Panda & CK, if you guys want to see $250/sf in Irvine the Asians (especially the Chinese) need to stop buying for about 6 to 9 months. I guaranty we will see $250/sf. Sadly this probably will not happen as even a crappy 2,609 sf Villa Rosa plan just sold for over $350/sf. I would bet it sold...
If there were no Chinese buyers in Irvine, home prices in Irvine would be comparable to Ladera Ranch, Aliso Viejo, Fullerton and Yorba Linda on a price per square foot basis. The Chinese demand in Irvine is so strong, the price per sq. ft. is about $50/sf. ft. higher than it really should be...
I agree 100%. These builders are protecting each other!! Once Villa Rosa sells out, the prices will have to come down. The only X Factor is the Asian big $$ that keeps this area insanely way too high.