I've got an upcoming short video series regarding the list of places above.

Today, I decided to check out what homes were for sale at the most populous of those places, Oil City, PA, at the moment. This 3,000 sq ft, 4 bedroom home with an acre lot going for $70k caught my eye.

I'm not going to go down there and check it out, so can't guarantee the quality, but might be worth checking out for anyone around the area looking for an affordable home. Would definitely recommend getting it inspected, though 😉.

"Preserved from yesteryear, this home embodies the charm and romance of the bygone era. The grand entry boasts an impressive, lovely, natural wood tiered staircase with carved oak and beautifully designed stained glass windows, all intact. The galley style kitchen still has some of original solid wood cabinets, too .You will find three finished levels, with built-ins, a second kitchen on the 2nd floor, French doors and so much more. 3rd floor offers and additional 576 SF, and a bathroom that is currently not functioning."

Monthly cost of the mortgage after a 20% down payment and with a slightly above average credit score, including taxes and insurance, would be about $475 per month.

Can't afford a 20% down payment and have a worse credit score? With a 3% down payment of a bit over $2k and a higher interest rate due to bad credit, the monthly cost, with mortgage insurance now added, would be about $650 per month.

🤷‍♂️

View from atop the Agate Falls Railroad Bridge

A vacant house in Ann Arbor, gutted, dilapidated, and untouched for 50 years, is priced at $400k.

The value of being near urban centers is often overlooked when comparing the prices and quality of homes in different regions. Ann Arbor's status as a major city elevates its property prices, irrespective of condition.

Factors include:
- Higher demand and prestige of cities generally.
- Limited land for new developments boosting existing property values.
- Cities offer numerous amenities, from transport to entertainment, increasing demand for housing.
- The concentration of specialized job opportunities in cities attracts professionals, driving up prices.

When people see the homes The Daily Poor posts for under $100k, they often jump to conclusions, associating price with quality. They might assume that these properties, being less than ¼ of the price of the Ann Arbor home, must also be less than ¼ the quality, and thereby plagued with major issues. In reality, many homes in decent or even great condition are priced lower primarily due to their rural location, where the dynamics of real estate differ significantly from urban centers. Often, it's not that the homes are low quality, but just that they're in rural areas.

Because of this, there's affordable livelihood available for those who do not prioritize urban living. There are easily affordable homes available for those who prefer the quiet and connectedness to nature that rural areas offer. Those who can cast aside the desire for city jobs and amenities, those who can embrace a quieter life, can also enjoy the affordable, often beautiful homes in the countryside, without the city property price tag.

Bit of a dreary day, but still nice down by da lake