I'm such a chicken

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
I'm such a chicken
48
Sun, 03-16-2008 - 12:04pm

So last week, I made the decision that since I'm on Spring Break this week, I'm going to look into buying a townhome.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 5:37pm
There are townhomes with no HOA fees??? Not in Denver.

That's my least favorite part of my place. My HOA fees are average for the area, but they still seem way too high to me. Unfortunately, I could only afford a townhouse or condo, so the HOA thing came with the territory.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for northwestwanderer
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 6:07pm

Yes, they are called zero lot line townhouses (I actually own the land under my townhouse) and they are very popular in Seattle.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 6:24pm

I crunch numbers regularly.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2005
Wed, 03-19-2008 - 10:14pm

Glad to hear about all the progress you've made, it's exciting!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Thu, 03-20-2008 - 8:51am

Exactly there are rarely condos that don't have condo fees. It's funny my friend moved here from Kansas and she was amazed at how there werent' that many houses with Garages apparently in Kansas every house has a 2 car garage. I said here it's really nice to have one but they aren't on every house. LOL


Anyhow I've been watching for condos/townhouses as well in NH and it's funny the condo fees vary so drastically. I found a condo in Merrimack NH where the taxes are pretty high. The condo itself was pretty low 129900 I believe but the condo fees were 360 and from the listing I didn't see that there was any pool or gym or anything so I was thinking what the hell is that 360 going to exactly to mow the lawn and plow I DON'T THINK SO!!!! while the price of the condo was great tack on that 360 a month and your putting me way over budget.


However I found a condo in the converted mill buildings which are gorgeous for 109900 and those condo fees were 309 but that included heat and hot water so fine I can deal with that because then the only other utility I'd have to pay is my electric and those are like 10 ft ceilings and they are freaking gorgeous exposed beams and brick beautiful.


I haven't been to anyone right now because I'm still paying off some debt but I'm itching to jump becuase the prices are soooo good right now I don't want to miss it before the market goes back up.

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Smile,

Deirdre

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 03-20-2008 - 10:01am

Where did she move from in Kansas?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Thu, 03-20-2008 - 10:59am

On average the condo fees around here are about 200. The highest I've seen are about 400. But yeah the converted mill buildings include heat/hot water I think only because I just dont' think they could get everyone on their own heat/hot water because it would just be too expensive to convert everyone. The buildings are so old. So the included it into the price of the condo fees and that's why the condo fees are so high but I think that's fair but to charge 360 just because on the newer condos in Merrimack is just ridiculous. I am not sure why those condos were so expensive. Those the heat/hot water weren't included those were probably built in the 80's or 90's they were fairly new. No reason whatsoever they were that high.


But in New England you aren't going to find condo fees under 100 bucks if you do they aren't maintaining the property that well. I remember going to a friends condo that paid 80 bucks for a condo fee and the property was trashy looking, paint peeling, pot holes in the driveway, not plowed well in the winter. Thats what 80 bucks a month got you. At least around here.

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Smile,

Deirdre

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-08-2005
Thu, 03-20-2008 - 11:24am

I've been meaning to respond to your post this week but I've been so sick w/this stomach flu I've had since Sunday on top of working on-call working nights this week, it's been insane lol.

But I wanted to say, "you go girl!" It's scary, yet exciting all at the same time. I know I just moved into this apt August 2007 and I really like my apartment, but I don't know if I want to rent for the rest of my life or not. I've been thinking about buying a condo or townhome maybe three years down the road. Either I get a car or condo/townhome, not sure yet. Either one is a major purchase.

I do know that a good friend of mine bought a house about two years ago and he had filed chap 13 bankruptcy several years ago, and was still able to buy the house. I think he went to lendingtree.com I believe but his house is nice.

Either way hun, I'm happy for you! It's a big change in a person's life and I'm sure it will work out for you regardless :-)

5yrssm 
Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 03-20-2008 - 12:54pm

I am afraid I won't be able to find fees lower than the $96 I found.

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 03-20-2008 - 12:59pm

I've heard from a couple of people that any of the brokers/mortgage companies that got into the subprime dealings are having a ton of trouble right now.