Carlsbad or Penasquitos for 500K?

[sdrealtor]

Scarlett
Its the best advice I’ve got. While the house you buy is important over time it is what surrounds your home that determines how much you like or dislike where you live. Spend time each place on weekends and see where you see yourself being happiest. Then get great help from someone that knows that area.

Spend time to learn as much as you can about homes and relative values. Once you got that down, you will be able to spot when a great house comes along at a great price. You will have the confidence to jump in full force and you will win that way!

BTW Hagans is a short sale and it says they had a prior approval at $490K.

[an]

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Its the best advice I’ve got. While the house you buy is important over time it is what surrounds your home that determines how much you like or dislike where you live. Spend time each place on weekends and see where you see yourself being happiest. Then get great help from someone that knows that area.

Spend time to learn as much as you can about homes and relative values. Once you got that down, you will be able to spot when a great house comes along at a great price. You will have the confidence to jump in full force and you will win that way!
[/quote]
Great advice, and I’ll add one other tidbit to this advice. Once you know an area intimately, you’ll know not all floor plans fit your need or that you even like. So, that limit your search even further. Only when you know an area well, will you know what is a deal for you and what is just a deal. You’re buying a home, not an investment property, so floor plan and lot location also play a big roll too.

[an]

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Its the best advice I’ve got. While the house you buy is important over time it is what surrounds your home that determines how much you like or dislike where you live. Spend time each place on weekends and see where you see yourself being happiest. Then get great help from someone that knows that area.

Spend time to learn as much as you can about homes and relative values. Once you got that down, you will be able to spot when a great house comes along at a great price. You will have the confidence to jump in full force and you will win that way!
[/quote]
Great advice, and I’ll add one other tidbit to this advice. Once you know an area intimately, you’ll know not all floor plans fit your need or that you even like. So, that limit your search even further. Only when you know an area well, will you know what is a deal for you and what is just a deal. You’re buying a home, not an investment property, so floor plan and lot location also play a big roll too.

[an]

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Its the best advice I’ve got. While the house you buy is important over time it is what surrounds your home that determines how much you like or dislike where you live. Spend time each place on weekends and see where you see yourself being happiest. Then get great help from someone that knows that area.

Spend time to learn as much as you can about homes and relative values. Once you got that down, you will be able to spot when a great house comes along at a great price. You will have the confidence to jump in full force and you will win that way!
[/quote]
Great advice, and I’ll add one other tidbit to this advice. Once you know an area intimately, you’ll know not all floor plans fit your need or that you even like. So, that limit your search even further. Only when you know an area well, will you know what is a deal for you and what is just a deal. You’re buying a home, not an investment property, so floor plan and lot location also play a big roll too.

[an]

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Its the best advice I’ve got. While the house you buy is important over time it is what surrounds your home that determines how much you like or dislike where you live. Spend time each place on weekends and see where you see yourself being happiest. Then get great help from someone that knows that area.

Spend time to learn as much as you can about homes and relative values. Once you got that down, you will be able to spot when a great house comes along at a great price. You will have the confidence to jump in full force and you will win that way!
[/quote]
Great advice, and I’ll add one other tidbit to this advice. Once you know an area intimately, you’ll know not all floor plans fit your need or that you even like. So, that limit your search even further. Only when you know an area well, will you know what is a deal for you and what is just a deal. You’re buying a home, not an investment property, so floor plan and lot location also play a big roll too.

[an]

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Its the best advice I’ve got. While the house you buy is important over time it is what surrounds your home that determines how much you like or dislike where you live. Spend time each place on weekends and see where you see yourself being happiest. Then get great help from someone that knows that area.

