Neighborhood to buy? (Birmingham, Bessemer, Alabaster: to rent, mortgage, new home)

[kerpop]

Hello!

My husband, infant son and I just moved to the Birmingham area from Arizona. I'm trying to get a good feel of the neighborhoods, but after only two months, I'm still confused. We currently are renting in Vestavia. This is a nice area, but out of our price range to buy a home. Here's what I would love to buy:

Max price - around $150K
3br (or more) house with 2 bathrooms
a little bit of a backyard
Husband works near Lakeshore & I-65, so ideally, a commute of 20 minutes or less.
I'd love a neighborhood with sidewalks and/or other young families. (this is a want, not a need!)

School districts are not terribly important as (1) that's a long way off and (2) we are strongly considering private schools.

So, what would you suggest for safe and affordable housing? Or do we just need to rent longer until we can afford more?

[Back Again]

Why wait? With the market full of bargains and interest rates as low as they are, if you qualify, BUY NOW! Even if you do not find the home that matches your needs 100% right now, renting will give you zero equity, but if you buy... Even if you end up selling the home for what you paid for it, you will still be way ahead of the game.

Trying to be 20 mins from Lake Shore & I-65 is not as easy as just choising to live 15 miles away from that area. Find someone who knows the area well, a good Realtor, a friend, or a co-worker. Most people would not think the Bessemer/McCalla area is only 20 mins away from Lake Shore & I-65, but it is driving the back roads. I used to drive it every work day as my wife now does.

Good Luck!

[Bravo35223]

Originally Posted by kerpop

Hello!

My husband, infant son and I just moved to the Birmingham area from Arizona. I'm trying to get a good feel of the neighborhoods, but after only two months, I'm still confused. We currently are renting in Vestavia. This is a nice area, but out of our price range to buy a home. Here's what I would love to buy:

Max price - around $150K
3br (or more) house with 2 bathrooms
a little bit of a backyard
Husband works near Lakeshore & I-65, so ideally, a commute of 20 minutes or less.
I'd love a neighborhood with sidewalks and/or other young families. (this is a want, not a need!)

School districts are not terribly important as (1) that's a long way off and (2) we are strongly considering private schools.

So, what would you suggest for safe and affordable housing? Or do we just need to rent longer until we can afford more?

Here is one thing people who move to Birmingham learn quickly: there are so many good public school systems that the money you would put into private school, can be put into a mortgage payment, an investment in an asset which will appreciate over time. Say it would cost you $800 per month for private school for son, this will buy you well over $100,000 in terms of borrowing on a mortgage. It would bring your target price to $250,000 which will give you more options.

Please respond so I can work with you more on this issue.

[Back Again]

Waterford Cove would be a long commute for you to I-65 and Lakeshore

[kerpop]

Thank you Back Again and Bravo for your responses.

To answer a few questions and clear things up a bit:
The $150K price is not negotiable for us. That is all we can afford at this point, so while I understand your public school example, it is out of our range to spend more than $150K.

Are there areas of town where I can get a decent home in a safe neighborhood for my price range? Do places like Avondale or Crestwood have something that might work for us?

[Back Again]

Originally Posted by kerpop

Are there areas of town where I can get a decent home in a safe neighborhood for my price range? Do places like Avondale or Crestwood have something that might work for us?

Both Avondale and Crestwood have home in your price range, Ill send you some listings from there as well.

[alfan92]

You might want to try Clay also, but sidewalks would be hard to come by.

Originally Posted by kerpop

Hello!

My husband, infant son and I just moved to the Birmingham area from Arizona. I'm trying to get a good feel of the neighborhoods, but after only two months, I'm still confused. We currently are renting in Vestavia. This is a nice area, but out of our price range to buy a home. Here's what I would love to buy:

Max price - around $150K
3br (or more) house with 2 bathrooms
a little bit of a backyard
Husband works near Lakeshore & I-65, so ideally, a commute of 20 minutes or less.
I'd love a neighborhood with sidewalks and/or other young families. (this is a want, not a need!)

School districts are not terribly important as (1) that's a long way off and (2) we are strongly considering private schools.

So, what would you suggest for safe and affordable housing? Or do we just need to rent longer until we can afford more?

[Sunny53]

There are good neighborhoods out there in this price range, some new homes and some resales. I try to tell my clients that neighborhoods in good school districts are important; because of resale down the road. The sidewalks may be difficult to find. Waterford Cove in Calera has sidewalks, Waterford Highlands don't. Waterford Cove is not in your price range, Waterford Highlands are. You can look in Pelham, Alabaster, Trussville. Drive through the neighborhoods on different days of the week as well as different times, even night. This will show you what the neighborhood is really like. If I can help you, please let me know.