Highlands Village in Carmel Valley: need advice!

[lepetitangel]

Although we are almost losing our downpay for the 2-bed/2.5-bath 1450-sqft condo we bought in 4S back in 2007, I still think it’s better to buy in good area than not so good area. 4S Ranch is still a nice community, with good schools, lots of families and close to most shops/restaurants that we like in Rancho Bernardo. We’re not into partying or drinking so living closer to downtown or PB doesn’t make sense to us. It also doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont cuz it’s older and doesn’t provide us with anything. Bottom line is most people like to have stress-free commute. My husband works in RB so living in 4S is like a 1-mile commute for him. It’s a lot easier to rent our condo out in 4S ranch since young families renter would like to rent in areas wiht good school district. Thus I think buying in good area always makes more sense in buying in not-so-nice areas.

As for buying in CV, I still think CV is the best place to live in terms of commute. Everywhere you go you’ll be going against traffic. No traffic on 56-east, no traffic on 5-north or 5-south. People might think CV is kinda boring but it’s a safe community, close to beach (cooler temp and less prone to wild fire). I also do feel it’s still over-priced. But we’ll be patient and wait to see if we find any good deals. After reading so many comments from fellow users on the forum, I think we’ll concentrate on SFHs that are built prior to 1990. I think in preparation for kids, it’s better to have a yard, and our own driveway instead of condo/townhomes. Hopefully we’ll find something under $600~$650K in the next 6 months.

Has anyone have experiece looking at housing in summer months vs. winter? Are there seriously way fewer inventory in winter?

thanks!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=sdduuuude (in reference to the OP)]
From my perspective, it seems they they bought something they aren’t going to use for 10 years. They bought 3 years ago. It’s 2 more years until they have kids, and 5 more after that before the first of those kids goes to school.

So, they put a down payment on a house in 2007 and lost it. For the last 3 years, they have been paying for a school district that they aren’t using and they still lost their downpayment and they still have a large payment.

Certainly they could find a similar sized house in a lower-priced but nice neighborhood that is priced lower due to the school quality. The premium paid for these schools is tremendous . . .

As you know, you can get easily find a 1800 sq. ft house with full 2-car gar on a 6000 sq. ft lot in Clairemont for $500K. Schools aren’t great, but they can move in 7 years when they need a good school.

[quote=lepetitangel]It also doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont cuz it’s older and doesn’t provide us with anything. Bottom line is most people like to have stress-free commute. My husband works in RB so living in 4S is like a 1-mile commute for him. It’s a lot easier to rent our condo out in 4S ranch since young families renter would like to rent in areas wiht good school district. Thus I think buying in good area always makes more sense in buying in not-so-nice areas.

. . . After reading so many comments from fellow users on the forum, I think we’ll concentrate on SFHs that are built prior to 1990. I think in preparation for kids, it’s better to have a yard, and our own driveway instead of condo/townhomes.[/quote]

You know me – I like big lots and I cannot lie. I’d rather have a big yard for the 7 years at 500K than struggle to find something livable at 600K.[/quote] (emphasis added)

sdduuuude, I completely understand the wisdom you are trying to impart here but it seems it could be falling on deaf ears.

*************************************************

lepetitangel, can I offer you a little insight?

In CA coastal areas, the size of the lot and location of that lot are the biggest determiners of property value (yes, even moreso than the building which sits there or “percieved” quality of schools).

First, can you and your spouse actually qualify for a loan of say $500K or more while still owning your townhome? Are you aware that a lender will only give you monthly income-credit for about 75% of the annual rent as shown on your tenants’ already executed lease you present to them in the loan-qualification process? Many things can break and otherwise go wrong while your tenants are occupying your townhome (including vacancies), which you will have to have cash reserves immediately to remedy or fix. By your posts, it seems your carrying costs for the townhome are quite high.

Since your spouse works in RB, if it is a stable job, why don’t you consider marketing your townhome while looking for an eventual property to buy in older RB (92128?) at properties which were built PRIOR to the inception (in SD County) of the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Bonds (1987). These lots will tend to be 5000 sf or more with two-car garages facing the front and driveways long enough for a full-size car or truck. Keep in mind that this area is also (like Clairemont) comprised of many retired people.

I realize that Clairemont would not be a convenient area for your particular needs, but it seems you have a misconception about its desireability and convenience. Why don’t you drive all the way down Clairemont Drive some weekend, starting from say, Genessee and take a look around you to see all that is there and also directly adjacent, including the Fashion Valley Mall. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve been around here a LONG TIME and CAN tell you that AGE of a property has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with its value in coastal CA. You are not alone in this misconception. It is generational.

