200 New Homes; 14,000 Interested Buyers

A large new master planned development in San Diego offers another anecdote about the state of the real estate market in 2021.

1 minute read

May 21, 2021, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The first homes at San Diego’s newest residential community haven’t even been built yet but the interest list is growing by the minute," reports Philip Molnar.

The 3Roots development will add 1,800 homes on a former quarry in the Mira Mesa neighborhood. While the full amount is excepted to be complete until 2025 or 2026, 200 homes from that total are expected to open this year. The interest list for those 200 homes includes already more than 14,000 households, reports Molnar.

The developers have a gold-plated problem — who gets to buy? At the moment, they say they are still trying to figure that out. New home builders across San Diego County have relied on lotteries or very long wait times for a home after an initial deposit to select residents. Would-be buyers at 3Roots don’t seem concerned about the development’s prices, which start around $600,000 for townhouses and into the millions for single-family homes.

Real estate analysts cited in the article blame the high demand and the ensuing high prices on a shortage of homes available in the region.

This development is also doing a lot to attract potential buyers, according to the article. "The 413-acre 3Roots project has a mix of condos, townhouses, single-family homes and subsidized rentals," reports Molnar, and includes amenities like zen gardens, an extensive trail network, and other recreation facilities.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 in The San Diego Union-Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA