I am currently thinking about what i should do as far as purchasing houses are concerned..
When i say undesireable...i do not mean SLUMS..Just less desireable than your ideal.
For me less desireable means more east than where i am now
JimmysBride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I think location is key. If you are closer to work or family or major shopping areas (or whatever is important to you), it's better for you and ultimately, usually also for your property value.
I would choose a smaller house in a more desirable area for those reasons.
It gets tougher for me though when you are comparing brand new construction in a less desirable area to an older home in a more desirable location.
julz33
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
it is tough to say. We were faced with the same dilemma. We wanted to stay in Kings Park, but the small house we could afford there was a shack on the busiest road with no yard. So we went a little further east (15-20 mins) to Centereach, where we got a bigger house. It is true, the school district isn't as good, location not as good (beaches, parkways, train station) but we got a nice sized house witha big yard on a quiet street, and we really like it here a lot. I can see us being here for a long time, where with the shack in KP I would be wanting an upgrade ASAP. people say to buy the worst house in the best nieghborhood, but you don't want something you will be unhappy in or regret. 1-2 towns east is a good compromise. I wouldn't move 1 hour east to save moeny though.
Stefanie
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I would choose the smaller house. Think of your safety and schools when you decide to have kids. Plus when you sell the house again, it's always better to be in a desirable location.
You could always expand the smaller house!
september2004
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
for me it's location, location, location
suven
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
that's tough! Honestly, I'd say save up until you can afford the bigger house in the ideal neighborhood!
TracyInQueens
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
Funny, I would have chose smaller house, more desireable area because that's practical. But we made an offer on a house that's in the boonies (I will have a one hour commute by car) because it was bigger and nicer than anything we could have afforded. Actually, in Westchester, there was NOTHING in our price range (except co-ops and condos) unless you count houses in areas with not-so-good schools.
We are getting a nice-sized house, although the commute will take some getting used to.
Unfortunately, in the NY Metro area, many of us have to sacrifice something, whether it be size or area or a short commute.
If you can tolerate a longer commute then you might be happier further out. But you may find something you love in a closer location.
Goldi1021
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
Tough call. If you get a smaller less expensive house in a desireable area, you can always make improvements thus increasing the property value of your house. There is no rule that says that the first house you buy has to be the only house you live in. I assume a typical small house has about 3 bedrooms. You can have your first child comfortably and as you make your home improvements, the value will increase, thus making it feasible for you to resell your house and buy an even bigger one by the time your kids are of school age. Your first child won't start school until they are 5 anyway. You have time.
nov2004bride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
Smaller house!! It is all about location.
wood2be
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I would go for location. You can always ad on to the house later.
lvdolphins
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I would go for the smaller house. Like other posts said..Location, location, location. Good Luck!!
**ETA: You could always 'build up or build out' in the future. My parents started out in a 3BR ranch and now built it up to a 6 BR colonial (when mom found out she was pg w/my sister).
Jax430
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I'd go for the smaller house in the more preferred location.
OSCARtheGROOM
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
Yeah mama... go with the smaller house with the preferred location.
soon2bMrs
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I think location is the most important thing. So for me I would go with the smaller house in a more desirable location.
beachgirl13
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I'd also pick the smaller house in the more desirable location.
Goldi1021
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
My parents bought a split level ranch house in Roslyn Heights in 1964. It had three bedrooms and a two car garage with a six car drive way on a bend, central-air and a finished basement. They paid $35,000 back then. Since that time, they have added two huge bedrooms and a full bath, made a patio back yard, have had extensive landscaping and added a full greenhouse in the back yard. I think the 3 bedroom version of the house goes for over $600,000 now. I can only imagine what THEIR house would go for.
So you see, a smaller house can eventually turn into a goldmine. This investment, that they finished paying for at least 20 years ago will allow my mother to have an excellent life in a retirement community or an assisted living complex once she sells it. It is a LONG ways away for you but if she didn't have that house to bank on, we can't imagine what would happen. I am sure you will make the right choice.
RedHead
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
Thanks everyone for your help...
Goldi...i gotcha, i agree we have thought of the possibilities of expanding on a smaller house thanks
luvsbob4603
Posted:
Member since
Re: Which house situation?
I agree smaller house because Dh and I can alway's build up later on, we are looking for a house now just looking around! we are also looking into condo's and townhouses.
