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I bought a place several years ago in Seattle, where the market has been going up like crazy. So has the stock market. Between fees, interest, and opportunity

by moonka 9y ago

I bought a place several years ago in Seattle, where the market has been going up like crazy. So has the stock market. Between fees, interest, and opportunity cost of my down payment in the stock market, I'm not sure I've financially come out ahead if I were to sell today. However, non-financially it's been great. I've had stability, a place I can make my own, and haven't had to deal with a landlord. Buying a primary residence as an investment is far from a sure thing. But it might be the right call for other reasons.

poulsbohemian 9y ago
Seattle might be due for a correction in the near future, but if you bought several years ago, it would be hard to not make money in real estate right now in Seattle. Did you see where average prices on Capitol Hill are now > $1MM? Ballard / Phinney Ridge everything is > $800K. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you should be more than fine should you choose to sell. To me the interesting question is, does one believe this growth will continue for several more years? IE: should one buy a (overpriced?) property today in one of these popular residential neighborhoods? Or, is one better off looking farther afield assuming that less desirable neighborhoods are going to eventually become desirable as most of us are priced out of places like Fremont or Ballard? In other words, are we at the top of market already?
- moonka 9y ago
  I wasn't suggesting that I won't be ok, just that it might not beat out the gains I would have had if I had the rent difference and downpayment invested. And that is in a very hot market. I'm not sure if the growth will continue. If I was buying today with an eye for appreciation, I'd aim for one of the less desirable neighborhoods towards the south end.
  - poulsbohemian 9y ago
    I'd agree with that; there are some good values to the south.

by moonka 9y ago

poulsbohemian 9y ago

Seattle might be due for a correction in the near future, but if you bought several years ago, it would be hard to not make money in real estate right now in Seattle. Did you see where average prices on Capitol Hill are now > $1MM? Ballard / Phinney Ridge everything is > $800K. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you should be more than fine should you choose to sell. To me the interesting question is, does one believe this growth will continue for several more years? IE: should one buy a (overpriced?) property today in one of these popular residential neighborhoods? Or, is one better off looking farther afield assuming that less desirable neighborhoods are going to eventually become desirable as most of us are priced out of places like Fremont or Ballard? In other words, are we at the top of market already?

moonka 9y ago
I wasn't suggesting that I won't be ok, just that it might not beat out the gains I would have had if I had the rent difference and downpayment invested. And that is in a very hot market. I'm not sure if the growth will continue. If I was buying today with an eye for appreciation, I'd aim for one of the less desirable neighborhoods towards the south end.
- poulsbohemian 9y ago
  I'd agree with that; there are some good values to the south.