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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Hmmmm...which one would I choose?

Let's compare two recent Eichler listings. First, here's one in Oakland, California, for $765,000. Built in 1965, the home has 2121 sf...5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It boasts original lighting and working radiant heat. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.








Then there's this home, located in San Rafael, California, approximate 20 miles away. Built in 1962, the home has 1942 square feet, smaller than the first home but, like the other home, has 5 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is listed at $775,000 ($10K more than the first home.) Did I mention that it's cash only? The listing says, "...anyone looking to get a loan on this need not apply. Major fixer with roof, electrical, water intrusion issues etc. Basically it should be brought down to the studs."






Wow, that's extremely interesting! It's just a guess, since I'm a Texan and am not familiar with the two cities, but I'd say "Location, location, location" is strongly at play here.

6 comments:

  1. Strange? Is California more desirable location? Either way I'm moving into the first one, cocktail party for one and all! x

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    1. The two towns in California (near San Francisco) are about 20 miles apart--geographically very close--but their average household incomes and median home costs are vastly different, as are their crime rates. San Rafael has a crime rate of 248.2 (US average = 301.1), while Oakland has a crime rate of 1018.7, which I'm assuming accounts for the huge difference in what you get for roughly the same amount of money.

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  2. Until I read your comment to Pippa I was going to say the first one hands down, but Oakland sounds a bit dodgy. I think it's important to feel safe and comfortable in the town you live in as well as having the nicest home you can afford. I would probably pass on both of them - even though the first one looks gorgeous and I can see how good the second one could be too. Location is important to us. We could've had a much fancier house (and cheaper) if we'd chosen to live elsewhere, but horses for courses, right?! That lime green door looks awesome.

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    1. I have to live in an area where I feel safe too. When I was young and didn't have kids, I never gave that a thought, but as soon as my daughter was born, all that changed. We feel very safe in this neighborhood, and even though we looked and looked for a larger house, the neighborhoods didn't compare, so in the end, my daughter and SIL decided to buy my house and stay put...with me in the back yard.

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  3. Location, Location, Location...there is a gorgeous Avriel Shull house for sale here in Indy, great price high crime. :-(

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    1. There are a lot of beautiful mid-century homes in high crime areas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area too. We've nixed several for that reason.

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