If you're waiting to buy, where and what are you looking for?

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waiting_to_buy_IHB

waiting_to_buy_IHB

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i am looking for a 3-4 bdroom SFR >1800 sq feet...built in the last 20 years...i haven't decided where yet but where can you guys recommend a good community with less than $300 HOA ?
 
[quote author="waiting_to_buy" date=1214652852]i am looking for a 3-4 bdroom SFR >1800 sq feet...built in the last 20 years...i haven't decided where yet but where can you guys recommend a good community with less than $300 HOA ?</blockquote>
You shouldn't have any problem finding a SFR with HOA's of less than $300, it's usually condos that require large HOA fees.
 
[quote author="waiting_to_buy" date=1214652852]i am looking for a 3-4 bdroom SFR >1800 sq feet...built in the last 20 years...i haven't decided where yet but where can you guys recommend a good community with less than $300 HOA ?</blockquote>


Most SFR's in Irvine have lower HOA fees, it's the condos that tend to have high HOA's. I've seen some SFR's in Ladera with high HOA however.



I'm looking in IRV and nearby South OC cities to MV, but not beyond it -- will not consider Ladera Ranch and RSM.
 
A newer house around 3,000 sq feet in Irvine (92602, 92620), Tustin (92782) or Tustin Hills (92705) with low Mello Roos and HOA. I like the homes in Tustin Hills with view, trees, low taxes and no HOA but they are not as accessible as the other areas mentioned. They also tend to be much older homes.



An interesting area I looked at the other day was the Parkridge Estate in Orange along Serrano Ave. Some nice deals in there but some of the homes sit too close to the high-voltage power lines. Any experts out there that can tell me how far away from the power lines the homes have to be before they feel safe?



We were fortunate to have bought in 1997 and sold in 2005. I am still waiting for prices to come down another 20% to 25% so it probably will be toward the end of 2009 before we buy. I don't think it'll be the absolute bottom then but would be close enough for me.
 
We were originally planning on buying in Quail Hill, but as the market continues to drop we are also intrigued by perhaps moving closer to the beach. We'll probably rent in Laguna Beach in 2009 to see if it makes sense for us. Whether we end up buying in Laguna or Irvine we won't be getting serious about buying until at least 2010.
 
I'm keeping my eye on the Orchard Hills development. But my guess is those HOA and Mello Roos will be crazy, so I doubt it will keep my interest.



Also, last weekend did make me think twice of living so far inland. I took my friends dogs to the park behind Orchard Hills and it was brutal. All they did was sit in the shade after playing for like 3 minutes.



I am keeping my eye on Westpark II as well. I like the idea of being in between the 5 and the 405.



Not sure what I'm looking for exactly yet since I have no idea where the market will be when I'm in a position to buy. So I mainly just watch the entry level and midrange market as a whole.
 
We used to be really taken with the thought of Orchard Hills, but are very glad they did not go forward with it --- gave us some time to think about all of the ridiculous costs (Mello Roos and HOAs) in these new communities --- and the not so central location of OH. After almost 3 years in Westpark, we have come around to realizing how much we like the convience of this neighborhood. Our new focus is on either Westpark or WP II (Paseo Westpark). Secondary would be Woodbridge or Oak Creek. Detached SFR about 1,800 sq ft will suit our family of 3 perfectly. And I expect to pay between $450k - $500k for that property on January 1, 2010.
 
I will be looking for a SFR, 2500+ sq. ft. in Irvine. Something since 1990, the newer the better. I am not sure of the neighborhood. Hopefully this will be below $800k. Target is 2010.
 
We are all over the map. We pulled out of a short sale buy in Tallega recently on a 4000 sq foot 5/5. We continue to look at some of the larger homes in Quail Hill that have come down into the $1.1 range range (3000 sq ft 4/4 or 5/5 -we live in Quail Hill today). It will take them coming down to 999k or below to move on one. We are also keeping our eye on a bunch of the homes that have been redone in Arch Beach Heights in Laguna (most of those are 3/2 - 1600 -1800 sq ft with killer views). At the end of the day our primary goal is to be able to buy the second house and keep the first one to rent out long term.



The good thing is I calculated that NOT buying over the past 15 months has probably saved me 20 thousand dollars a month in lost equity.
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1214658782][quote author="waiting_to_buy" date=1214652852]i am looking for a 3-4 bdroom SFR >1800 sq feet...built in the last 20 years...i haven't decided where yet but where can you guys recommend a good community with less than $300 HOA ?</blockquote>
You shouldn't have any problem finding a SFR with HOA's of less than $300, it's usually condos that require large HOA fees.</blockquote>


well, all SFR in woodbury, portola springs, quail hills, all are over 300.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1214737620]We used to be really taken with the thought of Orchard Hills, but are very glad they did not go forward with it --- gave us some time to think about all of the ridiculous costs (Mello Roos and HOAs) in these new communities --- and the not so central location of OH. After almost 3 years in Westpark, we have come around to realizing how much we like the convience of this neighborhood. Our new focus is on either Westpark or WP II (Paseo Westpark). Secondary would be Woodbridge or Oak Creek. Detached SFR about 1,800 sq ft will suit our family of 3 perfectly. And I expect to pay between $450k - $500k for that property on January 1, 2010.</blockquote>


same here. I was looking at woodbridge, paseo westpark as well. its my understanding that their HOA is around $250, which is under $300. I agree about paying 450-500 as well but i was hoping to get that around 2009.
 