This is just my .02.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=sdduuuude (in reference to the OP)]
From my perspective, it seems they they bought something they aren’t going to use for 10 years. They bought 3 years ago. It’s 2 more years until they have kids, and 5 more after that before the first of those kids goes to school.

So, they put a down payment on a house in 2007 and lost it. For the last 3 years, they have been paying for a school district that they aren’t using and they still lost their downpayment and they still have a large payment.

Certainly they could find a similar sized house in a lower-priced but nice neighborhood that is priced lower due to the school quality. The premium paid for these schools is tremendous . . .

As you know, you can get easily find a 1800 sq. ft house with full 2-car gar on a 6000 sq. ft lot in Clairemont for $500K. Schools aren’t great, but they can move in 7 years when they need a good school.

[quote=lepetitangel]It also doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont cuz it’s older and doesn’t provide us with anything. Bottom line is most people like to have stress-free commute. My husband works in RB so living in 4S is like a 1-mile commute for him. It’s a lot easier to rent our condo out in 4S ranch since young families renter would like to rent in areas wiht good school district. Thus I think buying in good area always makes more sense in buying in not-so-nice areas.

. . . After reading so many comments from fellow users on the forum, I think we’ll concentrate on SFHs that are built prior to 1990. I think in preparation for kids, it’s better to have a yard, and our own driveway instead of condo/townhomes.[/quote]

You know me – I like big lots and I cannot lie. I’d rather have a big yard for the 7 years at 500K than struggle to find something livable at 600K.[/quote] (emphasis added)

sdduuuude, I completely understand the wisdom you are trying to impart here but it seems it could be falling on deaf ears.

*************************************************

lepetitangel, can I offer you a little insight?

In CA coastal areas, the size of the lot and location of that lot are the biggest determiners of property value (yes, even moreso than the building which sits there or “percieved” quality of schools).

First, can you and your spouse actually qualify for a loan of say $500K or more while still owning your townhome? Are you aware that a lender will only give you monthly income-credit for about 75% of the annual rent as shown on your tenants’ already executed lease you present to them in the loan-qualification process? Many things can break and otherwise go wrong while your tenants are occupying your townhome (including vacancies), which you will have to have cash reserves immediately to remedy or fix. By your posts, it seems your carrying costs for the townhome are quite high.

Since your spouse works in RB, if it is a stable job, why don’t you consider marketing your townhome while looking for an eventual property to buy in older RB (92128?) at properties which were built PRIOR to the inception (in SD County) of the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Bonds (1987). These lots will tend to be 5000 sf or more with two-car garages facing the front and driveways long enough for a full-size car or truck. Keep in mind that this area is also (like Clairemont) comprised of many retired people.

I realize that Clairemont would not be a convenient area for your particular needs, but it seems you have a misconception about its desireability and convenience. Why don’t you drive all the way down Clairemont Drive some weekend, starting from say, Genessee and take a look around you to see all that is there and also directly adjacent, including the Fashion Valley Mall. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve been around here a LONG TIME and CAN tell you that AGE of a property has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with its value in coastal CA. You are not alone in this misconception. It is generational.

This is just my .02.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=sdduuuude (in reference to the OP)]
From my perspective, it seems they they bought something they aren’t going to use for 10 years. They bought 3 years ago. It’s 2 more years until they have kids, and 5 more after that before the first of those kids goes to school.

So, they put a down payment on a house in 2007 and lost it. For the last 3 years, they have been paying for a school district that they aren’t using and they still lost their downpayment and they still have a large payment.

Certainly they could find a similar sized house in a lower-priced but nice neighborhood that is priced lower due to the school quality. The premium paid for these schools is tremendous . . .

As you know, you can get easily find a 1800 sq. ft house with full 2-car gar on a 6000 sq. ft lot in Clairemont for $500K. Schools aren’t great, but they can move in 7 years when they need a good school.

[quote=lepetitangel]It also doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont cuz it’s older and doesn’t provide us with anything. Bottom line is most people like to have stress-free commute. My husband works in RB so living in 4S is like a 1-mile commute for him. It’s a lot easier to rent our condo out in 4S ranch since young families renter would like to rent in areas wiht good school district. Thus I think buying in good area always makes more sense in buying in not-so-nice areas.

