suggestions on 5/4/3 home in N Coastal area needed

[amy]

I’ve been lurking on this site for a few months now, and it’s helped me realize that maybe my financial analyst husband was right when he wanted us to rent rather than buy when we moved to SD this spring – he predicted a correction of up to 30% in the next 18-24 months. I read on another post that members may have suggestions on neighborhoods – as a relative newcomer to SD, I could use the help as we do intend to eventually purchase a home here. We are renting a house in La Costa Greens and we really like our neighbors, but after elementary school, the schools aren’t great and I would also rather not have a cookie-cutter home. My oldest son just started kindergarten, and I have two other children, so schools are important. We want a good-sized yard for the kids, preferably with no one directly behind us. 5 bedrooms (preferably 4 up and 1 down for our guests), 3 car garage and a coastal, newer home are also on our list of must-haves. We’d like 3800+ square feet and views (doesn’t have to be ocean views).
Our lease runs through next March, but we can extend it if needed, or can end it early if we find the right house at the right price before then.
I like south Carlsbad and Encinitas and Olivenhain, but am open to other areas. Any suggestions on homes or neighborhoods? Any places to avoid?
Thanks very much for your help!

[SD Realtor]

Hi Amy –

First things first… is there any chance you can renew the lease for another year come March? I only say that because in my humble opinion, the more desireable areas such as those you mentioned are stickier on the way down then other less desireable homes. So if your lease is up in 09 verses 08, you will most likely find a better deal.

Now if that is not the case and you guys are really set on buying in 08, the next thing is, could you hold out until later in the summer verses in the spring? I say that because we generally see small cyclical upticks in the spring simply due to seasonal buyers tend to come out at that time. Inventory is usually well stocked in the springs and the most sought after homes tend to sell in this timeframe. So it is a kind of double edged sword, the most desireable homes tend to be available with the best inventory but the pricing is not the best. Some may argue that this spring may be different due to the depreciating market. That could be true but I envision this depreciating market to occur over a long stretch of time and the small cyclical bumps to still occur.

In terms of the areas you mentioned, I assume you want so stay somewhat coastal, but your choice is really going to be driven by the middle and upper level schools is that correct?

With that said, your choices seem pretty darn good… Have you considered south towards Solana Beach at all? Perhaps some of the older stock in Carmel Valley but finding a home with nobody behind you is tough there. I think your best bet per your description is some of the homes in that South Carlsbad and La Costa area but you need to make sure the schools are what you prefer.

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Hi Amy –

First things first… is there any chance you can renew the lease for another year come March? I only say that because in my humble opinion, the more desireable areas such as those you mentioned are stickier on the way down then other less desireable homes. So if your lease is up in 09 verses 08, you will most likely find a better deal.

Now if that is not the case and you guys are really set on buying in 08, the next thing is, could you hold out until later in the summer verses in the spring? I say that because we generally see small cyclical upticks in the spring simply due to seasonal buyers tend to come out at that time. Inventory is usually well stocked in the springs and the most sought after homes tend to sell in this timeframe. So it is a kind of double edged sword, the most desireable homes tend to be available with the best inventory but the pricing is not the best. Some may argue that this spring may be different due to the depreciating market. That could be true but I envision this depreciating market to occur over a long stretch of time and the small cyclical bumps to still occur.

In terms of the areas you mentioned, I assume you want so stay somewhat coastal, but your choice is really going to be driven by the middle and upper level schools is that correct?

With that said, your choices seem pretty darn good… Have you considered south towards Solana Beach at all? Perhaps some of the older stock in Carmel Valley but finding a home with nobody behind you is tough there. I think your best bet per your description is some of the homes in that South Carlsbad and La Costa area but you need to make sure the schools are what you prefer.

SD Realtor

[SD Realtor]

Hi Amy –

First things first… is there any chance you can renew the lease for another year come March? I only say that because in my humble opinion, the more desireable areas such as those you mentioned are stickier on the way down then other less desireable homes. So if your lease is up in 09 verses 08, you will most likely find a better deal.

Now if that is not the case and you guys are really set on buying in 08, the next thing is, could you hold out until later in the summer verses in the spring? I say that because we generally see small cyclical upticks in the spring simply due to seasonal buyers tend to come out at that time. Inventory is usually well stocked in the springs and the most sought after homes tend to sell in this timeframe. So it is a kind of double edged sword, the most desireable homes tend to be available with the best inventory but the pricing is not the best. Some may argue that this spring may be different due to the depreciating market. That could be true but I envision this depreciating market to occur over a long stretch of time and the small cyclical bumps to still occur.

In terms of the areas you mentioned, I assume you want so stay somewhat coastal, but your choice is really going to be driven by the middle and upper level schools is that correct?

