[Rockemsock]

My wife and I just sold our VP condo (thanks SDR) a few weeks ago. We really wanted to rent for a while, and we knew that our 1450sf condo was not going to be a place to plant our roots…but our experience in VP was very enjoyable. Aside from college, it was the first condo we’d ever lived in, and i have to say that my reservations about condos (noisy neighbors, poor construction, HOA issues, etc.) were never realized. The VP condo we owned had extremely thick walls or very good insulation (or both), because we almost never heard ANYTHING from our neighbors (we shared two walls). And because of our location within the community, we had excellent parking and felt like we had a ton of privacy. We’ve since moved into a SFR on a cul-de-sac w/o any neigbors behind us and yet we feel much less private because the homes are rather close to one another. In fact, we are constantly telling our 3 year old daughter to keep her voice down when we get home after 9 at night…because our driveway is about 12′ from the neighbors windows.

Regarding the HOA in VP: while we were there (5 years), the HOA re-roofed, recovered the driveways (streets are being done this summer), put in new vinyl fences, re-painted, and are supposedly planning on getting new garage doors (roll-up) next year. So an HOA may be a headache to somebody wanting to swap out their existing ’72 Porsche engine for a ’88 Jaguar Diesel using the driveway as a parts warehouse. But for us, they did an exceptional job of keeping our home looking nice and maintaining the structures and ammenities.

We probably would have stayed, but we didn’t want to own in this market…and as long as we had decided to rent, we wanted something that had a yard. I jogged around the greenbelt all the time, and we enjoyed the playground and pool as well. HOA wasn’t cheap, but I’m sure there is some trade-off with regard to utilities and things of that sort.

Encinitas is a wonderful city, we love it. But i’m sure you already know that. When we bought we didn’t seem to have much of a choice at the time (buyers were submitting cover letters and interview tapes along with offers) because things were selling soooo fast. But we had looked in Saxony, and almost made an offer, but ultimately we liked the neighborhood of VP a little better. We were very happy with our decision.

Good luck with the saving/search.

~Todd

[Rockemsock]

“Valencia has almost as much traffic commuting in for work as out these days. No longer the sleepy little town it used to be when I grew up.”

Kinda’ curious where you are getting this…I lived in SCV for 20 years and those that lived AND worked in the valley were definitely the exception rather than the rule. I can see where it might seem like this is true when you consider the traffic congestion throughout the entire valley…but that can be attributed to the fact that Newhall Land and Farm decided back in ’95 to install a traffic signal on EVERY corner of EVERY street (traffic deaths are bad for their image). It used to take 15 minutes to travel from Sand Canyon to Magic Mountain Pkwy…now it takes almost 30.

I’ve since moved to North County SD and will probably never go back…traffic and weather being my two main reasons. Although I do miss all the great restaurants (I have yet to find any decent Mexican or BBQ food in NC).

[Rockemsock]

“Valencia has almost as much traffic commuting in for work as out these days. No longer the sleepy little town it used to be when I grew up.”

Kinda’ curious where you are getting this…I lived in SCV for 20 years and those that lived AND worked in the valley were definitely the exception rather than the rule. I can see where it might seem like this is true when you consider the traffic congestion throughout the entire valley…but that can be attributed to the fact that Newhall Land and Farm decided back in ’95 to install a traffic signal on EVERY corner of EVERY street (traffic deaths are bad for their image). It used to take 15 minutes to travel from Sand Canyon to Magic Mountain Pkwy…now it takes almost 30.

I’ve since moved to North County SD and will probably never go back…traffic and weather being my two main reasons. Although I do miss all the great restaurants (I have yet to find any decent Mexican or BBQ food in NC).

