VW, Most of the "newer" communities that you might consider - Ladera, for one, Talega, for another - do have higher association dues, AND higher Mello/Roos taxes, as well. Below is a linked source I offer - that you do NOT have to register on, in order to conduct a search.

You can tweak a search to look for lower dues, or lower taxes. There are numerous nice condo communities in lower tax areas of South Orange County. If I were you, I would look for slightly older units that have been updated to compare to the newer places in Ladera/Talega.

Most listings have plenty of photos - you can tell if they've been updated - conduct a search to become familiar with some suitable neighborhoods, or give your requirements to a local Realtor with some experience throughout the areas you choose - just for an example - I've been watching South Orange County grow up since 1976 - over 32 years! Then, let the Realtor do most of the work, to narrow hundreds of choices down to 4 or 5. That's what we do.

Good luck in your search!
Bob Phillips, Realty Executives, 949-643-2100, Bob@BobPhillips.net

Good morning,

One of the things we can do is set you up with a personalized website with a couple of different searches on it. We can put your criteria in for both an OC search and a North San Diego County search. Oceanside has some beautiful developements that are much less expensive than OC and close to the ocean. I don't like all the elementary schools, so we'd have to watch that, but they are putting some money into the school district and I think it's really getting up there.

You can register on my website, or shoot me an email with your criteria and we'll send you a link. On this site, you can save listings, make notes, ask me questions...really a neat tool for watching the market. Then when you are ready, we can go see things.

My email is KarenFiddler@Great-Western-Realty.com

Thanks for the information. I think we'll have our house sold soon so we are deciding between Orange County and the North San Diego County. I'll check out your website when I get a chance. Yes, I work for Volkswagen.

Hi,

First....I have to ask....what's with the"VW for you"? Are you a fan of VWs or do you sell them? I just bought a new car and really wanted a bright red Bug Convertable. But there is NO back seat and so I just couldn't do it. I got a PT Cruiser Convertable instead, which isn't great, but definately better. Sad!

Ok...Ladera Ranch. The dues are horrible and the Mello Roos tax is bad too. There are some nice parks and pools, but overall, you can get a much bigger home in other areas. You might consider Talega...if it's not too far south. They have some of the same ammenities, great pools and parks and the Mello Roos is lower and some neighborhoods only have one association dues of $150/month. Townhouses will be more, but not as bad as Ladera.

Another area with lots of options is Aliso Viejo, some of the older communities are quite reasonable as far as fees are concerned and the Mello Roos is starting to really get low. It's designed to last about 20 years and some of the older neighborhoods are way under $700/year. Plus, when Aliso was developed, they still gave you a bit of space.

You might even look in Mission Viejo. Most areas have no Mello Roos and low associations. You might even get a nice small house for the same price as a Ladera Townhouse, probably will need carpet and paint. But those would have no association dues other than the lake ($222/year) and no Mello Roos.

Let me know if you need anything else...or if I can help in any way. My website as a great search tool as well...so you can go there and see things. We also can set you up with a free personalized website with your criteria where you can start to watch the market and see new homes as they come on the market, if that's interesting to you....

Have a great weekend,

Karen

There is a 3 bedroom 3 bath home in LR for $625,000; HOA dues are $205. Is this a property you might be interested in? Have you considered other areas, ie: Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Dana Point? Would you consider these? Let me know and I'll get back to you with what's available. Cynthia
Click to view Property

What price range? How many bedrooms? Do you work from home? Pets? I need a lot more to work with here.

I haven't heard it called that before...

Vwforyou (I'll assume that's an alias),

I agree that Ladera Ranch has some aspects about it that should cause you to hesitate before buying there. I wouldn't qualify the HOA dues as being the primary reason, especially if you're interested in "new" communities. All new communities in Orange County are going to have HOA fees attached to them, and some are quite higher than Ladera Ranch.

I would say that the effective tax rate in Ladera Ranch is a very good reason to stay away. What you pay in special assessment taxes and bonds each year would allow you to purchase a more expensive home in another area.

Also, Ladera Ranch is on the periphery of Orange County business and culture, and consequently will be the first area to get hit in a down market. This happens with urban/suburban situations every economic downturn. When times are good, builders are building and keep moving their building projects further and further away. People are more willing to commute because they just want to get into a property that can build them some equity. When times get tough and there is a lot of product to choose from, people get picky and move closer to where they work and play. A classic example of this was Rancho Santa Margarita.

I recommend you move to an area close to where you work and play. I have no idea where that is for you, but if you want privately message me and let me know, I'll give you ideas of communities in your area that are newer and do not have the high effective tax rate that Ladera Ranch has.

Hello Franklin!

I will Email you some fun available stuff in Ladera Ranch......it is a GREAT community!

Please contact me: kurt.century21@yahoo.com....I'll have property profiles to you within 24 hours......

Feel free to search yourself online @ Official OC Home Search.com

http://www.officialochomesearch.com