Starting in March of '06, I began a weekly routine of checking the housing market in our area. I knew it was highly cost prohibitive, but there were the whispers of rumors that things were about to plumet. I am REALLY salivating over the thought of owning my own (spacious) home, and wanted to see just how impossible that would be.

In March, homes with 4 bedrooms in our part of town were approximately $1.3 million.

We are stuck in this part of town ... which isn't bad for us -- it is not the ritziest part of town, it is not the crappiest part of town. it is what I like best -- the middle ground.

The elementary schools around here are assigned according to where you live - there's no lottery, no waiting list, no anything. If you live in a particular zone, you go to that school. The end. The girls are well settled into the school that we are in. It's a great school, they have great friends, they know the teachers, and on and on.

Also, moving is hard on them. Changing schools, etc. By the time we're ready, Emz will be in 6th grade, if not 7th. (Elementary schools here are K-8).

This is why our choices when we move are very limited - whether it's renting a bigger place or buying a house. Our geographical area is pretty damned small.

And in this geographical area, 4 bedroom homes were running at $1.3 million.

Then, in May - they were at about $1 million.

Then, in July, they were at approx $900,000.

Now? A 6 bedroom home, with 3 floors of living space and 3100 square feet, with hardwood floors, and 3 fireplaces on my favorite side street (in the desired school zone) is listed with an asking price of $849,000.

Huh???

I wish I had $849,000.

I'm very hopeful that the trend will continue. I know that those who own a home already don't share my hopes, but for a first-time buyer, this bodes well.

_____________________

On another front (future-related), our local magazine, Boston, came out with a high schools edition. Our public high school, in this smallish town that neighbors Boston proper, is listed as #4 (or thereabouts) in the state .... on a list that includes private schools (in a prep-school world, mind you), it's #20.

I think the girls are in a good place.

posted by Zuska @ 5:11 PM

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