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Thanks everyone for the good area. I am originally from Oklahoma but we have lived in Ohio, Oklahoma, New Orleans, Indiana and Arkansas.
We like all of the towns but it is hard to gage on a short term if the towns are on the upswing or are going down. We usually only live in an area for 5-10 years so resale is a biggie for us. We are also on a limited budget of about $250,000. We are needing about 1600sq ft. We are okay with a smaller home if it is a nicer home. A big issue we've been having is that we need space for three cars, hopefully with a two-car garage.
Also, do condos buy/sell well here?
We love CT!
That is a very tight budget for the area of Connecticut you are looking. It might eliminate a couple of the towns you mention unless you are willing to accept an older home in need of some work. The garage requirement will make it even more difficult. Check the listings in these towns to see if it is realistic. I doubt Cheshire will be.
Your best bet on resale is to find a home in a good location that needs work and fix it up. Condos can be an issue to sell in down markets and I am not sure you can find one in your price range with a 2 car garage. Jay
You're going to be near the bottom of the housing market in the $ 250,000 range in the towns you have chosen.
You may be able to find a ranch or raised ranch in that price range with a 2 car garage. A raised ranch especially may get you that 1600 + square feet of space counting both main level and finished walk out basement.
Condos in general will have no garage or just a single garage- sometimes built in or in a detached cluster.
Trying to find a condo where you can park 3 cars in front of the unit in a driveway will be very tough. IMO you would do better looking for a house.
Your money will go farthest in Wallingford or Southington but that budget is honestly pretty modest for any of those towns. You'd do better in towns like Rocky Hill, Newington, or Watertown, although the schools are not quite as highly rated.
I have been looking into Branford, Guilford and Madison for retirement. I have been looking at the real estate listings for quite some time and I think you might be able to find a 1600 SF house in Branford. It would probably need some work though. Branford has a nice laid back coastal vibe.
Have you visited or at least Google Street viewed these houses?
I know Cheshire fairly well, and based on the locations of pretty much every house under $275K on the MLS there, I would personally cross it off your list.
Flipping is semi popular in Southington - so chances are better there of finding something that looks nice for $250 - but get a good inspection.
Both those towns have inferior school systems are compared to your original choices.
West Haven, in particular, is densely developed with a mostly older housing stock and is very blue collar. Middletown is a mixed bag economically. A city type core with many suburban and more lightly developed areas. Lots of homes from which to choose. Housing ranges from old to newer.
Public schools in Middletown are not highly regarded although there are two private, Catholic & well regarded high schools in the city ( one for boys, one for girls)
We've actually found several homes in these towns that need little to no work and have been pleasantly surprised.
Have you visited these homes? Generally, in towns with higher performing schools, anything under 300k will need TLC. I'd be surprised to find a move in ready home for 250k in Cheshire. there may be underlying issues with the homes you're seeing.
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