By Tyson Lund

With over 1,500 residences sold so far this year, Carlsbad continues to be a highly sought after location to live.  With the average sales price for a Detached Carlsbad home around $875,000, many are asking what choices are available for the first-time home buyer.  This month we'll briefly explore neighborhoods which offer great value, but without a heavy price-tag.

$200's

The least expensive property in Carlsbad currently resides for around $250,000 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condominium in The Grove on Hosp Way, a condominium complex built in the 70's, however has undergone an extensive remodel.  2 bedroom units are in the high 200's.  There are 20 or so available homes in Carlsbad at or below $299,000.    If the condominium has been remodeled and near $300, it is a 1 bedroom.  A 2 bedroom at around this price can be expected to need some work.   There were 19 sales this year in Carlsbad below $300,000.   Communities to consider:  1 bedroom in La Costa Alta.  A newer complex built in the early 90's, it offers its residents a plethora of amenities and walking distance to the elementary school.    

$300's

Your choices expand in the $300's.  All detached homes within this price range are within 55 and up communities (excellent options for those who fit within the requirements).   The attached properties within the $300's are an average of 1,200 sq.ft with 2 bedrooms.  A majority of the complexes have community spa and pool areas.  There are any few options within Rancho Carrillo, a master plan community of 1800 homes.   The majority of   homes in Rancho Carrillo are detached and the attached options are mostly in the $400's, however Serrano is one attached neighborhood that has a couple excellent options in this price range.    If you desire to be close to the coast buyers then visit Alta Mira in South Carlsbad.  Alta Mira's best attribute is its location.  Not only in close proximity to local shopping, beaches and schools, Alta Mira's hill-top location blesses many units with unobstructed ocean views.  Several 2 bedroom 2 bath units have sold recently within the high 300's with panoramic ocean views.  And since water, trash and exterior building maintenance is covered in the HOA Fees, many in search of an ideal vacation home have found Alta Mira.  Other communities to consider:  La Costa Alta, Navarra Lane , Tanglewood Villas, The Villas of Calavera Hills

$400's

Detached homes still elude the $400,000 mark, however within this price range town homes and condominium options that the buyers have our phenomenal.   You are able to find excellent 2.5 bedroom homes with gorgeous upgrades or a 3 bedroom with moderate improvements.  You have choices in North Carlsbad near Calavera Hills, a beach close location at Villa Pacifica or many locations around the La Costa Golf course.  A good value in North Carlsbad happens to be at Mystic Point, a community within the Calavera Hills area.   Currently they have only a few phases left before they're finished with the project, and there are some owners currently re-selling their homes as well.   Brookfield, the builder, has reduced its offering price from previous phases in order to finish up with the project.   It stands as a great value.  The drawbacks are the HOA fees combined with the mello-roos fees.  If you are in search of something closer to the beach, go and see the remaining condo's at Villa Pacifica, a recent conversion project near the Carlsbad downtown.  It's 2-block proximity to Tamarack beach and the Carlsbad seawall are ideal for those wanting a beach escape, and the developer did a fantastic job on the interior remodel of the units.   Other neighborhoods to consider:  Portico of Rancho Carrillo, Sea Point in La Costa, Cherry Tree Walk near Aviara.

$500's