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Encinitas Homes - Cottages at the Beach at The Sands in Leucadia

Encinitas homes at The Sands in Leucadia If you are dreaming of a cottage at the beach, The Sands on the Coast Highway in Leucadia (Encinitas) may have just what you are looking for, especially if your budget is limited.

Leucadia home (cottages) at The Sands (hmm, is it named for being near the beach or after the famous Sands Hotel which used to be on The Strip in Las Vegas?) are fairly small, as are the lots, but consider this community is within a 5 minute WALK to some of the area’s nicest beaches (Grandview - see photo below; Beacon’s) where you can enjoy terrific surfing, walks, and great sunsets. A number of restaurants are within walking distance (my favorite is Le Papagayo) as is some shopping, small business services, a number of surf shops, and the well known Leucadia Donut Shop.

Street view in The Sands in Leucadia Currently there are 5 Leucadia homes for sale in this small community, ranging in price from $69,000 to $189,900 for 1 - 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom. Negotiations are underway that MAY allow ownership of the land.

Now before you gasp at the prices:

please be aware that these properties are unique in that you own the home but not the land, which is leased
they are mobile (manufactured) housing with wood skirting and other add-ons, built primarily in the 2002 – 2004 period
These are land lease properties, thus you own the unit but not the land, which is leased from the mobile home park for around $995/month (this includes water, trash and sewer)
Financing for mobile homes can be difficult to get and expensive since the homes are not attached to a foundation and could, theoretically, be readily moved. Lenders may charge more for loans, or even not loan on this type of property, so cash is the best way to go. There are a couple of banks in the area that were lending in 2008 but things may have become more restricted in the current mortgage market.

These facts contribute to the amazing prices for being so close to the beach. But as a second home (or even using it for a rental, which is permitted – a current lease is $1100 on one unit), who cares?

A cottage at The Sands in Leucadia

An application is before the Department of Real Estate in California (DRE) to hopefully obtain approval for the lots to be sold (estimates of pricing are $170,000). Current owners will have the opportunity to buy their land if they wish to continue renting.

Grandview Beach in Leucadia Stairs to Grandview Beach in Leucadia

If you would like more information about these Encinitas homes in funky Leucadia just a few minutes from one of the best beaches in the area, please feel free to call or text me at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

NOTE - UPDATE AS OF JANUARY 2009

There are 6 homes for sale in this complex now, ranging from $54,900 (for a 1 bedroom 1 bath) to $142,000 for a 3 bedroom 2 bath home. PRicing has not been established for the lost and the final approval process, to the best of my knowledge, has not

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If I can provide more information about Carlsbad and surrounding areas, or the housing market in general, or otherwise assist you in your homes search, please contact me by phone or text at (760) 840-1360 or email me at JDowler@remax.net.

been completed.

Posted by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate ~ 760-840-1360 on 01/22/2008 07:41 PM

Comments (19)

Manufactured Housing at the Beach in the Real Estate Market Channel

encinitas, encinitas homes, encinitas real estate, leucadia, leucadia homes, leucadia real estate, buyers, jeff dowler

Originally posted at: Carlsbad Real Estate News and Views: Encinitas Homes - Cottages at the Beach at The Sands in Leucadia

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19 Comments on Encinitas Homes - Cottages at the Beach at The Sands in Leucadia

JAN

2008

Hi Jeff,

These are interesting places, I had no idea they existed there. They sort of remind me the places that used to be in Paradise Cove a little north in the OC. They were there for years.

Jeff- Can't believe there are cottages so close to the water at these prices.. they are adorable..

JAN

2008

The Leucadia mobile home parks are very cool places and have had major improvements made to them in the last 8 years. The Encinitas city council is having a workshop on Feb. 20 about creating a plan to preserve our quaint and unique parks. Anyone interested in this should attend.

Lynda - they made me think of that area too, although this is pretty crowded space, and no views. There are a bunch of these sorts of communities in Leucadia - gives it lots of character.

Jeff

Kaye - they really are cute. I have not yet toured them but they are on the list - I have someone who may be interested. The prices are good but you have to keep in mind the ownership/land lease situation.

