Standard Pacific Homes in Santee Still Overpriced?

[PKMAN]

I started this forum 1.5 months ago and recently just bought a single detached house at the Stoney Creek community in Riverwalk and got a very good deal (sorry I won’t reveal any more details regarding price since I have not close escrow yet) Here are some of the “negatives” of the neighborhood and my take:

Small Lot
My home is only about 42’x85′ and the backyard is only about 15′ deep. But that’s OK with me, as I used to live in a house with a 1 acre lot and that was very exhausting to maintain. The backyard is big enough to hold family BBQ gathering and for my dog to relieve himself. That’s all I need.

Weather
Santee is indeed hotter many most other places near central SD. When I was there 2 weeks ago, it was noticeably hotter than Serra Mesa and Mission Valley. Thankfully the home has excellent dual-pane Low E window (I verified) that can block out most of the Sun’s intense heat.

Proximity to Airport
There is a local airfield about 1.5 miles south, and we all know about the recent tragedy in University City. However the airfield is civilian and the runway can only support landing of small/light planes. Also the runway stretches east-west so the community is not in its takeoff/landing pattern.

Proximity to Park
YMCA and Santee sport complex park is right across the street. Some concern that this will bring additional traffic to the Riverwalk Drive and noise. I can deal with the traffic, being used to live in NYC and I think noise from kids playing sports is really not noise at all.

Proximity to Woman Detention Center
It’s a 1.5 southeast. Fortunately it’s only a detention center and woman escaped fugitive doesn’t sound as scary as male fugitive on the run.

These are about all that I can think of. Overall, the goods far outweigh the bads, such as price, location, near shopping and within 20 minutes to downtown, La Jolla, beach, etc. If you’re considering the Stoney Creek houses, act fast because it’s almost sold out. We didn’t get our first pick and had to settle for the backup pick. If you’re eyeing the Canopy Park townhouse, there should still be plenty left, with another phase not yet built.

[evolusd]

I went into escrow on one of the attached townhomes back in July, but canceled in October due to the continued collapse in the housing market. My deposit was onl $2,500, so we figured we’d roll the dice without much to lose. Got our deposit back, thankfully. The salespeople (Melissa) were very friendly through the whole experience.

The main drawback I saw was the unknown things the park across the street will bring. We went to the Sportsplex in Poway to check it out since it’s the same company building the one in Santee. Pretty nice place, but busy until late at night and the light towers made a serious ‘hum’.

Other than the unknown above, I really liked the community’s location and low HOA/tax rate/no mello roos.

[evolusd]

I went into escrow on one of the attached townhomes back in July, but canceled in October due to the continued collapse in the housing market. My deposit was onl $2,500, so we figured we’d roll the dice without much to lose. Got our deposit back, thankfully. The salespeople (Melissa) were very friendly through the whole experience.

The main drawback I saw was the unknown things the park across the street will bring. We went to the Sportsplex in Poway to check it out since it’s the same company building the one in Santee. Pretty nice place, but busy until late at night and the light towers made a serious ‘hum’.

Other than the unknown above, I really liked the community’s location and low HOA/tax rate/no mello roos.

[evolusd]

I went into escrow on one of the attached townhomes back in July, but canceled in October due to the continued collapse in the housing market. My deposit was onl $2,500, so we figured we’d roll the dice without much to lose. Got our deposit back, thankfully. The salespeople (Melissa) were very friendly through the whole experience.

The main drawback I saw was the unknown things the park across the street will bring. We went to the Sportsplex in Poway to check it out since it’s the same company building the one in Santee. Pretty nice place, but busy until late at night and the light towers made a serious ‘hum’.

Other than the unknown above, I really liked the community’s location and low HOA/tax rate/no mello roos.

[evolusd]

I went into escrow on one of the attached townhomes back in July, but canceled in October due to the continued collapse in the housing market. My deposit was onl $2,500, so we figured we’d roll the dice without much to lose. Got our deposit back, thankfully. The salespeople (Melissa) were very friendly through the whole experience.

