As you all know, we are trying to sell our home here in NJ …. asking $460,000 for about an 1,800 sq. ft. brick ranch.
So, we’re talking about our eventual next home, and decided we’d like to spend just $200,000.
Sooooo …. here is what you can get in each state for $200k or below. Of course, some states are huge, and some are tiny. As always, the primary factor with real estate prices are location, location, and location. So, in order to keep some level of consistency here, I decided to only search (Zillow) for homes in the CAPITAL of each state.
I generally searched for the prettiest house in terms of curb-appeal. Only detached houses (no condo’s, townhouses, etc.) I did not include any foreclosures or short sales.
Bottom line? In some states you get CRAP for $200k. And, in others, you get AMAZING deals. FWIW, my Top 3 favorite homes;
—- 1) Missouri, 2) North Carolina, 3) Mississippi. I also like the Montana home — for the view.
Here ya go ….
==============================================
Montgomery, ALABAMA ………. 3,238 sq ft ………. $200k
Juneau, ALASKA ………. 1,085 sq ft ………. $225k (There were no homes for sale at $200k or below. There were only 6 homes for sale in the $200-$250 range. This is the cheapest one.)
Phoenix, ARIZONA ………. 2,169 sq ft ………. $180k
Little Rock, ARKANSAS ………. 2,832 sq ft ………. $186k
Sacramento. CALIFORNIA ………. 922 sq ft ………. $200k
Denver, COLORADO ………. 722 sq ft ………. $200k (Denver only had two homes for sale at $200k. The other one was even uglier.)
Hartford, CONNECTICUT ………. 3,300 sq ft ………. $210,000
Dover, DELAWARE ……… 1,345 sq ft ………. $200k
Tallahassee, FLORIDA ………. 1,800 sq ft ……… $200k
Atlanta, GEORGIA ………. 2,446 sq ft ………. $249k (At $200k and below there were only condos, apartments, and foreclosures)
Honolulu, HAWAII ………. 1,684 sq ft ………. $325,000k (Cheapest home found. Everything else under $325k is an apartment or condo.)
Boise, IDAHO ………. 1,764 sq ft ………. $200k
Springfield, ILLINOIS ……….. 2,706 sq ft ………. $180k
Indianapolis, INDIANA ……….. 2,597 sq ft ………. $200k
Des Moines, IOWA ………. 2,206 sq ft ………. $195k
Topeka, KANSAS ………. 3,060 sq ft ………. $199k
Frankfort, KENTUCKY ………. 311 sq ft ………. Priceless (Bea Lever lives here …. with Billy)
Baton Rouge, LOUISIANA ……….. 1,915 sq ft ………. $195k
Augusta, MAINE ………. 3,595 sq ft ……….. $200k
Annapolis, MARYLAND ………. 1,224 sq ft ……… $175k (This is the only home for sale under $200k)
Boston, MASSACHUSETTS ………. 1,170 sq ft ……… $225k (Nothing under $200k. One of only two homes in Boston at 225k).
Lansing, MICHIGAN ………. 3,455 sq ft ………. $199k
Saint Paul, MINNESOTA ………. 2,768 sq ft ……… $200k
Jackson, MISSISSIPPI ……….. 2,983 sq ft ………. $200k
Jefferson City, MISSOURI ………. 3,384 sq ft ………. $190k
Helena, MONTANA ………. 1,372 sq ft ………. $200k
Lincoln, NEBRASKA ………. 1,535 sq ft ………. $194K
Carson City, NEVADA ………. 5 acres on the Carson River ……… $180k
Concord, NEW HAMPSHIRE ……….. 1,728 sq ft ………. $190k
Trenton, NEW JERSEY ……… 1,327 sq ft ………. $200k (Yes, this was a store, now turned into a home. Only in New Joisey!)
Santa Fe, NEW MEXICO ………. 1,600 sq ft ………. $195k
Albany, NEW YORK ………. 4,700 sq ft ………. $200k
Raleigh, NORTH CAROLINA ………. 1,880 sq ft ……….. $200k
Bismarck, NORTH DAKOTA ……….. 2,017 sq ft ……….. $200k
Columbus, OHIO ……….. 1,939 sq ft ………. $195k
Oklahoma City, OKLAHOMA ……….. 2,680 sq ft ………. $200k
Salem, OREGON ………. 1,551 sq ft ………. $200k
Harrisburg, PENNSYLVANIA ……….. 3,414 sq ft ………… $191k
Providence, RHODE ISLAND ………. 3,534 sq ft ………. $200k
Columbia, SOUTH CAROLINA ……….. 2,100 sq ft ……… $188k
Pierre, SOUTH DAKOTA ………. 1,944 sq ft ………. $186k (only 2 homes under $200k)
Nashville, TENNESSEE ……….. 1,088 sq ft ………. $200k (There are certainly better deals available. But, I chose this one because when I saw it my first reaction was … WTF??? The description is hilarious, probably written by a libtard fagboy —- “Uber-Cool modern new construction in emerging Buchanan Arts District! Efficient open floor plan on this detached HPR w/ 2 beds/1.5 baths. Exposed duct work. Sealed concrete floors. Quartz counters. Convenient to downtown! Owner related to agent.”)
