Carlsbad or Penasquitos for 500K?

[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.

[CDMA ENG]

I have been living in the UC for 3 months and I have come to accept that I will be living there as a renter and not an owner. Comparable houses to what I am living in are still commanding 620K to 680K range. This is without major upgrades. For the record I am in a 4/2 or 3/2 with office. I am seeing some lovely upgrades in the neighborhood commanding the 750K to 800K range. Great nieghborhood too. I am actually getting tired of saying “hello” to everyone that passes by the house. Its a very welcoming/friendly neighborhood. I know all my neigbors names which is priceless in these times.

I just better not catch UCGal’s dog leaving a steaming package on the front yard though! 😛

CE

[CDMA ENG]

I have been living in the UC for 3 months and I have come to accept that I will be living there as a renter and not an owner. Comparable houses to what I am living in are still commanding 620K to 680K range. This is without major upgrades. For the record I am in a 4/2 or 3/2 with office. I am seeing some lovely upgrades in the neighborhood commanding the 750K to 800K range. Great nieghborhood too. I am actually getting tired of saying “hello” to everyone that passes by the house. Its a very welcoming/friendly neighborhood. I know all my neigbors names which is priceless in these times.

I just better not catch UCGal’s dog leaving a steaming package on the front yard though! 😛

CE

[CDMA ENG]

I have been living in the UC for 3 months and I have come to accept that I will be living there as a renter and not an owner. Comparable houses to what I am living in are still commanding 620K to 680K range. This is without major upgrades. For the record I am in a 4/2 or 3/2 with office. I am seeing some lovely upgrades in the neighborhood commanding the 750K to 800K range. Great nieghborhood too. I am actually getting tired of saying “hello” to everyone that passes by the house. Its a very welcoming/friendly neighborhood. I know all my neigbors names which is priceless in these times.

I just better not catch UCGal’s dog leaving a steaming package on the front yard though! 😛

CE

[CDMA ENG]

I have been living in the UC for 3 months and I have come to accept that I will be living there as a renter and not an owner. Comparable houses to what I am living in are still commanding 620K to 680K range. This is without major upgrades. For the record I am in a 4/2 or 3/2 with office. I am seeing some lovely upgrades in the neighborhood commanding the 750K to 800K range. Great nieghborhood too. I am actually getting tired of saying “hello” to everyone that passes by the house. Its a very welcoming/friendly neighborhood. I know all my neigbors names which is priceless in these times.

I just better not catch UCGal’s dog leaving a steaming package on the front yard though! 😛

CE

[CDMA ENG]

I have been living in the UC for 3 months and I have come to accept that I will be living there as a renter and not an owner. Comparable houses to what I am living in are still commanding 620K to 680K range. This is without major upgrades. For the record I am in a 4/2 or 3/2 with office. I am seeing some lovely upgrades in the neighborhood commanding the 750K to 800K range. Great nieghborhood too. I am actually getting tired of saying “hello” to everyone that passes by the house. Its a very welcoming/friendly neighborhood. I know all my neigbors names which is priceless in these times.

I just better not catch UCGal’s dog leaving a steaming package on the front yard though! 😛

CE

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]. . . 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.[/quote]

scarlett, you don’t need financial reserves to do rehab work if you can secure an all-in-one solution with the FHA 203K program (30-yr “take-out” mtg) at the time of purchasing the fixer. You just have to make sure you take out enough to complete the necessary work.

However, I understand the discomfort and inconvenience of living in a partial fixer. I didn’t have problems living in fixers with kids and dealing with roofers or concrete contractors but that is just me. My only focus was to acquire desirable sound properties as cheaply as possible.

I read somewhere (but wouldn’t be able to find it now) where you posted that your former commute from RB to LJ area was really frustrating for you both. PQ is just across the fwy from RB. Have you factored in an extra $100+ a month for A/C for part of the year?

scarlett, from this thread, you sound like what you REALLY want is UC and these other areas are just lesser alternatives. IMHO, if UC is what you REALLY want, then you should GET IT. While the interest rates are this low, why “settle” when it comes to location? I believe UC is within reach for you (with a few temporary sacrifices).

