Stonebridge-what does the future bring?

[Anonymous]

Cabal,
These are all good points and we have given them careful consideration over the past 6 months (and the prior 27 years of marriage!)
Regarding the home size, I thought we might consider moving to something in the 2-3 bedroom range. I don’t really “want” nor need 4,100 sq feet but it seems like there is somewhat of minimum price to purchase a property that we like which includes extra garage space, nice yard, good view and open floorplan. That price seems to be around $750K minimum and that would be at best a 3 car (usually tandem) garage. I am more or less bound by Rancho Bernardo South to Pomerado and west to 5 but really like the area East of 15. This of course includes Carmel Valley but there you have smaller lots and still MR fees and limited garage space and not much in the way of views.

The comments about the front landscaping are also well appreciated. First, I don’t plan to have a showcase yard and will try to minimize the water requirements as this is going to be a problem in San Diego forever. The rear is perfectly flat, we have 2 dogs so mostly I will use mulch and natural areas with a small patio area for entertaining. Maybe a simple spa but no pool (been there, done that). So I hope to keep this at a minimum and probably will do most of the work (except the spa) myself. I am born and bred in North Carolina so this comes naturally :-). I would be interested if you could share some insight into what you did on your 3 year pay as you go plan and what it cost you. I plan to do the same plan. I have seen plenty of homes (many in Stonebridge where folks spend $200K+ and end up just as you described. We also don’t plan to do much in upgrades. We have about $48K credit that we can apply to upgrades or towards a buydown and other than probably changing from solid surface to granite we will keep it mostly as is. I want to own the cheapest house on the block, not the most expensive. Maybe 5-8 years down the road we might decide to upgrade the carpets in time to have the grandkids puke on them.

As for the new found freedom, that too appeals to me but to find a place we like I am going to spend at least $750K so I would just as soon have the extra rooms as long as it is not really costing me on issues such as taxes. Since that is based on cost it does not matter if we buy a 3/3 or 5/4 if the cost is the same. Sure heating and cooling is a bit of a factor but not really a big deal for us in this climate (and yes I know it gets much hotter up there). My wife is a stay at home and would never consider a maid so I sort of have to have enough for her to do when we become empty nesters. Plus she is constantly reminding me that she wants the kids to feel welcome and have a place to come home. I tried to argue about downsizeing to a 2 BR condo and then rent hotel rooms when the kids return but that did not go over too well.

So in summary when we moved to San Diego I expected to pay about $1Mil for a nice home or $800K for a real compromise (stepping down from 7,000 sq. ft lakefront home in NC that unfortunately I had to sell at the bottom of the market). I love NC but my wife is a CA girl and we are here for the duration. Seriously even if a job opportunity came up elsewhere she would not leave again. I have to admit I love San Diego. We lived in Santa Cruz for about 20 years and that was great but San Diego is much better. At least I can live in San Diego and not have such a horrible commute. I would not want to live anywhere in the Bay area except Santa Cruz and then you are stuck with a really bad commute and the weather does not compare.

So the way I look at it, if I can get the house at $810K and allocate maybe $20K for upgrades and use the rest for the mortgage buydown/closing that is about as good a deal as I could get. Having lived in Stonebridge before I have experienced it first hand and like anywhere it has it’s advantages and shortcomings.

For the loan term, I agree. I intend to do a 30 year (would not think about 40) but have always paid more than was due so I set up my own 15 year plan. I have some business investments that hopefully will pay out some cash in a few years so that will pay off a big chunk.

Thanks again for the feedback and thoughts. If you can share any pointers about the landscaping/hardscape that would be much appreciated.

[recordsclerk]

sdseeker,

I did not go view the homes available. I have not visited since they had models about two years ago. These are very nice homes. Congrats on your choice. I don’t see to much downside in the future since you locked in at a great price. I am in the market for this type of home, but we still have some saving to do.

[recordsclerk]

sdseeker,

I did not go view the homes available. I have not visited since they had models about two years ago. These are very nice homes. Congrats on your choice. I don’t see to much downside in the future since you locked in at a great price. I am in the market for this type of home, but we still have some saving to do.

[recordsclerk]

sdseeker,

I did not go view the homes available. I have not visited since they had models about two years ago. These are very nice homes. Congrats on your choice. I don’t see to much downside in the future since you locked in at a great price. I am in the market for this type of home, but we still have some saving to do.

[recordsclerk]

sdseeker,

I did not go view the homes available. I have not visited since they had models about two years ago. These are very nice homes. Congrats on your choice. I don’t see to much downside in the future since you locked in at a great price. I am in the market for this type of home, but we still have some saving to do.

[recordsclerk]

sdseeker,

I did not go view the homes available. I have not visited since they had models about two years ago. These are very nice homes. Congrats on your choice. I don’t see to much downside in the future since you locked in at a great price. I am in the market for this type of home, but we still have some saving to do.

