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Some builders will refund deposits for job loss or death in the family. If they can find another buyer to take over the contract in short order, they might refund the deposit. On one of our home purchases we took over the contract for someone who backed out. The builder refunded the original...

True.  The Fed raised the rate and after Brexit long term interest rates tanked. It doesn't directly correlate with the 30-year fixed, but is a sign of in increasing rate environment.  Will likely still have opportunity to lock and catch the 'dips' for refi.

SFR will always maintain value/appreciate more than detached town home, which in turn will always maintain value/appreciate more than attached condo. Do structural things through the builder (bones) and everything else after (window coverings, flooring, garage coating, window treatments, etc.) ...

I got into a phase release in real time (i.e. not on the waiting list, just went into sales office and picked out a lot which had not been selected from someone on the list yet). For me it worked this way: 1. Wrote check for EMD to secure the lot (they would not cash it until approved by their...

I think it all depends on your priorities. If you want the best bet for protecting property values/appreciation, Irvine is hard to beat. But if you want to maximize your house/lot size and get more bang for your buck, there are other places to look (RSM, Lake Forest, YL, etc.). It is a matter of...

Backing to train tracks is a non-starter. Even if you and your family aren't bothered by the trains, it will absolutely have a negative impact on the property value and ability to sell.

Interesting?quite a bit of carpet, which is unappealing to most in a house even at a third of this price point. The carpet up the dual staircase is hideous.  Also some of the finishes look expensive, but clash throughout the home. Some of the tile/stone in the bathrooms looks particularly loud...

I love that this thread is actually a thing...

From what I recall the second phase of Amelia would have different floor plans than phase 1. It was in one of the threads here on TI.I'm guessing they are going to build new model homes for phase 2.

People will have to shimmy along the side of the house, kind of like doing a sideways limbo. Add the AC units and some planters and you might have to do a balance beam type routine to get through. But on the positive side if you need to borrow sugar from your neighbor, you can probably reach...

If contingencies remain, you can walk away from the deal for any or no reason at all. Honestly depends how much you want the home. If it really meets your needs and you're getting a good deal (not overpaying), then maybe just let it go. If if bothers you on principle or something just doesn't...

Agree re landscaping. Can easily spend a few 100k if you want pool, water/fire features, pargola, entertainment wall, fireplace, etc. As far as new builds, homes w large lots (HC, Trevi) cost at least 200k for landscaping. I've heard Toll Bros spent $1M to landscape some of their HC model homes :o

Think 'bones' as far as what to do with the builder: solar, california room/conservatory, cabinets, countertops, bathroom fixtures/tile etc. Some also would recommend smart-home, av/surround sound (avoid drywall damage/repainting later). We did a lot of flooring after close and it was definitely...

It's open to debate but I find on homes with shallow setbacks, the conservatory makes it seem even smaller.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/109-Larksong-92602/home/103690158 This resale is a prime example: even without the conservatory the home is 6000 sq ft, but they opted for the conservatory...

Aw come on?don't let that stop you! Snark is life! ;D

Methinks 'Mike' is blogging from Mumbai. He's now helping me clear up some fraudulent charges on my Visa card...

Aw yes, brings back fond memories of the Neuheisal/Dorrell years...NOT! Anaheim Hills is a great area. I know people who live there and have been there many times. Yes it's unlikely that a typical Irvine house-hunter will look that 'far' but you get a lot of acreage and house for the money. I...

Alright 1/2 acre and 6500 sq ft...man that sounds nice! It won't pull values at OH per sq ft up to TR or SC ($700-800 I believe) because of the proximity to the coast and being south of 405.  But I do think it will decrease the delta. In other words when you have homes in the neighborhood that...

Yes, which is why it's a boon for OH to have homes at these price points. I'm guessing one is probably getting 'starter homes' at TR and Shady (no shame in that of course!) vs. 5000-6000+ sq ft at OH. I think it will pull up values in OH for all of the neighborhoods.

Good sign for OH. These homes will hopefully act as a tether, pulling up values of all homes in OH at build-out. Not having been to the Toll Brothers' sales office, I'd imagine some of the lot premiums would bring base prices up to or past $3M, which would put some of these homes near  or past...