Spend time to learn as much as you can about homes and relative values. Once you got that down, you will be able to spot when a great house comes along at a great price. You will have the confidence to jump in full force and you will win that way!
[/quote]
Great advice, and I’ll add one other tidbit to this advice. Once you know an area intimately, you’ll know not all floor plans fit your need or that you even like. So, that limit your search even further. Only when you know an area well, will you know what is a deal for you and what is just a deal. You’re buying a home, not an investment property, so floor plan and lot location also play a big roll too.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scarlett] . . . A Master BR of 12×11 for example is not acceptable. And we don’t want to pay HOAs (or MRs) of more than ~$100-200/mo. So we don’t exclude UC, but the chances of seeing something really worth buying there for 500K and good size – without spending extra 50K+ for remodelling are very slim. We keep our eyes open though. It’s just that inventory for what we want is slim.[/quote]

scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. If the *rare* 1600 sf patio home listing brought up here by UCGal meets your needs and its HOA dues are <=$200 mo, that might be a viable property for you to consider. If its HOA has been maintained as nice as the pics indicate for nearly 40 years, then it is likely it has reserves and is stable.

As for the Stadium Way fixer, you should not assume that the owner (lender??) won’t take $450K or less for it, if not now, then eventually. The problem for you is that 30-40% of, say, a $425K purchase price equals a $127K to $170K downpayment under FNMA or FHLMC rules. Perhaps it would qualify for FHA with a piggyback loan under section 203K.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm

I know its not located in an underserved area but these are times where institutional owners need to be a little creative to unload certain properties. This property appears “livable” while you finish the rehab on it and will most certainly be worth far more after rehab is properly permitted and completed and its slope is cleaned up if there is no strong ambient road noise from the lot. This is the type of home from which you would never need to move from . . . you could retire in it and be happy.

Based on all your posts, I don’t think you will regret living in either of the above properties. Both are in great locations for your needs.

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Here is my advice and take it for what you paid for it. IMO, Casting such a wide net tends to be more of an impediment than a benefit. My best results typically come when someone has a laserlike focus. When we know what and more importantly where we are trying to be the results always seem to be better.

I’d spend my time getting more familiar with the areas you are interested. Take a good hard look and decide where you really want to live be it NC Inland (PQ/RB), central (MM/SR/Tierrasanta) or NCC (Carlsbad/Encinitas). Then get yourself the best help you can find to help you identify and capitalize on the perfect opportunity when it pops up.[/quote]

scarlett, this is very good (and free) advice and I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Another suggestion: Why don’t you take an in-person look at the 1400 sf Ramsay Ave property brought up by AN and located in the Curie/Standley/UC (guaranteed) attendance area.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100040643-47&#8230;

Due to the RV pkg clearance to the left of the garage, it would appear that there is room to expand it. Many homeowners in Chula Vista have expanded these types of garages to a 2-car by bringing the side out or moving the entire garage to the backyard and using the roof line for a drive thru carport. Done professionally, this modification looks very good and costs only $25K to $45K. The (corner) lot appears substantial on this property, with room for a detached 2-car garage and/or a rear room addition.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scarlett] . . . A Master BR of 12×11 for example is not acceptable. And we don’t want to pay HOAs (or MRs) of more than ~$100-200/mo. So we don’t exclude UC, but the chances of seeing something really worth buying there for 500K and good size – without spending extra 50K+ for remodelling are very slim. We keep our eyes open though. It’s just that inventory for what we want is slim.[/quote]

scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. If the *rare* 1600 sf patio home listing brought up here by UCGal meets your needs and its HOA dues are <=$200 mo, that might be a viable property for you to consider. If its HOA has been maintained as nice as the pics indicate for nearly 40 years, then it is likely it has reserves and is stable.

As for the Stadium Way fixer, you should not assume that the owner (lender??) won’t take $450K or less for it, if not now, then eventually. The problem for you is that 30-40% of, say, a $425K purchase price equals a $127K to $170K downpayment under FNMA or FHLMC rules. Perhaps it would qualify for FHA with a piggyback loan under section 203K.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm

I know its not located in an underserved area but these are times where institutional owners need to be a little creative to unload certain properties. This property appears “livable” while you finish the rehab on it and will most certainly be worth far more after rehab is properly permitted and completed and its slope is cleaned up if there is no strong ambient road noise from the lot. This is the type of home from which you would never need to move from . . . you could retire in it and be happy.

Based on all your posts, I don’t think you will regret living in either of the above properties. Both are in great locations for your needs.