Austin, TEXAS ………… 1,600 sq ft ……….. $199k
Salt Lake City, UTAH ………. 1,040 sq ft ……….. $200k
Montpelier, VERMONT ………. 1,192 sq ft ……….. $185k (only home available under $200k)
Richmond, VIRGINIA ………. 2,506 sq ft ………. $185k
Olympia, WASHINGTON ………. 1,040 sq ft ………. $183k
Charleston, WEST VIRGINIA ………. 2,700 sq ft ………. $189,000
Madison, WISCONSIN ……….. 1,472 sq ft ……… $190k
Cheyenne, WYOMING ………. 2,238 sq ft ……… $200k
This beautiful fixer upper went for $1.8 million in Palo Alto
[img
?w=640[/img]
This charming little cottage is yours for only $799,000 in SF
[img
[/img]
http://www.farmsandbarns.com/#!newipswichc/ybc1r
NH farm, 3 BR, with 2 barns, 6 acres, 1,650 of brook frontage, killer views, no income tax, no sales tax.
Live Free or Die, baby.
Stucky , you don”t have to go and show how Billy and I are living so “high on the hog” and how we have the biggest and best house in the county. We try to stay low profile about our extreme wealth because of the IRS. Thanks a lot.
IMO, you should pick a one-story home, without a sidewalk in front (city); with 1500 sq ft or less. Pick something that will be maintenance easy.
Just came back from a week in Austin TX – I love their one-story, light colored stone houses – only downside is that many are HOA’s and prices are higher than $200,000.
Good luck
Hardscrabble, that looks pretty nice. Can you scuba dive in the winter?
There was a fantastic blog from the 2003- 2008 time frame about really overpriced and derelict homes for sale. I think they (whoever they are) got it pulled down right before the Bear Stearns debacle and the big short that followed. Absolutely hysterical writing. I wish I could remember the name of it- ‘overpricedrealestate” or something like that. When it vanished it went away completely, couldn’t even find it on the wayback machine. These guys are pikers compared to that bubble.
“Can you scuba dive in the winter?”
Absolutely.
[img
[/img]
HSF I remember one out of Canada that was crack house or mansion that was pretty funny.
Bob.
The other day I did a quick search on local real estate and in the two adjacent towns in south-western New Hampshire I found 3 houses for sale in the $50,000 to $70,000 price range. Each town had only 20 to 30 properties listed of all types (homes, land, etc). Admittedly these were “fixer-uppers” but in the 20+ years I’ve been here I’ve rarely seen one house for sale in the under $100,000 range, must less 3 in two small towns. Here’s one: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10-Beasom-Rd-Lyndeborough-NH-03082/92866163_zpid/
I’m not sure exactly what this means, but for us property owners who are already underwater it doesn’t bode well.
I’m surprised that one in oregon is so cheap.
The Denver market is ridiculous to be sure. There is no supply. Our neighbors bought in Spring 2013 and sold this spring…they got 19 offers in 3 days, didn’t accept the highest and still came out over $50K ahead. And this is Parker, a nice, but fairly distant ‘burb.
Is that the Missouri Governor’s Mansion for 190K? Not bad.
Location, Location, Location !
Stucky, you can’t buy anything in NJ for 200K. Pack up the parental units and move south where you can live like a king on 200K.
NJ is cold and all you will do is shovel snow the rest of your life ( not that it is not cold here and snow). Deep south Stucky, that’s what you need.
I’d like to know what the property taxes are for some of those homes. Not too bad here in S. Utah. $1400yr for a 1750sq ft house on an acre with garage and out bldgs. $8000yr for my dad’s 2300sq ft home on 1/2 acre in S. Illinois. Can you say unfunded pension liabilities……….
You can get a lot better than that in Florida. Where I live 200k gets you a nice 2000-2300 foot house, and it isn’t near a crime infested city like Tallahassee. I’d get the fuck out of New Jersey before this shitshow comes unraveled anyway. I have a feeling your 460k house is going to be worth a good deal less 5 years from now, anyway.
Mr. Stucky,
Some of the homes you showed were lovely, spacious and decent prices.
IMHO, do not choose a home w/ neighbors 10-20″ away, in a city with only
a city “lot.” Rather choose a home that is rural. You want a flowing stream on it.
