The Springfield home is very attractive and I would certainly consider living there. I'd just keep my politics to myself.
The prices are great - but look where you have to live.
@Lois Ruble
Yeah exactly. We in SD can't get a decent condo for that price. But to live in Missouri? There's not enough square footage to make me want to move there.
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The Maine property located on Long Island was a poor selection for comparison to the other two properties. Homes on Long Island are not representative of typical properties located on the mainland in cities and towns like Portland. As a real estate appraiser, I would never compare a Long Island property to a similar property located in any community on the mainland. Island living is unique and very few people choose to reside on an island year-long. Most island residents are 'summer people'. In the Portland market area, $330,000 would buy a more significant property offering more square footage, a larger lot and more amenities. Too bad the author didn't do more research before writing this article.
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I feel like our 2,100 sq ft. traditional home in rural Wisconsin will be a steal when it comes time to sell. Kind of like the Springfield House - but who wants to live in these places?
Attractive homes on tiny lots is what struck me. Relatively high taxes but I live in the south.
The Maine property (many former uses, .2 acres but photo shows expansive lot, supposed bay-view and other specifications) is problematic.
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@Modaca Yes, believe the .2 is an error.
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Very surprised at the attractiveness of that Springfield home, just wish it was somewhere else. As another mentioned, I could never live someplace where women's humanity was under attack. I've lived in red states and it gets in on you spiritually because you really are surrounded by people who are not "your people" for the most part and it becomes evident in small but important ways.
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I am a Republican supporter of President Trump and live in a very blue city and state. You adapt
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@Name - Please tell me where in the US women's humanity is not under attack.
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@Name So agree, living in a blood red area steadily saps your spirit for the reason you mention, plus denial of so many things which are blatantly obvious. It is so refreshing to meet anyone who wants to live right now instead of wanting to turn back the clock.
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I can't relate to the 1 million dollar plus houses. It makes you wonder what you get for three times the money. Like paying 200 dollars for a pair of jeans. Thank you for showing us these homes.
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@Jean louis LONNE
Just a reminder that people who have jobs in places where the average home costs $1 million often face a choice between paying $3,000 for a one or two bedroom apartment, or $3,500 - $4,000 for the mortgage/taxes/insurance on a $1 million home, with some of the tax advantages that go along with that. I make a humble salary but bought my $1million home 17 years ago for $600K and now my guest house pays almost my entire mortgage.
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@Jean Louis LONNE
I had the exact same thought. It reminded me of when reading the NYTimes real estate section felt so much more realistic and interesting.
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I paid $85k for my studio 20 years ago and it is now appraised at $525k
Former New Yorker hastens to say "on Long Island" is how we say it. Obviously, not a local wrote the headline. Really!!
@audrey ford except this house is not on Long Island NY lol. I was going to post myself that a New York publication not qualifying this Long Island home immediately as in MAINE was quite misleading. When I read the line about 330k bungalow on Long Island I immediately assumed it had to be either in horrible condition or in a problematic situation of some sort. Because I assumed Long Island here, in NY - where a bungalow as the one shown would indeed be a million or more.
@audrey ford This Long Island is in Maine. Probably was a NY local who wrote the headline and knew which Long Island it is.
@audrey ford:The house is on Long Island in Maine. It's an island off of Portland.
$300,000 for a house is still way out of most Americans price range. I understand that a bargain is relative from your point of view. But that still doesn’t put a roof over your head when making $15 bucks an hour is $5 dollars more then your making. Home ownership gets farther away with each passing day.
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@Ken Wieland
I’ve personally helped young couples buy $300-$400K homes make $20 an hour each. The monthly mortgage, taxes and insurance on a $300K house after putting down only 5% (in a FHA first time buyer program—you must have good credit), is $1800. Prior to home buying they were paying typically $1300 to $1900 for an apartment or small rental house. With the tax advantages of home ownership, they end up pretty near or below where they were. If they then rent a room out in their home, they really change their economic situation. Some of the couples work two jobs for a year or two to get the down-payment. True that I’m not sure anyone could do this on $15 an hour nor alone, nonetheless take heart: there is a way forward if you set a goal and commit to it.
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@Michael $1800 for a mortgage payment is outrageous for most Americans. Most could handle half of that, and still pay for all the other essentials. This is less a reflection of home prices and more a glaring example of wage stagnation since Reagan's voodoo economic plan.
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@Ken Wieland
You're right! Not to mention the taxes, upkeep etc. These days all homes tend to have some issues. It would be unusual to purchase a $300,000 home that doesn't need something done in terms of work, repair or updating within several years. Replacing an HVAC unit, roof or something similar requires a hefty chunk of cash. These are also the cases of being house poor & unable to cover an emergency car repair.
Financially it appears that people should consider moving to Springfield, Missouri if they want bang for their real estate buck.
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@paul
One also has to consider quality of life, though, and if the state's anachronistic, restrictive policies are truly worth "real estate buck".
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Many women don't want to move to Missouri where the republican party has completely decimated their ability to get an abortion--unless they have a private gyn willing to perform the procedure and lots of money to pay for it since some ins won't now. I'd never move there--women must be able to make decisions about their lives when birth control fails and men don't stick around, but republican states like Missouri don't want women to be able to control their futures.
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Glad I am past child conceiving years
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@Kimberly M It is still a very attractive home.
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There are many colleges and universities in Springfield. That house would be a good investment for a student and/or her parents. Live there for four years with two roommates. Sell the house at graduation.
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Just don't get pregnant
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