Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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MikeJaquish - any areas in West Raleigh that I should look at?
BC1960 - I agree remodel doesn’t make financial sense. But having a “lipstick” fix to make things pretty and selling might.
hey_guy - Your snipet of a comment SEEMS critical/snarky of my wanting space. So IF it is ...
Really?!? What does sq footage of what I want have anything to do with my question?
You have no clue as to what we have been through or our needs. BTW - there’s four of us, but soon will only be three. Also, I grew up low income. I’ve lived in some pretty sketchy places and in multi family shared housing. I busted my behind to get through school. Despite my hard work, I’ve still experienced life, meaning uncontrollable events that resulted in really low times when I could barely afford food.
I can live in as big OR small of a house as I want.
IF YOU ARE BEING CRITICAL - STOP. Get off your high horse.
No judgements please.
To answer your dilemma, hopefully simply (and you've gotten some great input already):
Figure out what it would cost you to do all the remodeling/changes that would make you satisfied with this home. Sincerely, from what you've said, expect a return of $0. A kitchen remodel (updated cabinets, counters & appliances) would probably be worth 70 cents on the dollar, when you immediately resell. This assumes doing the kitchen updates would put you at the front end of the market.
Then calculate the costs of selling and moving.
Then figure out where you would like to move, and see what is available that would work for you.
I would agree that "West Cary new construction" to PNC would likely be further - but have your husband drive it one morning, and let him tell you what the difference is. The closer you are to 540/40, the easier it is to be an equivalent drive from most places in Preston, given the roadways to be used.
you'd likely need to go further out Ebenezer Church.
Bridgeton Park, few and far between, but some homes will be 2900+. And would be $650K or less. They were all built in ... 1994-1997 off the top of my head?
Hamptons, nothing big enough is sub-600K. Old Stone Crossing, another (quaint and I find relaxing) 5 minutes down EC Road, you can get under 625K. Built in last 15 years. Umstead Crossing is right there, and definitely under 600K, though also typically 20-25 years old now.
But figure out what commute your husband will accept, and let's go from there
You may also find appealing properties on the south side of Raleigh, or Cary, in the Swift Creek area.
Stanley Martin is doing new construction at Bailey's Retreat, off Tryon Road. They are a tract builder, so it may be a bit cookie cutter, but this might also provide you opportunity to get a new home exactly how you want it.
And, Bailey's Landing is adjacent. Bailey's Landing is a custom home neighborhood that has a resale now and then, and fits your budget.
15-20 minutes to PNC Area.
Down Yates Mill Road, there are several neighborhoods with large lots, wooded areas, and a variety of housing. Again, like Laurel Hills, worth exploring.
There you may be looking at wells and septic systems, though, depending on the neighborhood.
Back in Cary, Wessex has a street feel comparable to Preston, although, without the flood plains.
Homes run from the mid-$500,000's and up. It is a mix of homes from John Weiland and also custom builders, and the lots are larger than many similar neighborhoods.
Walkable to the Arboretum for lunch.
Just south of Cary Parkway and N Harrison Avenue is Harrison Place.
Wooded lots. Some very nice, to distinguished homes and definitely not cookie-cutter.
Both Wessex and Harrison Place offer a very nice commute to PNC area.
Again, you need to stalk resales in some smaller, but very appealing, neighborhoods with automatic searches, and to pick up the "Coming Soon" listings.
With a roof over your head, and just a desire to get something different, patience and stalking are key.
Also, I recognize that you didn't mention a shorter commute, just wondering if such may be of interest to your husband.
From Preston, I would personally consider a move closer to PNC rather than to farther west in Cary.
Last edited by MikeJaquish; 10-01-2018 at 04:27 AM..
You've said you like your current location, are you interested in a similar sized neighborhood or do you want something smaller? Do you use your community amenities (pool, tennis, playground) or do those not matter?
I agree about not going further west in Cary, but if your husband doesn't mind your current commute and you don't want to change things like doctor/dentist/orthodontist or increase the commute for THOSE things there's plenty of houses that fit the bill near Preston, it's just that of course they likely won't be brand new. But after being here only a year maybe it's not a big deal to uproot those things.
Life is too short to stay unhappy in a house with a floor plan that doesn't work for you! There is a buyer for every home! I'd sell your house and find something that makes you happy.
I have been in your exact situation and we sold and moved-just at a lower price point. It was worth it to us.
Best of luck!
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