The Cheapest House

The New Homebuyer’s Tax Credit

John — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:52:15 +0000

So, the stimulus package changed the first time homebuyer’s tax credit up a little bit. Those of us who were hoping for a credit for all were disappointed, but if you haven’t owned a primary residence in the last three years, you might be in luck. You have the next 12 months to find a purchase a primary residence for yourself and get a tax credit. The tax credit is at most $8,000, depending on your income level and the price of the house. Since most houses out there are going to cost more than $80,000, it probably depends on your income.

I’m sure your friendly neighborhood real estate agent will have all the information you’ll need if you are in the market for a new house.

The cheapest house in Los Angeles

John — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:12:27 +0000

Here’s a list of houses for sale in LA for under $100K. Not sure how many of these are inhabitable, but here’s a list:

Windermere Real Estate

Los Angeles Area Home $99,000 3/9 2:56A

Address: 1760 E 111th PL, Los Angeles, CA 90059, MLS: C10025317 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 817 sqft, Year Built: 1955, Listing Courtesy of: MRMLS / CENTURY 21 REALTY MASTERS: DARL. […]
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The Cheapest House in San Francisco

John — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:13:25 +0000

Here’s a list of houses for sale in San Francisco for under $300K:

Windermere Real Estate

Southern Hills Condominium $208,880 1/6 1:41P

Address: 1011 SAN GABRIEL CI #515, Daly City, CA 94014, MLS: 81000360 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 655 sqft, Year Built: 1986, Listing Courtesy of: MLSListings Inc. / Prudential Cal. […]
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Other Area Attached Single Family $300,000 2/17 4:22P

Address: 1379 REVERE AV, San Francisco County, CA 94124, MLS: 81007401 , Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 2.00 , Building Size: 1,575 sqft, Lot Size: 2495.00 sqft, Year Built: 1923, Listing Courtesy of: MLSLis. […]
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San Francisco Area Condominium $250,000 12/24 1:16P

Address: 8100 Oceanview Ter 119, San Francisco, CA 94132, MLS: 364495 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 669 sqft, Year Built: 2002, Listing Courtesy of: San Francisco Association of REAL. […]
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San Francisco Area Stock Cooperative $300,000 1/3 1:16A

Address: 35 Western Shore Ln 1, San Francisco, CA 94115, MLS: 364601 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 550 sqft, Year Built: 1964, Listing Courtesy of: San Francisco Association of REALT. […]
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San Francisco Area Condominium $169,000 2/6 1:08A

Address: 1450 Post St 509, San Francisco, CA 94109, MLS: 365997 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 519 sqft, Year Built: 1992, Listing Courtesy of: San Francisco Association of REALTORS /. […]
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San Francisco Area Condominium $299,900 2/8 1:25P

Address: 58 Jennings Ct, San Francisco, CA 94124, MLS: 366069 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 2.00 , Building Size: 1,212 sqft, Year Built: 1994, Listing Courtesy of: San Francisco Association of REALTORS /. […]
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San Francisco Area Condominium $240,729 11/14 1:39A

Address: 901 Bush St 304, San Francisco, CA 94109, MLS: 363627 , Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 0 sqft, Year Built: 2008, Listing Courtesy of: San Francisco Association of REALTORS / Vanguard Proper. […]
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Daly City Single-Family Home $299,500 1/12 1:05A

Address: 309 Rio Verde St, Daly City, CA 94014, MLS: 364916 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,240 sqft, Listing Courtesy of: San Francisco Association of REALTORS / Bay Area Real Estat. […]
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Permanent Affordability?

John — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:38:35 +0000

There is a condo project in Portland, OR that has several units for sale with a catch. If you buy a unit that is priced under $105,000 and take advantage of a $2,500 grant, you will be bound by a covenant that limits the resale price to market value or an increase of twice the CPI, whichever is lower. While I don’t see this as much of a problem, especially when it’s a condominium, that I don’t expect to appreciate at the same rate of single family housing, some people might be locked into the mentality that your residence is another way to cash in.

The Portland real estate market has been appreciating at much more than twice the CPI for the last several years, but that certainly cannot continue indefinitely. $2,500 isn’t really all the much money to make a promise that might limit your future capital gains, but if it makes the difference for you to purchase a condo that you love, the convenant might help someone else purchase it later. The project is a live/work condo project in NE Portland, the website is at www.milepostfive.com.

