Expatriate from France to San Diego. Where and when to buy a home?

[sdrealtor]

Edouard,
The issue of timing when to buy is your own however I would advise looking into Encinitas. the is a very active art community there and alot of hisory relative to other parts of SD you might consider.

sdr

[sdrealtor]

Edouard,
The issue of timing when to buy is your own however I would advise looking into Encinitas. the is a very active art community there and alot of hisory relative to other parts of SD you might consider.

sdr

[Raybyrnes]

I don’t want any negative feedback about the Yanks telling you to buy anything but I would say that the following might be a good starting point.

You can probably vie the floorplans at Standard Pacific Website

Bridgewalk at Del Sur

Please see the attached flyer for this beautiful homesite. JUSTREDUCED TO $599,900!! This spectacular home is turn-key!! Includeswasher/dryer, window coverings, refrigerator, stainless steelappliances, beautiful hardwood flooring and much, much more!! This home is available for a 30-45 day move-in. Come by and take a look,it will be open all week!! Purchase this week and receive anadditional $10,000 Lender Credit for Closing Costs! Please contactthe Bridgewalk Sales Gallery at (858) 759-3264 for more information.

[Raybyrnes]

I don’t want any negative feedback about the Yanks telling you to buy anything but I would say that the following might be a good starting point.

You can probably vie the floorplans at Standard Pacific Website

Bridgewalk at Del Sur

Please see the attached flyer for this beautiful homesite. JUSTREDUCED TO $599,900!! This spectacular home is turn-key!! Includeswasher/dryer, window coverings, refrigerator, stainless steelappliances, beautiful hardwood flooring and much, much more!! This home is available for a 30-45 day move-in. Come by and take a look,it will be open all week!! Purchase this week and receive anadditional $10,000 Lender Credit for Closing Costs! Please contactthe Bridgewalk Sales Gallery at (858) 759-3264 for more information.

[Raybyrnes]

I don’t want any negative feedback about the Yanks telling you to buy anything but I would say that the following might be a good starting point.

You can probably vie the floorplans at Standard Pacific Website

Bridgewalk at Del Sur

Please see the attached flyer for this beautiful homesite. JUSTREDUCED TO $599,900!! This spectacular home is turn-key!! Includeswasher/dryer, window coverings, refrigerator, stainless steelappliances, beautiful hardwood flooring and much, much more!! This home is available for a 30-45 day move-in. Come by and take a look,it will be open all week!! Purchase this week and receive anadditional $10,000 Lender Credit for Closing Costs! Please contactthe Bridgewalk Sales Gallery at (858) 759-3264 for more information.

[Raybyrnes]

I don’t want any negative feedback about the Yanks telling you to buy anything but I would say that the following might be a good starting point.

You can probably vie the floorplans at Standard Pacific Website

Bridgewalk at Del Sur

Please see the attached flyer for this beautiful homesite. JUSTREDUCED TO $599,900!! This spectacular home is turn-key!! Includeswasher/dryer, window coverings, refrigerator, stainless steelappliances, beautiful hardwood flooring and much, much more!! This home is available for a 30-45 day move-in. Come by and take a look,it will be open all week!! Purchase this week and receive anadditional $10,000 Lender Credit for Closing Costs! Please contactthe Bridgewalk Sales Gallery at (858) 759-3264 for more information.

[nostradamus]

Hi Edouard, Hang on to those euros! They hit record highs against the dollar every day and it just keeps on going. San Diego is tough, I don't think there is any one place that has all the things you are looking for. I live in Sorrento Valley but there is nothing to do there and nothing to eat. So I go to Clairemont or Hillcrest to eat but I wouldn't want to live in either of those places. When I want something to do I go to the beach or downtown or La Jolla, none of which are very close to where I live.

Why do you need a 3000sf house? Didn't you get used to small living in Paris? Check out this house, for me it's huge and it has a huge lot right on a canyon in a nice neighborhood close to UTC (near where I live):

nice house

Also check out this intro to urban sprawl, of which I think San Diego suffers:

urban sprawl

[nostradamus]

Hi Edouard, Hang on to those euros! They hit record highs against the dollar every day and it just keeps on going. San Diego is tough, I don't think there is any one place that has all the things you are looking for. I live in Sorrento Valley but there is nothing to do there and nothing to eat. So I go to Clairemont or Hillcrest to eat but I wouldn't want to live in either of those places. When I want something to do I go to the beach or downtown or La Jolla, none of which are very close to where I live.

