Advice needed with home buying

[bearishgurl]

sdr, put down your bong and take out your math calculator. We’re all ecstatic to hear you’re getting 400 mi per tank in the city.

[sdmove]

[quote]sdmove, I looked at UCGal’s Pennant Village listing and I think that’s a good option for you.

If you could possibly save and qualify for just a bit more, I want to recommend these units. I don’t know if there is any pending litigation or if they will now qualify to be financed. They are units I’m familiar with and they have a lot of amenities for your HOA dues, which are $330 – $396, a bit high. Remember that a condo insurance premium is less than the premium for an SFR, because the association is insuring the common areas and common construction.

I just consulted SDLookup and I was in error that I pet-sat on Mahaila Ave (above). This was another friend’s unit. This complex on Mahaila Ave is first class right in line with the complex on the north side of Friars at Fashion Valley Road. It has fantastic amenities.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100066187-3969_Mahaila_Ave_103_San_Diego_CA_92122

I’m pretty sure these next two are actually in the same complex as I pet-sat in for 10 days. Mind you that it was the holiday season of 1981 and I’m just trying to go on memory here. This complex would have only been only 1.5 yrs old at the time, which sounds correct. If these are the right ones, they are 3 stories with open space between them and the UTC Mall (also fairly new at that time). The gym and other amenities made me feel like I was staying at a nice timeshare. I stayed in a 4 bdrm 1750+ sf unit like the ones below. It was VERY quiet. I couldn’t hear any neighbors and it was also well-built. It was just like living in an SFR.

I CAN tell you that my friend paid about $157K for it new and at the time I pet-sat, the HOA dues were about $159. Of course, this is irrelevant today, lol.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100065782-4481_Via_Pasear_San_Diego_CA_92122

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100073019-4408_Via_Amable_San_Diego_CA_92122

I also have a friend who owns a 3 bdrm unit in Eastbluff and I would not recommend those units for a family because their kitchen was very small with about 12 sq ft of counter space (half the size of the kitchen in UCGal’s patio home listing).

edit: if you stay in UC, don’t forget how much gas you’re going to save per month (not even considering your time) :=][/quote]

Bearishgurl, unfortunately the condo on Mahalia and Via Andar/Paseo are out of my budget. However, the one on Erlanger (Pennant Village) is something I will look at seriously.

[sdmove]

[quote]sdmove, I looked at UCGal’s Pennant Village listing and I think that’s a good option for you.

If you could possibly save and qualify for just a bit more, I want to recommend these units. I don’t know if there is any pending litigation or if they will now qualify to be financed. They are units I’m familiar with and they have a lot of amenities for your HOA dues, which are $330 – $396, a bit high. Remember that a condo insurance premium is less than the premium for an SFR, because the association is insuring the common areas and common construction.

I just consulted SDLookup and I was in error that I pet-sat on Mahaila Ave (above). This was another friend’s unit. This complex on Mahaila Ave is first class right in line with the complex on the north side of Friars at Fashion Valley Road. It has fantastic amenities.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100066187-3969_Mahaila_Ave_103_San_Diego_CA_92122

I’m pretty sure these next two are actually in the same complex as I pet-sat in for 10 days. Mind you that it was the holiday season of 1981 and I’m just trying to go on memory here. This complex would have only been only 1.5 yrs old at the time, which sounds correct. If these are the right ones, they are 3 stories with open space between them and the UTC Mall (also fairly new at that time). The gym and other amenities made me feel like I was staying at a nice timeshare. I stayed in a 4 bdrm 1750+ sf unit like the ones below. It was VERY quiet. I couldn’t hear any neighbors and it was also well-built. It was just like living in an SFR.

I CAN tell you that my friend paid about $157K for it new and at the time I pet-sat, the HOA dues were about $159. Of course, this is irrelevant today, lol.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100065782-4481_Via_Pasear_San_Diego_CA_92122

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100073019-4408_Via_Amable_San_Diego_CA_92122

I also have a friend who owns a 3 bdrm unit in Eastbluff and I would not recommend those units for a family because their kitchen was very small with about 12 sq ft of counter space (half the size of the kitchen in UCGal’s patio home listing).

edit: if you stay in UC, don’t forget how much gas you’re going to save per month (not even considering your time) :=][/quote]

Bearishgurl, unfortunately the condo on Mahalia and Via Andar/Paseo are out of my budget. However, the one on Erlanger (Pennant Village) is something I will look at seriously.

