SAN DIEGO -- Want to own a home in an area with a good elementary school? Here's an idea: start by buying one in an area without one, and then trade up.
A new study by property databate Attom -- the parent company of Realtytrac -- found homes in ZIP codes without a good elementary school are appreciating faster than homes that are located in one with a good school.
Attom defines a good school as one with overall test scores at least one-third above the state average.
Homes in San Diego County in areas without "good" elementary schools appreciated 60 percent over the last five years. Home values in areas with good schools rose 50 percent in that same time.
The trend is continuing this year, with home values in ZIP codes without good schools rising seven percent, compared to five percent in those without.
"Home prices in ZIP codes without any good schools tend to be more volatile, which might work to a homeowner's financial benefit in the short term," said Daren Blomquist, Attom's senior vice president.
Here is the list of the 15 ZIP codes in the county without good schools:
91911 - Chula Vista
91945 - Lemon Grove
91950 - National City
91977 - Spring Valley
92021 - El Cajon
92026 - Escondido
92028 - Fallbrook
92054 - Oceanside
92081 - Vista
92082 - Valley Center
92084 - Vista
92101 - Downtown
92116 - Normal Heights
92139 - Paradise Hills
