# Dopers! Evaluate these houses for me! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 12, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452 "2011-10-12T19:49:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/1 "2011-10-12T19:49:22Z")
I know, I know. We just bought this one a few months ago. But it’s a new home in a development and Lady Chance hates it. We’ve spent 20 years in old, sometimes very old, houses that are solid and quirky. This one isn’t adding up. So, with her unknowing, I have engaged a realtor to find us a place more suitable. The first batch of finds are in and I thought I’d share with you all to get your very esteemed opinions… [Academy Lane](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/918-Academy-Ln_Moncks-Corner_SC_29469_M53808-88783?ex=CHSC_1117172&mlslid=1117172) [Carson Ct.](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/306-Carson-Ct_Moncks-Corner_SC_29461_M66824-69019?ex=CHSC_1122210&mlslid=1122210) [Ruth Drive](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/101-Ruth-Dr_Moncks-Corner_SC_29461_M51526-71051?ex=CHSC_1120980&mlslid=1120980) All are nearby so the commutes won’t change and the girls won’t switch schools. Any offer would be contingent on our selling this place but we got this place on foreclosure so there’s already equity in it. What do you all think? ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/2 "2011-10-12T20:01:57Z")
I think they’re worth looking at, especially the first one. Those high ceilings can add a fair bit to your utility bills in heating and cooling, though, so that’s something to keep in mind. The other two…well, half an acre seems like an awfully tiny lot to have that much house on. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/3 "2011-10-12T20:20:33Z")
I have to ask - what the heck is wrong with [625 Levee Dr Moncks Corner, SC](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/625-Levee-Dr_Moncks-Corner_SC_29461_M60724-46207) that you can grab it (6 bed 4 bath!) for just $45K?! ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/4 "2011-10-12T20:21:41Z")
I like Ruth Dr. if the size is big enough for your needs. Assuming it is, the other two are too big. Ruth looks to be the best maintained. Those trees close to the house could be a problem. Trees fall down. The damage sewers and create roof maintenance problems. That’s my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/5 "2011-10-12T20:28:20Z")
Thanks for the input so far, people. I appreciate it. I go to look at these three tomorrow morning. I may reject them all and tell her to keep looking and view this as a long term project. **zoid** , you may not have picked that up but that’s a mobile home. Lots of those around here. It may have 6 bedrooms but they’ll be small. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/6 "2011-10-12T20:29:02Z")
From the looks of it, the architects on the first two did a pretty poor job. Tiny windows - are the houses too dark on the inside? if you can deal with a half-acre lot (still not small), I concur with Ruth Drive. It’s by far the cheapest, too. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/7 "2011-10-12T20:44:17Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Thanks for the input so far, people. I appreciate it. > > I go to look at these three tomorrow morning. I may reject them all and tell her to keep looking and view this as a long term project. > > **zoid** , you may not have picked that up but that’s a mobile home. Lots of those around here. It may have 6 bedrooms but they’ll be small. AH! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/8 "2011-10-12T20:55:37Z")
I couldn’t get the first link to work. Ruth Dr (third link) seems much better maintained, plus a somewhat bigger lot. Trees are only a problem if they are dead or dying, and even then not spendy to remove. I love the hardwood-looking floors on the Carson court house, but if they’re those cheesy faux hardwood floors and not the real thing then it’s a wash. Location is the big thing, so without knowing the area and only seeing 2/3 links, my vote is for Ruth drive, so far. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/9 "2011-10-12T22:40:09Z")
I looked at all of 'em on Trulia. I prefer Carson, but only slightly - that sunroom is great, though. Ruth is quite nice, too, and has the room over the garage which could come in handy someday. Not Academy - love those arched doorways but older houses scare me. It’s really hard to say not having seen them, though - go for the one with the most closet space. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/10 "2011-10-13T12:00:07Z")
My concern with Ruth is that it’s the smallest one listed at, I think, about 1700 sqft. That seems awfully small after living in a place at 2000sqft (our current place) and 3000 sqft (previous). I’m still seeing it, though. As for the oldness. I sort of like it. Older homes tend to be more solid. They do present problems, God knows. But they are problems I’ve dealt with before. What to do, what to do. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/11 "2011-10-13T12:09:54Z")
