Santaluz

[raptorduck]

The content of this post has been deleted at the request of the original poster.

[New_Renter]

As an original (and former) owner in Santaluz I spent alot of time thinking about where I would want to build a spec home (I owned a Casitas). I never did pull the trigger on that, but I can tell you I didn’t like Northern Lights for three reasons:

1. The power lines separating Santaluz & FBR are ugly
2. Too far from the clubhouse, pool, spa.
3. It’s in the lowest elevations of the development and the views are only to the immediately surrounding valley (except along San Diguito rd.).

You mentioned in previous posts you liked dramatic views. There are unbelievable views to be had on the elevated east side (east of Camino Del Sur) on Run of the Knolls (and off-shoots) and Villas (my favorite street). You can see all the way to the ocean in many cases. Of course, these lots/homes are more expensive, but most still in your stated price range. These also have the best views of the Santaluz development itself and you can walk to the spa/clubhouse! I absolutely love Santaluz, but my wife is not a fan, so that nixed the idea of living there….

[raptorduck]

NewRenter. Thank you. Yes, two of the houses we saw were not too far from those power lines. I actually thought that was the highest part of Santaluz. I don’t think we went near the area you mentioned, Villas etc. I never did see where the clubhouse was. Nor did I see this “green” that I always hear about.

I will ask my agent about the streets you mentioned. What did your wife dislike about Santaluz? My wife liked it. At least I think she did.

[New_Renter]

She prefers to be closer to coastal shopping, beaches, quicker freeway access, and Carmel Valley Schools.

Sounds like your real estate agent doesn’t know much about Santaluz! The Golf Course, Hacienda Club, Gym, Pool, & Spa are a huge part of the Santaluz appeal. You can’t get golf course views from Northern Lights either.

[raptorduck]

No she does not. I think her focus has always been Del Mar and Carmel Valley. She is learning along with me.

We did look at some homes along the golf course. I did not like them as much as the two we saw on Montien road in Northern Lights. I don’t golf, but the club is something we would be interested in.

We will keep looking down there. What I like about the area is that the architectual style of homes is very much what we prefer, down to the interior finishes. The whole dessert look will take some getting used to, but it was not so bad and will save me on watering costs. Of course the Mello Roos will make up for that.

[sdnativeson]

raptorduck – just curious with the price range you are in
have you ever looked at Point Loma or Mission Hills?

[raptorduck]

Too far south and we are less familar with those areas and their schools. We pretty much like North County.

I don’t think we could find 1-3 acres and 6,000sf or larger homes for our price range in those areas anyway.

[NotCranky]

Mr. RaptorDuck
Blue collar, penny, pinching dolt, here….real estate agent to the poor,disenfranchised and unable to buy anything. Would you do me the favor of explaining why someone would want a 6000 sq ft house? It is not that I have never fantasized about stuff like that. The three acres I can get into(have twenty )and opine that three is perfect. I have been following this thread and definitely see you have a talent for discerning what is appropriate for you. Just curious about the size thing.You know us poor people always say …”What the hell do they want a house that big for? I am sure I wouldn’t want if even if I could afford it.”

Also when you buy a 3.5M house does the agent really kiss you a$$? Can she spell?(that’s a running joke here.)

Best wishes.

[raptorduck]

Rustico. I will just cut and paste my response to a similar question on the first thread I put in about my move down there:

“Lets see, my wife and I have 3 kids, then we want 3 more, my dad will be living with us, and possibly my wife’s grandmother, my wife’s family lives within an hour and will be over A LOT, that is parents and 8 brothers and sisters, dozens of cousins, and 9 uncles/aunts. Put it this way, our leading candidates so far have guest houses, and one of them has 2 guest houses!”

My agent is less experienced than probably one typically uses for homes in the $3-$4.5 million range, but that is why I picked her. She is hungry and has not become a snob yet. Unlike the selling agents in some homes we have seen, she is actually very nice and friendly and does not treat us like she is doing us a favor showing a house we want to buy from which she stands to make a six figure commission.

[NotCranky]

“Lets see, my wife and I have 3 kids, then we want 3 more, my dad will be living with us, and possibly my wife’s grandmother, my wife’s family lives within an hour and will be over A LOT, that is parents and 8 brothers and sisters, dozens of cousins, and 9 uncles/aunts. Put it this way, our leading candidates so far have guest houses, and one of them has 2 guest houses!”

OOPS! I forgot about that.I remember seeing it and had the thought that maybe you are LDS. In any case, your reasons are the best. If you don’t go for the guest houses you might look at a place with multiple private entrances to bedroom/bath combos. In my experience it makes long term visits more comfortable, depending on the guest. Once I added a little kitchenette to a room like this. Same thing as an attached guest house and you don’t have to rule out a property you otherwise might like, for lack of a guest house.The connection to house could be an advantage for the elderly family member scenario. Actually My favorite is a Spanish courtyard style with access from sleeping quarters to common areas from indoors and access directly to the court yard.The courtyard accesses kitchen and family rooms. I think I would need 6,000 sq. feet+ the courtyard to do it right and …I wouldn’t have that even if I could afford it;).

[raptorduck]

Spanish Hacienda Courtyard style is absoultely our favorite style of house!

[NotCranky]

Have you seen any good examples? I know you were not crazy about the custom idea. How do you capitalize on the views you are seeking with the house wrapped around a courtyard?

[raptorduck]

A couple good ones I suppose. Not every window will face the court yard so you can have both. Most of what we saw were not complete wrap around courtyards or were entry courtyards with openings to common living areas. We also saw a few with seperate entrances to attached casistas. Very nice houses.

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