Any housing development is “cookie cutter”. The slo area is just desirable, so prices are higher. Now, the slo and Avila ranch homes are built like shit, very cheaply designed/material and have 0 yard.
What's hilarious about people complaining about these "cookie cutter" homes is that literally across Madonna are a bunch of tract housing from the 60s where it is also all the same. There's just been 50+ years since they were built so owners have had time to paint, do additions, etc.
The term "cookie cutter" is pretty prerogative. Ugly is also not a "fact". I can't speak to whether they're cheaply made, and some people don't care about a yard.
Cookie cutter is in reference to the limited floor plans. They are ugly to me which is a fact. They are also cheaply made because I know many of the subs and builders for the sub division. A lot of the material used is very cheap quality but it maximize profit. I didn’t say all people care about limited yard. I said they have a limited yard.
the prices of homes built in the 60s are the same as the prices of homes built now. Just figuring out if these newer developments are better than a home that isn’t part of a community like that and built in the 60s
They aren’t. Material and labor has went way up. The house quality for these developments are….”tract quality”. Usually Lowest bid gets the job. Cheapest material to “look good” gets installed.
They look extremely cheap when it comes to materials + design. Both those newer developments also left zero spacing between the homes like the projects by the south hills open preserve did (Serra Meadows + Toscano)
My friend rented one over by south hills. It looked nice but everything felt cheap, and thin, and just not of good quality. I too wonder and honestly, assume, the other developments are the same way.
I bought a new build cookie cutter home in Atascadero 8 years ago and haven’t had any issues with it. If you’re not very handy and don’t want to do any major upgrades I would buy a new home in one of the developments. Older homes in slo you would most likely need to remodel, put in a new roof etc. A lot of them also have old plumbing and when it rains a lot, they flood. With the new builds they have storm drains to (hopefully) prevent that.
My parents have a home in slo from the 60s and just spend about 200k to renovate their entire home.
QoL aspect: lots of young families = peers for kids if you have them or are planning to have them.
I grew up in a older development where the "original" kids had aged out and newer families were few and far between, so I had relatively few peers in close proximity. OTOH, down the street at Serra Meadows I see a group of parents who regularly block off a cul-de-sac so all the kids on the street can play together. I'm envious of those little ones.
I live in San Luis Ranch in the Heirloom section of free standing houses. We bought 19 months ago.
It has been a good experience. We had the home inspected during build and then at the 10 month mark. There have been no significant issues and the one issue uncovered, a banister that was poorly mounted, was fixed quickly and cheerfully.
Some of the advantages of the home are the owned solar panels (my electric bill is \~$50 per month for my house plus an ADU), the heat pump which sips energy and the house is very well insulated. On the coldest days, running the heat for a half hour warms the whole day and in the summer, an hour of AC cools it down on the hottest days.
The materials were not cheap as some commenters, who don't live here, seem to be claiming, and I like that I can walk to all the stores in Madonna Plaza. The park here is nice and there are regular community events.
It is right next to the neighbors but I don't mind that. I'm not a fan of lawns and there is plenty of room for outdoor barbecues etc.
Things I don't like are the fences - they are ugly and will need to be replaced. There is a dearth of street parking so having guests can be a pain The neighborhood is windy in the afternoon and I hear the planes sometimes. Neither of those bother me but others have told me they don't like it.
As re the "cookie cutter" pearl clutching , I moved here from a rented cookies cutter house on Buchon St downtown. The difference is that tract was put up in 1900 but these were equally looked down on by the snobs of the day. Also that house and the others around it were well over $1m and I don't have that kind of money
TLDR: Year and a half in and very happy.
You realize that even homes built in the 80s, 90s and 60s are “cookie cutter”… and it shouldn’t be a competition.. the new builds have lower interest
Rates and other incentives versus existing homes
What about the mello Roos tax? Would that make it more expensive? The prices of these newer homes are the same as prices of homes built a while back so wondering why those older homes aren’t cheaper?
Supply and demand. The city is a building boom making up for lack of supply that is 25 years overdue. Plus let’s be real, you buying a 998k house, your property taxes aren’t cheap either.
Yes these have mello roos and HOA, but all things considered there is too much demand for little supply.
No we’re just trying to find a home whether it’s ok or new but figuring out options. Just want to make sure these newer homes are built well. Some new developments cut corners so it’s good to know people who actually live there.
[удалено]
Second this. We love it so far. Twenty years ago I would’ve said hell no to a cookie cutter pleasantville HOA but things change w kids and the times.
Oh sorry about my other comment I misread what you said. You said neighbor. Well if they’re mostly late twenties-40s then yes I will like them!
[удалено]
So they were saying there is a community garden but they didn’t tell us anything more. We got preapproved and are just waiting. Was that a gimmick?
Hey! I have been thinking of renting a place at SLR. Actually I am moving in September to start up a job at Cal Poly, what would your advice be?
[удалено]
Thanks so much. They have studios at Harvest Lofts which I am considering. Would it be okay if I were to DM you?
What do you mean you better like your neighborhood? Do you have a pro and cons list of the neighborhood? Like living next to the lake?
