[patientlywaiting]

Staying in a marriage because of housing costs? That’s a novel theory which I didn’t think of. It must suck to look at that nagging broad every day knowing that you would have left her a long time ago if it weren’t for housing, child support and alimony. Can a divorced man still afford a condo and a car after paying all that? (before anyone jumps on me for being sexist, the same would apply if the woman had to make the payments).

On the plus side, more divorces will create more households which will fill up the empty houses. More transactions would make the realtors happy. So the cycle begins anew.

[patientlywaiting]

I love the bloggers. What’s different this time is the Internet and the quick dessimination of real estate data.

Remember, Zip Realty and Redfin came around only in 2004/2005. Before that, you had to sign up to be referred to a local Realtor. I’d love to see an alternative to the closed MLS where buyers can transact amount themselves. I’m not saying that Realtors are useless, but the more alternatives, and the more data available to the consumers, the better.

[patientlywaiting]

The consumers have been spoiled rotten and they are loathe to cut back. They believe that Starbucks, brand name clothes, perfume, various knick knacks, a new car, eating out, beer and partying once a week are necessities of life.

I truly believe the consumers will let their upside down houses go before they cut back on the “necessities” of life.

[patientlywaiting]

Hey, a girl’s got to earn a living! We need a red-light district in San Diego. It would add some spice to the city and bring in the tourists. The city should designate a commercial nightclub area for that and issue working permits to the girls so they can work independently without the pimps.

Maybe the non-gentrified warehouse part of East Village? I’d be willing to invest in such a district.

[patientlywaiting]

A bedroom cannot be called a bedroom if it doesn’t have
1) a closet,
2) walls and a door to enclose the space,
3) a window.

I think the minimum is 10 x 10.

[patientlywaiting]

I happen to know North Park as I own a couple of properties there.

Newbie, I presume your friend is happy where he lives since he got that “amazing” pre-construction deal. His adding a bathroom won’t do a thing to the comps unless he sells and “increases” values all around (even if he could influence values).

He bought for $370k so with the 10K bathroom and the cost of ownership, I suspect he would want $400k (or probably $450k to $475k for being smart and lucky to get that “amazing” deal).

You can get a much larger unit for less money in a better location on Illinois, closer to Hillcrest. What would a potential buyer choose?

http://www.sdlookup.com/MLS-076032171-3939_Illinois_St_1D_San_Diego_CA_92104

In the longer run I want value to go up as well. But let’s not kid ourselves. The values are falling hard in North Park.

[patientlywaiting]

newbie, you’re really grasping at straws here. What can you do to a 900sf to “raise the value appreciable” in a declining market?

What good does it do to add a bathroom when the price per sf all around is dropping. Condo valuation is all about price per square foot compared to the comps.

If people can’t raise values in SFR, no way, no how can that be done in condos.

[patientlywaiting]

I was there too.

But I don’t need to feel good. I want to be told the truth. All Reagan did was paper over the mess by deficit spending and military spending. And he was a liar too (at least Carter was honest).

It’s like living on your credit cards for a few years. How many $30,000 limit cards do you have? Eventually the bills will come due. But in the mean time, you’ll feel good partying every weekend and your friends will think you’re such a great, generous guy. You old friends will be gone soon enough and unfortunately can’t tax your future friends to pay the bills. After Reagan and Bush 2nd, we’re now at bill paying time.

I think that Bush 1st was a great president. He made some hard choice that got us back on track. He was aloof but he’s a statesman. The Republican Congress caused Clinton to get in line and adopt pay-go.

Reagan was a little kooky and wasn’t always there.

The Soviet Union was bankrupt and would have fallen of its own weight (like housing today).

[patientlywaiting]

$250k in 2005 was most likely a 1 bedroom.

[patientlywaiting]

ex-sd, I look forward to welcoming your back to SD at 1999 prices. 🙂 Smart guys like you will find good opportunities in SD at that time.

[patientlywaiting]

I’ve never been to those houses. I guess they just have a big family room.

I do have to say that the dining room at the front is a little odd.

[patientlywaiting]

Reagan was a feel good president of all talk and no action. He was the great communicator and inspired people but that’s about it.

Kinda like your dad saying “do as I say not like I do.”

[patientlywaiting]

Looks like the OP house is Arabella Plan 1.

http://www.pardeehomes.com/plan.php?r=2&c=18&n=97&p=1

According to the website, Arabella is 4000sf lot on average. Portico is 3200sf lot on average.

Portico (2167sf) and Arabella (2007sf) start at about the same square footage to about 2400sf.

Either way, the lots are not large. Personally, I’d rather have more living sf for the price. It depends on location, you can compensate by buying a corner lot. Privacy wise, Portico might be better because they are alley homes so you don’t have rear neighbors looking down upon you. If you don’t care about a back yard lawn and can do with a nice patio, then an end unit at Portico might be best.

Personally, I prefer the designs of alley houses.

[patientlywaiting]

I live in Fairbanks.

You won’t find any good deal in the more expensive areas for at least another two to three years. The downturn has yet to affect those areas.

You’ll regret buying anything in the next 12 months, especially if your funds are not unlimited and you care about appreciation/depreciation. If you don’t care, then buy.

My recommendation is to rent a house in the covenant of Rancho Santa Fe and watch the market depreciate. They are older but very nice houses. That will give you a feel of the overall area then you can explore the neighborhoods that are best for you. Some people prefer new/newer houses.

[patientlywaiting]

Life is sooooo like high school but with higher stakes.

Who cares about studying… I’d rather be goodlooking and popular with a trust fund!

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