Those Saratoga homes have an HOA from 60-150/mo, and a MR of 104/mo. Worst case total is $254/mo, not $1000!
The homes with the incentives are right on Carmel Mountain road, and hence the trouble selling them. I went to a release a couple weeks ago and all 5 properties sold in 5 minutes, with 10-15 other couples disappointed they couldn’t buy one.
Similarly for the more expensive Derby Hill. They have a list of over 500 people waiting to spend $1.2-1.5m, and they always sell out on release day.
Carmel Valley does indeed seem invincible. At least for now.