Man, so frustrating browsing homes in my area!

[red92s]

I'm recently unemployed (October 2009) and currently living with family for next to nothing. The job search is progressing, and has not been totally fruitless, which is encouraging. I'd probably have accepted something by now if I was chasing a paycheck, but I'm really chasing an opportunity. I figure while I have the opportunity to seek a good fit out while collecting unemployment and living nearly expense free, I might as well find something I'm genuinely interested in for things other than direct deposit.

Anyways, I'm also casually browsing homes in the area, and have recently stumbled upon some real gems at prices that would put them well within reach if I had a verifiable income to get a loan approval.


This little guy has enough room for now, room to grow if/when needed down the line, is in an area I'm familiar and comfortable in, and is a couple blocks from my brothers new house. I could put down about $25k tomorrow and end up with a monthly payment under $1k, which would be very comfortable at what I expect my next job will pay. I just need the job first!!

Argh. Maybe I should just quit "casually browsing" until I get the job thing sorted out. I suppose similar deals will continue to pop up here and there for the foreseeable future . . . it's just way to easy to picture yourself in one of these charming little intown cottages!

[am_vanquish]

Haha! DW & I live in ATL & we've been down to Kirkwood at least two times a month for the past 3-4 months "casually browsing" homes down there. The prices down there are definitely tempting, but for us it's just too far from everything else (she's in nursing school at Kennesaw, I work in Buckhead). There's some pretty good deals up in Roswell/Alpharetta also. For us, we're just not sure we want to stay in ATL long-term.

For your situation, I've got 2 questions (both non-financial):
1. Didn't you move back to ATL last fall? Not sure where you were before, but I thought it was some up in the NE. If so, what made you leave the first time - and what's changed so that now you're tying yourself down with a house?
2. I can't imagine that you'll be finding any kind of long-term "opportunity" job in that part of town - which would leave you with a heck of a commute. Are you okay with the commute to work - and the rest of ATL?

[red92s]

For your situation, I've got 2 questions (both non-financial):
1. Didn't you move back to ATL last fall? Not sure where you were before, but I thought it was some up in the NE. If so, what made you leave the first time - and what's changed so that now you're tying yourself down with a house?
2. I can't imagine that you'll be finding any kind of long-term "opportunity" job in that part of town - which would leave you with a heck of a commute. Are you okay with the commute to work - and the rest of ATL?

1. Yep. I was living and working in NE, but was laid off in October. I went up there for a job, as I was in a rotational program where you bounce around the company for two years. I liked what I did up there, but never really "settled in" since I spent so much time traveling for work. I probably would have tried to move back in spring of 2010 anyways. I grew up in Atlanta, went to school in Atlanta, most of my family and friends are in Atlanta. Long term I could see myself being much happier here outside of work than most other places.

2. Before moving to NE I was living in Cabbagetown and commuting to Sandy Springs for work. I've never had a commute less than 30 minutes, for any job, in any state.

I grew up in Decatur. I've lived all over midtown and east Atlanta. I fully expect that any seriously attractive career opportunities will require a commute to somewhere outside the perimeter. Having grown up inside the perimeter, I'm not really sure I'd be real comfortable moving out to the burbs and buying a light red brick house in a subdivision.

[daviddane]

Do not be so frustrated as it happens in life i am sure that there will be noting to worry about it as many people would have gone trough it and they will surely come out also.