Alli dreamt that I had a shingled house, and it does seem fitting- one block from the water and the pioneer village.
I’m having a difficult time getting real estate news and information about this region. This is, I believe, because of the slow ugly death of local newspapers.
For Brooklyn there is brownstoner a site that aggregates news articles, new store and restaurant reviews, other blogs’ postings, statistics, renovation stories and real estate spin into one easy to navigate site. It is from a prodevelopment, progentrification point of view and is a for-profit venture, but it made it relatively easy to stay on top of the news for the borough. I have been able to find nothing like it for the Metro Boston Region. The Globe’s coverage is just sad and confusing. The real estate site Redfin has a lot of statistics, but they are trying to sell and they won’t service houses that cost less than $175K, so who can trust their market news?
Massachusetts does have a comprehensive registry of deeds site- everything is online! I just determined my landlords paid $480K in 2005 for my building. New Yorkers, yes that is a six unit apartment building two blocks from the train, zoned commercial.
So- I can find out and extrapolate. This little shingled house changed hands in 2002 for $275K and they are now asking $200K and not getting it. I am not a financial journalist- but this is not something that will easily right itself, yes? As a selfish young person, I see opportunity for me- maybe it will be possible to own a home on my librarian’s salary- but what repercussions are there, socially, ethically etc.? Will the artisan bakery stay open???
I can’t sit by here idly and let you exploit the housing market for personal gain.
I can’t afford not to!
I want to help you refurbish any heap or treasure that you buy. The housing credit was extended no? Buy up, buttercup!!
It will take awhile to right itself, yes, but it shouldn’t wrong itself much more (i.e. you’re probably not going to end up like the poor guy losing 75K on his investment). And it’s not your fault that somebody is losing money on their house- they WANT to sell, so you’re not hurting them by buying. And neighborhoods are better when Emily are in them. Also, Alli, you’re most welcome at my heap anytime you are feeling like refurbishing!
Commitment = Terrifying!!!! But I know you girls have my back so that makes every decision easier.
I’m glad Bethany already won her cookies (hi!)