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Here is my advice and take it for what you paid for it. IMO, Casting such a wide net tends to be more of an impediment than a benefit. My best results typically come when someone has a laserlike focus. When we know what and more importantly where we are trying to be the results always seem to be better.

I’d spend my time getting more familiar with the areas you are interested. Take a good hard look and decide where you really want to live be it NC Inland (PQ/RB), central (MM/SR/Tierrasanta) or NCC (Carlsbad/Encinitas). Then get yourself the best help you can find to help you identify and capitalize on the perfect opportunity when it pops up.[/quote]

scarlett, this is very good (and free) advice and I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Another suggestion: Why don’t you take an in-person look at the 1400 sf Ramsay Ave property brought up by AN and located in the Curie/Standley/UC (guaranteed) attendance area.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100040643-47&#8230;

Due to the RV pkg clearance to the left of the garage, it would appear that there is room to expand it. Many homeowners in Chula Vista have expanded these types of garages to a 2-car by bringing the side out or moving the entire garage to the backyard and using the roof line for a drive thru carport. Done professionally, this modification looks very good and costs only $25K to $45K. The (corner) lot appears substantial on this property, with room for a detached 2-car garage and/or a rear room addition.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scarlett] . . . A Master BR of 12×11 for example is not acceptable. And we don’t want to pay HOAs (or MRs) of more than ~$100-200/mo. So we don’t exclude UC, but the chances of seeing something really worth buying there for 500K and good size – without spending extra 50K+ for remodelling are very slim. We keep our eyes open though. It’s just that inventory for what we want is slim.[/quote]

scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. If the *rare* 1600 sf patio home listing brought up here by UCGal meets your needs and its HOA dues are <=$200 mo, that might be a viable property for you to consider. If its HOA has been maintained as nice as the pics indicate for nearly 40 years, then it is likely it has reserves and is stable.

As for the Stadium Way fixer, you should not assume that the owner (lender??) won’t take $450K or less for it, if not now, then eventually. The problem for you is that 30-40% of, say, a $425K purchase price equals a $127K to $170K downpayment under FNMA or FHLMC rules. Perhaps it would qualify for FHA with a piggyback loan under section 203K.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm

I know its not located in an underserved area but these are times where institutional owners need to be a little creative to unload certain properties. This property appears “livable” while you finish the rehab on it and will most certainly be worth far more after rehab is properly permitted and completed and its slope is cleaned up if there is no strong ambient road noise from the lot. This is the type of home from which you would never need to move from . . . you could retire in it and be happy.

Based on all your posts, I don’t think you will regret living in either of the above properties. Both are in great locations for your needs.

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Here is my advice and take it for what you paid for it. IMO, Casting such a wide net tends to be more of an impediment than a benefit. My best results typically come when someone has a laserlike focus. When we know what and more importantly where we are trying to be the results always seem to be better.

I’d spend my time getting more familiar with the areas you are interested. Take a good hard look and decide where you really want to live be it NC Inland (PQ/RB), central (MM/SR/Tierrasanta) or NCC (Carlsbad/Encinitas). Then get yourself the best help you can find to help you identify and capitalize on the perfect opportunity when it pops up.[/quote]

scarlett, this is very good (and free) advice and I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Another suggestion: Why don’t you take an in-person look at the 1400 sf Ramsay Ave property brought up by AN and located in the Curie/Standley/UC (guaranteed) attendance area.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100040643-47&#8230;

Due to the RV pkg clearance to the left of the garage, it would appear that there is room to expand it. Many homeowners in Chula Vista have expanded these types of garages to a 2-car by bringing the side out or moving the entire garage to the backyard and using the roof line for a drive thru carport. Done professionally, this modification looks very good and costs only $25K to $45K. The (corner) lot appears substantial on this property, with room for a detached 2-car garage and/or a rear room addition.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scarlett] . . . A Master BR of 12×11 for example is not acceptable. And we don’t want to pay HOAs (or MRs) of more than ~$100-200/mo. So we don’t exclude UC, but the chances of seeing something really worth buying there for 500K and good size – without spending extra 50K+ for remodelling are very slim. We keep our eyes open though. It’s just that inventory for what we want is slim.[/quote]

scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. If the *rare* 1600 sf patio home listing brought up here by UCGal meets your needs and its HOA dues are <=$200 mo, that might be a viable property for you to consider. If its HOA has been maintained as nice as the pics indicate for nearly 40 years, then it is likely it has reserves and is stable.

