Considering Moving to This House

[TromboneAl]

We're considering moving because more and more houses are being built around ours.

Here's a house we've looked at:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1622-Patricks-Point-Dr-Trinidad-CA-95570/18845477_zpid/

It's in the redwoods, isolated from other houses, and within easy biking distance to the small town of Trinidad.

The big disadvantages:

1. One-car garage, meaning our truck would have to sit outside in the salt air (1,000 ft from ocean).

2. Really steep driveway (We visited it after a windstorm when there was a lot of duff on the driveway. If I hadn't turned on the 4-wheel drive, we would have gotten stuck). Turning around at the top of the driveway may require a 5-point turn.

3. We would have to move (that is, not stay in our current house).

Thoughts?

 

[cathy63]

Looks beautiful. Does it qualify for transferring your Prop 13 basis from your current residence? How sure are you that you won't have the same problems of neighbors closing in after a few years? It'd be a shame to go to the trouble of moving only to have the same issues.

Does the salt air really do a number on cars there? We're about the same distance from the ocean here and don't get salt corrosion on cars parked outside, and I haven't heard family in Mendocino complain about that either. Lighter metals, like aluminum window screen frames and such, do show pitting though.

I don't suppose ice will ever be a factor on that driveway given the proximity to the ocean, but what about trying to get up it in a heavy rainstorm? Any erosion concerns?

 

[HarveyS]

if you have identified 3 big disadvantages, I'd say NO.

 

[Ronstar]

The first 2 disadvantages you mention would be deal breakers for me.

 

[Jerry1]

Listing says there are three parking places and the garage door looks like a 2 car garage. I'm sure you know because you've been there but why the difference?

You mention the disadvantages. What about the advantages? The picture of the house showing a pretty big tree looks awesome. Are you nearer the ocean? Is the town really cool? Plus, you've mentioned that you're concerned about the number of houses growing in your current location so I'm assuming this is more remote - that mush be desirable. Also, per the listing:

What I love about this home

There is a 14 by 14 kennel building that could be used as hobby or grow room.

You'd be all set.

 

[ocean view]

If you’re biking into town I assume you’re okay with pushing your bike back up the really steep driveway. Or are you and Lena in good enough shape to pedal up?

 

[davebarnes]

No pulls on the kitchen cabinets. I say no.

 

[TromboneAl]

How sure are you that you won't have the same problems of neighbors closing in after a few years? It'd be a shame to go to the trouble of moving only to have the same issues.

Neighbor to north is one of our favorite restaurants (Larrupin' Cafe). Lot to south is occupied, but the neighbor is far away. Just those roads on the east and west.

Listing says there are three parking places and the garage door looks like a 2 car garage. I'm sure you know because you've been there but why the difference?

The garage used to be a two-car garage, but they added a downstairs bathroom that uses up that second space. It would work for a second car if it were four feet long.

Could you fit three cars at the top? Not really. IOW, the listing is misleading.

I haven't looked into Prop 13 stuff.

Owner willing to pave the driveway, but it would still be an issue.

 

[GravitySucks]

Traffic? Will you miss that ocean view?
You'd still be in the PG&E area.
Kennel will be nice when the granddog visits.

 

[COcheesehead]

It looks dated. Something to think about.

 

[fisherman]

If I am following the zilliow sale info correctly it's been for sale for three years. Here in our growing town in fly over country homes sell in two weeks. I know that is fast but three years what's is the reason for that?

 

[Sunset]

With all the forest, and a lack of a fire break around the house, what is the possibility of a wildfire ?

Perhaps so close to the ocean breeze will push away fires ?

 

[Freedom56]

Real estate is all about location, location, location... Sorry but 0/3 for this one considering where it is and how much they are asking.

 

[Telly]

If I am following the zilliow sale info correctly it's been for sale for three years. Here in our growing town in fly over country homes sell in two weeks. I know that is fast but three years what's is the reason for that?

It's worse than that... clicking the More History, it's been On/Off/On/Off/On/etc./etc. the market since fall of 2015! 4 years! Off the market just a short time, then back On again, repeating.

T-Al, do you really want a two-story house? (at your age? I don't have one at mine)

Can an ambulance make it up that hill? (reminded of the Benny Hill skit... The Dr. on house call reassures the beautiful young wife that her husband the old geezer will pull through, then, as he leaves the sick room, mutters to himself "I don't know how we'll get a coffin down these stairs!")
Would a fire department bother to respond?