If I were you, I would focus on what I REALLY wanted, location wise, and worry about putting a walk-in closet in the MBR later, for example. Once you buy, I don’t believe you will be able to easily sell in the next few years and come out “cash-positive,” (unless possibly you have rehabbed a below-market fixer situated in a very good area).

You can never fix inconvenient locations but you can fix everything else, given an adequate-sized lot.

Why don’t you just do a drive-by on Ramsay and report your property and immediate-area impressions back here, keeping in mind its “prized” school attendance area?? Don’t automatically assume it will sell for near its listed price unless it has been heloced.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]. . . 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.[/quote]

scarlett, you don’t need financial reserves to do rehab work if you can secure an all-in-one solution with the FHA 203K program (30-yr “take-out” mtg) at the time of purchasing the fixer. You just have to make sure you take out enough to complete the necessary work.

However, I understand the discomfort and inconvenience of living in a partial fixer. I didn’t have problems living in fixers with kids and dealing with roofers or concrete contractors but that is just me. My only focus was to acquire desirable sound properties as cheaply as possible.

I read somewhere (but wouldn’t be able to find it now) where you posted that your former commute from RB to LJ area was really frustrating for you both. PQ is just across the fwy from RB. Have you factored in an extra $100+ a month for A/C for part of the year?

scarlett, from this thread, you sound like what you REALLY want is UC and these other areas are just lesser alternatives. IMHO, if UC is what you REALLY want, then you should GET IT. While the interest rates are this low, why “settle” when it comes to location? I believe UC is within reach for you (with a few temporary sacrifices).

If I were you, I would focus on what I REALLY wanted, location wise, and worry about putting a walk-in closet in the MBR later, for example. Once you buy, I don’t believe you will be able to easily sell in the next few years and come out “cash-positive,” (unless possibly you have rehabbed a below-market fixer situated in a very good area).

You can never fix inconvenient locations but you can fix everything else, given an adequate-sized lot.

Why don’t you just do a drive-by on Ramsay and report your property and immediate-area impressions back here, keeping in mind its “prized” school attendance area?? Don’t automatically assume it will sell for near its listed price unless it has been heloced.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]. . . 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.[/quote]

scarlett, you don’t need financial reserves to do rehab work if you can secure an all-in-one solution with the FHA 203K program (30-yr “take-out” mtg) at the time of purchasing the fixer. You just have to make sure you take out enough to complete the necessary work.

However, I understand the discomfort and inconvenience of living in a partial fixer. I didn’t have problems living in fixers with kids and dealing with roofers or concrete contractors but that is just me. My only focus was to acquire desirable sound properties as cheaply as possible.

I read somewhere (but wouldn’t be able to find it now) where you posted that your former commute from RB to LJ area was really frustrating for you both. PQ is just across the fwy from RB. Have you factored in an extra $100+ a month for A/C for part of the year?

scarlett, from this thread, you sound like what you REALLY want is UC and these other areas are just lesser alternatives. IMHO, if UC is what you REALLY want, then you should GET IT. While the interest rates are this low, why “settle” when it comes to location? I believe UC is within reach for you (with a few temporary sacrifices).

If I were you, I would focus on what I REALLY wanted, location wise, and worry about putting a walk-in closet in the MBR later, for example. Once you buy, I don’t believe you will be able to easily sell in the next few years and come out “cash-positive,” (unless possibly you have rehabbed a below-market fixer situated in a very good area).

You can never fix inconvenient locations but you can fix everything else, given an adequate-sized lot.

Why don’t you just do a drive-by on Ramsay and report your property and immediate-area impressions back here, keeping in mind its “prized” school attendance area?? Don’t automatically assume it will sell for near its listed price unless it has been heloced.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]. . . 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.[/quote]

scarlett, you don’t need financial reserves to do rehab work if you can secure an all-in-one solution with the FHA 203K program (30-yr “take-out” mtg) at the time of purchasing the fixer. You just have to make sure you take out enough to complete the necessary work.

However, I understand the discomfort and inconvenience of living in a partial fixer. I didn’t have problems living in fixers with kids and dealing with roofers or concrete contractors but that is just me. My only focus was to acquire desirable sound properties as cheaply as possible.

