HousingJan 1, 2020
LinkedInLeetKing

Townhomes in the Bay Area

Looking to buy a townhome in Mountain View/Sunnyvale (1.3M-1.6M) as I cannot afford SFHs in MTV/Sunnyvale (all the decent ones are 1.8M+). Any builder I should stay away from? Looking at Lennar, Taylor Morrison and Summerhill. Any builder I should consider, but I’m not? Thanks! Edit: Also open to learning about good zip codes in Santa Clara or San Jose with a 30 minute commute to Sunnyvale and SFH under 1.5M.

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Google pc-princip Jan 1, 2020

But a sfh in Santa Clara.. Or San Jose? Unless you like living in 3 story box homes

LinkedIn LeetKing OP Jan 1, 2020

Prioritising MTV/Sunnyvale locations over commute from Santa Clara or San Jose. What are good zip codes in Santa Clara or San Jose for SFHs under 1.5M?

Google pc-princip Jan 1, 2020

Try 95051. Is pretty close to Google and LinkedIn Sunnyvale offices.

Uber mdeio Jan 1, 2020

Summerhill quality is great. Stay away from Pulte. Never saw others.

LinkedIn LeetKing OP Jan 1, 2020

Thanks!

Esurance tech85 Jan 2, 2020

Why Pulte? Pulte will have the best quality. Any bad experience with Pulte ?

LinkedIn LeetKing OP Jan 1, 2020

So who buys these townhomes in good locations? Second/investment homes for those with house already paid off?

Google pc-princip Jan 2, 2020

Lot of ppl buy townhomes in Sunnyvale. I had the choice between Sunnyvale th and Santa Clara sfh and I went with the latter. Sfh has better value long term and generally better like style imo

Facebook public2 Jan 1, 2020

Keep saving and buy a sfh. Thank me later.

Apple carmax Jan 1, 2020

Sfh gets better marginally compared to townhomes, esp in bay area

Facebook public2 Jan 1, 2020

Infinitely better is significantly :)

Uber why!? Jan 1, 2020

Sfh are rare to come by especially in a decent price range. Plus older sfh not worth it

Facebook public2 Jan 1, 2020

Older houses are better. The new home meme always makes me laugh and think of steve martin asking to waiter to stop bringing the old wine and start bringing new/fresh wine.

LinkedIn LeetKing OP Jan 1, 2020

@public2 Why are older houses better?

Informatica tc_chaser Jan 1, 2020

I live in Sunnyvale closer to LI offices. My rent increased from 2325 -> 2450 -> 2650 for a junior 1b/1b. The current rate is 2850 if I have to take it as new tenant. There is a difference between need and what you would like to have if there is a choice. Obviously sfh is preferable. There are no new sfh's even in 1.75 mn range. If you consider the expenses for the old homes, it's not worth doing it. Your kids might enjoy having a swing or slide in the backyard but what's the point if you work far and can't enjoy the time. Buy a 1.2-1.3 mn decent new townhome and spend quality time with family. If things work out you can buy sfh later or some investment properties.

Yahoo FFnl47 Jan 2, 2020

Just curious. Are you a staff s/w eng?

Tintri sVix35 Jan 3, 2020

Best option is SFH in 95051

Facebook bibo Jan 4, 2020

I like Taylor Morrison, they do good, design and functionality, street parking for visitors maybe scarce.

SAP YOuV73 Jan 6, 2020

We are in the same situation . We initially decided to keep the budget to be around 1.5 for our home, but not sure if that’s a wise decision for our take home. Could you please let me know what is your household income ?