I hate to be a broken record - housing issues

rach10782

I apologize because this might get long.  My husband and I have been actively looking at homes in Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Alamo and Danville.  We found three homes that we're keeping an eye on/seriously considering making offers.  One is in Lafayette and two are in Walnut Creek.  We are currently in an apartment in Walnut Creek and I happen to love it here.  The problem is that my husband can't seem to get past the very wide array of housing prices.  My favorite of the 3 homes is in Walnut Knolls and they are asking 1.2m.  My husband is freaking out because although the cul-de-sac is beautiful there are homes surrounding the area that are much smaller, older and not well maintained.  The house we liked in Lafayette was very nice but also, the homes around it were older and not all maintained well.  

We have seen some beautiful homes in Alamo and Danville but I just don't want my husbands commute into SF to be any longer than it needs to be.  All I hear from people is how Danville is the most family friendly area and we should move there because there are a lot of young kids there and I will make a ton of friends.  

I know that we don't need to find a house tomorrow and we can stay in the apartment and look but I keep second guessing myself on what town I want to live in.  Lafayette and Alamo have some beautiful homes but I just like the feel of walnut creek a lot more.  Am I nuts?  I could really use some advice/insight from people who have lived here for awhile.  

NorcalLinds

I haven't seen the houses you are looking at so i'm not really sure what you are talking about.  But Lots and lots of homes in the bay area are older, especially in well to do areas. Over time, people buy them that have the money and fix them up. The land the house sits on, is often more valuable than the house itself, especially in rich parts of walnut creek/danville/lafayette etc. 

mrscerruti2be

Totally agree with the above poster.   I also wanted to add that you really can't go wrong with any of those areas.  All of those areas are family friendly.  I would live in any of the areas you menitoned.  And I actually do live in one of the towns mentioned.

jsugrin

Walnut Creek is a wonderful area and you won't regret buying there.   I would only seriously worry about a house if the majority of other houses nearby are poorly maintained, crappy.  Another thing you can do is use county records to see how long people have lived in those homes.  If it appears that people have been in them for 30+ years I would be more likely to assume they are older and it's getting hard to maintain them, if they are less than 10 years than I might be more likely to assume they are renters/don't care.  Personally i'd worry more about shorter ownership than longer when it comes to upkeep.

I think you never want to own the nicest house on the block *when you sell**.  So I wouldn't be opposed, and think it's smart to buy a nicer house in an upcoming neighborhood.

I lived for a time in Lafayette and loved it!  For me the draw was I felt like I was in the middle of the forest and that probably had more to do with specifically where I was.  I would really, really look at school districts and let that lead you the most.  I think Danville is a wonderful town but I don't think you'll make friends any more easily there than W.C. and to me Alamo is nice if you are looking for larger lots and have a very, very large budget ( I wouldn't expect 1.2 to get much in Alamo but it's been awhile since I've lived down there).

Is DH commuting into the city?  If so that would lean me back towards WC too.  Personally I' rather have any extra time with DH.  Plus I think that in WC you are going to find lots of great activities for yourself and LO and you are so central.

alibee09

How long have you guys been here? If you're waffling on area, I would suggest that you sit back and rent a bit longer. The market here is still falling so it wouldn't hurt you to be patient and feel things out a bit more, and to learn more about the Bay Area housing market.

rach10782

jsugrin:

Walnut Creek is a wonderful area and you won't regret buying there.   I would only seriously worry about a house if the majority of other houses nearby are poorly maintained, crappy.  Another thing you can do is use county records to see how long people have lived in those homes.  If it appears that people have been in them for 30+ years I would be more likely to assume they are older and it's getting hard to maintain them, if they are less than 10 years than I might be more likely to assume they are renters/don't care.  Personally i'd worry more about shorter ownership than longer when it comes to upkeep.

I think you never want to own the nicest house on the block *when you sell**.  So I wouldn't be opposed, and think it's smart to buy a nicer house in an upcoming neighborhood.

I lived for a time in Lafayette and loved it!  For me the draw was I felt like I was in the middle of the forest and that probably had more to do with specifically where I was.  I would really, really look at school districts and let that lead you the most.  I think Danville is a wonderful town but I don't think you'll make friends any more easily there than W.C. and to me Alamo is nice if you are looking for larger lots and have a very, very large budget ( I wouldn't expect 1.2 to get much in Alamo but it's been awhile since I've lived down there).

Is DH commuting into the city?  If so that would lean me back towards WC too.  Personally I' rather have any extra time with DH.  Plus I think that in WC you are going to find lots of great activities for yourself and LO and you are so central.

I really appreciate your long response.  My husband will be commuting into the city and thats the main reason I am leaning towards Lafayette and Walnut Creek.  I am under the impression there will be more activities for my son in Walnut Creek but I've been here for such a short time I'm not positive.

 Both of the homes we like in WC are on very very nice cul-de-sacs.  The homes surrounding them are a mix.  Some are gorgeous and some are like you said, older and not as well maintained.  I have done some research and seen that for the most part it's original owners in the nearby houses.  

  With everything that's going on today economically I am so terrified of us making a bad decision I think about this constantly.

fricksgirl

I am in Sac now, but I grew up in Walnut Knolls and my parents still live there.  I am there with my boys all the time. 

IMO, there's no way you'll regret buying a house there.  It's perfect- you are in a great school district (Murwood, which was and still is a great school) and if you stay there long enough your kids will be able to walk to high school (Las Lomas, another very, very good school).  You can easily walk downtown (via the "donkey trail" and then over the bridge crossing the Broadway extension), you are literally near everything, it's an amazing location. Couldn't be easier as far as commuting on BART, as well. 

As far as other houses looking shoddy near you, I think it's a matter of time before they get sold to someone who cares and fixes it up.  I really don't see a lot of that there, everyone by my parents is pretty well maintained...  you should see my neighborhood if you want to see drastic differences.   

Good luck with your choice!!