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    EPA's final analysis of TCE - causes cancer (well duh)

    I drive by that Well 78 every day and forgot that it might be TCE-related.  Turns out it is: http://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/base_docs/eltoro/documents/RAB_meeting_minutes/2011/042711_min.pdf Lots of informative slides there.  Woodbridge is IRP Site 18.  Apparently the Irvine Water District pumps...
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    EPA's final analysis of TCE - causes cancer (well duh)

    Looking at that site, the IWD concludes: That is somewhat reassuring with regards to the Woodbridge homes.  Not sure if this is true for homes along the entire path of the plume, or to be built on the Great Park.  In Mountain View, the EPA actually tested for TCE levels inside residential and...
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    EPA's final analysis of TCE - causes cancer (well duh)

    I should probably clarify my initial post a little for those who haven't come across this issue before.  TCE was always known to be toxic and potentially carcinogenic, especially to young children and seniors. Link to EPA PDF on TCE toxicity:http://1.usa.gov/rnnpJ3 How do you get exposed to...
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    EPA's final analysis of TCE - causes cancer (well duh)

    http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-toxic-risk-20110930,0,1063431.story I was living in Mountain View in 2001 when the draft assessment came out, and knew some friends who had bought brand new town homes above a TCE plume from an old HP/IBM silicon factory.  The EPA had to hold town...
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    Observations from the front lines of the Irvine housing market?

    I think you summed up part of the problem in your post.  How many buyers have the ability to understand inflation expectations, much less how it will affect their ARM rate in the future?  Yet the people most likely to get ARM loans, and in fact would probably not have qualified if not for teaser...
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    Laguna Altura feng shui

    I actually know of quite a few mixed couples in Irvine that are Asian husband and Caucasian wife.  The common theme?  The husband is a dentist/doctor/lawyer/businessman.  What's missing?  On one particular street in Quail Hill, there are many mixed Asian couples (Japanese husband/Korean wife...
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    Quail Hill Comp Killer

    Looks like they put the bare minimum into the house and exterior after purchase.  After closing costs, the owner would probably still be net positive.  But will it close for $950k?  At that price, you're still paying a premium over comparable properties elsewhere in Irvine, but for a terrible...
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    Mitsuwa coming to Irvine

    Haven't tried the udon place yet, but it's supposed to the number one udon chain in Japan.  I am partial to Fukada myself.  I've tried the Loft in Huntington Beach and thought it was decent Hawaiian. None of the ramen places in Irvine currently are worth going to.  Ajisen in Diamond Jamboree...
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    Is the market stagnating a bit?

    Then you need to venture north of the 405 more.  In the past few years, I have been approached by foreign women (Arab? Persian? Gypsy?) that apparently don't speak English, and have to resort to hand-written signs to beg for money.  This has happened in the Quail Hill shopping plaza, in the Oak...
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    Mid-year break down... irvine, tustin ranch, north tustin

    Timely thread - I just visited a friend's home in Cowan Heights for the first time today, and was amazed at his house.  5300 sq ft, on 0.5 acre lot, recently renovated interior by the previous owner, pool, basketball court, views - my friend bought it at short sale in 2009 for $1,050,000. ...
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    What do you guys think?

    Having lived in Oak Creek for three years now, here's what I think the pros and cons are for this community: Pros: Diverse community, definitely not dominated by Asians (coming from an Asian). Mostly young families with elementary school age kids. Wide range of fairly modern floorplans The...
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    Northpark Flip: 2 Malibu

    Summary: "Stop it!" "You stop it!" "No, you started it, so you stop it!" Funny, I thought my kids were at preschool today... who let them out early?
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    Deducting Melloroos

    While I understand, and can even appreciate, the sentiment, does this mean you also declare everything you are supposed to on your tax forms?  Do you pay use tax on all of your out-of-state purchases (i.e. Amazon)?  You could apply the same logic there - if you aren't paying use tax in CA...
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    Trying to buy in Irvine is NO Fun

    This is funny.  Really, IHO and IndieDev are just two sides of the same coin.  Are you sure you two don't make this stuff up offline for the sheer entertainment value?
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    Better Investment: 1 mil house or 2 500k houses?

    I think you are making a choice between personal happiness and financial gain, in which case it's impossible to measure the two choices objectively, since only you can determine the financial worth/opportunity cost of not living in Turtle Ridge.  Seems to me you would be "happiest" with the...
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    Laguna Altura in 2011

    Seconded on Little Sheep hot pot - love that stuff.  Although I seem to remember one in Rowland Heights not doing that well and eventually closing, perhaps too much competition.  This is veering WAY off-topic, but regarding 85C bakery and its crowds - IMHO there is this crowd mentality among...
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    WTF Quail Hill sale

    Did anyone notice the sale of 107 Capeberry?  http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/107-Capeberry-92603/home/5901972 Most of the comparable sales in this Warmington tract of Quail Hill have been at $400/sq ft or below, which is a decent present price compared to the rest of the neighborhoods in...
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    Change in jumbo conforming limit starting Oct 1, 2011

    With all of the talk of higher interest rates, I would think it'd be equally important to note that starting October 1, 2011, the jumbo conforming limit is supposed to decrease to "a maximum of $625,500 for a 1-unit property in the continental U.S." ...
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    2010 Collection slowing down?

    I just got an invite for sales of the Carmel model homes, plus four more Carmel lots that I assume are in Carmel II but will have original Carmel I floorplans.  Prices start in the low $900,000.  Seven homes total, plus the two Carmel I cancellations that are on Redfin currently.  Rather than...
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    Portola Spring - Los Colinas

    I agree with IHO, and also toss these out there: 1) Marketing - TIC has really pushed the 2010 Collection in Woodbury and Woodbury East in email, on their website, and in print (i.e. OC Register).  Portola Springs really hasn't had much marketing on it in 2010 as far as I know.  2) Pricing -...
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