Learn the basic rules so you don't get rip-off by builders.

[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226][quote author="reason" date=1241747456]Those criterias ruled out most, if not all, of Irvine.

</blockquote>


And yet Irvine grade F homes still cost 10x more than grade A homes in Oklahoma. The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


In Irvine you live in an investment and in Oklahoma you live in a home!



In most part of Asia homes have very low standard. It is just recently asia began to hire architects from USA to design homes there. This is the reasons why Asians can tolerate houses on postage stamp lots because the houses in Irvine are still way better than the habitat many Asians grew up in.
 
[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226][quote author="reason" date=1241747456]Those criterias ruled out most, if not all, of Irvine.

</blockquote>


And yet Irvine grade F homes still cost 10x more than grade A homes in Oklahoma. The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1241754321][quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226][quote author="reason" date=1241747456]Those criterias ruled out most, if not all, of Irvine.

</blockquote>


And yet Irvine grade F homes still cost 10x more than grade A homes in Oklahoma. The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.</blockquote>


I know. I have been up in NoCal quite a bit for my projects. Cupertino, Fremont, Milpitas and San Ramon.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1241754321]



A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.</blockquote>


I lived up there for almost 4 years in Santa Clara, right on the Cupertino border. Cupertino was starting to remind me of how awful Arcadia is beginning to look. These beautiful older neighborhoods and then right in the middle of them is some McMansion monstrosity where somebody has done a teardown and built their palace. I wish those cities would not approve projects like that --- just ruins the character of the neighborhood.



I wonder if home prices in Cupertino are supported by income fundamentals? No need to answer --- I know the answer, and I'm just sayin...
 
[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226]The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


I thought the golden rule was "RE always goes up".
 
[quote author="CK" date=1241756638][quote author="High Gravity" date=1241754321]



A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.</blockquote>


I lived up there for almost 4 years in Santa Clara, right on the Cupertino border. Cupertino was starting to remind me of how awful Arcadia is beginning to look. These beautiful older neighborhoods and then right in the middle of them is some McMansion monstrosity where somebody has done a teardown and built their palace. I wish those cities would not approve projects like that --- just ruins the character of the neighborhood.



I wonder if home prices in Cupertino are supported by income fundamentals? No need to answer --- I know the answer, and I'm just sayin...</blockquote>


In Los Altos you see 6000 sq ft "Craftsman" homes. I don't think they know they're living in an oxymoron.
 
Speaking of craftsman, I think this house was profiled on the main blog. It's a gorgeous house but I don't think the lot size fits the criteria. I think all homes in Irvine, even shady canyon, flunk the side yard test.



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/6326-Sierra-Elena-Rd-92603/home/4741302">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/6326-Sierra-Elena-Rd-92603/home/4741302</a>
 
[quote author="ABC123" date=1241759784]Speaking of craftsman, I think this house was profiled on the main blog. It's a gorgeous house but I don't think the lot size fits the criteria. I think all homes in Irvine, even shady canyon, flunk the side yard test.



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/6326-Sierra-Elena-Rd-92603/home/4741302">http://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/6326-Sierra-Elena-Rd-92603/home/4741302</a></blockquote>


It seriously flunks the front yard test as well. Plus it's way too busy in the front, with four seperate roof lines.
 
Seriously, you guys have good critical eyes for aesthetic. Too many roof features ruined the house. Restraint requires discipline. Simplicity with good organization takes years of experience. Have you seen all kinds of pockets and flaps sewn on to an Armani suit?
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1241764309]Seriously, you guys have good critical eyes for aesthetic. Too many roof features ruined the house. Restraint requires discipline. Simplicity with good organization takes years of experience. Have you seen all kinds of pockets and flaps sewn on to an Armani suit?</blockquote>


I don't get the whole Armani suit thing. I much prefer Brooks Bothers.
 
Found something in Tustin Ranch with a 3 garage and the BK aesthetic. Since it's kind of pricey BK and IHO will have to pull their resources and become roomies.

<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/46/bigphoto/819/S558819_1.jpg" alt="" />

<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/11556-Padias-Ln-92782/home/4764814">Listing here</a>
 
I think these houses qualify



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Compton/1716-N-Graham-Ave-90222/home/7344968">Compton/1716-N-Graham-Ave-90222</a>



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/46/bigphoto/664/P681664_0.jpg" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Compton/1206-S-Grandee-Ave-90220/home/7341454">Compton/1206-S-Grandee-Ave-90220</a>



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/45/bigphoto/396/S09038396_0.jpg" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Compton/3637-E-Josephine-Ct-90221/home/7622468">Compton/3637-E-Josephine-Ct-90221</a>



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/46/bigphoto/779/F1806779_0.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1241754321][quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226][quote author="reason" date=1241747456]Those criterias ruled out most, if not all, of Irvine.

</blockquote>


And yet Irvine grade F homes still cost 10x more than grade A homes in Oklahoma. The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.</blockquote>


Cupertino ranks #5 on Forbes list.



