Academy. More character. After your Ohio house, a tract house has GOT to be boring!
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.
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. 
Here’s the location, for those interested…
Academy is the award winner, Jonathan Chance. Looks like a lovely, spacious home.
All I know is, I’ve got California Reverse Sticker Shock. Those prices are so cheap! And I live in a pretty inexpensive area!
dangermom - Look at the house in my link above. House and almost 25 acres. $200K
StG
Aaand…we have a new entrant, Ladies and Gentlemen…
Just for everyone’s consideration against Academy and Carson.
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 . . .
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?
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.
Winter Street is lovely, too. Academy and Winter Street both have tons of curb appeal.
Oh my, I do love Winter St as well!
I see Winter Street tomorrow morning early. Wish me luck!
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.
Winter Street’s kitchen would be a no-go for me.
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.
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.
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?
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.