. . . After reading so many comments from fellow users on the forum, I think we’ll concentrate on SFHs that are built prior to 1990. I think in preparation for kids, it’s better to have a yard, and our own driveway instead of condo/townhomes.[/quote]

You know me – I like big lots and I cannot lie. I’d rather have a big yard for the 7 years at 500K than struggle to find something livable at 600K.[/quote] (emphasis added)

sdduuuude, I completely understand the wisdom you are trying to impart here but it seems it could be falling on deaf ears.

*************************************************

lepetitangel, can I offer you a little insight?

In CA coastal areas, the size of the lot and location of that lot are the biggest determiners of property value (yes, even moreso than the building which sits there or “percieved” quality of schools).

First, can you and your spouse actually qualify for a loan of say $500K or more while still owning your townhome? Are you aware that a lender will only give you monthly income-credit for about 75% of the annual rent as shown on your tenants’ already executed lease you present to them in the loan-qualification process? Many things can break and otherwise go wrong while your tenants are occupying your townhome (including vacancies), which you will have to have cash reserves immediately to remedy or fix. By your posts, it seems your carrying costs for the townhome are quite high.

Since your spouse works in RB, if it is a stable job, why don’t you consider marketing your townhome while looking for an eventual property to buy in older RB (92128?) at properties which were built PRIOR to the inception (in SD County) of the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Bonds (1987). These lots will tend to be 5000 sf or more with two-car garages facing the front and driveways long enough for a full-size car or truck. Keep in mind that this area is also (like Clairemont) comprised of many retired people.

I realize that Clairemont would not be a convenient area for your particular needs, but it seems you have a misconception about its desireability and convenience. Why don’t you drive all the way down Clairemont Drive some weekend, starting from say, Genessee and take a look around you to see all that is there and also directly adjacent, including the Fashion Valley Mall. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve been around here a LONG TIME and CAN tell you that AGE of a property has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with its value in coastal CA. You are not alone in this misconception. It is generational.

This is just my .02.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=sdduuuude (in reference to the OP)]
From my perspective, it seems they they bought something they aren’t going to use for 10 years. They bought 3 years ago. It’s 2 more years until they have kids, and 5 more after that before the first of those kids goes to school.

So, they put a down payment on a house in 2007 and lost it. For the last 3 years, they have been paying for a school district that they aren’t using and they still lost their downpayment and they still have a large payment.

Certainly they could find a similar sized house in a lower-priced but nice neighborhood that is priced lower due to the school quality. The premium paid for these schools is tremendous . . .

As you know, you can get easily find a 1800 sq. ft house with full 2-car gar on a 6000 sq. ft lot in Clairemont for $500K. Schools aren’t great, but they can move in 7 years when they need a good school.

[quote=lepetitangel]It also doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont cuz it’s older and doesn’t provide us with anything. Bottom line is most people like to have stress-free commute. My husband works in RB so living in 4S is like a 1-mile commute for him. It’s a lot easier to rent our condo out in 4S ranch since young families renter would like to rent in areas wiht good school district. Thus I think buying in good area always makes more sense in buying in not-so-nice areas.

. . . After reading so many comments from fellow users on the forum, I think we’ll concentrate on SFHs that are built prior to 1990. I think in preparation for kids, it’s better to have a yard, and our own driveway instead of condo/townhomes.[/quote]

You know me – I like big lots and I cannot lie. I’d rather have a big yard for the 7 years at 500K than struggle to find something livable at 600K.[/quote] (emphasis added)

sdduuuude, I completely understand the wisdom you are trying to impart here but it seems it could be falling on deaf ears.

*************************************************

lepetitangel, can I offer you a little insight?

In CA coastal areas, the size of the lot and location of that lot are the biggest determiners of property value (yes, even moreso than the building which sits there or “percieved” quality of schools).

First, can you and your spouse actually qualify for a loan of say $500K or more while still owning your townhome? Are you aware that a lender will only give you monthly income-credit for about 75% of the annual rent as shown on your tenants’ already executed lease you present to them in the loan-qualification process? Many things can break and otherwise go wrong while your tenants are occupying your townhome (including vacancies), which you will have to have cash reserves immediately to remedy or fix. By your posts, it seems your carrying costs for the townhome are quite high.

Since your spouse works in RB, if it is a stable job, why don’t you consider marketing your townhome while looking for an eventual property to buy in older RB (92128?) at properties which were built PRIOR to the inception (in SD County) of the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Bonds (1987). These lots will tend to be 5000 sf or more with two-car garages facing the front and driveways long enough for a full-size car or truck. Keep in mind that this area is also (like Clairemont) comprised of many retired people.

