Anonymous
01/24/2013 18:58
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
OP, if you didn't work from home, where would you be commuting to? I think you could find some of what you want (proximity to metro, good schools, 2-3 bedrooms, budget) a bit further out, but depending on where you were taking transit to, it could still be a long haul.
These, not very far from Rockville metro, could be good options if your maybe-commute wasn't out to, like, Falls Church.
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/201-Adclare-Rd-20850/home/10514414
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/736-Beall-Ave-20850/home/10516596
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/522-Woodston-Rd-20850/home/10512092
These, not very far from Rockville metro, could be good options if your maybe-commute wasn't out to, like, Falls Church.
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/201-Adclare-Rd-20850/home/10514414
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/736-Beall-Ave-20850/home/10516596
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Rockville/522-Woodston-Rd-20850/home/10512092
Anonymous
01/24/2013 17:58
Subject: Re:Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
If you're thinking of Silver Spring, I know someone who I think just listed their 3BR TH in your price range - a few blocks from Forest Glen metro and maybe the elementary is Woodlin? Not sure on that part, as I don't live in SS. But I have been in their place and it's well maintained and convenient.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Anonymous
01/24/2013 14:05
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Not OP, and I don't understand why you think it's weird. This is just a way for her to sum up why she is looking for a certain kind of properties.
Not op but this serves several purposes...
Lets us know she will be purchasing on one income.
Lets us know that she has children that need to be in a good school district
Lets us know that she cant be far out since is doing drop off and pick up by herself
Lets us know that she needs a kid frienfly neighborhood
It a very important detail that gives us the most info about her situation so that we can help her.
Wouldn't a family structure of a working parent and a SAHM have the same requirements?
Think of the previous thread where someone was looking for a SFH for under $300k within 30 minutes of DC. Turns out school was no issue so the nice parts of Prince George's were just fine for that OP.
Again, I don't think that describing one as a "single mom" in the opening is a bad thing, and it is quite helpful. I'd rather see 20 of this thread than one of the "I'm looking for something safe and affordable near DC. Thanks!"
Anonymous
01/24/2013 13:53
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Not OP, and I don't understand why you think it's weird. This is just a way for her to sum up why she is looking for a certain kind of properties.
Not op but this serves several purposes...
Lets us know she will be purchasing on one income.
Lets us know that she has children that need to be in a good school district
Lets us know that she cant be far out since is doing drop off and pick up by herself
Lets us know that she needs a kid frienfly neighborhood
It a very important detail that gives us the most info about her situation so that we can help her.
Wouldn't a family structure of a working parent and a SAHM have the same requirements?
Anonymous
01/24/2013 11:47
Subject: Re:Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Where is your job, OP??
Don't assume all townhouse HOA's have huge fees. I lived in a 1970's townhouse (about a mile from Vienna metro) that had a $200 quarterly fee that covered trash, recycling and plowing. There are several decent townhome communities about a mile away from Vienna metro, and some near Dunn Loring. The commute into DC was quite reasonable, and the community was well within your price range for 3BR/2.5BA homes.
You could also buy in South Arlington. Fairlington (a very family-friendly complex) is not on Metro, but the bus to DC is quick and easy.
Don't assume all townhouse HOA's have huge fees. I lived in a 1970's townhouse (about a mile from Vienna metro) that had a $200 quarterly fee that covered trash, recycling and plowing. There are several decent townhome communities about a mile away from Vienna metro, and some near Dunn Loring. The commute into DC was quite reasonable, and the community was well within your price range for 3BR/2.5BA homes.
You could also buy in South Arlington. Fairlington (a very family-friendly complex) is not on Metro, but the bus to DC is quick and easy.
Anonymous
01/24/2013 11:32
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Spinoff from the richer people's thread seeking a house under $1M.
Currently I'm renting in an amazing part of close-in Bethesda, but the lease is up, the landlord just jacked up the rent and I don't think I can justify it financially any longer - even though I love the neighborhood and school.
I have only been approved for up to $500K and am pretty sure that prices me out of my current neighborhood. I am looking to stay as close in as I can (ideally a mile or less from metro). I currently work from home but that might not always be the case. I just can't risk a nightmare daily commute because I am 100% responsible for drop off and pick up.
I don't need a single family house... townhouses would be fine and actually preferable since I wouldn't have to maintain a yard or shovel snow. But condos with $900 plus HOA fees are going to be out for me unfortunately.
MoCo and NoVa (N. Arlington) are fine, but I prefer to skip DCPS (and doubt I can afford to buy there anyway).
2 bedroom is good, 3 would be better (or at least somewhere I could set up a workspace for my home office). Two baths would be nice, but 1.5 would be workable.
