Santaluz

[EconProf]

BobS
Raptorduck: Have followed your posts about your search for some time, & enjoyed your comments about Santaluz, where my wife and I have lived for 2+ years. Our satisfaction with Santaluz gets higher the longer we live here. The low density, strict landscaping and architectural controls, the gated aspect, and the dark skies lighting policy fit us fine–but are not for everybody. Read the CC&Rs carefully & be prepared to live with them.
Remember that part of “Santaluz” is west of the Camino Del Sur and is high density or impacted by huge power lines, so is not in your league. Also remember that there are only two gated entrances so don’t by swayed by comments by another poster about all the signs out in front on Camino Del Sur pushing open houses. There is nowhere else to put the signs for this rather large community, so they’ll bunch up there.
Given your deep analysis, I suspect you already know more about the comparative merits of Santaluz vs. the competition. You probably know more about the schools, building possibilities, etc. than I do. I only weigh in as one who has experienced the place, and who, frankly, likes tough CC&Rs.
Another observation about Santaluz: Lots of young families! This surprised us, and a lot of other residents. Where do they get their money? I dunno…techies I suspect. Anyway, with a large and growing family, that may be a consideration for you.
As to the arrogant and all-knowing RE agents…you are smart enough to not be swayed by anecdotal evidence. I’ve observed good ones and bad ones here, and with the direction of the San Diego marketplace, the pompous ones will (should) soon be humbled by the trends. Time is on your side, and if you are patient and knowledgeable, you will find the optimal place.

[EconProf]

BobS
Raptorduck: Have followed your posts about your search for some time, & enjoyed your comments about Santaluz, where my wife and I have lived for 2+ years. Our satisfaction with Santaluz gets higher the longer we live here. The low density, strict landscaping and architectural controls, the gated aspect, and the dark skies lighting policy fit us fine–but are not for everybody. Read the CC&Rs carefully & be prepared to live with them.
Remember that part of “Santaluz” is west of the Camino Del Sur and is high density or impacted by huge power lines, so is not in your league. Also remember that there are only two gated entrances so don’t by swayed by comments by another poster about all the signs out in front on Camino Del Sur pushing open houses. There is nowhere else to put the signs for this rather large community, so they’ll bunch up there.
Given your deep analysis, I suspect you already know more about the comparative merits of Santaluz vs. the competition. You probably know more about the schools, building possibilities, etc. than I do. I only weigh in as one who has experienced the place, and who, frankly, likes tough CC&Rs.
Another observation about Santaluz: Lots of young families! This surprised us, and a lot of other residents. Where do they get their money? I dunno…techies I suspect. Anyway, with a large and growing family, that may be a consideration for you.
As to the arrogant and all-knowing RE agents…you are smart enough to not be swayed by anecdotal evidence. I’ve observed good ones and bad ones here, and with the direction of the San Diego marketplace, the pompous ones will (should) soon be humbled by the trends. Time is on your side, and if you are patient and knowledgeable, you will find the optimal place.

[SD Realtor]

Raptor – Half of the battle is finding something you like. If SL fits that bill which it sounds as if it may indeed, then you are in a great position. The fact that it is overpriced is not a worry because time is on your side and it will come down. All you need to do is peg the homes you really like and ask your agent to keep watching them. There is no way that they will all sell and they will slide eventually. Perhaps later this year but if you are looking for a 20% reduction you are more then likely looking at fall of 08 at a minimum.

Again though, finding what you really like is the hard part…ooops… strike that… according the Tom Petty the waiting is the hardest part. (Sorry raptor that last reference is to a song I used to like about 20 years … or maybe 25 years ago…)

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Raptor – Half of the battle is finding something you like. If SL fits that bill which it sounds as if it may indeed, then you are in a great position. The fact that it is overpriced is not a worry because time is on your side and it will come down. All you need to do is peg the homes you really like and ask your agent to keep watching them. There is no way that they will all sell and they will slide eventually. Perhaps later this year but if you are looking for a 20% reduction you are more then likely looking at fall of 08 at a minimum.