You want a sturdy home, brick if possible, and wood stoves in place. (you will
buy brand new stoves) You want a point well with the ability to hand pump the
water if power is lost, say in a bad storm. You must have a dry basement. Metal
roofs have advantages, but will severely hamper cell phone signals, etc,
Curb appeal?? Forget that!! You want a sort of hidden driveway, wooded on each
side to stall entry, and you can also put a gate across if you wish. Ideally, out buildings
are in place for garage and storage. You want to own your propane tank, or tanks for
1K volume. You will learn about those. Obviously you will have septic for waste…and
you will probably want to get a new one depending. Minimum 5 acres, ideally 20 or more.
Good luck!!
We bought a 27 X 27 115 yr old farmhouse. 3 floors, + service porch, addition (no basement)=
2747 sq.” Admittedly, it feels like 1500 sq.” due to the clunky farmhouse design. Price = $72K…
but “fail” current code for septic and well (pump in basement) took $8.5K off asking. So, after
replacing the septic at 4K (4 bedroom capacity) price = $67.5K. Rounding up…40K huge 4 car
garage, 10K fencing for dog and garden, 10K flooring (kitchen,laundry, bath, and addition)
5K big wood stove, and 10K replace all 3 porches, enlarged and one screened, 10K.
$172.5 rounded up. I love it. Town =725 pop. Township=?…we are in the township.
7.5 mi” off the highway. Drastic?? Very. We were symphony and Rep. theater and fancy
restaurant people. Now? There are plays and concerts at the high school one hour away.
There you go. Sometimes, we “get a bear” as the locals say.
Acres? We lose. 2 acres only. You must have a riding mower, 1/2 = wooded.
Suzanna
Sorry to be a bore, forgive pls., taxes <1K and we have a robust rapid stream.
It is rated trout something…I don't hang out there, but it sounds fantastic.
susanna- Stucky HAS to be near Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. He would be like a fish out of water in the country. Total city-dweller.
@susanna — pretty much agree with everything you posted.
@HF — absolutely LOVE that farm !!!
@Drud — this house was appraised at $585k before the housing market crashed. Not kidding. Should have sold then. Yes, when the market bursts again, we’ll be shit out of luck … one of the reasons we want to sell NOW.
@Bea — I think your house could use a coat of paint. Nothing else, though.
Nice post Stucky very interesting!!
Bea
Fuck Whole (paycheck needed) Foods.
You’re ABSOLUTELY right about Trader Joe’s. Also, a Barnes & Noble MUST be within a half hour drive!!
I’LL take the Kentucky place. Loooooove it. Seriously.
@Stucky
I thought you sold your place.
@Stucky
You should’ve had one of my tours done on your place.
Wip
We DID have it sold. The buyers even put down a $25k deposit and paid $500 for an inspection. Then the dad took a look. (I think he gifted the down payment.) He didn’t like it. And that ended that.
You’re not shitting about the prices in Denver. The SO is in negotiations about taking a job transfer to Grand Junction. Not sure how that’s going to work. I can’t seem to get a job here-how that’s going to work in a town of 100K with one mall is beyond me. But it might be good to GTFO of this ‘sanctuary city’ now, we’ll see.
My guess on property tax in Springfield, ILis about 3500/yr. Whatever you do don’t move to Chicago South. Missouri? There are a lot better places than Jeff City. Especially if you are retired.
Stucky, if you REALLY need to sell your house, don’t forget the St. Joseph trick. Just head to your nearest bead-squeezer store, buy a St. Joseph, flip that baby head-first into a hole you’ve dug in the front yard, then bury that sucker. I’ll betcha you’ll have an acceptable offer within 2 weeks. Try it or you’re a pussy.
Stucky ??? Billy DID paint the house, why do you think it has all that charm and appeal? Ask WIP, he loves it.
This shows where a young couple can get a decent start in life, and where they should avoid.
Stucky ,why buy a another house ? Why not rent for a while ? Just asking.
If or when we have an economic collapse I thought we were all going to crash HSF farm. I remember him saying he had the room with a guest house.
Stucky,
You do not need Trader Joe’s or Barnes and Noble Corp.
Go rural. At least buy some good land that you can park a trailer on.
Mom’s house was $650K. after downturn $350 sold it, (tax almost 13K)
My house was…oh who cares
Stayed at my husbands rental flat last week. Near the airport and a train.
Loud noise around the clock. Cars everywhere. Did sleep but barely…hmmm
Finally back home. 3.5h drive. Picked up my animals. Guess what? No noise,
and gradually my nerves unfrayed. Started a fire. Made soup. Surprising how
one loses the desire for hustle and bustle in a hurry. The quiet is addicting.
suzanna
I am always more relaxed when I am at my country home. If you are within a hour to shopping, that is fine too, Stucky would adjust.