I read somewhere (but wouldn’t be able to find it now) where you posted that your former commute from RB to LJ area was really frustrating for you both. PQ is just across the fwy from RB. Have you factored in an extra $100+ a month for A/C for part of the year?

scarlett, from this thread, you sound like what you REALLY want is UC and these other areas are just lesser alternatives. IMHO, if UC is what you REALLY want, then you should GET IT. While the interest rates are this low, why “settle” when it comes to location? I believe UC is within reach for you (with a few temporary sacrifices).

If I were you, I would focus on what I REALLY wanted, location wise, and worry about putting a walk-in closet in the MBR later, for example. Once you buy, I don’t believe you will be able to easily sell in the next few years and come out “cash-positive,” (unless possibly you have rehabbed a below-market fixer situated in a very good area).

You can never fix inconvenient locations but you can fix everything else, given an adequate-sized lot.

Why don’t you just do a drive-by on Ramsay and report your property and immediate-area impressions back here, keeping in mind its “prized” school attendance area?? Don’t automatically assume it will sell for near its listed price unless it has been heloced.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]. . . 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.[/quote]

scarlett, you don’t need financial reserves to do rehab work if you can secure an all-in-one solution with the FHA 203K program (30-yr “take-out” mtg) at the time of purchasing the fixer. You just have to make sure you take out enough to complete the necessary work.

However, I understand the discomfort and inconvenience of living in a partial fixer. I didn’t have problems living in fixers with kids and dealing with roofers or concrete contractors but that is just me. My only focus was to acquire desirable sound properties as cheaply as possible.

I read somewhere (but wouldn’t be able to find it now) where you posted that your former commute from RB to LJ area was really frustrating for you both. PQ is just across the fwy from RB. Have you factored in an extra $100+ a month for A/C for part of the year?

scarlett, from this thread, you sound like what you REALLY want is UC and these other areas are just lesser alternatives. IMHO, if UC is what you REALLY want, then you should GET IT. While the interest rates are this low, why “settle” when it comes to location? I believe UC is within reach for you (with a few temporary sacrifices).

If I were you, I would focus on what I REALLY wanted, location wise, and worry about putting a walk-in closet in the MBR later, for example. Once you buy, I don’t believe you will be able to easily sell in the next few years and come out “cash-positive,” (unless possibly you have rehabbed a below-market fixer situated in a very good area).

You can never fix inconvenient locations but you can fix everything else, given an adequate-sized lot.

Why don’t you just do a drive-by on Ramsay and report your property and immediate-area impressions back here, keeping in mind its “prized” school attendance area?? Don’t automatically assume it will sell for near its listed price unless it has been heloced.

[sdrealtor]

Scarlett
I always liked a little bit of a commute to have some thinking time to myself, time to call family/friends back east (with 3 hour time diff I cant call after 7) and some talk radio time. While I loved it, others cant stand that it. I wouldnt be so quick to rule out anything based upon the comments of a few us idiots around here myself included. Relie on your own judgement not ours. Only you know what would make you happiest.

[sdrealtor]

Scarlett
I always liked a little bit of a commute to have some thinking time to myself, time to call family/friends back east (with 3 hour time diff I cant call after 7) and some talk radio time. While I loved it, others cant stand that it. I wouldnt be so quick to rule out anything based upon the comments of a few us idiots around here myself included. Relie on your own judgement not ours. Only you know what would make you happiest.

[sdrealtor]

Scarlett
I always liked a little bit of a commute to have some thinking time to myself, time to call family/friends back east (with 3 hour time diff I cant call after 7) and some talk radio time. While I loved it, others cant stand that it. I wouldnt be so quick to rule out anything based upon the comments of a few us idiots around here myself included. Relie on your own judgement not ours. Only you know what would make you happiest.

[sdrealtor]

Scarlett
I always liked a little bit of a commute to have some thinking time to myself, time to call family/friends back east (with 3 hour time diff I cant call after 7) and some talk radio time. While I loved it, others cant stand that it. I wouldnt be so quick to rule out anything based upon the comments of a few us idiots around here myself included. Relie on your own judgement not ours. Only you know what would make you happiest.

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