[HomeShopping]

When you consider what the savings rate would need to be over 30 or 40 years to accumulate $2MM, it is virtually impossible for most Americans. Between job loss, unexpected medical expenses, saving for future college costs, one or two poor investment decisions, people can be derailed easily.

I bet a significant number of people in the top 1% inherited large sums.

[HomeShopping]

Nor-LA-SD-GUY2 – agree that engineers have better job prospects than middle managers in this economy. A lesson from this recession is how important it is to actually produce something superior or bring real value to the table.

Flu – I know several people that have joined startups. Some have failed and moved on. Others are still trying to make it work. It takes talent, hard work, and luck to make it as a start up. It’s not for everyone.

[HomeShopping]

Do not live in Temecula. Lots of tech opportunities around me 🙂

[HomeShopping]

Overall, I agree with the central point of the article that you have to consider very carefully the cost/benefit of an expensive private school.

But I disagree with AN’s statement “super smart students tend have free ride from those Universities.” I went to a top 5 college and very few of my classmates had a “free ride.” Most top 10 colleges offer only need-based financial aid. I know many “super smart students” – perfect or near perfect standardized test scores/GPA, won major science/math/essay competitions, published papers, etc. Most of them have significant debt from private college. There just isn’t enough merit-based scholarship out there to cover full tuition/costs (“free ride”).

[HomeShopping]

Overall, I agree with the central point of the article that you have to consider very carefully the cost/benefit of an expensive private school.

But I disagree with AN’s statement “super smart students tend have free ride from those Universities.” I went to a top 5 college and very few of my classmates had a “free ride.” Most top 10 colleges offer only need-based financial aid. I know many “super smart students” – perfect or near perfect standardized test scores/GPA, won major science/math/essay competitions, published papers, etc. Most of them have significant debt from private college. There just isn’t enough merit-based scholarship out there to cover full tuition/costs (“free ride”).

[HomeShopping]

Overall, I agree with the central point of the article that you have to consider very carefully the cost/benefit of an expensive private school.

But I disagree with AN’s statement “super smart students tend have free ride from those Universities.” I went to a top 5 college and very few of my classmates had a “free ride.” Most top 10 colleges offer only need-based financial aid. I know many “super smart students” – perfect or near perfect standardized test scores/GPA, won major science/math/essay competitions, published papers, etc. Most of them have significant debt from private college. There just isn’t enough merit-based scholarship out there to cover full tuition/costs (“free ride”).

[HomeShopping]

Overall, I agree with the central point of the article that you have to consider very carefully the cost/benefit of an expensive private school.

But I disagree with AN’s statement “super smart students tend have free ride from those Universities.” I went to a top 5 college and very few of my classmates had a “free ride.” Most top 10 colleges offer only need-based financial aid. I know many “super smart students” – perfect or near perfect standardized test scores/GPA, won major science/math/essay competitions, published papers, etc. Most of them have significant debt from private college. There just isn’t enough merit-based scholarship out there to cover full tuition/costs (“free ride”).

[HomeShopping]

Overall, I agree with the central point of the article that you have to consider very carefully the cost/benefit of an expensive private school.

But I disagree with AN’s statement “super smart students tend have free ride from those Universities.” I went to a top 5 college and very few of my classmates had a “free ride.” Most top 10 colleges offer only need-based financial aid. I know many “super smart students” – perfect or near perfect standardized test scores/GPA, won major science/math/essay competitions, published papers, etc. Most of them have significant debt from private college. There just isn’t enough merit-based scholarship out there to cover full tuition/costs (“free ride”).

[HomeShopping]

Here are my thoughts on some communities that might meet your needs. The 1/2 acre to acre lot size really narrows it down.

In Rancho Bernardo (92127) –

The large communities like Santaluz, Crosby, The Lakes, and Avaron have some homes that meet your criteria- all are fairly new.

