Homes you have toured/looked at/want/wish to have outside of Irvine (outside of OC is cool too)

[tmare_IHB]

Where is the world did that come from?

Two observations.

1. It wasn't from you.

2. Do you have your head buried in a bucket of sand? Did you just join the IHB and start reading the forums or something? Just because you're being obtuse doesn't mean T is wrong - because she isn't.

Actually she is right about everything except the part about me insinuating anything about other people's decisions for their children.

And my head is not buried in a bucket of sand. It was, but that was last year.

Yes, that was pretty funny. I remember a few times a year or so ago when you actually made a few comments regarding SA schools, I particularly remember a response that went something like, "Good luck with that". I truly don't care enough to spend time looking it up, you can if you like. I guess that was during the time when your head was buried in the sand, I guess I'd rather just bury the hatchet instead, rather than dredge up a bunch of stuff that isn't going to make a bit of a difference to anyone. I made my point, sorry if I offended you, but I had to say it.

Hey, anyone toured/looked at/want/wish to have a have a house outside of Irvine that you could post here? ;-)

 

[roundcorners_IHB]

If we have time after church tomorrow, we might just stop by... this place in Newport... huge lot, upgraded too... this WILL go fast!

 

[traceimage_IHB]

Once we had kids the biggest factor in our home buying decision was/is the schools. What are the schools for OPA and Floral Park, unless you are certain you will not want children?

While I have the utmost respect for everyone's concern about the schools their children will attend and I believe that parents can and should consider these things carefully, I just have to address the underlying intention of your "question" (which I don't really think IS a question). While I cannot presume to speak for Graph, I have had some conversations with him regarding this and I do think that the two of us are on the same page.

Sorry if this is construed as a hi-jack, but I really have problems with the innuendo that people who choose to buy in areas like OPA and Floral Park must not care about their kids or they have chosen to not have kids.

What the ____ ?

So, if I tell someone about our situation and choice, I am making an innuendo about anybody who chooses differently?

Wow! If one tells of one's experience and how one arrived at that experience, they are making innuendo about others who have a different experience?

Seriously, I can not imagine more ridiculous and just plain moronic logic.

And if you "cannot presume to speak for Graph", why do you presume to speak for me, ie. I am somehow making an innuendo.

Who in this thread said a child could not excel at a Santa Ana school?

Who in this thread said a number was the most important factor in choosing a school?

Why did you mention Harvard, Yale, and UCLA if you do not personally think that some schools may be better than others? Or do you think that all schools are the same until college?

By the way, my oldest daughter grew up in North Santa Ana and attended OCHSA. She just graduated from UCLA.

You are way, way, way too sensitive. No one said anything negative about folks who choose to live in Santa Ana, nor was anything implied.

Where is the world did that come from?

Just from lurking a lot, I know that tmare and some others are a bit sensitive about Santa Ana, and the schools in particular. I think it comes from feeling like they've had to defend their choices to people who think all the schools in Santa Ana are horrible.

Back to the topic, I don't have any links, but I'm a sucker for tropical-looking backyards. I've seen a lot of them in Laguna Niguel.

 

[Mcdonna1980_IHB]

I am drawn to quaint neighborhoods & desire to have a small house free of pretentiousness.

Are we related?

ummm.. Well, let's see

We both share the same family name and our families come from the same island of like 10 people. Your mom says we are not related but I'm suspicious. Oh, and I like rap too.

 

[irvine_home_owner_IHB]

I like that new development (The Summit) in Laguna Niguel by Shapell/S&S. Sure, it's more of the same stucco box look but the Plan 1 has a 3-car wide garages!

 

[Cameray_IHB]

I like that new development (The Summit) in Laguna Niguel by Shapell/S&S. Sure, it's more of the same stucco box look but the Plan 1 has a 3-car wide garages!