[localguy]

sdseeker,
Good job on the house. I live in Stonebridge and I believe you scored a house at a good price. Many in the area overpaid and in reality the larger homes are worth 700k to 1 mil max. Regarding landscaping, beware the vultures. I’m a do it yourselfer and will have a complete front yard/patio for 10k. The back minus pool/pool house will probably run about 25k. I received quotes for the front from 29k to 80k. The back yard quotes were crazy. I know everyone has different tastes, but some of the uninspired stuff from the “landscapers” is pretty bad. If I see one more stucco wall colored keyed to the house I might vomit. That being said, doing it yourself and managing it yourself has some benefits. You can save a few $ and put it together how you like it.
Localguy

[localguy]

sdseeker,
Good job on the house. I live in Stonebridge and I believe you scored a house at a good price. Many in the area overpaid and in reality the larger homes are worth 700k to 1 mil max. Regarding landscaping, beware the vultures. I’m a do it yourselfer and will have a complete front yard/patio for 10k. The back minus pool/pool house will probably run about 25k. I received quotes for the front from 29k to 80k. The back yard quotes were crazy. I know everyone has different tastes, but some of the uninspired stuff from the “landscapers” is pretty bad. If I see one more stucco wall colored keyed to the house I might vomit. That being said, doing it yourself and managing it yourself has some benefits. You can save a few $ and put it together how you like it.
Localguy

[localguy]

sdseeker,
Good job on the house. I live in Stonebridge and I believe you scored a house at a good price. Many in the area overpaid and in reality the larger homes are worth 700k to 1 mil max. Regarding landscaping, beware the vultures. I’m a do it yourselfer and will have a complete front yard/patio for 10k. The back minus pool/pool house will probably run about 25k. I received quotes for the front from 29k to 80k. The back yard quotes were crazy. I know everyone has different tastes, but some of the uninspired stuff from the “landscapers” is pretty bad. If I see one more stucco wall colored keyed to the house I might vomit. That being said, doing it yourself and managing it yourself has some benefits. You can save a few $ and put it together how you like it.
Localguy

[localguy]

sdseeker,
Good job on the house. I live in Stonebridge and I believe you scored a house at a good price. Many in the area overpaid and in reality the larger homes are worth 700k to 1 mil max. Regarding landscaping, beware the vultures. I’m a do it yourselfer and will have a complete front yard/patio for 10k. The back minus pool/pool house will probably run about 25k. I received quotes for the front from 29k to 80k. The back yard quotes were crazy. I know everyone has different tastes, but some of the uninspired stuff from the “landscapers” is pretty bad. If I see one more stucco wall colored keyed to the house I might vomit. That being said, doing it yourself and managing it yourself has some benefits. You can save a few $ and put it together how you like it.
Localguy

[localguy]

sdseeker,
Good job on the house. I live in Stonebridge and I believe you scored a house at a good price. Many in the area overpaid and in reality the larger homes are worth 700k to 1 mil max. Regarding landscaping, beware the vultures. I’m a do it yourselfer and will have a complete front yard/patio for 10k. The back minus pool/pool house will probably run about 25k. I received quotes for the front from 29k to 80k. The back yard quotes were crazy. I know everyone has different tastes, but some of the uninspired stuff from the “landscapers” is pretty bad. If I see one more stucco wall colored keyed to the house I might vomit. That being said, doing it yourself and managing it yourself has some benefits. You can save a few $ and put it together how you like it.
Localguy

[ocrenter]

congrats sdseeker!

stonebridge is one of those anomalies that should have never existed if there was no bubble. if you pull up the topography map, the whole place was not suitable for building at all. The only reason to flatten all of the hills and fill in all of the valleys to create stonebridge was because Corky McMillin was suddenly able to charge half a million per lot. now that each lot only cost $300k, good luck seeing anything like stonebridge south of the 78 come to fruition.

I too agree the builder included landscape will be worth almost zero. but listen to localguy, front and back landscape (without pool or spa) should be about $40-50k. anything higher is going straight to the contractor’s pockets.

best of luck!

[ocrenter]

congrats sdseeker!

stonebridge is one of those anomalies that should have never existed if there was no bubble. if you pull up the topography map, the whole place was not suitable for building at all. The only reason to flatten all of the hills and fill in all of the valleys to create stonebridge was because Corky McMillin was suddenly able to charge half a million per lot. now that each lot only cost $300k, good luck seeing anything like stonebridge south of the 78 come to fruition.

I too agree the builder included landscape will be worth almost zero. but listen to localguy, front and back landscape (without pool or spa) should be about $40-50k. anything higher is going straight to the contractor’s pockets.

best of luck!

[ocrenter]

congrats sdseeker!

stonebridge is one of those anomalies that should have never existed if there was no bubble. if you pull up the topography map, the whole place was not suitable for building at all. The only reason to flatten all of the hills and fill in all of the valleys to create stonebridge was because Corky McMillin was suddenly able to charge half a million per lot. now that each lot only cost $300k, good luck seeing anything like stonebridge south of the 78 come to fruition.

I too agree the builder included landscape will be worth almost zero. but listen to localguy, front and back landscape (without pool or spa) should be about $40-50k. anything higher is going straight to the contractor’s pockets.

best of luck!

[ocrenter]

congrats sdseeker!

stonebridge is one of those anomalies that should have never existed if there was no bubble. if you pull up the topography map, the whole place was not suitable for building at all. The only reason to flatten all of the hills and fill in all of the valleys to create stonebridge was because Corky McMillin was suddenly able to charge half a million per lot. now that each lot only cost $300k, good luck seeing anything like stonebridge south of the 78 come to fruition.

I too agree the builder included landscape will be worth almost zero. but listen to localguy, front and back landscape (without pool or spa) should be about $40-50k. anything higher is going straight to the contractor’s pockets.

best of luck!

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