Have you narrowed down where & what you will buy?

SoCal78_IHB

SoCal78_IHB

New member
With all the time many of us have spent waiting patiently for the right time to buy, I would imagine many of us have drawn up our best and worst case scenarios depending on how things play out. I am curious if some have narrowed down their next purchase and decided on a neighborhood, complex, or even have it down to a specific floor plan. I would like to know what some of the favorites are.



I have put a lot of thought into this. My ideal goal is: West Irvine, Ivywood Complex, <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodD2093.JPG">2,093 Plan. </a> Of course I remain flexible, though, and am open the idea of going down a notch or two smaller to the <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodB1927.JPG">1,927 </a>or <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodA1667.JPG">1,667</a>, depending on what happens as everything unfolds. Now that I have narrowed it down, I am just watching and waiting.



Has anyone decided and want to share their picks?
 
I love Turtle Rock as a neighborhood, so will likely buy something there someday. But if I was not so hot and bothered by Mella Roos, then I would buy the #4 at Paloma - Portola Springs.



http://bkf.brookfieldsouthland.com/bkf/newhomes/floorplans.asp?CommunityID=por&MenuName=4
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1244258823]With all the time many of us have spent waiting patiently for the right time to buy, I would imagine many of us have drawn up our best and worst case scenarios depending on how things play out. I am curious if some have narrowed down their next purchase and decided on a neighborhood, complex, or even have it down to a specific floor plan. I would like to know what some of the favorites are.



I have put a lot of thought into this. My ideal goal is: West Irvine, Ivywood Complex, <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodD2093.JPG">2,093 Plan. </a> Of course I remain flexible, though, and am open the idea of going down a notch or two smaller to the <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodB1927.JPG">1,927 </a>or <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodA1667.JPG">1,667</a>, depending on what happens as everything unfolds. Now that I have narrowed it down, I am just watching and waiting.



Has anyone decided and want to share their picks?</blockquote>


+1



Oh, wait. I already live there. So Cal and I will be neighbors.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1244263128]^ CK - does yours have a porch that you'll have to tear through? I love the porch options!!</blockquote>


Nope, just green grass to plow though:
 
How close will the structure come to the sidewalk once it's bumped out? Going to convert the coat closet into additional bath space? (Bk is sketching blue prints now.) Any thoughts on moving the bedroom into the rear behind the living room instead (if space permits)?
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1244264514]How close will the structure come to the sidewalk once it's bumped out? Going to convert the coat closet into additional bath space? (Bk is sketching blue prints now.)</blockquote>
 
[quote author="CK" date=1244264925][quote author="SoCal78" date=1244264514]How close will the structure come to the sidewalk once it's bumped out? Going to convert the coat closet into additional bath space? (Bk is sketching blue prints now.)</blockquote>


I think we would be able to keep a pretty decent grass area. I was looking at the other one close by which had that done, and they had far less front yard space than we do, and it still fit ok. We have a pretty big setback from the sidewalk compared to the house immediately to our left (Plan 3), so we could come out a pretty fair distance without it it looking awkward or out of place. We've not really thought about the backyard, because then we would not be able to blend it into the existing bath, and make a real bedroom suite. But if that's all we could get approved that would be something to consider.



I've just started thinking about this, but I would probably get some serious quotes before I made an offer to buy the house. One guy we both know who knows a *little* about real estate tossed out $100k to me --- I like that number, if he's right. This is something I probably would not do for 5 years or so, we really don't need the space now, but long term we will.



But first things first --- we have to buy it!! ;)</blockquote>
Instead of buying the home you are currently living in now, how about you rent it longer and buy a bigger property in 2-4 years? Before you even think about dropping a $100k into a home to expanding it, you need to run a cost analysis to see if it even makes sense. If you know that you will need a larger place later on (5+ years), why would you tie yourself down to a smaller place now and worry about having to spending $100k in cash to make it slightly larger later?
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1244265721]

Instead of buying the home you are currently living in now, how about you rent it longer and buy a bigger property in 2-4 years?</blockquote>
 
[quote author="CK" date=1244266207][quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1244265721]

Instead of buying the home you are currently living in now, how about you rent it longer and buy a bigger property in 2-4 years?</blockquote>


Oh, we will rent as long as we can hold out (our lease is not up until end of 2010). But the problem is that we have really fallen in love with the neighborhood, and really like all of our neighbors. Tons of kids the same age as our child here --- the kind of place you want to stay for the long haul. Moving with kids who are attending school is to be avoided if at all possible, I believe. Many of our neighbors have told us they have no plans to leave either. Many are original owners for 8 years now.



You can't underestimate the value of a good neighborhood. Sure we might find a great set up in another neighborhood --- or we might not, its a crap shoot. Here, we've already done the test drive and like it. And plus, since we don't need the bigger house now, we could take our time and do it when the time was right --- both financially and need-based.</blockquote>
Very good points, the home/area have an intangible value to you guys more than it would to me because of having no wife or kids. As long as there is a good financial and non-financial balance in your decision and you aren't stretching your finances, you are going to make the right choice.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1244266207][quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1244265721]

Instead of buying the home you are currently living in now, how about you rent it longer and buy a bigger property in 2-4 years?</blockquote>




You can't underestimate the value of a good neighborhood. Sure we might find a great set up in another neighborhood --- or we might not, its a crap shoot. Here, we've already done the test drive and like it.</blockquote>


Neighbors and kids make all the difference. Friendly BBQs, kids running back and forth to play between homes and all the kids in the same school/classes make it nice. My buddy from Turtle Ridge is envious of my neighborhood and visits just to hang out. His TR area is a little... unfriendly to kids to say the least. Complaints about sidewalk chalk really put him over the top.



