Any Seattle burbs commuting distance of SLU that are "affordable"?

[jabogitlu]

I agree that you'll need to compromise on at least one thing:

- Price
- SF
- Commute <45 min.

Those three in combination aren't realistic for you right now.

[CrazyDonkey]

North Seattle & Environs:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...48946656_zpid/

https://www.zillow$.com/homedetails/1%8215-Dayton-Ave-N-Shoreline-WA-98133/49004534_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homettdetails/205014-78th-Pl-W-Edmonds-WA-98026/38510935_zpid/

Many of these prices have doubled in the last 4-5 years. With the Amazon pivot, continuing WFH trend, a possible recession, etc., it may be smart to wait and see which way the market is going. Estimated mortgage payment at $725k is almost $4k. Have you considered renting - with only a toddler, you could maybe rent a 2bd townhouse for $2,150 or a 3bd house for $2,400:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...95632924_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...48753941_zpid/

For $2,950 you could rent a 3bd house in Ballard and get the commute and top schools you want:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...48823833_zpid/

[leastprime]

Agree with CrazyDonkey.
A 2000 sf house is a fairly large house for 2+1/2 and not very efficient.

You'd probably can get a better value renting rather than purchasing at this time. However, the time is closing as Landlords are increasing rents as much as they can having been been repressed for the last 3 years. That's what we are doing.

If you are new to the area, Rent. Explore the environs first.
Your 1st home in the area, will not be your last.
YHMV

[jabogitlu]

You could do a 6-month rental. I am an appraiser and we are seeing average rents increasing by 30-50% over a couple year span. Probably best not to rent for too long. I do not know what these poor folks in apartments are going to do. Press for even higher wages I suppose. That's the problem when you raise rents, you have to raise incomes too.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

You could do a 6-month rental. I am an appraiser and we are seeing average rents increasing by 30-50% over a couple year span. Probably best not to rent for too long. I do not know what these poor folks in apartments are going to do. Press for even higher wages I suppose. That's the problem when you raise rents, you have to raise incomes too.

Why not lock-in the rent amount for a year, and then see which way the house market is going.

What is that based upon? Inflation? Loss of affordable rentals (comparables) skewing average rents up? Both?

Poor folks, who lack leverage to demand higher wages, can:

1) Lobby for a higher minimum-wage ($20/hr?).

2) Step-down to a smaller unit/property (fewer bedrooms/less sqft, house -> townhouse -> apartment -> studio -> micro-apartment).

3) Share a larger unit/property.

4} Move back in with parents (retrain to gain marketable skills that can command a higher wage).

5) Move into a shelter or buy a used RV or a tent.

Of course, if vacancy rates go up, rents could plateau, if not go down (landlords would rather provide move-in "specials" than drop rents).

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

North Seattle & Environs:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...48946656_zpid/

https://www.zillow$.com/homedetails/1%8215-Dayton-Ave-N-Shoreline-WA-98133/49004534_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homettdetails/205014-78th-Pl-W-Edmonds-WA-98026/38510935_zpid/

Many of these prices have doubled in the last 4-5 years. With the Amazon pivot, continuing WFH trend, a possible recession, etc., it may be smart to wait and see which way the market is going. Estimated mortgage payment at $725k is almost $4k. Have you considered renting - with only a toddler, you could maybe rent a 2bd townhouse for $2,150 or a 3bd house for $2,400:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...95632924_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...48753941_zpid/

For $2,950 you could rent a 3bd house in Ballard and get the commute and top schools you want:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...48823833_zpid/

Where it is true that you will find a few places on the north side of Seattle at that price point, check the days on market. If it is less than 7 days, they probably haven't reviewed offers up, the listing is most likely underpriced and going to get bid up on review day, sometimes significantly. If you see something sitting there at that price point with good square footage after 8 days, something is generally wrong with it. Close to I-5/Hwy 99, very busy arterial or in need of real work inside. I still think, if you adjust your square footage down a little, like 1700SF, might be able to slide into something pretty decent in Lynnwood.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

I still think, if you adjust your square footage down a little, like 1700SF, might be able to slide into something pretty decent in Lynnwood.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...49144470_zpid/ ($690k, 1.6k/sf, 4bd/1ba, Bitter Lake)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...38524821_zpid/ ($699k, 1.4k/sf, 3bd/2ba, Edmonds)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...38476916_zpid/ ($650k, 1.6k/sf, 3bd/2ba, Mountlake Terrace)

[joyfulmorning]

Duvall a small town East of Woodinville has about 5 homes for sale under 800k its a very nice community, on a sunny hill with good schools.

https://www.redfin.com/city/4914/WA/...max-price=800k

[joyfulmorning]

Silver Firs in Everett with great schools
https://www.redfin.com/WA/Everett/14...8/home/2861569