The main drawback I saw was the unknown things the park across the street will bring. We went to the Sportsplex in Poway to check it out since it’s the same company building the one in Santee. Pretty nice place, but busy until late at night and the light towers made a serious ‘hum’.

Other than the unknown above, I really liked the community’s location and low HOA/tax rate/no mello roos.

[evolusd]

I went into escrow on one of the attached townhomes back in July, but canceled in October due to the continued collapse in the housing market. My deposit was onl $2,500, so we figured we’d roll the dice without much to lose. Got our deposit back, thankfully. The salespeople (Melissa) were very friendly through the whole experience.

The main drawback I saw was the unknown things the park across the street will bring. We went to the Sportsplex in Poway to check it out since it’s the same company building the one in Santee. Pretty nice place, but busy until late at night and the light towers made a serious ‘hum’.

Other than the unknown above, I really liked the community’s location and low HOA/tax rate/no mello roos.

[sunny88]

Thank you very much for your comments! I just have 3 more questions: 1) Is the builder willing to negotiate the price (i.e. throwing in upgrades…) ? I’m interested in getting model 6 of a “Canopypark” home. 2) Do you know how the traffic in the morning is going to La Mesa on 125 south? 3) Any issues with noise within the complex (either Stoney Creek or Canopypark)?
Thanks!

[sunny88]

Thank you very much for your comments! I just have 3 more questions: 1) Is the builder willing to negotiate the price (i.e. throwing in upgrades…) ? I’m interested in getting model 6 of a “Canopypark” home. 2) Do you know how the traffic in the morning is going to La Mesa on 125 south? 3) Any issues with noise within the complex (either Stoney Creek or Canopypark)?
Thanks!

[sunny88]

Thank you very much for your comments! I just have 3 more questions: 1) Is the builder willing to negotiate the price (i.e. throwing in upgrades…) ? I’m interested in getting model 6 of a “Canopypark” home. 2) Do you know how the traffic in the morning is going to La Mesa on 125 south? 3) Any issues with noise within the complex (either Stoney Creek or Canopypark)?
Thanks!

[sunny88]

Thank you very much for your comments! I just have 3 more questions: 1) Is the builder willing to negotiate the price (i.e. throwing in upgrades…) ? I’m interested in getting model 6 of a “Canopypark” home. 2) Do you know how the traffic in the morning is going to La Mesa on 125 south? 3) Any issues with noise within the complex (either Stoney Creek or Canopypark)?
Thanks!

[sunny88]

Thank you very much for your comments! I just have 3 more questions: 1) Is the builder willing to negotiate the price (i.e. throwing in upgrades…) ? I’m interested in getting model 6 of a “Canopypark” home. 2) Do you know how the traffic in the morning is going to La Mesa on 125 south? 3) Any issues with noise within the complex (either Stoney Creek or Canopypark)?
Thanks!

[PKMAN]

sunny88,

I too, was very interested in Plan 6 of Canopy Park, as it has 4 bedrooms and as large as regular single family detached house. Ultimately I decided that I wanted a backyard (however small it may be) and my wife was a little skeptical of a 3-story home (just lazy). Here’s my take on your questions:

1) Yes, the builder is very willing to negotiate so don’t feel embarrassed to bargain hard. They are already willing to give you $15K in flex cash but you can always bargain for more. However you should get pre-approval by their lender so that they know you’re able and serious. Right now there’s a Plan 6 asking for $399K:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-080070703-9941_Watergum_Trl_Santee_Ca_92071

Based on this price, bargain harder.

2) 52 is the busiest of 3 nearby freeways. Most people take 125 to go to East County and South County so the traffic should not be as congested.

