First-time homebuyer (Levittown, Morrisville, Middletown: fit in, apartment, condo)

[ladyp850]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are looking to move out of our apartment and buy our first house. We currently live in Bensalem, but are debating on whether to buy around here or move south of the city.

We are young, 29 and 25, with no kids (yet) looking for a safe place to live. My husband works in Aston and currently drives there daily via 95. I work in Newark, NJ but only drive there once or twice a week via route 1.

We can probably only afford around 200,000-250,00 (prefer the lower side) and want a single family home, not condo, townhouse, or rowhome.

Which cities would people recommend to look at?

Does anyone live south of the city and drive towards Newark that can let me know how bad traffic really would be?

Thanks everyone

[rmxcarol]

I think if you go south of the city your commute will be impossible if you are driving. The only hope would be to take the train, and that would be at least 2 hrs. I currently have a client who makes the commute from East Falls to Manhattan and she is worn out already - just doing it for one year!

Your best bets will be affordability along the Route 1/I 95 corridor. There are many, many great townhomes in Neshaminy Valley that would fit into your price point. Lots of space, most have been recently re-done as the older folks move out and younger folks move in, etc. This is a great first home venue. Also, there are some sections of Lower Makefield (Yardley area) which have a Morrisville address but are not in the borough that could be a possibility for you as well. Middletown Twp. will also offer you lots of possibilities (Langhorne area) for a small single or possible townhome. You have options. Take advantage of them and take your landlord off the payroll!

[pagirl34]

Man, why the heck did you wait until after the tax credit expired??

[rmxcarol]

Waiting until after the tax credit expired could be a good thing. Prices are now F A L L I N G.

Actually, this is the first time in 38 years that home prices are down and rates are down at the same time. During the stimulus rebate prices were actually escalating. The reduced price will make up for the loss of the tax credit, in my opinion

[kimrocktherealtor]

How about Fairless Hills or Levittown? Very close to where you are now so you'd be familiar with the commute times.. You can easily get a single family home in either town for 200k.

[pagirl34]

Originally Posted by rmxcarol

Waiting until after the tax credit expired could be a good thing. Prices are now F A L L I N G.

Actually, this is the first time in 38 years that home prices are down and rates are down at the same time. During the stimulus rebate prices were actually escalating. The reduced price will make up for the loss of the tax credit, in my opinion

Thats really bad news for the sellers out there!