How do illegal immigrants afford 500k homes in Southern California? (Chula Vista: renters, HOA fees)

[allenk893]

So, I'm an avid watcher of the housing market in southern California. I plan on purchasing my first home there in the future. But I'm so confused about one issue that has been bothering me.

What I wanted to know was - based off how many illegal immigrants reside in southern California compared to your average legal Californian - how do they afford homes? I don't understand it. Illegal immigrants typically have the lowest paid jobs. How do they afford to pay the mortgage of a house? I have heard some illegals live in very nice houses that are worth 400-500k in different subdivisions. Then with the HOA fees, electricity, gas, etc. Where in the world are they getting this money? Why is it that the average Californian lower to middle class family (with jobs that pay much higher than an illegal immigrant) could never dream of having such a nice and expensive home but these illegal immigrants could easily buy them out and live comfortably amidst the initial cost of the house and the extra fees they have?

EDIT NOTE: I am NOT equating hispanic people with illegal immigrants. What I meant to say was how illegal immigrants own expensive homes in southern California. I thought the hispanic population in So.CAL was majority illegal. It was my mistake and ignorance and I apologize to all hispanic people for my offensive comments.

EDIT NOTE: I edited the entire question because I was severely misunderstood and snipped off the offensive comments. Thank the Lord for C-D's editing timing.

[Hemlock140]

You don't know that any of those homes were owned by illegals. But, if they were, most likely there were a dozen or more people living there.
If 10 of them had minimum wage jobs, that's a monthly income of about $11,000.

[Snort]

Countrywide loans.

[user_id]

Firstly you are equating being Hispanic with being illegal.....but the vast majority of Hispanics in California are US citizens. But ignoring that:

1.) Home prices were more affordable 10+ years ago, today's prices weren't yesterdays.
2.) Hispanics often live in larger households than others which allows them to pool their resources together.

But there are plenty of Hispanic families in California that can afford a $500k home...

[thepinksquid]

I had to read your post about 5 times to fully grasp what you're trying to say. It's apparent you don't live in Southern California. As user_id stated, you're making the assumption that Latino = illegal. If you lived and worked here you'd understand how ignorant (not intended as a personal insult) that statement is.

Obviously is someone is living in a half a million dollar home they're not working the fields picking avocados and getting paid $50/day under the table.

I am white, yet probably half the people I work with are Hispanic/Latino in my job (a quite "white collar" job, mind you). Many have very solid incomes. Many live in Chula Vista. But you don't know this because it's apparent you're not familiar with the demographics of Southern California.

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by thepinksquid

I had to read your post about 5 times to fully grasp what you're trying to say. It's apparent you don't live in Southern California. As user_id stated, you're making the assumption that Latino = illegal. If you lived and worked here you'd understand how ignorant (not intended as a personal insult) that statement is.

I'm not equating hispanic with illegal!! I was under the impression that of the many hispanics that reside in California, more of them were illegal immigrants. I wasn't sure! I am sorry to all the hispanic people I have offended. I truly didn't mean to say such a thing. That's what I thought the situation was. I know there are plenty of legal working class hispanics that own those homes. I simply thought more of the so.Cal population was illegal so I wondered to myself how they afford those expensive homes with low paid jobs. I truly apologize. It was my mistake and ignorance.

[mayorhaggar]

Either:

a) they bought the place a long time ago when houses weren't as expensive (and probably aren't illegal)

b) they don't own it and are renting it


This goes for literally any ethnic group in coastal California, most people are renters and people who own houses who aren't really rich usually bought them 20+ years ago.

[yowps3]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

You don't know that any of those homes were owned by illegals. But, if they were, most likely there were a dozen or more people living there.
If 10 of them had minimum wage jobs, that's a monthly income of about $11,000.

This.

[Hwy phantom]

Originally Posted by allenk893

So, I'm an avid watcher of the housing market in southern California. I plan on purchasing my first home there in the future. But I'm so confused about one issue that has been bothering me.

What I wanted to know was - based off how many illegal immigrants reside in southern California compared to your average legal Californian - how do they afford homes? I don't understand it. Illegal immigrants typically have the lowest paid jobs. How do they afford to pay the mortgage of a house? I have heard some illegals live in very nice houses that are worth 400-500k in different subdivisions. Then with the HOA fees, electricity, gas, etc. Where in the world are they getting this money? Why is it that the average Californian lower to middle class family (with jobs that pay much higher than an illegal immigrant) could never dream of having such a nice and expensive home but these illegal immigrants could easily buy them out and live comfortably amidst the initial cost of the house and the extra fees they have?

EDIT NOTE: I am NOT equating hispanic people with illegal immigrants. What I meant to say was how illegal immigrants own expensive homes in southern California. I thought the hispanic population in So.CAL was majority illegal. It was my mistake and ignorance and I apologize to all hispanic people for my offensive comments.

EDIT NOTE: I edited the entire question because I was severely misunderstood and snipped off the offensive comments. Thank the Lord for C-D's editing timing.

Some illegals actually do make pretty good money running their own business.

[OC Investor2]

No Doc/Stated Income/ Ninja Loans