With that said, your choices seem pretty darn good… Have you considered south towards Solana Beach at all? Perhaps some of the older stock in Carmel Valley but finding a home with nobody behind you is tough there. I think your best bet per your description is some of the homes in that South Carlsbad and La Costa area but you need to make sure the schools are what you prefer.

SD Realtor

[amy]

Thanks for your response. Yes, I think we will be able to renew our lease in March if we want to do so, so that’s a possibility. I am hoping to be in our own home by the time school starts next fall so my oldest won’t have to change schools again, so late August timeframe, but that’s a “like to do” not a “have to do.” The market will for be the motivating factor in our decision.

We would like to stay coastal – my husband & I are from land-locked states, so we love seeing the ocean every day. We’d certainly consider Solana Beach, I just didn’t think we could afford it, also we prefer newer homes & I haven’t seen many there. But it’s definitely an option.

My husband’s office is now in Carlsbad, but they will be moving to Carmel Valley within the next 9 months or so, so that area is also an option but I know next to nothing about it as we live up north. I’ve also heard some good things about Santaluz and Del Sur – what’s the consensus there? I realize they are not as coastal, but the ocean is still not too far away.

And yes, schools are a primary concern. We have three young children and would like them to go to public school if possible.

Are there schools in Carlsbad to avoid? What about the Aviara schools? I’ve heard mixed reviews.

I am glad now we chose to rent! Even without the market corrections, there are so many places to choose from out here!

[amy]

Thanks for your response. Yes, I think we will be able to renew our lease in March if we want to do so, so that’s a possibility. I am hoping to be in our own home by the time school starts next fall so my oldest won’t have to change schools again, so late August timeframe, but that’s a “like to do” not a “have to do.” The market will for be the motivating factor in our decision.

We would like to stay coastal – my husband & I are from land-locked states, so we love seeing the ocean every day. We’d certainly consider Solana Beach, I just didn’t think we could afford it, also we prefer newer homes & I haven’t seen many there. But it’s definitely an option.

My husband’s office is now in Carlsbad, but they will be moving to Carmel Valley within the next 9 months or so, so that area is also an option but I know next to nothing about it as we live up north. I’ve also heard some good things about Santaluz and Del Sur – what’s the consensus there? I realize they are not as coastal, but the ocean is still not too far away.

And yes, schools are a primary concern. We have three young children and would like them to go to public school if possible.

Are there schools in Carlsbad to avoid? What about the Aviara schools? I’ve heard mixed reviews.

I am glad now we chose to rent! Even without the market corrections, there are so many places to choose from out here!

[amy]

Thanks for your response. Yes, I think we will be able to renew our lease in March if we want to do so, so that’s a possibility. I am hoping to be in our own home by the time school starts next fall so my oldest won’t have to change schools again, so late August timeframe, but that’s a “like to do” not a “have to do.” The market will for be the motivating factor in our decision.

We would like to stay coastal – my husband & I are from land-locked states, so we love seeing the ocean every day. We’d certainly consider Solana Beach, I just didn’t think we could afford it, also we prefer newer homes & I haven’t seen many there. But it’s definitely an option.

My husband’s office is now in Carlsbad, but they will be moving to Carmel Valley within the next 9 months or so, so that area is also an option but I know next to nothing about it as we live up north. I’ve also heard some good things about Santaluz and Del Sur – what’s the consensus there? I realize they are not as coastal, but the ocean is still not too far away.

And yes, schools are a primary concern. We have three young children and would like them to go to public school if possible.

Are there schools in Carlsbad to avoid? What about the Aviara schools? I’ve heard mixed reviews.

I am glad now we chose to rent! Even without the market corrections, there are so many places to choose from out here!

[sdrealtor]

HI Amy,
Original sdr here (just want to make sure you know there is a difference. I actually live in the exact area you have described. I pretty much SD R thoughts on timing but you never really know how quickly things will adjust. Here’s a couple thoughts for you. If you want a newer home, cookie cutter tract homes (albeit very nice cookie cutter tract homes) will be difficult to avoid. Aviara is nothing but tract homes, unless you have a couple million for Aviara Point. Carmel Valley is a great location but larger lots are tough to find and you can expect to pay $100K to $200K for the same size home that generally wont be as well built or as highly upgraded. Most of CV was/will be built by Pardee Homes which are no better than average among tract builders. CV also tends to be a bit too pretentious for my tastes but that is really a personal preference.

If you can, stay south of La Costa Avenue which will place you in the Encinitas/San Dieguito school districts. That’s where you want to be based upon what you described.

