Which townhouse to buy in Philadelphia? New construction

[Anonymous]

Household income 160k. We're looking at a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom one-car garage for 309k. They also have a two-bed 2.5 bath + den for 367k. The husband doesn't feel the hole is worth the extra 58k. The community is small. Only 11 homes. It's in a weird street but good schools. Our neighbors would be car repair shops, and there's a giant water tower across the street. There's also a park and playground across the street. The majority of the houses around us are old, and the new homes are 400k. I looked further away, but the husband doesn't want to live too far from work. He wfh now, and his office says they will do that whenever they go back to in-person work. We have two boys. We are adamant were don't want an old home. Everyone says wait, but I feel like we found something to find—a townhouse in the low 300s. Close to the train station and main street restaurants and good school. The front yard would be a playground, basketball court, and soccer field. Kids are one and 5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Household income 160k. We're looking at a two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom one-car garage for 309k. They also have a two-bed 2.5 bath + den for 367k. The husband doesn't feel the hole is worth the extra 58k. The community is small. Only 11 homes. It's in a weird street but good schools. Our neighbors would be car repair shops, and there's a giant water tower across the street. There's also a park and playground across the street. The majority of the houses around us are old, and the new homes are 400k. I looked further away, but the husband doesn't want to live too far from work. He wfh now, and his office says they will do that whenever they go back to in-person work. We have two boys. We are adamant were don't want an old home. Everyone says wait, but I feel like we found something to find—a townhouse in the low 300s. Close to the train station and main street restaurants and good school. The front yard would be a playground, basketball court, and soccer field. Kids are one and 5.

Op here. It’s a mix of car repair shops and single family homes. I could see the next street over being converted into townhomes. Some of the the buildings look vacant. Home is in Hatboro, PA. It’s about 40 minutes by Amtrak to center city.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Oh no. My original post has so many mistakes! I wrote it in bed.

[Anonymous]

I found the listings for the cheaper townhouse.

Wow. Not only is it really small, it's also, well, no way around it but be honest, ugly. You'd be living on top of each other and your neighbors.

Your income should get you into a nicer property. Is there a reason why you are being so conservative with your housing budget? Interest rates are so low! I assume you have debts that need to be carried along with a mortgage?

Something like this would give you more breathing space:

https://www.redfin.com/PA/Hatboro/113-Holly-Dr-19040/home/38396014

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found the listings for the cheaper townhouse.

Wow. Not only is it really small, it's also, well, no way around it but be honest, ugly. You'd be living on top of each other and your neighbors.

Your income should get you into a nicer property. Is there a reason why you are being so conservative with your housing budget? Interest rates are so low! I assume you have debts that need to be carried along with a mortgage?

Something like this would give you more breathing space:

https://www.redfin.com/PA/Hatboro/113-Holly-Dr-19040/home/38396014

A 1950s home scares me.

[Anonymous]

Op here.


Here’s the listing.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/399-Springdale-Ave_Hatboro_PA_19040_M35887-49956

I see larger townhomes 15 minutes away that are larger and have cheaper HOAs. Built 5 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Without links this thread is pointless.

Parking is VERY valuable in certain parts of Philly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here.


Here’s the listing.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/399-Springdale-Ave_Hatboro_PA_19040_M35887-49956

I see larger townhomes 15 minutes away that are larger and have cheaper HOAs. Built 5 years ago.

They’re 360s to 400k. Sold for 317k 5 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Without links this thread is pointless.

Parking is VERY valuable in certain parts of Philly.

We’re far out. The community has a parking lot and a 1 car garage. It also has a community center. They may explain why HOA is more expensive. I am going to look at designs tomorrow. They haven’t started building yet.

[Anonymous]

Where will your husband WFH in this two bedroom townhouse? Is there even room for a desk in the master bedroom?

It's a tiny little townhouse with hardly any storage or closets. I would think you would be happier with more room for the kids to play and more space. I think you can do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where will your husband WFH in this two bedroom townhouse? Is there even room for a desk in the master bedroom?

It's a tiny little townhouse with hardly any storage or closets. I would think you would be happier with more room for the kids to play and more space. I think you can do better.

Right now, we’re doing just fine in our 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment. He works from the bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Without links this thread is pointless.

Parking is VERY valuable in certain parts of Philly.

She is not buying in Philly. She is in the burbs.

Personally OP, I really hate when suburban people say the live in a city.

Signed a real Philadelphian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Without links this thread is pointless.

Parking is VERY valuable in certain parts of Philly.

She is not buying in Philly. She is in the burbs.

Personally OP, I really hate when suburban people say the live in a city.

Signed a real Philadelphian

You seem cool.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am a Philadelphian now in the DMV and was all prepared to give my home grown advice, especially regarding schools etc, but now you say this is in Hatboro…whoa. That is not Philly, at all.

So at this point, all I can say is do you want to live in a 2bedroom with 2 small children? For 300K out in the hinderlands surely you can find 3 bedrooms. Those children will not be that small for long.

[Anonymous]

PP here,, That townhouse has only 2 closets, in the entire house. Two closets, regular, not walk in…for 4 people.That would be a hard pass.