Again though, finding what you really like is the hard part…ooops… strike that… according the Tom Petty the waiting is the hardest part. (Sorry raptor that last reference is to a song I used to like about 20 years … or maybe 25 years ago…)

SD Realtor

[fencesitter123]

Raptor, this is a home in your range that I followed for a while in Santaluz. It appeared to be high end construction with large central courtyard…..ie no strange floorplan/ location etc. If I remember correctly it was for sale for 4.1M at one point. You may want to include this one in your comps…

Parcel Number: 303-174-23-00
Property Location: 8173 DOUG HILL
Purchase Price: $3340000
Living Area: 7293
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5
Document Date: 7-26-2007

[fencesitter123]

Raptor, this is a home in your range that I followed for a while in Santaluz. It appeared to be high end construction with large central courtyard…..ie no strange floorplan/ location etc. If I remember correctly it was for sale for 4.1M at one point. You may want to include this one in your comps…

Parcel Number: 303-174-23-00
Property Location: 8173 DOUG HILL
Purchase Price: $3340000
Living Area: 7293
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 5
Document Date: 7-26-2007

[EconProf]

BobS

[EconProf]

BobS

[raptorduck]

BobS. Indeed I think they should stick to their CC&Rs. Clearly the developers were going for a particular theme. I think that it works and even though I am a lover of water wasting tropical plants, large lawns and trees etc, if I move there I have no intention of wanting to mess up the theme or griping about it. While I am no big fan of HOA restrictions, if I go in with eyes open, then I have signed up to the rules. Because the theme is clearly planned out there, it works for what it is and it works for me. Only the prices don’t.

My own current neighborhood was overpriced when I bought here. It has lots of HOA rules. It is cramped with tiny lots, like most of Carmel Valley (it remains one of the most CV like neighborhoods I have seen in the Bay Area). But I like it, I like it quite a bit. Arguably, it is still over priced (except for my house of course, since I am selling. ;)) It was all I could afford when I bought my house and after some remodling I like my house and my neighborhood, despite the HOA rules. I liked living in CV too, quite a bit. Despite the same issues.

[raptorduck]

BobS. Indeed I think they should stick to their CC&Rs. Clearly the developers were going for a particular theme. I think that it works and even though I am a lover of water wasting tropical plants, large lawns and trees etc, if I move there I have no intention of wanting to mess up the theme or griping about it. While I am no big fan of HOA restrictions, if I go in with eyes open, then I have signed up to the rules. Because the theme is clearly planned out there, it works for what it is and it works for me. Only the prices don’t.

My own current neighborhood was overpriced when I bought here. It has lots of HOA rules. It is cramped with tiny lots, like most of Carmel Valley (it remains one of the most CV like neighborhoods I have seen in the Bay Area). But I like it, I like it quite a bit. Arguably, it is still over priced (except for my house of course, since I am selling. ;)) It was all I could afford when I bought my house and after some remodling I like my house and my neighborhood, despite the HOA rules. I liked living in CV too, quite a bit. Despite the same issues.

[CardiffBaseball]

I just enjoy seeing how you wealthy folk look for homes, it sounds pretty fun. My goals will be more along the 1500-2000 Sq. Foot range, but it will take a few years. I can’t ever imagine living somewhere like Del Sur or RSF. I am pushing 40 and work at a place with no stock options, so I doubt I’ll ever have a big enough windfall to buy into those sorts of areas. Of course debt load, and losing $$$ on midwestern house after moving here didn’t help. We had to maintain that house longer than expected and the final sale caused me to have to bring $$$ to the table.

[CardiffBaseball]

I just enjoy seeing how you wealthy folk look for homes, it sounds pretty fun. My goals will be more along the 1500-2000 Sq. Foot range, but it will take a few years. I can’t ever imagine living somewhere like Del Sur or RSF. I am pushing 40 and work at a place with no stock options, so I doubt I’ll ever have a big enough windfall to buy into those sorts of areas. Of course debt load, and losing $$$ on midwestern house after moving here didn’t help. We had to maintain that house longer than expected and the final sale caused me to have to bring $$$ to the table.

[Author]

Posts