For me, it would be an absolute NO. But, I'm not you, I can't toot a note

 

[Bamaman]

That's a lot of money for such few square feet. But of course, it's California.

I'm moving right now, and appalled at how much stuff we've accumulated. Such a place wouldn't work for us.

 

[pb4uski]

1. Is there room on the lot to build a detached garage for the truck and additional storage?
2. Buy 4WD. AWD vehicles, but then you have visitors.
3. Hire movers.

Nice house. I like the kitchen cabinets... cherry? I would live with the doors but might add pulls. Also, the dishwasher on the left of the kitchen sink would bug me but I might get used to it.

 

[TromboneAl]

Great advice.

>Visitors
Yes, excellent point. I can clearly see someone with poor driving skills having a major problem.

 

[target2019]

Falling Redwood Debris. Check the roof in the dog kennel photo.

I'd like to stay there for a few weeks vacation each year. It is beautiful.

 

[OldShooter]

About 25 years ago we bought and extensively remodeled what we still expect to be our final house. We are on a slight hill about 50' from the Mississippi river in our back yard. It's beautiful. The house is all on one level. Interior doorways are 36" or 30." No doorknobs, only L-handles. Just two steps up gets someone into the house and there is an easy way to add a wheelchair ramp.

As I watch DW wheel her walker around after a knee replacement two weeks ago, I am very pleased with the decisions we made back then.

How will your candidate house work for a person using a walker or a wheelchair or for someone with badly arthritic hands? Is there a private bedroom/bath that a care attendant could use? Is it feasible to add grab rails wherever they might be needed? If the answers to these and similar questions are not all positive then it's the wrong choice for an aging couple.

 

[W2R]

How will your candidate house work for a person using a walker or a wheelchair or for someone with badly arthritic hands? Is there a private bedroom/bath that a care attendant could use? Is it feasible to add grab rails wherever they might be needed? If the answers to these and similar questions are not all positive then it's the wrong choice for an aging couple.

These were my thoughts, as well.

Al, this house looks great for you right NOW.... but unless you enjoy moving, I'd suggest looking for a house that will be great for you for the next 20 years or so.

My Dream Home already had been modified to be appropriate for older ages. The house and yard are both very "easy care" now that I have had the yard re-landscaped. It's just a mile or two from a great hospital and medical corridor. These are the kind of features that I think will be helpful to me as I (hopefully!) grow older.

 

[MRG]

Nice.

Two things come to mind. Ever live in the trees? Lots of shade and debris, not necessarily bad just something to consider. How is the kennel inside? We inherited one on a property, don't think it's ever going to be anything but a kennel.

 

[pacergal]

Nice house, beautiful view/property.
My concerns are those others have expressed: looks a bit dated, not one level, so may not be good for aging in place, also the steep drive/roadway not conducive to visitors or Emergency Vehicles?
I do not like big trees next to my house, so that would be a deal breaker for me!

 

[Sue J]

No pulls on the kitchen cabinets. I say no.

If you watch the video walk through the hardware has been added to the kitchen cabinets and drawers. It's at the bottom of the selection of pictures on the Zillow listing.

 

[davebarnes]

If you watch the video walk through the hardware has been added to the kitchen cabinets and drawers. It's at the bottom of the selection of pictures on the Zillow listing.

Thanks for spotting that.
My objection is rescinded.

 

[Major Tom]

Regarding the issue of transferring your Prop 13 tax basis. I did a quick Google search, and came up with the following page from the Sacramento County Assessor's Office website. I don't know what county you currently live in Al. I know it isn't Sacramento County, but much of the information here is applicable to all of California -

Proposition 13 Base Year Value Transfers to Replacement Properties

According to the above, it is possible to transfer your Prop 13 tax basis if -

1) You are buying a replacement property in the same county or,
2) You are buying a property in a county that allows such transfers. Currently the counties which allow it are -

Alameda
Riverside
San Mateo
Ventura
Los Angeles
San Bernardino
Santa Clara
Orange
San Diego
Tuolumne

This is a one-time benefit for over 55 year-olds (it's great being old!) Obviously, you'll need to do your own research. If retaining the same tax basis for the purpose of property taxes is important to you, this would be worth looking into, as it may well inform the areas in which you look.

The other main issue that occurred to me is another one that has already been mentioned, and that is the potential fire risk. As I understand it, Redwoods are not particularly prone to fire. I'm also wondering, as another poster did, whether the greater humidity in the air due to the proximity to the coast, would help to lessen the fire risk.