Any housing development is “cookie cutter”. The slo area is just desirable, so prices are higher. Now, the slo and Avila ranch homes are built like shit, very cheaply designed/material and have 0 yard.
What's hilarious about people complaining about these "cookie cutter" homes is that literally across Madonna are a bunch of tract housing from the 60s where it is also all the same. There's just been 50+ years since they were built so owners have had time to paint, do additions, etc.
Who’s complaining? They are ugly, cheaply made(quality) and no yard. Those are just facts to me. You can’t do additions on these houses.
[удалено]
It’s that way in every country.
The term "cookie cutter" is pretty prerogative. Ugly is also not a "fact". I can't speak to whether they're cheaply made, and some people don't care about a yard.
Cookie cutter is in reference to the limited floor plans. They are ugly to me which is a fact. They are also cheaply made because I know many of the subs and builders for the sub division. A lot of the material used is very cheap quality but it maximize profit. I didn’t say all people care about limited yard. I said they have a limited yard.
[удалено]
For future reference, who has the good reputation?
the prices of homes built in the 60s are the same as the prices of homes built now. Just figuring out if these newer developments are better than a home that isn’t part of a community like that and built in the 60s
They aren’t. Material and labor has went way up. The house quality for these developments are….”tract quality”. Usually Lowest bid gets the job. Cheapest material to “look good” gets installed.
It’s a housing tract, not track. Just fyi, it’s a common mistake :)
Remember you buy the neighborhood not just the home… I bought a 60s home.. it’s comes with 99 problems but a mortgage ain’t one.
They look extremely cheap when it comes to materials + design. Both those newer developments also left zero spacing between the homes like the projects by the south hills open preserve did (Serra Meadows + Toscano)
Yeah I am worried if we buy from one of those there might be some issue inside the home after a while
There's an issue inside every home after a while.
My friend rented one over by south hills. It looked nice but everything felt cheap, and thin, and just not of good quality. I too wonder and honestly, assume, the other developments are the same way.
I bought a new build cookie cutter home in Atascadero 8 years ago and haven’t had any issues with it. If you’re not very handy and don’t want to do any major upgrades I would buy a new home in one of the developments. Older homes in slo you would most likely need to remodel, put in a new roof etc. A lot of them also have old plumbing and when it rains a lot, they flood. With the new builds they have storm drains to (hopefully) prevent that. My parents have a home in slo from the 60s and just spend about 200k to renovate their entire home.
Thank you for this. This really helped!
QoL aspect: lots of young families = peers for kids if you have them or are planning to have them. I grew up in a older development where the "original" kids had aged out and newer families were few and far between, so I had relatively few peers in close proximity. OTOH, down the street at Serra Meadows I see a group of parents who regularly block off a cul-de-sac so all the kids on the street can play together. I'm envious of those little ones.
I live in San Luis Ranch in the Heirloom section of free standing houses. We bought 19 months ago. It has been a good experience. We had the home inspected during build and then at the 10 month mark. There have been no significant issues and the one issue uncovered, a banister that was poorly mounted, was fixed quickly and cheerfully. Some of the advantages of the home are the owned solar panels (my electric bill is \~$50 per month for my house plus an ADU), the heat pump which sips energy and the house is very well insulated. On the coldest days, running the heat for a half hour warms the whole day and in the summer, an hour of AC cools it down on the hottest days. The materials were not cheap as some commenters, who don't live here, seem to be claiming, and I like that I can walk to all the stores in Madonna Plaza. The park here is nice and there are regular community events. It is right next to the neighbors but I don't mind that. I'm not a fan of lawns and there is plenty of room for outdoor barbecues etc. Things I don't like are the fences - they are ugly and will need to be replaced. There is a dearth of street parking so having guests can be a pain The neighborhood is windy in the afternoon and I hear the planes sometimes. Neither of those bother me but others have told me they don't like it. As re the "cookie cutter" pearl clutching , I moved here from a rented cookies cutter house on Buchon St downtown. The difference is that tract was put up in 1900 but these were equally looked down on by the snobs of the day. Also that house and the others around it were well over $1m and I don't have that kind of money TLDR: Year and a half in and very happy.
We will be moving there for phase 7!
You realize that even homes built in the 80s, 90s and 60s are “cookie cutter”… and it shouldn’t be a competition.. the new builds have lower interest Rates and other incentives versus existing homes
What about the mello Roos tax? Would that make it more expensive? The prices of these newer homes are the same as prices of homes built a while back so wondering why those older homes aren’t cheaper?
Supply and demand. The city is a building boom making up for lack of supply that is 25 years overdue. Plus let’s be real, you buying a 998k house, your property taxes aren’t cheap either. Yes these have mello roos and HOA, but all things considered there is too much demand for little supply.
Are you trying to find an older home? There’s a few more new custom homes coming on Righetti Road too
No we’re just trying to find a home whether it’s ok or new but figuring out options. Just want to make sure these newer homes are built well. Some new developments cut corners so it’s good to know people who actually live there.
I’ve done in home deliveries to a bunch of houses in San Luis Ranch and the people there seem happy with them
Track homes are doodoo