Electrolicious

12 Responses to “Homebuying”

1. abby
   November 17th, 2004 at 12:39 pm

   

   Oh, I feel your pain. Property prices are scary. Think of it this way: at least you’re not in NYC! Even in my (not particularly fashionable) part of Brooklyn, you can’t find anything for less than about 300k. Count your blessings!

2. donut
   November 17th, 2004 at 12:58 pm

   

   If I may, what are the factors in your search? Atmosphere? Culture? Proximity to work? Schools?

   I’m just curious…

3. Ariel
   November 17th, 2004 at 1:09 pm

   

   One of our biggest issues is proximity to Seattle’s city center. This is for both business and personal reasons (I want to be within easy distance of the ferry terminals so that in a few years I can tap into free childcare from my parents). Charm is a big factor for me, which means we’ll be staying away from new homes and hopefully be able to find something without carpetting. I also want to be in a diverse neighborhood, which is why we’re tending towards south Seattle as opposed to north (which is notoriously white washed).

   One of my biggest dreams is that I’ll be able to find a neighborhood that’s at least half as walkable as Capitol Hill. I have six grocery stores within walking distance from my house right now, and that’s awfully nice. I’m hoping we can find something with a village center of SOME sort within walking distance…even if it’s just a strip mall with a Thai restaurant and a grocery store.

   We’ll see what happens.

4. David
   November 17th, 2004 at 1:40 pm

   

   hi ariel.
   a suggestion. it is my opinion that the only real way to find the home you want to live in for the price you can willingly pay is to find a total-complete-really needing TLC fixer-upper. dont worry if you arent handy. itll come to you both and fast!
   if you want some pointers on what to look out for etc. email me.
   david
   i have a flickr of my home project if you are interested linked off my url

5. yara
   November 17th, 2004 at 1:54 pm

   

   the other place you might look is madison valley, the little area between madison park and capitol hill. it’s a decent neighborhood, but the houses tend to be a bit run down, if small. and it’s still a short bus ride from downtown (but mere steps from the fabulous arboretum!). there’s also a nice little village area (but no grocery until you get to the coop on cap hill).

   but yeah, i feel the housing price pain. los angeles is no bargain. even the gangland properties less than a mile away are nearing 1/2 a mil.

6. Ariel
   November 17th, 2004 at 2:28 pm

   

   Sadly, Yara, Madison Park is way out of our league these days. It and both the CD have gotten to the point where it’s rare to find a house for less than $300k, and what you do find at that price you won’t like much.

7. Janece
   November 17th, 2004 at 5:14 pm

   

   I can understand your trepidation. When we moved back here from SD… I was devastated to discover that housing prices pushed out right out of Seattle. We own a home with my parents… so we had to find a house with room for 2 couples, two home offices (Paul, me and my Dad all work from home), 2 dogs and 4 cats!! And now we have Miss Amira too. We looked for months and just struck out. So, now we are in Lynnwood. The first year I pouted. Not only was I not in Seattle, I wasn’t even in f’ing King County. I’ve gotten over it.

   You guys will find a perfect place - I’m sure. If you need a realtor, I do know a terrific person who can help you. I’m guessing you guys are already hooked up with someone though.

   Keep us posted. Good luck!!

8. Janece
   November 17th, 2004 at 5:15 pm

   

   By the way, SD is San Diego… not South Dakota. I don’t know why that was important for me to clarify.

9. peter
   November 18th, 2004 at 9:14 am

   

   Hey Ariel,

   Consider South West Seattle (south of Roxbury and west of 33rd Ave SW).

   We just moved from West Seattle, actually Arbor Heights, which is really White Center West. Because of a new writing gig, we transplanted to Bellingham (another place worth considering…).

   We’d lived in the house we bought for $176,000 for a little more than a year. We painted, ripped out the faux brick and paneling, and [disbelief] actually enjoyed a bidding competition. We sold for $240,000. $11,000 more than our listing price.

   I mention this, not to brag - though it does feel nice to have the extra cash - but as a glimmer of hope.

   Two blocks away, Westwood Village is being remodeled in the image of U Village. The 21 express takes 35 minutes and runs into the heart of downtown (21 local runs through Pioneer Square). It’s a culturally diverse area that allows people of all makes and sizes to buy into a community. Lincoln Park, affordable housing, younger families moving in, the list goes on…

   And if the Seattle public school district hadn’t been run into a $33 million hole, we’d probably still live there.

   We are modest folk with limited self-improvement faculties, so the financial return is achievable for anyone. Really.

10. mark
    November 18th, 2004 at 2:23 pm

    

    I wouldn’t totally rule out the CD–it’s still VERY block to block. I think I mentioned to you that I have an awesome realtor friend who (a) is a Seattle native so knows all the nieghborhoods, and (b) helped us and at least six other friends buy the perfect first house. Lemme know if you want her details.

11. Rick
    November 20th, 2004 at 1:59 pm

    

    Please please PLEASE move to Ravenna. It’s a nice neighborhood, with Whole Foods and Pop Tots and a dearth of cool people. Please help us bulk the area up!

    Please? I’ll use “dearth” in a sentence again if you do…!

    Ravenna, Roosevelt, Wedgewood… please come help degentrify the area!

12. Ariel
    November 20th, 2004 at 3:58 pm

    

    RIGHT! Like we could afford living north of the ship canal!