Rent to Own Homes in Hawthorne
When this city was first founded, it was named Hawthorne Improvement Company in honor of author Nathaniel Hawthorne. That was in the 1930s when racial tensions were high throughout the country, and African-Americans were warned by public signs to get out of town by sundown. Today, the city has grown to include a diverse population of more than 80,000 people and is a reputable part of Los Angeles County.
Residents of Hawthorne are served by multiple school systems, including the Hawthorne School District and the Los Angeles Unified School District. This includes some popular private and charter schools like the Hawthorne Math and Science Academy. The city is well known for its orange groves and the presence of many large employers in the aerospace industry. The Hawthorne Press Tribune is the main news outlet for the local area.
Buying a Home in Hawthorne?
While many cities in southern California have highly competitive real estate markets where median listing prices often top $1 million, you can expect more affordable home-buying opportunities in Hawthorne. Median listing prices typically stay below $600,000, and median sales prices can sometimes dip below $400,000. It's common for buyers to pay more than $350 per square foot with homes in the most desirable neighborhoods selling for much higher prices. If you need help with your down payment or the closing costs on a Hawthorne home, there are homebuyer assistance programs available through the state and federal governments.
Popular Neighborhoods in Hawthorne?
Del Aire is one of the best places to live in Hawthorne if you're interested in a reasonably safe community that is peaceful and family-friendly. You'll find this area just east of El Segundo Boulevard. The wide streets are dotted with palm trees, and most of the homes are small to medium in size. This is a middle-class community where you can often find affordable housing that is close to some of the higher-rated public schools. Other than this neighborhood, you'll find the lowest crime rates and better real estate options on the western edge of town.
Buying vs. Rent to Own Homes?
If you plan on purchasing a home in Hawthorne within the next three to five years, consider moving into a rent-to-own property. This gives you a short-term plan that allows you to take steps toward home ownership right away. While you will start out renting the property, you will have the exclusive right to purchase the home before a specified date. Other buyers cannot place offers on the home during your rental period, and you can use that time to better prepare for the home-buying process. Once you purchase the home, you become the owner and assume full responsibility for the property. Cost of Living in Hawthorne
Like most cities in California, Hawthorne has a higher-than-average cost of living. The overall cost often spikes 30 percent or more above the national average, and that's partly reflective of above-average real estate prices. While the cost of housing in this city is not nearly as high as in most larger California cities, you can still expect to see prices close to double the national average at times. This forces some residents to maintain a tight budget in order to balance the cost of housing with other daily expenses.
Many Hawthorne residents are drawn to the city for the rich job opportunities in the aerospace industry while others simply want to live minutes away from the beaches on the Pacific coast of southern California. The perk to living in this city is the more reasonable real estate market. Residents can easily find properties selling for $400,000 and sometimes a little less, which is a relief from the high prices seen in some neighboring California cities.