Stonebridge below 700k

[ocrenter]

[quote=SD Realtor]It is especially fun to read comments from experts on neighborhoods that they probably have never even visited before.[/quote]

that’s because it is far flung! Do you not realize the number of tanks of gas needed for a visit? especially since gas is now over $4!!!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=briansd1][quote=bearishgurl]
I totally AGREE, you would NOT be able to expand in that manner in 92104. Your plans would FAIL at the “letters-to-neighbors-within-300-feet” stage, LOL! Owners in that area would NOT be even remotely interested in a monstrous mcmansion in their midst.[/quote]

BG, a large house doesn’t have to be monstrous if well done.[/quote]

Agreed, brian. HOWEVER, a “2000-ish sf semi-fixer-bungalow” (with original details intact) in 92104 could very well cost in the neighborhood of $650K. The “properly done” architectural renderings and floor plans (adding the second story) could very well cost the buyer an additional $75 – $100K. Just the exterior sketches and elevations (for the City and neighbors’ letter) could cost up to $35K. The buyer would have up to $35K invested in it and could then face a Planning Hg or even City Council Mtg with neighborhood opposition showing up. Even if the drawings are beautiful and blend with the area’s architecture, if their arguments are good enough re: setback, parking, noise, etc. the neighbors could very likely win out. Then the permit-seeker has to take his (expensive) architect back to the drawing board to “re-tweak” everything – that is, if he/she can still afford to do so.

I’ve seen this happen a time or two … or three … :={

Of course, the design fees, permit fees, survey (if needed), encroachment fees, etc, etc added up could very well be in the neighborhood of $150K. And materials have not yet been purchased at this stage.

This route is best attempted by a licensed general contractor-buyer with design contacts or architect or civil-engineer-buyers who will not be significantly out-of-pocket in the early design stages, IMHO.

A project of this magnitude in 92103 or 92104 would far exceed the cost of a 4000+ sf home in Stonebridge, unless the property had already been owned at least 20 years.

A “great deal” of additional square footage on an SFR does not come cheap in SD’s finest ‘hoods :=]

[bearishgurl]

[quote=SD Realtor]It is especially fun to read comments from experts on neighborhoods that they probably have never even visited before.[/quote]

Why waste $4 per gal gasoline! I went on JTR’s “armchair tour” last year, lol ….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X1SU1M6RY0

And who is claiming to be an “expert” in Stonebridge? Certainly not me …. could it be … YOU??

[briansd1]

BG, the hassle and expense of building in established areas are not worth it. Better to buy in a new area.

I think the residents of established areas are doing themselves a disservice because property values would generally go higher if “mansionization” were permitted.

A lot of people do things against their own interests because of they don’t want to feel “small” next to a “big” neighbor.

Honestly, if it were me, I’d rather live next to a mansion that is well kept than a run down wood bungalow in need of repair.

For what it’s worth, the existing building restrictions are only hurting well-to-do but not millionaire families who could come in an rehabilitate neighborhoods.

People like Mitt Romney don’t have to worry because because they have unlimited resources. I’m sure that the Coastal Commission will approve his new sea wall and his new 13,000 sf beachfront mansion.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=briansd1]….I think the residents of established areas are doing themselves a disservice because property values would generally go higher if “mansionization” were permitted.

A lot of people do things against their own interests because of they don’t want to feel “small” next to a “big” neighbor…..[/quote]

Part of the draw of the older areas, brian, is mature landscaping, walkability and convenience. A lot of that would have to be torn out to put up a “mcmansion” on the same-sized lot where a 2000 sf bungalow and “french door” detached garage sat for the last 85 years. If these residents wanted to look at a 4500 sf stucco mcmansion (instead of the years-ago-professionally-landscaped 2000+ Bungalow or Spanish that is currently sitting there), they would move to places like Stonebridge.

Urban residents’ opposition to new “mcmansions” is not about feeling “small” at all. It’s all about aesthetics, charm, tree shade, convenience and walkability, the very features that drew most of them there in the first place. A large sf addition is doable in these areas but it must look as if the home’s original facade and style have remained untouched or creatively and tastefully enhanced to match the rest of the neighborhood (for curb-appeal purposes). This is VERY difficult to do on a City lot if one needs to DOUBLE the size of the dwelling.

[Navydoc]

[quote=briansd1]navydoc, parties are your house sound really fun.