I like the 2nd one, personally. Not necessarily the style of the home (ramblers aren’t my thing), but I like the wood floors and the fact it’s on a cul-de-sac. ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/12 "2011-10-13T14:03:55Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > [Academy Lane](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/918-Academy-Ln_Moncks-Corner_SC_29469_M53808-88783?ex=CHSC_1117172&mlslid=1117172) I like the elevation of this one the best, but without pictures of the inside, I can’t say - definitely worth a look. > [@](#): > > [Carson Ct.](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/306-Carson-Ct_Moncks-Corner_SC_29461_M66824-69019?ex=CHSC_1122210&mlslid=1122210) I would probably put this one on the top of the list - nice big kitchen, fireplace, nice size. But is that really just a one-car garage? > [@](#): > > [Ruth Drive](http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/101-Ruth-Dr_Moncks-Corner_SC_29461_M51526-71051?ex=CHSC_1120980&mlslid=1120980) For me, this would probably top the list because I love the little breakfast nook/bay window action. But for most people I think the kitchen would kill it - looks small and most people don’t like the galley kitchens. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/13 "2011-10-13T15:16:15Z")
Nix on Carson and Ruth. You seem to have a preference for older homes, and 1980s built homes just aren’t it. My friend has a home built in 1989, and it’s perfectly adequate, but it’s missing a lot of the atmosphere that my home (built in 1931) has. It’s just a generic house, you know? It doesn’t have character. I like the one on Academy best - it’s got good bones, and the yard has a lot of potental (though I agree it’s not great now). Second choice would be Ruth - I like the dormer windows. Dead last is Carson - it doesn’t interest me in the slightest. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/14 "2011-10-13T15:24:08Z")
I was in all of these this morning. Here’s more pix for everyone. Should be about 20 for each. [Academy Lane Part 2](http://www.trulia.com/property/3032683262-918-Academy-Ln-Pinopolis-SC-29469) This one is a smaller place with two additions. It’s off a gravel lane in Pinopolis. Got a great feel and trees. Also the largest land. One of the additions is an apartment that might make a great guest space or something similar. [Carson Court](http://www.trulia.com/property/1083933885-306-Carson-Ct-Moncks-Corner-SC-29461) This was more updated and had a mostly fenced in yard. It’s smaller, though. The porch really is that big, though. That would be nice. The office, however, is very small and might not add up to what we need. [Ruth Drive](http://www.trulia.com/property/1083933885-306-Carson-Ct-Moncks-Corner-SC-29461) By far the smallest home and property. Only a 3 bedroom but with a nice office space. You can see it as their game room. That’s a rebuilt room above the garage. I think they call that a FROG around here. The plot of land is the smallest (though not small) but completely fences in. This is the most suburban of the three. Does that help? ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/15 "2011-10-13T15:31:47Z")
I like Ruth Drive. Kitchen matters and that one is good. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/16 "2011-10-13T15:37:56Z")
Argh [The REAL Ruth Drive house](http://www.trulia.com/property/3062441806-101-Ruth-Dr-Moncks-Corner-SC-29461) Sorry about that. Pasted the same link in twice. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/17 "2011-10-13T15:51:20Z")
The link for Ruth drive is a repeat of Carson. But between Carson and Academy … Hm, Carson, very awkward kitchen arrangement. One generally does not put both legs of the work triangle on one wall - stove and fridge are on the same wall. The office is also not to my liking, we would have to rip out all the shelves, and that tiny little computer workspace is as I said, _tiny_. You may like it that way, YMMV. Sunporch is lovely, I like brick houses, and the trees will make it cooler. Academy. Kitchen is adequate, though arranged oddly, is that a mudroom? If so, no way to install a washer and dryer. Where is the laundry to go? I detest houses that have no laundrys. Otherwise, nice bones. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/18 "2011-10-13T16:05:40Z")
Academy. A thousand times academy. That is a Southern home. The others are just houses. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/19 "2011-10-13T16:34:18Z")
No kitchen counter space in either Carson Court or Ruth Drive (hi, kitty!). Galley kitchens in general bug me (everything you need is always behind you). That wood-paneled office with all the shelves in Carson Court has got to go, otherwise it is a pretty house. Yeah, of the three I’d go with Academy Lane too. I like the arched front door and the French doors. Nice big kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/20 "2011-10-13T16:43:32Z")
Academy. The kitchen is definitely the best of the 3 and I prefer a larger lot. I would budget for paint though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452.md?page=2)