Airplanes? No, no airplanes.

Reading this story reminds me of a showing I had last year near Bradley Airport - Homes Near Airport to Receive Sound Insulation. 

Some clients I had were looking around the general Windsor Locks area.  A house came on the market and the photos looked promising.  Knowing that it was near the airport, I called the listing agent to find out if airplanes can be heard at the house.  Her response was “Airplanes?  No, no airplanes.”  Great.  I set up the appointment and met my clients after they left work the next day.

I got there a few minutes early and waited in the driveway.  On the map, the property didn’t look close to the actual boundaries of the airport.  But, in the first five minutes, I heard two planes overhead – very close to the ground as they were coming in for their landings.  My clients arrived and we continued to hear planes – inside and outside the house.  And, we walked to the boundaries of the property and it abutted some type of airfield with planes parked (correct terminology?).

Was the agent thinking flights would be cancelled that day?  Was she hoping for spontaneous deafness on the part of me and my clients?  Did she think the house’s charm would overwhelm our senses?  Not everyone cares about the noise but if someone asks – just tell the truth. 

Needless to say, my clients were not interested in a property where airplanes could be seen, heard and probably felt from their living room.   But, they could have gotten free noise abatement!  I’d love to see a listing offering that.