You can host weddings at your house complete with Lao square dancing. I have Lao friends too and I love papaya salad with sticky rice and beef jerky.[/quote]

They are fun Brian, and my wife and I were married in her parents’ family room with >200 people in attendance. 650 people at the reception at the Scottish Rite Hall in Mission Valley. I’d love to host something like that for a niece or nephew (possibly even my own daughter!). The papaya salad my wife’s family makes might have the blood from one of the Aliens creatures in it. It is so hot I’ve been worried it would burn a hole in the table. Sweet sticky rice and mangos are one of my favorite desserts.

It was immediately apparent how important family was to my wife on our first date. It was Thanksgiving at her house. Seventy-five people, and almost none of them were speaking English. I didn’t care, I was an intern at the time and didn’t want to be alone on Thanksgiving.
I’m glad you understand now BG, the space will most certainly NOT go to waste.

Oh, and to relate to FLU’s week-in-review post, I’ve never left Piggington’s. I read this blog on my lunch break every single day, and have since we moved to Maryland.

[CA renter]

[quote=Navydoc][quote=briansd1]navydoc, parties are your house sound really fun.

You can host weddings at your house complete with Lao square dancing. I have Lao friends too and I love papaya salad with sticky rice and beef jerky.[/quote]

They are fun Brian, and my wife and I were married in her parents’ family room with >200 people in attendance. 650 people at the reception at the Scottish Rite Hall in Mission Valley. I’d love to host something like that for a niece or nephew (possibly even my own daughter!). The papaya salad my wife’s family makes might have the blood from one of the Aliens creatures in it. It is so hot I’ve been worried it would burn a hole in the table. Sweet sticky rice and mangos are one of my favorite desserts.

It was immediately apparent how important family was to my wife on our first date. It was Thanksgiving at her house. Seventy-five people, and almost none of them were speaking English. I didn’t care, I was an intern at the time and didn’t want to be alone on Thanksgiving.
I’m glad you understand now BG, the space will most certainly NOT go to waste.

Oh, and to relate to FLU’s week-in-review post, I’ve never left Piggington’s. I read this blog on my lunch break every single day, and have since we moved to Maryland.[/quote]

Glad to hear you’re moving back, Navydoc. Like SDR already said, I can’t belive it’s already been 3 years. That went by incredibly fast.

Your family sounds wonderful. 🙂

Congratulations on your new home!

[ocrenter]

Navydoc, you should build a pool just like the model home. You can man the BBQ in the middle, with all the kiddies swimming around you. 🙂

Another good thing about the far flung location you picked. Turns out there are 8 Asian markets within 15-20 minutes drive for you wife to pick from, ranging from northeast Asian down to Southeast Asian. Hopefully that’s an improvement in comparison to MD.

[earlyretirement]

[quote=bearishgurl]

A “4000 – 5000 sf” home is not a “need” (unless you have a family of 16). It is a “want.” For a family of 3-5, it is a lot of toilets and empty rooms to clean (furnished or unfurnished) just because they are there. [/quote]

Actually I’d disagree with this. We bought a house around the same size as the OP (just a bit smaller) with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. At first I thought it would feel big. We have 2 kids with the plans to have another child next year.

We don’t even have 20 relatives visiting at one time! Ha, ha. We have had my mother in law here for the past month visiting the grandkids and the occasional family member that wants to vacation in San Diego and you can guess where they want to crash. And trust me….. I think I’d feel comfortable adding another 1,000 sq. feet.

With in-laws, sometimes a 4,000 to 5,000 sq. foot home is a “need”. 🙂

Congrats NavyDoc on the new home. It sounds wonderful and you will definitely enjoy all that space. We love all the space and definitely utilizing all of the space nicely.

[Navydoc]

[quote=ocrenter]Navydoc, you should build a pool just like the model home. You can man the BBQ in the middle, with all the kiddies swimming around you. 🙂

Another good thing about the far flung location you picked. Turns out there are 8 Asian markets within 15-20 minutes drive for you wife to pick from, ranging from northeast Asian down to Southeast Asian. Hopefully that’s an improvement in comparison to MD.[/quote]

Actually I have something a little different planned, and it will include a casita/pool house with a flat roof with observation deck overlooking the canyon. I have a nice telescope, and observation in Maryland sucks, between trees, clouds and light pollution. the far flung area makes for awesome starry nights. I will have the sunken BBQ with in-pool barstools though.