There are many different communities to choose from and each has some very specific pluses/minuses. Your background and lifestyle makes a big difference as to what you would or wouldnt like. Make sure you do proper research to find the right one. Your price range also will go a long way in determining the best place for your family. The harsh reality is that even with a major correction, this will always be a relatively expensive place to live.

sdr

[sdrealtor]

HI Amy,
Original sdr here (just want to make sure you know there is a difference. I actually live in the exact area you have described. I pretty much SD R thoughts on timing but you never really know how quickly things will adjust. Here’s a couple thoughts for you. If you want a newer home, cookie cutter tract homes (albeit very nice cookie cutter tract homes) will be difficult to avoid. Aviara is nothing but tract homes, unless you have a couple million for Aviara Point. Carmel Valley is a great location but larger lots are tough to find and you can expect to pay $100K to $200K for the same size home that generally wont be as well built or as highly upgraded. Most of CV was/will be built by Pardee Homes which are no better than average among tract builders. CV also tends to be a bit too pretentious for my tastes but that is really a personal preference.

If you can, stay south of La Costa Avenue which will place you in the Encinitas/San Dieguito school districts. That’s where you want to be based upon what you described.

There are many different communities to choose from and each has some very specific pluses/minuses. Your background and lifestyle makes a big difference as to what you would or wouldnt like. Make sure you do proper research to find the right one. Your price range also will go a long way in determining the best place for your family. The harsh reality is that even with a major correction, this will always be a relatively expensive place to live.

sdr

[sdrealtor]

HI Amy,
Original sdr here (just want to make sure you know there is a difference. I actually live in the exact area you have described. I pretty much SD R thoughts on timing but you never really know how quickly things will adjust. Here’s a couple thoughts for you. If you want a newer home, cookie cutter tract homes (albeit very nice cookie cutter tract homes) will be difficult to avoid. Aviara is nothing but tract homes, unless you have a couple million for Aviara Point. Carmel Valley is a great location but larger lots are tough to find and you can expect to pay $100K to $200K for the same size home that generally wont be as well built or as highly upgraded. Most of CV was/will be built by Pardee Homes which are no better than average among tract builders. CV also tends to be a bit too pretentious for my tastes but that is really a personal preference.

If you can, stay south of La Costa Avenue which will place you in the Encinitas/San Dieguito school districts. That’s where you want to be based upon what you described.

There are many different communities to choose from and each has some very specific pluses/minuses. Your background and lifestyle makes a big difference as to what you would or wouldnt like. Make sure you do proper research to find the right one. Your price range also will go a long way in determining the best place for your family. The harsh reality is that even with a major correction, this will always be a relatively expensive place to live.

sdr

[amy]

Thanks for your thoughts. What’s your opinion on Del Sur and Santa Luz? And what are the better neighborhoods in Carmel Valley for a family with three boys? We have a high credit score and are looking in the 1-1.5 million range.

[amy]

Thanks for your thoughts. What’s your opinion on Del Sur and Santa Luz? And what are the better neighborhoods in Carmel Valley for a family with three boys? We have a high credit score and are looking in the 1-1.5 million range.

[amy]

Thanks for your thoughts. What’s your opinion on Del Sur and Santa Luz? And what are the better neighborhoods in Carmel Valley for a family with three boys? We have a high credit score and are looking in the 1-1.5 million range.

[sdrealtor]

amy
Sorry for the confusion but I live in the middle of S Carlsbad/Encinitas rather than CV. I know CV well but am not what one would consider a real expert. In my area I could tell you what side of what street you would want to live on, what teacher you would want at what school etc. I dont like dispensing advice on areas I dont know as well as the stakes of buying the wrong home are too great.
P
ersonally I dont care for Santaluz or Del Sur as the fees are crippling and the location is way too far inland for me. Whenever I’m out there I get the felling I’m in a Roadrunner/Wil E Coyote cartoon at some interesection in the middle of nowhere with signs pointing in every direction like Manhattan 2000 miles, Hong Kong 10,000 miles etc. get the picture?

sdr

[sdrealtor]

amy
Sorry for the confusion but I live in the middle of S Carlsbad/Encinitas rather than CV. I know CV well but am not what one would consider a real expert. In my area I could tell you what side of what street you would want to live on, what teacher you would want at what school etc. I dont like dispensing advice on areas I dont know as well as the stakes of buying the wrong home are too great.
P
ersonally I dont care for Santaluz or Del Sur as the fees are crippling and the location is way too far inland for me. Whenever I’m out there I get the felling I’m in a Roadrunner/Wil E Coyote cartoon at some interesection in the middle of nowhere with signs pointing in every direction like Manhattan 2000 miles, Hong Kong 10,000 miles etc. get the picture?

sdr

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