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There are some great options (townhomes and single family homes) in Renannaisance Park (close to downtown Raleigh but not quite as expensive).
My suggestion is to see a few homes that are in your price point, in some of the areas close to where you'll be working. For example...maybe look in Cary and Apex and Holly Springs.
Once you see the areas and the homes, you'll delete some of the areas that just don't appeal to you. Once you do that, you'll get a FEEL for the area you really like. Finding a home, once you have narrowed down the area, is easy. We have lots of homes available.
...dont move to Cary. This is coming from someone who LOVES Cary, absolutely loves it. However if Im single, and just starting my career....I would live downtown, no question. NCSU area, Glenwood, Five Points, etc.
THIS! This was exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. If Raleigh is the happening place then Raleigh it is...
I noticed all 3 of those areas are in the I-40/440 circle. Is any particular area that should be avoided (crime, zoning, etc)? Any particular area that you would highly recommend?
Quote:
Originally Posted by rory breaker
Also, negotiate with your employer and instead of taking a 5% bump on the purchase of the house, take a bit less as a signing bonus or simple "relocation package" that is used at your discretion. They may not be able to write it off the same way but your reasoning is sound and clearly the company is employee-focused, they should bend.
Although I would love to rent, the company policy is clearly defined and there is no equivalent rental incentive. Renting is simply not an option due to the opportunity cost...
Quote:
Originally Posted by rory breaker
Again, trust me, I LOVE Cary, but you will find yourself surrounded by family and convenience, when at your age, live it up dude, you should be surrounded by booze and bi...errr, ladies
The plus about living in Cary though is that you're 10 minutes from Raleigh, 10-15 from Durham and like 15-20 from Chapel Hill.
I'm in my 30's, married and have a 2 year old son, so I'm not exactly enjoying the night life anymore, but when we do go out, the options are decent because we're right in the middle of everything.
And since I just got back from a paddle on nearby Jordan Lake (~20 minutes from SW Cary), I'll put in a plug for an outdoor activity that isn't on your list - kayaking. There a ton of nearby lakes and rivers to explore - I highly recommend it!
Good luck with your move - sounds like an excellent opportunity for you!
how is your employer offering an incentive to you to buy a home?
My suggestio would be to interview several and find a Realtor, get pre-qualified for a loan, and let the Realtor listen to your needs and help you find the right place to live. From downtown Raleigh to Regency Park (where it sounds like you'll work) is probably a 20-25 minute commute, maybe slightly less. Would that distance work for you?
Many of my relocating clients have companies that STILL pay all their moving expenses plus offer incentives for them to purchase their new home.
I think they do this because it gives the new employee incentive to stay in the area.
IBM used to be well known for paying most of their relocating clients fees, including fees incurred in selling their home, moving expensives plus fees involved in buying their new home. I don't think IBM does this anymore.
The costs involved in bringing in a new employee could exceed $30,000 but I know companies that are still doing this!
I'd be really careful if you decide to buy a condo - monthly fees can be quite high, and resale might not be easy. As someone who bought a condo in my early 20's, I wouldn't do it again.
I'd be really careful if you decide to buy a condo - monthly fees can be quite high, and resale might not be easy. As someone who bought a condo in my early 20's, I wouldn't do it again.
Quote:
Originally Posted by VickiR
I'm not a huge fan of condos and like adlnc07 said, they are difficult to re sell.
I'm actually not concerned about the fees. I actually prefer that the regular maintenance is subsidized into the association fees because between my master's degree and general laziness, taking care of the house is low on my priority list. I think this makes the decision between house or condo a wash (for me).
I'm actually not concerned about the fees. I actually prefer that the regular maintenance is subsidized into the association fees because between my master's degree and general laziness, taking care of the house is low on my priority list. I think this makes the decision between house or condo a wash (for me).
Well, just bear in mind you are still responsible for the upkeep of everything inside the condo - HVAC, water heater, appliances, etc. Also, the condo fee will affect the amount of the mortgage you can quality for, as it counts the same as a car payment or other liability. You'll likely have to adjust your price range downwards if you have a $250-$300/month condo fee to pay.
Anyhow, it was the difficulty in selling my condo that soured me to the experience much more than the monthly fee did.
Well, just bear in mind you are still responsible for the upkeep of everything inside the condo - HVAC, water heater, appliances, etc. Also, the condo fee will affect the amount of the mortgage you can quality for, as it counts the same as a car payment or other liability. You'll likely have to adjust your price range downwards if you have a $250-$300/month condo fee to pay.
Anyhow, it was the difficulty in selling my condo that soured me to the experience much more than the monthly fee did.
Good points.
A townhome may be a great alternative.
A good townhome community probably offers nearly as much maintenance and amenities, often at a lower association fee.
Most newer ones usually cover exterior buildings and grounds maintenance.
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