Bon Voyage Irvine, Hello Fullerton: Story of Finding our Dream Home

Mcdonna1980_IHB

New member
The two year house hunt has finally come to a close. The process was certainly tiring and tested our patience many times but we found a home that was worth the wait.



We began looking for a home in the winter of 2007. Our search for a home first began in Irvine and gradually branched out across Orange County. We put offers on homes ALL OVER the place but luckily none of them panned out.



My husband and I could never agree on any of the homes. Everything he liked, I would hate and vice versus. Many times, either he or I probably could have pushed one another into to settling for X house. But we kept at it, looking for ?the one? that would make us both happy. Our dissimilarity was quite a blessing in disguise, though, as some of the houses we came very close to buying declined tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Quite frankly, I don?t think either one of us knew exactly what we were looking for. I?m glad we explored many different options. We feel extremely confident now, the home we bought couldn?t be any better.



We bought a house like this. It?s in Fullerton, close to the downtown. I hope it has the Bk stamp of approval.



<img src="http://0101.netclime.net/1_5/063/2f0/198/1236348932510468.png" alt="" />





Irvine Renter, I was a good student. I exercised self control on the WTF houses above rental parity. The IHB calculator says my cost to own this house is $500 less than the cost to rent. Big thanks to you as if it wasn't for my daily Blog studies I?d probably be trapped in an ill-suited house and severely underwater right now.



I can assure you, T (aka USCTrojanCPA), is not being paid for his rave reviews. He is just providing full service to his clients for half cost. And he is just the easiest person to work with. We started our journey with T in January. Even after 11 months of looking, never once did I feel pressure from him to buy. I truly felt he had put my interest ahead of his. When I did ask for his opinion he was always eager to help & brainstorm with me. And had it not been for him contacting me first thing in the morning, the day my prefect house, for the prefect price, in my prefect neighborhood, on the exact street I told him I wanted to live on, I would have probably been crying right now about how I let my dream home slip through my fingers. We love ya, T!



Well, that?s all I got for now. Stay tune for the update on whether my dream house & neighborhood turns out how I envisioned it to be. And stay tune for the big house party in honor of all my IHB forum comrades that provide the savviest guidance on the web!
 
Thanks for sharing your experience with us all Mcdonna1980! Congratulations and I'm looking forward to hearing about your updates!
 
Congrats, McD! I know you guys have waited a long time for this and you made a very educated choice. I'm glad this website has been of help to your family. Here's wishing you many happy years in your new home.
 
I am very fortunate that I was able to help you guys find your dream home and I'm happier that you guys didn't settle to buy just anything. When I saw that home pop up in the morning on MLS the first thing I thought was that I needed to send you the listing because as I titled the e-mail...."This could be it"...I really had a feeling deep down inside it was the right home for you guys. To see how happy you guys were when I called to let you know the home was yours is one of the main reasons why I began working with buyers. Our experience goes to show that good things do come to those who wait and act quickly when the time is right. I'm looking forward to the housewarming party after you guys get settled in because you guys have that large backyard.



Btw, did you make that sketch of the house?
 
[quote author="USCTrojanCPA" date=1257497362]



Btw, did you make that sketch of the house?</blockquote>


Na, I wish. I Googled "bungalow" and filtered by line drawings. I was hoping to find the original house plan from the 20's but I think I'm going to have to hop down to the Fullerton or CSFU Library to find it. I have a challenge for Irvine Realtor, the floorplan finding guru, can you dig me up 1920's bungalow house plans in Fullerton? :)
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1257502331][quote author="USCTrojanCPA" date=1257497362]



Btw, did you make that sketch of the house?</blockquote>


Na, I wish. I Googled "bungalow" and filtered by line drawings. I was hoping to find the original house plan from the 20's but I think I'm going to have to hop down to the Fullerton or CSFU Library to find it. I have a challenge for Irvine Realtor, the floorplan finding guru, can you dig me up 1920's bungalow house plans in Fullerton? :)</blockquote>


I don't mean to answer for Deuce, but I hope this helps, McD. <a href="http://www.ci.fullerton.ca.us/about/categoryqna.asp?id=40#609">Fullerton City FAQ's</a> (I'm sure you've probably already seen this anyway or talked to the Building Department mentioned below):



Q: "Can I get a copy of my home or business floor plan from the City?"