Here are others –

IvyGate in 4S ranch – homes between 3000-5000 sq ft, $1-1.5 million, built around 2006.
Downsides – lots of distressed properties

Santa Fe Valley (Bel Etage, Salviati, Savenna) – average 4000 sq ft, low $1 million, built in early 2000’s.
Downsides – intersections for these communities lack traffic lights, which can be a real problem during busy times on Camino del sur.

Gables crossing – mostly single story homes, 4000-6000 sq ft, acre lots, start at $1.5 million, new homes available.
Downsides – homes are all very uniform, this monotony might account for the extremely slow rate of selling (price, too?)

If you have a little flexibility and can go to $1.6-1.7 million, then here’s a great neighborhood in Carmel Valley:

Fairbanks Highlands – 4000-6000 sq ft, built in early 2000’s, guard-gated
Downsides – higher HOA fee – I think around $400/month

I believe that Poway probably has homes that meet your criteria, but I am less familiar with this area.

[HomeShopping]

Here are my thoughts on some communities that might meet your needs. The 1/2 acre to acre lot size really narrows it down.

In Rancho Bernardo (92127) –

The large communities like Santaluz, Crosby, The Lakes, and Avaron have some homes that meet your criteria- all are fairly new.

Here are others –

IvyGate in 4S ranch – homes between 3000-5000 sq ft, $1-1.5 million, built around 2006.
Downsides – lots of distressed properties

Santa Fe Valley (Bel Etage, Salviati, Savenna) – average 4000 sq ft, low $1 million, built in early 2000’s.
Downsides – intersections for these communities lack traffic lights, which can be a real problem during busy times on Camino del sur.

Gables crossing – mostly single story homes, 4000-6000 sq ft, acre lots, start at $1.5 million, new homes available.
Downsides – homes are all very uniform, this monotony might account for the extremely slow rate of selling (price, too?)

If you have a little flexibility and can go to $1.6-1.7 million, then here’s a great neighborhood in Carmel Valley:

Fairbanks Highlands – 4000-6000 sq ft, built in early 2000’s, guard-gated
Downsides – higher HOA fee – I think around $400/month

I believe that Poway probably has homes that meet your criteria, but I am less familiar with this area.

[HomeShopping]

Here are my thoughts on some communities that might meet your needs. The 1/2 acre to acre lot size really narrows it down.

In Rancho Bernardo (92127) –

The large communities like Santaluz, Crosby, The Lakes, and Avaron have some homes that meet your criteria- all are fairly new.

Here are others –

IvyGate in 4S ranch – homes between 3000-5000 sq ft, $1-1.5 million, built around 2006.
Downsides – lots of distressed properties

Santa Fe Valley (Bel Etage, Salviati, Savenna) – average 4000 sq ft, low $1 million, built in early 2000’s.
Downsides – intersections for these communities lack traffic lights, which can be a real problem during busy times on Camino del sur.

Gables crossing – mostly single story homes, 4000-6000 sq ft, acre lots, start at $1.5 million, new homes available.
Downsides – homes are all very uniform, this monotony might account for the extremely slow rate of selling (price, too?)

If you have a little flexibility and can go to $1.6-1.7 million, then here’s a great neighborhood in Carmel Valley:

Fairbanks Highlands – 4000-6000 sq ft, built in early 2000’s, guard-gated
Downsides – higher HOA fee – I think around $400/month

I believe that Poway probably has homes that meet your criteria, but I am less familiar with this area.

[HomeShopping]

Here are my thoughts on some communities that might meet your needs. The 1/2 acre to acre lot size really narrows it down.

In Rancho Bernardo (92127) –

The large communities like Santaluz, Crosby, The Lakes, and Avaron have some homes that meet your criteria- all are fairly new.

Here are others –

IvyGate in 4S ranch – homes between 3000-5000 sq ft, $1-1.5 million, built around 2006.
Downsides – lots of distressed properties

Santa Fe Valley (Bel Etage, Salviati, Savenna) – average 4000 sq ft, low $1 million, built in early 2000’s.
Downsides – intersections for these communities lack traffic lights, which can be a real problem during busy times on Camino del sur.