3) evolusd pointed out an issue I haven’t factored in before, which is the “hum” noise from the light towers. My lot is directly adjacent to the park (my backyard faces the street) so I don’t know if that’s going to be an issue. Hopefully in the interest of saving utility cost, night games will be limited. In any case, if you buy a home inside the community (not facing the street), I don’t think you’ll have much to worry about.

Good luck! Maybe we’ll be neighbor someday.

[PKMAN]

sunny88,

I too, was very interested in Plan 6 of Canopy Park, as it has 4 bedrooms and as large as regular single family detached house. Ultimately I decided that I wanted a backyard (however small it may be) and my wife was a little skeptical of a 3-story home (just lazy). Here’s my take on your questions:

1) Yes, the builder is very willing to negotiate so don’t feel embarrassed to bargain hard. They are already willing to give you $15K in flex cash but you can always bargain for more. However you should get pre-approval by their lender so that they know you’re able and serious. Right now there’s a Plan 6 asking for $399K:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-080070703-9941_Watergum_Trl_Santee_Ca_92071

Based on this price, bargain harder.

2) 52 is the busiest of 3 nearby freeways. Most people take 125 to go to East County and South County so the traffic should not be as congested.

3) evolusd pointed out an issue I haven’t factored in before, which is the “hum” noise from the light towers. My lot is directly adjacent to the park (my backyard faces the street) so I don’t know if that’s going to be an issue. Hopefully in the interest of saving utility cost, night games will be limited. In any case, if you buy a home inside the community (not facing the street), I don’t think you’ll have much to worry about.

Good luck! Maybe we’ll be neighbor someday.

[PKMAN]

sunny88,

I too, was very interested in Plan 6 of Canopy Park, as it has 4 bedrooms and as large as regular single family detached house. Ultimately I decided that I wanted a backyard (however small it may be) and my wife was a little skeptical of a 3-story home (just lazy). Here’s my take on your questions:

1) Yes, the builder is very willing to negotiate so don’t feel embarrassed to bargain hard. They are already willing to give you $15K in flex cash but you can always bargain for more. However you should get pre-approval by their lender so that they know you’re able and serious. Right now there’s a Plan 6 asking for $399K:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-080070703-9941_Watergum_Trl_Santee_Ca_92071

Based on this price, bargain harder.

2) 52 is the busiest of 3 nearby freeways. Most people take 125 to go to East County and South County so the traffic should not be as congested.

3) evolusd pointed out an issue I haven’t factored in before, which is the “hum” noise from the light towers. My lot is directly adjacent to the park (my backyard faces the street) so I don’t know if that’s going to be an issue. Hopefully in the interest of saving utility cost, night games will be limited. In any case, if you buy a home inside the community (not facing the street), I don’t think you’ll have much to worry about.

Good luck! Maybe we’ll be neighbor someday.

[PKMAN]

sunny88,

I too, was very interested in Plan 6 of Canopy Park, as it has 4 bedrooms and as large as regular single family detached house. Ultimately I decided that I wanted a backyard (however small it may be) and my wife was a little skeptical of a 3-story home (just lazy). Here’s my take on your questions:

1) Yes, the builder is very willing to negotiate so don’t feel embarrassed to bargain hard. They are already willing to give you $15K in flex cash but you can always bargain for more. However you should get pre-approval by their lender so that they know you’re able and serious. Right now there’s a Plan 6 asking for $399K:

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-080070703-9941_Watergum_Trl_Santee_Ca_92071

Based on this price, bargain harder.

2) 52 is the busiest of 3 nearby freeways. Most people take 125 to go to East County and South County so the traffic should not be as congested.

3) evolusd pointed out an issue I haven’t factored in before, which is the “hum” noise from the light towers. My lot is directly adjacent to the park (my backyard faces the street) so I don’t know if that’s going to be an issue. Hopefully in the interest of saving utility cost, night games will be limited. In any case, if you buy a home inside the community (not facing the street), I don’t think you’ll have much to worry about.

Good luck! Maybe we’ll be neighbor someday.

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