[Capler]

[soflorattler]

And all small lots, stick built, and front facing garages. No thank you for those prices.

[j1908]

^^^^^Exactly Sof.

[CU1994]

I was in Charlotte twice this summer. I was shocked at the price of homes. I always thought homes were cheaper down south.

[j1908]

^^^ Not anymore. When surplus is low, prices tend to go up.

[Maroon and Gray]

And all small lots, stick built, and front facing garages. No thank you for those prices.

What's the 'con' on stick built?

[soflorattler]

And all small lots, stick built, and front facing garages. No thank you for those prices.

What's the 'con' on stick built?

"Stick built"= wood frame versus concrete block built which is more durable, a higher quality build, longer lasting, and not as subject to pests (termites, carpenter ants). If you want a quality build for the money, it's concrete block topped of with a (American manufactured steel) metal roof.

[Ivan]

I'm just tripping off the fact that the HOA is only $100/month. Out here where I live, I'm in the market for a condominium. I've been pre-approved for around $400K. For that price the best thing you can get is around 800 square feet. But you will pay a MINIMUM of $400/month in HOA fees...............some I've seen for $600/month. I can't even imagine what you're getting for a $100/month HOA fee.

[Capler]

What is amazing to me is that a starter home here is now $150. Back in my just out of college days, a $150,000 house would be a total brick home in a nice area. You could also get a brand new economy car for $6,000.

My parents paid $6,000 for their 3 bed room, 'Jim Walter-ish', house back in the early 70's.  The payments were $68.00 a month, and they still almost lost it a time or two. Back in those days, the bank was not trying to take the house back unless you basically abandoned it completely, and they still did not want it back.

[j1908]

I remember Jim Walter homes. They advertised all over the south.

[WileECoyote06]

I'm just tripping off the fact that the HOA is only $100/month. Out here where I live, I'm in the market for a condominium. I've been pre-approved for around $400K. For that price the best thing you can get is around 800 square feet. But you will pay a MINIMUM of $400/month in HOA fees...............some I've seen for $600/month. I can't even imagine what you're getting for a $100/month HOA fee.

$600/month for an HOA ought to be criminal. My HOA is just under $100 a month and that includes pool, gym, and clubhouse access.  They also take care of non-residential grounds and we have walkways, a park, and ampitheatre.

[Capler]

I remember Jim Walter homes. They advertised all over the south.

There was a time in the 60's and 70's when many black folk got those federal loans in droves. In the south they bought Jim Walter homes.  Everybody had a new house.

[Capler]

I'm just tripping off the fact that the HOA is only $100/month. Out here where I live, I'm in the market for a condominium. I've been pre-approved for around $400K. For that price the best thing you can get is around 800 square feet. But you will pay a MINIMUM of $400/month in HOA fees...............some I've seen for $600/month. I can't even imagine what you're getting for a $100/month HOA fee.

$600/month for an HOA ought to be criminal. My HOA is just under $100 a month and that includes pool, gym, and clubhouse access.  They also take care of non-residential grounds and we have walkways, a park, and ampitheatre.

Would it be too much to expect them to mow my yard, or is that a stretch?

[Ivan]

I'm just tripping off the fact that the HOA is only $100/month. Out here where I live, I'm in the market for a condominium. I've been pre-approved for around $400K. For that price the best thing you can get is around 800 square feet. But you will pay a MINIMUM of $400/month in HOA fees...............some I've seen for $600/month. I can't even imagine what you're getting for a $100/month HOA fee.

$600/month for an HOA ought to be criminal. My HOA is just under $100 a month and that includes pool, gym, and clubhouse access.  They also take care of non-residential grounds and we have walkways, a park, and ampitheatre.

Pool, gym and clubhouse? Nah. You ain't gettin' that out here. Most you'll get is a subpar workout room and groundskeepers for the exterior of the building. I must admit that most of the HOAs that are $600+ are closer to the heart of the city. I'm thirty miles from downtown Los Angeles so our HOAs are at around $400/month. I imagine in a couple of years they'll be up to $600 though. Here's an example of the type of place I'm looking at.........................

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/18530-Hatteras-St-Unit-127_Tarzana_CA_91356_M13509-75849

Luckily, the prices are coming down because of the interest rates. During the summer, that place was probably right at close to $400K.

[WileECoyote06]

I'm just tripping off the fact that the HOA is only $100/month. Out here where I live, I'm in the market for a condominium. I've been pre-approved for around $400K. For that price the best thing you can get is around 800 square feet. But you will pay a MINIMUM of $400/month in HOA fees...............some I've seen for $600/month. I can't even imagine what you're getting for a $100/month HOA fee.

$600/month for an HOA ought to be criminal. My HOA is just under $100 a month and that includes pool, gym, and clubhouse access.  They also take care of non-residential grounds and we have walkways, a park, and ampitheatre.

Would it be too much to expect them to mow my yard, or is that a stretch?

We pay more for our townhouse but that HOA includes exterior work, and landscaping.   Our primary home; nah you gotta handle your own landscaping.