Single-Family Homes

According to the National Association of Realtors, the median price of an existing single-family home was $189,000 in January, up from $171,000 a year earlier. Here are three homes you can buy for about that amount.

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LOCATION/PRICE: Houston / $189,000

PROPERTY TAX: $6,020 annually

THE PROPERTY: 3,095 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths

DESCRIPTION: The kitchen has plenty of cabinet space, an oversized center island and a built-in desk; each bedroom has a walk-in closet, and the master suite boasts an attached bathroom with a whirlpool bathtub. The home was built in 1990.

NOTABLE: Use the intercom system to tell the family to come to dinner.

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LOCATION/PRICE: Davenport, Fla. / $189,900

PROPERTY TAX: $876 annually

THE PROPERTY: 1,847 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths

DESCRIPTION: This contemporary style home, built in 1995, is located in a gated community. A $60,000 addition was put on three years ago that includes an extra bedroom and a family room. The home faces south, so the yard gets sun all year round.

NOTABLE: Many people in this community rent their homes to vacationers -- the house is a 15 minute drive from Disney World.

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LOCATION/PRICE: Mount Vernon, Ind. /$189,900

PROPERTY TAX: $1,831 annually

THE PROPERTY: 2,214 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths

DESCRIPTION: Built in 1998, this brick home has a master bedroom with its own bathroom and a whirlpool tub, a wet bar in the dining room and 12-foot ceilings in the entryway.

NOTABLE: There is a lake located in this subdivision, which residents in the area can use after paying a $150 maintenance fee.

Sources: www.remax.com; JW Properties International; www.coldwellbanker.com

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