I miss the dining room.

I actually like sitting down to dinner in the dining room, but not all the time. I also like having a dining room table that acts as uncluttered flat space. It lowers my sense of peace when it, over time, becomes a repository for random junk. There are times when I want to watch something on the TV during a meal (usually starting a movie on the weekend), but eating at the coffee table all the time is annoying. So are getting out the TV trays. Having a flat surface that I don't have to hunch over to eat at waiting for me is a small joy. I didn't realize how much I missed it until that joy was taken away, and now I happily have it back again.
 
Hmm.. I don't miss the formal dining room or the formal living room. I've been to too many homes where those rooms are hardly ever used. It might make sense to me if we are talking about 3000+ sq ft homes. But if I'm looking at around 2000 sq ft, I'd gladly forego those two rooms and opt for a larger kitchen/island/great room.
 
methinks all new homes should have a formal game room for wii/360/ps3 so you don't have to hear the kids on those days you just want some peace
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1247638517]Ivy by William Lyon Homes in Woodbury East, Irvine is a reuse of Tamarisk plan built next to Culver and 5 fwy. I remembered 2 plans I walked literally into the dining table upon entering the homes. Forcing a dining area into the path of circulation is by far the worse of all the scenarios. Socal is right a dining room should not only be tranquil but also in a good defensible space. The best spots in a restaurant is always away from noise, distractions and the circulation.</blockquote>


My wife is from CA, so having the dining room in the front of the house freaks her out, too. It is, however, extremely common on the East Coast and in older homes. Frequently, you walk in the front door into a foyer with a door to the dining room on one side and a door to the formal living room on the other. The reasoning is that the more "public" parts of the house, where you would receive and entertain guests, should be in the front, and the farther back into the house you go, the more private it becomes.
 
[quote author="jmatthew" date=1247777578][quote author="bkshopr" date=1247638517]Ivy by William Lyon Homes in Woodbury East, Irvine is a reuse of Tamarisk plan built next to Culver and 5 fwy. I remembered 2 plans I walked literally into the dining table upon entering the homes. Forcing a dining area into the path of circulation is by far the worse of all the scenarios. Socal is right a dining room should not only be tranquil but also in a good defensible space. The best spots in a restaurant is always away from noise, distractions and the circulation.</blockquote>


My wife is from CA, so having the dining room in the front of the house freaks her out, too. It is, however, extremely common on the East Coast and in older homes. Frequently, you walk in the front door into a foyer with a door to the dining room on one side and a door to the formal living room on the other. The reasoning is that the more "public" parts of the house, where you would receive and entertain guests, should be in the front, and the farther back into the house you go, the more private it becomes.</blockquote>


This is exactly how my house is designed. I like it because anyone walking to our door can see our dining room only, which, like I said, is the cleanest room in the house. I really wouldn't want the door to open to the family room because it is usually strewn with toys and clutter.
 
The living room and formal dining room (if there is one) usually ARE in the front of the house, even in California, with the kitchen and family room in the rear. Of course, some newer houses don't even really have a living room or dining room, just a great room.
 
[quote author="IrvineRealtor" date=1247640896][quote author="High Gravity" date=1247639036][quote author="IrvineRealtor" date=1247639003][quote author="bkshopr" date=1247638517]Ivy by William Lyon Homes in Woodbury East, Irvine is a reuse of Tamarisk plan built next to Culver and 5 fwy.</blockquote>


Bonus material: Tamarisk is a reuse of the _____________ plans in West Irvine.</blockquote>


Andover</blockquote>


Correct. <em>Score one for the mad scientist.</em>



Level 2. Andover has how many homes for sale right now? And of those ____ how many are short sales?



Level 3. Including tax rates, financial incentives, and total expenses, which is more expensive to purchase (at list price) currently, when considering total cost of ownership? New home or 8-year-old home?



Please show all calculations.</blockquote>


No one has responded to IR2's quiz? Guess I'll have to get cracking on this tonight. Not sure about the financial incentives part but I'll to show what I can for buying Tamarisk vs. Ivy vs. Andover.
 
Quick Find:



4 are for sale right now that are Andovers, all are short sale.



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-Starwood-92602/unit-76/home/5885754">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-Starwood-92602/unit-76/home/5885754</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Ballard-92602/unit-94/home/5885801">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Ballard-92602/unit-94/home/5885801</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Willowdale-92602/unit-138/home/5917204">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Willowdale-92602/unit-138/home/5917204</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/17-Willowdale-92602/home/18996900">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/17-Willowdale-92602/home/18996900</a>



Not sure about this one, its not labeled, its 1500 sq. ft which makes me think its Andover. Is it IR2? If so make that 5



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/19-Sagamore-92602/unit-57/home/5885690">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/19-Sagamore-92602/unit-57/home/5885690</a>



And for Tamarisk, you have one Short sale on the market and one REO on the market:



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/38-Trailing-Vine-92602/home/7211598">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/38-Trailing-Vine-92602/home/7211598</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-New-Season-92602/home/7219129">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-New-Season-92602/home/7219129</a>



I'll try to do a cost breakdown later.



Anymore out there that are not showing on redfin?
 
[quote author="25inIrvine" date=1247802137]Quick Find:



4 are for sale right now that are Andovers, all are short sale.



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-Starwood-92602/unit-76/home/5885754">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-Starwood-92602/unit-76/home/5885754</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Ballard-92602/unit-94/home/5885801">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Ballard-92602/unit-94/home/5885801</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Willowdale-92602/unit-138/home/5917204">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/23-Willowdale-92602/unit-138/home/5917204</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/17-Willowdale-92602/home/18996900">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/17-Willowdale-92602/home/18996900</a>



Not sure about this one, its not labeled, its 1500 sq. ft which makes me think its Andover. Is it IR2? <span style="color: blue;"><strong> Yes.</strong></span> If so make that 5



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/19-Sagamore-92602/unit-57/home/5885690">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/19-Sagamore-92602/unit-57/home/5885690</a>



And for Tamarisk, you have one Short sale on the market and one REO on the market:



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/38-Trailing-Vine-92602/home/7211598">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/38-Trailing-Vine-92602/home/7211598</a>



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-New-Season-92602/home/7219129">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-New-Season-92602/home/7219129</a>



I'll try to do a cost breakdown later.



Anymore out there that are not showing on redfin?</blockquote>


Nicely done. Round two goes to the gentleman with the chiseled abs.



To help...

Mello Roos + 1915 bond for Andover comes to $907.54/year. HOA dues are $216/month (total of two associations).

Same charges are $1588.60/year in Tamarisk. HOA dues are $262/month.

For Ivy, the tax bill special assessments total $4000/yr. HOA dues are $325/month.

Their three models are priced currently at $350K (Model A - 2BR) $393K (Model B - 3BR) and $435K (Model B - 3BR)

Ostensibly no incentives offered, short of the 2.5% broker co-op (if you bring your agent with you <strong>before </strong>you sign up online).



Good luck,

-Scott
 
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