The cheapest house in Portland

John — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:14:38 +0000

Here is a list of houses in Portland that are actually for sale under $125,000.

Windermere Real Estate

Portland Area Home $120,000 3/9 1:42P

Address: 13800 E BURNSIDE ST, Portland, OR 97233, MLS: 9088585 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 896 sqft, Lot Size: 0.19 acres, Year Built: 1953, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / Oregon Firs. […]
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Portland Area Home $115,000 2/26 1:42P

Address: 15711 NE GLISAN ST, Portland, OR 97230, MLS: 10016229 , Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,264 sqft, Lot Size: 0.23 acres, Year Built: 1943, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / Elite Rea. […]
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Montavilla Area Home $99,900 2/23 3:13P

Address: 8420 SE YAMHILL ST, Portland, OR 97216, MLS: 10015281 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 799 sqft, Lot Size: 0.10 acres, Year Built: 1922, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / John L Scot. […]
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Powell Butte Area Home $124,950 2/28 10:40A

Address: 13842 SE RHINE ST, Portland, OR 97236, MLS: 10016595 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,456 sqft, Lot Size: 0.23 acres, Year Built: 1933, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / Oregon Fir. […]
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THE ISLANDS MOORAGE Area Home $99,900 2/24 9:12A

Address: NE MARINE DRIVE, Portland, OR 97230, MLS: 10012120 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,000 sqft, Year Built: 1984, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / Messick Realty Group
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Portland Area Home $119,900 3/4 4:41P

Address: 6626 SE 67TH AVE, Portland, OR 97206, MLS: 10014165 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 686 sqft, Lot Size: 0.09 acres, Year Built: 1911, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / Oregon First
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sT jOHNS pK aDD Area Home $102,500 3/4 11:45A

Address: 9620 N LOMBARD ST, Portland, OR 97203, MLS: 10018184 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,872 sqft, Lot Size: 0.11 acres, Year Built: 1923, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / Coldwell B. […]
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Portland Area Home $124,900 3/4 9:42A

Address: 5414 SE 86TH AVE, Portland, OR 97266, MLS: 10018112 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 720 sqft, Lot Size: 0.14 acres, Year Built: 1951, Listing Courtesy of: RMLS / John L Scott. […]
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Condo, mobile home, houseboat?

John — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:13:33 +0000

How about these alternatives to a single family house? A condominium is a pretty standard option for someone trying to find an affordable housing situation in a popular city, but would you like to live on the water?

A sailboat, yacht, barge, or houseboat can be something you can find in cities with waterfront areas. Both Seattle and Portland have many seafaring live-aboards residing there. It might be a little harder to get a mortgage on a houseboat, and it might be a little cramped for some, but it can be a cheap way to live in the middle of Seattle.

Mobile homes have a pretty bum rap these days, but would you like to live in one to save some money on your living situation? I know that there are a few mobile home parks in some nice neighborhoods in Portland. Most of the parks in Seattle (if not all) have been shooed away. Let’s bring the home back into the mobile home…

The Cheapest House in Seattle

John — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:46:01 +0000

Here is a list of houses in Seattle that are actually for sale under $200,000.

Windermere Real Estate

Lake Union Area Home Waterfront $185,000 3/4 11:16P

Address: 2401 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103, MLS: 34252 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 0.75 , Building Size: 600 sqft, Year Built: 2005, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS
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White Center Area Home $80,000 2/26 11:32A

Address: 11017 19 Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146, MLS: 30181 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.50 , Building Size: 1,150 sqft, Lot Size: 8323.00 sqft, Year Built: 1942, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / Coldw. […]
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Boulevard Park Area Home $200,000 3/5 10:15A

Address: 10440 20th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98168, MLS: 33656 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Year Built: 1936, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / RE/MAX Northwest Realtors
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South Park Area Home Waterfront $95,000 2/20 10:56A

Address: 8604 Dallas Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108, MLS: 27139 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 0.75 , Year Built: 2010, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / Special Agents Realty
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White Center Area Home $195,000 2/11 8:43P

Address: 9837 18th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106, MLS: 22928 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 2.00 , Building Size: 1,200 sqft, Lot Size: 6800.00 sqft, Year Built: 1990, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / John. […]
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Skyway Area Home $119,900 2/11 5:43P

Address: 6708 S 116th Pl, Seattle, WA 98178, MLS: 22873 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 840 sqft, Lot Size: 14400.00 sqft, Year Built: 1948, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / John L. […]
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Boulevard Park Area Home $180,000 2/18 10:28A

