Cheap Single Family Houses in Concord: Wha'ts the Catch?

[BayAreaHillbilly]

They may have been trashed by people getting ready to walk away from under water mortgages. They may be in a very poor state of maintenance. They may have many things not to code. Caveat emptor.

[ImRandy]

In the $200K range you will be looking at houses that are mostly near tear-downs. The ones in decent condition will go for over asking. For an interesting look at the type of crimes going on in Concord and surrounding areas take a look at the Claycord.com blog.

[Pak Mail Fremont]

I would suggest taking your time and really visiting as many homes as you can. Take advantage of the buyers market.

[nutleynut]

I think Concord is a hidden gem, especially for families. The weather is great, people are good looking and above average as the saying goes. just be careful about the specific place you buy.
Hire an inspector you can trust (beats me how you will establish that) and go for it. If I could get what I want for my place here (the improvements aren't complete yet and I want the completed price) I'd probably move back for a nice place in Concord. Stay well south of Shell and that chemical plant in Martinez. I know the border runs through that area. Close to Pleasant Hill or Walnut Creek is good.

[ImRandy]

Originally Posted by nutleynut

I think Concord is a hidden gem, especially for families. The weather is great, people are good looking and above average as the saying goes. ...

I've always heard the saying as... where the men are men, the women are men, and the sheep are scared.

[californianative63]

It all comes down to demographics and school performance. Concord home prices vary from 100K to over a million. It really depends on which part on Concord you live in. The Mt. Diablo HS area homes are around 200K, the Concord HS area homes from 300K, and the Clayton Valley HS homes from 350K, and the Concord/Walnut Creek border homes from 500K since these homes fall in the Northgate HS area (high end academic performance). The Ygnacio Valley HS homes vary from 100K depending where you live: You may have a 600K home close to Treat and Oak Grove Road (close to the school) but your kids will share class with the 100K area (Monument Blvd.) Hispanic "illegal" kids. Since the influx of illegals to the Monument Blvd area, the Ygnacio Valley HS SAT scores have plummeted and the "no child left behind" act has given parents a way to transfer their kids to a better performing school. This goes back to teh demographics and school performance. Good luck. If I was looking for a home to purchase, say around 400K, Pleasant Hill is the way to go IMO. Pay more for a smaller home but location is what it's all about. Think about the "hidden gem" on the Pleasant Hill/Martinez border also.