Highlands Village in Carmel Valley: need advice!

[lepetitangel]

Ic.
Is it more cost-effective if we don’t go with any of the builder’s flooring, and then find 3rd party contrator to do it after we get the unit?

[Scarlett]

Different strokes for different people.

Before today, I only saw the floorplans posted online.I visited today the models and I liked what I saw. Plan 4 is the best inside. I concur with the other poster singing its praises. Extremely good use of space. A gorgeous kitchen with lots of cabinets. Just very nice overall. And for the HOAs of $260-290 you get a lot of brand new state of the art amenities, compared to other HOAs… But… almost 600K for a townhome with NO yard, NO private patio?

Plans 2 and 3 were nice too, each with its own pluses, but both having a relatively small footage downstairs for living & dining – making furnishing a bit of a problem and with no breakfast nook. MR were nominal, less than $100/mo.

Why do you HAVE to be in CV -or maybe I should ask do you REALLY need something brand new. I can certainly understand the appeal of new housing – it really excites me at first too, but then, in a cooler frame of mind, those townhouses are not worth it. Unless you really, REALLY NEED to be in CV.

Have you considered Penasquitos? At 600k, you can get a larger, SFH, NO HOAs AND no MRs (or very little) with usually a quite decent yard AND driveway. And an excellent school district just about as good as what you get in CV. If you want something newer you may like Park Village area of PQ. I would, but different strokes for different people.

I think, like other posters before me, that if I were you, I’d wait a few more years and see what is happening with the market – you have no pressing reasons to buy, except commuting.

I’d wait until your situation changes in terms of kids (unless some other major changes before that) before considering buying a house. By that time, you may see some of these townhouses flipped, if you are still interested. But then I’d buy a house I’d be happy in for a LONG time, in a good school district, aka until the kids are thru with school. Those townhouses, I would only consider for a starter house – and you already have that. As an intermediate, seeing that you eventually will be buying a SFH once you have kids, it’s not worth it – the moving costs, the transaction costs, the headache of selling and looking for houses, it doesn’t make much sense. 4S is a nice area with good shopping and schools. Moving in another part of 4S does not make much sense to me in your current state. So, just stay put.

And if you REALLY want to alleviate your commute and be in CV, I’d RENT, not buy in CV. And yes, I think the resale prices will come down more, though probably not a lot and not fast. So you may be able in a few years to afford a SFH with some yard in CV, why not wait for that.

Just my 2 cents.

[Scarlett]

Different strokes for different people.

Before today, I only saw the floorplans posted online.I visited today the models and I liked what I saw. Plan 4 is the best inside. I concur with the other poster singing its praises. Extremely good use of space. A gorgeous kitchen with lots of cabinets. Just very nice overall. And for the HOAs of $260-290 you get a lot of brand new state of the art amenities, compared to other HOAs… But… almost 600K for a townhome with NO yard, NO private patio?

Plans 2 and 3 were nice too, each with its own pluses, but both having a relatively small footage downstairs for living & dining – making furnishing a bit of a problem and with no breakfast nook. MR were nominal, less than $100/mo.

Why do you HAVE to be in CV -or maybe I should ask do you REALLY need something brand new. I can certainly understand the appeal of new housing – it really excites me at first too, but then, in a cooler frame of mind, those townhouses are not worth it. Unless you really, REALLY NEED to be in CV.

Have you considered Penasquitos? At 600k, you can get a larger, SFH, NO HOAs AND no MRs (or very little) with usually a quite decent yard AND driveway. And an excellent school district just about as good as what you get in CV. If you want something newer you may like Park Village area of PQ. I would, but different strokes for different people.

I think, like other posters before me, that if I were you, I’d wait a few more years and see what is happening with the market – you have no pressing reasons to buy, except commuting.

I’d wait until your situation changes in terms of kids (unless some other major changes before that) before considering buying a house. By that time, you may see some of these townhouses flipped, if you are still interested. But then I’d buy a house I’d be happy in for a LONG time, in a good school district, aka until the kids are thru with school. Those townhouses, I would only consider for a starter house – and you already have that. As an intermediate, seeing that you eventually will be buying a SFH once you have kids, it’s not worth it – the moving costs, the transaction costs, the headache of selling and looking for houses, it doesn’t make much sense. 4S is a nice area with good shopping and schools. Moving in another part of 4S does not make much sense to me in your current state. So, just stay put.

