Twin Cities: How to Find an Affordable Dream Neighborhood

In today's housing market, it is not uncommon for aspiring homebuyers to be priced out of buying in coveted neighborhoods. Experts weigh in on how to find a more affordable, "twin" neighborhood.

Miami real estate agent Jeff Corriolan advises taking advantage of community and home features that one does not value in looking for a bargain community. If the downtown is far away, but a buyer works from home or likes a long commute, the distance may not be a drawback. "By making a list of features you don't want, you can maximize the bang for your buck by choosing areas whose 'unattractive'features aren't actually a negative for you," writes Audrey Ference for Realtor.com.

The first step in finding an affordable neighborhood you'll love, according to Dillar Schwartz, a real estate agent in Austin, TX, is to "re-evaluate your must-haves versus your wants." Pare down your must-have list so that you can be a little more flexible with the rest. Find the things that you absolutely can't compromise on: a certain school district, for example, or an acceptable commute time. Once you have a few things that are true must-haves, you can rule out any neighborhood that doesn't meet those criteria.

Read more