aren't overlooked. The freight trains are by far the worst - the commuter trains are electric, so quieter, and stop at night, so if you're not too bothered by the line as is and feel it's reflected fairly in the current price, I don't think you should be put off by future upgrade works. Fwiw I bought my house 15 years ago and one on the same street just sold for three times what I paid despite increased train traffic and an electrification upgrade happening in between.

Thanks for all feedback! I see Londoners wouldn’t mind ;-). Sellers actually want to sell now for the price I offered initially so tough decision to take.

I'm in the NW and my garden backs onto a passenger line. Trains every 15 minutes throughout the day. Last train around midnight. We're right by the station. It definitely adds to the value of the houses here rather than detracts. The estate agents make a big deal about the convenience (which it is and has played a major factor in not moving). Also, our cats go and shit on the line rather than in our gardens, which is nice. I see them toddling off from my office window.

It's an electric line so is nice and quiet. The train noise is soothing, you miss it when it stops for faults etc. The only annoying thing is when they do work on the line - that wakes everyone up as it's usually 1-3am or so.