What $695k buys in Norton, KS

JeffKeryk said:
Thanks @GON; this is just what I need to know. I am big on sidelights, but not clear. Don't want anyone peeking in. Obscured works for me.

Here's the front of our Petaluma house; I got rid of all the grass and put in these Japanese Maples. They are much bigger now...
The double doors gotta go.
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Jeff, I am not graphic artist or decorator. None the less, here is a very crude example of how a front door can really change the visual feel of a house from the exterior. Of course, this door will also open up the inside of the home with natural light.
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jeff door.webp
 
Well, the location does nothing for me. The only aspect of that house I like is not being jammed in next to the neighbors. For example, we can't see our few neighbors houses except through a couple windows on the top floor. The dirt driveway? No thanks. I would not want a front door people could look through, if people can just randomly walk up to the front door. We have some glass in our front door, but nobody who isn't allowed through the gate and down the driveway to the house will ever legally be at the front door.

That said, my opinion only applies to me. Fortunately the wife agrees with me... Everyone has their own likes and dislikes.
 
02SE said:
Well, the location does nothing for me. The only aspect of that house I like is not being jammed in next to the neighbors. For example, we can't see our few neighbors houses except through a couple windows on the top floor. The dirt driveway? No thanks. I would not want a front door people could look through, if people can just randomly walk up to the front door. We have some glass in our front door, but nobody who isn't allowed through the gate and down the driveway to the house will ever legally be at the front door.

That said, my opinion only applies to me. Fortunately the wife agrees with me... Everyone has their own likes and dislikes.
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Sent the house to my wife to look at- not to purchase, just to share thoughts and what can be learned from this Kansas home if we build a home.

Wife believes owners are an older couple, went with a low-cost buyable floorplan, etc. Although home was built in 2022, floorplan looks like it was originally drawn in the 1970s.

The laundry room, the staircase to the basement, one could go on and on as how "old" the floorplan is on this newly built home. Old and timeless are two different things.
 
Bob in Utah said:
Average home cost in SLC valley is $540K
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Why are homes so expensive in SLC?

Are the locals trying to keep all of the riff-raff out?

From what I've read, it seems like a utopia (low crime, great community) compared to many other states and regions, so it might be worth it?
 
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GON said:
Nice home on just under 5 acres. Norton, KS is about halfway between Denver and Kansas City.

Price dropped for $750k. Home was built in 2022, which makes this a very rare to be on the market in this region. Home has some finishes that make the home look much older- kind of neat. I am surprised this home is not under contract, simply because of lack of inventory of newer homes. The 100 percent composite front door is a very nice feature. The low ceiling height in the basement is a non-positive, and a drop ceiling in the basement also is a non-positive. A home built in 2022 should have a taller basement.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/13075-Prairie-Ln-Norton-KS-67654/450785898_zpid/
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That same property here in Topeka would be $900-1m. Not bad but unless you just really love absolutely nothing for 75 miles, Norton is a big no.
 
andrew_j said:
The average home in town is $103k. This is 7 times average so likely very difficult sale OR overpriced. 7x normal is serious red flag of where you are buying into and getting that. Something is amiss in community .
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Average home is subject to dissection.

In our area, RedFin earlier today sent me an unsolicited report the average price of a home is $112,000. I find that very eye opening, and have no idea where that $112k number is generated from. All I know is that every house that is updated in our area sells for over $500k and goes under contract shortly after being listed. Further, our area is a very high turnover of homes, and I strongly suspect more homes sell over $400k, than sell for under $400k.

Screenshot_29-11-2025_19536_mail.google.com.webp
 
02SE said:
Because more people want to live there, than there is housing for.
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Yes, naturally. I guess what I am asking is, why are people moving there? A lot are going to FL for low taxes and weather. Utah seems to have moderate taxes and cold weather.
 
02SE said:
Because more people want to live there, than there is housing for.
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Because people with very deep pockets from California have been migrating to the greater SLC area.

When we moved to Midway, UT-- pre-covid, one neighbor on the block was from California. When we moved from UT post-covid, almost every new homeowner in our area was from California. When one sells their modest California home for $2 million, they will pay any price in Utah and think it is a bargain.
 
Owen Lucas said:
Yes, naturally. I guess what I am asking is, why are people moving there? A lot are going to FL for low taxes and weather. Utah seems to have moderate taxes and cold weather.
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We liked Utah and often wish we would have purchased the home we rented.

The challenges to the greater SLC area today are infrastructure. The area wasn't designed for growth, and the Californians have that moved there have a brought a "not in my backyard" mentality, so the area really struggles to improve road networks. The traffic is starting to mirror California traffic.

As discussed, it is very expensive to live in the greater SLC area. This results in shortages in labor for lower paying jobs, as one can't afford to live anywhere near where they work.
 
Owen Lucas said:
Yes, naturally. I guess what I am asking is, why are people moving there? A lot are going to FL for low taxes and weather. Utah seems to have moderate taxes and cold weather.
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A great economy is the main draw. But as those from California move in and support the same ideologies that prompted them to flee California, Utah will be turned into another California...
 
GON said:
Jeff, I am not graphic artist or decorator. None the less, here is a very crude example of how a front door can really change the visual feel of a house from the exterior. Of course, this door will also open up the inside of the home with natural light.
View attachment 312714
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Thanks GON. Petaluma is maybe 40 miles north of SF in the Wine Country. 20 easy minutes to the Pacific on a beautiful drive. It is a refuge from the chew-you-up Silicon Valley. American Grafitti was filmed there. While it may be a little slow there for me, as you might guess this is a wonderful property. I am in the process of an interior remodel as we speak.

Your front door upgrade rendering is on the list! Thank you.
 
I lived in California 50 years and drove a million miles on the roads. Traffic in Salt Lake City isnt as bad as L.A .
 
02SE said:
A great economy is the main draw. But as those from California move in and support the same ideologies that prompted them to flee California, Utah will be turned into another California...
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That's what I am worried about. Hopefully the Mormon stronghold can prevent passing blue haired laws? IDK, I presume they are rather conservative.

GON said:
The challenges to the greater SLC area today are infrastructure. The area wasn't designed for growth, and the Californians have that moved there have a brought a "not in my backyard" mentality, so the area really struggles to improve road networks. The traffic is starting to mirror California traffic.
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That's too bad. There is also the risk of water shortages too. IDK if that's a meme or an actual risk. So far it appears AZ is expanding in Chandler and everywhere else without regard to water supply...

Looks like I missed the entry point by 10 years. I guess you can say that about everywhere, especially after covid.

No way I'd pay $800k to live in an HOA and my home 20' from my neighbors.
 
Owen Lucas said:
That's what I am worried about. Hopefully the Mormon stronghold can prevent passing blue haired laws? IDK, I presume they are rather conservative.


That's too bad. There is also the risk of water shortages too. IDK if that's a meme or an actual risk. So far it appears AZ is expanding in Chandler and everywhere else without regard to water supply...

Looks like I missed the entry point by 10 years. I guess you can say that about everywhere, especially after covid.

No way I'd pay $800k to live in an HOA and my home 20' from my neighbors.
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The whole SouthWest has a water shortage.
 
AZjeff said:
@GON Zillow says average home value in Alamogordo is $218,420. Wonder why the 2X difference? Home value vs selling price?
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Like Utah, New Mexico does not release selling price of homes to the public (private information). So, selling price is not a feasible factor.
 
Very weird layout.

Price seems fair considering you get a lot for the money, but there’s no major city nearby.
 
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