How about this one? It's in the Somerset tract and also built by S&S (Shapell, Inc).

http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/46/bigphoto/184/S577184_1.jpg

27802 Manor Hill Rd

Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Price: $899,900

Beds: 5

Baths: 3

Sq. Ft.: 3,000

$/Sq. Ft.: $300

Lot Size: 7,033 Sq. Ft.

Property Type: Single Family Residence

Style: Traditional

Stories: 2

View: Greenbelt

Year Built: 2001

Community: Laguna Niguel North, North of Crown Valley, East of Niguel

County: Orange

MLS#: S577184

Source: SoCalMLS

Status: Active

On Redfin: 113 days

San Joaquin Hills 'SOMERSET' highly desirable 2 master suites (1 up and 1 down). Cherrywood cabinetry. 4-inch granite slab counters - absolutely stunning (designer perfect)! Stainless steel appliances! 3-car garage. Built-in BBQ. Downstairs home office w/ private bath. Massive bonus room going over almost the entire front of the home (upstairs). Exquisite hand-carved solid wood front door. 24 Hour guard gated community. Extensive hardscape $$$. All rooms in this model are oversized...that's what makes this such a rare model to come on the market! Tons of up grades! Most beautiful kitchen you'll ever see in this price range- Two master bedrooms one up and one down! You have to see this home ,also a downstairs office with it's own bath!

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Laguna-Niguel/27802-Manor-Hill-Rd-92677/home/4877174

 

[Nude_IHB]

I like that new development (The Summit) in Laguna Niguel by Shapell/S&S. Sure, it's more of the same stucco box look but the Plan 1 has a 3-car wide garages!

From the land 'o plenty, aka Bothell:

There is a whole division being built into a local hillside, all 2- and 3-story homes, not a hint of stucco anywhere, and every single home comes with a 3-car garage.

 

[irvine_home_owner_IHB]

@cameray:

3-car wide garages are my preference, but I'll take that tandem as long as the floorplan is nice.

@nude:

Thatswhutahmtalkinbout... Craftsmanesque, front porch, double-door and 3-car wide!

 

[ABC123_IHB]

I haven't seen these in person, but I love the indoor/outdoor option in these homes (at the 3:50 mark) that Jim the Realtor showed

(embedded video no longer available)

 

[bkshopr_IHB]

I like that new development (The Summit) in Laguna Niguel by Shapell/S&S. Sure, it's more of the same stucco box look but the Plan 1 has a 3-car wide garages!

From the land 'o plenty, aka Bothell:

There is a whole division being built into a local hillside, all 2- and 3-story homes, not a hint of stucco anywhere, and every single home comes with a 3-car garage.

No matter what materials one put on a tract home it still has a foul smell.

 

[Nude_IHB]

I like that new development (The Summit) in Laguna Niguel by Shapell/S&S. Sure, it's more of the same stucco box look but the Plan 1 has a 3-car wide garages!

From the land 'o plenty, aka Bothell:

There is a whole division being built into a local hillside, all 2- and 3-story homes, not a hint of stucco anywhere, and every single home comes with a 3-car garage.

No matter what materials one put on a tract home it still has a foul smell.

Maybe that's why they aren't selling out. While they have 16 of 46 lots sold, they are only offering four homes for sale... and that 46 is roughly 45% of the graded development.

But it can get so much worse...

 

[EvaLSeraphim_IHB]

Those designs just simply don't work as a three story. The proportion is all off. It's like the builder saw that his five year old could put together a block of legos and made the child the architect.

Oh well, I'm sure there is an aesthetically-challenged multi-generational family out there that will think this is perfect.