Address: 12062 10th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98168, MLS: 25081 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 890 sqft, Lot Size: 14772.00 sqft, Year Built: 1929
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Duwamish Area Home $127,050 3/3 2:16A

Address: 11818 Military Rd S, Seattle, WA 98168, MLS: 32425 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 630 sqft, Lot Size: 4590.00 sqft, Year Built: 1949, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / Gre. […]
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The cheapest house in Tacoma

John — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:51:31 +0000

Here’s a list of actual houses in Tacoma, Washington that are for sale for less than $100,000:

Windermere Real Estate

Fircrest Area Home $99,950 2/8 9:43A

Address: 5002 S 30th Pl, Tacoma, WA 98409, MLS: 20350 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.50 , Building Size: 1,034 sqft, Year Built: 2004, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / Keller Williams Eastside Ptnrs
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South Tacoma Area Home $48,403 2/8 11:28A

Address: 8410 S Thompson Ave, Tacoma, WA 98444, MLS: 17766 , Bedrooms: 2, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 552 sqft, Lot Size: 1700.00 sqft, Year Built: 1904, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / RE/M. […]
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Swan Creek Area Home $82,500 2/20 1:16P

Address: 5705 E Swan Creek Dr, Tacoma, WA 98404, MLS: 27183 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,000 sqft, Lot Size: 5000.00 sqft, Year Built: 1971, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / P. […]
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Tacoma Area Home $49,900 3/9 4:47P

Address: 711 S 57th St, Tacoma, WA 98408, MLS: 36803 , Bedrooms: 4, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 884 sqft, Lot Size: 6000.00 sqft, Year Built: 1953, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / Ocean Paci. […]
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Tacoma Area Home $75,900 2/22 5:15P

Address: 5933 S J St, Tacoma, WA 98408, MLS: 28085 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 1,168 sqft, Year Built: 1904
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Parkland Area Home $54,900 3/8 3:18P

Address: 1215 117th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444, MLS: 35970 , Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 672 sqft, Lot Size: 4792.00 sqft, Year Built: 1949, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / Parkside. […]
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Parkland Area Home $94,000 2/9 8:01P

Address: 507 133rd St S, Tacoma, WA 98444, MLS: 21611 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 768 sqft, Lot Size: 9583.00 sqft, Year Built: 1942, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / John L. S. […]
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South Tacoma Area Home $59,900 2/8 1:17P

Address: 6834 S I St, Tacoma, WA 98408, MLS: 19123 , Bedrooms: 3, Bathrooms: 1.00 , Building Size: 856 sqft, Lot Size: 10125.00 sqft, Year Built: 1930, Listing Courtesy of: Northwest MLS / RE/MAX Prof. […]
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Moving to the exurbs

John — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:22:48 +0000

In my own quest for the cheapest house, I chose to move pretty far out. 100 miles from Seattle actually. Although I’d rather live right in the middle of Seattle, housing prices there are pretty much insane. Since I run my own business and sell almost everything through my web site, it was easy for me to make the decision to move out of town to save some cash on housing. Of course some people make the decision to move out to the burbs and still commute into town. Commutes of 50 miles each way aren’t all that rare anymore.

For me personally, I’d find another job. The longest commute I ever put up with for more than 2 months was a 15 miler that I did on my bicycle 4 times a week. For the last 5 years, my commute has been getting out of bed and putting my shoes on. If you can figure out how to work for yourself, I recommend it!

What is the cheapest house?

John — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:27:31 +0000

This sounds like a silly question, but when I scan the real estate listings I always have to think about my ideas of housing. I was an apartment building manager for years in Seattle and grew to hate living in a multi-unit structure. Now that I’ve been living in a single family house for a few years, I sometimes think about moving back into a higher density area. The main issues between a ‘house’ and an apartment or condo are of course privacy, use of space, having a yard/garden etc…, but now we all have to think about sustainability, design, and cost.

Do you want to live in your car? Probably not, but I actually have a car I could live in if I pared all my belongings down to my computer and 3 changes of clothes.

Do you want to live in a 240 SF condo? Most people probably say no, but this option is something I’ve thought about, especially a particular condo building in Waikiki!

Do you want to live in a 3200 SF house in a suburb, 40 miles from downtown? Not me, but there are many who think that this is the actualization of the American Dream.