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Old 07-13-2010, 01:22 PM
 
Location: Burbs near Philly
191 posts, read 932,729 times
Reputation: 110

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Hello all! I moved to the Philly area a month or two ago for a job here and I am liking the area. I currently live in Conshohocken and commute to Malvern for work.

I am looking to buy a house in the next 12-14 months. Everything is very expensive around here so I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck, so to speak. Could you guys help by suggesting me some good towns in the suburb area to find the most reasonably priced houses in safe neighborhoods? I am a first time house buyer, so this would be a starter home!

I'm not expecting a mansion, but I'd ideally like to hit most of the below:

- Safe neighborhood
- Future resale value (so no Norristown or anything like that)
- Located between Malvern and Philadelphia city so my commute isn't too awful. I currently live in Conshy and I wouldn't want to go too much further east toward Philly, to be honest...
- Can afford up to $180k (I have my 20% downpayment)
- Would prefer a yard of some sort, but I'm open to condos
- 2+ bedrooms

I know a budget of $180k is kind of low considering the area, but I'm hoping to find some hidden gems and make it work. I'm fresh out of college and have job security, like the area, etc. but would really like to own property without killing my budget.

Please do tell me if I'm completely out of my mind!
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Old 07-13-2010, 02:25 PM
 
1,039 posts, read 1,176,570 times
Reputation: 2516
If you don't mind being out the sticks a little, check out the Royersford area on Realtorcom.
I saw some pretty nice looking houses for under 180K.
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Old 07-13-2010, 03:45 PM
 
1,623 posts, read 6,426,629 times
Reputation: 457
Shoot for the school district and go from there:

Methacton
Downingtown
West Chester
Colonial
Phoenixville
Upper Perkiomen
Owen J. Roberts
Spring Ford
Upper Merion
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Old 07-14-2010, 06:55 AM
 
Location: Burbs near Philly
191 posts, read 932,729 times
Reputation: 110
Thanks for the suggestions!

Are these areas any good? I seem to find a few hits in these areas:

- King of Prussia
- Bridgeport
- West Conshohocken
- Plymouth Meeting
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Old 07-14-2010, 07:02 AM
 
Location: Blue Bell, PA
118 posts, read 280,110 times
Reputation: 65
Default your home search

Hi, Arrode,

The areas that you have chosen are all good choices. Phoenixville Borough would be a good place for you...it is a town, close to where you work, but not overly expensive. As you know you are at the bottom of the price point, but there are homes out there for you. Let's see if we can make it work for you.
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Old 07-14-2010, 07:06 AM
 
Location: Burbs near Philly
191 posts, read 932,729 times
Reputation: 110
Thanks Carol. I was considering Phoenixville, but is is pretty remotely located seeing as I am thinking of attending Drexel part time while I work for a MS degree hence my only hesitation about the commute.

It's kind of intense realizing how expensive things are here. I have a very good salary for someone fresh out of college and I still feel that with my salary I can barely afford a medicore home here. I can't imagine how daunting it is for other recent grads.
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Old 07-14-2010, 07:44 AM
 
8,756 posts, read 20,638,645 times
Reputation: 3578
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arrode View Post
Thanks Carol. I was considering Phoenixville, but is is pretty remotely located seeing as I am thinking of attending Drexel part time while I work for a MS degree hence my only hesitation about the commute.

It's kind of intense realizing how expensive things are here. I have a very good salary for someone fresh out of college and I still feel that with my salary I can barely afford a medicore home here. I can't imagine how daunting it is for other recent grads.
Most college grads aspire for an apartment right after college unless perhaps they live in the interior of the country. You should feel fortunate to be able to consider buying a home in Philly; I imagine Boston would be even more expensive. Self Mod Cut

How about (West) Conshohocken as already suggested? I admit to be out of the loop on condo prices but if you're comfortable with your present commute, it would also be convenient to head to Drexel via I-76.

You're basically looking in areas that are in or near major job centers and highway arteries. So you're going to pay a relative premium unless you find a short sale or a place needing a fair amount of TLC.

Last edited by FindingZen; 07-14-2010 at 10:43 AM.. Reason: Apparently I had an incomplete thought. :)
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Old 07-14-2010, 08:27 AM
 
Location: The City
22,397 posts, read 37,926,177 times
Reputation: 7964
How about Havertown
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Old 07-14-2010, 08:41 AM
 
24 posts, read 87,715 times
Reputation: 13
As a young professional.. what about getting a fixer upper.. I'm not talking a really crappy one, but one that needs landscaping, fresh paint, etc. Since you don't have kids, you could grab one and spend your extra time learning how to care for a house and make money at the same time. My wife and I did that on our first home. Lots of elbow grease led to lots of equity.
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Old 07-14-2010, 09:44 AM
 
Location: Burbs near Philly
191 posts, read 932,729 times
Reputation: 110
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homoudont View Post
As a young professional.. what about getting a fixer upper.. I'm not talking a really crappy one, but one that needs landscaping, fresh paint, etc. Since you don't have kids, you could grab one and spend your extra time learning how to care for a house and make money at the same time. My wife and I did that on our first home. Lots of elbow grease led to lots of equity.
I'd love to try that! I've actually thought about learning to renovate kitchens with minimal help during my free time (like adding updated cabinets) and updating fixtures in bathrooms, etc. to add value to a house.

This is something I'd def. consider!
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