SDLookup.com > 1704 Dale St

Anonymous 5/10/2007 10:21:53 PM

Description from Listing at $819k:
"South park bungalow one of the purest example of the arts and crafts era you will find anywhere! This property has all its original charm and features. Only the second owner since 1911 -- a prime candidate for historical designation aka mills act"

Arts and crafts, my ass. The restoration is badly done and cheesy. If this property is so historical, why don't the current owners get it designated that way? Don't mention it if you can't do it.

Only a nut would buy at this over-inflated price.

Anonymous 5/10/2007 10:35:08 PM

The kitchen looks a little funky otherwise I think this is an example of a pretty typical Craftsman for the area. Not sure about the price, just looking at the architecure.

jpinpb 2/4/2008 1:33:25 PM

I have to agree that it is overpriced. The owners bought it at the peak in 2005 for $770k, but I wouldn't pay more than $450k for it. And in 2 years it will probably come down to that.

jpinpb 2/4/2008 1:49:26 PM

For $650k you can get a really nice house in Carmel Valley, newer, safer, cleaner and better schools. Whether you have kids or not, that will affect resale.

jpinpb 2/4/2008 2:06:06 PM

Perhaps that particular street is not so bad. But as you said, to the south might be tough. I think it varies from street to street. From what I can remember, Dale street is nice. But several streets over, not so nice. And that is the difference between that community and Carmel Valley, for example. No bad streets. It so depends on what you like. Carmel Valley is ho-hum compared to being close to downtown. But it is much safer.

anon92037 2/4/2008 2:22:06 PM

South Park may be a little uneven, but the parts that are nice have beautiful homes with truly wonderful architecture. In fact, I believe they have a yearly heritage tour? Those homes that are along Kalmia and within walking distance to Balboa Park can be stunning and have prices to match. The prohibitive prices and the grit keep me away (I'm kind of a suburban wuss). But to people for whom newer suburbia equals cultural death, they will have no problem with some "edge."

As someone who will probably not ever live there, I must give my props and say that the nice parts of North and South Park are some of my favorite neighborhoods.

Oh, and Big Kitchen is a great breakfast venue, too. :)

jpinpb 2/4/2008 2:24:02 PM

I'm partial to Rebecca's and the scones!

jpinpb 2/4/2008 2:27:32 PM

I do agree that some of the houses have awesome architecture. They don't make them like that anymore. Maybe some in Del Sur but for a much heftier price tag b/c it's all new and nice and safe. That's what makes it a shame, too, that these beautiful homes are in neighborhoods that are sketchy. It's a battle between what will dominate. I think to homes back east where I'm from. Big house, beautiful wrap-around porches, great Victorians. Go back now and they're bastardized and turned into multi-family homes and very run down. Sad.

Betty 2/4/2008 3:47:54 PM

I do love the architecture as well, especially when you drive Broadway from 30th to
downtown. Beautiful, beautiful houses, but so run down. I wish the city would preserve
the old architectural masterpieces, and I bet that in 10 years time, it will
be much more desirable, however, until then, brace yourself.

anon92037 2/4/2008 11:30:02 PM

JPinPB -- it always breaks my heart to see the type of architectural slaughter you described. Ugh.
Never tried Rebecca's but I'm always quick to act on food recommendations, thanks!

And, yes, Betty, it's a real pleasure to drive through that area to see the heritage, even if the present-day circumstances are not so ideal. I drive through there on a whim whenever I'm remotely close. Can you imagine how nice SD's Victorian and Craftsman neighborhoods were back in their heyday -- when there was no "downside" to living in them? That must have been something.

jpinpb 2/5/2008 8:23:12 AM

She makes her scones every day. Different flavors every day. They are the BEST and I'm not even a scone eater. She has other treats as well. The cafe has a bohemian atmosphere and the second Sunday every month they have open mic, guitar, poetry reading. Cool place. I haven't been there in a while. I should make a visit.

If the prices were reasonable, I would consider buying there. Those homes take a lot of $$$ to upkeep. It makes no sense when there are much newer, nicer homes in safer neighborhoods, unfortunately. I would love to have one of those old houses, but it just is not priced for the neighborhood, IMO. Unless you work there and you don't want to commute, I don't know who would do it. If you have money to pay for an expensive home there and money to send you kid (don't have one) to private school, then you can afford a really nice house in a much better neighborhood. Even if you don't have kids, I still take into consideration resale, unless you plan on living there forever. But it is heartbreaking when they divide the houses and run them down.

