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  1. J

    Shady Siam Station in Irvine

    Had a shady experience at Siam Station in Irvine.  First time there and never going back.  At the end of the meal, the waitress took my card and processed it.  Gave me back my card and my receipt, and indicated that the tip was already included.  To my surprise, she gave herself a 20% tip.  It's...
  2. J

    Balcony add

    Do you I know if it?s better to get drawings approved by engineering firm and then hire contractor or just hire a contractor to get plans approved and build?  Just trying to add a balcony off the master bedroom.  Let me know if anyone has recommendations.
  3. J

    Quarter rounds for hardwood floors

    My understanding is that the quarter round is to hide the gap and allow for expansion because of the tongue and groove on the side of the hardwood. Isn?t it better just to rip out the baseboards, install the hardwood to the wall and then install new baseboard ontop of it so you don?t need...
  4. J

    Covid relief payment

    I know the first covid relief payment of $1200 is determined by AGI.  Something like above $75k a year single or $112k a year HoH disqualifies you.  But my friend was saying that the second covid relief gives all children dependents $600 each regardless of income.  I couldn?t find anything that...
  5. J

    TV right above fireplace

    I notice in model homes like cetara they put the TV right above the linear fireplace.  There isn?t a mantle either.  Realistically, when the fireplace is turned on, wouldn?t that be too hot for the TV?
  6. J

    Understanding how HOA is calculated for mortgage loan

    So I am going through a loan process and the UW forgot to take into account the monthly HOA since it was incorrectly captured under different section instead OTHERS in schedule E.  The hoa is a monthly expense so I was getting a negative monthly rental income.  Now that it has been added back, I...
  7. J

    Property taxes

    I just paid the December installment for property taxes.  If I were to sell my home, what happens to the next installment that is due in Feb. 1, 2021 (April 21, 2021 without penalty)?  Does it get prorated or do I not have to pay the next installment?
  8. J

    Has anyone installed cabinets after closing

    Is it easy to switch out entire house cabinets after closing? Or do most buyers do cabinets thru builder which seems expensive?
  9. J

    Drapery company

    I have a good company who sells and installs plantation shutters.  But they don?t do drapes.  Does anyone have a great recommendation for a window company that specializes in drapery?
  10. J

    Higher end closet designers

    I saw a picture of this closet and thought it was nicely done.  I have used Cabinets Plus before.  Although their prices are ok, you get what you pay for.  Design and quality is mediocre.  I California Closets seem to be what a lot of people use.  I recall them to charge high prices ($8k plus)...
  11. J

    Small pool

    Let's say your setback from the CA room to the wall is 11'.  Does that give you enough space to put in a small dipping pool and spa?  Has anyone done this?
  12. J

    Capital gains tax of $250k

    Let's say you buy a home for $1m and then you sell for $1,350,000  The capital gains tax is $1,000,000 - $1,350,000 = $350k.  You are exempt as single person up to $250,000 of capital gains.  So how can you avoid paying taxes on the $100,000?  If you did remodeling or landscaping worth, can you...
  13. J

    refinish cabinets

    Rather than replace kitchen and bathroom cabinets to a different color, has anyone refinished or repainted them?  Was wondering how cost efficient that is and if they have to remove to paint interior?
  14. J

    Owners who use property mgmt company - Fair Housing Guideline?

    We are using a property mgmt company in another state.  In the past, whenever an application comes in, the property manager would forward us the application.  The application includes name and credit score and occupation, along with other information.  We could deny or approve the application. ...
  15. J

    Are HOA board meetings useless?

    Found out one of the community pools is not heated from Oct to March because HOA says it?s not in their budget.  It would cost them $5k a month to heat that pool so they turn it off during half of the year.  Home owners have been asking for guards for a few years but that hasn?t happened. Does...
  16. J

    Opinions on index universal life (IUL)

    My friend was sold this product from someone.  He was saving up in a 529.  The problem with the 529 is that if your kid decides not to go to college or receives a scholarship, you are penalized when you withdraw from it.  This IUL product has a $500k death benefit so it's basically a whole life...
  17. J

    Looking Back

    A couple of years ago, we had the opportunity to be in the first phases of both Strada and Capella.  Wife wanted Strada because of the cul-de-sacs.  I thought Capella would be a better investment because of guard gates.  Flash forward two years and looking at the resales, I should have listened...
  18. J

    Irvine Optometrist

    Looking for an eye doctor in Irvine.  Anyone have recommendations?  Good customer service and experienced doctor please.
  19. J

    OC tax decrease in 2017

    So I made a purchase around Christmas time and the tax was 8%.  When I went for the return today, I noticed that they gave me less money and they said that's because the taxes are now 7.75% in 2017. I didn't know that orange county taxes decreased, which is good news. But I also didn't know...
  20. J

    Stone interior rec

    I am looking to have a wall done in stone.  I've seen some nice work done usually near the firewall or foyer areas.  Has anyone have a recommendation on someone they have used?
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