Should I build or buy? (NC inland)

[bearishgurl]

Another idea, permabear, you could try to find a “knockdown property” or “gutter” in Poway for =<$400 on a large lot (sloping view lot is okay). If you leave all the utility meters attached to their studs, you can just do a "remodel" instead of new construction, thereby saving over $30K in permits. Then you can hire Norm Applebaum to design your your new "modern" dwelling. His services won't come cheap but he and his staff are pros dealing with bureaucrats! See: http://www.normapplebaum.com/portfolio.html

This will take nearly all or all of your projected budget, due to design and planning fees and the use of some highly upgraded materials.

Then you'll have your new "modern" dwelling that is all yours which will be less subject to the vagaries of "recent comparable sales."

[EconProf]

If you have not built before, there is a real learning curve involved in which your first is overly-expensive, stressful, and likely has its share of mistakes. Given how far home prices have fallen, and the great inventory available compared to the peak years, I’d be looking to grab a bargain, especially with these interest rates.
Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.

[EconProf]

If you have not built before, there is a real learning curve involved in which your first is overly-expensive, stressful, and likely has its share of mistakes. Given how far home prices have fallen, and the great inventory available compared to the peak years, I’d be looking to grab a bargain, especially with these interest rates.
Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.

[EconProf]

If you have not built before, there is a real learning curve involved in which your first is overly-expensive, stressful, and likely has its share of mistakes. Given how far home prices have fallen, and the great inventory available compared to the peak years, I’d be looking to grab a bargain, especially with these interest rates.
Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.

[EconProf]

If you have not built before, there is a real learning curve involved in which your first is overly-expensive, stressful, and likely has its share of mistakes. Given how far home prices have fallen, and the great inventory available compared to the peak years, I’d be looking to grab a bargain, especially with these interest rates.
Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.

[EconProf]

If you have not built before, there is a real learning curve involved in which your first is overly-expensive, stressful, and likely has its share of mistakes. Given how far home prices have fallen, and the great inventory available compared to the peak years, I’d be looking to grab a bargain, especially with these interest rates.
Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.

[permabear]

[quote=bearishgurl]
permabear, your link (above) depicts a large contemporary (tract?) home with “Tuscan” or “Spanish” touches such as the large front entrance facade.

Is this what you consider of “modern” design or is what you REALLY want a “mid-century modern” but cannot find what you are looking for in the listings?[/quote]

Yes, sorry, we are definitely into mid-century modern. I probably confused things by including the link to a tract home. My point was that, in terms of size and cost, that tract home would fit the bill, BUT we are over the “design” of homes like that.

I’d seen Mercer York, very cool site. Mills Act is a good point that I had not thought of. What about the restrictions, though?

The challenge with most authentic mid-century modern homes is they tend to be in very expensive areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, etc), PLUS they command a premium, PLUS many of them are in disrepair. Pacifica in LJ/PB is the closest we’ve found, but the 5 fwy can be a bit overwhelming for many of the lots.

It’s sad because many mid-century homes have been torn down and replaced with Tuscan nonsense. For example, that Del Mar A-frame is marketed in the MLS as a teardown with 5000 sq ft Tuscan plans.

[permabear]

[quote=bearishgurl]
permabear, your link (above) depicts a large contemporary (tract?) home with “Tuscan” or “Spanish” touches such as the large front entrance facade.

Is this what you consider of “modern” design or is what you REALLY want a “mid-century modern” but cannot find what you are looking for in the listings?[/quote]

Yes, sorry, we are definitely into mid-century modern. I probably confused things by including the link to a tract home. My point was that, in terms of size and cost, that tract home would fit the bill, BUT we are over the “design” of homes like that.

I’d seen Mercer York, very cool site. Mills Act is a good point that I had not thought of. What about the restrictions, though?

The challenge with most authentic mid-century modern homes is they tend to be in very expensive areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, etc), PLUS they command a premium, PLUS many of them are in disrepair. Pacifica in LJ/PB is the closest we’ve found, but the 5 fwy can be a bit overwhelming for many of the lots.

It’s sad because many mid-century homes have been torn down and replaced with Tuscan nonsense. For example, that Del Mar A-frame is marketed in the MLS as a teardown with 5000 sq ft Tuscan plans.

[permabear]

[quote=bearishgurl]
permabear, your link (above) depicts a large contemporary (tract?) home with “Tuscan” or “Spanish” touches such as the large front entrance facade.

