1. 4S hasn’t dropped much relative to other areas…I too think 5-10% is likely over the next 1.5yr. How much of a price drop would make you want to wait? Would you be willing to wait 1 year and save 5%?
2. $450 seems high to me, especially for a recurring cost. Some people don’t mind, but it’s a deal breaker for many.
3. I’m not fire expert, but wikipedia says:
4S is one of only five communities in San Diego designed and built according to strict “fire safe” construction standards. These standards resulted in not a single home being lost or even damaged in any of these communities during the October, 2007 fires which affected much of Southern California and burned over 2000 homes elsewhere throughout Southern California.
Sounds reasonably safe to me!
Be prepared for what it takes to complete a short sale. Keep us posted; I’m sure many of us are in the same situation and would be interested to know.