I have been stalking Redfin and there is housing in my price range, but generally in the crappiest school districts or way way out. That's the way it goes around here, I know.
If you are planning to sell your house/townhouse or know of someone who is, maybe we could work something out between us and save on fees? Or I am happy to go the traditional route as well!
Not in a huge rush as my lease goes month-to-month, but I'd love to ideally buy something before spring madness sets in.
TIA!!!!
You could definitely find something in Silver Spring in your budget. But maybe you don't think the schools are good enough for you.
signed,
a single mom in $450l SFH who is very happy in Silver Spring
Anonymous
01/24/2013 08:40
Subject: Re:Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
You can get a beautiful new townhouse for well under your limit in Arts District Hyattsville, 1 mile from DC:
http://www.pulte.com/communities/md/hyattsville/arts-district-hyattsville/92932/index1.aspx (play the video for a good look)
The development includes fitness center, art galleries, park, bike trail, Busboys & Poets, Yes! Organic Market, other trendy restaurants and stores. Nearby mass transit.
For schools, the Hyattsville public schools have been improving with the recent gentrification of the neighborhood. There are also excellent private options (St. Jerome Academy, DeMatha and Seton high schools) in the neighborhood.
http://www.pulte.com/communities/md/hyattsville/arts-district-hyattsville/92932/index1.aspx (play the video for a good look)
The development includes fitness center, art galleries, park, bike trail, Busboys & Poets, Yes! Organic Market, other trendy restaurants and stores. Nearby mass transit.
For schools, the Hyattsville public schools have been improving with the recent gentrification of the neighborhood. There are also excellent private options (St. Jerome Academy, DeMatha and Seton high schools) in the neighborhood.
Anonymous
01/24/2013 08:23
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Wow, buy this now op!
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4301-Sangamore-Rd-20816/unit-1/home/10690464
Great school districts BUT its been sitting for a reason:
- $325 Month HOA dues (gold line swimming pool??)
- Looks like it lacks C/AC and possibly heating.
- Unfinished inside-only access basement - definitely poses legal renting and possibly renovation restrictions.
http://www.redfin.com/MD/Bethesda/4301-Sangamore-Rd-20816/unit-1/home/10690464
Great school districts BUT its been sitting for a reason:
- $325 Month HOA dues (gold line swimming pool??)
- Looks like it lacks C/AC and possibly heating.
- Unfinished inside-only access basement - definitely poses legal renting and possibly renovation restrictions.
Anonymous
01/23/2013 20:26
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Not OP, and I don't understand why you think it's weird. This is just a way for her to sum up why she is looking for a certain kind of properties.
Not op but this serves several purposes...
Lets us know she will be purchasing on one income.
Lets us know that she has children that need to be in a good school district
Lets us know that she cant be far out since is doing drop off and pick up by herself
Lets us know that she needs a kid frienfly neighborhood
It a very important detail that gives us the most info about her situation so that we can help her.
Anonymous
01/23/2013 20:10
Subject: Re:Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
There is a 4 bedroom town house on the market in rockshire 20850 (Rockville - Wootton HS).
Anonymous
01/23/2013 19:11
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Not OP, and I don't understand why you think it's weird. This is just a way for her to sum up why she is looking for a certain kind of properties.
I think it's weird because I am a single mom also and it would never cross my mind to ever put that in the title nor would I need people to consider it a factor.
If I am looking for a townhouse, I am looking for townhouse. I would just say "not interested in doing lots of yard work, only want to clean a small house" etc...
Well, everyone doesn't always think like you.
Thank God.
Anonymous
01/23/2013 19:10
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Not OP, and I don't understand why you think it's weird. This is just a way for her to sum up why she is looking for a certain kind of properties.
I think it's weird because I am a single mom also and it would never cross my mind to ever put that in the title nor would I need people to consider it a factor.
If I am looking for a townhouse, I am looking for townhouse. I would just say "not interested in doing lots of yard work, only want to clean a small house" etc...
Anonymous
01/23/2013 18:53
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Not OP, and I don't understand why you think it's weird. This is just a way for her to sum up why she is looking for a certain kind of properties.
Anonymous
01/23/2013 18:47
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Anonymous wrote:Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...
Probably to amplify why she wants a townhouse - she doesn't want to deal with extensive yard maintenance. I'm a single mom who lives in a townhouse, so I hear OP a hundred percent.
You're the one who's weird for picking on such an innocuous point.
Anonymous
01/23/2013 18:41
Subject: Single mom w/ $500K budget - anyone have a TH going on the market?
Why does it matter if you are a "single mom"? That's just weird to put in the title...