[quote=CA renter]Also, just want to clarify…I don’t think jp or I are looking for that “special” Del Mar house that everyone else wants to buy.
There is this weird misconception on housing blogs that those of us who complain about the intervention or high prices are simply “whiners” who are looking for million-dollar properties to drop to $200K. That’s not the case with any of the bubble-sitters I’m aware of. We’re looking for very ordinary homes — no McMansions and no granite, please! — and just want prices to go to levels that are aligned with historical norms and price/rent ratios. We want prices to go where they would go without all the unprecedented intervention. That is NOT feeling “entitled” by any stretch of the imagination.[/quote]
I understand all of this. I also understand you only have 2-4 zip codes you are shopping in. Nothing wrong with this, CAR. This is the case with most buyers. But the 2-4 zip codes you are limited by are all “move-up” areas. Unless looking for a <1300 sf SFR or condo, first timers do not gravitate to the zips you are shopping in.
You're probably aware that buyers who are not first timers often have 20% - 100% cash at their disposal to make a deal, whether or not they choose to put it all down. It's not at all uncommon for a 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th timer, etc to put 30% - 40% down and take out a reasonable mortgage for the balance, according to their age and tax writeoff needs, regardless of how much cash they have at their disposal.
I agree that the areas you are looking in are not typically "all-cash" streets or oceanfront/pano ocean view properties. Most of your competition would be taking mortgages out.
Since what you are probably seeking in on tract, I think you should go to the Megan's law website ASAP and list, one by one, the offenders and their charges, date of offense, etc (does it include this info? . . . haven't looked) for each and every tract you are interested in shopping in, regardless of current inventory available in it. Keep your notes handy and when a property comes on the market you want to view and if you like what you view, go down and research the individual offenders that live nearby BEFORE you place an offer. Get their STORY if you can.
If the site (or crim. file) gives the age or DOB, and the indiv. is now 70+ years old, I don't think I'd worry too much about him being a potential predator to your children.
scaredy is right. We don't have any control over whether a sex-registrant moves in near us AFTER we have already closed escrow.
I know how much you want to buy a home for your family and am just offering some suggestions here.
