[svelte]

We could be dealing with a Scandinavian cave dweller here, but I doubt it.

To get back to her original question, she asked if she should make an offer on the short sale.

We didn’t learn the very interesting (and fun to read!) details of her life until she started defending her position…she pointed out hubby’s salary…someone asked how that is possible…and she stated the industry involved…FLU questions why Murrieta would be considered…well she’s already explained that: two doors down from bro and his pregnant wife. Makes sense to me. She’s prolly sick of living in a 2 BR rented condo in LA with no close friends or relatives nearby.

Jane, I would say go ahead and make the offer. As I’m sure you’re well aware from reading this board, it could take a looonnng time to work things out with the lender but you’re already renting so time is not an issue with you.

One thing that does concern me though: either hubby just started making $250K or you two should have quite a chunk-o-change saved up….renting a 2BR condo shouldn’t cost more than $36K a year so after taxes, food, car payment and all that should leave you with well over $100K a year free and clear. Either you can put down one massive down payment, the excess income has been squandered, or he just started making $250K. If he just started making it, then I would encourage you to hold off until it is obvious the salary and job will be long term.

As to your other question, Jane, would I can a realtor who didn’t even bother to call the other realtor to find the real scoop on why the price was set the way it was? Yeah, I would say that realtor should be canned with a full explanation as to why.

And I’m not sure why people who don’t like the subjects that come up in this thread continue to read it – just breeze on by if it’s not your cup of tea!

From what she has described, her life is actually very tame with the exception of the content of the videos of the company her hubby works for. Life gets much more wild than that, people. Trust me.

[svelte]

We could be dealing with a Scandinavian cave dweller here, but I doubt it.

To get back to her original question, she asked if she should make an offer on the short sale.

We didn’t learn the very interesting (and fun to read!) details of her life until she started defending her position…she pointed out hubby’s salary…someone asked how that is possible…and she stated the industry involved…FLU questions why Murrieta would be considered…well she’s already explained that: two doors down from bro and his pregnant wife. Makes sense to me. She’s prolly sick of living in a 2 BR rented condo in LA with no close friends or relatives nearby.

Jane, I would say go ahead and make the offer. As I’m sure you’re well aware from reading this board, it could take a looonnng time to work things out with the lender but you’re already renting so time is not an issue with you.

One thing that does concern me though: either hubby just started making $250K or you two should have quite a chunk-o-change saved up….renting a 2BR condo shouldn’t cost more than $36K a year so after taxes, food, car payment and all that should leave you with well over $100K a year free and clear. Either you can put down one massive down payment, the excess income has been squandered, or he just started making $250K. If he just started making it, then I would encourage you to hold off until it is obvious the salary and job will be long term.

As to your other question, Jane, would I can a realtor who didn’t even bother to call the other realtor to find the real scoop on why the price was set the way it was? Yeah, I would say that realtor should be canned with a full explanation as to why.

And I’m not sure why people who don’t like the subjects that come up in this thread continue to read it – just breeze on by if it’s not your cup of tea!

From what she has described, her life is actually very tame with the exception of the content of the videos of the company her hubby works for. Life gets much more wild than that, people. Trust me.

[svelte]

We could be dealing with a Scandinavian cave dweller here, but I doubt it.

To get back to her original question, she asked if she should make an offer on the short sale.

We didn’t learn the very interesting (and fun to read!) details of her life until she started defending her position…she pointed out hubby’s salary…someone asked how that is possible…and she stated the industry involved…FLU questions why Murrieta would be considered…well she’s already explained that: two doors down from bro and his pregnant wife. Makes sense to me. She’s prolly sick of living in a 2 BR rented condo in LA with no close friends or relatives nearby.

Jane, I would say go ahead and make the offer. As I’m sure you’re well aware from reading this board, it could take a looonnng time to work things out with the lender but you’re already renting so time is not an issue with you.

One thing that does concern me though: either hubby just started making $250K or you two should have quite a chunk-o-change saved up….renting a 2BR condo shouldn’t cost more than $36K a year so after taxes, food, car payment and all that should leave you with well over $100K a year free and clear. Either you can put down one massive down payment, the excess income has been squandered, or he just started making $250K. If he just started making it, then I would encourage you to hold off until it is obvious the salary and job will be long term.

As to your other question, Jane, would I can a realtor who didn’t even bother to call the other realtor to find the real scoop on why the price was set the way it was? Yeah, I would say that realtor should be canned with a full explanation as to why.

