Here’s something of a question/poll for the readers out there.
If you’re looking for an affordable urban residence in a central Fort Worth neighborhood (and by “affordable” I’m talking around $150k or below), what sort of thing would you be looking for? This is assuming that whatever you wanted within that price target could materialize before you. Something with an open loft-like floorplan? Separate rooms? Would one bedroom do it for you? Two? How about baths - one, one and a half, two (and with a shower only, or do you want a tub as well)? One floor? Two? Given the idea of living more compactly and greenly, what sort of priorities like these come to mind?
Since my husband and I are looking to start a family, if we WERE able to afford an urban residence, it’d have to be one with at least two bedrooms, preferably three…but the bedrooms would not need to be much bigger than just sleeping spaces with room enough for a wardrobe or dresser rather than walk-in closets (such a waste of space for a minimalist). Two bathrooms might be preferrable than one when there are small children, but at the very least having an extra WC for “emergencies” would be handy…even if the bathroom with tub had to be shared by all. Other than that, an open plan for the rest of our living would be ideal. Plenty of windows and maybe a porch or balcony would be nice. A place for container growing and the option of solar panels would be awesome extras.
Mostly cost, is my biggest concern. Alot of the new development starts at 200K, that is out of my price range for a less than 5 year recent college graduate. When it comes to houses, foundations are a concern, and the walls and structures. But basics 2 to 3 bedroom, with 2 bathrooms.
I would have to echo Michael’s concerns. I would prefer a residence with low overhead; no or low HOA fees, low utility bills as a result of smart design.
I am also kind of a minimalist, and would prefer a condo or home with open spaces and lots of cabinets and shelving to store stuff.
To me, something like this would be ideal: http://www.freegreen.com/Free-House-Plan-Overview/8/Two-Bedroom-With-Garage.aspx
2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths. At least one closed bedroom and I would be okay with the rest of it being open/loft-like. A tub wouldn’t be necessary for my family…only a shower. One or two floors wouldn’t matter to me. I wouldn’t need a small yard, but a community green area or small dog area would be perfect. As others have said, low or no HOA costs would be ideal.
I would pay $150k for that type of urban residence.
To answer your question: 2 bedroom, 1.5-2 bath, a room/space that could be used as an office area, townhome, condo or house. Energy efficient. Would love to have a porch patio area to sit out on and have a beer. Plus, my needs require accessibility options.
As a 5 year college grad, my biggest gripe with all these new projects is that they’re priced towards retirees, couples with double incomes (young or no kids) or people that can float $200k+ for 1200 sq. feet. Granted FW isn’t NYC (and I’m oversimplifying), but there are different enough parts of town that one can get a place and live.
Kevin — I think less important that “what” is WHERE people are willing to live. There are a lot of neighborhoods in FW, IN the urban core, with land to build on and/or inexpensive houses available. (I’m thinking specifically north of Magnolia, east of Hemphill, south of Berry, the North Side, etc.)
But would the folks who’ve commented on this post be willing to live there? (For that matter, would you or I?)
I have to agree with most of what Johnny says, 2 bedrooms 1.5 bath. I would have no preference on single or bi-level options. For me Green issues are of a plus, I would be more apt to choose a residence which utilizes either solar water heating or geothermal exchange in heating and cooling the building. Regardless of environmental opinions I see the economic savings of going green especially enticing. Go Green! Go Urban! Go Fort Worth!
3/2, open living/kitchen, closed bedrooms. Two showers min, w/ kids one bath. One floor, well insulated walls/attic. 10′ ceilings, nothing higher. Old growth trees, easy to maintain lot.
And to answer Pete: yes, we are willing to live here. To answer the others: with regards to affordable cost/low or no HOA/low utilities/plus great neighbors — we’ve already found this and more here in Riverside.
It’s not your perfect cookie-cutter neighborhood outside of the loop, but we love it.
I agree with Pete…I love Fort Worth but my husband and I have recently started our home search and with almost every neighborhood you bring up within Fort Worth it is either a risk or 250+. Almost the entire I 35 corridor seems to be considered a no…
Every time we bring the home search up people always ask if we have looked at Benbrook or Aledo for housing options…it is tempting!!
Truly I love my backyard too much to probably live in a true urban setting which is why I do like the thought of living in the Magnolia area, with many urban possibilities but still homes nearby.
To finally answer your question, we would want three bedrooms (or two and a well defined office space) and at least two baths…something that would certainly attract me to a development is GREEN options (as a proud Prius driver!). I would prefer it not be a loft because with a lot of design materials popular now (especially cement floors) there isn’t a lot of sound absorption and adding a open loft or tall ceilings make it very loud.
Certainly something to think about…thanks!
Everybody seems to want 2 bathrooms for $150K. We wanted that too, but found a home we loved with only 1 bathroom. For just the two of us, it has been no problem at all. I even think we could manage fine with one child. Two kids, and I think we’d probably start wanting a second bathroom, but to be in the central city I’d be expecting to pay more than $150K.
We were fortunate enough to find a 2/1 house in a safe neighborhood in the Cultural District for well-under $150k.
Still, I’d much rather live in a loft/condo to avoid building maintenance and yard work. I think the fewer hassles would outweigh the extra costs.
I’d be fine with another 2/1, walled bedrooms, and an open living/dining/kitchen. One floor. Preferably a balcony/patio of some sort. Tub or shower makes no difference to me.
I think we could make this setup work - even with 1 kid in tow.
The biggest concern with me would be location. I’d like a place where I could quickly catch my bus route to work (or in the future, hopefully train/streetcar). It’d also be nice to be within walking distance of a grocery/convenience store, dry cleaners, etc.
Can you still get a pool/gym at $150k? Not a deal-breaker - but it’d be nice :)
I’d like something with an open/loft layout with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. Bathtub is not necessary, just a shower. Prefer not to have a yard, balcony would be nice but not required. I prefer concrete or tile floors (or terazzo), exposed ducts. Walking distance from grocery store and other basic needs would be preferable (actually, required). I’d also be willing to live in a slightly less desirable area like Pete mentioned, just as long as it’s near the urban core and not in the burbs. Sustainable water/energy would be a plus. Oh, and double-hung windows, so I can open them without worrying about my cats jumping out. If it was in a rehabilitated historic building that would really rock my socks.
I’m very interested in well designed, affordable, and eco-friendly pre-fab homes. It would be great to have a neighborhood full of them close to downtown Fort Worth. Below is link to one (of many budding) architects who are taking this concept on…
http://weehouse.com/flash/SFWA_index.html#/2008/
Thanks everybody for the responses thus far. I’ll write a bit more later on.