I realize that Clairemont would not be a convenient area for your particular needs, but it seems you have a misconception about its desireability and convenience. Why don’t you drive all the way down Clairemont Drive some weekend, starting from say, Genessee and take a look around you to see all that is there and also directly adjacent, including the Fashion Valley Mall. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve been around here a LONG TIME and CAN tell you that AGE of a property has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with its value in coastal CA. You are not alone in this misconception. It is generational.

This is just my .02.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=sdduuuude (in reference to the OP)]
From my perspective, it seems they they bought something they aren’t going to use for 10 years. They bought 3 years ago. It’s 2 more years until they have kids, and 5 more after that before the first of those kids goes to school.

So, they put a down payment on a house in 2007 and lost it. For the last 3 years, they have been paying for a school district that they aren’t using and they still lost their downpayment and they still have a large payment.

Certainly they could find a similar sized house in a lower-priced but nice neighborhood that is priced lower due to the school quality. The premium paid for these schools is tremendous . . .

As you know, you can get easily find a 1800 sq. ft house with full 2-car gar on a 6000 sq. ft lot in Clairemont for $500K. Schools aren’t great, but they can move in 7 years when they need a good school.

[quote=lepetitangel]It also doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont cuz it’s older and doesn’t provide us with anything. Bottom line is most people like to have stress-free commute. My husband works in RB so living in 4S is like a 1-mile commute for him. It’s a lot easier to rent our condo out in 4S ranch since young families renter would like to rent in areas wiht good school district. Thus I think buying in good area always makes more sense in buying in not-so-nice areas.

. . . After reading so many comments from fellow users on the forum, I think we’ll concentrate on SFHs that are built prior to 1990. I think in preparation for kids, it’s better to have a yard, and our own driveway instead of condo/townhomes.[/quote]

You know me – I like big lots and I cannot lie. I’d rather have a big yard for the 7 years at 500K than struggle to find something livable at 600K.[/quote] (emphasis added)

sdduuuude, I completely understand the wisdom you are trying to impart here but it seems it could be falling on deaf ears.

*************************************************

lepetitangel, can I offer you a little insight?

In CA coastal areas, the size of the lot and location of that lot are the biggest determiners of property value (yes, even moreso than the building which sits there or “percieved” quality of schools).

First, can you and your spouse actually qualify for a loan of say $500K or more while still owning your townhome? Are you aware that a lender will only give you monthly income-credit for about 75% of the annual rent as shown on your tenants’ already executed lease you present to them in the loan-qualification process? Many things can break and otherwise go wrong while your tenants are occupying your townhome (including vacancies), which you will have to have cash reserves immediately to remedy or fix. By your posts, it seems your carrying costs for the townhome are quite high.

Since your spouse works in RB, if it is a stable job, why don’t you consider marketing your townhome while looking for an eventual property to buy in older RB (92128?) at properties which were built PRIOR to the inception (in SD County) of the Mello-Roos Community Facilities Bonds (1987). These lots will tend to be 5000 sf or more with two-car garages facing the front and driveways long enough for a full-size car or truck. Keep in mind that this area is also (like Clairemont) comprised of many retired people.

I realize that Clairemont would not be a convenient area for your particular needs, but it seems you have a misconception about its desireability and convenience. Why don’t you drive all the way down Clairemont Drive some weekend, starting from say, Genessee and take a look around you to see all that is there and also directly adjacent, including the Fashion Valley Mall. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I’ve been around here a LONG TIME and CAN tell you that AGE of a property has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with its value in coastal CA. You are not alone in this misconception. It is generational.

This is just my .02.

[sdduuuude]

My point is – there are many nice areas. However, not all of those areas have top-rated schools. (Clairemont is not one of the nicer ones. I just point it out because I’m “Clairemont guy” on this board and it offers space – room to breathe at low cost. My neighbors’ houses are 25 feet from my house on either side.) The others I listed, however, are nice parts of town. They just aren’t in the “top school” zones because they are in the SD district.

North PB is a nice part of town, too – where PB starts turning into La Jolla. I call it “where the ritzy meets the ditzy.”

So, if you don’t need a top-rated school district for 10 years, why pay for it ? A better way to preserve capital is to keep the money. A bad way is to buy something you don’t need while hoping it doesn’t depreciate too much.

If you don’t golf, you wouldn’t pay the premium to
live on the golf course, would you ?