Betty 2/5/2008 2:33:41 PM

jpinpb, where is the cafe located? Sounds good!

Vagabound, on 30th and Juniper is a great little restaurant with excellent food,
by the way.

jpinpb 2/5/2008 2:57:59 PM

Betty????? I haven't been there in a while, but it's on 30th and Juniper.
So how have you heard of Vagabond and I haven't heard of Vagabond. Hmmm. Strange.
Here's the website: http://www.rebeccascoffeehouse.com/
Gosh, just going to the website makes me salivate. I'm having a craving for one of those scones.

Betty 2/5/2008 6:25:32 PM

That's funny!! I'll look for Rebecca next time. I think I,ve seen it.

I have been to Vagabond numerous times for lunch - my kid's school is close by.
Here is a write-up about Vagabond
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060607/news_lz1f07dining.html

jpinpb 2/5/2008 6:34:48 PM

Thanks for the info. Next time I'm down there I'll have to check it out. Stop and pick up a scone on the way to the kid's school. It's a treat!

Betty 3/25/2008 8:23:06 PM

Hey jp, I've been to Rebecca's. Haven't gotten a scone yet -
they're always out when I'm there. Got muffins instead, and
they're exceptionally good. Thanks for the tip!

jpinpb 3/25/2008 8:31:04 PM

I made it to Vagabond :)
I don't know how I haven't been there before, but great place.

I'm surprised they were out. What time of day/night did you go?
Their muffins are good too.

Betty 3/25/2008 10:16:12 PM

Twice I was there around 8:00 am and once
after 1:00 pm. I'll keep trying :)

SPRD 4/18/2008 9:43:36 PM

After nearly a year on the market, this house sold for $685K (listing price $650K).

rockybalboa 4/21/2008 4:19:17 PM

That one's been pending for a while. I'm looking in South Park for the past six monts, really like the area, but not much in nice homes available. Nice one's are over $800,000. I didn't know listing was $650k. I thought it was $750k when it went to pending. I would have been interested at $650k, because that is how much fixers cost right now. There's junky one down the street for cheap but is going to cost way more to fix. This neighborhood is hard to find nice shaped homes for good price even now. And noway do I want to live in carmel valley, for any low price!!!

jpinpb 4/21/2008 4:32:57 PM

And the funny thing is most people in CV wouldn't live in SP on a bet. They say their area of SD is priced high b/c everyone wants to live there. And yet SP has some equally expensive homes.

rockybalboa 4/22/2008 8:15:58 AM

jpinpb - ha, you are right! I've lived in urban areas all my life and like to central walkable neighborhoods. My child goes to private school, so schools are not so much of issue, but I see why Carmel Valley is good for that. Do you guys know of any North Park or South Park >1,500 sq. ft. >3bd >5,000 lot below $400 sq ft? Living in nice condo downtown, but want to move to house in next year.

jpinpb 4/22/2008 8:41:41 AM

All I can say is check listings regularly. I don't rely on realtors. You know more than they do what you want. Target the areas you're interested in. It becomes almost a second job. Know the streets and houses and listings and what they sold for and how long they're on the market now. Monitor addresses, not MLS#, as those change. You will then see the particular houses you like. Watch them. The weak ones will fall. Be ready. Have credit in order. Debt low. Cash on hand. The really good deals can be found but go very quickly.

Think of it as surfing. You work/swim to get out on the surf line and keep an eye for the wave you want and work/swim to catch it. If you miss it, you have to start over. Good thing is there is another one after it if you miss it.

jpinpb 4/22/2008 8:44:43 AM

Is this listing inactive?

rockybalboa 4/22/2008 9:12:50 AM

Thank you for the good advice - that's what I've been doing. You are right the prices change so fast that when they drop big $$$ they go quickly. I'm in no rush, but looks like some good deals here and there. Have to just be on top of it, when right house comes down.

jpinpb 6/28/2008 12:10:38 AM

So what ever happened to this? Is it now stealth? Not closed.

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