[ocrenter]

[quote=CA renter]Thanks for digging up that thread, OCR. Been meaning to do that for awhile. You’re right, this would be a great first step before getting solar panels. Whatever you decide to do, it would be great if you would post the results here. I’ll do the same if we make any changes to the pump or get solar panels.[/quote]

Sounds good!

[ocrenter]

[quote=CA renter][quote=moneymaker]I’m no expert, but I’ve heard a micro controller system is desirable. Each panel’s output can be monitored and controlled. That’s the problem with a lot of systems is they are so interconnected that if 1 panel goes bad it is tough to tell which one is bad.[/quote]

I’ve heard that micro-inverters are the best choice, too.

——–

OCR,

We’re wondering the same thing ourselves regarding the pool pumps. IIRC, scaredycat switched to a variable pump and saw significant results, but would have to find that thread. We actually have two pumps, with one being a booster pump for the pool vacuum, and the electric bill for this house was more when it was empty than our rental was when we were living in it (and it was about the same size, etc.).[/quote]

I’m leaning more and more toward it. Managed to find the link you mentioned: http://piggington.com/ot_variable_speed_pool_pumps

LOoks like ROI is less than 2 years.

WOuld definitely do this before considering solar. Pick off all of the low hanging fruits first!

[ocrenter]

[quote=all][quote=ocrenter]

that’s odd. I took it for granted that all new homes, especially in Stonebridge, have sprinker system installed. we have ones that are hidden from view with small white circular covers on the ceiling. ’05 is not that much older and should have included the sprinkler system.[/quote]

City of SD changed the code to require residential fire sprinklers in 2010. The county already had that requirement, that’s why 4S houses built 10+ years ago have it.

Retrofit is not required unless you are doing remodel and significantly expanding the current square footage.[/quote]

Thanks, that’s very helpful info. Does the regulation mandate sprinklers for homes above certain size? Or it doesn’t matter.

I guess left up to the builder, most will just look at it as another corner to cut.

[ocrenter]

[quote=CA renter]FWIW, our neighbor used Sullivan and highly recommends them. They just got them installed not long ago, so we’re still waiting to hear more about the savings.

We are also very interested in getting solar, so would love to hear from anyone who’s had solar panels for some time.

Especially after SDG&E sent out their new rate increase notices that they claim are necessary as a result of San Onofre going off-line, this would seem to be a no-brainer for those of us who tend to be heavy users (pool pumps, A/C, etc.).[/quote]

Speaking of pool pumps. Has anyone replaced their single speed pool pump with a variable speed pump? How much is the savings monthly? How long do you need to keep the pump on?

Figure I’ll maximize the potential savings to see if solar is even necessary.

[ocrenter]

[quote=Navydoc]I’m on one of the Toll Brothers view lots, USAA never gave me any trouble. But that’s why USAA will be my insurance company for everything until I die. If you have any ties to the military I definitely recommend them.

Thanks for the tip on the snake fence thing. We’re about 1/2 way through our landscaping mega-project, but I might put in the snake fence before we pour the hardscape. Since I’ve found one rattlesnake already we’re definitely getting the fence. I hear they work pretty well.[/quote]

Speaking of Toll, looks like they really hiked up their prices of late. On Zillow they got a interior lot backing to slope asking for $1.1 mil and view lots are asking for $1.2 mil. Good grief!

[ocrenter]

[quote=kkun]Thanks TeCKis300 for your suggestions.

I currently qualify for 4 from your list. One exception is Sprinkler. My house was built in 2005 and do not have a sprinkler system. I was surprised to see that given the apartment I used to rent had a sprinkler system. I looked for options to install new sprinkler system in my house- but found it to be high cost and hassle to install it in an existing house. So did not do it.

Do any of you have experience of installing sprinkler system in an existing house?[/quote]

that’s odd. I took it for granted that all new homes, especially in Stonebridge, have sprinker system installed. we have ones that are hidden from view with small white circular covers on the ceiling. ’05 is not that much older and should have included the sprinkler system.

[ocrenter]

[quote=kkun]ocrenter,

Thanks for the suggestion- I will ask my agent to try Fireman’s Fund.

One question: You live in Stonebridge, right? Does your home back to a canyon?

Other Stonebridge residents (navydoc, plm, others?): Does your home back to open space? If so, how did you take care of brush for getting insurance?

Thanks for inputs.[/quote]

We are not canyon adjacent. I don’t recall the insurance process involved clearing brushes. This should be the HOA’s responsibility.

[ocrenter]

[quote=kkun]My house does back up to a canyon. There is some clearance from brush, but not 200 ft or more that most insurance companies are demanding. The fact is all my neighbors have the same clearance as mine. In fact, many Stonebridge homes including the new Toll Brothers and Bellasario homes on the view lots have the same issue.

I am finding it extremely difficult to find alternative insurance now that Chubb decided not to renew. If you have any suggestion, please let me know.

