[quote=SD Realtor]Nice synopsis early. I think thisis pretty helpful for people looking in the area. One other spot you may wanna try is the Crosby but it is considerably further out and the best access coastwise is Del Dios. I figure if you went all the way out to 4S you may consider it.[/quote]
Thanks SD Realtor.
Yeah, I think it’s great to give back and share information with people. I really found it lacking of information on Santaluz when I was researching so I plan to provide as much information as possible, especially if I end up buying here. Again, I’m surprised this development doesn’t get more press. It’s much nicer than many other areas that I saw.
Yes, we’re going to look at some houses in Crosby as well but most of them are out of our price range. I really didn’t want to go over $1.2 million and it’s tough at Crosby, although I see some short-sales and foreclosures there for under $1.2.
For kicks and due diligence, I googled the names of property owners for the properties that we were considering as well as their surrounding neighbors and most of them I could find information on. Many were doctors and lawyers or CEO’s/executive at local companies. One was a very popular local realtor. That gave me a good feeling that so many of the surrounding neighbors were affluent. I seriously doubt this area will go to sh*t.
We went out to 4S Ranch, not because we really were seriously interested but I just wanted to get a feel for comparisons and price ranges and wanted to see why it was so much cheaper out there. I could IMMEDIATELY see why. And to be honest with you (and no offense to those of you that own in 4S Ranch….but that area looks like it could really go downhill in 10+ years). Heck, even driving by homes that were just built and new didn’t look so great and construction looked terribly cheap. So I imagine in 10 years many neighborhoods here will look very “tired”.
I didn’t get that sense at all in Santaluz. I seriously doubt this area will go downhill.
We also toured Santa Monica and I really liked it. The entrance to me is really impressive once you pass the security guard. The only thing that I didn’t like is the power lines at the back of the development. You couldn’t see it from some of the houses towards the front of the development but the homes near the back…it clearly can be seen and very ugly.
I wouldn’t mind however if I was buying for the long-term and I couldn’t see the power lines from my house. But that is a big negative that those thinking about Santa Monica should think about.
The HOA fees at Santa Monica were $305 a month vs. $450 a month at Santaluz. Plus at Santaluz for the $450 a month you can’t use the pool, gym, tennis courts. You have to buy a “Hacienda membership” which was $12,500 one time fee plus $205 per month. At Santa Monica you can use the pool, gym, etc. but it’s nothing to write home about but still would be enjoyable if you have young kids.
Still, a super affluent area. One of the homes we toured, the tenant renting was an ex NFL player that was leasing it. VERY nice guy and took the time to talk to me and I asked him how he liked it and he LOVED the area. He had small kids (like many others in this area).
Again, it seems like everyone I talked to around/in Santaluz really love everything about it and super high quality of life. All except the high HOA/MR.
We drove around Rancho Santa Fe as well. Not because we were interested in this area as the homes are out of our price range but just for comparison but even if we could afford it, I wouldn’t buy here as it felt too rural to me. I guess for those that might have horses or need tons of land it might be desirable but not my cup of tea. But super nice area no doubt.
I guess the biggest wonder I have is why anyone would still spend in the $700’s for 4S Ranch? Those prices still seem high to me and there is a ton of distressed properties it seems like in that area. After driving around in that area I can see why. I can’t imagine anyone paying 7 figures for 4S Ranch. JMHO.
