Stonebridge-Toll Brothers

[recordsclerk]

This house just closed @ $157 sqft. It backs up to Stronebridge Parkway and power lines.

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-110032867-13366_Greenstone_Ct_San_Diego_CA_92131

[familyguy]

WOW…a far cry from the 1,125,000 it sold for in 2006.

[familyguy]

WOW…a far cry from the 1,125,000 it sold for in 2006.

[familyguy]

WOW…a far cry from the 1,125,000 it sold for in 2006.

[familyguy]

WOW…a far cry from the 1,125,000 it sold for in 2006.

[familyguy]

WOW…a far cry from the 1,125,000 it sold for in 2006.

[sdrealtor]

Still only 30% off purchase price. That house didnt just back up to SB Parkway, the backyard is about 40 ft from it and at street level. I would’ve expected a bigger hit than 30%.

Some of the big houses on big lots that sold in the 1.5M range are 40% off and represent better values IMO.

[sdrealtor]

Still only 30% off purchase price. That house didnt just back up to SB Parkway, the backyard is about 40 ft from it and at street level. I would’ve expected a bigger hit than 30%.

Some of the big houses on big lots that sold in the 1.5M range are 40% off and represent better values IMO.

[sdrealtor]

Still only 30% off purchase price. That house didnt just back up to SB Parkway, the backyard is about 40 ft from it and at street level. I would’ve expected a bigger hit than 30%.

Some of the big houses on big lots that sold in the 1.5M range are 40% off and represent better values IMO.

[sdrealtor]

Still only 30% off purchase price. That house didnt just back up to SB Parkway, the backyard is about 40 ft from it and at street level. I would’ve expected a bigger hit than 30%.

Some of the big houses on big lots that sold in the 1.5M range are 40% off and represent better values IMO.

[sdrealtor]

Still only 30% off purchase price. That house didnt just back up to SB Parkway, the backyard is about 40 ft from it and at street level. I would’ve expected a bigger hit than 30%.

Some of the big houses on big lots that sold in the 1.5M range are 40% off and represent better values IMO.

[matula]

Anybody visited the almost finished model homes at Toll Brothers this weekend? Any thoughts on how they look like inside etc etc?

[an]

I wonder if these will ever hit 50% off peak? $562k?

[sunny88]

I doubt that they will ever go this low unless the economy crashes like in Greece. This is an unlikely scenario as Obama will step in and rescue the economy with additional $450 billion and other brilliant ideas.

[Anonymous]

I thought it might help to have an actual Stonebridge resident comment. If you check my old posts you can see the saga of our search and decision to purchase in Viscaya from City Ventures closing/moving in May/2010. Several people on this thread have been interested in this neighborhood so maybe I can give you our perspective. Of course there is a confirmation bias as no one likes to admit they made a bad choice. However I don’t have any buyer’s remorse and much satisfaction. It may not be the neighborhood for everyone but I will try to be clear about one resident’s evaluation. If anyone is seriously considering Stonebridge and wants to ask me any specic questions I will be happy to respond.

So here is an update on how we feel 18 months later and some commentary on Toll Brothers which will be our new neighbors:
1) The commute from Stonebridge is about 5 minutes out to Pomerado from the very top (Viscaya). This could be a bit longer if you get behind a school bus but everyone knows the schedule and you just avoid that 10 minute window. Plus these bus drivers are very good and make it easy to get around by not putting up the flag to let cars pass.

I commute to the Spectrum area off Clairemont Mesa and 163. The commute takes between 20 minutes and 30 minutes (rarely). Pomerado even with the construction is 10 minutes to 15. 15 onramp at Pomerado is 2 minutes and I think I have never had to wait at the ramp behind more than 6 cars. So I am hard pressed to find anything problematic about the commute. Today I left my office at 5:20 and was grilling at 5:47.

The views back here are spectacular and while I don’t back up to Stonebridge (I back up to the canyon and see for miles) I don’t think it would be a big deal for noise. But I would not trade my view.

I am not a fan of any of the lots that have the huge hill behind them. Just my personal taste and I would happily pay a reasonable premium for the view. The extra water and landscape maint. on that slope might not offset the lot premium over time but I would opt for the canyon and pay the up front cost(and did). But I think our lot premium was something like $20K.

As far as the access to normal “services” if you are used to 5 minutes to a grocery you won’t like it. But in 15 minutes or less I can get to 2 movie theaters, our own local community playhouse, costco, many gas station, LA Fitness, several groceries, Home Depot…
On the weekend I can get to the beach in about 25 minutes. I fly for work and that is 30 minutes to SAN. So for me, it could not be more centrally located. I am from a more rural area in the south so I like some space and while 4S seemed nice and convenient, I like the tranquility and open space of this area. We feel like we live on the edge of the world but as you heard we have easy access to work, shopping and recreation. Our kids were grandfathered in at Scripps Ranch High so I cannot oomment about the school situation other than Scripps Ranch was a fantastic school for them.

We toured the single level model Saturday and it is still in heavy construction. The entry was breathtaking as you see right through the house. I am not sure I would like the floorplan as the master seemed a bit rectangular and I prefer our 2nd floor master with the balcony and a better canyon view but with the pool I am sure it will be very attractive. I don’t think I liked the bar in the corner of the living room and having the dining area all together but until the model is ready I would reserve judgement. The house seems to be very high end and I thought the “standard” items were acceptable. We have owned some very “tricked out” houses from high end custom builders outside of CA. Wainscoating, marble baths, trey ceilings… For our Viscaya home we opted for the bare minimum upgrades, selecting items where it was more practical or reasonably comparable to get it from the builder (such as the granite for the kitchen). City Ventures was very aggressive on many of the options. But we took std cabinets, std. carpet, std ceramic counters (bath) and even vinyl on the bathroom floors. I have no regrets and am happy that we kept the cost down. Partly this was an economic decision but we also decided (my wife and I) that none of those items really made a difference to us in our day to day living.

I am looking forward to seeing the finished models but if I were looking for a large new house in a nice neighborhood I would seriously consider the Toll Brothers homes.

[Author]

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