Just a follow up if anyone is interested. We did look at SEH and, while we like a couple of the neighborhoods, we were really taken aback by all the bank owned empty houses in those areas. I think the empty 1+ million housing models on the hill (where the developer went bankrupt) speaks volumes for the area. We do have a couple friends that live in SEH and don’t doubt it would be a good quality of life overall, but in comparison to what we have, we don’t think it would be the right move.
4S Ranch has really nice models and we like the landscape of the surrounding hills, but the distance and the feeling of being so tucked away coupled with the higher price make us feel, again that selling what we have would not be the right move.
We looked at La Costa Rockledge as well and were not happy with the noise that rises up from Rancho Santa Fe Rd (although the models try to hide it with the backyard fountains). Perhaps because there aren’t many houses there yet, we could not get a sense for the young family feel we are looking for.
As a side note, since we were right across the street, we peeked through the unaffordable Copperwood models (is that bad form?) and were very impressed. Blown away by the openness of the downstairs. The power lines are very present on the south side of the neighborhood but aren’t an issue for most of the residences, unless there is some negativity regarding the presence of power lines a block or two away in general that I do not know about?
So, that leads us to the only development we are still considering versus staying in our current home: Madiera in Del Sur. We’ve driven through 4 or 5 times now and have seen the models twice, once with our broker (aka, mom). There was concern for increasing the distance to parents, but there is actually a back street up to Rancho SF where they are and the distance (remarkably enough) is exactly the same from where we are now. We love the models, love the earth tone colors of the neighborhood, love the high tech elementary school our kids could walk to, like the Shea Homes company, and love the young family makeup and neighborhood feeling the nook of Madiera/Bridgewalk provide.
I am personally concerned about another dip the market might take, but we are not in any rush and are governed by the availability of new homes in this development anyhow. Do any of you more market savvy folk have any thoughts on the effect the future may have in Del Sur and, additionally, our home in Rancho Ponderosa as well? Maybe it was just the timing of the Del Sur development, but we have seen maybe one or two houses in Del Sur that were bank owned and very few for resale (overpriced). Also, I am still very interested in people’s thoughts on our situation. Are we still crazy?
