Who should I work with to buy my first home in North Park?
Someone who reads the condo building as carefully as the unit, because that's where North Park first-time buyers get caught. Up to about $1.2 million buys a very nice two- or three-bedroom house; a two-bedroom condo runs about $500,000 to $550,000. (Jared Harman's own read.) I'm Jared Harman, based in North Park.
Published . Last updated . Figures are from my own records unless a source is linked.
- 800+
- homes personally toured in 2025
- ~$990K
- negotiated in credits and price reductions, 12 months through September 2026
- 46
- five-star Google reviews
Is North Park realistic for a first home?
It really depends on the budget. Some first-time buyers are looking up to $1.2 million, and in North Park right now that can get you a very nice two-bedroom, maybe even three-bedroom, detached home. (Jared Harman's own read, not MLS data.)
On the entry-level side, a two-bedroom condo can come in at $500,000, maybe $550,000. (Jared Harman's own read, not MLS data.)
What does a first-time budget buy in North Park right now?
For the zip: through October 2026, the median detached house in 92104 sold for $1,140,000, across 117 sales, and the median condo or townhome for $533,000, down 11.5%, across 97 sales. Data: San Diego MLS via GSDAR, thru October 2026.
92104 also covers part of University Heights, so these are zip figures, not North Park alone. Medians do not account for seller concessions.
My rule of thumb: a two-bedroom North Park condo listed above about $700,000 is probably overpriced from day one, depending on parking, finishes and the building. (Jared Harman's professional opinion.)
What do first-time buyers get wrong about North Park condos?
A lot of first-time buyers don't understand the nuances of buying a condo: building approvals, HOAs, and the rules that keep getting tighter. Lenders look at the building too. Fannie Mae, for one, won't back loans in a condo project that needs critical repairs (Fannie Mae Selling Guide).
A lot of North Park condo buildings date from around the 1970s and 1980s, and there are typically maintenance items that got put off or never handled. (Jared Harman's own read, not a count.)
There are often problems with the HOA. Not always, but it's increasingly common.
Why are North Park HOA fees so high?
Because those buildings are having to catch up. That is pushing HOA fees up.
People need to swallow the tough pill of a $500 a month HOA as a first-time buyer. It seems outrageous, but that's how buildings are having to adjust. (Jared Harman's own read, not MLS data.)
A fee that looks cheap can be the bigger problem. My rule of thumb on low HOA fees, and what I read in the HOA documents, in my condo or house answer.
What should a first-time buyer check on a North Park house?
Most North Park houses went up between about 1915 and 1930, so expect the foundation, the roof and the sewer line to come up. What an inspection usually finds here.
Down payment, loan options and the help that exists are on my first-home page.
How do I pick an agent for a first purchase in North Park?
Ask every agent for numbers, not adjectives. How many homes have they toured in the last year? Will they personally attend your showings? Can you leave the agreement if it is not working?
My answers: 800+ homes personally toured in 2025, and a cancel-anytime guarantee. (From my own records.) I attend showings personally. On the rare occasion I cannot, it is someone I have trained myself.
The one question I'd ask a first-time buyer agent on the first call. More on choosing an agent in North Park.
What do first-time buyers say about working with me?
From my Google reviews. They do not say which neighborhood the home was in.
- "When it came down to making offers, Jared's skill in selling us and our story to the sellers definitely helped us get into the house we wanted with little to no competition!" Jenny C., November 2025.
- "Jared did an amazing job helping me find my first home. He was communicative, attentive and listened to me." Isabel M., October 2025.
Who is Jared Harman?
Jared Harman is a real estate agent and REALTOR® in San Diego, California, with 46 five-star Google reviews. He is licensed under DRE 02193879 with MatchPoint at eXp Realty of California, Inc. He is based in North Park and works with first-time and repeat buyers across the central San Diego neighborhoods.
Jared Harman has 46 Google reviews, all five stars. He has sold $14M+ in real estate so far in 2026. His videos reach about 250,000 people in San Diego every month, which is where his listings get seen. He personally toured 800+ homes in 2025. In the last 12 months he negotiated about $990,000 in credits and price reductions for his clients.