How much can a bus stop devalue a property?

Hello friends:

I am considering buying an apartment in a major US city. A very close friend lived in this exact unit for a little over three years, and nearly all of the information I am sharing comes directly from him. He showed me videos he recorded himself, security footage from the building, and written complaints exchanged among residents. During my visits, I also spoke with several neighbors, and they raised the same concerns without prompting.

The neighborhood itself is extremely good. It is established, quiet, and well maintained. New construction in the immediate area is limited, and many residents are long term owners who bought their units decades ago and never left. Nearby single family homes routinely sell between 900K and 1.4M. By any normal standard, this is a high quality and stable area.

A few years ago, the city installed a bus stop directly in front of the building’s main entrance. Residents complained through neighborhood councils and city departments, but the stop remained. Since then, the bus stop has become the dominant issue affecting daily life in the building.

The biggest issue: the bus arrives every ten minutes on the dot, including overnight. Every arrival triggers an automated spoken announcement for visually impaired riders. The apartment sits on the second floor and faces the stop directly. My friend showed me videos of the announcements sounding clearly inside the unit at two in the morning. When I toured the apartment myself, the noise was immediately noticeable and disruptive.

There have been repeated incidents associated with the bus stop. My friend showed me several videos of people exiting the bus and collapsing or overdosing on the building’s front steps. EMS responded multiple times. Neighbors separately described the same pattern and expressed ongoing concern. Since it’s a big city, there’s lots of addicts and homeless, many of whom use the bus.

Security footage shows unauthorized entry into the building from people coming off the bus, tailing the older residents. One incident involved a man entering in the early morning hours, throwing up on the 6th floor, and remaining in the hallways overnight. Another involved someone defecating in the vestibule. Riders also sit on the building’s front steps while waiting for the bus, which interferes with access and creates constant friction for residents.

The current owner is asking essentially the same price he asked in 2023, adjusted upward for inflation. Given the strength of the neighborhood and the severity of the bus stop related problems, I am trying to understand how buyers and appraisers would realistically assess the impact on property value.

Would very much appreciate if you think this devalues the property and by how much. Thank you!