I may enter the townhouse market soon and was hoping some of you had recent experiences doing the same.

Good realty companies?
Experience in purchasing directly from owners?
Good search websites?
Things to look for in a townhome?
Townhomes/areas to avoid?
Other?

My specific preferences may not matter to this, but they are:

I am looking for a place in South to Northwest Raleigh or South to Northeast Cary (essentially something with a short drive to the RBC center)... such as:

RBC Center area
Lake Johnson area
Tryon Rd
Duraleigh Rd
Blueridge Rd
Edwards Mill Rd
Cary Parkway
Hwy 64/US 1 area
And other locations within reasonable proximity.

Features:

3 bed / 2 bath (or 2 bed plus an extra room such as an office/den/etc, in addition to a living room)
Spacious floorplan
Recent Construction
Updated appliances
Black or stainless appliances preferred
Wired for cable/Internet
Ceiling fans and lights in living and bedrooms
Well lit
Spacious parking (including for visitors)
Garage is preferred
2+ story preferred
Hardwood floors preferred
Not looking for large complex style (apartment complex/building style)
<$150,000

Thanks

1/9/2011 3:16:02 PM

you might want to post your budget

there are numerous real estate threads and even some threads pertaining to just townhouses - surely you didn't search

1/9/2011 3:37:56 PM

I did search. They were old, probably had outdated information, and, for the most part, did not pertain to my questions (or maybe only addressed one). The older ones were more about where to buy a home. I'm not asking anyone to find me a place/home, but what companies are good for searching/purchasing, dealing with owners, and things to look for when buying one (red flags, structural/home/neighborhood/etc issues).

And many times in this section, old threads with a good amount of posts that are bumped are often overlooked/ignored/don't receive the same level of attention as a new thread. Omar, I've been here a while; I know when to bump a thread - I am certainly annoyed by duplicated threads, and only make a new thread (other than in Chit Chat) when I truly believe it needs to be made.

ADDITION FOR OP:

Looking to avoid student-heavy/traditional student areas (Kaplan, Hillsborough, etc.)

1/9/2011 3:45:40 PM

We live over by Lake Johnson and I love it. Theres quite a few townhomes in our neighborhood for sale. I own a place downtown and lived there for 5 years before moving in with my bf and I really like it over here.

Best of luck.

1/9/2011 4:28:54 PM

just curious, why townhouse? With the current market, I would think you will find a better deal buying a house.

1/9/2011 4:34:52 PM

^seriously. Maybe in a big city, but in Raleigh? Townhomes are rarely built well, have terrible resale history, and force you to do with HOA's and shitty renter neighbors who dont give a damn about your property or privacy.

1/9/2011 4:47:36 PM

^

1/9/2011 4:50:18 PM

^this

1/9/2011 4:50:36 PM

While I somewhat would prefer a house, several items have made me lean towards townhomes, to include:

- Short-term budget (what I can get for my money, in regards to age, size, etc.)
- Long-term budget (maintenance, utility costs)
- Location

I have looked at some houses, but none were in my price range for what I'm looking for (I know, I could forgo some things I want, but I'd rather not). I mean, if you've seen a house <$150,000 that was recently constructed, within my area of interest, and not in a bad area, then I'm surely open to looking at it, but I haven't seen one.

Quote :

"We live over by Lake Johnson and I love it. Theres quite a few townhomes in our neighborhood for sale. I own a place downtown and lived there for 5 years before moving in with my bf and I really like it over here. Best of luck."

Thanks - I live near there now and have driven through that area, but haven't stopped to look. I'll do that soon

1/9/2011 4:55:57 PM

I just moved into a townhouse off of tryon.

you can EASILY get here with your budget.

3 bed 2.5 bath and its not students. couples and older folks. really nice place.

I'll PM you about it.

1/9/2011 5:06:16 PM

^thanks

1/9/2011 5:23:00 PM

http://www.fmrealty.com/

I really liked this website.

1/10/2011 2:25:01 AM

They have a couple of townhomes for sale where I live in Morrisville. I live directly off Airport Blvd. on the NC 54 side of the interstate. It's called Hamlet in the Park. You might want to check that out.

1/10/2011 8:41:31 AM