[PerryChase]

Yeah, great explanation, Rustico.

I would add that solid core interior doors are a good sign of quality. They are also better for sound proofing. A quality house has good sound insulation between the separate living areas.

[PerryChase]

Yeah, great explanation, Rustico.

I would add that solid core interior doors are a good sign of quality. They are also better for sound proofing. A quality house has good sound insulation between the separate living areas.

[PerryChase]

Since were’re talking about database technology, it seems to me that Sandicor isn’t in the business of providing accurate information. They are looking to slant data for the benefit of its membership.

The MLS could easily track sales and listing information using the parcel number and thus easily provide sales and listing history on a specific property since that parcel creation.

I would think that a buyer would be interested in the total sales history of a house. We need an open “carfax for houses” that would integrate sales and MLS information.

[PerryChase]

Since were’re talking about database technology, it seems to me that Sandicor isn’t in the business of providing accurate information. They are looking to slant data for the benefit of its membership.

The MLS could easily track sales and listing information using the parcel number and thus easily provide sales and listing history on a specific property since that parcel creation.

I would think that a buyer would be interested in the total sales history of a house. We need an open “carfax for houses” that would integrate sales and MLS information.

[PerryChase]

I think that most people who are not in the trade or who haven’t bought a couple of houses can’t tell the difference.

Everytime I look at an American SUV, I stare at the huge gaps between the body panels and the chunkiy look of the parts on the dashboard. Same thing for houses. Aside from the unseen part of the house, such as plumbing and insulation, fit and finish is all important. If you see a lot of caulking in between gaps, then you know the finish is lousy. Builders generally have a “good enough” mentality and caulking is their best friend.

Most of the time, crown moulding and “designer” paint make a house look uglier that it would otherwise be.

I agree with bugs on ceiling heights vs. vaulted ceilings.

It takes a discerning eye to see quality. If you can tell a person’s upbringing by the way she holds her fork and her table manners, then you most likely can tell the quality of a house.

[PerryChase]

I think that most people who are not in the trade or who haven’t bought a couple of houses can’t tell the difference.

Everytime I look at an American SUV, I stare at the huge gaps between the body panels and the chunkiy look of the parts on the dashboard. Same thing for houses. Aside from the unseen part of the house, such as plumbing and insulation, fit and finish is all important. If you see a lot of caulking in between gaps, then you know the finish is lousy. Builders generally have a “good enough” mentality and caulking is their best friend.

Most of the time, crown moulding and “designer” paint make a house look uglier that it would otherwise be.

I agree with bugs on ceiling heights vs. vaulted ceilings.

It takes a discerning eye to see quality. If you can tell a person’s upbringing by the way she holds her fork and her table manners, then you most likely can tell the quality of a house.

[PerryChase]

I like this development of stacked condos with garage. It’s a great place for young families who want a brand new, low maintenance home that’s centrally located. From there you can zoom on to Mission Valley, Downtown, or La Jolla in no time at all. The neighborhood is nothing spectacular but for people who don’t care, or don’t stay home much, this is a good place.

Sunset Cove by the same builder in Clairemont/Baypark is also cool. Some units there have ocean views. The neighborhood is more interesting and ocean close but prices are about $100k more for townhouses.

Both these development are not so good for retirees because of the many stairs. Eventually, old people could not live in these units.

Personally, I love revedevelopment/infill projects. Big builders should do more of those and bring the mass production (and lowers prices for brand new homes) to existing neighborhoods.

All and all, they are still way overpriced and I wouldn’t buy. Renting is a much better deal.

[PerryChase]

I like this development of stacked condos with garage. It’s a great place for young families who want a brand new, low maintenance home that’s centrally located. From there you can zoom on to Mission Valley, Downtown, or La Jolla in no time at all. The neighborhood is nothing spectacular but for people who don’t care, or don’t stay home much, this is a good place.

Sunset Cove by the same builder in Clairemont/Baypark is also cool. Some units there have ocean views. The neighborhood is more interesting and ocean close but prices are about $100k more for townhouses.

Both these development are not so good for retirees because of the many stairs. Eventually, old people could not live in these units.

Personally, I love revedevelopment/infill projects. Big builders should do more of those and bring the mass production (and lowers prices for brand new homes) to existing neighborhoods.

All and all, they are still way overpriced and I wouldn’t buy. Renting is a much better deal.

[PerryChase]

Bugs is one of my favorite poster. He’s very balanced in his analysis and he draws from experience. Bugs has never shown any kind of crash bias. He’s a realist who understands that sometimes prices will appreciate simply because of psychology — and that’s the market. But as prices go up, they eventually come down.

Realtors, on the other hand, have a vested interest in promoting real estate as safe “investments.” Many truly believe it, many others are self promoters.

[PerryChase]

Bugs is one of my favorite poster. He’s very balanced in his analysis and he draws from experience. Bugs has never shown any kind of crash bias. He’s a realist who understands that sometimes prices will appreciate simply because of psychology — and that’s the market. But as prices go up, they eventually come down.

