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1984-85
First, we looked at various neighborhoods within Denver to decide whether or not we liked them and whether or not they were affordable.
Second, we narrowed it down to the Bonnie Brae part of Belcaro.
Third, we walked every block of Bonnie Brae twice and took notes.
Fourth, we narrowed to 4 linear blocks (800-1000 South Josephine and Columbine streets).
Fifth, we hired a buyers' agent and we looked at some houses. We took our time.
Sixth, we had our architect check out one we liked to determine if we could pop the top.
Seventh, we arranged to assume the FHA mortgage (it helps to have cash).
Eighth, we rented it out while we created a complete set of drawings with our architect and chosen builder.
Ninth, in 1987, we popped it.
Tenth, lived there for 24 years.
Eleventh, sold it. 890 S Josephine St, Denver, CO 80209 - Zillow
That's the issue.
We are looking in the $225-$260k range...
In the DC suburbs of MD? Good Luck.
Quote:
We will settle for a decent small house... I just don't know what to do at this point.
Same as everyone else in your shoes has done: worst house in the best neighborhood
Buy it cheap. Make it work. Improve if you can... sell when you get the promotion.
Thankfully we are not in the DC suburbs. We are 78 miles from DC.
We are both maxed out in our careers, getting older and looking for our forever house. We won't be selling again. Our monthly budget is $1500 a month so it is not exactly chump change.
We are both maxed out in our careers, getting older and looking for our forever house.
That forever house thing is another unicorn hunt.
All else being equal... Unless you have real opportunity for substantially better net of everything earnings
at some other job in some other location you're probably best off to just hunker down where you are.
Focus on racking up the equity and when you're actually ready to retire...
pull the trigger then and do so without having any mortgage at all.
Not what you want to hear (I know) but, hth.
We have two small children and have already out grown townhouse living. If we stay much longer, I am going to kill a neighbor. Joking...well maybe not.
We have to get out of here. We are listing our house March 1st, even if we have no prospects. Hopefully it will work out and we won't end up homeless.
1984-85
First, we looked at various neighborhoods within Denver to decide whether or not we liked them and whether or not they were affordable.
Second, we narrowed it down to the Bonnie Brae part of Belcaro.
Third, we walked every block of Bonnie Brae twice and took notes.
Fourth, we narrowed to 4 linear blocks (800-1000 South Josephine and Columbine streets).
Fifth, we hired a buyers' agent and we looked at some houses. We took our time.
Sixth, we had our architect check out one we liked to determine if we could pop the top.
Seventh, we arranged to assume the FHA mortgage (it helps to have cash).
Eighth, we rented it out while we created a complete set of drawings with our architect and chosen builder.
Ninth, in 1987, we popped it.
Tenth, lived there for 24 years.
Eleventh, sold it. 890 S Josephine St, Denver, CO 80209 - Zillow
That's a lovely neighborhood. A close friend of mine for nearly 50 years lives not far away on Elizabeth.
My ex and I looked at houses in Richland WA for over a year before we found one we liked. Our Realtor, Gloria, was an angel. In Boulder, we looked again for about a year for the right property to build on, but could never find a Realtor as hardworking and loyal as Gloria.
We have two small children and have already out grown townhouse living...
Gotcha.
I interpreted your earlier statement "maxed out in our careers, getting older and
looking for our forever house" as being at least mid 50's... and empty nesters.
Then you're back to the worst house in the best neighborhood scenario.
(schools mostly, plus the rec council sports, pools and all the rest in a nice suburbia)
A week for the first house, two weeks for the second.
I didn't look at anything I couldn't afford or manage, and accepted that I'd have to do a lot of cosmetic work on the house, or learn to live with what was there. A little of both is the best compromise.
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