1.13.2006

Yeah, but what's it REALLY worth?

There's a guy at our church whose wife is a real estate agent. My dad overheard someone asking him the other night where his wife was and he said, "Probably out selling a $200,000 house for $700,000."

I've been checking out homes for sale in my area lately. And laughing. Because, you've got to be kidding me! There's not even a decent CONDO in this area, let alone a house, for less than half a million. Here's an example: a home for sale, 2 bed, 2 bath, 1200 square feet: $579,000. That's the size of our apartment. And my calculator tells me that it would be a monthly payment of $3200. If we put $60,000 down. How are we ever supposed to buy a house? Our apartment complex is full of doctors and lawyers (Nathan being one of them). If they can't afford houses, who can? Who are these people that are buying the houses in Covington Heights? The houses I've priced up there are going for 2.2 million. It's all location. The houses I see here selling for $600,000 would sell in Oregon for $125,000 or less. And they'd have a 5 acre lot, not 3,000 square feet. Something's gotta give around here soon, right? My friend's dad just bought 35 acres with a big house and a lake in Alabama. For $300,000. I think we're gonna pack up and move there.

The Yorba Linda city council has plans (that are being violently opposed) to tear down Old Town and build a "New Old Town." Part of their plan includes putting in some low income housing. With any luck, we'll qualify!

8 comments:

Clint said...

That's one reason I'll never move back to CA. Housing is insane. Besides, Colorado is just so much nicer.

Wendy said...

I just like to tell myself that the people who own those houses are in debt past their eyeballs, and are probably in a worse spot than we are. I don't know if it's true, but if you watch those financial Oprah show's or take a Crown Ministry class that's what they tell you. Not that it makes me feel any better about not owning a home...

Kristy said...

Okay, Clint, I admit that Colorado is beautiful. Show me an ocean there and I'll consider it...

Yeah, I think you're right about the being in debt, Wendy. I honestly don't know how else they would do it. We keep saying we just need to win the lottery, and then we go, "Oh yeah, I guess that means we should play..." For now, we entered that contest at HGTV.com to win that awesome house. Then if we win we can sell it and with the proceeds buy a one bedroom cardboard box in Corona del Mar.

Barbara said...

Would it make you feel better to look at housing prices where I live? The Bay area is FAR worse. That really doesn't help, does it. Oh well.

Kristy said...

Nope, doesn't really help. Thanks for trying, though! I would consider giving my left arm and all my future children to be able to afford to live in Monterey, though...

Clint said...

Is an ocean really worth $600,000? Besides, we have way better mountains. And less traffic.

Kristy said...

I went to Point Loma yesterday (which, incidentally, Clint, reminded me of that trip we took down there to see Konnie that one time), and yes, the ocean is worth that much. And more.

Clint said...

Pt. Loma shouldn't count. Most places out there don't look that way. Besides, housing there is even more outrageously expensive.

Personally, I'll stick with Colorado.

That trip was awesome. That was right after I'd met Jess. Good times.