Time to buy in Valley Center?

User Forum Topic
Submitted by bdwahoo on March 8, 2009 - 3:12pm

I'm a long-time reader, but first time poster. Thanks to all who provide great information and debate on the boards. I'd like to know everyone's thoughts on whether now is the time to buy in an area like Valley Center. I have been waiting for the San Diego market to come down for years, and it appears that some areas are beginning to return to some level of valid fundamentals (price/rent ratio, etc.). I was not planning to buy just yet because I still believe the overall market has more to come down, but the low rates and appeal of owning a home are attracting me now. We currently rent a nice house in Del Cerro for probably half of what it would cost to buy in the same area (in terms of monthly payment). We have friends in Valley Center, and I have been leaning toward moving to more of a country environment and away from the city (though not too far from the city). There are several short sale properties in Valley Center that interest us with current listing price less than $400,000. My hope is to go in with slightly lower offers and see what the bank does. I don't expect financing to be an issue as I have a high FICO score and 10% down (with money left over to fix issues with the house and still have an emergency fund). Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to put my scenario into context for any insights you pigs may have. Thanks.

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Bd: I live in Fallbrook and
Submitted by Allan from Fallbrook on March 8, 2009 - 3:32pm.

Bd: I live in Fallbrook and love it. We've got a decent size property (1.2ac), and I've always liked the semi-rural/ag feel that Fallbrook has. I consider Valley Center similar, but even more rural than Fallbrook. We looked at Valley Center before buying in Fallbrook and there were several properties that I liked.

The only downside issues with Valley Center to me were: A little too rural, not enough creature comforts (in terms of retail, restaurants, banks, etc) and a little too hot in the summer time. Other than that, I liked the peace and quiet and the size of most of the properties we looked at (2 - 5ac on average).

I still think we have a ways
Submitted by recordsclerk on March 8, 2009 - 9:54pm.

I still think we have a ways to go in Valley Center. There are some good deals out there already. Valley View Ranch homes have been selling at %50 off peak. Woods Valley has also been selling at about %50 off peak. There are some listings for $100sqft in Woods Valley. Valley View ranch has been selling in the low $100sqft range and my soon be $100ft. I really like the homes in Valley View Ranch. The commute and schools don't work for my family. I would consider living there if I were retired.