Job Offer in Columbia (Baltimore, Hebron: for sale, loans, buying a house)

[MAC3030]

Hello Forum:

My Husband has been offered an opportunity in Columbia and we are considering the move.

Figured this would be the best place to start on my research for:

We have 2 year old boys so childcare is important along with schools.

Best Schools (willing to travel up to 20 miles in any direction)

Best part of town to relocate to (Howard or Montgomery) County

Housing: 600K - newer construction (10 yrs or less) 4 bed/ 3 bt

Any feedback is Appreciated
.

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by MAC3030

Hello Forum:

My Husband has been offered an opportunity in Columbia and we are considering the move.

Figured this would be the best place to start on my research for:

We have 2 year old boys so childcare is important along with schools.

Best Schools (willing to travel up to 20 miles in any direction)

Best part of town to relocate to (Howard or Montgomery) County

Housing: 600K - newer construction (10 yrs or less) 4 bed/ 3 bt

Any feedback is Appreciated
.

For 600k, you would not find a house within 20 miles to Columbia in MC less than 10 years old with good schools.

For MC I would recommend Urbana. The commute will be bit much though, but he could take the backroads.

In HC, take a look in West Friendship Heights - beautiful homes.

I did see some really nice ones for sale this past Saturday on rt 108 in HC name Patuxent Crossing. Offered at 1.5 mill though..

Here's one, don't know about the schools and it's > 10 years old

http://www.homes.com/Content/Listing...earchorig=main

[emsgoof]

Originally Posted by tonyc

For 600k, you would not find a house within 20 miles to Columbia in MC less than 10 years old with good schools.

Nonsense...
I just did a very quick search on a realtor listing, and found 118 entries for 21044, 21045, and 21046 for single family homes with 4 bed, 2-3 bath, and up to $600K. The only issue you might find is the <10 year age. If you open yourself up to up to 15 years, you get A LOT more options, as that's when the big boom in Columbia / Howard County (Clarksville) started. River Hill is still very nice, but most were built between 10 and 15 years ago now.
Look at some of the older listings for Columbia neighborhoods on this forum, and then talk to a realtor about houses in those areas. They're out there.

[tonyc]

Originally Posted by emsgoof

Nonsense...
I just did a very quick search on a realtor listing, and found 118 entries for 21044, 21045, and 21046 for single family homes with 4 bed, 2-3 bath, and up to $600K. The only issue you might find is the <10 year age. If you open yourself up to up to 15 years, you get A LOT more options, as that's when the big boom in Columbia / Howard County (Clarksville) started. River Hill is still very nice, but most were built between 10 and 15 years ago now.
Look at some of the older listings for Columbia neighborhoods on this forum, and then talk to a realtor about houses in those areas. They're out there.

DUH..the only issue like I said < 10 years old IN MC -

[davidmil]

For 600K you'll beable to find a nice home in the Howard County area. Top schools are Centenial, Mt. Hebron and Glenelg. Stay out of the Columbia Schools. River Hill isn't bad though. The area has taken a big hit on housing. Prices are way down from their high and they're sitting on the market longer. You don't say where you're moving from but 600K may not get you the same house you're used to for that money.

[MAC3030]

Thanks for your feedback - this is helpful

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by davidmil

For 600K you'll beable to find a nice home in the Howard County area. Top schools are Centenial, Mt. Hebron and Glenelg. Stay out of the Columbia Schools. River Hill isn't bad though. The area has taken a big hit on housing. Prices are way down from their high and they're sitting on the market longer. You don't say where you're moving from but 600K may not get you the same house you're used to for that money.

Why stay out of the Columbia schools? Test scores are above state and national levels. What data point are you referencing? Hmmmmmmm!

[AlicynD]

You can definitely find a home in that price range and on the newer side - there are definitely some great buys in Howard County. Close proximity to D.C. and Baltimore, School Systems, etc. homes will keep their values.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by AlicynD

You can definitely find a home in that price range and on the newer side - there are definitely some great buys in Howard County. Close proximity to D.C. and Baltimore, School Systems, etc. homes will keep their values.

When realtors said that two years ago has time proven them correct. A year ago when they said that has time proven them correct? Is this now the magic moment?

[AlicynD]

No one ever said home ownership was about buying a house today and then selling it a year or two later and making huge profits, if any profit at all. So yes, some people have lost out in the recent market we had because there was a combination of inflated pricing and bad loans (in turn those people either had to sell sooner than planned or unfortunately may have lost their home). I have a lot of extremely happy Buyers who have bought in the past year and this year already, that have gotten great deals on the home they purchased and have gotten a great interest rate on their loan. I also have happy Sellers who have sold recently who may have not made that "huge" chunk they would have made 3/4 years ago, but they have bought more house for less now.