FIRST TIME HOME BUYER need help picking an area where to live

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

I'm looking around for a place, but the price I'm willing to pay for a one bedroom is the price that the original poster wants for a three bedroom.

It's important to be realistic. I can't think of any area that I'd want to live in -- and I'm a single male who can take care of himself if he needs to -- where $250K would get a three bedroom.

I'm looking at a two bedroom in Midtown for $210K but that's not what the original poster is looking for.

Tony, how has the experience been stacking up so far? Any challenges or are you casually shopping?

[tonyinsd]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

Tony, how has the experience been stacking up so far? Any challenges or are you casually shopping?

The only thing is that there are a lot of contingent offers out there. Since my father is getting preapproved for a loan, we will go ahead and make an offer if we like a place. Then if the person who has placed the contingent offer exercises their right of first refusal, we will move on to the next place.

The one thing that is frustrating me is the lack of response from the realtor who was recommended to us. He didn't seem like he knew what he was doing, and I think he's used to dealing with North County transactions because he's got a 760 area code and because he said "I don't think there are any one bedroom condos downtown for less than $250K."

I sent him a list of properties that my dad and I identified via Trulia or Sandicor. He hasn't gotten back to me about them.

If he doesn't respond in the next day or two, I'll get another recommendation. The guy I got his name from is the person who sold his business to Eli Lilly so he's well connected.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

The only thing is that there are a lot of contingent offers out there. Since my father is getting preapproved for a loan, we will go ahead and make an offer if we like a place. Then if the person who has placed the contingent offer exercises their right of first refusal, we will move on to the next place.

The one thing that is frustrating me is the lack of response from the realtor who was recommended to us. He didn't seem like he knew what he was doing, and I think he's used to dealing with North County transactions because he's got a 760 area code and because he said "I don't think there are any one bedroom condos downtown for less than $250K."

I sent him a list of properties that my dad and I identified via Trulia or Sandicor. He hasn't gotten back to me about them.

If he doesn't respond in the next day or two, I'll get another recommendation. The guy I got his name from is the person who sold his business to Eli Lilly so he's well connected.

Thats good, you are ready to pull the trigger when something comes on that is decent.

Yeah, I have heard this from several others that are in the market. The agents on the selling side almost NEVER get back, especially if its a non traditional sale. I think a lot downtown had a lot this happen, but the inventory numbers for 92101 have dropped significantly over the past couple of years.
I remember when there were over 600 listings! It was insane. Now I am seeing in the neighborhood of 200ish.

Good luck. Its a really pain, but in the end it will be worth it if you can get something you like and dont get all hung up with some of the niggling issues like you are seeing.

[tonyinsd]

Originally Posted by shmoov_groovzsd

Thats good, you are ready to pull the trigger when something comes on that is decent.

Yeah, I have heard this from several others that are in the market. The agents on the selling side almost NEVER get back, especially if its a non traditional sale. I think a lot downtown had a lot this happen, but the inventory numbers for 92101 have dropped significantly over the past couple of years.
I remember when there were over 600 listings! It was insane. Now I am seeing in the neighborhood of 200ish.

Good luck. Its a really pain, but in the end it will be worth it if you can get something you like and dont get all hung up with some of the niggling issues like you are seeing.

If I don't find an agent, I think I'm going to call the listing agent and say, okay, here's the deal. You have a contingent offer. I've got a pre-approved loan. Do you want your commission or not?

If I'm feeling grumpy, I may say and I'd like you to rebate one percent of the selling price to closing costs, just like the guy from Zip Realty would.

I figure five percent of the sale price is better than three so they'll go along with it.

[alideean]

Consider Allied Gardens! Good schools and very safe. Great central location, close to everything in San Diego.
Here are a couple of properties at your price point:

6476 Burgundy Street, San Diego CA - Trulia
7132 Galewood Street, San Diego CA - Trulia

^^those links aren't working when I copy & paste. The zip code for the area is 92120. Both properties were listed on Trulia.com

[Wing nut]

You might also want to look in Oak Park. It would fit your budget. I'm new here too and have a friend there who has had no problems. I've driven some areas in oak park and most of it seems to be fairly quiet. I'm thinking of renting there.

[Priyashetty]

Carmal Mountain, Poway, 4s Ranch, Black Mountain.....these are some good areas to look for a house. The school district is also good.

[oddstray]

Originally Posted by Priyashetty

Carmal Mountain, Poway, 4s Ranch, Black Mountain.....these are some good areas to look for a house. The school district is also good.

Those are good areas, but they don't match the OP's budget. 240K might get you a 1 or 2 bedroom condo, but not a house in those areas.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by oddstray

Those are good areas, but they don't match the OP's budget. 240K might get you a 1 or 2 bedroom condo, but not a house in those areas.

EXACTLY. No way you're going to get a house in that area for this kind of budget. Not even close.

[moved]

I looked into that program at one time, and I think the stipulation is that you have to buy the residence within the actual city, not the outlying areas.