And yes, we are well aware of the Asian markets. Don’t forget, my sister in law lives in PQ, which is another reason we like far flung, remote, lizardy locations. You might be surprised though about the quality of the Asian markets in our current area. Most are quite good, with our favorite being a Korean chain called H-Mart. Interestingly enough, the restaurants (for Thai and Vietnamese at least) have left something to be desired. We have yet to find a good bowl of Pho in MD, unless my wife makes it herself.

[ocrenter]

[quote=Navydoc][quote=ocrenter]Navydoc, you should build a pool just like the model home. You can man the BBQ in the middle, with all the kiddies swimming around you. 🙂

Another good thing about the far flung location you picked. Turns out there are 8 Asian markets within 15-20 minutes drive for you wife to pick from, ranging from northeast Asian down to Southeast Asian. Hopefully that’s an improvement in comparison to MD.[/quote]

Actually I have something a little different planned, and it will include a casita/pool house with a flat roof with observation deck overlooking the canyon. I have a nice telescope, and observation in Maryland sucks, between trees, clouds and light pollution. the far flung area makes for awesome starry nights. I will have the sunken BBQ with in-pool barstools though.

And yes, we are well aware of the Asian markets. Don’t forget, my sister in law lives in PQ, which is another reason we like far flung, remote, lizardy locations. You might be surprised though about the quality of the Asian markets in our current area. Most are quite good, with our favorite being a Korean chain called H-Mart. Interestingly enough, the restaurants (for Thai and Vietnamese at least) have left something to be desired. We have yet to find a good bowl of Pho in MD, unless my wife makes it herself.[/quote]

Closest H Mart will be over at Irvine, where they think the entire SD area is far flung. Personally I think this area is overdue for a new Ranch 99 and H Mart. Theres an entire row of pho places on Mira Mesa, I’m sure you guys should be able to be satisfied.

Exciting plans on the pool/casita/observation deck, bet you can’t wait to get things started. You are going to be at around 1000 feet above sea level, tht should help win the star gazing as well.

[briansd1]

[quote=ocrenter]
Closest H Mart will be over at Irvine, where they think the entire SD area is far flung. Personally I think this area is overdue for a new Ranch 99 and H Mart. [/quote]

I love the Asian commercial center on Jamboree in Irvine. I stop there when I go up north. It’s nice that restaurants open late, so, on the way back home from LAX, you can stop for a bite to eat.

Mira Mesa Blvd would be better if it were a more like Main St in Albrambra.

[recordsclerk]

Congrats to Navydoc. I really like Stonebridge because you get a lot for the price. You can’t get an estate sized homes, with an estate feel in a good school district for the same price. For the value I would have preferred to buy a resale (distressed), but I’m also a marginal buyer at that price point. For someone like Navydoc, I would have done the same thing. Toll Brothers product is well built and if you have the means to upgrade as you like, then that is a great route to take.
It looks like Standard Pacific is going to release some new homes in Stonebridge. They are introducing Bellasario this Spring.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=sdrealtor]Remember the neverending short sale on Old Creek? They had chickens in the backyard and now I understand why. They needed them to survive living in such a far flung lizard invested wasteland.[/quote]

If the above comment is meant to be an “attempted parody” on my opinions, lol …. I’d be happy to dig up several threads where YOU (aptly) referred to the entire area of zip 92131 as “Phoenix” . . . that is, after I get my work done ;=]

[briansd1]

To be fair, New Scripps is not that far compared to Carlsbad, Escondido, San Marcos, Temecula, Eastern Chula Vista, etc…

Outside of Chula Vista, Stonebridge is probably the best ppsf deal in the County. New upscale neighborhood w/ a good school district.

BG, new construction wise, 2,500sf to 3,500 is the new normal for a middle-class suburban house. 4,500sf – 5,500 is upper-middle class. The standards have changed. You now need a bathroom for each bedroom.

You may not agree, BG, but people want new and clean. As long as it’s difficult to build new, close to the urban core, with higher density to accommodate population growth, people will continue to sprawl out. The density limits will simply cause sprawl to sprawl out even more.

Personally, I don’t see why we can’t build 3 and 4 story 4000sf – 5000sf townhouses with rooftop terraces, in existing neighborhoods. That would increase the tax base of existing neighborhoods and renew the city.

Cities are made to change, not remain static.

[Author]

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