The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

isopodi Posted: Nov 03, 2003 04:15 PM

The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

My husband and I have just started looking for houses in Nassau county. We have come up with a budget of $300,000-$350,000 for a three bedroom house. We understand that any house we buy will need work done on it but we just want something that is liveable in for the time being and will permit us to make changes to it over time.

Alot of the real estate agents we spoke to said we would not be able to find a house for this price in a decent neighborhood. Is this really being unrealistic? I don't know how people afford houses in this day in age. Both my husband and I have decent jobs making over a $100,00 a year combined but we still think it will be hard to go any higher for a house.
How do homeowners make ends meet?

Adrianna Posted: Nov 03, 2003 04:38 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

My fh and myself were looking in Nassau in the same buget. There are houses out there in decent neighborhoods. You need to set priorities as far as what you want in a house. We wanted a house we could grow into and maybe extend at some point and we found that house and put an offer in and need to spend $10k more than we wanted to, but in the long run I think it was worth it. Dont get me wrong we saw houses for $349 and we were floored that they were asking that kind of money and the house need to be gutted practically. Keep looking and have faith.

070502 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 05:21 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

My parents will be putting our family home on the market in about a month and it is in that range.
It's in Bethpage. Plainedge school District

Dee7772 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 06:05 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

I'm in the same boat as you. We have been looking in Nassau and Suffolk and have the houses we were in were disgusting. I didn't even want to touch anything. Its almost impossible to find anything on the island uness you want to go out east, which is not an option for us since my husband has to travel into the city everyday. Good luck with your house hunting.

yabbobay Posted: Nov 03, 2003 07:00 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

I think you have to look...bu its possible...of course I think you have more choices in the 400 range...

here are some questions:
1. how much are you willing to put into the house ontop of that...or is that you total limit?

2. how far east are you willing to go?

don't let a realtor bully you around...if you are not comfortable with them...go to someone else...

Diane Posted: Nov 03, 2003 07:18 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

Just wanted to send you hugs...There is a house out there for you both

Claud2001 Posted: Nov 03, 2003 08:07 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

Posted by isopodi

My husband and I have just started looking for houses in Nassau county. We have come up with a budget of $300,000-$350,000 for a three bedroom house.
Alot of the real estate agents we spoke to said we would not be able to find a house for this price in a decent neighborhood. Is this really being unrealistic?

I am going to offer my opinion, based on my own experience...I do not think YOU are being unrealistic. BUT - the realtors are saying that - not b/c you're unrealistic - but b/c EVERYONE else who is house hunting wants to be in that same range....that is the most popular price range. So, really what they are telling you is that there are not enough houses in that range to go around. You either have to 'stretch' a bit, or modify your expectations or expand the neighborhoods you are willing to look at.

Good luck....I know this process if frustrating, but you will find your home!

AmyKay Posted: Nov 04, 2003 08:01 AM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

Levitown has houses in that range - I was looking about three months ago

MarcellaBella Posted: Nov 04, 2003 11:46 AM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

I do not think that you're being unrealistic.. you just have to have patience and take it all in stride and learn from it.. There's going to be a lot of garbage out there and although you may feel as though you have wasted your time, DON'T, b/c you're learning and when you do find the 'one' you'll be soo thankful..

Don't listen to some of these realtors either.. Some of them won't bother with buyers unless it's someone with deep pockets or someone with a house to sell in exchange..

Good luck sweetie!

wacky Posted: Nov 04, 2003 12:43 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

You would be unrealistic if you said $350 for a house in perfect top diamond condition. Keep looking, tell fiends and family tyhat you are looking. It will take some work but seek and you shall find..

There are homes in youir price range. Look at homes for $375 you can always negotiate.

Good luck, youll find something.

What areas are yiu interested in?

isopodi Posted: Nov 04, 2003 01:14 PM

Re: The House Search-Am I being unrealistic

Thanks for the support Ladies. In answer to some of your questions, We are looking in the following areas: Lynbrook, Malverne, Westbury, Valley Stream. We are not limited to these areas though. It's just that we both grew up in Suffolk County and now live in Queens. We don't know that much about Nassau but we are willing to look in any area that has a decent neighborhood and has a good school district. We realize that a house in the $350 range will need to be worked on but for now we just want to find a place that we can gradually make improvements on but that is still liveable (i.e., the roof is not falling down, plumbing works, etc.)