Nice house for less than 350K. (Seattle, Lynnwood: real estate, condo, houses)

[jessicaeatworld]

Hi.
I've noticed a lot of "I'm moving to Seattle where's a good area, short commute questions." However, all of them say they can spend 700K or some other astronomical amount. I'm from San Diego, so I'm familiar with expensive real estate but I was hoping to move to Seattle to catch a break. Am I insane to think I can find a decent house(not condo) in a suburb for about 350K? I don't mind taking a bus to help the commute, so long as one is available. I already know Seattle is the right place for me, I just want to make sure I haven't dilluted myself into thinking it's "affordable."

Could some of you natives fill me on which neighborhoods to look at that fit that description? Thank you for any and all input.

-Jessica

[CityGirl72]

Depends - those suburbs people talk about with the 700K+ houses are where the good schools are which is why they go there

Do you have kids? If not you'll have a MUCH easier time.

There's all sorts of affordable places. Especially for singles or DINKs

[jessicaeatworld]

No kids. Although I eventually plan to. I have no idea what a DINK is or if I am one. Thank you for not crushing my dreams. Any specific areas?

[jabm67]

DINK = Dual Income No Kids. That is, a married (or quasi-married) couple with no kids, each with a full-time job.

[jessicaeatworld]

I am a DINK! I'm a DINK living with my counter-DINK who needs a decent house with a yard and I don't give a hoot about the schools.

[CityGirl72]

You'll be fine then! What kind of atmosphere do you want? HIp? Urban? Suburbs? rural?

And do you care about commutes? (I am from Calif too, and used to taking my car everywhere) Here in Western WA people take full advantage of Mass Transit instead. - THink San Fran and how addicted they are to BART. ALthough there is no MART here - mostly buses (and supposedly a monorail soon)

Are you more liberal or right wing? DO you want a laid back 20-something feel? DO you need nightlife that's close?

[AzDreamer]

I don't think you are going to find a nice house in a good neighborhood near Seattle for $350k. If someone has a MLS link for what the OP is looking for please post it.

[5chevin5]

I have never owned a home, so my DINK opinion...my be just that.
I heard that even though someone (like myself/yourself) has no kids that they should still consider the quality of the school district as an indicator of home value or potential increase in home value (equity) when/if you move? The "ranking" of the school will dictate how the neighborhood appreciates or hold value?? Perhaps someone that has owned or in the real estate biz can elaborate or discount that theory? I would honestly like to know the truth, since I too hope to come back to Seattle and get a decent home in a decent neighborhood for a decent amount of cash in a decently near furure time.

5

[Tony1790]

They are building brand new 2000 sqft homes in Kitsap county for $240k to $290k, not too bad, near the golf course, etc.

Good luck

Tony

[mayfair]

You can probably find a small, older home in Mountlake Terrace or possibly Lynnwood for 350K. Lynnwood has a large Park and Ride and Sound Transit runs express busses into the city.