If you dont ski, you wouldn’t pay to live right on the slopes ?

So why pay the school premium 10 years early ?

I say find a nice area that doesn’t force you to pay that “nice school” premium until you absolutely have to pay that premium. That’s all I’m sayin’

The parking lots at CV shopping centers are so ridiculously crowded, I just can’t stand it. My wife couldn’t imagine having to deal with that daily.

[sdduuuude]

My point is – there are many nice areas. However, not all of those areas have top-rated schools. (Clairemont is not one of the nicer ones. I just point it out because I’m “Clairemont guy” on this board and it offers space – room to breathe at low cost. My neighbors’ houses are 25 feet from my house on either side.) The others I listed, however, are nice parts of town. They just aren’t in the “top school” zones because they are in the SD district.

North PB is a nice part of town, too – where PB starts turning into La Jolla. I call it “where the ritzy meets the ditzy.”

So, if you don’t need a top-rated school district for 10 years, why pay for it ? A better way to preserve capital is to keep the money. A bad way is to buy something you don’t need while hoping it doesn’t depreciate too much.

If you don’t golf, you wouldn’t pay the premium to
live on the golf course, would you ?

If you dont ski, you wouldn’t pay to live right on the slopes ?

So why pay the school premium 10 years early ?

I say find a nice area that doesn’t force you to pay that “nice school” premium until you absolutely have to pay that premium. That’s all I’m sayin’

The parking lots at CV shopping centers are so ridiculously crowded, I just can’t stand it. My wife couldn’t imagine having to deal with that daily.

[sdduuuude]

My point is – there are many nice areas. However, not all of those areas have top-rated schools. (Clairemont is not one of the nicer ones. I just point it out because I’m “Clairemont guy” on this board and it offers space – room to breathe at low cost. My neighbors’ houses are 25 feet from my house on either side.) The others I listed, however, are nice parts of town. They just aren’t in the “top school” zones because they are in the SD district.

North PB is a nice part of town, too – where PB starts turning into La Jolla. I call it “where the ritzy meets the ditzy.”

So, if you don’t need a top-rated school district for 10 years, why pay for it ? A better way to preserve capital is to keep the money. A bad way is to buy something you don’t need while hoping it doesn’t depreciate too much.

If you don’t golf, you wouldn’t pay the premium to
live on the golf course, would you ?

If you dont ski, you wouldn’t pay to live right on the slopes ?

So why pay the school premium 10 years early ?

I say find a nice area that doesn’t force you to pay that “nice school” premium until you absolutely have to pay that premium. That’s all I’m sayin’

The parking lots at CV shopping centers are so ridiculously crowded, I just can’t stand it. My wife couldn’t imagine having to deal with that daily.

[sdduuuude]

My point is – there are many nice areas. However, not all of those areas have top-rated schools. (Clairemont is not one of the nicer ones. I just point it out because I’m “Clairemont guy” on this board and it offers space – room to breathe at low cost. My neighbors’ houses are 25 feet from my house on either side.) The others I listed, however, are nice parts of town. They just aren’t in the “top school” zones because they are in the SD district.

North PB is a nice part of town, too – where PB starts turning into La Jolla. I call it “where the ritzy meets the ditzy.”

So, if you don’t need a top-rated school district for 10 years, why pay for it ? A better way to preserve capital is to keep the money. A bad way is to buy something you don’t need while hoping it doesn’t depreciate too much.

If you don’t golf, you wouldn’t pay the premium to
live on the golf course, would you ?

If you dont ski, you wouldn’t pay to live right on the slopes ?

So why pay the school premium 10 years early ?

I say find a nice area that doesn’t force you to pay that “nice school” premium until you absolutely have to pay that premium. That’s all I’m sayin’

The parking lots at CV shopping centers are so ridiculously crowded, I just can’t stand it. My wife couldn’t imagine having to deal with that daily.

[sdduuuude]

My point is – there are many nice areas. However, not all of those areas have top-rated schools. (Clairemont is not one of the nicer ones. I just point it out because I’m “Clairemont guy” on this board and it offers space – room to breathe at low cost. My neighbors’ houses are 25 feet from my house on either side.) The others I listed, however, are nice parts of town. They just aren’t in the “top school” zones because they are in the SD district.

North PB is a nice part of town, too – where PB starts turning into La Jolla. I call it “where the ritzy meets the ditzy.”

So, if you don’t need a top-rated school district for 10 years, why pay for it ? A better way to preserve capital is to keep the money. A bad way is to buy something you don’t need while hoping it doesn’t depreciate too much.

