I would say that over the past 4 years there are maybe 3 or 4 homes (that I could afford) and really liked enough to put offers on. The one that probably hurt the most was the one in Scripps in few summers back. My offer was accepted and we were in escrow and we backed out because the home had alot of remediation needed. Looking back that was a huge mistake. Since then the only home that I have seen that I really wanted badly was one that I found for a client in High Valley. It was about 150k to expensive for me. He lowballed it at first and the bank (it was an reo) didn’t even counter. Curious, after his lowball the bank lowered the list price but still not close to his price. He came back a month later and lowballed again. The bank didn’t counter again. I called the agent and asked what it would take to get the home. He conveyed it to me, I told my client and he got the home. He didn’t get it at his price, paid about 5% more then he wanted but he loves it and it is a unique custom home on a few acres up there with fantastic views. Could he have gotten it for a lower price if he waited? Perhaps. However that was several months ago and he is already refinancing and is very happy. He was considering 4S Ranch, as well as some other high end places in Poway. He also was considering some land in the unincorporated area just outside of Santa Luz as there are some lots there. They saw this home and it was a no brainer for them. Paid a little more for it. Definitely one of my favorite homes and I would take it in a heartbeat if I could afford it.