A: "This will depend upon the age of your home or business. The City does maintain microfilm copies of permits and plans, which may include plans or drawings. If the plans were prepared by an architect or contractor, you will be required to obtain their permission prior to copying the plans on file. If your home was part of a tract development, your floor plan may be available on microfilm, depending upon when it was constructed. To find out whether plans are available, please visit the Building Department and ask to look at the microfilm records for your address."



As far as I'm aware, Orange County floor plans online (those from The Inside Tract) are generally only available from the 1930's to the present, but again, I'm not the expert here, so I'll let one answer. ;-)
 
Wow McD, thanks for sharing and BIG congrats from Panda! You see T... why in the world are you getting your CPA and not focusing on becoming a full time realtor? You are just trying to appear smart in front of those single Asian ladies aren't you?
 
[quote author="roundcorners" date=1257506984]congrats McD... nice porch... reminds me of the LBC...</blockquote>


You know, when I was scoping out houses here I kept thinking 'RC would love this neighborhood". Lots of friendly interaction. Every time we've been in this neighborhood we see people sitting out on their porches and gathering on their lawns. One of the neighbors took us on a tour of the hood. I was really surprised how many people came down from their porches or out of their houses to say high to us. I talked to quite a few of them. It's a very tight-knit community. Your have to come check it out to see if it earns the RC stamp of approval.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1257511558][quote author="roundcorners" date=1257506984]congrats McD... nice porch... reminds me of the LBC...</blockquote>


You know, when I was scoping out houses here I kept thinking 'RC would love this neighborhood". Lots of friendly interaction. Every time we've been in this neighborhood we see people sitting out on their porches and gathering on their lawns. One of the neighbors took us on a tour of the hood. I was really surprised how many people came down from their porches or out of their houses to say high to us. I talked to quite a few of them. It's a very tight-knit community. Your have to come check it out to see if it earns the RC stamp of approval.</blockquote>
I honestly think that RC would really like the neighborhood and the homes do resemble the 20s/30s built bungelows in Belmont Shores.
 
[quote author="USCTrojanCPA date=1257512324] the homes do resemble the 20s/30s built bungelows in Belmont Shores.</blockquote>


Except these have big ole yards! FTW



And it be prefect for you too T. Nice yard for the large brood your ma ma is planning for you. :) ha ha
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1257513009]So, McD - when do you move in? Or have you already?</blockquote>


We are still in Irvine. We need to still figure out a moving date. I want to keep my kids in their school at least until we leave for Costa Rica in December and then they can start their new school after the winter break is over in January. And we are having a few things done to the house which would probably be better to complete before we moved in. But I don't really know what the plan is. I ordered boxes today, that a start. :) I'm staring at all my junk thinking dumpster looks real good about now. T was trying to talk us into letting him help us move but I won't have. He's way too generous.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1257513064][quote author="USCTrojanCPA date=1257512324] the homes do resemble the 20s/30s built bungelows in Belmont Shores.</blockquote>


Except these have big ole yards! FTW



And it be prefect for you too T. Nice yard for the large brood your ma ma is planning for you. :) ha ha</blockquote>






Here's a perfect home for RC...right down the street from you:



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Fullerton/609-Malvern-Ave-92832/home/3179568">RC's next home</a>
 
[quote author="USCTrojanCPA" date=1257514932][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1257513064][quote author="USCTrojanCPA date=1257512324] the homes do resemble the 20s/30s built bungelows in Belmont Shores.</blockquote>


Except these have big ole yards! FTW



And it be prefect for you too T. Nice yard for the large brood your ma ma is planning for you. :) ha ha</blockquote>






Here's a perfect home for RC...right down the street from you:



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Fullerton/609-Malvern-Ave-92832/home/3179568">RC's next home</a></blockquote>


umm, I have to disagree. RC will want to be where the neighborly action is. That house is in a more isolated spot being perch on the hill and on a single loaded street.
 
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