[quote=La Jolla Renter]We really need more data. How old are you and your husband? Will his income go up or is he at the top of his earning potential? How long do you plan to be a stay at home mom? Will you earn an income down the road? Any home improvement skills or DIYers? How important are the schools your kids go to? Do you demand 9 or 10 out of 10 on the rating scale? What are some of your top choice neighborhoods?
I’m probably of the camp that leans toward putting minimal down and invest the rest.
Great ideas to “work” the little old lady on a deal to buy or stay. But if that angle doesn’t work, you need to compare rent vs buy with your new market rent. I think the buy camp wins out.[/quote]All good questions, LJR. Especially asking about the OP’s own income potential down the road. I would add that a buyer looking for a ~$400K (or less) SFR in SD County (and doesn’t want MR) would be hard pressed to be able to buy in the attendance area of a public school rated a “9.” And not sure if SD County has any public schools rated a “10.” Please correct me if you know of any. If the OP was willing to buy a condo (w/HOA dues & even MR) perhaps they could find something in the attendance area of a public school rated a “9.” I’m thinking in Otay Ranch (CV 91914/91915).
Buyers in the OP’s price range really can’t make those kinds of “demands” in SD County (or even those in LA/Orange Counties) unless they’re willing to buy a condo. The good news is, elementary schools rated an “8” are still very good schools. And even those which are rated a “7” if enough of the parents are involved and it has been “improving” over the last few years.
