I gotta agree with the others on this. I have always liked the character of an older place with mature landscape, plus I like putting in a little sweat equity. Also,I will never pay mello or HOA (EVER!)All it does it take away from what you can afford.

The only thing I would ever buy that completely goes against that logic is a new downtown condo. Hard to get away from HOA downtown, but it would be killer to have a tiny little studio to escape to on weekends with the wife. We are hoping to see something near the ball park in the low 200s. Still too expensive down there, but I digress.