[djmcmath]

After a brief stay in the NorthEast, the Navy is probably sending me to Norfolk. Can you believe they want me to be The Navigator (ach!) on a Real Live Nuclear Submarine? Nutty. However, now that I have paper orders in hand for a transfer in April, I'm starting to look seriously at housing. Some questions for the locals:

1 - I'm living there for 3 years, tops. Given the uncertain state of nationwide real estate, is buying even a good idea, or am I liable to be better off renting? Thanks to some RE gurus here on Pelican (see the RE Bad News thread), I now understand how to make sense of numbers, but I'd like more specifics about the Norfolk area market. Anybody with local experience testify? What's liable to go up? What's liable to be worthless? Townhomes better investment than single family places? Is there any professional organization that does studies on local housing markets?

2 - Assuming I'm buying, the most I can really feel happy and comfortable with is about $250K, and would rather spend less than $200K on my first home. Given that budget, what market am I looking at? $250K buys a 1-room shanty with an outhouse that I share with the child molester nextdoor? I'd like at least 1200 sqft and a garage -- am I being unrealistic?

3 - Continuing on the buying assumption (I have no questions about renting; BTDT), can anyone recommend an agent? Do I even need one, or are the hassles of buying a house from a distance going to be something I can deal with without an agent? Thoughts?


I know this is way off-topic, but outside of politics, this forum is one of the best resources I've ever stumbled across. Thanks in advance.

Dan