Buying a first home in Swedesboro area (Clark, Collingswood: townhouses, new construction)

[PRD117]

My wife and I are looking to move to the Swedesboro/Woolwich area in the near future, and this seemed like a good place to get some detailed information. This will be our first house, so we're quite nervous about finding something good, especially since we don't foresee being able to sell it in the near future due to the market.

For reference we are looking at homes in the 200-250 range, 3 BR's, and with with some reasonable storage space (a basement, garage, 4th BR, etc.). Our biggest concern by far is ending up somewhere that needs lots of work, either due to age or shoddy construction.

I've read a few threads and agree that it appears to be a nice area, with decent school systems, affordable prices, and reasonable commutes (I'd be heading across the Commodore Barry Bridge to work every day). We also liked that fact that it is not yet overly developed, although it appears steadily headed that way.

We managed to briefly drive through the town the other day, and it raised a few questions. While houses seem affordable, there didn't appear to be any new construction that wasn't townhomes/twins. We would greatly prefer a standlone home, but also want to avoid anything really old. Has anyone found a reasonable compromise to this? That's not some 350+ monstrosity?

We also were surprised to find that an entire section of town, namely the area northwest of the rairoad tracks, is very weird. It had a mix of nice homes with empty lots, truck depots, and other abandoned industrial facilities. Does anyone have any idea if this part of town is safe, how long it's been in decline, or if there are plans to improve it?

I've also read about the proposed Woolwich Commons along 322, does anyone know more specifics about timing, location, or possible disruption of traffic? I'd hate to sit in congestion outside of a huge shopping center every afternoon on my way home.

Anyway, I apologize for the length of this post, I'm just really frazzled trying to work out the details before making such an enormous investment. I'd greatly appreciate any general advice in addition to specific answers.

Thank you.

[MoorestownResident]

You say homes are affordable but then you say you can't find anything suitable in your price range. Well, that means it's not very affordable for your budget. Woolwich is going to be one of the more expensive areas of Gloucester County, like Mullica Hill. You're not going to find anything in that price range but something that needs work. I don't know about townhomes in that area. Better watch property taxes too, very high for Gloucester County.

My advice is to try to low ball on a 3-4 bedroom that is maybe 10-15 years old - in that area, a 4 bedroom is your best long term investment. It has become a bedroom community for Philly with money moving in. But maybe you can't afford it. Also, look around Sewell, Whenonah and West Deptford.

As for traffic, I don't know specifics about the area but if one side of town has more issues, buy somewhere else. Traffic is a way of life in the desirable areas of Gloucester County, the best you can do is find a decent house in a stable, quiet community in a good location. Traffic is a problem in that general area. That area has exploded over the past 10-15 years.

[JerzBoy]

You may be able to find something for around $250k in Logan Twp (Beckett community) which is right next to Woolwich/Swedesboro. Taxes are lower in Logan and it is closer to 295 and the bridge.

Some parts of Swedesboro (the actual town) look kind of strange and rundown but the area as a whole is up and coming and very safe. I'd focus on the area around Center Square Rd and Beckett Rd.

I wouldn't worry too much about the traffic. I've heard Woolwich has vowed to make infrastructure improvements before building any major developments. And there are plenty of alternate routes to avoid congestion.

[PRD117]

Thanks for the feedback.

I guess I should have been more specific about some things. It's not that we can't find homes in our price range. In fact we originally preferred the towns of Mickleton or Clarksboro but quickly realized that they certainly were over our budget.

Swedesboro on the other hand had numerous properties available in our range, and many of them appear acceptable to us. It was more a matter of being thorough and searching out every last bit of information before buying something and 6 months later realizing that there were better options available.

I guess part of my curiosity is based upon the fact that I keep hearing that the area has grown tremendously in the past 15 years, and yet the vast majority of homes that we've stumbled upon are either 35+ years old or built within the past few years. Are people simply not selling their homes in the 10-15 year old range?

As for the one part of town, I don't know if it has issues. It was unlike anything else I've seen, and I am hoping someone very familiar with the town could better explain the circumstances.

I do agree that targetting a 4 BR might make more sense in the long run, and appreciate the suggestion.

Thanks, and I welcome any further advice.

[PRD117]

Edit:

Thanks JerzBoy, I was replying as you posted.

I've heard from a few places that we avoid Beckett. I agree the location is great and the taxes lower, but we also preferred the town structure of Swedesboro to the pure developments of Beckett.

[dmurphy]

Have you looked in the East Greenwich Twp area. Pretty close to Swedesboro - Woolwich area. Schools are good. They have a nice development of Ryan Homes starting in the $270's in Mt. Royal, NJ. Nice development and you get alot for your money. The incentives are great right now.

[gartonj79]

We moved into Swedesboro almost 3 years ago. We moved from a townhouse in Marlton to a single family home in Swedesboro. We were able to get more for our money in Swedesboro than in the Marlton area.What we liked about the town is that it is currently undergoing a transformation. The Mayor has a vision of revitalizing the town similiar to what Collingswood had gone through. In just the past few years there have already been great improvements. While there are quite a few areas like you mentioned that are not visually appealing, the town has great character and potential. The school districts are getting better each year.There are quite a few new developments planned for Woolwich by Ryan homes. There are townhouses and also single family homes by Ryan of King's Highway by the post office.

[FlyersFan]

I am a New Jersey DEP licensed radon specialist with 20+ years experience in testing and mitigation. If your buying in Swedesboro, Mullica Hill, East Greenwich and especially Woolwich get a radon test when you buy. All these areas are Tier One radon zones (areas of highest concern) and to my knowledge Woolwich is the worst with 55% of all tests performed having excessive levels. Thats slightly more than 1 house in two with some radon levels reaching 15 to 20 times more than the EPA/DEP acceptable guidelines.

[krusher]

On radon, most of New Jersey is Tier One so as long as its tested for during the inspection, you should be fine: Radon IN NEW JERSEY, New Jersey Radon map, Radon map New Jersey

[frankgn87]

this is incorrect. There is plenty in their price range. We just bought and recently say many in thier range. Some gorgous places too. we know cause we are in the market now..

Originally Posted by MoorestownResident

You say homes are affordable but then you say you can't find anything suitable in your price range. Well, that means it's not very affordable for your budget. Woolwich is going to be one of the more expensive areas of Gloucester County, like Mullica Hill. You're not going to find anything in that price range but something that needs work. I don't know about townhomes in that area. Better watch property taxes too, very high for Gloucester County.

My advice is to try to low ball on a 3-4 bedroom that is maybe 10-15 years old - in that area, a 4 bedroom is your best long term investment. It has become a bedroom community for Philly with money moving in. But maybe you can't afford it. Also, look around Sewell, Whenonah and West Deptford.

As for traffic, I don't know specifics about the area but if one side of town has more issues, buy somewhere else. Traffic is a way of life in the desirable areas of Gloucester County, the best you can do is find a decent house in a stable, quiet community in a good location. Traffic is a problem in that general area. That area has exploded over the past 10-15 years.