Help with new home


At 65 I'm going through a divorce of 9 years which shouldn't be to much of a financial hit. My current listening cave is in an exposed basement with patio doors. For 30 years the sound has been great. I won't bore you with my equipment but it's worth only a measly $10,000.00. I use to have Infinity Kappa 8's with a Adcom 555II for the required power. The last year I upgraded speakers, upgraded the amp due to recommended suggestions running new speakers with a 20 year old amp. New CD player, new pre-amp, cables, power conditioner, and my first Sub which has really given me the low end I have missed since the Kappa's. My question, at my age of 65 and being alone I don't need a big house, I grew up on a lake my whole life but done with that scene. Looking for something in the $200,000.00 range. I have 2 options, (1) find something that if I have close neighbors then look for a finished basement, (2) Buy something with a nice living room to play my music if the neighbors are far away. I know the only way to find out is to set my system up in the house and try it, but that is not an easy test. 
I normally listen in the high 70 or low 80 decibel region but occasionally push it into the low 90's. 
I maybe lucky with my current room but I visited someone with a similar room and compared his $100,000.00 system and I wasn't impressed at all.
So how can I test a new house for not disturbing the neighbors?
I would gladly pay more for a finished basement but to save money a first floor living room would work out just great.
Thanks for any input.  
golden210

Showing 1 response by uncle_monkey

Sorry to hear, that sounds similar to my situation.
TBH, your first priority is a home that you like, you find livable, and lastly, has a room that will accommodate your gear. Don't get ahead of yourself on anything else (I work in real estate). Because, any room can be "fixed" to do what you need. But first, you need that room. You can always fix it so the music can't be heard outside, or fix it so reflections, standing waves, etc. are mitigated. Just add that into the budget.
For instance, MLV (mass loadied vinyl) can be installed after the fact, or during minor build outs. Basement fixes are also possible, but remember the size of the space might be necessarily reduced depending on the work. With no worries of WAF, floor and window coverings can be a bit easier.
After 35 years of training, I still haven't gotten back to the "I don't care what it looks like" thing. I'm considering moving back to a large home I own and out of my townhouse. I think it didn't really dawn on me for a couple of weeks  I can use the rather massive master suite as my "man cave" and sleep in one of the other bedrooms! Duh. That way, the living, dining and family spaces can remain relatively unscathed, and with hardwood floors, massive windows and an open floor plan, far less work involved than a carpeted and isolated bedroom.
Oh and remember, the realtor (I don't care what state) will do whatever you want as long as it's cleared with the listing agent. They want their commission, so if the home is vacant there's usually no issue. It's more of an issue if the home is occupied. Go out and rent one of those giant boom-boxes that they use on job sites. I think they can hit like 110db. That should tell you how much stray noise you've got outside!
https://soundproofguide.com/