And I’m not sure why people who don’t like the subjects that come up in this thread continue to read it – just breeze on by if it’s not your cup of tea!

From what she has described, her life is actually very tame with the exception of the content of the videos of the company her hubby works for. Life gets much more wild than that, people. Trust me.

[svelte]

Republican Bush Presidency: 2001 – 2009
Republican Majority in Congress: 1994 – 2006

Biggest Housing Bubble in US History: 2000-2006
Biggest Budget Deficits in US History: 2003 and 2004

Now – how is it that some folks on this board insinuate that the Dems are the ones who will mismanage the economy and housing situation and spend like drunken sailors?

I just don’t understand.

[svelte]

Republican Bush Presidency: 2001 – 2009
Republican Majority in Congress: 1994 – 2006

Biggest Housing Bubble in US History: 2000-2006
Biggest Budget Deficits in US History: 2003 and 2004

Now – how is it that some folks on this board insinuate that the Dems are the ones who will mismanage the economy and housing situation and spend like drunken sailors?

I just don’t understand.

[svelte]

Republican Bush Presidency: 2001 – 2009
Republican Majority in Congress: 1994 – 2006

Biggest Housing Bubble in US History: 2000-2006
Biggest Budget Deficits in US History: 2003 and 2004

Now – how is it that some folks on this board insinuate that the Dems are the ones who will mismanage the economy and housing situation and spend like drunken sailors?

I just don’t understand.

[svelte]

Republican Bush Presidency: 2001 – 2009
Republican Majority in Congress: 1994 – 2006

Biggest Housing Bubble in US History: 2000-2006
Biggest Budget Deficits in US History: 2003 and 2004

Now – how is it that some folks on this board insinuate that the Dems are the ones who will mismanage the economy and housing situation and spend like drunken sailors?

I just don’t understand.

[svelte]

Republican Bush Presidency: 2001 – 2009
Republican Majority in Congress: 1994 – 2006

Biggest Housing Bubble in US History: 2000-2006
Biggest Budget Deficits in US History: 2003 and 2004

Now – how is it that some folks on this board insinuate that the Dems are the ones who will mismanage the economy and housing situation and spend like drunken sailors?

I just don’t understand.

[svelte]

Our kids learned all the manners they needed from The Simpsons.

🙂 Seriously, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this: it is fairly easy to predict what a parent’s demeanor will be before you even meet them simply by watching their child, especially when the kids get into double-digit ages. My point: act as you want your child to act and they’ll pick it right up. Be respectful, courteous, and even tempered to your child and others and your kids will soak it in by example.

Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.
Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC)

[svelte]

Our kids learned all the manners they needed from The Simpsons.

🙂 Seriously, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this: it is fairly easy to predict what a parent’s demeanor will be before you even meet them simply by watching their child, especially when the kids get into double-digit ages. My point: act as you want your child to act and they’ll pick it right up. Be respectful, courteous, and even tempered to your child and others and your kids will soak it in by example.

Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.
Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC)

[svelte]

Our kids learned all the manners they needed from The Simpsons.

🙂 Seriously, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this: it is fairly easy to predict what a parent’s demeanor will be before you even meet them simply by watching their child, especially when the kids get into double-digit ages. My point: act as you want your child to act and they’ll pick it right up. Be respectful, courteous, and even tempered to your child and others and your kids will soak it in by example.

Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.
Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC)

[svelte]

Our kids learned all the manners they needed from The Simpsons.

🙂 Seriously, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this: it is fairly easy to predict what a parent’s demeanor will be before you even meet them simply by watching their child, especially when the kids get into double-digit ages. My point: act as you want your child to act and they’ll pick it right up. Be respectful, courteous, and even tempered to your child and others and your kids will soak it in by example.

Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.
Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC)

[svelte]

Our kids learned all the manners they needed from The Simpsons.

🙂 Seriously, I don’t know if you’ve noticed this: it is fairly easy to predict what a parent’s demeanor will be before you even meet them simply by watching their child, especially when the kids get into double-digit ages. My point: act as you want your child to act and they’ll pick it right up. Be respectful, courteous, and even tempered to your child and others and your kids will soak it in by example.

Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers.
Socrates (469 BC – 399 BC)

[svelte]

We’ve lived in the San Marcos area for about 20 years, and we agree with Bugs that you get a lot of bang for the buck in this city. Also like bugs, I’m not as much a fan of SEH but some people love it – more power to them. The high M-R and narrower streets do this area in for me. I’m not bashing it, it’s very nice.