[sdmove]

[quote]sdmove, I looked at UCGal’s Pennant Village listing and I think that’s a good option for you.

If you could possibly save and qualify for just a bit more, I want to recommend these units. I don’t know if there is any pending litigation or if they will now qualify to be financed. They are units I’m familiar with and they have a lot of amenities for your HOA dues, which are $330 – $396, a bit high. Remember that a condo insurance premium is less than the premium for an SFR, because the association is insuring the common areas and common construction.

I just consulted SDLookup and I was in error that I pet-sat on Mahaila Ave (above). This was another friend’s unit. This complex on Mahaila Ave is first class right in line with the complex on the north side of Friars at Fashion Valley Road. It has fantastic amenities.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100066187-3969_Mahaila_Ave_103_San_Diego_CA_92122

I’m pretty sure these next two are actually in the same complex as I pet-sat in for 10 days. Mind you that it was the holiday season of 1981 and I’m just trying to go on memory here. This complex would have only been only 1.5 yrs old at the time, which sounds correct. If these are the right ones, they are 3 stories with open space between them and the UTC Mall (also fairly new at that time). The gym and other amenities made me feel like I was staying at a nice timeshare. I stayed in a 4 bdrm 1750+ sf unit like the ones below. It was VERY quiet. I couldn’t hear any neighbors and it was also well-built. It was just like living in an SFR.

I CAN tell you that my friend paid about $157K for it new and at the time I pet-sat, the HOA dues were about $159. Of course, this is irrelevant today, lol.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100065782-4481_Via_Pasear_San_Diego_CA_92122

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100073019-4408_Via_Amable_San_Diego_CA_92122

I also have a friend who owns a 3 bdrm unit in Eastbluff and I would not recommend those units for a family because their kitchen was very small with about 12 sq ft of counter space (half the size of the kitchen in UCGal’s patio home listing).

edit: if you stay in UC, don’t forget how much gas you’re going to save per month (not even considering your time) :=][/quote]

Bearishgurl, unfortunately the condo on Mahalia and Via Andar/Paseo are out of my budget. However, the one on Erlanger (Pennant Village) is something I will look at seriously.

[sdmove]

[quote]sdmove, I looked at UCGal’s Pennant Village listing and I think that’s a good option for you.

If you could possibly save and qualify for just a bit more, I want to recommend these units. I don’t know if there is any pending litigation or if they will now qualify to be financed. They are units I’m familiar with and they have a lot of amenities for your HOA dues, which are $330 – $396, a bit high. Remember that a condo insurance premium is less than the premium for an SFR, because the association is insuring the common areas and common construction.

I just consulted SDLookup and I was in error that I pet-sat on Mahaila Ave (above). This was another friend’s unit. This complex on Mahaila Ave is first class right in line with the complex on the north side of Friars at Fashion Valley Road. It has fantastic amenities.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100066187-3969_Mahaila_Ave_103_San_Diego_CA_92122

I’m pretty sure these next two are actually in the same complex as I pet-sat in for 10 days. Mind you that it was the holiday season of 1981 and I’m just trying to go on memory here. This complex would have only been only 1.5 yrs old at the time, which sounds correct. If these are the right ones, they are 3 stories with open space between them and the UTC Mall (also fairly new at that time). The gym and other amenities made me feel like I was staying at a nice timeshare. I stayed in a 4 bdrm 1750+ sf unit like the ones below. It was VERY quiet. I couldn’t hear any neighbors and it was also well-built. It was just like living in an SFR.

I CAN tell you that my friend paid about $157K for it new and at the time I pet-sat, the HOA dues were about $159. Of course, this is irrelevant today, lol.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100065782-4481_Via_Pasear_San_Diego_CA_92122

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100073019-4408_Via_Amable_San_Diego_CA_92122

I also have a friend who owns a 3 bdrm unit in Eastbluff and I would not recommend those units for a family because their kitchen was very small with about 12 sq ft of counter space (half the size of the kitchen in UCGal’s patio home listing).

edit: if you stay in UC, don’t forget how much gas you’re going to save per month (not even considering your time) :=][/quote]

Bearishgurl, unfortunately the condo on Mahalia and Via Andar/Paseo are out of my budget. However, the one on Erlanger (Pennant Village) is something I will look at seriously.

