Looking to buy in either Temecula, Murietta, or Menifee, but... (San Bernardino: short sales, renting)

[CaliDrmr09]

My husband is going to be transferred to California (San Bernardino) in January and we aren't sure how the county/city/school taxes, titles, HOA fees, and MUD (if any) will apply and affect our mortgage and our cost of living. Commuting isn't an issue for his job, so that's why we are looking at the areas specified.

For example:

In Houston (or most of Texas for that matter), say you buy a home for $250,000. You will pay roughly 1% of that amount for your mortgage, homeowner's insurance (without flood or windstorm, which are optional coverages), so your payment will be about $2500 per month (but it can depend on the amount of your down payment). If there are MUDs (municipal utility district) and HOA dues or if you want optional insurance, you can figure adding those costs to your monthly mortgage amount (just divide the amounts by 12 months--although windstorm and flood insurances usually have to be paid in lump sums). Anyway, you get the idea.

So, in looking at homes in Murietta, Temecula, or Menifee that are comparable to our current home, we will most likely be looking at paying $300-$350K or slightly more to maintain our standard of living.

If we are figuring our mortgage by Texas standards, that means we can't afford a $350K home in the IE!!! How do taxes and mortgages typically work for you guys since I see the median incomes are in the $70-$80 K range? Maybe we can't afford California...

[dweej]

People just live in smaller houses here, unfortunately. We're renting a 1200 sq ft. house and we have three kids. We couldn't afford a $250K home here, what to mention a $350K home! Is he getting a raise to take the position out here? If not, you probably won't be able to maintain the same standard of living in terms of your house. But at least the weather's better!

[leonard]

Originally Posted by CaliDrmr09

My husband is going to be transferred to California (San Bernardino) in January and we aren't sure how the county/city/school taxes, titles, HOA fees, and MUD (if any) will apply and affect our mortgage and our cost of living. Commuting isn't an issue for his job, so that's why we are looking at the areas specified.

For example:

In Houston (or most of Texas for that matter), say you buy a home for $250,000. You will pay roughly 1% of that amount for your mortgage, homeowner's insurance (without flood or windstorm, which are optional coverages), so your payment will be about $2500 per month (but it can depend on the amount of your down payment). If there are MUDs (municipal utility district) and HOA dues or if you want optional insurance, you can figure adding those costs to your monthly mortgage amount (just divide the amounts by 12 months--although windstorm and flood insurances usually have to be paid in lump sums). Anyway, you get the idea.

So, in looking at homes in Murietta, Temecula, or Menifee that are comparable to our current home, we will most likely be looking at paying $300-$350K or slightly more to maintain our standard of living.

If we are figuring our mortgage by Texas standards, that means we can't afford a $350K home in the IE!!! How do taxes and mortgages typically work for you guys since I see the median incomes are in the $70-$80 K range? Maybe we can't afford California...

Depends on if you're in a tract with an HOA or not.

My taxes with all assessments in a house in your range is about 300.00 per month. NO HOA's. Loan will be about 500 per 100,000 borrowed. Insurance about 100.00 per month.

If a 20% down you total will be about 1900.00 to 2000.00. It will vary a bit depending on where property taxes come in or your down payment, interest rate etc.

Property taxes are higher in Texas. I used to live there.

[Gandalara]

You're looking at Temecula, Murietta, or Menifee ....

You could also look at Rancho Cucamonga or Upland or Claremont or Redlands, even up the hill in Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead (not all in SB county). Nice places, and closer to San Bernardino.

[Stancy]

Menifee is very nice and not too expensive

[evolutionrules]

we bought in french valley (temecula, murrieta area). we have a $295,000 loan. our house costs $2427/month (mortgage, taxes, insurance etc.) with no HOA. hope this helps

[Pj77718]

hey! well to tell you the truth, Murrieta/temecula are veryyyy expensive to live in:P Menifee/Wildomar might be a better choice maybbeee lake elsinore, but Elsinore is not a good place to live(i live here -__-) Good Luck!! ps.if you move to redlands/northern fontana those would be better/easier to live in because of the distance and price, especially fontana

[antredd]

Originally Posted by Stancy

Menifee is very nice and not too expensive

I agree, Menifee would be your best bet in terms of getting more bang for your buck. I live on the East side of Menifee, and you can buy a newer built home up to about 3000 sq foot still for less than 300,000. Most of the neighborhoods are well maintained. But many of the homes in the Menifee area as well as most areas in Southern California are short sales, and some of them may need cosmetic or a lot of repairs from upset previous homeowners that lost them.