10 Comments

1. 

   tj & the bear on April 9, 2011 at 9:45 am

   Cute! The open floorplan makes it feel pretty big for a smaller place. Go Bryce!!!

2. 

   Jenny on April 9, 2011 at 9:59 am

   I wonder how much it will settle for. It is an older house (built in the 70s) so here is hoping it’s still structurally sound. It’s just the right size and one-storey is a must for me. The price is very enticing too.

   I found many houses were very acceptable on many levels until I found out there was a pool in the backyard. A deal killer.

3. 

   RJ on April 9, 2011 at 3:19 pm

   I’m reading from New England and the idea that a 40 year house is so old that it might not be structurally sound is quite amusing.

   Either that or it says something bad about California house construction.

4. 

   College Joe on April 9, 2011 at 4:56 pm

   RJ, yes California home construction sometimes leaves more to be desired….especially homes built in the 1970s. Not a great time for quality homes.

   New England has some really cool, old homes & I go to CT regularly….where 50 year old homes are considered to be not that old! In Salisbury there was a “birthday” for a 200 year old home. It was beautiful!

   Also Jim, the construction on our vacation home has finally started up in Arroyo Grande. If you’re interested, I might do a video of it when I get a chance….they started with the foundation a couple weeks ago, so maybe in a month I’ll go down.

5. 

   tj & the bear on April 9, 2011 at 5:51 pm

   Jenny,

   Why a deal killer? Filling in an unwanted pool is probably one of the cheaper changes you can make. A pool shouldn’t be any more a deal killer than bad flooring.

6. 

   Jim the Realtor on April 9, 2011 at 5:58 pm

   Agreed, just had two quotes this month for pool demo, $8,000 and $11,000. Make sure they get a permit.

   Also had a $12,000 – $15,000 quote to remodel the older pool too, so there are options if you like everything about a house except the pool.

   1. Replace plaster $5,000.
   2. Replace coping. $2,500-$4,500
   3. Replace tile. $2,000
   4. Repair cracks in gunite? $0-$2,000
   5. Introduce mastic to allow the pool to move independently from the decks. $500
   6. Apply mastic around the skimmer.
   7. Add additional suction to prevent entrapment. $750 during plaster
   8. Use timer as intended along with the pumps internal schedule.
   9. Replace heater. $2,500
   10. Replace antiquated, inadequate, and dangerous service panel.
   11. In general the pool seems to be in poor condition. It does not meet current codes on several issues. This is an older pool-maybe 30 years old.
   12. The diving board is unsafe. DO NOT USE. The pool design does not allow for a diving board. DO NOT USE. Remove and destroy. $300

7. 

   Happs on April 9, 2011 at 5:58 pm

   College Joe: What are your thoughts on the Central Coast of CA? I’ve read that Arroyo Grande has attracted a lot of retirees due to the relatively reasonable cost of living compared to other coastal areas and a good climate (not too far inland so not scorching hot in the summer and enough away from Pismo Beach to be fog free).

8. 

   just some guy on April 9, 2011 at 7:43 pm

   “12. The diving board is unsafe. DO NOT USE. The pool design does not allow for a diving board. DO NOT USE. Remove and destroy. $300”

   Seriously!? Can’t anyone just take a sledgehammer to it and cement over the hole?

9. 

   College Joe on April 10, 2011 at 2:33 am

   Happs: We love it. It’s a great town, but it is on the small side & keep in mind that you aren’t really near much either! But the downtown is really cool with great places to eat and it just looks nice in general. Our place is about 30 or so minutes to town, we’re due east in the hills (1,000 feet above sea level) to the east of Lake Lopez. It’s a big plot of land (100 acres) and unquestionably a RURAL experience! It’s a 180 from Leucadia.

   As for the weather, it’s not that bad. Personally I don’t mind the heat, but I hate that cold, damp weather that you get all summer long there right on the beach. Arroyo Grande itself is warmer, but still chilly. I would go inland on Lopez Drive out towards the lake and get a place in the valley there. The weather is more temperate there and it’s quite a bit warmer than the coast. Where we are it gets HOT, 90-100 June-September, but it’s cold during the winter (actual freezes) and on rare occasions, a dusting of snow….like this year.

   But that’s too far (if you’re going to live there) and the weather is too extreme. The valley in between is your best bet. Although it’s more expensive, is really beautiful and rural-ish…but you’re not that far from town. I’m not really a fan of San Luis Obispo, mainly a college town….which is fun, but it gets old and I don’t think many adults would like it.

   Morro Bay is another option….but way to touristy and FREEZING all year long.

   I would go visit. It’s a great town and if you like a slow pace along with a small-town feel…it’s for you!

10. 

    James on April 11, 2011 at 8:33 am

    RJ, I grew up on the east coast where 100 year old houses are pretty standard issue. The house I live in now in San Diego was built in 1947 and immaculate.

    It is funny out here to see the differences between the new/old preference. SD is so new that just “building” a new town or tract in the past 20 years is common. Whereas out east it doesnt happen much. Houses just get turned over.