[sdmove]

[quote]sdmove, I looked at UCGal’s Pennant Village listing and I think that’s a good option for you.

If you could possibly save and qualify for just a bit more, I want to recommend these units. I don’t know if there is any pending litigation or if they will now qualify to be financed. They are units I’m familiar with and they have a lot of amenities for your HOA dues, which are $330 – $396, a bit high. Remember that a condo insurance premium is less than the premium for an SFR, because the association is insuring the common areas and common construction.

I just consulted SDLookup and I was in error that I pet-sat on Mahaila Ave (above). This was another friend’s unit. This complex on Mahaila Ave is first class right in line with the complex on the north side of Friars at Fashion Valley Road. It has fantastic amenities.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100066187-3969_Mahaila_Ave_103_San_Diego_CA_92122

I’m pretty sure these next two are actually in the same complex as I pet-sat in for 10 days. Mind you that it was the holiday season of 1981 and I’m just trying to go on memory here. This complex would have only been only 1.5 yrs old at the time, which sounds correct. If these are the right ones, they are 3 stories with open space between them and the UTC Mall (also fairly new at that time). The gym and other amenities made me feel like I was staying at a nice timeshare. I stayed in a 4 bdrm 1750+ sf unit like the ones below. It was VERY quiet. I couldn’t hear any neighbors and it was also well-built. It was just like living in an SFR.

I CAN tell you that my friend paid about $157K for it new and at the time I pet-sat, the HOA dues were about $159. Of course, this is irrelevant today, lol.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100065782-4481_Via_Pasear_San_Diego_CA_92122

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100073019-4408_Via_Amable_San_Diego_CA_92122

I also have a friend who owns a 3 bdrm unit in Eastbluff and I would not recommend those units for a family because their kitchen was very small with about 12 sq ft of counter space (half the size of the kitchen in UCGal’s patio home listing).

edit: if you stay in UC, don’t forget how much gas you’re going to save per month (not even considering your time) :=][/quote]

Bearishgurl, unfortunately the condo on Mahalia and Via Andar/Paseo are out of my budget. However, the one on Erlanger (Pennant Village) is something I will look at seriously.

[Scarlett]

[quote=bearishgurl]Scarlett (or any Pigg), do you know what the avg HOA is for an SFR in PQ? What about MR’s? I’m assuming under $100? I don’t think the SFR’s in Scripps Ranch would have MR’s in the OP’s price range but what about HOA dues?

Also, consider this. I think the gas difference is 3 tanks per month living in UC and 8+ tanks per month living in PQ or SR per vehicle. This is barring any leisure travel outside of the county.

I think your $200 extra for gas is too low if the OP will commute with two vehicles.[/quote]
There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.

[Scarlett]

[quote=bearishgurl]Scarlett (or any Pigg), do you know what the avg HOA is for an SFR in PQ? What about MR’s? I’m assuming under $100? I don’t think the SFR’s in Scripps Ranch would have MR’s in the OP’s price range but what about HOA dues?

Also, consider this. I think the gas difference is 3 tanks per month living in UC and 8+ tanks per month living in PQ or SR per vehicle. This is barring any leisure travel outside of the county.

I think your $200 extra for gas is too low if the OP will commute with two vehicles.[/quote]
There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.

[Scarlett]

[quote=bearishgurl]Scarlett (or any Pigg), do you know what the avg HOA is for an SFR in PQ? What about MR’s? I’m assuming under $100? I don’t think the SFR’s in Scripps Ranch would have MR’s in the OP’s price range but what about HOA dues?

Also, consider this. I think the gas difference is 3 tanks per month living in UC and 8+ tanks per month living in PQ or SR per vehicle. This is barring any leisure travel outside of the county.

I think your $200 extra for gas is too low if the OP will commute with two vehicles.[/quote]
There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.

