irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
When TIC originally announced these new homes, I was seriously considering buying. We were looking at Woodbury and although a bit dense... we like the Elementary school, the parks and the shopping center.
We were primarily looking at the SFRs, which meant the Montecito/Sonoma/Carmel trio. The original prices had us hopeful:
But once TIC raised their pricing $50-100k around the same time they announced the Pre-Reg list, we became less enthused.
Just from the floorplans online, Sonoma looked pretty good and once Carmel finally put theirs online... the prices just favored Sonoma.
Prior to the grand opening, we were able to tour the model homes for Sonoma and were impressed by the interior layout, the features and the sizes of some of the rooms. But the prices for the 4br plans were over $800 and that just did not make sense for the size.
We finally saw Carmel and Montecito on the Grand Opening and have been back to see Sonoma. It was very tempting, especially for my wife... but what it finally came down to was price. To us, our current home mortgage is much cheaper than any of the new ones and although not as big... just as serviceable. The home we sold was as big, had a 3-car garage and was on a cul-de-sac and cost less than the Carmels so we couldn't justify buying any of those.
They're very nice homes... just overpriced. And it looks like we probably won't be buying in Irvine in the future if they continue with this "luxury" pricing for non-luxury products.
We were primarily looking at the SFRs, which meant the Montecito/Sonoma/Carmel trio. The original prices had us hopeful:
We liked the size of Carmel but the location and price point of Sonoma was better for us. No plans had 3-car garages which saddened us. We weren't really interested in Montecito but would check them out for $600k+.2 - Montecito
Brookfield Homes
2,156 - 2,336 Sq. Ft.
From the High $600,000's
3 - Sonoma
TRI Pointe Homes
2,350 - 2,622 Sq. Ft.
From the High $700,000's
4 - Carmel
The New Home Company
2,616 - 3,046 Sq. Ft.
From the High $800,000's
But once TIC raised their pricing $50-100k around the same time they announced the Pre-Reg list, we became less enthused.
Just from the floorplans online, Sonoma looked pretty good and once Carmel finally put theirs online... the prices just favored Sonoma.
Prior to the grand opening, we were able to tour the model homes for Sonoma and were impressed by the interior layout, the features and the sizes of some of the rooms. But the prices for the 4br plans were over $800 and that just did not make sense for the size.
We finally saw Carmel and Montecito on the Grand Opening and have been back to see Sonoma. It was very tempting, especially for my wife... but what it finally came down to was price. To us, our current home mortgage is much cheaper than any of the new ones and although not as big... just as serviceable. The home we sold was as big, had a 3-car garage and was on a cul-de-sac and cost less than the Carmels so we couldn't justify buying any of those.
They're very nice homes... just overpriced. And it looks like we probably won't be buying in Irvine in the future if they continue with this "luxury" pricing for non-luxury products.