Looking to buy - First time! (Denver, Aurora: for sale, foreclosure, rental)

[motochica15]

I'm getting tired of throwing away a paycheck for a place I'm renting and dont own, and would love to purchase a small place.

I'm currently living in the DTC area, and work in DTC. I'd like to stay within a 30 minute max commute, and favor the neighborhoods around the south a little more. I'm just looking for myself, a young single female who'd be living alone (well and a small dog and cat), so safety and a feeling of comfort is huge on my list.

I've got a realtor helping me for places in GWV, Centennial, Englewood, Littleton, Parker, Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree. Would you guys suggest expanding that search a little more ? My budget to work with is limited, and I'm having a difficult time finding something. The bank has capped me out at 150k if I use a down payment assistance, about 30k higher if I come up with the down payment myself (difficult, but *possibly* doable). This number goes down however depending on HOA fees.

What would be yalls suggestions as to finding a place in this price range and staying in a safe neighborhood ? I am slowly warming up to the idea of Aurora, but growing up in a small mountain town and always hearing I should stay away from there has me a little skittish.

[davebarnes]

You need more money.
More for the down payment.
More income.
Inventory approaches zero.

Surf to Zillow and use the filter.
Have you looked at http://www.coloradohomes.com/propert...-CO-80111.aspx

Are you prepared -- mentally and financially -- to buy a foreclosure and fix it up?

By the way -- buying for financial reasons is not rational. You buy because you want to paint the living room wall in your preferred color.

[JohnnyDenver]

Sorry, but 150K won't buy you anything in this metro area . . . . 180K may get a 1 bedroom condo somewhere, but not in the metro area.

[emm74]

I don't know anything about this complex or the specific area, but these look pretty nice for that price point and location. With garage and in unit laundry.

6487 S Havana Street UNIT A, Englewood, CO 80111 | MLS 3909803 | Listing Information

6469 S Havana Street UNIT A, Englewood, CO 80111 | MLS 2058817 | Listing Information

HOA fees are a bit steep - $315 per month but there is a pool and tennis courts.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by emm74

I don't know anything about this complex or the specific area, but these look pretty nice for that price point and location. With garage and in unit laundry.

6487 S Havana Street UNIT A, Englewood, CO 80111 | MLS 3909803 | Listing Information

6469 S Havana Street UNIT A, Englewood, CO 80111 | MLS 2058817 | Listing Information

HOA fees are a bit steep - $315 per month but there is a pool and tennis courts.

I'm going out to look at these as an investment rental property. Thanks for the info.

[JohnnyDenver]

Originally Posted by emm74

I don't know anything about this complex or the specific area, but these look pretty nice for that price point and location. With garage and in unit laundry.

6487 S Havana Street UNIT A, Englewood, CO 80111 | MLS 3909803 | Listing Information

6469 S Havana Street UNIT A, Englewood, CO 80111 | MLS 2058817 | Listing Information

HOA fees are a bit steep - $315 per month but there is a pool and tennis courts.

That's a pretty good neighborhood for the price.

[JWEvergreen]

You might want to consider looking at homes that are currently listed "for rent" and then offer to buy it instead. Likely what you'll get is a fixer-upper, because the landlord lost interest in it. Just because a house isn't listed "for sale" doesn't mean anything. Just ask. You might find a gem!

[davebarnes]

Originally Posted by JWEvergreen

You might want to consider looking at homes that are currently listed "for rent" and then offer to buy it instead.

True.
My friends did exactly that with this 449 Gilpin St, Denver, CO 80218 is Recently Sold - Zillow
They had looked in the Bromwell School area for 4+ months.
Their buyer's agent saw the "for rent" sign and called the owner.

[First Timer New Guy]

I would maybe expand your search to Southeast Denver for your budget. I'm a little biased because I just recently bought my first home there. There's plenty of condos and townhomes in the Iliff and Quebec and Mississippi and Havana areas. Pretty close to Lowry which can be fun sometimes, there's also a lot of breweries around this area if you're interested in beer. My 2 bedroom 1.5 bath townhome was 160K in May so it's still very affordable. Good luck on your search! Crazy time to be buying right now but I'm so glad I found a place

[First Timer New Guy]

Oh by the way, ziprealty is a great searching tool as well. They seem to update their listings much quicker than zillow