San Diego Real Estate - A Home Buyer's Guide to San Diego
San Diego is one of the most popular places to live in California. There's plenty of culture and outdoor activities, beautiful beaches, and great weather practically year-round. So if you're considering buying a home in San Diego, you'll have plenty to support your decision.
San Diego's Geography
If you plan to buy a home in San Diego, California, you'll need to be
familiar with the basic geography. In San Diego County, you could have
a home by the ocean, a home in the mountains, or a home in the desert
... without going too far in any one direction. There's no shortage of
geographical diversity in San Diego!
San Diego sits on the coast of Southern California, just a few miles north of the Mexican border at Tijuana. When looking at a map of the U.S., you'll find San Diego in the extreme southwestern corner of the map.
San Diego's Population
San Diego is the second-largest city in California, and the 8th largest
in the United States. In 2005, the city of San Diego had a population
of 1,255,540, and San Diego County had a population of 2,933,462. San
Diego's continues to grow steadily, as people pour into the city for
its beautiful weather and lifestyle.
San Diego's population growth shows no signs of stopping. Whether that's a good or bad thing depends on who you ask. But if you're buying a home in San Diego, it's something you need to keep in mind.
Home Builders in San Diego
Because of the city's consistent growth, you'll find a large variety of
home builders in San Diego, California. As with home builders in any
other state, you should carefully review the credentials and past work
of a San Diego home builder before choosing one. If at all possible,
try to talk to a homeowner who worked with the builder in the past.
San Diego Schools
The quality of schools is important for all San Diego home buyers,
regardless of whether or not you have school-aged children. Schools
have a direct impact on home values. So before buying a home in San
Diego, you need to do a bit of homework on the school situation.
Most public schools in San Diego fall under the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), the second-largest school district in California, serving nearly 133,000 students. As for colleges and universities, San Diego is home to the following:
- University of San Diego
- University of California, San Diego
- San Diego State University
- Platt College (Design, multimedia, etc.)
- A variety of technical, vocational and art-related schools
San Diego Real Estate Agents
When buying a home in San Diego, it's a smart idea to have a real
estate agent assist you. After all, San Diego real estate can be pretty
expensive -- the last thing you want to do is make a costly error
during the home buying process.
If you have a friend or family member who has bought a home in San Diego recently, ask if they would refer their agent. Otherwise, you can search online or check the San Diego Association of Realtors website.
It's best to choose an experienced agent who was been part of the San Diego real estate scene for some time. The San Diego real estate market moves quickly, and the average home price is higher that the national average, so you'll need an experienced pro in your corner.
Learn More
Brandon Cornett is the publisher of HomeBuyingInstitute.com, the
Internet’s largest library of home buying advice. For more information
on San Diego real estate (or general advice on buying a home), visit http://www.homebuyinginstitute.com