It’s not uncommon to have commercial spaces below walk-up apartments. These are often overlooked by buyers, who typically focus on other details like layouts and nearby transport; but that can be a mistake. The type of commercial business downstairs also has a significant impact: first on your comfort and convenience, and second on the unit’s attractiveness to future buyers and tenants. Here are some of the factors to know about:

1. Coffee shops, cafes, and eateries are both a plus and a minus

First, consider whether the eatery is of day-to-day use to you. A fancy Italian restaurant is probably of lower daily convenience than a coffee shop or other local food option; most home buyers would prefer the latter. However, this leads to a second consideration: If it’s a popular eatery, like a coffee shop or prata place for the nearby homes (common in landed enclaves), that can also mean higher noise levels. This is especially true if...