WTB: House w/ 3+ car garage in west county, $300k (St. Louis: for sale, real estate)

[dangdude]

Hi All,
My wife and I are moving back to our hometown of St. Louis after 10 years out of state. I'm having trouble finding a house with 3+ car bays in west county that we can afford. Cities we're trying to focus on are ballwin, creve coeur, kirkwood, des peres, maryland heights, bridgeton. We would like to spend $250 - $350k.

We have an assigned relocation specialist but her MLS queries don't find these houses--I've stumbled across a few afterwards, which is frustrating. It's especially difficult since we're not there, so we have to rely on her searches, which are not fruitful.

Does anyone have suggestions how to search for these houses, or of any particular houses for sale with extra garage space?

Thanks in advance!
Dan

Ps. we must use our assigned buyers agent, so realtors, please don't ask to be our buyers' agent.

[alikat1205]

we just moved to the area in september, and had the exact same problem. our previous house had a 3 car garage and that is what we wanted. we evenutally had to give it up. we were looking in the same areas. the housing in those areas is often older construction and they just didn't make 3 car garages. and those that do have it are much, much higher than 300k. you are going to have to compromise. we eventually decided newer construction was more important, gave up the 3 car garage and found a home in fenton, but we still paid much more than 300k. your real estate agent is not neglecting to find you what you want, she is just having a hard time finding it! good luck.

[wustu87]

Did you already know about this very unique West County home with a 3 car garage:

Coldwell Banker Gundaker -- Your site for St. Louis Real Estate

It is currently listed at $375K which is above your $250-$350K range, but not by too much more. I've seen the house and it is a really neat home in a nice location.

[dangdude]

Thanks for your responses!

wustu87, we will definitely investigate that house. Aerials show it's rather unusual! (built first, then surrounded by other houses?)

I agree this is a difficult search. I'd be fine with a little 1600 sq ft brick ranch from the 50's with a 2 car attached and later added 2 car detached garage. I saw dozens of these that would be perfect if they were for sale.

Some of the houses that fell through the agent's search were listed as "2 2-car garages" and whatnot, so the search query missed them.