In today's housing market, it is not uncommon for aspiring homebuyers to be priced out of buying in coveted neighborhoods. Experts weigh in on how to find a more affordable, "twin" neighborhood.
Miami real estate agent Jeff Corriolan advises taking advantage of community and home features that one does not value in looking for a bargain community. If the downtown is far away, but a buyer works from home or likes a long commute, the distance may not be a drawback. "By making a list of features you don't want, you can maximize the bang for your buck by choosing areas whose 'unattractive'features aren't actually a negative for you," writes Audrey Ference for Realtor.com.
The first step in finding an affordable neighborhood you'll love, according to Dillar Schwartz, a real estate agent in Austin, TX, is to "re-evaluate your must-haves versus your wants." Pare down your must-have list so that you can be a little more flexible with the rest. Find the things that you absolutely can't compromise on: a certain school district, for example, or an acceptable commute time. Once you have a few things that are true must-haves, you can rule out any neighborhood that doesn't meet those criteria.
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