Home inventory is low moving into the spring buying season, which has pushed prices up in a lot of places.
But you can still find a good deal if you know what to look for, like an area with a good cost of living.
Our friends at real estate listing site Point2Homes wanted to find the biggest bargains in the U.S., and came up with 14 listings in its extensive database that were $21 per square foot or less. Some were as low as $3 per square foot. (By comparison the average per-square-foot cost of new, single family homes in the U.S. in 2010 was $84.41).
Most of the properties are fixer-uppers, but some are move-in ready.
This single-story home's in a safe neighborhood.
Address: 3137 N Sherman, Indianapolis, IN 46218
Price: $29,899 for 1,660 square feet ($18 per square foot)
You can pick up this quaint home in a low-crime neighborhood of Indianapolis for a small price. Built in 1930, the two-bedroom home is move-in ready.
Buy a budget home in a gated community.
Address: 1006 Via Grande, Cathedral City, CA 92234
Price: $25,000 for 1,828 square feet ($14 per square feet)
This two-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Southern California sits in a gated community with a clubhouse, pool, gym and tennis court. Although it's small, the property includes an office with built-in shelves and a large back patio. There's also a double attached garage with laundry and extra storage space.
Look into a small, but well-kept home.
Address: 2340 Brokaw Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225
Price: $20,000 for 975 square feet ($21 per square foot)
Built in 1950, this home is a piece of quintessential Americana. It has three bedrooms and one bathroom, plus easy highway access to the amenities of downtown Cincinnati. There's also a rear deck in the backyard and an attached one-car garage.
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