Hi B&G, you also will not find homes in Wood Ranch without HOA. Actually, most homes in Wood Ranch have their community/development HOA AND they pay an additional master association HOA fee. I can undersand your desire to be without an HOA. You may want to consider other areas that are typically well kept without and HOA. There are some but Laurie and Ted are correct, there are none in that price range. Typical 350,000 single family homes right now are in poor locations and poor condition compared to Wood Ranch but there are some better than others and they are still good places to live and raise kids if that is your entry level price point. You cant control the market but you can make choices about your expectations. You may also want to consider waiting a bit it this is your price range. While I agree that it is unlikely that homes in Wood Ranch will come down to 350,000, there may be some more price fall out later this year and that might help you find something acceptable.

I worked with a client last year that couldnt believe the prices. We set her up on an email alert for what was in her criteria and price range. When we set it up,there were no homes. Over time, homes started to trickle into her email and now, she receives probably 10 homes a day that meet the criteria she defined about a year ago. We are now out and looking at homes. I cant predict the market but I can advise you to get set up to be the first to know when homes that you think you could be happy with start to be acceptable to you.

Also, I wonder what has you setting your price range at 350,000. Have you worked with a lender or only played around with online calculators. There are some wonderful mortgage programs that are very secure while at the same time allowing you to step into something a little more right now. My favorite, if you are a younger demographic buyer (say under 40) would be to look into a loan that has a 30 year fixed interest rate with a 10 year interest only payment. The rates are very competitve and allow you to make just the interest payment for the first 10 years and know exactly what the payment will be for the next 20 years, It wont change or adjust. The idea behind it is that you will likely move before 10 years time or you will be at a better level of earning in 10 years (maybe a few promotions down the road or when the kids are grown and both parents are working more...that kind of thing) Anyway, please let me know if I can help with any more ideas.

Tue Apr 29 2008, 16:59

The odds are not good. If the market tanked that much I would not be surprised to see other Biblical events occur. Wood Ranch will hold value and single family "detached" homes will not breach that mark.

You asked for two pretty exclusive areas at prices that would be beyond a steal, what are you more specifically looking for? Are you renting in Toluca Lake now? I am very familiar with Toluca Lake and the Simi - TO areas.

Tue Apr 29 2008, 16:37

Hello. I just ran a search on the MLS and there are 0 listings that meet that criteria. There are many other homes listed in Simi Valley for $350,000 or under. I can set it up so that you can receive automatic updates via e-mail on homes that are on the market for $350 or under. Feel free to e-mail at Laurie.Nowland@Century21.com or call me at 805-404-0972 if I can be of any help to you. Have a great day!

Tue Apr 29 2008, 16:09