And if you REALLY want to alleviate your commute and be in CV, I’d RENT, not buy in CV. And yes, I think the resale prices will come down more, though probably not a lot and not fast. So you may be able in a few years to afford a SFH with some yard in CV, why not wait for that.

Just my 2 cents.

[Scarlett]

Different strokes for different people.

Before today, I only saw the floorplans posted online.I visited today the models and I liked what I saw. Plan 4 is the best inside. I concur with the other poster singing its praises. Extremely good use of space. A gorgeous kitchen with lots of cabinets. Just very nice overall. And for the HOAs of $260-290 you get a lot of brand new state of the art amenities, compared to other HOAs… But… almost 600K for a townhome with NO yard, NO private patio?

Plans 2 and 3 were nice too, each with its own pluses, but both having a relatively small footage downstairs for living & dining – making furnishing a bit of a problem and with no breakfast nook. MR were nominal, less than $100/mo.

Why do you HAVE to be in CV -or maybe I should ask do you REALLY need something brand new. I can certainly understand the appeal of new housing – it really excites me at first too, but then, in a cooler frame of mind, those townhouses are not worth it. Unless you really, REALLY NEED to be in CV.

Have you considered Penasquitos? At 600k, you can get a larger, SFH, NO HOAs AND no MRs (or very little) with usually a quite decent yard AND driveway. And an excellent school district just about as good as what you get in CV. If you want something newer you may like Park Village area of PQ. I would, but different strokes for different people.

I think, like other posters before me, that if I were you, I’d wait a few more years and see what is happening with the market – you have no pressing reasons to buy, except commuting.

I’d wait until your situation changes in terms of kids (unless some other major changes before that) before considering buying a house. By that time, you may see some of these townhouses flipped, if you are still interested. But then I’d buy a house I’d be happy in for a LONG time, in a good school district, aka until the kids are thru with school. Those townhouses, I would only consider for a starter house – and you already have that. As an intermediate, seeing that you eventually will be buying a SFH once you have kids, it’s not worth it – the moving costs, the transaction costs, the headache of selling and looking for houses, it doesn’t make much sense. 4S is a nice area with good shopping and schools. Moving in another part of 4S does not make much sense to me in your current state. So, just stay put.

And if you REALLY want to alleviate your commute and be in CV, I’d RENT, not buy in CV. And yes, I think the resale prices will come down more, though probably not a lot and not fast. So you may be able in a few years to afford a SFH with some yard in CV, why not wait for that.

Just my 2 cents.

[Scarlett]

Different strokes for different people.

Before today, I only saw the floorplans posted online.I visited today the models and I liked what I saw. Plan 4 is the best inside. I concur with the other poster singing its praises. Extremely good use of space. A gorgeous kitchen with lots of cabinets. Just very nice overall. And for the HOAs of $260-290 you get a lot of brand new state of the art amenities, compared to other HOAs… But… almost 600K for a townhome with NO yard, NO private patio?

Plans 2 and 3 were nice too, each with its own pluses, but both having a relatively small footage downstairs for living & dining – making furnishing a bit of a problem and with no breakfast nook. MR were nominal, less than $100/mo.

Why do you HAVE to be in CV -or maybe I should ask do you REALLY need something brand new. I can certainly understand the appeal of new housing – it really excites me at first too, but then, in a cooler frame of mind, those townhouses are not worth it. Unless you really, REALLY NEED to be in CV.

Have you considered Penasquitos? At 600k, you can get a larger, SFH, NO HOAs AND no MRs (or very little) with usually a quite decent yard AND driveway. And an excellent school district just about as good as what you get in CV. If you want something newer you may like Park Village area of PQ. I would, but different strokes for different people.

I think, like other posters before me, that if I were you, I’d wait a few more years and see what is happening with the market – you have no pressing reasons to buy, except commuting.

