[quote=FormerSanDiegan]Whatever you do, rent in your target area first. . . .
The main problem for you is that $675 k would have given you plenmty of options 12 months ago. Not so much now.
Regardless of where you choose. Make sure to rent in the area first. Local traffic patterns have a huge impact on lifestyle. Speaking from personal experience… you could live 15 miles from work and have a reaosnable 25-minute commute. Or you could live 6 miles from work and have it regularly take 40-45 minutes.[/quote]
The low inventory causing price increases is the problem, FSD. I think if the OP uses a very experienced agent for the city they are interested in purchasing in, they won’t make a buying mistake. If they sign a one-year lease, the properties they are seeing now that they qualify for will be a minimum of 12% higher when their lease expires, esp the well-located ones, IMHO.
