[matt]

They are great spots but I do like the 2 hour 200 dollar round trip direct from San Diego plus my wife is Mexican which gives us a good reason to have some roots there…

[matt]

Well I closed on it .. 800k for a 4 bedroom Mexican hacienda style home + casita on a 14k lot with stunning panoramic sea of Cortez views in a gated beachfront community near to the palmilla in San Jose Del cabo. Home valued at close to 2m when the market peaked in 2008. Needs about 200k of renovations to bring it back to life but has great bones and an amazing beach below.

Will let everyone know how the journey goes and when it’s ready to rent. Am defintely investing in hurricane shutters!

[matt]

That strikes me as a very responsible thing to do. I applaud your decisiveness in the context of securing a future for your family.

[matt]

I met my Mexican wife at usd. Now we live in the UAE and hope to save enough to retire in Mexico possibly living off rental cash flows in San Diego.. The local American community school is almost 20k per child and a major factor in our finances which are getting chipped away at by the macro economic conditions. There’s no coke to my knowledge.. Is it a good school – I would guess it’s a 9 or 10 in San Diego. But the life experience and understanding America is not the center of the world is priceless. Missing the gorgeous San Diego weather right now ….

[matt]

Anyone know the approx payoff for la costa oaks area?

[matt]

Thanks for the encouragement flyerinhi. My view on Tijuana and Ensenada is that it’s full of “cholos” / gang bangers… Feels less safe less clean. In Los cabos you have a tiny population and a much more pristine environment.

[matt]

Thanks for the feedback. I neglected to mention my wife is from Mexico so we can own free and clear any property including close to the coast. As to why are we interested?

1. Oceanfront home under 1m… 1 acre lot, steps down to secluded beaches that stretch for miles … Could never afford anything similar in San Diego… Made of real concrete not sticks… Property taxes of a few hundred dollars per year
2. Gorgeous clean ocean, surf, fishing, snorkeling, great water temp
3. Low cost healthcare
4. Low cost help/ maid
5. Nice climate not as humid as further south
6. 2 hr direct flight from San Diego
7. San Jose is a very nice town with low crime restaurants galleries… Had a seafood feast with beers for 20 bucks

Main concern is hurricanes and liquidity (as mentioned property doesn’t seem to be moving very fast)

[matt]

I concur that hls always came across as knowledgeable and capable.

[matt]

I’ve been renting my la costa oaks home for the past 5 years, 4 bed 4000 sq feet. First 2 tenants stayed 1 year at 4200. Most recent tenant year is going on 3 years at 4500 waiting for their kids to graduate before moving back to their home state. Never had a vacancy or late payment and conduct an annual inspection. Repair / replace any tenant concerns immediately. Give my realtor 6 percent on a new tenant and 3 percent of an extension, also agree if I sell (which I don’t plan to) he gets the listing. He does an excellent job screening tenants. Bought the house for 900k in 2010 now it’s approx 1.25. Worked my tail off in difficult conditions overseas to pay the house off and give me peace of mind that I own a home with a roof over our heads outside taxes and bills should I lose my job. Now thinking about buying an oceanfront lot and building in baja east cape for retirement as I don’t think I can afford to live in USA particularly health / long term care. Would love another property in San Diego but yields are tough and it’s difficult to get financing from overseas. I feel extremely fortunate for everything we have and hope the rental market can stay strong.

[matt]

930am… I am up by 5am but my Mexican wife might just shoot you at 7

[matt]

Sprouts + trader joes for me… Especially Wednesday’s at sprouts when you get both last weeks and this weeks deals… Costco has great quality but you pay for it… Favorite items frozen berries for smoothies, seaweed, chocolate raisins…. Rite aid seems to have the best deals on beer… I generally check the weekly flyers and plan accordingly

[matt]

Congrats flu… I see paying off your primary as a true life achievement… And one that should be celebrated. I was stuck with a 4.75 30 year from 2010 (wasn’t able to refi due to working overseas). I paid it off in 2013 and sleep better at night knowing I own my home and worst case have to come up w property taxes and basic bills to provide my family with shelter in a beautiful part of the world..

It’s been a big sacrifice working in the Middle East but achieving this goal made it all worthwhile. I just wish the market wasn’t so inflated so I could pick up another steal…

The true financiers amongst us will say that the money would have done better in the markets… And they’re probably right … But I prefer to own my home as a first order priority and will now put aside any excess cash for a market crash or the next big buying opportunity.

[matt]

Jun 27 but flexible until August 26 also flexible

[matt]

I have the same goal. Paid off houses with an s generating cash that I can leave to my kids. I am one down and trying to decide where on the planet the next one should be.

[matt]

What is the groups thoughts on installing solar and car charging station into a SFR / rental as a means of differentiating and extracting a rental premium? Property in question is in la Costa oaks and will likely be my retirement home in the future / 15-20 years. Couple of concerns I have are that the shingle roof will probably need replacing by then and also system efficiency will likely be much lower.

[Author]

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