Rambler vs. Townhouse in College Park

[Anonymous]

What is your opinion of these two homes in College Park?

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5109-Lackawanna-St-College-Park-MD-20740/37562920_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4701-Caddo-St-College-Park-MD-20740/37569175_zpid/

I have been looking to buy my first home and was interested in College Park due it being affordable and still close to DC. I think this rambler is cute and I like the location close to Metro, as I work downtown. The townhouse is also appealing due to the garage and less maintenance overall but I'm not sure on the location.

[Anonymous]

The rambler's walk to metro looks great. I'm not sure I'd like having a townhouse that backs to a street like that, with no fence or wall for privacy.

[Anonymous]

The rambler is cute!

It looks like someone bought it in 2015 and did some updates, so it's not a flip, but a renovation that someone lived with- so hopefully they worked out some of the kinks.

I think College Park is a great place to buy- close in, yet still affordable.

[Anonymous]

The rambler is adorable and so close to the Metro. I’d get that.

[Anonymous]

What’s your lifestyle?

Family size?

Do you have $$ for renovation?

How long are you planning to live there?

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for the input so far. Currently it is just me looking with my small dog, but my partner may move in. We don't plan on having any kids and like going out trying new restaurants and seeing concerts. We are big into cycling and like some of the trails in the area. I know College Park is a university town but how is it for non-UMD folks?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the input so far. Currently it is just me looking with my small dog, but my partner may move in. We don't plan on having any kids and like going out trying new restaurants and seeing concerts. We are big into cycling and like some of the trails in the area. I know College Park is a university town but how is it for non-UMD folks?

In that case, unless your idea of fun is spending every weekend on home maintenance, I’d recommend the townhouse.

[Anonymous]

Both too close to main roads, but the town house is worse

[Anonymous]

What are those weird leaning windows on front and back of rambler?

[Anonymous]

For the rambler, there's no door leading to the backyard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the input so far. Currently it is just me looking with my small dog, but my partner may move in. We don't plan on having any kids and like going out trying new restaurants and seeing concerts. We are big into cycling and like some of the trails in the area. I know College Park is a university town but how is it for non-UMD folks?

It's fine for non-UMD folk. Find out if you qualify for the downpayment assistance loan. I believe it's 5k for non-employees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, thanks for the input so far. Currently it is just me looking with my small dog, but my partner may move in. We don't plan on having any kids and like going out trying new restaurants and seeing concerts. We are big into cycling and like some of the trails in the area. I know College Park is a university town but how is it for non-UMD folks?

In that case, unless your idea of fun is spending every weekend on home maintenance, I’d recommend the townhouse.

But, having a small garden can be lovely if it turns out that you like it.

[Anonymous]

I'd prefer a house over a TH just because it feels more like "MY" home in terms of doing what I want when I want.

[Anonymous]

I like that in CP you can buy a good starter home for 300k
DCUM mainly talks about $800+ homes

[Anonymous]

I’d consider Mt Rainier as well:

https://www.redfin.com/MD/Mt-Rainier/3704-34th-St-20712/home/10958611#marketing-remarks-scroll

Close to the G9 or a bunch of other buses that take you to RIA metro in 10 min.