I posted this on breaktime, and I figured someone here might be able to give a little input
My wife is probably getting transfered to the Visalia area. I know there are some of you that hang out here that are in the Central Ca area.
After looking at the availbilty/cost of homes, I don’t think we will find anything that will suit or needs. Older 1200sqft homes on postage stamps are going in the $400k range. Finding out some of this info will help make a better decision as to whether to take this job or not. It’s hard to leave our lake front home setting, but employment sucks where we are now(Western Wash Coast)
What I would like to know is the avererage cost for foundation(I perfer raised over slab), framing, roofing and drywall. All the rest I can handle if needed. Wouldn’t mind knowing the average fees in building/utilites.
I don’t want hard, binding numbers, just give me an idea of what to expect on a simple home with 3bdrm/2bth approx 1700-1900 sqft simple exterior/interior. Simple gable roof with maybe a valley or two. Only thing out of the ordinary is a attached/detached 1900 sqft garage in the 26-28 width.
Can any of you help shed the light on this ??
Thanks in advance, Brian
Replies
If you think employment sucks where you are now, wait till you come face to face with CA building codes!!!!!!
My sons house in Tracy CA, which he purchased for $325K five years ago, was recently appraised at $475. It's a track home setting on a postage stamp lot.
Here in Texas, if ya own property in an unincorporated area, you can build what you want, how you want, and at whatever pace you want.
ps - my sons house if here in southern Texas would sell for about $120K.
PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
PlaneWood
For new tract housing, figure $245 sq ft finish w/o carpeting/tile/window coverings, etc.
For new custom spec homes, $325 & up a square.
For the garage, figure 175-200/sq.
Location plays a big role in lot cost.
As far as average fees go, they vary greatly by city & agency. If you need a sewer tap, that will set you back good chunk of change. Plan on a grading plan, EIR, soils report, title 24 study, and all the other fun stuff to submit to the city or county. Check with the local utility to see how much they charge for dropping new service to your site.
I'd recommend contacting an architect in the area. They usually are pretty up to date with the costs / sq, fees, challenges different cities/agencies may have. They also can help line you up with a submittal person so you don't waste alot of time bouncing back and forth between counters. Out here ( in planning & building depts) they use alot of contract employees that float between cities & counties, so you may not deal with the same person all of the time.
Now if you want to relocate further south in CA, I know somebody who could make you a great deal on a great house wired for 220V in the garage and a good DC system ready to go with a backbench & miter saw station & lumber storage.
Migraine,
Can't help you with building costs, but Visalia is one of the few places left in the Central Valley where prices are reasonable.
2200 sq ft with pool, $320,000
Lots are reasonable as well, so if you want to build it's a fair option, unlike Fresno and Clovis, where investors push the prices up.
Home cost in central ca..
EXPENSIVE and UP from there?
I'm a Realtor in the S.F bay area and I sympathize with your situation the prices are really driven by cheep money (low interest rates) For the central valley lots of those buyers are people from the bay area and commuting to working in the bay area. Talk to an agent in the area you are looking for and try and find a fixer in the town you want to live in you might also look at places like Lodi and the areas north of Fresno. There is a good article in The annual fine Home Building mag about construction costs. Good Luck
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