Glad you found what you're looking for, there's nothing quite like it.
 
[quote author="Goofy" date=1244267132] My buddy from Turtle Ridge is envious of my neighborhood and visits just to hang out. His TR area is a little... unfriendly to kids to say the least. Complaints about sidewalk chalk really put him over the top.</blockquote>


Funny you say that, we have friends in Crystal Cove who have said the exact same thing --- and they paid more than $7M for their house! Money can't buy everything...
 
I wouldn't mind living in Shady Canyon seeing some of those garages.



Currently... the flavor of the year for me is Quail Hill... the problem is the floorplans aren't all that.



If you could put a Serra Plan 2 (from Portola Springs) into QH... I'd be okay with that.



The closest contenders actually in QH would be a Chantilly Plan 2 or 3:



<a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Chantilly/ChantillyB2867.JPG">http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Chantilly/ChantillyB2867.JPG</a>

<a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Chantilly/ChantillyD3200.JPG">http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Chantilly/ChantillyD3200.JPG</a>



or if we go lower... a Tapestry Plan 3:



<a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Tapestry/">http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Tapestry/</a>



But none of those have that open stairway I like, in which I would have to go higher end to Sienna but I don't like their locations:



<a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Sienna/SiennaD3600.JPG">http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/QuailHill/Sienna/SiennaD3600.JPG</a>



... or with better locations but even more expensive, Vicara. But even the high-end Vicara models don't exactly fit my want list.



(props to IR2 for his floorplans on his site)
 
^ So are you good with any of those three builders? It looks like (in order) they are: Warmington, Fieldstone, and Richmond America.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1244268891]^ So are you good with any of those three builders? It looks like (in order) they are: Warmington, Fieldstone, and Richmond America.</blockquote>
I guess I'm not really builder specific. I know I should be more aware of the company behind the house... but I tend to think they are fairly close to each other and if they have the same warranty it will wash out. I rely on bk's posts to tell me who I should avoid (I guess Fieldstone is one of them).



The floorplan and elevation are what I'm looking for (and the garage... heh).



I really like Standard Pacific floor plans, there always seems to be one model that they have that fits most of my needs... except in Mille Fleurs in Woodbury... none of those really stood out to me.



I'm pretty sure all the things I like can fit in less than 3000 sft and it doesn't require a huge lot... I just don't know why builders aren't more aware of this. I know quite a few people who have the same wants as me but every new home I see seems to be following some wish list of a person who doesn't actually plan to live in that house.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1244269513]I really like Standard Pacific floor plans</blockquote>


Nice. SP makes Mr. Bk's Favorite Top-4 List for quality.



Those are nice floor plans you posted. It would be a tough choice. But any way you slice it - looks like you'll get your 3-car garage!
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1244258823]With all the time many of us have spent waiting patiently for the right time to buy, I would imagine many of us have drawn up our best and worst case scenarios depending on how things play out. I am curious if some have narrowed down their next purchase and decided on a neighborhood, complex, or even have it down to a specific floor plan. I would like to know what some of the favorites are.



I have put a lot of thought into this. My ideal goal is: West Irvine, Ivywood Complex, <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodD2093.JPG">2,093 Plan. </a> Of course I remain flexible, though, and am open the idea of going down a notch or two smaller to the <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodB1927.JPG">1,927 </a>or <a href="http://floorplans.irvinerealtorsite.com/WestIrvine/Ivywood/IvyWoodA1667.JPG">1,667</a>, depending on what happens as everything unfolds. Now that I have narrowed it down, I am just watching and waiting.



Has anyone decided and want to share their picks?</blockquote>


I really like that 2093 plan as well, especially the stairs in the back. In fact, back in 1998, I put a deposit down on that model, except it was in Oak Creek (Kelsy Lane). However, over the next few days, I visited the site during various times of day to check the noise from the 405 and I decided I could not tolerate the freeway noise so I cancelled. Other than the 405 roar, I thought the house was perfect.
 
Here is my top ten & beyond watch list?



1) Woodbury - Cachette Plan 2

2) Woodbury - Cachette Plan 3

3) West Irvine - Glen Willows Plan 2

4) West Irvine - Glen Willows ? Any Plan

5) West Irvine - Wisteria ? Any Plan

6) Northwood ? Tremain- ?

6) Northpark San Simeon ? Plan 3

7) Northpark Tiburon ? Plan 3

8) Tustin Ranch ? Presido

9) Northpark ? Monterey ? Plan 3?

9) Tustin Ranch ? Venturanza ? Plan D

10) Quail Hill ? Sage ? Plan ?

11) West Irvine ? Andover ? Plan 3
 
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