# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/41 "2011-10-17T02:50:18Z")
Academy. More character. After your Ohio house, a tract house has GOT to be boring! ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/42 "2011-10-17T03:02:28Z")
I liked the one on Academy. I have no reason or facts to back this up. It’s just a gut feeling. I realize it doesn’t sound like a very smart way to spend $200K, but I do trust my gut. If a place is perfect on paper but doesn’t give me that “Yes, this is it!” feeling then I will \*find \*things wrong with it over time. If I find something flawed that does give me that feeling, I will find reasons for it to be acceptable. Now, it does have a limit - I couldn’t overlook major mold or foundation problems unless the initial price was adjusted for that. However, I know I can’t live “on paper” - if I don’t like it, I just don’t. And I just \*like \*Academy. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/43 "2011-10-17T03:55:49Z")
Acadamy is my fave but it’s still a suburban sprawl home. The mature landscaping is beautiful. The main thing to remember is location, location, location. 🙂 ---
**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 17, 2011, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/44 "2011-10-17T12:26:29Z")
Here’s the location, for those interested… [Pinopolis, SC](http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&safe=off&q=pinopolis+sc&gs_upl=2735l18676l0l18967l36l15l17l4l4l0l276l2993l0.7.8l35l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&biw=1680&bih=875&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x88fe5764896bf547:0x9dd0d257dcdbed2e,Pinopolis,+SC&gl=us&ei=yR6cTpeQDMabtwfBx_32Dw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CBsQ8gEwAA) ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/45 "2011-10-17T12:35:29Z")
Academy is the award winner, **Jonathan Chance**. Looks like a lovely, spacious home. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/46 "2011-10-17T14:18:49Z")
All I know is, I’ve got California Reverse Sticker Shock. Those prices are so cheap! And I live in a pretty inexpensive area! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/47 "2011-10-17T14:54:09Z")
**dangermom** - Look at the house in my link above. House and almost 25 acres. $200K StG ---
**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 17, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/48 "2011-10-17T16:44:28Z")
Aaand…we have a new entrant, Ladies and Gentlemen… [Winter Street](http://www.trulia.com/property/3004063419-202-Winter-St-Moncks-Corner-SC-29461) Just for everyone’s consideration against Academy and Carson. ---
**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 17, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/49 "2011-10-17T16:57:55Z")
I still like Academy. Winter Street has a lot going for it, and is definitely the second. But please, for the love of all that is Holy and good, do NOT make an offer on a house as a surprise for your wife! Bring her there, surprise her with your efforts to please her, but do not make any offers without involving her! And let her in on the secret before she catches on that you’re up to something and starts thinking it’s an affair . . . ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/50 "2011-10-17T17:08:12Z")
The Winter Street mature landscaping is a definite bonus. Those azaleas are beautiful. Is that a garage or a workshop in back? Are those tree sections that form the walls? ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/51 "2011-10-17T17:12:37Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > **dangermom** - Look at the house in my link above. House and almost 25 acres. $200K > > StG _faint_ I didn’t think much would make me want to move away from my beloved (broke) CA.\* But, dude… Not that I _could_ move, given that there are 3 houses for sale within a block of me and no takers. \*Seriously guys, here we are in one of the most naturally wealthy areas of the world, but can we take care of it in an even minimally competent fashion? No. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/52 "2011-10-17T18:03:48Z")
Winter Street is lovely, too. Academy and Winter Street both have tons of curb appeal. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/53 "2011-10-17T19:13:42Z")
Oh my, I do love Winter St as well! ---
**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 17, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/54 "2011-10-17T20:37:04Z")
I see Winter Street tomorrow morning early. Wish me luck! ---
**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 17, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/55 "2011-10-17T20:46:24Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > The Winter Street mature landscaping is a definite bonus. Those azaleas are beautiful. Is that a garage or a workshop in back? Are those tree sections that form the walls? Landscaping I’ll likely never notice, frankly. But she will. I believe it’s an old shed/store/well house. But I won’t know until I see it. I know it’s not a garage. There’s a carport on the side. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/56 "2011-10-18T01:46:53Z")
Winter Street’s kitchen would be a no-go for me. ---
**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 18, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/57 "2011-10-18T13:54:28Z")
Man, Winter is one WEIRDLY laid out house. The entire attic was rebuilt into several large spaces and closets, painted in a castle stars and moons motif and well, just strange. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2011, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/58 "2011-10-18T17:16:28Z")
Isn’t it funny how the layout of a house can be a make or break? And sometimes you can’t even tell what’s wrong with the layout, it just doesn’t _work_. I think it might be a “form follows function” thing. ---
**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 19, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/59 "2011-10-19T19:13:58Z")
Well, we’re set up to take Lady Chance to see Winter, Carson and Academy (in that order) Sunday starting at 11AM. Whew. And wish me luck. What’s the over-under on her calling me an idiot? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452/60 "2011-10-19T19:43:48Z")
One big factor is: how much of a difference does lot size make to you? IMHO, the fact that the Academy house sits on an acre is a big plus, but YMMV. I personally prefer the Academy house to the others. I’d take Winter over Carson, if I had to choose between those two. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-evaluate-these-houses-for-me/599452.md?page=4)