San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

What exactly is a redo? Was this project canned and restarted?

selfportrait

----- Sour grapes for everyone!

I'm not exactly sure what a "redo" is. I've never heard of it before. The salespeople were not really clear about what it means either. We'll see, I guess.

I'll ask around. Some people I know live in Del Sur.

selfportrait

----- Sour grapes for everyone!

Fat Lazy,

BTW, what's your full handle, only displays
Fat_Lazy_Union.....

Thanks

HiggyBaby

Fat Lazy,

BTW, what's your full handle, only displays
Fat_Lazy_Union.....

Thanks

HiggyBaby

fat_lazy_union_worker. As you can tell, I've been sort of jaded by perception of quality of work and workers.

selfportrait

----- Sour grapes for everyone!

We toured those homes early last year. In my opinion, really nice and unique in and out, really small back yards, some with nice views - if brown inland desert dotted with suburbs is your idea of a "view". I left thinking you'd have to love your neighbors to live there, and that the houses would be great on larger lots.

If I recall they ranged something like 1m to 1.6m at the time.

corporate is meeting together this weekend to discuss the 'redo' for this development

Translation: Sales have been so dismally slow, the executives realized that they need to change pretty much everything, from floor plans to marketing to prices ... in order to have any hope of salvaging the entire project.

I agree, gn. I would imagine they would build smaller (more affordable) homes with private yards. When all else fails, go conventional.

Sentinels at SantaluzSentinels at SantaluzSentinels at SantaluzSentinels at SantaluzSentinels at SantaluzSentinels at Santaluz BackyardSENTINELS AT DEL SUR NO COMPARISON TO SENTINELS AT SANTALUZ!

I sold my single-level Plan 1 at the Sentinels at Santaluz about 7 months ago (for a record high) and have mostly praise for how ingenius the homes are. Despite what many people see as an initial lack of privacy, I can say that they are extremely private and have more privacy than conventional tract homes. Windows are placed so that none face into neighbor's windows and lots are deceptively large (mine was standard at about 8000+sf). I think the demographics (people downsizing from Fairbanks Ranch and RSF, empty nesters, DINKS, second-homes) for the Santaluz homes added to sense of privacy and quiet (no kids in my pod of 8 homes). Neighbors were practically invisible and I there was one I only saw one about 6 times in 3 years! I'd have to say that living in conventional tract homes is much more exposed. Also, my home did not have the carriage house so it did not have a turnn-in garage which provided an additional parking pad for 2 cars which combined with the garage was like a 4-car garage! You could even park a 39ft. motorhome in the parking pad and maneuver it in and out of the pod. The main reason I sold was to be able to permanently park a new custom motorcoach on the property and get slightly more square footage. Once you live in a Sentinel it's hard to imagine living in conventional tract homes that are all lined up in a row with neighbors all around that look into your home and yard. The pod concept maximizes privacy, views, and is not for everyone, but for those wanting a home that is architecturally significant and liveable! I hope that the "redo" in Del Sur doesn't ruin a good thing, but think Del Sur was the wrong environment to recreate the Sentinels as the demographic is likely more value and family oriented. The developer of the Sentinels in Santaluz used them as the basis for the Baywood Collection and received numerous awards and much acclaim for both projects!

dgilmsandi,
Great comments on the Sentinels. I only wish I had bought a Sentinel, rather than a Casitas, but was a little late to the game on them. I sold my Casitas a couple years back, and did pretty well, but I no doubt you did much better with your Sentinel. I totally agree that Laing homes completely messed up the Sentinels at Del Sur. First off, the change in elevation/paint scheme (too bright & colorful) was a step in the wrong direction. The Sentinels at Santaluz are far more attractive looking. Secondly, I agree with you that the demographics to fit near as well in Del Sur for that type of project. Third, their initial pricing was actually higher than some of the Santaluz Sentinel resales! If I could have a Santaluz Sentinel at a similar price as the Del Sur, I would certainly choose Santaluz.

dgilmsandi

Congratulations on getting the highest price ever for a Santaluz (true) Sentinel, but whoever paid that was a complete idiot. Likely an idiot who's much wealthier than I, but nonetheless, 7 months ago appears well past the peak.

I love the Sentinels myself, but can't rationalize paying the current asking price for them. Even less so, with the pale imitations at Del Sur. I agree with the last poster that you can actually find the Santaluz versions cheaper than some of those. Sure, you've got the $400 and change HOA in Santaluz, but the deadly Mello-Roos and $200 HOA at Del Sur, more than make up for that.

And don't get me started on the density in Del Sur. Someone nailed in on the head a year or so ago when they said it had a condominium complex vibe. I'm guessing the "redo" will just play further into that, rather than getting more Santaluz-like. Tough break for Laing Luxury... Wonder who's got dibs on the ones in the pod that are going to be close to the powerlines?

LOL! Yes, I think the market 6-7 months ago is different than today. I was rather fortunate to sell when I did and to get the price I wanted! I also agree that Del Sur is too dense. Santaluz will be a better investment due to its unique nature and you have many more expensive homes to carry the neighborhood and bring up prices for the community. I suppose there is a certain premium some superficial buyers will pay for since residents of Santaluz can say they live in a neighborhood where a home sold for $8m...

Maybe Laing should put their Sentinels up for Auction?

This thread is somewhat old, but I just recently stopped in their sales office for an update. They are re-opening their models this month. The "redo" is that they have brought the spec down so they can lower the prices. It makes sense to get the $/SF down and the only way to do this is to take away all the high end features that these homes originally built as a standard option. Now you can buy there if you can only afford up to $800k and if you can afford more "stuff" you have to pay for it. That was how Santaluz did it, too.

As for Santaluz...I couldn't agree more that the communities are vastly different and pricing should be as well.

I will say that they are my favorite neighborhood and I would move in there in a heart beat. Whoever said a shared patio was mistaken! The master suite/bath in the model I love so much is so private! The neighbor's view is obstucted in this very thoughtful design! Baywood was a genius!