The Public Opinion Soapbox

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3060 Location: Chambersburg

We looked at a house on Catherine. It was a nice size and the owner was in the middle of remodeling the place himself. We liked the house and we thought the area was decent enough (families taking walks etc.) Then we talked to one of the people who worked at our apartment building who lived in Chambersburg and he said it was bad area. There are some nice houses, but if you buy on that street you're taking the chance that the area will get better and not worse.

I like the idea of yard size myself, but I don't know if a half acre is worth cramped conditions.

Edited to add: Drove up and down Catherine St. to be sure, I turned off Main St. per your directions and saw no sale signs (they may have been blocked by cars) but, as Ret-Fed has already stated, it does not look that great and without much potential.

Have you considered looking a little above your range and trying to haggle down? We have a three bed, two full bath on 1/3 acre with off street parking and we paid within your range. True, it was right before the housing bubble really took off, but I don't think some of these houses should be able to command their prices--maybe the owners are just being hopeful.
If all else fails, I would look in the surrounding areas and stick to areas far from cities to get the most for your money. I would rather send my son to a "rural" school and supplement his education than a crime-ridden one.
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Nevermind.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3060 Location: Chambersburg

I know you have a realtor, but I put a max price of $120K with 2 bedrooms and at least 1 bathroom detached home in as search criteria and got back 13 properties.

Here is the search result page:

http://www.homesdatabase.com/cgi-bin/aa.fcgi?+MzAyYjE1NzhlZmI1ZTdmMDVlOWQ1NThlNDM1ZTY4NWISlI0jaK45u%2fJdbTxZKq3yLvQ5IvK31BSS%2fCmcDvIS4X6yZMLRUXP2Hbk%3d

This is a cute one and, if I'm not mistaken, it is on a nice street.
http://www.homesdatabase.com/cgi-bin/aa.fcgi?+MDg4NTk0NjBlZWQwZjM5MzI5ZTNlY2NmNjBiZmE2NmESlI0iZbI78etCOGgOL6n6LfRrVte4iAPGtSWKRuwSrHusNpaFSjKwGPGAqGBpI0qLd7wU
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Nevermind.

Amatrine · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 25

That blue house on St Catherine is the one I was talking about.

Yeah those are pretty much the ones the realtor sent me.

Ama

Me!!!!!!!! · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 305

Avoid that Catherine Street one if possible!

Not a good area!

lynnosler · Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 15 Location: Chambersburg, PA

I have lived in this area my whole life, exciting huh? But in that time, I have lived everywhere here. North, South, East, West, pick one, I been there. The BEST area, which is the one I live in now, is North by the college. Quiet, not alot goes on here. You don't see cops much because they don't need to come here. Catherine Street wasn't a bad area, depending on which end.

Curious · Joined: 14 Nov 2007 Posts: 35

If you are concerned about snow removal, I would say DO NOT buy a house in the boro with on-street parking.....what a nightmare.
There are a lot of nice places on the outskirts of town.
The school district is currently consolidating the elementary schools in the district, getting rid of the wonderful 'neighborhood schools" in favor of large warehousing for the elementary schoolers. Unforunately, that is the case in all the local school districts. Crying or Very sad

I hope you can find something that suits your needs!!
As you know, we are not averse to driving through neighborhoods to check them out for you! Rolling Eyes

Amatrine · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 25

Thanks:)