As for the Stadium Way fixer, you should not assume that the owner (lender??) won’t take $450K or less for it, if not now, then eventually. The problem for you is that 30-40% of, say, a $425K purchase price equals a $127K to $170K downpayment under FNMA or FHLMC rules. Perhaps it would qualify for FHA with a piggyback loan under section 203K.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm

I know its not located in an underserved area but these are times where institutional owners need to be a little creative to unload certain properties. This property appears “livable” while you finish the rehab on it and will most certainly be worth far more after rehab is properly permitted and completed and its slope is cleaned up if there is no strong ambient road noise from the lot. This is the type of home from which you would never need to move from . . . you could retire in it and be happy.

Based on all your posts, I don’t think you will regret living in either of the above properties. Both are in great locations for your needs.

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Here is my advice and take it for what you paid for it. IMO, Casting such a wide net tends to be more of an impediment than a benefit. My best results typically come when someone has a laserlike focus. When we know what and more importantly where we are trying to be the results always seem to be better.

I’d spend my time getting more familiar with the areas you are interested. Take a good hard look and decide where you really want to live be it NC Inland (PQ/RB), central (MM/SR/Tierrasanta) or NCC (Carlsbad/Encinitas). Then get yourself the best help you can find to help you identify and capitalize on the perfect opportunity when it pops up.[/quote]

scarlett, this is very good (and free) advice and I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Another suggestion: Why don’t you take an in-person look at the 1400 sf Ramsay Ave property brought up by AN and located in the Curie/Standley/UC (guaranteed) attendance area.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100040643-47&#8230;

Due to the RV pkg clearance to the left of the garage, it would appear that there is room to expand it. Many homeowners in Chula Vista have expanded these types of garages to a 2-car by bringing the side out or moving the entire garage to the backyard and using the roof line for a drive thru carport. Done professionally, this modification looks very good and costs only $25K to $45K. The (corner) lot appears substantial on this property, with room for a detached 2-car garage and/or a rear room addition.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scarlett] . . . A Master BR of 12×11 for example is not acceptable. And we don’t want to pay HOAs (or MRs) of more than ~$100-200/mo. So we don’t exclude UC, but the chances of seeing something really worth buying there for 500K and good size – without spending extra 50K+ for remodelling are very slim. We keep our eyes open though. It’s just that inventory for what we want is slim.[/quote]

scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. If the *rare* 1600 sf patio home listing brought up here by UCGal meets your needs and its HOA dues are <=$200 mo, that might be a viable property for you to consider. If its HOA has been maintained as nice as the pics indicate for nearly 40 years, then it is likely it has reserves and is stable.

As for the Stadium Way fixer, you should not assume that the owner (lender??) won’t take $450K or less for it, if not now, then eventually. The problem for you is that 30-40% of, say, a $425K purchase price equals a $127K to $170K downpayment under FNMA or FHLMC rules. Perhaps it would qualify for FHA with a piggyback loan under section 203K.

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm

I know its not located in an underserved area but these are times where institutional owners need to be a little creative to unload certain properties. This property appears “livable” while you finish the rehab on it and will most certainly be worth far more after rehab is properly permitted and completed and its slope is cleaned up if there is no strong ambient road noise from the lot. This is the type of home from which you would never need to move from . . . you could retire in it and be happy.

Based on all your posts, I don’t think you will regret living in either of the above properties. Both are in great locations for your needs.

[quote=sdrealtor]Scarlett
Here is my advice and take it for what you paid for it. IMO, Casting such a wide net tends to be more of an impediment than a benefit. My best results typically come when someone has a laserlike focus. When we know what and more importantly where we are trying to be the results always seem to be better.

