[greekfire]

I understand that there are some serious downsides to purchasing this property. I am only in the beginning stages of research and will not make my decision until I have done my due diligence.

The motivating factors, as I see them are as follows (in no particular order):

PROS
1. Large, 3-unit with a basement located 1 block from the ocean with ocean views. Each unit is 1500sf.
2. Proposed rents should cover mortgage, taxes, and potential vacancy problems.
3. I have family (my Dad) that I would pay perform repairs.

CONS
1. I live in the other corner of the country
2. Potential problems with renters (legal, financial, etc.)
3. Dealing with family in a business capacity
4. Vacancies and foreclosures are up
5. Other cons/expenses to look out for?

I’m sure there are many more cons to consider. I welcome the devil’s advocate approach because it forces me to strengthen my reasons for pursuing this.

[greekfire]

I understand that there are some serious downsides to purchasing this property. I am only in the beginning stages of research and will not make my decision until I have done my due diligence.

The motivating factors, as I see them are as follows (in no particular order):

PROS
1. Large, 3-unit with a basement located 1 block from the ocean with ocean views. Each unit is 1500sf.
2. Proposed rents should cover mortgage, taxes, and potential vacancy problems.
3. I have family (my Dad) that I would pay perform repairs.

CONS
1. I live in the other corner of the country
2. Potential problems with renters (legal, financial, etc.)
3. Dealing with family in a business capacity
4. Vacancies and foreclosures are up
5. Other cons/expenses to look out for?

I’m sure there are many more cons to consider. I welcome the devil’s advocate approach because it forces me to strengthen my reasons for pursuing this.

[greekfire]

I understand that there are some serious downsides to purchasing this property. I am only in the beginning stages of research and will not make my decision until I have done my due diligence.

The motivating factors, as I see them are as follows (in no particular order):

PROS
1. Large, 3-unit with a basement located 1 block from the ocean with ocean views. Each unit is 1500sf.
2. Proposed rents should cover mortgage, taxes, and potential vacancy problems.
3. I have family (my Dad) that I would pay perform repairs.

CONS
1. I live in the other corner of the country
2. Potential problems with renters (legal, financial, etc.)
3. Dealing with family in a business capacity
4. Vacancies and foreclosures are up
5. Other cons/expenses to look out for?

I’m sure there are many more cons to consider. I welcome the devil’s advocate approach because it forces me to strengthen my reasons for pursuing this.

[greekfire]

I am personally a pro-Carlsbad guy. BubbleSitter and SD Realtor had some good insights on this town. The City is undergoing the initial stages of a paradigm shift in its politics. The mayor will not likely be around for next term and the council will be re-invigorated with new blood that will help push the City forward.

The City is undergoing an update of its General Plan, it is required to maintain 30% open space, it is in the process of approving a pedestrian master plan, and there is a revitalization plan in the works for the downtown village area.

The City doesn’t own the local beaches (the State does) and there has been a rift between the two parties over the past several years on who should perform what services on the beaches. This is a gross over-simplification, but the short story is that current mayor, council, and city manager take the “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free” attitude. This is slowly changing and I think you will see the city take a more proactive stance in managing its beaches, which are a defining feature for Carlsbad.

Additionally, there will be plans to create a connected coastal rail trail between all three intra-city lagoons (Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos). Buena Vista lagoon is undergoing a restoration analysis and there are talks of trying to market the area for eco-tourism…Carlsbad is a stop on a major bird migration pathway.

The upshot is hopefully an environmentally conscious community that you can raise your family in. The schools are pretty good too from what I understand.

[greekfire]

I am personally a pro-Carlsbad guy. BubbleSitter and SD Realtor had some good insights on this town. The City is undergoing the initial stages of a paradigm shift in its politics. The mayor will not likely be around for next term and the council will be re-invigorated with new blood that will help push the City forward.

The City is undergoing an update of its General Plan, it is required to maintain 30% open space, it is in the process of approving a pedestrian master plan, and there is a revitalization plan in the works for the downtown village area.

The City doesn’t own the local beaches (the State does) and there has been a rift between the two parties over the past several years on who should perform what services on the beaches. This is a gross over-simplification, but the short story is that current mayor, council, and city manager take the “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free” attitude. This is slowly changing and I think you will see the city take a more proactive stance in managing its beaches, which are a defining feature for Carlsbad.

Additionally, there will be plans to create a connected coastal rail trail between all three intra-city lagoons (Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos). Buena Vista lagoon is undergoing a restoration analysis and there are talks of trying to market the area for eco-tourism…Carlsbad is a stop on a major bird migration pathway.

The upshot is hopefully an environmentally conscious community that you can raise your family in. The schools are pretty good too from what I understand.

[greekfire]

I am personally a pro-Carlsbad guy. BubbleSitter and SD Realtor had some good insights on this town. The City is undergoing the initial stages of a paradigm shift in its politics. The mayor will not likely be around for next term and the council will be re-invigorated with new blood that will help push the City forward.

The City is undergoing an update of its General Plan, it is required to maintain 30% open space, it is in the process of approving a pedestrian master plan, and there is a revitalization plan in the works for the downtown village area.

The City doesn’t own the local beaches (the State does) and there has been a rift between the two parties over the past several years on who should perform what services on the beaches. This is a gross over-simplification, but the short story is that current mayor, council, and city manager take the “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free” attitude. This is slowly changing and I think you will see the city take a more proactive stance in managing its beaches, which are a defining feature for Carlsbad.

Additionally, there will be plans to create a connected coastal rail trail between all three intra-city lagoons (Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos). Buena Vista lagoon is undergoing a restoration analysis and there are talks of trying to market the area for eco-tourism…Carlsbad is a stop on a major bird migration pathway.