 

[Cameray_IHB]

I like the style of this Slusher built home located in Bellingham WA.

http://www.redfin.com/WA/Bellingham/3301-Whipple-Ct-98226/home/15754980

http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/1/bigphoto/267/29135267_1_1.jpg

And this one also located in Bellingham WA.

http://www.redfin.com/WA/Bellingham/3336-Sussex-Dr-98226/home/15754418

Slusher was late to market, overpriced and should have put the basements in. Now Wells Fargo Bank is the owner of both properties. The pictures don’t do either home justice. This is his website. http://www.slusherhomes.com/galleries.html

 

[Nude_IHB]

True enough, Eva. Typically going vertical is reflective of population pressure or land scarcity, but there is neither in the area or the development respectively. One of the selling points is "double-sized" lots, which translate into "room enough for your neighbor AND a stalker to watch you through the window, rather than just your neighbor", making it a complete mind boggle. Why dress up what is essentially a detached 3-story townhouse in faux Craftsman colors, design cues, and a 3 car garage? And is that a gun turret in the first pic?

 

[No_Such_Reality_IHB]

Those designs just simply don't work as a three story. The proportion is all off. It's like the builder saw that his five year old could put together a block of legos and made the child the architect.

Oh well, I'm sure there is an aesthetically-challenged multi-generational family out there that will think this is perfect.

To me they look like they took a good two story design and simply slapped it on top of a a three car garage and a foyer. Is there anything in the first story besides the garage, stairwell and entry mud room?

 

[IrvineRealtor_IHB]

True enough, Eva. Typically going vertical is reflective of population pressure or land scarcity, but there is neither in the area or the development respectively. One of the selling points is "double-sized" lots, which translate into "room enough for your neighbor AND a stalker to watch you through the window, rather than just your neighbor", making it a complete mind boggle. Why dress up what is essentially a detached 3-story townhouse in faux Craftsman colors, design cues, and a 3 car garage? And is that a gun turret in the first pic?

Nude, bk, and all,

Do you think that the increased rain/snowfall in the area might be a factor dictating the design? Don't homes typically rot from moisture from the ground up? I would think that the diminished footprint might limit material-to-ground contact and allow for better durability?

Or maybe the simplest answer is correct - builder is cutting corners and relying on pitchy salesmen (me) to spin the positives? :-S

 

[Nude_IHB]

Nude, bk, and all,

Do you think that the increased rain/snowfall in the area might be a factor dictating the design? Don't homes typically rot from moisture from the ground up? I would think that the diminished footprint might limit material-to-ground contact and allow for better durability?

Or maybe the simplest answer is correct - builder is cutting corners and relying on pitchy salesmen (me) to spin the positives? :-S

Well, the roofs are pitched because flat roofs in an area with almost constant winter rains and/or snow is... phenomenally stupid. Still, SoCal transplants build their dream homes with flat roofs anyway.

The soil here is spongy, from eons of forest debris decomposing and compacting, so the moisture rotting the wood isn't a common problem as long as the lot was graded correctly the first time. Now, sinking foundations, that's a common problem and you see quite a few older homes with tilted eaves and misaligned porch posts. I can't imagine that building a 3-story McMansion on the side of a spongy hill is going to fare very well over the next 60 years, when code only requires the foundation walls be 4 feet below the slab.

Still, as ugly as some of them are, with the right view and an elevator or two, they have potential. Just not in Bothell, WA.

 

[caycifish_IHB]

This one looks like something out of a horror movie. I hope a lonely, elderly lady with cats doesn't move in. She'll be the neighborhood "witch" in no time.

http://www.connerhomes.com/pdf/floorplans/8603.1a/8603.1aBig.jpg

 

[David714_IHB]

If we have time after church tomorrow, we might just stop by... this place in Newport... huge lot, upgraded too... this WILL go fast!

How did you like it? Was there much airplane noise?

 

[bkshopr_IHB]

True enough, Eva. Typically going vertical is reflective of population pressure or land scarcity, but there is neither in the area or the development respectively. One of the selling points is "double-sized" lots, which translate into "room enough for your neighbor AND a stalker to watch you through the window, rather than just your neighbor", making it a complete mind boggle. Why dress up what is essentially a detached 3-story townhouse in faux Craftsman colors, design cues, and a 3 car garage? And is that a gun turret in the first pic?

More goops on the surface only attracted more attention to the problem of scale. The tiny gable on the lower floor piggybacking the massive 2nd and third floors is very humorous.