[quote author="ipoplaya" date=1207706378]Just give it up master. The dude's mind or heart is set. He won't buy bigger for less because it's within a quarter-mile of a lightly-traveled tollroad. Won't chase a bigger and potentially comparably priced model in the same tract due to Feng Shui concerns. It obvious catchme was looking for some rah-rah on the buy decision and anything other than that will be ignored. This isn't the condo of his dreams, it's a short-term first buy, so it makes zero sense to pay more to own vs. rent. In some cases, if you plan on buying a place to raise a family in for the next 20+ years, I can see jumping early. For a cookie-cutter starter condo you can rent so very easily, just plain crazy.
He'll be in my same situation in a few years, needing and wanting to upgrade, but being in a negative equity position and chained to a 1300sf condo. It's sad, but hey, on the bright side at least catch didn't buy in 2006!</blockquote>
ipoplaya,
you showed me 2 houses that are within 200 feets of the freeway. I checked out one of these houses and the freeway noise is unbearable when the windows open.
Another house from you (The bigger cortile house) is in short sale and price range according to the bank between 549k to 627k and god knows how much the current owner still owes.
Thanks for heads up about being in your shoes a few year from now but are you really sure my feet will fit your shoes (not literally)?