The upshot is hopefully an environmentally conscious community that you can raise your family in. The schools are pretty good too from what I understand.

[greekfire]

I am personally a pro-Carlsbad guy. BubbleSitter and SD Realtor had some good insights on this town. The City is undergoing the initial stages of a paradigm shift in its politics. The mayor will not likely be around for next term and the council will be re-invigorated with new blood that will help push the City forward.

The City is undergoing an update of its General Plan, it is required to maintain 30% open space, it is in the process of approving a pedestrian master plan, and there is a revitalization plan in the works for the downtown village area.

The City doesn’t own the local beaches (the State does) and there has been a rift between the two parties over the past several years on who should perform what services on the beaches. This is a gross over-simplification, but the short story is that current mayor, council, and city manager take the “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free” attitude. This is slowly changing and I think you will see the city take a more proactive stance in managing its beaches, which are a defining feature for Carlsbad.

Additionally, there will be plans to create a connected coastal rail trail between all three intra-city lagoons (Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos). Buena Vista lagoon is undergoing a restoration analysis and there are talks of trying to market the area for eco-tourism…Carlsbad is a stop on a major bird migration pathway.

The upshot is hopefully an environmentally conscious community that you can raise your family in. The schools are pretty good too from what I understand.

[greekfire]

I am personally a pro-Carlsbad guy. BubbleSitter and SD Realtor had some good insights on this town. The City is undergoing the initial stages of a paradigm shift in its politics. The mayor will not likely be around for next term and the council will be re-invigorated with new blood that will help push the City forward.

The City is undergoing an update of its General Plan, it is required to maintain 30% open space, it is in the process of approving a pedestrian master plan, and there is a revitalization plan in the works for the downtown village area.

The City doesn’t own the local beaches (the State does) and there has been a rift between the two parties over the past several years on who should perform what services on the beaches. This is a gross over-simplification, but the short story is that current mayor, council, and city manager take the “why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free” attitude. This is slowly changing and I think you will see the city take a more proactive stance in managing its beaches, which are a defining feature for Carlsbad.

Additionally, there will be plans to create a connected coastal rail trail between all three intra-city lagoons (Buena Vista, Agua Hedionda, and Batiquitos). Buena Vista lagoon is undergoing a restoration analysis and there are talks of trying to market the area for eco-tourism…Carlsbad is a stop on a major bird migration pathway.

The upshot is hopefully an environmentally conscious community that you can raise your family in. The schools are pretty good too from what I understand.

[greekfire]

I thought this was such a great event! The weather sucked and I was fighting a cold, but I had a great time. It is estimated that as many as 500 people attended. It looks like the Constitution, sound money, balanced budgets, and staying out of foreign entanglements is still popular to some people.

 

[greekfire]

I thought this was such a great event! The weather sucked and I was fighting a cold, but I had a great time. It is estimated that as many as 500 people attended. It looks like the Constitution, sound money, balanced budgets, and staying out of foreign entanglements is still popular to some people.

 

[greekfire]

I thought this was such a great event! The weather sucked and I was fighting a cold, but I had a great time. It is estimated that as many as 500 people attended. It looks like the Constitution, sound money, balanced budgets, and staying out of foreign entanglements is still popular to some people.

 

[greekfire]

I thought this was such a great event! The weather sucked and I was fighting a cold, but I had a great time. It is estimated that as many as 500 people attended. It looks like the Constitution, sound money, balanced budgets, and staying out of foreign entanglements is still popular to some people.

 

[greekfire]

I thought this was such a great event! The weather sucked and I was fighting a cold, but I had a great time. It is estimated that as many as 500 people attended. It looks like the Constitution, sound money, balanced budgets, and staying out of foreign entanglements is still popular to some people.

 

[greekfire]

I say do your planning, wait for the right time, and go for it. I had similar thoughts back around 2000 and kick myself for not going through with it. I envisioned buying 5 acres or so in Valley Center and building my own home. What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!

Like all complex matters, I recommend breaking it down into more manageable components. I don’t have any real-world experience in this area, but you need a roof, walls, electrical and plumbing at the very least. Start from there and work your plan around it.

One thing that I think is worth mentioning is the value and importance of a basement. For those of us born in the south west, that is another floor level below ground. I think a basement holds significant value in terms of added living space and ongoing energy savings. The basement needs little if any cooling in the summer, and (if there’s a fireplace there) the heat will rise to warm the entire house. If you are considering building your own home from scratch, why not go all out and consider adding a basement to it? As always, check with local building codes to ensure this is a viable option.

Best of luck to you.

[greekfire]

I say do your planning, wait for the right time, and go for it. I had similar thoughts back around 2000 and kick myself for not going through with it. I envisioned buying 5 acres or so in Valley Center and building my own home. What you have not heard so far is the value of creating something with your own ingenuity and two hands. Like learning a second language or obtaining a higher education degree, it is one of those things that you will cherish for the rest of your life and NOBODY will be able to take it away from you!

Like all complex matters, I recommend breaking it down into more manageable components. I don’t have any real-world experience in this area, but you need a roof, walls, electrical and plumbing at the very least. Start from there and work your plan around it.

One thing that I think is worth mentioning is the value and importance of a basement. For those of us born in the south west, that is another floor level below ground. I think a basement holds significant value in terms of added living space and ongoing energy savings. The basement needs little if any cooling in the summer, and (if there’s a fireplace there) the heat will rise to warm the entire house. If you are considering building your own home from scratch, why not go all out and consider adding a basement to it? As always, check with local building codes to ensure this is a viable option.

Best of luck to you.

[Author]

Posts