I always ask my first-time home buyers if they would consider buying a halfplex, townhome or condo. Many buyers prefer single family homes, but sometimes a planned unit development can fit the bill and be less expensive to purchase. Especially if that halfplex, townhome or condo comes with a yard.
Much depends on how the layout is set up. Generally, the units are attached by a common wall. If that wall is part of the garage, you may never hear or see your neighbors. Some attached housing complexes belong to a homeowner's association and some do not. For example, I have a listing at 420 8th Street in downtown Sacramento that is a halfplex, and there is no homeowner's association fee to pay. It's listed at $329,000. What can you buy in the downtown area of Sacramento for $329,000 that is a three-bedroom, two-bath home?
My new listing in the Pocket is a halfplex, and this home does belong to an HOA. However, it's affordably priced at $150,000 as a short sale. The homeowner's association fee is about $250 a month, but after the new road is paved, the buzz about the community is that fee may go down.
This is a three-bedroom, two-bath home tucked away on a cul-de-sac in the Sagewood subdivision. It has a concrete tile roof, built in 1985, a big front yard and a very pretty patio in back with 3 decks. It's just like living in a single-family home for half the price. The living room, kitchen and master suite feature soaring ceilings. There is a fireplace in the living room. An added benefit is the beautiful parquet wood and tile flooring throughout, which is great if you have pets.
The homeowner's association has a pool; it pays for roof and exterior maintenance, too. Come check it out. This will go into MLS today.
1048 Johnfer Way, Sacramento, CA 95831 is offered exclusively by Lyon Real Estate as a short sale at $150,000.
Photos: Elizabeth Weintraub
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Elizabeth Weintraub is an author, home buying columnist for The New York Times-owned About.com, a Land Park resident, and a Land Park real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown and East Sacramento. Weintraub is also a Sacramento Short Sale agent who lists and successfully sells short sales throughout Sacramento. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put 35 years of real estate experience to work for you. DRE License # 00697006.
The Short Sale Savior, by Elizabeth Weintraub, available through bookstores everywhere and at Amazon.com.
Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.
The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of Lyon Real Estate.
Halfplex? Is that what you flatlanders call it? LOL Looks great, Elizabeth, good luck with that short sale.
Elizabeth: Having been raised in one of these types of dwellings, I can assure you, they are a great fit for the right family.
I have never heard the term half plex. Sounds like our zero lot lines. Looks like a nice property.
Elizabeth - We have some of these here in LA & Ventura counties too and they are a great starter home for small families like a couple or single parent families. I have a client that is a single mom who is seriously considering one of these here in Simi Valley. For her and her daughter it is better than a condo but not as expensive as an SFR.
That is a good price. I am not crazy about the HOA dues, but having access to a pool is nice.
Thank you for sharing Elizabeth. There are great advantages to owning a half-plex other than the HOA dues. Your information on About.com on Homeowners Association is really helpful to buyers.
I think buyers also feel a little more secure when they are living in a building attached to a neighbor's unit, especially first time buyers and women.
You can hardly tell that I shot those photos during a torrential downpour.