We are looking into homes (preferably SFR) 1500-2000 sqft, built after 1980.

Anywhere in Irvine is fine except VoC, Portola Spings, Woodbury and the homes along the railroad.

I like West Irvine but old WI doesn't have association pool, newer WI has one but the roads seem too narrow (looks crammy).



BTW, does anyone know any pubic swimming pool in or around Irvine? Does Woollett accept regular(?) people for non-lap swimming?

I have found couple of homes without an association pool.

But I have two little kids and I want to be able to take them out to swimming.

And frankly I don't want to have a pool in the backyard because of the kids.

I'd rather have big yard where my kids can run around.

If anyone know let me know.

Thanks in advance.
 
We are looking at Orchard Hills but the lower density homes up higher probably won't be built for another 6-8 years if the start of the higher density part around the high school is in 3-4 years, so that's a long time to wait. Laguna Crossing might start earlier in 2010 so we might start looking at that. Blood might start flowing in the streets of Portola Springs so we might look at opportunities that arise there, just as an interim place to be before OH or LC.
 
[quote author="fumbling" date=1214868723]We are looking at Orchard Hills but the lower density homes up higher probably won't be built for another 6-8 years if the start of the higher density part around the high school is in 3-4 years, so that's a long time to wait. Laguna Crossing might start earlier in 2010 so we might start looking at that. Blood might start flowing in the streets of Portola Springs so we might look at opportunities that arise there, just as an interim place to be before OH or LC.</blockquote>


You came to the right place. Irvine has the exact same culture as Calabasa except for the celebrities. I hope you don't mind tailgating many Japanese cars!
 
Since we've been renting in Woodbury for the past 2 years, we've grown to like the convenience of the retail center and accessibility off the 5. Unfortunately SFR sellers are still on crack and are not willing to negotiate to reasonable prices. (We made a verbal lowball offer a few weeks ago, and the seller agent pretty much said that the seller paid over $100k in upgrades and would not take anything less than their current price). So we've been scanning the listings here, Quail Hill (another overprices area), and Northpark.



Interesting... the Stonegate apartments have gone up so quickly. I guess once (or if) they start building the new homes, the sellers in Woodbury have to start lowering their prices.
 
[quote author="awgee" date=1214859839]We are looking for blood in the streets.</blockquote>


I suggest heading over to Grants for Guns in Costa Mesa.
 
Palm Springs, something <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Palm-Springs/852-E-Mesquite-Ave-92264/home/5692970">like this.</a>



Look at that pool and backyard and views and, and, and.....



<img src="http://i-0.rfimg.us/photo/43/bigphoto/988/41323988_4_1.jpg" alt="" />



Sales info:

August 1996, $ 84,381

May, 2006 $630,000



WTF ! (But seller is dropping the price 20K monthly....this will be a flip/flop).
 
[quote author="lendingmaestro" date=1214909132][quote author="awgee" date=1214859839]We are looking for blood in the streets.</blockquote>


I suggest heading over to Grants for Guns in Costa Mesa.</blockquote>


Only serious revolutionaries should be allowed in our 'hood :) Seriously, what is up with Grant's and who is patronizing that place? I drive by it all the time and wonder??? I remember going to see the real OK Corral when I was a kid and just can't see the connection. Who buys guns and ammo at Grant's? I see who is getting tattoos, getting pierced and buying condoms, etc... across the street, but are people really buying out Grant's inventory?
 
[quote author="stepping_up" date=1214919871][quote author="lendingmaestro" date=1214909132][quote author="awgee" date=1214859839]We are looking for blood in the streets.</blockquote>


I suggest heading over to Grants for Guns in Costa Mesa.</blockquote>


Only serious revolutionaries should be allowed in our 'hood :) Seriously, what is up with Grant's and who is patronizing that place? I drive by it all the time and wonder??? I remember going to see the real OK Corral when I was a kid and just can't see the connection. Who buys guns and ammo at Grant's? I see who is getting tattoos, getting pierced and buying condoms, etc... across the street, but are people really buying out Grant's inventory?</blockquote>


You haven't seen the client?le of the gun show at the fairgrounds yet have you? Now, you think you might see some interesting characters at Grants, well... it certainly would make for an entertaining day at the fairgrounds even for someone from the 909.
 
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