I’d spend my time getting more familiar with the areas you are interested. Take a good hard look and decide where you really want to live be it NC Inland (PQ/RB), central (MM/SR/Tierrasanta) or NCC (Carlsbad/Encinitas). Then get yourself the best help you can find to help you identify and capitalize on the perfect opportunity when it pops up.[/quote]

scarlett, this is very good (and free) advice and I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Another suggestion: Why don’t you take an in-person look at the 1400 sf Ramsay Ave property brought up by AN and located in the Curie/Standley/UC (guaranteed) attendance area.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100040643-47&#8230;

Due to the RV pkg clearance to the left of the garage, it would appear that there is room to expand it. Many homeowners in Chula Vista have expanded these types of garages to a 2-car by bringing the side out or moving the entire garage to the backyard and using the roof line for a drive thru carport. Done professionally, this modification looks very good and costs only $25K to $45K. The (corner) lot appears substantial on this property, with room for a detached 2-car garage and/or a rear room addition.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??

[Scarlett]

Ok, so it seems that the general opinion is commute time is more precious that age. So it’s seems that Carlsbad is out – unless at least one of us gets a job there.

[quote=bearishgurl]scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. [/quote]

Are you talking about UC? Because I am aware of that, I know for what I want there is extremely little there, so I don’t even look much anymore in UC. Commute and/or schools made us give up on places in Chula Vista, La Mesa, Santee – that I mentioned before on this site.

I believe that there are places in PQ, MM, CMR, Scripps Ranch that will have everything in one package. ~$200 limit on the monthly fees is doable in many of those places. I said I am ok with a 30-35′ commute – which those areas would provide – AN had his/her limit at 20′.

[quote=bearishgurl] You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. [/quote]
Ok, Carlsbad is out because of the commute but there you have newer properties (years 2000s) with only ~100$ HOAs and no MRs – at least according to SDL…
(…)
[quote=bearishgurl]
I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. [/quote]

I understand, Carlsbad would really tax us with the commute. Since I am familiar with CMR and PQ I know how we’ll juggle/split the commute to avoid the most congested times.
[quote=bearishgurl] If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??[/quote]

We simply don’t have the financial reserves to get a fixer-upper like the one on Stadium way. If it would be like, at 300K, then yes. I agree that it has good bones, that it could be made nice and increase its value, but it’s simply not in the cards for us. And besides the money, there is a lot of time invested to make that property livable – time that one may not want to live there with kids until it’s done. There is a value on that time and comfort too.

[Scarlett]

Ok, so it seems that the general opinion is commute time is more precious that age. So it’s seems that Carlsbad is out – unless at least one of us gets a job there.

[quote=bearishgurl]scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. [/quote]

Are you talking about UC? Because I am aware of that, I know for what I want there is extremely little there, so I don’t even look much anymore in UC. Commute and/or schools made us give up on places in Chula Vista, La Mesa, Santee – that I mentioned before on this site.

I believe that there are places in PQ, MM, CMR, Scripps Ranch that will have everything in one package. ~$200 limit on the monthly fees is doable in many of those places. I said I am ok with a 30-35′ commute – which those areas would provide – AN had his/her limit at 20′.

[quote=bearishgurl] You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. [/quote]
Ok, Carlsbad is out because of the commute but there you have newer properties (years 2000s) with only ~100$ HOAs and no MRs – at least according to SDL…
(…)
[quote=bearishgurl]
I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. [/quote]

I understand, Carlsbad would really tax us with the commute. Since I am familiar with CMR and PQ I know how we’ll juggle/split the commute to avoid the most congested times.
[quote=bearishgurl] If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??[/quote]

We simply don’t have the financial reserves to get a fixer-upper like the one on Stadium way. If it would be like, at 300K, then yes. I agree that it has good bones, that it could be made nice and increase its value, but it’s simply not in the cards for us. And besides the money, there is a lot of time invested to make that property livable – time that one may not want to live there with kids until it’s done. There is a value on that time and comfort too.

[Scarlett]

Ok, so it seems that the general opinion is commute time is more precious that age. So it’s seems that Carlsbad is out – unless at least one of us gets a job there.

