High greenery to buffer the road, dual pane windows and sorry my friend...unless you are willing to give every buyer ear plugs, it's price.

I'm with Sharon Altier, SFR - hit the negative head-on!  "This home may be situated near a major road but, this gem has been spendidly renovated with the finest of appointments and no audible noise from the interior of this lovely home.  Better still, you'll love the proximity to ____ Road/Highway that takes you to everything Naples!"

Strong marketing on the "greatness" of the property.  Although it backs up to major road, is the interior focus to the rear of the home, where you don't view the front?  Is the interior quiet?  Focus on why you think the home is great.  The right buyer will come along....

Many people like the quick access to transportation, use that as a selling point.

Are there tree breaks between the property and the road? This buffering is a wonderful way to provide for privacy and noise abatement. If not, suggest the owner plant a row of quick growing trees such as Scotch Pines which help with this issue. 

Napels Florida.

Great property backing to major road do not exist in same sentence. It is a damaged property.

A noisy road reduces the price just like high voltage power towers, maybe event more.

The good news is, in South Florida, temperatures often compel citizens into to shelter of air conditioned spaces. If that space is not sound proofed with substantial double paned windows and sliders, you will need to reduce the price further. You need to be able to close the door and hear abosolutely no road noise.

The question needs to be asked, "Can a private conversation be conducted when the noise is at peak?"

IT is possible the house would appeal to a middle manager, the weekend warrior who is never home.

Your question to the homeowner must be, 'When do you want to sell?"  The time required to sell is directly related to the price with the top end being NEVER. 

So, how much do you reduce the price when the back yard is too noise to use?

"Other" than lowering the price? No. "In addition to" lowering the price? Sure. Focus on the positive - great schools, fenced in yard, close to transport.

Accentuate the positive while not ignoring the major road which may be seen as a convenience factor.   

Maybe add fence and trees as sound barrier. or, check comp history and see what neighboring houses have been selling for compared with nearby homes that don't back up to major road. We have homes here that back to major roads and they sell fine. " convenient to major commuting routes, airports, hospital, etc"

Love brutal honesty, "easy to get to point A to point B since the house is adjacent to Main drag X:))

Quick access to major commuting routes? It is what it is!

If the home has newer windows and you can't hear the road noise when the windows are closed, you could encourage buyers to come take the listen test and be pleasantly surprised that they can have such a great house as well as a great location giving them easy access to...

Other than lowering the price? You should have taken that into account in the 1st place.  I'm sure you'd like us to give witty remarks on the benefits of having a highway right in the backyard but nope ...

You already have great ideas here!  Highlight the positives, talk about how quickly you can get places due to access to major road, and ensure price reflects location.

I've had homes like this to sell and all you can do is market the property well and make it totally irresistable in terms of presentation and adjust your price. My experience is that homes backing up to major roads in my market is a dimunition in value of 7-10%. But if it's in a great school district, focus on that, for example. 

Matthew - Hopefully the price was adjusted for the proximity to the major road when you first listed it. I think everyone provided great examples of noting the positive (close access to ...), and presenting all the additional benefits of the property. Also, highlight if it is actually quite once you enter the home.

Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS nailed this one!

Some are not bothered by the noise! Use it as positive location for those seeking quick access!

It WILL be about price - location issues such as proximity to highways and power lines is the single most impactful value buster.  You need to factor the location issue into the price right out of the gate, making the combination of attributes a great value.  In the end, your buyer will likely be the one that must have the house of this size or condition and can only afford to have it if it does back to that busy road. Just my opinion...

I would focus on a buffer, mix of a fence and greenery.  Finding the right buyer who does not mind will also help. Someone from an urban area that is used to traffic and noise

I remember a new build community that backed up to a shopping center.

The homes that immediately backed up to that had a $5,000 premium for the "extra landscape"(a few more bushes)...almost all of those were already under contract.

Blew me away that a negative could be spun into something buyers thought desirable.

Eve

Some great comments here , thanks all for sharing their ideas

Matthew Klinowski - share what is good about the home (not property!).

And find out a way to 'hide' the major road in the back.

Matthew,

I was going to ask you the same question as Lynnea Miller did.

It's just one of those objections you have to overcome. Some people like to be where the action is. Target some partygoers and those who wouldn't mind the noise.

