What houses can you get for $300,000 or less in the U.S.? These 7 listings give an idea.

Priced out

Rochelle Vassar, a single mother in Charlotte, set out to buy a small, single-family home or a townhouse that would allow them to establish real roots. But in this market, that has been far from easy. As the market grows hotter, and home ownership slips out of the hands of many, renting in the Charlotte area is becoming more difficult than ever. This special report takes a look at what it takes to buy a home in Charlotte and how the market is trending, plus tips for starting your real estate search.

• A Charlotte single mom set out to buy a starter home. She’s on the verge of giving up.

• As Charlotte’s rental market heats up, residents are being priced out

• What houses can you get for $300,000 or less in the U.S.? These 7 listings give an idea.

• Buying or selling a home involves plenty of jargon. This glossary breaks it down simply.

• Rent prices in Charlotte are rising. Here’s how to negotiate your monthly rate.

According to the most recent data from Realtor.com, the median listing price of a home in Charlotte is $400,000. But what if you’re looking to purchase your first home? The elusive “starter home” is more and more difficult to find in Charlotte — and elsewhere.

Just for a taste of what’s out there, here’s what a house costing $300,000 or less will get you in Charlotte and other cities around the country.

CHARLOTTE

List price: $280,000

Size: 1,382 square feet, 4 bed, 2 bath

Year Built: 2003

From Realtor.com: “Gorgeous curb appeals welcomes you home! Lovely 4 bed/2 bath one story home centrally located- close to airport, shops, and dining- and right across the street from beautiful neighborhood park. Covered front porch and patio in the fenced backyard provide multiple options for outdoor living. Backyard is complete with lovely landscaping and garden beds! Laminate wood flooring throughout home is a breeze to maintain. Spacious living room with fireplace and a formal dining room. Kitchen boasts plenty of storage and stainless steel appliances. Primary suite includes updated full bath with dual vanity and a large walk-in closet. This home won’t last!”

RALEIGH

List price: $280,000

Size: 1,162 square feet, 3 bed, 2 bath

Year Built: 1981

From Realtor.com: “Sit out back on your deck and enjoy nature’s blessings of birds and wildlife in your big backyard less than 10 minutes from downtown Raleigh. Meticulously maintained rare split ranch with beautiful gleaming updated hardwoods throughout the center of the home. Cozy kitchen with updated stainless appliances, sunny dining area & inviting Family Room with masonry fireplace. Brand new carpet in all bedrooms. Best maintained home you will find at this age ANYWHERE!!!”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

List price: $299,900

Size: 1,354 square feet, 3 bed, 1 bath

Year Built: 1959

From Realtor.com: “3-bedroom ranch brick house and lot - Good condition - Has large front and back yards - Full chain link fence - Paved drive - 2-car detached garage building - 12’x20’ detached storage building - CH&A - Selling to settle an estate - Blinds remain - There is a washing machine hookup but no dryer connection - A new roof will be placed on this home within the next few days.”

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

List price: $295,000

Size: 1,512 square feet, 3 bed, 2.5 bath

Year Built: 2016

From Realtor.com: “Low maintenance, quality 2016 built home in Forest View! Enter from the front covered porch to the foyer & spacious living room with sunny sizable windows. Continue to the kitchen with 42 maple cabinets & extensive counter space, including a large breakfast bar open to the formal dining room & adjacent hall leading to the half bathroom. All appliances convey including the washer & dryer in the separate laundry room adjacent to the kitchen. The 2nd floor hosts three generous size bedrooms, including a sunny primary suite with private full bath with tub/shower. 2nd & 3rd bedrooms each have sizable closets & share the full hall bath with a tub/shower. Rear yard includes deck, NEW privacy fence (2020), attached storage shed & off street paved parking pad. Recent upgrades include new ceiling fans, window shades/blinds & lighting (2020). Home is conveniently located just a stones throw from the James River trails, Westover Hills shopping & restaurants, as well as a short drive to I-195 access. Schedule a private showings before this affordable home is gone!”

ATLANTA

List price: $295,000

Size: 1,152 square feet, 3 bed, 2 bath

Year Built: 1950

From Realtor.com: “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Perfectly located only minutes from the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta BeltLine, and Atlanta’s newest largest greenspace , the Bellwood Quarry. This beautiful recently renovated home boasts natural sunlight beaming through the large picture windows in the family room. Highly sought after RANCH with open floorplan, great for entertaining. Updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a separate dining room. Large master en suite with updated bathroom featuring a large tiled shower. Two large secondary bedrooms share a full bath. Large separate laundry room with almost new washer and dryer included and plenty of room for sorting laundry and ironing along with some extra storage space. As if this home wasn’t already perfect, just look at the lot on which it sits. A spacious front yard with not one but TWO driveways. (Easily park 5-6 vehicles) Then, there is that large fenced-in back yard. Private from the street and provides shade for those hot summer afternoons. Again, plenty of room for entertaining! Enjoy family cookouts with room for the little ones to run and play safely away from the streets. All new plumbing throughout home, HVAC, Water Heater and Roof just two years new!!! Safety features such as Ring Doorbell and 3 Ring motion activated video cameras/floodlights. Security bars on windows and door. Totally encapsulated crawl space. Make this house your home and enjoy the best of both worlds while living tucked away in a quiet neighborhood and being surrounded by all Atlanta has to offer with endless entertainment and a huge variety of restaurants, local shops, breweries and midtown.”

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

List price: $275,000

Size: 1,387 square feet, 3 bed, 1 bath

Year Built: 1986

From Realtor.com: “Welcome Home! Come Cozy up to your fireplace in this lovely 3 bedroom home in well desired Dorchester County II school district!! Home is centrally located with easy access to interstate. Features include a covered front porch and back patio with deck, fenced backyard, high ceilings, a wet bar and laminated hardwood floors in all the rooms except master bedroom. Master bedroom has 2 large closets.”

CLEVELAND, OHIO

List price: $285,000

Size: 1,996 square feet, 3 bed, 2 bath

Year Built: 1905

From Realtor.com: “Look no further than is completely renovated colonial in the heart of Westpark. This home has been thoughtfully and intentionally remodeled and awaits its new owners to move right in. A brand new front door off of the mega front porch opens into your huge living room and attached dining room. The main level features new vinyl plank, fresh paint, new, modern light fixtures and a showstopper of a kitchen with new stainless steel appliances, all new white cabinets fabulous quartz countertops, and a modern subway tile backsplash. Up on the second floor you will find three nicely sized bedrooms with new carpeting and an all new full bathroom. Upstairs even further is an attic space with loads of opportunity. The basement has fresh carpeting a newly installed full bath. This home sits on a wonderful lot that extends deep past the oversized two car garage and offers space for gatherings, fire pit etc. Vinyl windows throughout, fresh paint, new flooring, roof approximately 5 years old, furnace and a/c 2010, hot water tank 2022, appliances 2022, garage built in 1999. Schedule your showing today!”