[quote=bearishgurl]scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. [/quote]

Are you talking about UC? Because I am aware of that, I know for what I want there is extremely little there, so I don’t even look much anymore in UC. Commute and/or schools made us give up on places in Chula Vista, La Mesa, Santee – that I mentioned before on this site.

I believe that there are places in PQ, MM, CMR, Scripps Ranch that will have everything in one package. ~$200 limit on the monthly fees is doable in many of those places. I said I am ok with a 30-35′ commute – which those areas would provide – AN had his/her limit at 20′.

[quote=bearishgurl] You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. [/quote]
Ok, Carlsbad is out because of the commute but there you have newer properties (years 2000s) with only ~100$ HOAs and no MRs – at least according to SDL…
(…)
[quote=bearishgurl]
I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. [/quote]

I understand, Carlsbad would really tax us with the commute. Since I am familiar with CMR and PQ I know how we’ll juggle/split the commute to avoid the most congested times.
[quote=bearishgurl] If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??[/quote]

We simply don’t have the financial reserves to get a fixer-upper like the one on Stadium way. If it would be like, at 300K, then yes. I agree that it has good bones, that it could be made nice and increase its value, but it’s simply not in the cards for us. And besides the money, there is a lot of time invested to make that property livable – time that one may not want to live there with kids until it’s done. There is a value on that time and comfort too.

[Scarlett]

Ok, so it seems that the general opinion is commute time is more precious that age. So it’s seems that Carlsbad is out – unless at least one of us gets a job there.

[quote=bearishgurl]scarlett, my opinion is that you won’t find everything your heart desires in one package in your price range. [/quote]

Are you talking about UC? Because I am aware of that, I know for what I want there is extremely little there, so I don’t even look much anymore in UC. Commute and/or schools made us give up on places in Chula Vista, La Mesa, Santee – that I mentioned before on this site.

I believe that there are places in PQ, MM, CMR, Scripps Ranch that will have everything in one package. ~$200 limit on the monthly fees is doable in many of those places. I said I am ok with a 30-35′ commute – which those areas would provide – AN had his/her limit at 20′.

[quote=bearishgurl] You have severely limited yourself against very recent construction (2003 forward) because of your HOA/MR constraints. [/quote]
Ok, Carlsbad is out because of the commute but there you have newer properties (years 2000s) with only ~100$ HOAs and no MRs – at least according to SDL…
(…)
[quote=bearishgurl]
I’ll throw in some more free advice here. For NCC locations, think of your evening commute when you might have to pick up kids by a certain time. Remember that the 5 bottlenecks really bad during rush hour where the 805 joins it. And you’re already familiar with the I-15 corridor commute because you already lived there. [/quote]

I understand, Carlsbad would really tax us with the commute. Since I am familiar with CMR and PQ I know how we’ll juggle/split the commute to avoid the most congested times.
[quote=bearishgurl] If you seriously want a 20-30 minute commute (most likely a surface-street commute [or <2 mile jaunt on the 52] within this time frame), then concentrate on those areas that offer you this. The inventory existing in those areas is what you have to work with, nothing more. You must accept what is, commute at the mercy of the freeway or change your work locations. UC inventory, for the most part, is 35-50 years old. Upper Clairemont inventory is 35-55 years old.

I’m telling you these things only to help you. I’ve picked up kids from daycare/after-school care by 6:00 p.m. most of my life and am a 35-year resident of this county. so I understand all your concerns. I’ve only been reading this board regularly for about 8 mos, but in that time frame, you have been all over the map in considering the purchase of a primary residence for your young family. There are many tradeoffs in this life and with young kids, your time is certainly worth more than any other consideration.

Really give these points some consideration, scarlett, and try to think out of the box a little. How else do you think you will you get an equivalent school attendance area so close to work with the resources you have??[/quote]

We simply don’t have the financial reserves to get a fixer-upper like the one on Stadium way. If it would be like, at 300K, then yes. I agree that it has good bones, that it could be made nice and increase its value, but it’s simply not in the cards for us. And besides the money, there is a lot of time invested to make that property livable – time that one may not want to live there with kids until it’s done. There is a value on that time and comfort too.

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