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College Football Towns....How Affordable Are They?

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt

As we near the end of the regular football season (Ohio State and Michigan will meet for their annual rivalry for the 105th time on Saturday) and enter the bowl series and basketball seasons it seems appropriate that Coldwell Banker should release its annual College Town Home Price Comparison Index (HPCI) for the major college towns' home affordability.

 This index takes a look at the home towns of 119 Football Bowl (1-A) Schools. Most affordable home town is Akron, Ohio.  Most expensive is Palo Alto, CA.  The index is meaningful because it's fun for alumni to take a look at their alma mater's city and because increasingly baby boomers are returning to live near their alma maters given the rich and vibrant communities that tend to exist in those cities.  Also, many are buying second homes so that their college student can live in the home and roommates can help cover the cost of the payments.

 65% of the schools were found to be in towns with nicely sized homes which averaged $300,000 or lower making a purchase a win-win!

Coldwell Banker also releases an annual Home Price Comparison Index for major markets throughout the United States.

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Andrew J. Norden

Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Thanks, Missy....it's nice to have a fellow Wolverine's support!

Nov 19, 2008 11:11 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

There is a big difference in todays average prices from 2006, although, from having lived in a couple of those areas I think that they might be a bit high. For instance, here the average price is just over $173,000 and it has gone up over $9000 since the first of the year. But that is still almost $50,000 below the 2006 price. We have not dropped 22% in that time.

Nov 19, 2008 11:11 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Tammy,  The link has been updated so please check again.

Nov 19, 2008 11:12 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Jack,  Congrats to the "Cats" on Saturday's game...and I love Evanston!

Nov 19, 2008 11:14 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

What a post? I cannot believe baby boomers are moving back to be close to there Alma Maters. I would think they would be moving back home where they were raised.

Nov 19, 2008 11:30 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Great Post Sondra & Congratulations on the Feature.  The issue of Life Long Learning is a pretty significant trend.  Calvin College in GR has a very robust educational program for this demographic too.

Nov 19, 2008 12:00 PM
James Engel
Keller Williams Realty Beverly Hills - Beverly Hills, CA
KW Beverly Hills

I sure hope the Trojans bring another super bowl around real estate around USC could use some price increase

Nov 19, 2008 12:24 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

I love that report.

To echo David  "GO BUCKEYES BEAT MEEECHIGAN!!!!!  "

Nov 19, 2008 12:35 PM
Kristina Pratt
St. Louis' Illinois Suburbs - RE/MAX Preferred Partners - Edwardsville, IL
REALTOR - SFR - GoshenRealtyGroup.com

After living in Columbus for two wonderful years, and seeing my first NCAA game at The 'Shoe... I gotta chime in and say it... GO BUCKS! :o)

Aside from that, this was a very interesting post Sondra.  Congrats on your feature! :o)

Nov 19, 2008 01:41 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead

Very cool statistics.  Being a die-hard Sooner I can't help but enjoy a post like this!

Nov 19, 2008 01:44 PM
Lynn Brier-De La Cruz
Jacksonville Florida Real Estate - Jacksonville, FL

My USC Trojans will take y'all...

Nov 19, 2008 03:13 PM
Bruce & Mary Smith
Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC
REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Interesting statistics.  And we think we have high prices here in the South . . .

Nov 20, 2008 12:00 AM
Jeff and Lisa Sellers
The Sellers Realty Lubbock,TX - Lubbock, TX

LUBBOCK,TX...#11 AFFORDABLE IN NATION  #2 IN FOOTBALL....GO RED RAIDERS!

Nov 20, 2008 12:31 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Lola,

Thanks for the input.  It is interesting how the lifelong learning concept has continued and provided rich experience for those who participate.

Nov 20, 2008 02:25 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

James and Lynn,  You can cheer together for USC!  Having a great season!

Nov 20, 2008 02:25 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Maureen and Kristina,  Sounds like you two will be cheering for the "wrong" team on Saturday! :)

Nov 20, 2008 02:27 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Ryan, It's always fun when sports and our livelihoods intersect!

Nov 20, 2008 02:28 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Bruce and Mary,  I always find it fascinating as I travel to see the varied price ranges throughout the country.  This index takes info that is of interest to a great many folks to a little different level.

Nov 20, 2008 02:30 AM
Sondra TenClay
Grand Rapids MI Coldwell Banker AJS-Schmidt - Grand Rapids, MI

Jeff and Lisa,  Lubbock has a winning combination!

Nov 20, 2008 02:30 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

That post above at 10:33 a.m. is mine. For some reason, Active Rain is posting my comments this morning but logging me off simultaneously. It seems I have to open Active Rain in two browsers so that one stays logged in while I post a comment. Weird.

Nov 20, 2008 02:37 AM