Why do you need a 3000sf house? Didn't you get used to small living in Paris? Check out this house, for me it's huge and it has a huge lot right on a canyon in a nice neighborhood close to UTC (near where I live):

nice house

Also check out this intro to urban sprawl, of which I think San Diego suffers:

urban sprawl

[nostradamus]

Hi Edouard, Hang on to those euros! They hit record highs against the dollar every day and it just keeps on going. San Diego is tough, I don't think there is any one place that has all the things you are looking for. I live in Sorrento Valley but there is nothing to do there and nothing to eat. So I go to Clairemont or Hillcrest to eat but I wouldn't want to live in either of those places. When I want something to do I go to the beach or downtown or La Jolla, none of which are very close to where I live.

Why do you need a 3000sf house? Didn't you get used to small living in Paris? Check out this house, for me it's huge and it has a huge lot right on a canyon in a nice neighborhood close to UTC (near where I live):

nice house

Also check out this intro to urban sprawl, of which I think San Diego suffers:

urban sprawl

[nostradamus]

Hi Edouard, Hang on to those euros! They hit record highs against the dollar every day and it just keeps on going. San Diego is tough, I don't think there is any one place that has all the things you are looking for. I live in Sorrento Valley but there is nothing to do there and nothing to eat. So I go to Clairemont or Hillcrest to eat but I wouldn't want to live in either of those places. When I want something to do I go to the beach or downtown or La Jolla, none of which are very close to where I live.

Why do you need a 3000sf house? Didn't you get used to small living in Paris? Check out this house, for me it's huge and it has a huge lot right on a canyon in a nice neighborhood close to UTC (near where I live):

nice house

Also check out this intro to urban sprawl, of which I think San Diego suffers:

urban sprawl

[SD Realtor]

Edouard,

I think Diego had a very insightful post. It will take awhile for prices to come down to the level that you want if indeed you are looking for a 3000 sf home that is newer. sdrealtor had a good recommendation regarding Encinitas as well as you may find a little more bang for your buck up there compared to Carmel Valley. Again, if you are really stuck on 3000 sf then you may have a challenge finding what you want in the near term.

Your taste in what type of home and location is an extremely important consideration. If you want newer homes and that square footage in that 700k range I would bet a place like Stonebridge will be at that pricing in another two years. Those are newer homes and they are big but they sold for close to 7 figures back in 04 and have been falling fast. This is but one example, even some of the nicer areas of Carmel Valley you have investigated may get there but it will take more time.

My recommendation would be to REALLY scrutinize the incentive package and line that up against the possibility of some different depreciation scenarios over the next few years. If the incentive packages outweigh most of the depreciation scenarios then perhaps you should consider buying. Remember though, once you do buy, do not think you will be able to resell in a year or two if you do not like the home without taking a hit. If you do buy make sure it is a home and a community you really are ready to live in for awhile.

I am not trying to scare you out of buying. People buy homes for more then economic reasons. However, just be careful. At the very least time is on your side… the likelihood of prices racing up again are remote if not nil. We may (in my opinion will) see a little price jump in the spring due to seasonal growth in activity that ALWAYS occurs in spring but it will be short lived. Don’t panic if that happens.

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Edouard,

I think Diego had a very insightful post. It will take awhile for prices to come down to the level that you want if indeed you are looking for a 3000 sf home that is newer. sdrealtor had a good recommendation regarding Encinitas as well as you may find a little more bang for your buck up there compared to Carmel Valley. Again, if you are really stuck on 3000 sf then you may have a challenge finding what you want in the near term.

Your taste in what type of home and location is an extremely important consideration. If you want newer homes and that square footage in that 700k range I would bet a place like Stonebridge will be at that pricing in another two years. Those are newer homes and they are big but they sold for close to 7 figures back in 04 and have been falling fast. This is but one example, even some of the nicer areas of Carmel Valley you have investigated may get there but it will take more time.