[Rockemsock]

Funny you mention that. Not sure what’s going on with my ex-neighbor, but I can tell you that he has a semi-permanent sign up at the front of the complex. It’s one of those signs you buy at Office Max and he scribbled something in black marker on it that has almost completely been worn away by the sprinklers that have been soaking it for 10 months now. It’s really hard to read, but i’m pretty sure it says something like “The Real Estate Market always goes up!” But like I said, it’s hard to read…I could be wrong. Perhaps i’ll check on my way home tonight…oh wait, i sold my home already…nevermind. ;^)

[Rockemsock]

sorry about the italics…my bad.

[Rockemsock]

Sweet! When are you making them available online? ;^) I was looking for an online resource.

[Rockemsock]

Thanks for all the info…this is looking a little scary.

Rent is $2595…i was going to try and get it down, but it looks like they may be taking a loss already. There first was financed in ’04…i wonder if it was an ARM?

Kinda’ funny that i can find all this info on the internet and i’m still beggin’ for more. “What do you mean I can’t find out when their ARM adjusts!” Isn’t technology grand…

I do know that the reason for the move is that the wife has a job that is relocating up north. That makes me think they have a double income…but there was a crib in the Master retreat…and another young child’s room as well…so perhaps Mr. Mom lives there.

[Rockemsock]

I haven’t seen “sweet” images like that since my Commodore 64 days…thanks for the slice of nostalgia.

[Rockemsock]

I’m just surprised you had ANY conversation with your Dentist! Everytime I go into the chair, they do all the talking and I just sit back with a vacuum and a drill in my mouth.

[Rockemsock]

okay…i guess it’s old news then…wow, this is just craziness. Thanks for the link Art.

[Rockemsock]

Forget the pizza place, I just bought a starter home in Encinitas Ranch for a cool million…we can all meet here and throw money on my bar-b-que and drink champagne. Heh, just kidding…I don’t drink. ;^)

[Rockemsock]

sdr, I’m still around…this site is somewhat of an addiction for me…and I’m sure i’ll be around long after my home is sold (29 days and counting).

Not sure why anyone would forego selling when they wouldn’t even have to list…and somebody had cash. Wow, that’s gotta’ really be eating at him. His home is nice, (I went by when he had an open house a few weeks back) it definitely looks like a home that’s been upgraded just to sell…but I’m sure as a buyer that would likely be a selling point. His location is excellent, although parking is an issue, he can’t park in his driveway and the cul-de-sac fills quickly. But I’m sure it’s really quiet once you’re inside.

I really have to give this site (and all you contributors) a ton of credit for educating me on the housing situation. I’m really happy with Adam, but I also feel like I came into the relationship with a lot more knowledge than I would have otherwise…because I’ve been following along for a few months.

I’m somewhat tempted to put a post-it note on my neighbors door with the following “www.piggington.com” and nothing else…I’m sure it would answer a lot of his questions. Actually, if what sdr says is true then I’m sure he wouldn’t listen to what’s being said on this site anyhow. Oh, well.

[Rockemsock]

Yeah SDR, i am pretty happy with my agent…although the day we went on the market, he went on vacation. What’s up with that! ;^)

Two of the exact same model went into escrow within the last 30 days. One at 470k and one at 510k. 470k was for a beater…510k has some nice upgrades. I’m really interested to see if these close, and for what price. Our home probably shows as well, if not better than the 510k listing, and we put our price right between the two.

This is our first home, and I’m learning a ton from the housing blogs like this one. I’m just hoping that someday in the near future i can post a thread about being a renter. I’m trying to get rid of this “sheeple” sign around my neck.

[Rockemsock]

Hey Critter, I’ll send it along, thanks. I’ll also add it to my ever-growing bar of bubble-links…so i can check it out here and there.

[Rockemsock]

SDR,

Don’t take my comment as being confident, I just happen to be happy that of all the data you presented, my locale was in the top.

I’ve priced somewhat aggressively, the equity is “funny money” and is way more than I ever expected to have in such a short amount of time…so i’m not too greedy. And our price per sq. ft. is one of the best in 92024. I’m trying to cut and run…I’m trying! It’s only been 5 days…

I’m hoping to sell quick so i can jump on that sweeet deal in Amarillo! ;^)

[Author]

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