[Scarlett]

[quote=bearishgurl]Scarlett (or any Pigg), do you know what the avg HOA is for an SFR in PQ? What about MR’s? I’m assuming under $100? I don’t think the SFR’s in Scripps Ranch would have MR’s in the OP’s price range but what about HOA dues?

Also, consider this. I think the gas difference is 3 tanks per month living in UC and 8+ tanks per month living in PQ or SR per vehicle. This is barring any leisure travel outside of the county.

I think your $200 extra for gas is too low if the OP will commute with two vehicles.[/quote]
There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.

[Scarlett]

[quote=bearishgurl]Scarlett (or any Pigg), do you know what the avg HOA is for an SFR in PQ? What about MR’s? I’m assuming under $100? I don’t think the SFR’s in Scripps Ranch would have MR’s in the OP’s price range but what about HOA dues?

Also, consider this. I think the gas difference is 3 tanks per month living in UC and 8+ tanks per month living in PQ or SR per vehicle. This is barring any leisure travel outside of the county.

I think your $200 extra for gas is too low if the OP will commute with two vehicles.[/quote]
There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.[/quote]

I just ran a couple of scenarios on Mapquest and found:

older PQ SFR: 18-20 mi one-way to/from UCSD + your possible $50 HOA

older SR twinhome (near I-15): 9 mi one-way to/from UCSD using congested Miramar Rd + $243 monthly dues

Here’s the sample:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100070230-9712_Caminito_Doha_San_Diego_CA_92131

How long would this SR stop-and-go commute take during rush hour? It’s a straight shot.

Note: I’m using UCSD for a benchmark. We will assume the OP works there or very close to it.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.[/quote]

I just ran a couple of scenarios on Mapquest and found:

older PQ SFR: 18-20 mi one-way to/from UCSD + your possible $50 HOA

older SR twinhome (near I-15): 9 mi one-way to/from UCSD using congested Miramar Rd + $243 monthly dues

Here’s the sample:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100070230-9712_Caminito_Doha_San_Diego_CA_92131

How long would this SR stop-and-go commute take during rush hour? It’s a straight shot.

Note: I’m using UCSD for a benchmark. We will assume the OP works there or very close to it.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.[/quote]

I just ran a couple of scenarios on Mapquest and found:

older PQ SFR: 18-20 mi one-way to/from UCSD + your possible $50 HOA

older SR twinhome (near I-15): 9 mi one-way to/from UCSD using congested Miramar Rd + $243 monthly dues

Here’s the sample:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100070230-9712_Caminito_Doha_San_Diego_CA_92131

How long would this SR stop-and-go commute take during rush hour? It’s a straight shot.

Note: I’m using UCSD for a benchmark. We will assume the OP works there or very close to it.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=Scarlett]There are no MRs at all for all the PQ that OP would be interested in budgetwise (MRs are only in Torrey Highlands which is a small part of PQ). HOAs, if they exist (and they often enough DON’T), are below $50 – for SFRs.

SD R can comment on HOAs and MRs on SR better than me.
What I’ve seen – and I haven’t looked extensively in SR – MRs in PQ are ~$100/mo for 500K-600K SFR usually. Some SFRs in PQ have also HOAs, some even in low 100$. I didn’t get the impression that is the norm though – to be that high. I’ve seen smaller than $50. To be clear though, vast majority if not all the SFRs in SR are not in the OP’s budget of 400K. The townhouses in SR that are close to I-15 are relatively old so no MRs there, but they can have significant HOAs, though no bigger than UC ones.

$200 was just a guess. We don’t know how much the significant other commutes right now and where. $300 is more than likely at the current prices.[/quote]

I just ran a couple of scenarios on Mapquest and found:

older PQ SFR: 18-20 mi one-way to/from UCSD + your possible $50 HOA

older SR twinhome (near I-15): 9 mi one-way to/from UCSD using congested Miramar Rd + $243 monthly dues

Here’s the sample:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-100070230-9712_Caminito_Doha_San_Diego_CA_92131

How long would this SR stop-and-go commute take during rush hour? It’s a straight shot.

Note: I’m using UCSD for a benchmark. We will assume the OP works there or very close to it.

[Author]

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