I’d wait until your situation changes in terms of kids (unless some other major changes before that) before considering buying a house. By that time, you may see some of these townhouses flipped, if you are still interested. But then I’d buy a house I’d be happy in for a LONG time, in a good school district, aka until the kids are thru with school. Those townhouses, I would only consider for a starter house – and you already have that. As an intermediate, seeing that you eventually will be buying a SFH once you have kids, it’s not worth it – the moving costs, the transaction costs, the headache of selling and looking for houses, it doesn’t make much sense. 4S is a nice area with good shopping and schools. Moving in another part of 4S does not make much sense to me in your current state. So, just stay put.

And if you REALLY want to alleviate your commute and be in CV, I’d RENT, not buy in CV. And yes, I think the resale prices will come down more, though probably not a lot and not fast. So you may be able in a few years to afford a SFH with some yard in CV, why not wait for that.

Just my 2 cents.

[Scarlett]

Different strokes for different people.

Before today, I only saw the floorplans posted online.I visited today the models and I liked what I saw. Plan 4 is the best inside. I concur with the other poster singing its praises. Extremely good use of space. A gorgeous kitchen with lots of cabinets. Just very nice overall. And for the HOAs of $260-290 you get a lot of brand new state of the art amenities, compared to other HOAs… But… almost 600K for a townhome with NO yard, NO private patio?

Plans 2 and 3 were nice too, each with its own pluses, but both having a relatively small footage downstairs for living & dining – making furnishing a bit of a problem and with no breakfast nook. MR were nominal, less than $100/mo.

Why do you HAVE to be in CV -or maybe I should ask do you REALLY need something brand new. I can certainly understand the appeal of new housing – it really excites me at first too, but then, in a cooler frame of mind, those townhouses are not worth it. Unless you really, REALLY NEED to be in CV.

Have you considered Penasquitos? At 600k, you can get a larger, SFH, NO HOAs AND no MRs (or very little) with usually a quite decent yard AND driveway. And an excellent school district just about as good as what you get in CV. If you want something newer you may like Park Village area of PQ. I would, but different strokes for different people.

I think, like other posters before me, that if I were you, I’d wait a few more years and see what is happening with the market – you have no pressing reasons to buy, except commuting.

I’d wait until your situation changes in terms of kids (unless some other major changes before that) before considering buying a house. By that time, you may see some of these townhouses flipped, if you are still interested. But then I’d buy a house I’d be happy in for a LONG time, in a good school district, aka until the kids are thru with school. Those townhouses, I would only consider for a starter house – and you already have that. As an intermediate, seeing that you eventually will be buying a SFH once you have kids, it’s not worth it – the moving costs, the transaction costs, the headache of selling and looking for houses, it doesn’t make much sense. 4S is a nice area with good shopping and schools. Moving in another part of 4S does not make much sense to me in your current state. So, just stay put.

And if you REALLY want to alleviate your commute and be in CV, I’d RENT, not buy in CV. And yes, I think the resale prices will come down more, though probably not a lot and not fast. So you may be able in a few years to afford a SFH with some yard in CV, why not wait for that.

Just my 2 cents.

[lepetitangel]

Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?

Again I think we should be patient and keep on looking at houses. My realtor told us sales are going well in CV but I don’t really see that. Inventory has just been increasing from Jan till now. I guess we’ll see.

So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?

thanks!

[lepetitangel]

Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?

Again I think we should be patient and keep on looking at houses. My realtor told us sales are going well in CV but I don’t really see that. Inventory has just been increasing from Jan till now. I guess we’ll see.

So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?

thanks!

[lepetitangel]

Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?

Again I think we should be patient and keep on looking at houses. My realtor told us sales are going well in CV but I don’t really see that. Inventory has just been increasing from Jan till now. I guess we’ll see.

So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?

thanks!

[lepetitangel]

Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?

Again I think we should be patient and keep on looking at houses. My realtor told us sales are going well in CV but I don’t really see that. Inventory has just been increasing from Jan till now. I guess we’ll see.

So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?

thanks!

[lepetitangel]

Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?

Again I think we should be patient and keep on looking at houses. My realtor told us sales are going well in CV but I don’t really see that. Inventory has just been increasing from Jan till now. I guess we’ll see.

So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?

thanks!