If you don’t golf, you wouldn’t pay the premium to
live on the golf course, would you ?

If you dont ski, you wouldn’t pay to live right on the slopes ?

So why pay the school premium 10 years early ?

I say find a nice area that doesn’t force you to pay that “nice school” premium until you absolutely have to pay that premium. That’s all I’m sayin’

The parking lots at CV shopping centers are so ridiculously crowded, I just can’t stand it. My wife couldn’t imagine having to deal with that daily.

[lepetitangel]

Thanks for all the advices.
I think for coastal properties, the lot size is what determines the value. The land is worth far more than the house.

For me and my husband, it makes sense to focus on North County as I work in Carlsbad and he works in RB. It doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont or other Southern areas.

I understand how we shouldn’t pay premium for good school district unless we have kids going to school soon. I just hope the over-inflated market price can drop when all the tax incentive by the gov is taken out. And again I think real estate is about location. Coastal areas are more expensive just because you cannot build into the waters. Also another concern…having been in SD for 8 years and going through TWO wild fires, I’m a little worrid for the area east or I-15 or close to 15. We were evacuated 3 years ago in 4S Ranch. I would not consider buying east of I-15 for that particular reason…just gives me a peach of mind. Also if I already have something in RB area, why would I buy my 2nd property there? doesn’t make sense to put all eggs in one basket.

I think every family has different needs…and hopefully I will be patient and lucky enough to find something I like that’s not over-priced too much.

[lepetitangel]

Thanks for all the advices.
I think for coastal properties, the lot size is what determines the value. The land is worth far more than the house.

For me and my husband, it makes sense to focus on North County as I work in Carlsbad and he works in RB. It doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont or other Southern areas.

I understand how we shouldn’t pay premium for good school district unless we have kids going to school soon. I just hope the over-inflated market price can drop when all the tax incentive by the gov is taken out. And again I think real estate is about location. Coastal areas are more expensive just because you cannot build into the waters. Also another concern…having been in SD for 8 years and going through TWO wild fires, I’m a little worrid for the area east or I-15 or close to 15. We were evacuated 3 years ago in 4S Ranch. I would not consider buying east of I-15 for that particular reason…just gives me a peach of mind. Also if I already have something in RB area, why would I buy my 2nd property there? doesn’t make sense to put all eggs in one basket.

I think every family has different needs…and hopefully I will be patient and lucky enough to find something I like that’s not over-priced too much.

[lepetitangel]

Thanks for all the advices.
I think for coastal properties, the lot size is what determines the value. The land is worth far more than the house.

For me and my husband, it makes sense to focus on North County as I work in Carlsbad and he works in RB. It doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont or other Southern areas.

I understand how we shouldn’t pay premium for good school district unless we have kids going to school soon. I just hope the over-inflated market price can drop when all the tax incentive by the gov is taken out. And again I think real estate is about location. Coastal areas are more expensive just because you cannot build into the waters. Also another concern…having been in SD for 8 years and going through TWO wild fires, I’m a little worrid for the area east or I-15 or close to 15. We were evacuated 3 years ago in 4S Ranch. I would not consider buying east of I-15 for that particular reason…just gives me a peach of mind. Also if I already have something in RB area, why would I buy my 2nd property there? doesn’t make sense to put all eggs in one basket.

I think every family has different needs…and hopefully I will be patient and lucky enough to find something I like that’s not over-priced too much.

[lepetitangel]

Thanks for all the advices.
I think for coastal properties, the lot size is what determines the value. The land is worth far more than the house.

For me and my husband, it makes sense to focus on North County as I work in Carlsbad and he works in RB. It doesn’t make sense for us to live in Clairemont or other Southern areas.

I understand how we shouldn’t pay premium for good school district unless we have kids going to school soon. I just hope the over-inflated market price can drop when all the tax incentive by the gov is taken out. And again I think real estate is about location. Coastal areas are more expensive just because you cannot build into the waters. Also another concern…having been in SD for 8 years and going through TWO wild fires, I’m a little worrid for the area east or I-15 or close to 15. We were evacuated 3 years ago in 4S Ranch. I would not consider buying east of I-15 for that particular reason…just gives me a peach of mind. Also if I already have something in RB area, why would I buy my 2nd property there? doesn’t make sense to put all eggs in one basket.

I think every family has different needs…and hopefully I will be patient and lucky enough to find something I like that’s not over-priced too much.

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