possibly looking to move somewhere in MN (Crystal, Owatonna: renting, loan)

[Minnehahapolitan]

No. She can, in most areas of the state, get a four bedroom and two bath house with siding and a finished basement. Since most are older houses, they will be two stories and prob. won't have an attached garage. There are houses that fit even more parameters, but it limits her in where she can live.

[marmac]

---4 bedroom rambler?

[swanee]

That's why I mentioned foreclosures. I know nothing about them so am looking for some input. I have read that sometimes you can get great deals on foreclosed houses.

[The Icy River Vagabond]

Originally Posted by marmac

She may have a hard time finding a house that---matches all her criteria---for under $100,000 ---anywhere in the entire United States.

She could find it in Detroit, or most any other Michigan city, very easily..

[aluminumpork]

I guess I don't really have any personal experience in home buying yet, but I would check prices in the West Duluth area. There are some pretty decent areas there. I wouldn't be surprised if you could find something for $100,000 on the dot or a little under in the Duluth Heights area also. It'll be slimmer pickings, but my family was able to get their home (ranch style, attached garage, finished basement, 3 bedroom on a 1 acre lot) for $120,000. Also, if you don't mind being at the tail end of Duluth (30 minute drive to mall area), you could check Gary New Duluth also.

Good luck!

[sugarbeet]

You can definitely find a nice 4-bedroom for well under $100k in the small towns of Southwest Minnesota. As GolfGal mentioned, near Marshall is a good choice. Many job opportunities in Marshall - most of the small town residents around there work in Marshall. Also Pipestone, Brookings and Watertown (both in SD) for jobs.

You may even find a job in the small towns - they are few and far between - but if you're flexible on the town you can find something. Don't expect much for salary, though!

There are lots of small towns to choose from, but I'll name a few that I recommend: Ivanhoe, Henricks, Canby, Lake Benton, Tyler, Minneota.

[ChefdeCuisine]

In all honesty finding a home with your criteria for that price in the Twin Cities metro will be slim to none. Even foreclosed homes, and the ones you may come accross would most likely be in neighborhoods you would like to avoid. A starter home can and will go for $180,000 or better. Unless you are willing to take on a COMPLETE pile of rubbish and make it habitible.

[marmac]

Chefde--------I agree, the key word is---criteria----
the people resonding must not have read her inquiry. She listed specific criteria.

Posters who answer with---------"you can easily find" fail to take into account the criteria that was stated.

[santos]

Originally Posted by marmac

I believe posters who state she will have no problem finding a house that matches her criteria didn't read her criteria---------4 bedroom, rambler, attached garage,permanent siding, main floor laundry, ---------------AND at LEAST 2 bathrooms------------FINISHED BASEMENT

after reading her post over, I would say she will have a difficult time finding that house anywhere in Minnesota unless she drops MANY of her criteria.

With a realtor, I am looking in the Duluth area for a 2 bedroom with attached garage. What I consider livable, with just those options, is over $100k.

[jwmn]

I own a house for sale that meets some, but not all, those criteria. It's a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom house, with laundry on the main floor, in a small town in the Fargo-Moorhead/Detroit Lakes area listed for under $90k. It's an old, 2-story house, though, without a finished basement. It has a 2-stall garage, but it is not attached.