Jeff

JP - thanks for the information. That's very useful, and I expect some readers will tkae advantage. Than you for bringing it to our attention. There are lots of these areas in Leucadia, as you are well aware.

Jeff

Jeff, yep these loans are scarce, I know the Mortgage Company I work for does not do these. Mobil Homes and Land Leases are not a good combination. But the price is about what the downpayment would be out there on a normal home.

FEB

2008

Now you know, I am only the wife of the realtor, not the realtor.....but I have to give you my two cents about these cute little places at the beach. Why not buy a great condo near your work in Encinitas, Carlsbad (lots of businesses in the Carlsbad Industrial Park), Oceanside or in downtown San Diego and then ALSO buy one of these cute little places at the beach. Rent the cute little place out during the week while you are working/slaving away...and disappear to the beach place on the weekend. Or live in your close-to-work condo for a few weeks, rent your cute beach place for those weeks, then go to your beach get-away when you are not renting it out. This has got to work for somebody....seems like such a great way to go. Beach lovers......something to consider. --- Kay (Jeff's wife with an opinion)

Thanks, George. That confirms what I have heard and been told.

Jeff

Kay - well that makes lots of sense to me. Know anyone who might be interested?

Jeff

AUG

2008

The Sands Mobile Home Park is owned by a "Predatory Owner", who is asking an outrageous sum of money for the lots. He is also charging a $995/Mo. for space rent, which is at least $300 over the market rent for the area! It's a nightmare for the people living there!

Concerned Resident - hey thanks for sharing that. I was not up to date on pricing for these kinds of lots so can;t comment. I have also heard from other folks that the pricing on the lots may be fairly high, if/when it gets to the point of approval so they can be sold. I understand residents will have an option whether to buy or not. Last I heard the estimate of pricing was about $170K. Unfortunately, small lots near the ocean are very expensive when sold individual - I have not done an analysis to see whether these lots (which are tiny) are even close to market value or not. I have heard rumors of much higher prices but there is nothing public yet since they are not approved for sale.

If there is other information to share, please do so. I'm sure other folks, including those who may want to buy here, would be interested.

Thanks.

Jeff

DEC

2008

Nifty place! Any other areas or parks with these creative mobile homes, as opposed to your traditional aluminum sided boxes? My husband and I are thinking of moving down south and with not a lot of dough this might be the way to go. But really can't handle senior citizen or trailer trash type parks... we'd like something like this... a lot! Also didn't I see some incredible park in Newport beach somewhere? Do you know the name?

JAN

I am shocked at the lot price! $170K for such a tiny space that's so close to neighbors?! There MUST be a way that the community can work together to ensure those prices are lower, especially when there are so many lots on one large lot! Also, are the cottage style homes required to be installed on the lots? If so, don't know how you can put up with the crook who charges so much!

Interested Party - I have not heard anything more about the lot prices so not usre if that is what the owner is still hoping for or not. Given the location there certainly is some value to land but the lots, as you seem to know, are very small. I would be surprised if folks would pay this much for them, given the type of development and the size of the homes that can be sited there. Just because the seller would like that price does not mean he will get it. The buyer will have to be a cash buyer or be able to get a loan for land and then it would likely be subject to some valuation by the bank. And there may still be some restrictions on the type of homes that be there give what already exists.

If I learn anything more I will be happy to share it here.

Jeff

MAR

$170,000 for a lot near the beach sounds like a great deal. Houses in the immediate neighborhood sell for over $1 million. These lots are a steal.

MAR

Neighbor - Being so close to the beach really does add value. Are those very small lots where you can only add a manufactured home worth that much? We'lll see what the market has to say. Some folks in the community are shocked at the rumored price. Haven't heard recently what the owner is thinking about.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this great area by the beach.

Jeff

JUL

Do these ever come up for rent? I am planning to move to the areas from the east coast in January and this looks like the idea scenario How woudl I go about finding out when and if units are coming up for rent?

SEP

My unit is available to rent - Please contact me for more information.

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