Realtors, on the other hand, have a vested interest in promoting real estate as safe “investments.” Many truly believe it, many others are self promoters.

[PerryChase]

Personally I prefer the HOA, even with the "friction." It gets directly debited from my checking account each money and I just don't even have to think about any of it. I'm more than happy to pay for the convenience of not having to bother with it. But that's just me.

Did you read the study that easy-pass causes road tolls to get more expensive vs. paying cash each time?  it gives the management companies incentives to increase fees with regularity.

Don't ever let vendors take money from you without bitching everytime.  Complaining is what keeps the prices low.  

Personally, I think that citizens are stupid.  Street maintenance was the cities' responsibilities.  By retreating to HOA communities, citizens are giving themselves tax increases.   Remember tax increases require political consensus.  HOA increases happen all the time with predictable regularity. 

What new development doesn't have HOA these days?

[PerryChase]

Personally I prefer the HOA, even with the "friction." It gets directly debited from my checking account each money and I just don't even have to think about any of it. I'm more than happy to pay for the convenience of not having to bother with it. But that's just me.

Did you read the study that easy-pass causes road tolls to get more expensive vs. paying cash each time?  it gives the management companies incentives to increase fees with regularity.

Don't ever let vendors take money from you without bitching everytime.  Complaining is what keeps the prices low.  

Personally, I think that citizens are stupid.  Street maintenance was the cities' responsibilities.  By retreating to HOA communities, citizens are giving themselves tax increases.   Remember tax increases require political consensus.  HOA increases happen all the time with predictable regularity. 

What new development doesn't have HOA these days?

[PerryChase]

I fully expect Downtown San Diego to be a place of mostly renters with a minority of high-end homeowners.

Right now, Downtown is a “premium” place to live. But give it a few years for those apartments/condos to get old and dirty.

People who grew up in the suburbs think that Downtown living is glamourous (it can be if you’ve got the money) but they’ll soon realize otherwise — especially if they spend all their money on housing.

The suburban lifestyle is very pervasive and people will get married, or have children (within or outside of marriage), then they’ll move. People will get old and fat and I’ll need that SUV with room to park so they can easily unload their Costco purchases.

In a boom, it makes sense to buy Downtown, but even with a stable market, it takes 5 years to break even on the transaction costs. Once people start telling each other that buying is a losing proposition, then prices won’t recover.

Downtown is barely 5 years old and it’s still a work in progress. People wanted in on the grown floor. But like Amway, only a few prosper.

Downtown SD is not Manhattan, people have lots of choices. Except for banking and law firms, Downtown doesn’t even have job. Most residents there have to commute out of Downtown.

[PerryChase]

I fully expect Downtown San Diego to be a place of mostly renters with a minority of high-end homeowners.

Right now, Downtown is a “premium” place to live. But give it a few years for those apartments/condos to get old and dirty.

People who grew up in the suburbs think that Downtown living is glamourous (it can be if you’ve got the money) but they’ll soon realize otherwise — especially if they spend all their money on housing.

The suburban lifestyle is very pervasive and people will get married, or have children (within or outside of marriage), then they’ll move. People will get old and fat and I’ll need that SUV with room to park so they can easily unload their Costco purchases.

In a boom, it makes sense to buy Downtown, but even with a stable market, it takes 5 years to break even on the transaction costs. Once people start telling each other that buying is a losing proposition, then prices won’t recover.

Downtown is barely 5 years old and it’s still a work in progress. People wanted in on the grown floor. But like Amway, only a few prosper.

Downtown SD is not Manhattan, people have lots of choices. Except for banking and law firms, Downtown doesn’t even have job. Most residents there have to commute out of Downtown.

[PerryChase]

Great work, Gary. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 I know the area that you’re talking about as I’ve been to the DMV other there. I had some business in that area and it’s not bad. Actually Lennar is building Sky Ranch in Santee just up the hill. Santee has many new housing developments; and interestingly the median income in Santee is higher than San Diego (most likely because it’s fairly new with more recent residents who bought in at a higher cost basis).

Once the 52 connects with the 67 that area will be pretty convenient. You can zoom over to San Diego on the 52. 67 and I8 will take you to SDSU then Downtown SD easily.

If you look at the map, that area will eventually be “central” as more development moves eastwards. Comparing to The OC, this area will become like a Yorba Linda of San Diego.

———–

Perhaps Gary doesn’t want to spend a large chunk of his income on housing. I can understand that. Think of all the people in such communities as Carmel Valley, Irvine and Laguna Niguel who absolutely have to have a certain minimum income income in order to keep the house and the car, not to mention keep the family happy. That’s a lot of stress. Most would say that they have nice lives but I think not.

What about doing what makes you happy and live life as the adventure that it should be?

———-
To post graphs, open the window that contains the graph. Do an Alt+PrtSc (print screen). Open a graphic program like Microsoft Paint, paste then save as .jpg. Then post the .jpg file.

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