Do You Know If The House You Are Going To Sell or Buy Is In The RDU Flight Path?

Some of the most popular residential areas in Durham and Northwest Raleigh are much sought after due to their convenient locations near RTP, shopping, restaurants and great schools but they are also located very close to RDU Airport.

RDU has worked with the FAA and surrounding neighborhoods and have adopted a Noise Abatement Policy that reduces aircraft noise and promotes compatible land uses. They have also provided some information to the public on their website to assist home sellers and buyers including Aircraft Noise Notifications for Durham and Wake Counties with contour maps. If your home is in the contour area, an Aircraft Noise Notification must be presented as disclosure for a prospective buyer. There is one exception to this and that being a disclosure is not required for new homes being sold for first time occupancy.

Tips provided by RDU include taking at least two hours at the home site to observe aircraft operations in each operational mode. There are two modes for aircraft operations at RDU. When the winds are south, southwest or west, the planes depart towards Morrisville and Cary and arrive over north Raleigh. When the winds are north, northeast or east, the planes depart towards north Raleigh and arrive over Cary and Morrisville. The noise impact will be different for each operational mode at the home site. A good time to observe is between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Most planes fly during the day and early evening. Some flights occur late at night. Weekends may be busy too. Personal observations are important. However you probably don’t have the time to observe at all hours. Airplanes fly at all hours.

There are some people that have lived in the flight path for years and it doesn’t bother them.  They feel that having a convenient commute to RDU or easy access to Brier Creek, I-540 and entertainment is more important to them.  I, myself, lived in Harrington Grove for over 8 years and was never fazed by the aircraft noise.

If you are concerned about the impact of aircraft noise before selling or buying your new home? Call your ChangingStreets.com agent or the RDU Noise Officer at (818) 840-2100 to have your questions answered regarding noise impacts on your current or future property.