Sarah Dupree Realty

Hi Jim,

Since I don't know anything about you and what you like, I will tell you what I like and why.
1) I love the coastal areas. Who wouldn't want to be near the water.
(a) If you have bags of money, La Jolla or Del Mar. Of course you can get in there rather cheaply in a condo. I saw a short sale the other day 5 mins walking from la Jolla Shores beach for 199k. La Jolla is just gorgeous and you feel like you are on vacation every day. Same with Del Mar.
(b) Carlsbad and Encinitas. Carlsbad is awesome and hands down the best bargain for a coastal area in perhaps the entire United States. It has beachs, hiking trails, clean and beautiful street, and a fabulous outlet mall. Because of overdevelopment the prices have been artificially supressed. I think there is great potential for gains there when the new contruction/devlopment slows down. Encinitas is a little more expensive and a little more artsy, with great rural areas.
(c)Pacific beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach. Mission Beach at the water is astronomical for a condo but probably much cheaper blocks away from the beach. Great vacation destination with a cool boardwalk. Pacific beach is party central for the early 20's crowd with a bar a corner. Ocean beach is similar to PB but a little cheaper.

2) University City.. I call it La Jolla adjacent. It is right next to La Jolla and some streets are UC on one side and La Jolla on the other. Great value for being so close to the water and La Jolla, clean, safe, and fantastic proximity to 5 different freeways. Oh yeah. A great place to have rentals. The rental values are high here because of UCSD. Students pay a lot of money for the rentals.
3) Downtown.. The Gaslamp has lots of great resturaunts, nightclubs and you can just walk out your door and be there. Lots of fun.

4) Rancho Sante Fe. Rustic, rich and gorgeous. Prepare to empty your wallet here. Very expensive.
Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Sarah Dupree - Fri May 30 2008, 14:03

Dear Lenn,

A great area is University City. I would say the range is a little higher than 500k but the neighborhood is superb. I know off hand a couple of 4 bedroom places 1) on Rennault short sale @ 555k already approved by lender (which you can see on my website as deal of the week even though it is not my listing..just a great deal) and one on Lord Cecil @ 535-559k. Lord Cecil also has in addition to the 4 bds a LARGE bonus room which is the converted garage and a pool. The zip for University City in 92122. If you don't have access to a reciprocal MLS I have the MLS on my website and if you need any info just drop me a line. Always happy to help another agent.

By the way, both of the listings mentioned are on the westside of UC (the most desirable part) and are about 4 mins from the ocean in La Jolla. University City is like La Jolla adjacent. It's an awesome, clean, safe place to live.

Good luck. - Fri May 30 2008, 13:43

In the marketplace we are today, a buyers market, buyers are asking for a LOT, and getting it lots of the time. In certain areas where there are lots of reos and foreclosures sellers feel a lot of pressure to say yes to buyers demands because they are afraid to lose the deal. But, in other areas, where prices haven't declined so drastically sellers are holding their ground. Credit for repairs is not a 'gimme" or assummed. It is a negotiation.
Make sure if you are asking for repairs/creidt that you do it within your contingency period. Otherwise if they say no and you walk, they may be entitled to your earnest money deposit.

Like one of the answers said below. This is a very emotional time for sellers and they treasure their home. Sometimes these rquests can feel like a slap in the face to them. I know buyers don't mean it that way.
As agents we know it is just business but that is difficult to convey to sellers who may be facing feelings of ambivelence saying goodbye to their castle.
Sometimes they will walk away from a deal and leave money on the table over "principle"

Also, I agree that 2% is not a trivial amount. I have a listing for 965k on the market and I know my seller wouldn't consider a credit for nearly 20k for even a second.

I tell you all this not to pressure you one way or another, just to give you my experience and insight from working with both buyers and sellers over the years.

Good luck with your deal! - Mon May 26 2008, 19:35

Hi Eve,
I have looked at the MLS and there are a number of listings condos for 325k and under right in downtown if you want to be close to work.

I think Glendale is a great place to go. I checked the Mls for houses in Glendale and there are 3 that are 345k or under. One is 299k and the other is 300k. These are asking prices. They are small homes but a great way to start. Getting to downton LA fom Glendale is a snap. Also, if you were intersted in condos in Glendale the world would open up to you. Ther is a really good selection.
If you would like to search the MLS for free go to my website. No registration is required and you can jump on and start searching.

If you have any questions drop me a line or give me a call.
Thanks,

Sarah Dupree - Mon May 26 2008, 09:02

It could have also been pending and would no longer show up on the MLS, but Trulia still had it as active. THis happens sometimes.

Thanks,

Sarah Dupree - Mon May 26 2008, 08:43