Need for air conditioning in RB (Poway, August: real estate, condo, credit)

[MaireSD]

I just bought a small condo in Rancho Bernardo. It needs a totally new HVAC. But I do not see the need for AC (and really don’t have the money). There are ceiling fans in the bedrooms and a great cross breeze throughout the rest of the condo. Am I being foolish not biting the bullet and putting in AC for the sake of resale later on?

[malcorub16]

Even on the hottest day, as long as you have something that sucks in the cool night's air from the outside into your home and you wake up early and close all the windows and blinds to trap in the cool.... you should be fine. I live 25 miles inland and use my AC maybe 15 days per year.

For humid nights which are few and far, just invest in a portable AC unit for the room you sleep in.

[kbuhagiar]

Get the AC fixed. You're going to have to fix it before selling, may as well reap the benefits now.

[Redflag71]

Originally Posted by MaireSD

I just bought a small condo in Rancho Bernardo. It needs a totally new HVAC. But I do not see the need for AC (and really don’t have the money). There are ceiling fans in the bedrooms and a great cross breeze throughout the rest of the condo. Am I being foolish not biting the bullet and putting in AC for the sake of resale later on?

Nope. A/C is really not necessary. Heater is not needed either. My house has ceiling fans only.
My heater is original forced air from 1969. It will cost around 8K to replace. I am not worried about it.
If I ever sold I would give a credit instead so the new owner can buy the type of HVAC that they prefer.

[TacoSoup]

I grew up nextdoor in Poway and didn’t have AC in a new build townhouse. We had an attic fan, good insulation (obviously with a new build) and good cross breezes. My friend’s places with it were more enjoyable during the summer, but on the worst day ours was still more enjoyable than when we’d visit family back East and the power would go out, or the AC was on the fritz.

I got spoiled living 1-2 blocks from the water for 20+ years, but I’m in East County (Mt. Helix/RSD) now. I have a wall AC in the living room we’re never in, and the addition I built I have a portable unit that only my wife uses on the hottest days. Central air wasn’t a deal breaker for us buying a place as we know we could always add it. The whole house fan and good insulation (something I never had at the beach, lol) keeps our place very comfortable.

I guess my point is besides not really needing it (and you say you don’t), it’s not a deal breaker when you go to sell. You rarely get back a dollar for dollar return on your investment (unless doing the work yourself), and HVAC isn’t one of them.

[oddstray]

May not be a deal-breaker when you go to sell, but it will definitely lower the value. I, for one, would never buy in RB without decent AC. Maybe consult with a real estate broker to find out whether it's worth your investing in updating the HVAC. (Also, if you update it, you'll be able to use it during July, August, September heat.)

[Axxlrod]

It would be a necessity for me.

[bloom]

Is one of those $600 window tube AC units that sit on floor sufficient or not, in RB out east?

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Depends on how old it is. Might be better to just replace it before you sell.

[MaireSD]

You all have been great with your suggestions. I did not expect consensus but needed different viewpoints. I have just about decided to not go with ac because I personally doubt I will use it. If/when I sell, there will be somebody who doesn’t care. And, my favorite suggestion, if I have to give a credit or lower the price, so be it. Thanks.