[quote=sdmove]I love UC and if I could buy a house here, it would be my first choice. PQ probably second. CV if I win the lottery.
My commute to work is anywhere from 2-8 minutes depending on lights. This allows me more time with my boys and this is something I will lose if I move to PQ. I am guessing the commute to and from PQ to UC is 35-40 minutes. I would probably leave at 8:15am in the morning – probably the worst time to be on the road. And go home at 5 – equally bad timing.
This won’t be a decision I make lightly so that’s why I am anticipating a 1 year time frame.[/quote]
The problem, at your range, with UC is that condos attract either students or more riff-raff (as renters). Many are not well built, HOAs are high, can be raised even further.
What you should try to find out is if you CAN GET FINANCING on those condo/townhouses complexes. MANY lenders don’t lend on them because of LOW owner occupancy – i.e. rentals. That is the case with Southpointe which hovers right around 50% ( I was contemplating buying there last year). Another reason for not obtaining financing is various litigations with the HOA involved. It’s better you find that out right away before wasting too much time considering them. It can vary with the complex.
Your guesstimate of commute to PQ is about right – in the afternoon maybe more, depending where in PQ, but 5 to 56 backs up pretty bad at 5 oclock.
If you aren’t doing so already, go to open houses in those areas, don’t look at more expensive than 400K and try to narrow down the number of areas you are considering. It will take a while until you get a better handle on pluses and minuses of each area. If you can focus on one area is better. It may take more than 1 year, I wouldn’t hurry such an important process, but you don’t need to be concerned where your oldest goes to kindergarten, even if you have to move him/her in the first grade. Doyle is quite good. API scores for 2010 was above 900.
EDIT: I have a feeling that it might be easier to get financing on the SR townhomes than UTC condos or LJ Village Sq townhomes, but again, I would check that out with a broker.