Gables crossing – mostly single story homes, 4000-6000 sq ft, acre lots, start at $1.5 million, new homes available.
Downsides – homes are all very uniform, this monotony might account for the extremely slow rate of selling (price, too?)

If you have a little flexibility and can go to $1.6-1.7 million, then here’s a great neighborhood in Carmel Valley:

Fairbanks Highlands – 4000-6000 sq ft, built in early 2000’s, guard-gated
Downsides – higher HOA fee – I think around $400/month

I believe that Poway probably has homes that meet your criteria, but I am less familiar with this area.

[HomeShopping]

Here are my thoughts on some communities that might meet your needs. The 1/2 acre to acre lot size really narrows it down.

In Rancho Bernardo (92127) –

The large communities like Santaluz, Crosby, The Lakes, and Avaron have some homes that meet your criteria- all are fairly new.

Here are others –

IvyGate in 4S ranch – homes between 3000-5000 sq ft, $1-1.5 million, built around 2006.
Downsides – lots of distressed properties

Santa Fe Valley (Bel Etage, Salviati, Savenna) – average 4000 sq ft, low $1 million, built in early 2000’s.
Downsides – intersections for these communities lack traffic lights, which can be a real problem during busy times on Camino del sur.

Gables crossing – mostly single story homes, 4000-6000 sq ft, acre lots, start at $1.5 million, new homes available.
Downsides – homes are all very uniform, this monotony might account for the extremely slow rate of selling (price, too?)

If you have a little flexibility and can go to $1.6-1.7 million, then here’s a great neighborhood in Carmel Valley:

Fairbanks Highlands – 4000-6000 sq ft, built in early 2000’s, guard-gated
Downsides – higher HOA fee – I think around $400/month

I believe that Poway probably has homes that meet your criteria, but I am less familiar with this area.

[HomeShopping]

I also like the Bridges in RSF, but the prices are exorbitant. There are about 28 homes (roughly 10% of the community) for sale, but there has not been a sale in almost 4 months. In my opinion, prices will come down.

In 2010, it seemed like homes in the Bridges were selling for at least a $500K premium over other high end areas like covenant RSF, fairbanks ranch, cielo, crosby, santaluz, etc. The price of the lots is part of the problem, ranging from $1.2 -3.2 mil. As much as I like the Bridges, I would only spend that kind of money on a lot near the ocean. Not sure that the builder has much to do with the high prices at this point. There are only a few empty lots left, and almost all of the 28 homes listed are resales.

Anyone know whether the initiation fee for golf is still $350K? At one point, monthly membership dues were $1500-1800/month. I do not understand where all that money goes. Any guesses about how much it costs to maintain a nice 18 hole course? Assuming 200 golf members, this club brings in $300K a month. Let’s assume $180K a month to maintain the course (or $10K per hole a month). That still leaves $120K a month for the clubhouse and other expenses. Seems very excessive to me.

[HomeShopping]

I also like the Bridges in RSF, but the prices are exorbitant. There are about 28 homes (roughly 10% of the community) for sale, but there has not been a sale in almost 4 months. In my opinion, prices will come down.

In 2010, it seemed like homes in the Bridges were selling for at least a $500K premium over other high end areas like covenant RSF, fairbanks ranch, cielo, crosby, santaluz, etc. The price of the lots is part of the problem, ranging from $1.2 -3.2 mil. As much as I like the Bridges, I would only spend that kind of money on a lot near the ocean. Not sure that the builder has much to do with the high prices at this point. There are only a few empty lots left, and almost all of the 28 homes listed are resales.

Anyone know whether the initiation fee for golf is still $350K? At one point, monthly membership dues were $1500-1800/month. I do not understand where all that money goes. Any guesses about how much it costs to maintain a nice 18 hole course? Assuming 200 golf members, this club brings in $300K a month. Let’s assume $180K a month to maintain the course (or $10K per hole a month). That still leaves $120K a month for the clubhouse and other expenses. Seems very excessive to me.

[Author]

Posts