"I'd probably move up to Belacara in pacific ridge if I could get in around 1.5...I think the lowest priced place in belcara is 1.7 now "
Socalmd: Currently there are 10 Belcara homes for sale. The first 4 have price ranges from $1.675-$1.8m. All are Plan 1's (about 2,500sq.ft.) All but 1 of those homes for sale right now are original owners. I'm looking at title and the original owners paid anywhere between $1.35-$1.8m, most paid between $1.7-$1.8m.
Heres the good part though
Of those 4 Belcara homes for sale, 1 of them is a short-sale. The home appears to be clean and the listing agent's remarks say: appealing Belcara home with larger than average yard for Belcara, some stone floors,some carpet, stone driveway,etc...". The short-sale home is being offered at $1.745(on the high side). When I look at the loans on the property here is what I find:
1st - $1,269,907 (Countrywide)
2nd - $530,092 (Countrywide)
That 2nd's going to get wiped out during this shortsale process, leaving the 1st of $1,269,907.
Offer a number less than $1.5m a few times(i.e. $1.4,$1.45,etc..), be tough with the bank let them eat the loss. Sometimes its easier telling a bank to swallow the loss than a family owned home. Have your final price set in mind of $1.5m, and I'm willing to bet you'll have the deal.