Slide Show | July 2008

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Steve Lynch, Century 21

Even though property prices have been in decline since 2005, $250,000 can buy a lot more -- or a lot less -- depending on where in the U.S. you decide to look. So where can you maximize your real estate dollar? Live in luxury for less?

We went in search of housing values using our top ten best cities for 2008 as a guide. From California and Arkansas to North Carolina and Texas, we've highlighted turnkey properties in safe, appealing neighborhoods that you can move right in and call home.

The slide show begins with the navigation to your right.
MORE:
What Can You Buy for $500,000?
What Can You Buy for $750,000?
How Much Can You Buy for $1 Million?


By Cindy Schwalb & Amy Pollak

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Raleigh, North Carolina

Alice Ray, Re/Max Hometown

Price: $209,000
Square Feet: 1,944
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5

This three-level townhouse is less than ten miles from downtown Raleigh. It has a deck, vaulted ceilings in the master bedroom and comes with access to a community pool.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Raleigh, North Carolina

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Des Moines, Iowa

Burnett Realty, www.burnettrealty.net

Price: $234,000
Square Feet: 2,033
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2

This restored, well-maintained Victorian is located in Des Moines’ historic district and oldest neighborhood, Sherman Hill.

Built in 1882, this home has hardwood floors, stained glass and a front parlor with double French doors. Recent updates include a new roof, furnace, hot water heater and electrical wiring.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Des Moines, Iowa

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Boise, Idaho

John L. Scott (broker), www.shadowhillsboise.com

Price: $249,999
Square Feet: 1,585
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Special Feature: Energy Star Rating
Shadow Hills is a master-planned community of 38 homes near the Boise River. Monthly homeowner assn. fees of $50 provide for amenities such as wireless Internet access. The homes include wrap-around porches, private courtyards, built-in sprinkler systems, landscaping, granite counters, stainless steel appliances and a full Energy Star rating.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Boise, Idaho

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Derek and Marina Wagner, Keller Williams

Price: $255,500
Square Feet: 2,990
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5

This modern home has hardwood floors throughout, a wet bar and an outdoor stone fireplace on the front patio. Close to shopping, dining and entertainment. The area is home to Peterson Air Force Base and Schriever Air Force Base.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Austin, Texas

Bertina Schreiber & Jean Phillips, Moreland Properties

Price: $279,500
Square Feet: 2,677
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5

This home, set on a 1/4 of an acre, includes community amenities such as a pool, pond and tennis courts. The asking price was recently reduced.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Austin, Texas

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Houston, Texas

Steve Lynch, Century 21

Price: $279,900
Square Feet: 3,847
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5

With home prices at about half the national average, Houston is the place to find real estate values, along with a strong local economy. This expansive home on a cul-de-sac has a pool, upgraded kitchen and a three-car garage, Yes...for less than $300,000.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Houston, Texas

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Omaha, Nebraska

Real Estate Associates

Price: $279,500
Square Feet: 3,171
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3

Omaha's historic Midtown neighborhood is home to the city's most-famous resident, Warren Buffett.

This home is known as the Buchanan house. Built in 1910 by architect John McDonald, the home has original tile, stained glass and oak interior as well as a renovated second-story sleeping porch.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Omaha, Nebraska

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Sacramento County, California

John Nastro, Keller Williams

Price: $284,900
Square Feet: 2,081
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5

Sacramento County's second largest town, Elk Grove, is located about 15 miles south of Sacramento city. The area is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies.

This home comes with a fireplace, two-car garage and access to neighborhood lakes.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Sacramento County, California

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Melanie Norman, www.7hillsrealty.com

Price: $298,888
Square Feet: 2,002
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3

This home has only had three owners over the past 142 years and has been well-maintained. It once anchored a 40-acre parcel of farmland, which today is part of Fayetteville's dogwood tree-lined historic district. It has three porches, including a spacious screened porch, a large deck, landscaped gazebo, and a pool.

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Slide Show

What Can You Buy for Under $300,000?

Provo, Utah

Randy Smith, www.utah.luxuryhomes.com

Price: $298,900
Square Feet: 3,016
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5

Provo is between the Wasatch Mountain Range and Lake Utah, about 25 miles south of Salt Lake City. It offers large, new homes with breathtaking views -- like this one -- for less $300,000.

MORE:
What Can You Buy for $500,000?
What Can You Buy for $750,000?
How Much Can You Buy for $1 Million?

•  
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10
• 11
•  

Provo, Utah

Skip This Ad »