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What would you do? As you all know, I'm interested in the Wake Forest area. I've looked at homes all around. The homes I like are just a little more than I'd like to spend, but still could afford. Also, they have just a little less land than I prefer. Most of them are also on the north side of Wake Forest. The pros though are they are in an established S/D with neighbors. I'm now looking at a piece of land that I could build a modular on that is not in a S/D. The 2 surrounding homes are block homes. This would put me in the price range that I'd like to spend. It would also give me almost an acre which I like. It is located on the south part of Wake Forest which I like the location b/c it puts me closer to N. Raleigh if I have to go there, but yet close enough to WF and not feel to far out there. The thing that concerns me is not being in an established neighborhhood, otherwise everthing else fits the bill. My son is 14 and there wouldn't be any kids around for him to hang out with. We'll be staying in the next home for a while and I want to make sure I'm making the right decision. By the way, we'll most likely be working in the Wake Forest/ N. Raleigh area. Thanks for all opinions.
My opinions...buying a piece of propety and putting a modular on it isn't going to be as good of an investment as buying a piece of property and building a house on it nor will the modular be as good of an investment as buying a house inside of a neighborhood.
The majority of folks in this area look down on a modular. The majority of folks in this are want to live inside of a neighborhood/subdivision so when it comes time to re sell, your pool of buyers is very decreased.
As for the 14 year old, he will meet friends at school but then someone is going to be responsbile for driving him to his friends' homes or having the friends driven to your home. Bit of a hassle but my kids' best friends have never been in our neighborhood so it seems that someone is always doing a bit of driving.
The up side to living in a larger subdivision with pool is that he will meet more friends that are close by and you may have less driving him around.
My opinions...buying a piece of propety and putting a modular on it isn't going to be as good of an investment as buying a piece of property and building a house on it nor will the modular be as good of an investment as buying a house inside of a neighborhood.
The majority of folks in this area look down on a modular. The majority of folks in this are want to live inside of a neighborhood/subdivision so when it comes time to re sell, your pool of buyers is very decreased.
As for the 14 year old, he will meet friends at school but then someone is going to be responsbile for driving him to his friends' homes or having the friends driven to your home. Bit of a hassle but my kids' best friends have never been in our neighborhood so it seems that someone is always doing a bit of driving.
The up side to living in a larger subdivision with pool is that he will meet more friends that are close by and you may have less driving him around.
Vicki
Well said. We were interested in a larger lot and building a passive solar home on it, but that would've meant living farther out than we wanted and also not being in a n'hood. With our son, the benefits of a more traditional home in an established n'hood far outweighed the other option.
Also, as for pricing in the neighborhood...don't forget that this is a buyer's market and that the prices you see on the MLS are merely a suggested price. You can always start with a low offer and see where it goes. That's what the folks did who bought our old house, and also what we did when we purchased our new house. We sold at 96% of list and bought at 92% of list.
I would definitely go with the established neighborhood. You know what they say: location, location, location. Putting a modular next to block homes is not a desirable "location."
That's what I hear from alot of ppl. One other concern that I have is, my hubby has a landscaping business. He has to park a utility trailer. Another thing is that we have a travel trailer that we have to park. I know some S/D wouldn't mind, but other's are very strict. Therfore, I have to be selective. I like the idea of neighbors too and a community pool. I just don't like houses on top of each other.
That's what I hear from alot of ppl. One other concern that I have is, my hubby has a landscaping business. He has to park a utility trailer. Another thing is that we have a travel trailer that we have to park. I know some S/D wouldn't mind, but other's are very strict. Therfore, I have to be selective. I like the idea of neighbors too and a community pool. I just don't like houses on top of each other.
Not all of them are on top of each other. What size lot do you have in mind and what is your price range? Older homes usually have bigger lots. And some of them have a pool or are close to a city pool, YMCA or swim club.
I'd like at least a 1/2 acre, but would settle for 1/3. The problem is our price range which is under $160K. I know ppl will say that's impossible, but actually I've found stuff in that range. You just have to be patient and they pop up. NO COOKIE-CUTTER NEIGHBORHOODS! Older homes are fine too. We'd like to be on the southside of WF b/c of work. Those S/D are very expensive though.
This is a little off your main topic (I kind of agree that you will limit your pool of buyers from a resale perspective) but if you are looking for some space I noticed two lisitng off of New Light Road in Wake Forest. They are kind of out there but have 1.5 and two acres of land. These are older homes so they aren't as expensive as the pricey neighborhoods out that way. With all that land you would have plenty of room to store landscaping trailers ect... Again, not sure how easy it would be to sell such a place down the road, but you never know!
Again, might not be the area you want, but I thought I would point them out so you could check them out online.
That's what I hear from alot of ppl. One other concern that I have is, my hubby has a landscaping business. He has to park a utility trailer. Another thing is that we have a travel trailer that we have to park. I know some S/D wouldn't mind, but other's are very strict. Therfore, I have to be selective. I like the idea of neighbors too and a community pool. I just don't like houses on top of each other.
You need to find an area with no HOA so you can do as you wish.
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