HOT and Real Estate Values
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Category: Archived Slugging Topics
Forum Name: HOT Lanes Discussion
Forum Description: Post messages regarding High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes here.
URL: http://www.slug-lines.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2305
Printed Date: 25 Nov 2024 at 4:24pm
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Topic: HOT and Real Estate Values
Posted By: CallmeMrSlug
Subject: HOT and Real Estate Values
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2005 at 1:16pm
HOV3slugger posted this in another thread:
"Today is the last day to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. On Monday the new laws kick into play.
PS - All kidding aside - tip the driver.
PPS - If the HOT lanes go in and HOV3 stays free it should pick up more drivers.
PPPS - If HOT moves in that 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Ballston will start looking real good. Kiss Prince William, Stafford, and Spotsylvania good-bye."
It kind of hit home for me, because I have an oppotunity to purchase a condo in Stafford, and I have to admit the future of HOT is enterring into my thoughts about doing so. If HOT is the disaster I think it is, how many purchasers are going to still find Fredericksburg, Spotsy, and Stafford as desirable as it currently is? Sure, you have the BRAC stuff,, but these military folks are transitory in nature, they are not looking for a permanent home. What do you all think about whether HOT will have an impact on real estate down here?
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Replies:
Posted By: Paladin
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2005 at 3:56pm
The pending meltdown of the commuting situation will not portend well for real estate along the I-95 corridor.
HOT lanes are private proposals - not responses to government requests. That should clue everyone in. Since when has a private company ever done anything for the public good? Never. And all they want from this is profit and I can guarantee you none of them live along I-95.
When HOT comes, the smart people are going to get the fvck out.
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Posted By: HOV3Slug
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2005 at 6:31pm
The current HOT proposals assume people will continue to drive to work everyday. The problem is gas has gone from $1.80 to $2.70 - $3 a gallon in the last three months so driver behavior is still shifting. Right now folks are getting rid of their gas-guzzlers and getting cars that are fuel-efficient. There are more slugs now too. To drive to DC and back to Southern Prince William cost in gas alone about $9 a day. Add parking at about $10 a day and today a driver is paying $19 a day to drive to work, not be mention wear and tear on the car. For the folks who don’t pick up slugs add the toll of say $5 each way and you are up at $29 day, cash out of pocket, just to drive your car to work.
Inflation, higher gas prices, and the congestion in the I-95 corridor are all having an adverse affect on real estate prices in the lower counties. The current proposals for HOT lanes are not the solution to the I-95 corridor problem. With gas at the current prices folks want to take mass transit that is quick and reliable. My suggestion is three fold: 1) Extend the current HOV lanes to Fredericksburg, (we need them not only for rush hour but for weekend traffic too, 2) Install an elevated high speed rail down I-95 to drop folks off at the Rosalyn Metro and then have it go out I-66 to Haymarket, and 3) have local lanes on I-95 (regular lanes) that start just north of Dumfries truck stop and end just north of Lorton’s exit. Likewise, south bound lanes would have local lanes start just south of Springfield and end at the Dumfries truck stop – hence the left two lanes of I-95 will be through lanes that should not get congested and move at 60MPH+. These changes will make the real estate down the I-95 corridor desirable once again.
As for buying the condo, make sure you like the commute. If you live in Prince William and you’re thinking of moving to Stafford, I would definitely drive to Stafford first thing in the morning and leave from the condo to see if you like the commute and do the same in the evening. If you can handle the commute, you like the condo, and the price is right I’d say go for it. Interest rates are on the rise.
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Posted By: 122582
Date Posted: 15 Oct 2005 at 7:36pm
All the more reason for slugs to start tipping drivers. More slugs eans fewer drivers. Right now many prefer to drive SOV than pick up what they feel is a hitchhiker.
No driver is going to pay a toll while two people sit in his or her car riding for free.
It's the only way the system will survive.
Keep slugging alive - tip your driver today!
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Posted By: koakui
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2005 at 4:22pm
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I think at the point that drivers have to pay for HOT - they will either form a carpool and split the cost, ask for "donations" from slugs or go it alone. Slugs will either pay or go to the bus or another form of transport. I do quite a good share of slugging and will go wherever the cars go. I'm not picky for the most part. If the day comes that I will have to pay, so be it. I'll do whatever is most convenient, economical and works. I'm not adverse to the bus and/or metro and in fact use both along w/ slugging and driving. Whatever gets me to the office. I think most people are like that.
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Posted By: n/a
Date Posted: 19 Oct 2005 at 12:18pm
Hey 122582, get off the tipping kick! Every time some interesting and informative topic gets some steam you start in with your cry baby attitude. Do you charge your neighbor if they want to borrow a rake or a hammer? Do you charge your family when they occupy seats in your house? "Slugs don't love me." "Their thanks is not enough." "I need to get a tip just to make myself feel better." Honestly, if you don't feel rewarded participating in a free, benevolent and mutually beneficial system, GET OUT NOW! You are far too good for us anyway.
But really if your issues are financial, start a van pool or taxi service or just stop picking up slugs, honestly, I wish you well. But your constant griping is starting to annoy. And your bonehead reasoning is laughable! "It's the only way the system will survive..." Come on!
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