All Forum Posts by: Karen Margrave

What is the zoning? What is the neighborhood like? The devil is in the details. We built a duplex at 219 Avenida de la Grulla in San Clemente, on a 4000 sq. ft. lot. It was 3 stories, with rooftop ocean view decks. In Capistrano Beach, at 27111 Paseo Pinzon, Dana Point, CA we built a 3440 sq. ft. home, 2 stories, with rooftop ocean view decks. Those were in 2017. What you need to do is figure out what the set backs are that are required, and see what you can do. In some of those areas there are those row houses, built on lots that are 3000 s.f. sometimes. It just takes good design. My son designed these. No, he's not an architect, he drew all designs, floor plan, site plan, etc, and we had a structural engineer design his part, and paid an architect to sign off on them.  Orange County Projects  @Bryant Brislin

Curious, did you ever start your project? 

Go in person to the planning department and talk to them. Don't rely on what anyone on BP is going to tell you, because things change. Besides, it's always a good idea to build a good relationship with the Planning and Building departments. 

I'd add something that ties in with the couch. A teal blue. Check out this rug. Then pick up the blue in the window coverings. Pull colors from the rug for accessories. Where is the house located? I bought this rug from Walmart. Love it! I change out rugs a few times a year in my living room. However; you can look for something just the opposite, with more blue, and less orange, since the couch is orange. Look on Walmart, Wayfair, Rugs.com, etc. For the bedrooms and bath, choose colors from the rug, and use them, you can't go wrong! 

Your first trip should be to the Planning Dept and ask if it's possible based on the zoning, and if they would view it favorably. If not, there's no point in going further. 

Did you use any type of underlayment? If not, did the planks have attached underlayment? 

Look on the California State Contractors Board site at the various options. You might be able to find a contractor that will agree to be your qualifier for a fee, etc. Once you have the necessary experience you can get your own license. 

As for the suggestion of getting a contractor to sign off on experience, no legitimate contractor is going to do that, and if they did, and got caught, you'd both be screwed. 

You can be an owner/builder in CA. However; some cities require a contractor to be on the application for permit. Also, lenders usually require a licensed contractor, bond and insurance. 

I'm in Redding, CA, and we have a lot of demand for homes under $450k, and rentals. However the higher end is beginning to soften.  Prices are at all time highs as are rents. We have a lot of investors that rent space  as Airbnb (limited to 400 units)  and room space to students from a local ministry school, as well as others looking for more affordable options. 

 If Trump wins, there may be a little tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel for builders. Supply and demand drives the train. Unfortunately, in CA driving the train is a lot more expensive, as our fuel's touted to go up at least .46 a gallon, and it's already $5. That means the price of everything used in construction goes up, so no help with supply side. Add to that insurance costs, etc. and it's not looking good.

However; what Trump can do that will help is to cut out some of the environmental regulations, etc. that drive the costs of development up. 

Unfortunately all the lawlessness, and homelessness in CA doesn't help. As long as interest rates are going up, there's not many people wanting to sell their homes, unless they're leaving CA, or going into Senior Living, which is happening more and more. 

Then another thing I see coming down the pike is the credit card debt. So many people are living on their cards, hoping that something is going to happen where the cost of living gets lower, and trying to hang on. But, if something doesn't change in the economy, they will fall behind on credit cards, then mortgages, and things will begin to fall. 

As bad as CA is, people won't vote them out. Crazy times. I know we're not supposed to talk politics, but the reality is, it's politicians that set the policies that affect real estate and construction, so it is relevant.