New Yorba Linda "detached condo" or SFR in Chino Hills? (Huntington Beach: rent)

[Nazneen]

Hello,

I am relatively new to this forum, but I've read some very interesting perspectives. I was hoping to get some advice/opinions from you all. My husband and I (no kids yet, late 20's early 30s) are looking for a home. We really like the Tierra by Shapell Homes (S&S) in the east part of Yorba Linda (kind of past the Vista del Verde development). These range between 1500-1900 sq ft, and are fully detached, but are considered detached condos because 6 homes share a courtyard/drive way. We like this area because YL seems like a great area, good schools and resale. Plus, husband has family in South OC and I have some in Chino Hills, so this puts us closer to CH (for when we do have kids and need baby sitters!) but still a little closer to OC than if we were to choose anywhere else in SB county.

The downside, however, is that the model we like is about $550K for 1735 square feet, 3 beds, 2.5 baths. It is a little over our price range...we can afford it, but are afraid to stretch in this market.

On the flip side, we could get a proper single family home with a bigger yard--albeit not brand new--in Chino Hills. Or, we could even drop our price to the high 300Ks or mid 400K's and get something around the same size as the Tierra home, but more affordable, in Chino Hills.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on what we should do? Before you ask, our jobs are actually not tied to an office, so we can technically live almost anywhere. We've narrowed down our preferred areas to Chino Hills, Yorba Linda, or Brea.

Any advice?? Thanks

[flo2900]

Originally Posted by Nazneen

Hello,

I am relatively new to this forum, but I've read some very interesting perspectives. I was hoping to get some advice/opinions from you all. My husband and I (no kids yet, late 20's early 30s) are looking for a home. We really like the Tierra by Shapell Homes (S&S) in the east part of Yorba Linda (kind of past the Vista del Verde development). These range between 1500-1900 sq ft, and are fully detached, but are considered detached condos because 6 homes share a courtyard/drive way. We like this area because YL seems like a great area, good schools and resale. Plus, husband has family in South OC and I have some in Chino Hills, so this puts us closer to CH (for when we do have kids and need baby sitters!) but still a little closer to OC than if we were to choose anywhere else in SB county.

The downside, however, is that the model we like is about $550K for 1735 square feet, 3 beds, 2.5 baths. It is a little over our price range...we can afford it, but are afraid to stretch in this market.

On the flip side, we could get a proper single family home with a bigger yard--albeit not brand new--in Chino Hills. Or, we could even drop our price to the high 300Ks or mid 400K's and get something around the same size as the Tierra home, but more affordable, in Chino Hills.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on what we should do? Before you ask, our jobs are actually not tied to an office, so we can technically live almost anywhere. We've narrowed down our preferred areas to Chino Hills, Yorba Linda, or Brea.

Any advice?? Thanks

I`m facing similar dilema...lemme give you an example.
There`s a big difference between Huntington Beach and Corona... HB is a beach community, cooler weather etc.
But Yorba Linda and Corona have identical weather and prices are almost 100% more in YL. I understand to wanting to live in HB and pay the extra bucks for weather but why would you want to pay double for a house in YL which is 5 miles west of Corona?
I understand the 91 traffic and maybe a better school district in YL vs. Corona....but paying double for the same house meaning the difference between retiring early or never retiring just so one can afford to live in YL.
IMHO some ppl are hung up on the Orange County elitist life style and don`t get me wrong there are lots of advantages in OC but I just don`t understand why is YL soo expensive when is soo far away from the beach and everything else.
I gave you the YL vs. Corona example because prices are soo far apart and the two are so close. Same rational applies to YL vs. Chino H.
Go get a Chino H. SFR house, you get more house for the money and you can be in YL in 10 minutes from Chino H.
Now, everything I said here applies to areas no further than 91/15 fwy intersection.
Good Luck in pulling the trigger!

[eclipxe]

Originally Posted by Nazneen

Hello,

I am relatively new to this forum, but I've read some very interesting perspectives. I was hoping to get some advice/opinions from you all. My husband and I (no kids yet, late 20's early 30s) are looking for a home. We really like the Tierra by Shapell Homes (S&S) in the east part of Yorba Linda (kind of past the Vista del Verde development). These range between 1500-1900 sq ft, and are fully detached, but are considered detached condos because 6 homes share a courtyard/drive way. We like this area because YL seems like a great area, good schools and resale. Plus, husband has family in South OC and I have some in Chino Hills, so this puts us closer to CH (for when we do have kids and need baby sitters!) but still a little closer to OC than if we were to choose anywhere else in SB county.

The downside, however, is that the model we like is about $550K for 1735 square feet, 3 beds, 2.5 baths. It is a little over our price range...we can afford it, but are afraid to stretch in this market.

On the flip side, we could get a proper single family home with a bigger yard--albeit not brand new--in Chino Hills. Or, we could even drop our price to the high 300Ks or mid 400K's and get something around the same size as the Tierra home, but more affordable, in Chino Hills.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on what we should do? Before you ask, our jobs are actually not tied to an office, so we can technically live almost anywhere. We've narrowed down our preferred areas to Chino Hills, Yorba Linda, or Brea.

Any advice?? Thanks

Wait until late 2009 or early 2010. Rent a nice SFR where you really want to be and stock away cash. Prices will continue to drop through 09.