<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html">http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html</a>
 
[quote author="ABC123" date=1241771430]I think these houses qualify



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Compton/1716-N-Graham-Ave-90222/home/7344968">Compton/1716-N-Graham-Ave-90222</a>



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/46/bigphoto/664/P681664_0.jpg" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Compton/1206-S-Grandee-Ave-90220/home/7341454">Compton/1206-S-Grandee-Ave-90220</a>



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/45/bigphoto/396/S09038396_0.jpg" alt="" />



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Compton/3637-E-Josephine-Ct-90221/home/7622468">Compton/3637-E-Josephine-Ct-90221</a>



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/46/bigphoto/779/F1806779_0.jpg" alt="" /></blockquote>


I wrote this just to make sure the bad elevations are covered : "Other important components I am leaving out are varieties of styles, massing, and texture that most production home neighborhoods severely lack so I don?t bother to elaborate." The Compton styles has zero merit in elevation achievement.



They were from one of my hated periods WWII. Good construction materials were dedicated for war manufacturing while the scraps were used to build junks like these homes. It was obvious that the no redeeming value of the elevations drove the pride of home ownership away long ago.
 
[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241771740][quote author="High Gravity" date=1241754321][quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226][quote author="reason" date=1241747456]Those criterias ruled out most, if not all, of Irvine.

</blockquote>


And yet Irvine grade F homes still cost 10x more than grade A homes in Oklahoma. The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.</blockquote>


Cupertino ranks #5 on Forbes list.



<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html">http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html</a></blockquote>


The Forbes list is useless if Aliso Viejo and Tustin are on it but Irvine is not.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1241824652][quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241771740][quote author="High Gravity" date=1241754321][quote author="asianinvasian" date=1241750226][quote author="reason" date=1241747456]Those criterias ruled out most, if not all, of Irvine.

</blockquote>


And yet Irvine grade F homes still cost 10x more than grade A homes in Oklahoma. The first rule in real estate still trumps all.</blockquote>


A relative of mine just bought a fixer (needs about 50k in upgrades) 1960s 1,700 sq ft ranch in Cupertino for 1.2 mil and they think they got a great deal. Chinese in Nor Cal love Cupertino as much as Chinese in So Cal love Irvine.</blockquote>


Cupertino ranks #5 on Forbes list.



<a href="http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html">http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/towns-cities-real-estate-lifestyle-real-estate-top-towns.html</a></blockquote>


The Forbes list is useless if Aliso Viejo and Tustin are on it but Irvine is not.</blockquote>


Both Tustin and Aliso have a lot of start up and venture capital companies that have excellent potential becoming companies. Typically many of these companies are not in Irvine due to high overhead expenses. This was the primary deciding factor. The low population in both cities yields high ratio for population per company.



Other factors are quality of life and cultural amenities. Neither cities have good merit in categories as cited in drawbacks. Population within the Cities area yields lower density for Tustin and Aliso than Irvine. Both cities are friendly to mom and pop retails restaurants especially Old Town Tustin while Irvine wants only the success of chain.



From a statistical stand point Irvine does not have the advantages but in reality its attibributes are hidden from charts and figures.
 
What's interesting is Irvine's demographics is quite friendly to MPRs (mom and pop retail) but TIC makes it financially impossible to succeed.



The non-TIC companies used to be more reasonable in their leasing prices but I guess they caught the greed bug and have upped their rates considerably in the last 10 years.



I just recently checked the non-TIC owned Heritage Plaza rates and they were near $4 per sft for a minimum 3-year lease. You go up the 5 two exits and you can find month-to-month retail rates for $1.50 per sft.



Crossroads is going to be empty for quite a while.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1241770255]Found something in Tustin Ranch with a 3 garage and the BK aesthetic.</blockquote>
Those plans actually have an option for a 4-car garage.



Sigh... someone needs to make more land in Irvine.
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1241829653]What's interesting is Irvine's demographics is quite friendly to MPRs (mom and pop retail) but TIC makes it financially impossible to succeed.



The non-TIC companies used to be more reasonable in their leasing prices but I guess they caught the greed bug and have upped their rates considerably in the last 10 years.



I just recently checked the non-TIC owned Heritage Plaza rates and they were near $4 per sft for a minimum 3-year lease. You go up the 5 two exits and you can find month-to-month retail rates for $1.50 per sft.



Crossroads is going to be empty for quite a while.</blockquote>


Welcome to my empire!



<img src="http://www.midmajority.com/img/assets4/monopoly.jpg" alt="" />



Donald Milton Bren
 
[quote author="irvine_home_owner" date=1241830567][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1241770255]Found something in Tustin Ranch with a 3 garage and the BK aesthetic.</blockquote>
Those plans actually have an option for a 4-car garage.



Sigh... someone needs to make more land in Irvine.</blockquote>


Garage at the back yields a much higher resale value than frontal garage houses with similar size. Both Tustin Ranch Estates, Cambria, Wyndover Bay and Mahogany are some examples.
 
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