What are the rent for nice place close to work? If you can get something for 1,500$/month, I would never bother buying a 220-300k$ house. You are single? Couple? How many children? My house worth 350k$ in actual market and I would sell and rent the same place for 2,200$/month if someone was fool enough to agree!
My Mom's cousin worked as a real estate agent for over 40 years and had 2 rules: Green is the worst color for a house and never own 2 places at the same time.