Three houses, which one will you choose (for a family of 3 --2 adults ,1 kid) ?

Question

Option 1:
Condo on 2nd floor, built in 1984. $310,000.
2 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 covered parking spaces downstairs.
895 sq ft. No Lot. Share pool facilities with other 67 units.
Located in an Okay neighborhood. (acceptable; slightly better than average.)
HOA fees $225/month.
Commute to work 25 miles one way. (50-75 minutes with traffic.)

Option 2:
A detached single family house, built in 1938. $300,000.
2 bedroom, 1bath, 2 covered car pool in front of house.
650 sq ft, with a back yard 2000 sq ft.
Located in a just So-so neighborhood.
No HOA fee.
Commute to work 20 miles one way. (50-60 minutes with traffic.)

Option 3:
An attached single family house, built in 1925. $302,000.
1 bedroom, 1bath, 1 covered garage next to building.
480 sq ft plus a covered patio (120 sq ft)
Lot size 1400 sq ft (can not be utilized for an 'add-on')
Located in a GOOD neighborhood.
HOA fees $40/month.
Commute to work 16 miles one way. (35-50 minutes with traffic.)

Answer 1

The condo is a bit more expensive than the other two options but it has more square footage, more facilities to use, no maintenance you have to do (mowing, painting etc) and a better neighborhood. I think the +s out number the -s. Don't you?

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Condos are just glorified apartment houses. I have lived in one before, and would never choose to do it again. You can hear every sound from the neighbors, and I mean every.

The condo associations can change the rules and rugulations at will, they can enforce what type of window coverings that you use...generally everyone has to use the same colors and styles. Tends to get boring, especially for us ladies who enjoy decorating our homes.

There are many other things that you will not really know about until you move it, my family and I had a lot of hassles that ended up not being worth it for us.

I think that option number 2 sounds the best, I would not want to live in a one bedroom home with a child, the child needs their own room and it's a good idea for Mom and Dad to have their own space also.

You don't have to stay there forever, and you can continue looking for a simular home a bit closer to work in a few years. I don't know if you are planning on having more children or not but you may want to consider a three bedroom home later on.

Best of luck and have a good night.

Answer 4

All of these are going to be temporary. I can't see any of them lasting very long. Since you are considering a 1-br anyway, why not RENT a cheap 1 br apt for a year, save up every penny, and then you can afford something a little bigger?

But, if that's not an option: if you live in a climate where you can utilize the outdoor space of #2 year round then go for that. If not, then #1.

#3 is just way, way too small. You could possibly make a large 1 br work, but that is teeny tiny.

Answer 5

ok, Given your current family situation, Anything over a 2 bedroom would be fine. If the home was built before 1978, be sure to have an asbestos survey done on the home. You also want a home in a decent, low crime, family oriented neighborhood within a good school district. That way, you won't have to worry about drug dealers in the area, And your kid might make friends with the neighborhood children.

Answer 6

determination 2 quite despite if it is not in a HOA (merely leave a touch early for artwork ~ come across a well being club close by artwork, so as which you will quit in on your way there or way abode to circumvent the site visitors). while you're procuring some thing that's in a HOA then you certainly quite could desire to study each and all the CC&R's and regulations and Regs previously you do. maybe you may desire to attend a BOD assembly previously you purchase or atleast talk over with the countless associates approximately it rather is regulations.

Answer 7

Unless there is a medical condition that would prevent any of your family members from being able to easily access the 2nd floor of the condo, then I would definitely say option 1, the condo.

Answer 8

I wouldn't buy a house with less than 3 bedrooms. What happens if you have another child? It can get pretty cramped!

Answer 9

Definitely not number 3 because you don't want to share a bedroom with your kid. I would go with number 1 because then you can have your privacy and they can have theirs.