We tend to like newer areas, so we think DH and Stone Canyon(s of 78) are great, and several developments n of 78 (Santa Fe Hills, Olive Hills, Twin Oaks Ranch, Sage Canyon Ranch) are all good choices. We have friends in each of those areas so we visit them fairly frequently. San Marcos Farms is also pretty nice if you like older homes, and if we wanted to spend well over a mil we’d probably be living on La Plaza Drive (take a drive there one day – it’s something else). As for other newer areas in San Marcos, I’ve left them off for a reason – I don’t think they are worth considering for one reason or another.

Though I used to abhor HOAs, I now favor them in order to keep the neighborhood looking decent, so I would give SFH a demerit for not having one. I would also give a demerit to Stone Canyon for having private roads and tight parking restrictions (no overnight street parking).

I have noticed that in DH, Poppy/Applewilde/Honeysuckle is used as a short-cut to Twin Oaks Valley Road for those living in the Stone Canyon area. You may want to walk the street you are considering at rush hour to ensure it is not too busy for you. Another word of caution about DH: as universities grow, students usually end up renting housing nearby so they can walk to class. Think about those implications on the long-term makeup of the DH area. Not that college students are bad, but they tend to like late night activities – beginning on Thursday eve and going through the w/e (we know – we’ve visited the condos along Twin Oaks Valley Road).

All of the areas I mentioned in paragraph 2 have very easy access to the freeway, Restaurant Row, the movie theater, Lowes and Home Depot, gyms (24 hr fitness and LA fitness), and most importantly Frys. 🙂 There is not a great deal of nightlife in San Marcos, but there are a couple of places and it has easy access to the rest of north county for other spots. The latest ‘in’ spot appears to be the bar at the new Elephant Bar on Las Posas, since it’s the newest place in town.

Contrary to the feelings of those on this board, the schools are actually quite good…a well kept secret IMHO.

We’ve also had little problem with crime. In those 20 years, my sons car was broken into once (he left CDs visible on the seat – duh!) and that’s it.

Take care and (hopefully) welcome to the neighborhood.

[svelte]

We’ve lived in the San Marcos area for about 20 years, and we agree with Bugs that you get a lot of bang for the buck in this city. Also like bugs, I’m not as much a fan of SEH but some people love it – more power to them. The high M-R and narrower streets do this area in for me. I’m not bashing it, it’s very nice.

We tend to like newer areas, so we think DH and Stone Canyon(s of 78) are great, and several developments n of 78 (Santa Fe Hills, Olive Hills, Twin Oaks Ranch, Sage Canyon Ranch) are all good choices. We have friends in each of those areas so we visit them fairly frequently. San Marcos Farms is also pretty nice if you like older homes, and if we wanted to spend well over a mil we’d probably be living on La Plaza Drive (take a drive there one day – it’s something else). As for other newer areas in San Marcos, I’ve left them off for a reason – I don’t think they are worth considering for one reason or another.

Though I used to abhor HOAs, I now favor them in order to keep the neighborhood looking decent, so I would give SFH a demerit for not having one. I would also give a demerit to Stone Canyon for having private roads and tight parking restrictions (no overnight street parking).

I have noticed that in DH, Poppy/Applewilde/Honeysuckle is used as a short-cut to Twin Oaks Valley Road for those living in the Stone Canyon area. You may want to walk the street you are considering at rush hour to ensure it is not too busy for you. Another word of caution about DH: as universities grow, students usually end up renting housing nearby so they can walk to class. Think about those implications on the long-term makeup of the DH area. Not that college students are bad, but they tend to like late night activities – beginning on Thursday eve and going through the w/e (we know – we’ve visited the condos along Twin Oaks Valley Road).

All of the areas I mentioned in paragraph 2 have very easy access to the freeway, Restaurant Row, the movie theater, Lowes and Home Depot, gyms (24 hr fitness and LA fitness), and most importantly Frys. 🙂 There is not a great deal of nightlife in San Marcos, but there are a couple of places and it has easy access to the rest of north county for other spots. The latest ‘in’ spot appears to be the bar at the new Elephant Bar on Las Posas, since it’s the newest place in town.

Contrary to the feelings of those on this board, the schools are actually quite good…a well kept secret IMHO.

We’ve also had little problem with crime. In those 20 years, my sons car was broken into once (he left CDs visible on the seat – duh!) and that’s it.

Take care and (hopefully) welcome to the neighborhood.

[Author]

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