HSF,
What a beautiful property!! Thanks
My Mr. grew up in Medway MA. 18 acres. Next door to a
large working farm…he loved it.
WTF ? 460K is way too much fucking money you greedy bastard. Everyone always thinks they are selling the Taj MaHall when they are setting the asking price. In 2009 on Cape Cod you could buy the average Cape style or ranch style home for around 150 K. By 2005 these houses were being flippeqd for a half million. Neddles to say that even today, when I visit the Cape there are still more fore sale signs than I have ever seen before the year 2007. Good luck selling g your shit box for such an outrageous price. If you were smart, you’d wait a couple of years and then buy the house of your dreams for a plastic roll of Canadian 1 OZ gold MAPLE LEAFS.
“The SO is in negotiations about taking a job transfer to Grand Junction. Not sure how that’s going to work. I can’t seem to get a job here-how that’s going to work in a town of 100K with one mall is beyond me.”
—-KaD
Go to Grand Junction. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
Thanks SSS
Stucky
You gave ZERO information on why you want to sell and what you and Mrs. Freud have planned if you do. Fucked up post. Here’s some advice based on the supposition that your next home will be your retirement home.
Keep the next home at 2,000 square feet or less, single story, minimal steps, and minimal home and property care. Make sure the entire home is usable as you both get older. Pay cash from the check you get from the sale of your current home. Do not violate this advice, or you will regret it.
I know the Carson City/Reno NV area and consider it an ideal place to live. Especially compared to S Cal where I am now and the East Coast. NY/ NJ- good God how anyone could spend there life there is mind boggling. Thanks for this post. Most of us spend our lives “nose to the grindstone” and fail to look around and see what is out there lifestyle wise.
13 acres, 1/2 wooded and rest in pasture
House built in 2002 @1700 sq ft 3/2 with big front and rear porches
Pond little over an acre, deep well and septic
30 x 40 steel pole barn, fully fenced/cross fenced
Sits 1/4 mile back off a county road to narrow to stripe. Nearest neighbor is 1.5 crow flying miles
Visible only from the air
100k cash deal in NW Tennessee
Heaven
“You gave ZERO information on why you want to sell and what you and Mrs. Freud have planned if you do. Fucked up post.” ———– SSS
That because I’ve said “why” several times already. 1) Property taxes are murderous. 2) Adjustable Rate Mortgage. 3) I believe the housing market bubble will bust again, and we don’t want another $100k hit, like last time.
We will rent.
When my parents pass to the Great Beyond we will move …. probably to a Southern state.
“WTF ? 460K is way too much fucking money you greedy bastard.” ———- skinbag
It’s all relative. There are comparable homes in the immediate area for $25k less, and some for $25k more. We picked the middle ground.
.
.
“Good luck selling your shit box …”
It’s actually a lovely home. We get tons of compliments from all who visit.
Good luck, Stuck. You posted photos and your house is very nice. Compliments are great, and well deserved. but in the end moolah is better.
You cannot get anything but a hovel in a country town for $200k in Oz. there is a huge housing bubble. The one thing legimately supporting it is the extreme cost of building new – it costs $350k to build a modest new house, not counting land, in Australia.
@Stucky – I’m still in MO because the cost of living is insanely low as long as you have a technical job.
We are staying in our current “starter” home until we have two kids, at which point we might consider upgrading to a larger home….but our cozy home is kind of growing on me. I have a good paying, technical job, and live in a very low income area so my dollar stretches to the moon and back.
There are worst places to live than Missouri.
The Governor’s Mansion in Jefferson City MO is actually much much more attractive than this large house pictured here. The Mansion is a Thomas Barnett-designed beauty. The Barnett father and his architect sons designed two generations of lovely mansions, mostly in St Louis.
Many great looking houses here that you couldn’t touch in my middling Chicago neighborhood for less than $600K, but others (like the ones in CA) that the city would paint a big red X on.
The house is Jacksonville, MS, is a beauty, as are many of the others in Southern places.
You can pretty well infer local incomes and the availability of breadwinner jobs from the prices for middle-class type houses in the area.
I chose to live far, far away. The cost of living and the crime rate is very low.
$ (US) 80,000 can get you something like this.
http://www.lannarealty.com/new-3br-on-110-tw-587.html
or rent a new, furnished house for $650 a month.
http://www.lannarealty.com/new-fully-furnished-rental-919.html
Leobeer-They aren’t much for bathtubs over there are they? Still very interesting to see the listings.
That steep climb to the front door in the Arkansas place would certainly prevent solicitors.