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Planning on moving from Pittsburgh to Albany. In Pittsburgh EVERY single new development in which homes that start at $350k are fully constructed of brick (no facade-only brick). I can't find one SINGLE development (looking online and having driven around the CD a couple times this past year) in which I can find new construction brick homes within that range. Yes, yes, I know the cost of living is significantly higher in the CD than compared to Pittsburgh for whatever reason (let's leave that mystery for another post).
It looks like one needs to spend close to $500k just to get a decent lot and facade-only brick construction in Albany (or even worse... halfway up facade-only! I've seen it, but only in Albany - very strange). Are there even builders in the CD that build with brick for upper middle class family home developments? No, I'm not spending $1,000,000+ to live in Saratoga Springs in those new McMansion lots next to the lake. I just want a family home made of brick!!! What is the problem here? I'm thoroughly confused as to this brick building conundrum that's prevalent in the CD.
You wont find brick for 400k, new construction, however all new contructions today have brick like facades (painted cement slabs) that look very nice for a couple of Years or so, thats what 400K gets you. Builders can build them like Vasiliou but its going to be twice the regular amount, why is that, there is a small pool of qualified laborer available for that kind of ancient art. Even your Mc Mansion is partly prefab with nice exterior
I have to agree w/Roland 544, might be hard to find. I would suggest looking thru the new construction online, finding a builders style that you like and asking them for an upgrade to all brick. The other suggestion I'd have would to go w/an older home that is brick. Here's one for under $400k in Nisky
all new contructions today have brick like facades (painted cement slabs) that look very nice for a couple of Years or so, thats what 400K gets you.
uhhh... so what happens to the painted cement slabs after a couple years? Are we talking about the ones that are about an inch thick and get mortared against the homewrap? I can't believe people would stand for such form over function nonsense.
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Originally Posted by j12308
I have to agree w/Roland 544, might be hard to find. I would suggest looking thru the new construction online, finding a builders style that you like and asking them for an upgrade to all brick.
I'll probably ask what it would be to upgrade to all brick. I can't see myself paying close to $400k for a 53 year old home. I just don't get the Albany market -- do they think it's xanadu up there and they command such a premium? Arghh... what can you do, though.
Well I guess the market is what it is? I think each region of the country also has it's own architectural influences and styles. I'm partial to old homes, so I'm not terribly familiar w/new neighborhoods.
You can get older brick homes for much cheaper in one of the cities (Alb, Sch'dy or Troy). But I have the feeling that you are looking for an upscale suburban neighborhood.
The last option is to hire an architect and builder and build exactly what you want. There is a wide range of architects in the area that can provide a modern or historic looking home, just depends on what you want. Good luck with your search!
That's the problem I see with the Albany housing market. Your only options are (1) old, but quality build, but with "The Money Pit" scenes playing out in your head; (2) cookie cutter non-basement new construction that's simply crap quality but you're still paying a pretty penny for it; and (3) ultra high-end quality custom homes starting at $700-800k. WTF?!?! This is Albany -- people outside the state haven't even heard of this "city". Anyway, the market is missing home types between #2 and #3. I can easily find these anywhere else in the country, in similar-sized cities, but they appear to be strangely absent in Albany. Oh well, like you said, the market is what it is.
BTW, there's no way, I could take any Sch'dy house... I will only be raped once... by the builder/seller, but not by the neighborhood gangbangers.
Brick homes are expensive as they are labor intensive. I have seen a few homes in Saratoga with stone exteriors.
Me too! But like you said, they're expensive! It's a tough sell to get me into those pricey homes if I'm only going to live in the CD for 10 years.
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Originally Posted by j12308
If you hadn't caught on to my screen name, 12308 is a Sch'dy zipcode.
I only recognize the zip code "12345" which is also Sch'dy... I think that would be the only reason one would have nowadays to move there -- to have the coolest zip code in the United States! Ok, I'll stop the Sch'dy bashing -- I just hope there's a revitalization someday; unlikely though since it's more difficult for a small town to latch onto new technology sectors.
The battery plant and the turbines are some of that new technology, I think.
If you are coming this way for a job at the chip plant and willing to leave your beloved city of Pittsburgh, I suggest you rethink your attitude. I imagine you are coming here for a good opportunity, a better job; to make a life for yourself? Starting off by bashing the landscape, the homes, various cities in the region isn't gonna make you a lot of friends. Nobody wants to hear a boat load of negativity.
This is a beautiful area. I did choose to live in this area, I choose to live in Schenectady. No other place could we have bought a 4 bedroom historic home, 2 car garage w/almost 1/2 acre in the city and walk to our schools, restaurants, etc. I love being able to get to the Adirondacks in an hour. I love having major cities w/in a couple of hours. There's little more that I could ask for honestly.
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-- I just hope there's a revitalization someday; unlikely though since it's more difficult for a small town to latch onto new technology sectors.