I closed one earlier this month that backed to a 6 lane major street.   It was upgraded and priced right.   Listed on Monday and Tuesday, 35 showings and 10 offers.

Get that sign on the back fence of the property even if it is on a busy road.

Easy commute?

Focus on good staff. The major road or even freeway can be a desirable feature for some buyers who want to live close to it. Something like ''an easy access to <...>'' can attract a right buyer. I once sold a house near a major street to a buyer who actually really liked its location and the noise did not bother her at all ( if honestly, in Los Angeles, we have too many major roads, freeway and highways). Good luck. 

One of my first listings backed up to a road.  I had it in the MLS remarks and reminded the agents before they showed it and yet the buyers still seemed like they were surprised.  Ultimately it was a lower price that sold the house.

Push the good points.

Sounds like "convenient access to major travel routes" to me.  Perhaps you should raise the price ; )

I'd certainly let people that are interested know of any issues it could cause, but some may see this as a non-issue, or even a positive if they have easy access to major travel routes.

Planting evergreens in time will make a big difference. Then, give an allowance toward the planting fund

Many properties backing onto main roads will receive multiple offers these days in my market.  Prices are continuing to rise as they have for several years.  The market currently has a shortage of listings.

Backing a busy road takes 10-20k off the price out here, minimum.  Trees and windows as Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS said will mitigate but you'll still have to drop the price.

market the best attributes of the home

Rumor has it ... there may be a new wall building trend taking place in America.  That said, you can build a wall ... or trees to help with the sound. I always prefer dealing with perceived negatives head on. It is what it is. The owners knew it when they purchased unless the "major road" was created after they purchased.

We are in the same boat at the moment.  Just keep marketing the positives of the property, while recognizing the busy road does impact value.

  If there is access to the major road, promote the easy commute.  If it backs up to a freeway, or there is no access, you have a challenge before you.

What Thomas said...-Kasey

You have received great advice about focusing on the positive aspects of this property and not just the challenging location. I would absolutely have a landscape barrier and double pane windows to reduce the noise, but  I would also be sure to focus on and highlight the positive features of the interior of this property.   If the property is updated, presented well and has what buyers are looking for, they may be willing to overlook or compromise on the less than ideal location.  If you want or need any interior staging suggestions message me and I will try to help you out.  Good Luck!

Lots of trees will help. Price is the primary factor.

You vetoed my only suggestion.

I have found that urbanites often don't care it is on a busy road. Maybe you can seek out one. Accent the positive over and over again.

Isn't there a sound buffer? If not offer one in negotiation - not sure how much of a major road your talking about though that makes a big difference as well since not all major roads have high traffic counts or noise?

My house backs to a major road but I do not hear the traffic unless it's a vehicle needing a muffler LOL!

As others have already written. Many will look past the road noise in favor of all the conveniences. At some point, however, if all else fails, you may have no option.

I've had homes on a very busy state owned road.... the last one sold to someone who came from California and lived off the multi laned highway...this was like a "country road" to that buyer.... there's a buyer for everything... take the listing for a long period of time and "market it like you mean it"... someone will buy it.... 

Matthew Klinowski Can you hear the road noise from inside the home? Fix that problem and problem solved.

Price it to sell or let it sit.  All the marketing in the world won't sell it unless priced correctly.  There are no other options and hope is not a strategy. 

Don't try to "sneak" that shortcoming in.  That'll turn off prospective buyers.  First home I ever sold was one block away from an active train track.  My buyer just happened to LOVE trains.  The builder discounted the house a bit and my buyer was very happy to get a home close to his avocation.

The question is, is the solution more expensive than the price reduction?

Find creative ways to block the view and noise, then upsell the convenience of easy access!

You can create a burm, or as some others have suggested  plant a row of trees as they help to buffer the drone of the traffice.   Cedars are good as they grow very quickly and quite tall.  Also, focus on the great qualities of the interior of the house...

Plant  (or additional) Evergreens as a Greenbelt

Where is the list of what this property does have, where it shines? Promote that and have the yes but when the highway issue comes up. This seller was a buyer, it did not stop them. The price, quick occupancy, neat, no repairs, great layout, extra bedroom in the bonus room or cellar that could have rec room potential, cheap to operate... don't make your head line, home backs up to the free way. Homes near airports sell all day long too. Make sure the negative is not one you can not let go off or something you bring up and point out. The buyer picks up on how you like it or not, your passion or luke warm promotion.