My recommendation would be to REALLY scrutinize the incentive package and line that up against the possibility of some different depreciation scenarios over the next few years. If the incentive packages outweigh most of the depreciation scenarios then perhaps you should consider buying. Remember though, once you do buy, do not think you will be able to resell in a year or two if you do not like the home without taking a hit. If you do buy make sure it is a home and a community you really are ready to live in for awhile.

I am not trying to scare you out of buying. People buy homes for more then economic reasons. However, just be careful. At the very least time is on your side… the likelihood of prices racing up again are remote if not nil. We may (in my opinion will) see a little price jump in the spring due to seasonal growth in activity that ALWAYS occurs in spring but it will be short lived. Don’t panic if that happens.

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Edouard,

I think Diego had a very insightful post. It will take awhile for prices to come down to the level that you want if indeed you are looking for a 3000 sf home that is newer. sdrealtor had a good recommendation regarding Encinitas as well as you may find a little more bang for your buck up there compared to Carmel Valley. Again, if you are really stuck on 3000 sf then you may have a challenge finding what you want in the near term.

Your taste in what type of home and location is an extremely important consideration. If you want newer homes and that square footage in that 700k range I would bet a place like Stonebridge will be at that pricing in another two years. Those are newer homes and they are big but they sold for close to 7 figures back in 04 and have been falling fast. This is but one example, even some of the nicer areas of Carmel Valley you have investigated may get there but it will take more time.

My recommendation would be to REALLY scrutinize the incentive package and line that up against the possibility of some different depreciation scenarios over the next few years. If the incentive packages outweigh most of the depreciation scenarios then perhaps you should consider buying. Remember though, once you do buy, do not think you will be able to resell in a year or two if you do not like the home without taking a hit. If you do buy make sure it is a home and a community you really are ready to live in for awhile.

I am not trying to scare you out of buying. People buy homes for more then economic reasons. However, just be careful. At the very least time is on your side… the likelihood of prices racing up again are remote if not nil. We may (in my opinion will) see a little price jump in the spring due to seasonal growth in activity that ALWAYS occurs in spring but it will be short lived. Don’t panic if that happens.

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Edouard,

I think Diego had a very insightful post. It will take awhile for prices to come down to the level that you want if indeed you are looking for a 3000 sf home that is newer. sdrealtor had a good recommendation regarding Encinitas as well as you may find a little more bang for your buck up there compared to Carmel Valley. Again, if you are really stuck on 3000 sf then you may have a challenge finding what you want in the near term.

Your taste in what type of home and location is an extremely important consideration. If you want newer homes and that square footage in that 700k range I would bet a place like Stonebridge will be at that pricing in another two years. Those are newer homes and they are big but they sold for close to 7 figures back in 04 and have been falling fast. This is but one example, even some of the nicer areas of Carmel Valley you have investigated may get there but it will take more time.

My recommendation would be to REALLY scrutinize the incentive package and line that up against the possibility of some different depreciation scenarios over the next few years. If the incentive packages outweigh most of the depreciation scenarios then perhaps you should consider buying. Remember though, once you do buy, do not think you will be able to resell in a year or two if you do not like the home without taking a hit. If you do buy make sure it is a home and a community you really are ready to live in for awhile.

I am not trying to scare you out of buying. People buy homes for more then economic reasons. However, just be careful. At the very least time is on your side… the likelihood of prices racing up again are remote if not nil. We may (in my opinion will) see a little price jump in the spring due to seasonal growth in activity that ALWAYS occurs in spring but it will be short lived. Don’t panic if that happens.

SD Realtor

[bsrsharma]

Edouard: Even if you put 500K Euros in a simple bank deposit at 5% p.a., you get 25K Euros interest = $36K p.a. I think you can rent a pretty nice place for $3000 p.m. and still keep your powder dry. Of course, you can always add another couple of thousand $ from your salary and get a really nice place for $5000 p.m. Why do you want to rush and buy real estate in a foreign country when the locals are too scared? I left San Diego on a job transfer and that is what I am doing here in Portland, Oregon. If you read this and other housing blogs, you will realize how much systemic instability we have in real estate & economy. Waiting another year is entirely sane.

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