Five Affordable Real Estate Gems That Will Get You Thinking

It seems like these days, affordable homes with enough space are difficult to find - especially for the first-time buyer. The news is widely reporting that a combination of strong buyer demand and low housing inventory is leading to oneof the most challenging and competitive real estate markets for buyers in years.

As you may already know, the three most important words in Real Estate are "location, location and location." A $100,000 home in Racine, Wis. is not going to be the same price in Oak Creek, Shorewood or Fox Point.

Here at Patch.com, we are on the lookout for the most lavish wow houses, but we also are on the hunt for hidden gems in each of our communities. With the help of our partner Realtor.com, we have dug up some really good gems in five select places.

SHOREWOOD, WI -- Take a walk inside an affordable Shorewood gem. This 1920s-era home features hardwood flooring with bright and sunny living and dining spaces. The updated kitchen features all-new appliances, stone countertops and backsplash. This listing originally appeared on realtor.com.

• 4465 N Cramer St, Shorewood, Wisconsin
• Price: $245,000

GREENDALE, WI -- Check out this Greendale original home built in 1938 back when this planned community took root! And it's move-in ready. But this is no standard Greendale original, it was one of the few that had an addition built on. This listing originally appeared on realtor.com.

• 5812 Currant Ln, Greendale, Wisconsin
• Price: $179,900

BROOKFIELD, WI -- Take a look at this gorgeous Brookfield Cape Cod home. This home features a kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and hardwood floor in addition to being in the Elmbrook School District. This listing originally appeared on realtor.com.

• 16860 Judith Ave, Brookfield, Wisconsin
• Price: $260,000

FOX POINT, WI --Take a look inside this Bay Shore manor brick ranch nestled on a quiet tree-lined street in Fox Point. This home offers classy new landscaping and a private fenced-in yard with a newer patio. The home was painted in 2016 with new exterior and interior paint. A sunny living room features a vaulted ceiling and dining area. This listing originally appeared on realtor.com.

• 7340 N Navajo Rd, Fox Point, Wisconsin
• Price: $229,500

WAUWATOSA, WI -- The beautiful Menomonee River Parkway neighborhood of Park Ridge is home to this stylishly updated 3 bedroom home. This listing originally appeared on realtor.com.

• 10434 W Hillside Ave, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
• Price: $199,900