[Scarlett]

[quote=lepetitangel]Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.[/quote]
You’re welcome. We were told by the sales office that the next release is in August, with move-in around February. And that the waiting list is not by type of townhome, because people change their minds. So we only have to decide in August for that release (or could postpone for the following release if you wish).
[quote=lepetitangel]
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?[/quote]
I think it’s quite possible, but it does not mean it will .

[quote=lepetitangel]So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?
thanks![/quote]

If it was me, with no kids, I wouldn’t move yet. not this year and not the next.

But, at the same price, I would go with the SFH – if I HAD to buy. Think about the HOA too that really adds to the price, I dunno, perhaps as much as 50K?!
As a note, if it’s just a 3 bdr, it may feel cramped if you have more than 1 kid. Grandparents nearby is a HUGE advantage, remember. Invaluable.

[Scarlett]

[quote=lepetitangel]Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.[/quote]
You’re welcome. We were told by the sales office that the next release is in August, with move-in around February. And that the waiting list is not by type of townhome, because people change their minds. So we only have to decide in August for that release (or could postpone for the following release if you wish).
[quote=lepetitangel]
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?[/quote]
I think it’s quite possible, but it does not mean it will .

[quote=lepetitangel]So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?
thanks![/quote]

If it was me, with no kids, I wouldn’t move yet. not this year and not the next.

But, at the same price, I would go with the SFH – if I HAD to buy. Think about the HOA too that really adds to the price, I dunno, perhaps as much as 50K?!
As a note, if it’s just a 3 bdr, it may feel cramped if you have more than 1 kid. Grandparents nearby is a HUGE advantage, remember. Invaluable.

[Scarlett]

[quote=lepetitangel]Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.[/quote]
You’re welcome. We were told by the sales office that the next release is in August, with move-in around February. And that the waiting list is not by type of townhome, because people change their minds. So we only have to decide in August for that release (or could postpone for the following release if you wish).
[quote=lepetitangel]
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?[/quote]
I think it’s quite possible, but it does not mean it will .

[quote=lepetitangel]So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?
thanks![/quote]

If it was me, with no kids, I wouldn’t move yet. not this year and not the next.

But, at the same price, I would go with the SFH – if I HAD to buy. Think about the HOA too that really adds to the price, I dunno, perhaps as much as 50K?!
As a note, if it’s just a 3 bdr, it may feel cramped if you have more than 1 kid. Grandparents nearby is a HUGE advantage, remember. Invaluable.

[Scarlett]

[quote=lepetitangel]Hi Scarlett,
Thanks for your advice. I cannot agree with you more.
We do like Plan 4 a lot and we do think it is still over-priced. The sales office told us they already have a bunch of people on the waitlist…not sure if it’s true. But we’re gonna wait for at least 6-months as they told us nothing is available till Dec. Meanwhile we’ll just keep on watching the market.[/quote]
You’re welcome. We were told by the sales office that the next release is in August, with move-in around February. And that the waiting list is not by type of townhome, because people change their minds. So we only have to decide in August for that release (or could postpone for the following release if you wish).
[quote=lepetitangel]
I agree that it’s not necessary to have a brand-new home. I do like CV a lot as I lived in the area in my parents’ house for the past 5 years, and it’s just real convenient for us. I’m interested in some of the older neighborhoods too, especially those with smaller SFHs with a yard. I just hope prices do come down more in 6-months.
For something that’s 600K now, I do hope it drops to at least 575K. Do you think it’s possible in 6 months?[/quote]
I think it’s quite possible, but it does not mean it will .

[quote=lepetitangel]So if it was you, would you go for a:
– Brand new townhome (2000-sqft) in Highland Village?
– or an older (1985~1990) smaller (1600-sqft) SFHs in other parts of CV?
thanks![/quote]

If it was me, with no kids, I wouldn’t move yet. not this year and not the next.

But, at the same price, I would go with the SFH – if I HAD to buy. Think about the HOA too that really adds to the price, I dunno, perhaps as much as 50K?!
As a note, if it’s just a 3 bdr, it may feel cramped if you have more than 1 kid. Grandparents nearby is a HUGE advantage, remember. Invaluable.

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