Need advice buying in Springfield

luvjax · February 15, 2011, 10:57:22 AM

I moved from Eagle Harbor to Riverside after being talked out of buying in Springfield. However, my heart still yearns for the kind of community in Springfield. Are there particular streets that have friendly neighbors? I love entertaining friends and neighbors with planned and impromptu parties. Any suggestions for where I should look?

avs · February 15, 2011, 11:05:38 AM

Hey luvjax, I am a Realtor specializing in Springfield. I would suggest looking for the house you love - there are great neighbors all over Springfield now. I would say in the old days it was more block by block. And don't just look for blocks with renovated houses - I have one of the only renovated houses on my blocks but I have great neighbors, you can never tell. The neighborhood in general is great and if you start socializing in Springfield you will meet people who live all over the neighborhood. Find the house you love and the rest will fall into place.

letters and numbers · February 15, 2011, 11:21:03 AM

Oh yeah that awesome i live in riverside and will buy in the springfield neighborhood too soon i think. the www.myspringfield.org website is great and has much helpful information and photos. they have realtor information and a bunch of other things too you know maybe we ll be neighbors!

avs · February 15, 2011, 12:17:41 PM

haha both of your enthusiasms are exactly the kind of people that move to Springfield! that is great! yes, def check out the springfield forum at www.myspringfield.org

iloveionia · February 15, 2011, 02:42:21 PM

There are lots of social and community activities and events to get involved in in Springfield. Jump into them, meet people, which will get you into the neighborhood and you will feel what area is best for you. Honestly, it's really small and lots of people know each other no matter the quadrant each lives in.
SACARC is hosting an event this month and SOS has a beautification project this Saturday.
Contact avs, or any one of Springfield's other Realtors who specialize in Springfield. . .and live there too!!!

Kiva · February 15, 2011, 05:29:10 PM

We moved to Springfield last year and love it. There are regular planned and impromptu parties, we have never lived in such a sociable neighborhood. You quickly get to know people, so just find a house that appeals to you and make the move!

Springfield Chicken · February 15, 2011, 05:53:52 PM

As both a Realtor and a Springfield resident I can tell you everything you are reading is correct. We moved here a year ago from Riverside. I loved some of the things that were so convenient in Riverside but we never met a soul in over a year. Within one month in Springfield we'd met dozens of people who immediately became friends.

You can contact one of the resident/Realtors on MySpringfield.com, you can drive the neighborhood, you can come to some of the businesses in the neighborhood we all frequent, like Sweet Pete's, Three Layers, Tres Leches, Uptown Market, and others, you can come to the next First Friday.

Whatever you do, you'll be hooked on Springfield. Prices are great right now and so are interest rates. There are even renovation loans available if the home you fall in love with needs more than a little elbow grease.

We're all here for you. Let us know how we can help.

sheclown · February 15, 2011, 06:06:58 PM

No one place is any better than another. Look at a house, sit on the porch for a while. See if it calls to you.

Wherever you end up, you'll be in walking distanct to the dog park, sweet treats on Pearl, coffee & breakfast in a cup on Walnut, great island food on 8th, a beer in a neighborhood bar. Cool vintage store on Main.

Welcome to the land of the wonderfully diverse and powerfully passionate.

MusicMan · February 15, 2011, 09:41:32 PM

Springfield is cool, quircky, a bit crazy. But definately the home of serious
value in real estate. I am also a Realtor who has sold a few things over there.
There is a flat out awesome home for sale on W 10 St. Not my listing
but a super home. Close to Main, the second block in. Red brick. beautiful
restoration, super comfy not too fancy.

Lots and lots of deals. If you have the time $$ and patience buy a fixxer upper, make it beautiful and you will be shocked how many folks will come up and thank you for saving a structure and a neighborhood.

floridaforester · February 15, 2011, 11:44:56 PM

Quote from: Springfield Chicken on February 15, 2011, 05:53:52 PM
As both a Realtor and a Springfield resident I can tell you everything you are reading is correct. We moved here a year ago from Riverside. I loved some of the things that were so convenient in Riverside but we never met a soul in over a year.

Where exactly were you hiding in Riverside for a year that you "never met a soul"? Seems odd to me. I think both neighborhoods are very similar in terms of friendliness, diversity, architecture and overall character. Regarding areas of Springfield, one of my favorite areas is the NW quadrant. Then again, I like Craftsman style homes and they tend to be a little more prevalent in the area of the n'hood.

Debbie Thompson · February 16, 2011, 09:02:48 PM

Luvjax, just look at houses until one speaks to you. You will know as soon as you walk in..."This is the one." I'm not kidding.

mtraininjax · February 17, 2011, 12:15:09 PM

If the house has yellow tape on it and a condem post on the front door, its a good bet that you will not be able to save it.

mtraininjax · February 17, 2011, 12:26:19 PM

QuoteThis is the most ridiculous thing that Ive ever heard.

You must not be listening.

Debbie Thompson · February 17, 2011, 12:34:31 PM

Many of the restored houses were condemned at one time. They can be condemned for something as small as if the plumbing doesn't work, because that makes them unfit for human habitation. That doesn't mean they can't be rehabbed.

If you want to save one of our old beauties, bless you. Get a very good home inspection, ask a contractor to look it over with you during the due diligence period, and add 10% to 20% to the approximate cost you come up with for surprises.

It's a good feeling to save an old house. But if you are not up to it, there are already rehabbed homes available as well. We were actually looking for a rehabbed home, but then a fixer upper chose us instead.

iloveionia · February 17, 2011, 01:50:47 PM

Technically, practically every vacant home in Springfield is condemned. I exaggerate, but I am not far off. MCCD definition of condemned and the true definition of condemned to me are different. Point I am making is don't let it deter you.

I have personal experience buying and fixing condemned homes. I have friends who do the same as well. It's not as difficult as it may seem. PM me if you want advice.