Page 39 of 7 Miles High
Chapter 13
Parker
“So, have you looked in this area before or used another realtor?” Natalie asks.
“No realtor. I’ve taken a few rides through San Juan and San Clemente. You know, just looking at different neighborhoods. I went through a handful of properties. But that’s all.”
She scrolls through the pictures of houses on her iPad and settles on one. The pad is angled for me to see.
“We’ve got a few open houses to look at, but first I want to take you to this home I found. It’s a little out of your target area. It just came on the market yesterday.”
“Where’s that?”
“It’s in Carlsbad. It’s perfect on paper. Do you think you would be close enough to Los Angeles? Your work?”
I do the math. The film business has changed. A lot. So many productions are filmed on location where the tax benefits outweigh the costs. Even when we film in Southern California oftentimes it’s in San Fernando or Simi Valley.
“It could work. An extra half hour either way won’t be a deal breaker.”
We drive in silence, as she looks over her picks and I navigate the crowded freeway. San Juan to Carlsbad is a great drive. I’ve made it often, heading for my favorite bars and clubs there. Also in Del Mar and La Jolla.
“After we see the house, let’s have lunch. I know a great place.”
“Sure. We’ve got all afternoon.”
Siri: In five hundred feet take exit forty-nine, Trakon Ave.
Moving to the far right lane I head for our turnoff.
Siri: Trakon exit next right.
As I move into the lane, Natalie turns off the app. “I know the way from here. Turn left at the light and right at the first stop sign.”
I follow the directions and soak in the neighborhood as we wind up a hill. Nice. Majestic palm trees and red-tiled roofs. Dog walkers. Surfboards sticking out of the back windows of Woody’s and SUV’s.
“It’s a pretty neighborhood and the homeowners take care of their yards,” she says. “Oh look! I can see the ocean. I think this house has a limited water view, but nonetheless it’s got one.”
“I hope it’s not an association. Forgot to tell you I’d rather not be part of that.”
Her head tilts. “They’re not such a bad idea. There’s pros and cons. I wouldn’t rule it out, because there’s a lot of them here in Southern California.”
“James has had some experience with one and said he would never buy a home in a planned community. But that’s all I’m going off of.”
“Well you’re in luck. This street isn’t part of an association. There it is. The one-story white house on the right.”
When I lay eyes on it I get a kind of feeling I’m not familiar with. It’s a sort of déjà vu sense of knowing. Of familiarity. Interesting because I’ve never been on this street before. Never seen the house. I love the look of the Spanish-style home with a red clay roof.
“There’s a lot of cars parked on the street. That could be an issue,” I say, parking three houses past the one I’m going to look at.
“Hate to tell you, but I think everyone got the memo. This is a good house in a great location. And above all reasonably priced.”
We exit the car and continue the conversation.
“How much are they asking?”
“Seven hundred forty thousand. There’s no use looking at homes out of your price range, but you should buy at the top of your comfort zone.”
“Let’s give it a look.”