On top, it’s Gnatcatcher season till Aug 15. So no brush can be touched till then (even goats are prohibited). So I am really caught up between brush, Gnatcatcher, HOA, SD City rules and insurance companies. I think Goats are the only way out!

Seriously, it’s not funny. I hope I find some solution soon.[/quote]

we used Fireman’s Fund shortly after the RB fires. They were the only one that offered insurance. Was pricier compared to Chubb unfortunately. perhas your agent can give that a try?

[ocrenter]

[quote=kkun]Just wanted to share especially with Stonebridge homeowners who have home insurance from Chubb:

I had insurance from Chubb when I purchased last year. Just received a notice stating that it will NOT be renewed. They site the risk of wild fire due to brush.

Nothing changed from when they did the inspection last year. I don’t understand why they changed their opinion.

Are you seeing such notice?

I am trying to find alternative insurance. No luck still.

On top of that Stonebridge HOA will not let me clean up brush even at my cost. They don’t follow the SD county guideline. Do you know any remedy? If I have it cleaned up at my cost will there be a penalty??[/quote]

KKun, does the property back up to canyon? Or doesn’t matter? Your insurance broker can’t find you any alternatives? That seems rather strange.

The HOA needs to buy some goats and just have them roam around the parameter of the neighborhood. Allen from Fallbrook can come over with his collection of assault rifles to take care of any coyote getting too close to the HOA goats. Problem solved. 🙂

[ocrenter]

[quote=The-Shoveler]I think you would need to pay points to get that,

Anyway,

Historic Move in Rates

https://www.wellsfargo.com/mortgage/rates/%5B/quote%5D

Like someone mentioned on JTR’s comment section, the increase in interest rate certainly make quite an impact in purchase power. At the last go-around, the lenders came in and provided progressively creative financing. Hopefully we would not see any additional fuels to try to keep the fire burning this time around.

[ocrenter]

[quote=earlyretirement]I imagine they will get even slower as the stock market bubble deflates as well. Things don’t move in straight lines as I always say. I know LOTS of people that saw the stock market keep going up so they entered probably at the wrong time.

As the stock market deflates, there should be some pain with the “wealth effect”. Over the past 2 years many people got more confident and their consumer spending and appetite for purchasing including real estate went up.

It will be interesting to see how slow things get as the stock market deflates.[/quote]

Agree, excellent point about the stock market and the psychological impact on the real estate side. Especially with the overly exuberant rate of increase we seen recently.

[ocrenter]

[quote=earlyretirement]

Several parts of the world, buying with cash and no mortgages is totally normal. The funny thing is many Americans think how we do things in the USA is how things are done everywhere which just isn’t the case.

[/quote]

The US runs on credit, the rest of the world still run on cash. One thing when traveling abroad that I realize is almost everyone uses cash, and the habit and convenience of running your plastic is just not there. It does take some getting used to. But thinking about it, my convenience of using the card here is built on the financial fees levied on my less financially savvy fellow Americans.

[ocrenter]

[quote=FlyerInHi]SK, sometimes I write too fast and don’t think. Doing all of that on iPad and multitasking tasking also.

I was just surprised that CV had only 20% all cash compared to 30% for the region (I remember something about dataquick reporting that). But you gave a good explanation – prices are higher in CV and it’s harder for investors to make money on rentals.[/quote]

I think the reason is probably pricing. higher the price for the market, more difficult to purchase all cash.

also, much less investor activities. wasn’t most of the stories about all cash purchases involving starter homes in sub-par neighborhoods snatched up by investors or flippers?

[ocrenter]

[quote=FlyerInHi]I agree ocrenter. And when people see people different from themselves pay for expensive things they cannot afford, they wonder what’s wrong.

I read somewhere dataquick reported 30% of transactions being cash. So according to SD realtor’s data, 20% all cash is low for Carmel Valley.

Buying cash is so much easier. Close within a couple weeks. Depending on your comfort level, no need for appraisal, title insurance, or inspection. No need for the notary signatures either because all you need is the grant deed from the seller.[/quote]

Especially if the property is an investment property. People can simply mix cash out refi along with savings to come up with cash for purchase. Or pay cash for a purchase, then obtain cash out financing, so they can use the cash for another purchase. We can’t make the assumption that cash purchase money is just 100% pure cash.

As for CV, you are looking at a group of people quite fixated on education and whose ability to save typically shock the average American. The fact that you’ll see Chinese cash buyers in CV is totally expected. I would have been shocked and puzzled if I don’t hear stories of Chinese cash purchases in CV!

[ocrenter]

[quote=SD Realtor]Total closing in 92130 since 4/1/13 of detached homes 88. 16 of them are cash. The rest are financed. Less then 20%.

What is evident is that the lowest price homes in 92130 are the ones that are predominantly bought with cash.

Yet to me this is hardly the epidemic that people seem to be giving lots of personal stories about.[/quote]

Thanks for the hard data SDR.

All cash purchases trigger something within us. Be it envy, disbelief, or shock. People also tend to repeat stories of all cash offers over and over. This is why within the anecdotal world, it seems like every home in CV are all cash purchases.

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