Getting the house ready to sell

[msomnipotent]

In my instance, one side of the highway is our city, the other is a different city. My city is well known for their schools and supposed quality of life, and has been mentioned in Money magazine a few times. It is also taxed up the wazoo, filled with pretentious snobs, and has a rampant heroin problem in the high schools because 99% of the kids here are spoiled brats. The other town is more working class and more racially diverse. The only time you see it mentioned in print is for bad things, but that is usually the south or east sides of the town. I am looking in the north side.

The houses and lots are about the same size and age as ours, but I have noticed cheaper building materials in the houses we have looked at so far. All homes are under 20 years old, so everything is ruled by HOA's on both sides. If my house was in the older section of my city where there are no HOA's, the house would probably sell for $1 mil. Soooo...we are pretty much stuck with an HOA.

[dawnwes]

What's the variance in same school district? Older home? smaller house? Smaller lot?

Why would streets vary the prices? Is it location one is on a busy street, while the other is in a neighborhood cul-de-sac? I asked because I would assume that for different school districts there is always a big price differential for the same size and type of house. But same district?

Nothing to do with district, or designated school. We live in the top rated school in the entire greater area.

Our house is an area that used to be rural farm/horse country. We are one of the first "sub-divisions" built back in the late 80s/early 90s.

About 10 years ago this area was "discovered" and now we have 600K and up to 2M houses. That leaves our older homes, that are a bit smaller, not as up to date, with a decent resale value because people still want this school but may not be able to afford the more expensive homes, but will take a special buyer who wants the 2.5 acres, the older home without the vaulted ceilings, etc.....

Most people seem to want 1/2 acre to 1 acre max.

Dawn

[LivingAlmostLarge]

msomni so yours is a different city with different school districts. I can definitely see how that affects resale based on street. It happened where we lived and where we live now. One elementary is much better than others so people won't buy in the lesser area.

dawnes, as a prospective buyer I have to say I'm in agreement with not wanting more than 1 acre. LOL. I would probably be one of those people not interested in paying more taxes on more land and any upkeep. But I can definitely see in your case of the exact neighborhood with older versus newer home and size of lot being the difference.

[msomnipotent]

msomni so yours is a different city with different school districts. I can definitely see how that affects resale based on street. It happened where we lived and where we live now. One elementary is much better than others so people won't buy in the lesser area.

dawnes, as a prospective buyer I have to say I'm in agreement with not wanting more than 1 acre. LOL. I would probably be one of those people not interested in paying more taxes on more land and any upkeep. But I can definitely see in your case of the exact neighborhood with older versus newer home and size of lot being the difference.

It is the same school district. My daughter is bused to the other town. I have no idea why because there is a school on this side of the highway that is 3 blocks away, but she is not assigned to it. It makes no sense, and we were lied to by the realtor when we bought the house. I wouldn't have bothered paying so much extra for this house if we knew she would be bused to the other school.

[dawnwes]

It is the same school district. My daughter is bused to the other town. I have no idea why because there is a school on this side of the highway that is 3 blocks away, but she is not assigned to it. It makes no sense, and we were lied to by the realtor when we bought the house. I wouldn't have bothered paying so much extra for this house if we knew she would be bused to the other school.

Around here the lines keep changing. What school your neighborhood goes to this year may not be the same as next year.

We happen to live so close to this school that our lines will be 99% secure, but down the main street it is crazy. Just 1 mile down on the south side goes to another school and across the street from them on the north side, goes to yet a 3rd school!

[dawnwes]

msomni so yours is a different city with different school districts. I can definitely see how that affects resale based on street. It happened where we lived and where we live now. One elementary is much better than others so people won't buy in the lesser area.

dawnes, as a prospective buyer I have to say I'm in agreement with not wanting more than 1 acre. LOL. I would probably be one of those people not interested in paying more taxes on more land and any upkeep. But I can definitely see in your case of the exact neighborhood with older versus newer home and size of lot being the difference.

Taxes aren't more for more land, they are more based on the total appraisal for your property and house together.

As I said, it is a certain buyer who wants the land.....we are well aware of that.

[greenskeeper]

Watch the movie "Funny Farm" (1988) for helpful home selling tips!