First Time Home Buyer? (Nolensville, Charlotte: crime, mortgage broker, broker)

[crazy4ou]

I just moved to Nashville about six weeks ago from out of state. I work on West End right by Vanderbilt. I am looking to buy my first house in the next few months and not sure where to look.

I would like to live within a 30 minute drive to work. I am looking for a small house for under $90,000. I am in my late twenties, single, and no kids. The biggest issue for me is the area. I want to live in a safe area with little crime. Most of the areas around town are going to be out of my price range. Where would those of you who have lived in the Nashville area suggest looking?

[denawilliams]

That is a difficult price tag to work with, but you can try LaVergne in a neighborhood like Lake Forest subdivision, for example. There will be some fixer uppers in the $90s.

[Marilyn Bell]

How much work would you be willing, prepared and able to do? This can widen your options if you're willing to put some elbow grease in. Also, would you be open to a duplex (zero lot line) or townhome? This can expand your options as well. Also, how long would you plan on keeping your home? Some areas in that price point are still declining so if you weren't planning to stay in the same home for a while, those areas should be ruled out.

You should try looking around the Nolensville Rd/Woodbine area. It's centrally located, and there's a lot to do there. There are also homes in your price range in several parts of Antioch, but Antioch is large and there are good and bad areas. You can check out the crime in the areas at http://pdmap2.police.nashville.org

Have you talked to a mortgage broker or lender? If you sit down with someone to really see how the payments would look in different price ranges you may see that you can up your budget a little to widen your pool even further. If you pushed your budget up a little further you may be able to find something around Charlotte Park which is growing and close to Vanderbilt.

It's completely possible to buy something within 30 minutes from Nashville for $90,000 or less but you'll have to really prioritize and figure out what tradeoffs you'd be prepared to make. Look at listings online, check the crime map and talk to someone about a mortgage.

[gbone]

I think the OP may have already bought their house since this post was almost three years ago.

[Marilyn Bell]

Doh!!! That's what I get for trying to sneak this in while on the phone.