Is this what you consider of “modern” design or is what you REALLY want a “mid-century modern” but cannot find what you are looking for in the listings?[/quote]

Yes, sorry, we are definitely into mid-century modern. I probably confused things by including the link to a tract home. My point was that, in terms of size and cost, that tract home would fit the bill, BUT we are over the “design” of homes like that.

I’d seen Mercer York, very cool site. Mills Act is a good point that I had not thought of. What about the restrictions, though?

The challenge with most authentic mid-century modern homes is they tend to be in very expensive areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, etc), PLUS they command a premium, PLUS many of them are in disrepair. Pacifica in LJ/PB is the closest we’ve found, but the 5 fwy can be a bit overwhelming for many of the lots.

It’s sad because many mid-century homes have been torn down and replaced with Tuscan nonsense. For example, that Del Mar A-frame is marketed in the MLS as a teardown with 5000 sq ft Tuscan plans.

[permabear]

[quote=bearishgurl]
permabear, your link (above) depicts a large contemporary (tract?) home with “Tuscan” or “Spanish” touches such as the large front entrance facade.

Is this what you consider of “modern” design or is what you REALLY want a “mid-century modern” but cannot find what you are looking for in the listings?[/quote]

Yes, sorry, we are definitely into mid-century modern. I probably confused things by including the link to a tract home. My point was that, in terms of size and cost, that tract home would fit the bill, BUT we are over the “design” of homes like that.

I’d seen Mercer York, very cool site. Mills Act is a good point that I had not thought of. What about the restrictions, though?

The challenge with most authentic mid-century modern homes is they tend to be in very expensive areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, etc), PLUS they command a premium, PLUS many of them are in disrepair. Pacifica in LJ/PB is the closest we’ve found, but the 5 fwy can be a bit overwhelming for many of the lots.

It’s sad because many mid-century homes have been torn down and replaced with Tuscan nonsense. For example, that Del Mar A-frame is marketed in the MLS as a teardown with 5000 sq ft Tuscan plans.

[permabear]

[quote=bearishgurl]
permabear, your link (above) depicts a large contemporary (tract?) home with “Tuscan” or “Spanish” touches such as the large front entrance facade.

Is this what you consider of “modern” design or is what you REALLY want a “mid-century modern” but cannot find what you are looking for in the listings?[/quote]

Yes, sorry, we are definitely into mid-century modern. I probably confused things by including the link to a tract home. My point was that, in terms of size and cost, that tract home would fit the bill, BUT we are over the “design” of homes like that.

I’d seen Mercer York, very cool site. Mills Act is a good point that I had not thought of. What about the restrictions, though?

The challenge with most authentic mid-century modern homes is they tend to be in very expensive areas (La Jolla, Del Mar, etc), PLUS they command a premium, PLUS many of them are in disrepair. Pacifica in LJ/PB is the closest we’ve found, but the 5 fwy can be a bit overwhelming for many of the lots.

It’s sad because many mid-century homes have been torn down and replaced with Tuscan nonsense. For example, that Del Mar A-frame is marketed in the MLS as a teardown with 5000 sq ft Tuscan plans.

[permabear]

[quote=EconProf]Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.[/quote]

I’d be curious to see what examples you have of this – I’ve seen the exact opposite. Prices continue to fall in Santaluz, which to your point is probably a good reason to consider buying a resale if we’re willing to deal with the Spanish architecture and MR/HOA’s.

[permabear]

[quote=EconProf]Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.[/quote]

I’d be curious to see what examples you have of this – I’ve seen the exact opposite. Prices continue to fall in Santaluz, which to your point is probably a good reason to consider buying a resale if we’re willing to deal with the Spanish architecture and MR/HOA’s.

[permabear]

[quote=EconProf]Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.[/quote]

I’d be curious to see what examples you have of this – I’ve seen the exact opposite. Prices continue to fall in Santaluz, which to your point is probably a good reason to consider buying a resale if we’re willing to deal with the Spanish architecture and MR/HOA’s.

[permabear]

[quote=EconProf]Your selection is near Santaluz, which you may have already looked at. It has much lower density, is kid-friendly, and the design standards when built were exacting. Some bargains exist, but prices are edging up lately.[/quote]

I’d be curious to see what examples you have of this – I’ve seen the exact opposite. Prices continue to fall in Santaluz, which to your point is probably a good reason to consider buying a resale if we’re willing to deal with the Spanish architecture and MR/HOA’s.

[Author]

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