Back from house hunting! loooonnng account

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by dusti

Unfortunately as a realtor, we can't tell about "good vs bad" neighborhoods. It's illegal and we could get in serious trouble.

Not meaning to sound bad, but that's probably one of the reasons more people are foregoing the realtor involvement in favor of do-it-yourself options for both buying and selling. I realize it's an actual law and realtors (well, most of them) adhere to it, but maybe that law needs to be changed. I personally find it insane that a realtor cannot tell someone if a neighborhood is rough or not if they are asked by that potential buyer.

[gentlearts]

They may not be able to say some place is a bad neighborhood, or ethnically slanted away from whatever you are, but they can and do recommend certain neighborhoods, or towns specifically because they think it will suit you. I choose to pay attention to that. My realtor is a native Savannah girl and she can probably discern that we are not, for example, gang members or drug dealers, so will steer us accordingly.

[mrsnespy]

We live in Port Wentworth in Rice Hope. The Parkside portion of this community has done a fabulous job re-creating some older-model homes. Since they are brand-new though, you don't have to worry about the unseen problems that come with owning a historic home. The sense of community here is awesome and all people are welcome. It is a rapidly growing area, so the value of the homes is going to go up (as soon as this slump is over). The area is quickly growing and has 10 minute access to Bay Street downtown...so we're right here in the middle of it.

Can't speak for the schools, as my son is not yet school-age, but we're starting to look into that now.

Hope this helps!

[gamecock43]

I have seen those houses listed online and they do look great! Great prices. I am assuming Rice Hope is a HOA community? Thats what I am trying to avoid. But thank you for the suggestion!
I lookedat listings last night and have noticed 3-4 new listings in my price range. The houses offer more victorian elements and Sqft for less price than the houses that have been listed for awhile.

Maybe prices are coming down, or maybe they are in bad areas. I give up. I cant even get excited. I will see things in September. 1 month away!

[fellini123]

Gamecock46 PM me the addresses of the houses you are looking at and I will tell you....chances are we looked at them. Changes are we looked at just about any house for sale in the HD!!! LOL

Alice still in Virginia

[gamecock43]

great I will!

[phantoms]

Also look at my post about SAGIS.org on here. You can use that site to enter any address you are interested in and find it's owner, it's last sold price, it's tax appraised value, tax district, etc.

[gamecock43]

Thank you, I have been using that site.

[SavReeltr]

I agree w/ Dusti about Tybee. Have you thought about different areas? You could get a nice home in this price range with a nice yard in Parkside & Baldwin Park. Both have beautiful examples of historic arts & crafts style homes. Baldwin Park still has some opportunities for "fixer uppers" and the Home Owners Association is very active there. (constantly working to improve the area). Both are within 10 minutes of downtown and walking distance to lovely Daffin Park.
GOOD LUCK!