irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
So 16 years ago... I joined the IHB forums (ancestor to TalkIrvine) and at the time it wasn't very friendly to newbies... or at least to me. One of the first threads I created was talking about what I thought a "family home" should have and all the regulars roasted me but eventually, after dispersing some misperceptions, I was able to win them all over (except maybe for Graphrix 
).
Looking back at my original list, not much has changed except that several of the features I prefer are no longer part of new builds so let's revisit the list again (posted a 2nd thread a year or so later). And remember this is for a family of at least 4:
1. 5 bedrooms (4 with a den or bonus room will work)
2. All living areas: Living room, dining room, family room and nook
3. Kitchen: Must have huge center island with eat-at bar (usually the sink will be in it) and a walk-in (or really big) pantry
4. Separate laundry room with sink (preferably upstairs)
5. Master bathroom: Separate shower and tub, shower should be sizeable with a seat and separate vanity area (for the ladies)
6. Front courtyard
7. Vaulted or high ceilings
8. 3-car garage (real 3-car? not tandem)
9. Reasonable back/side yard space
10. Cul-de-sac location
Below were later adds:
11. Separate his/her master walk-in closets:
The sigoth loves the fact that our clothes aren't mixed. They also make great dressing rooms. Walk-in closets are like little vacation getaways.
12. Fully enclosed master shower:
Such a spa-like experience taking a shower where the only glass is on the door. Nice and private.
13. California Room:
Just kidding. But I do like them. I've always liked it when builders did that balcony off the master that created a covered patio/Cali Room on the first floor. There's something to be said to have a solid roofed outside area in your backyard.
Here's how I would redo it today (bold are changes):
1. 4 bedrooms and a loft and one bedroom has to be downstairs.
2. Living room/den, dining room and kitchen/nook/great room. Doesn't need all the living spaces but should have at least 2 eating spaces and 2 gathering spaces.
3. Kitchen: Must have island or eat-at bar (usually the sink will be in it) and a walk-in (or really big) pantry
4. Separate laundry room with sink (upstairs or downstairs is fine)
5. Master bathroom: Separate shower and tub, shower should be sizeable with a seat and the tub should be in the shower and separate vanity area (for the ladies)
6. Front courtyard (not needed)
7. Vaulted or high ceilings (not needed but should be 9-10 feet)
8. 3-car garage (real 3-car? not tandem)
9. Reasonable back/side yard space (I would prefer large but can deal with small)
10. Cul-de-sac location (I think I prefer corner lot over cul-de-sac, but depends)
11. Separate his/her master walk-in closets
12. Fully enclosed master shower (see change to 5 with tub in shower)
13. California Room (esp if no backyard)
Adds:
14. Driveway (these are not standard anymore)
15. 1.5+ bathrooms downstairs (2 toilets on the main floor is very convenient)
16. 1-story (older now)
17. Wood-like tiles downstairs, LVP is nice but I've seen some wood tiles that look really good. We have engineered wood now but it's getting dinged up.
For some context, homes like this used to cost around $700-800k in Irvine back then... today... probably $3m+ (I have no idea what new homes cost now other than too much).
Once we empty nest... this list will change, mostly in size, bedroom count and 1-story being a must have (and maybe a velodrome since I bike more now).
). Looking back at my original list, not much has changed except that several of the features I prefer are no longer part of new builds so let's revisit the list again (posted a 2nd thread a year or so later). And remember this is for a family of at least 4:
1. 5 bedrooms (4 with a den or bonus room will work)
2. All living areas: Living room, dining room, family room and nook
3. Kitchen: Must have huge center island with eat-at bar (usually the sink will be in it) and a walk-in (or really big) pantry
4. Separate laundry room with sink (preferably upstairs)
5. Master bathroom: Separate shower and tub, shower should be sizeable with a seat and separate vanity area (for the ladies)
6. Front courtyard
7. Vaulted or high ceilings
8. 3-car garage (real 3-car? not tandem)
9. Reasonable back/side yard space
10. Cul-de-sac location
Below were later adds:
11. Separate his/her master walk-in closets:
The sigoth loves the fact that our clothes aren't mixed. They also make great dressing rooms. Walk-in closets are like little vacation getaways.
12. Fully enclosed master shower:
Such a spa-like experience taking a shower where the only glass is on the door. Nice and private.
13. California Room:
Just kidding. But I do like them. I've always liked it when builders did that balcony off the master that created a covered patio/Cali Room on the first floor. There's something to be said to have a solid roofed outside area in your backyard.
Here's how I would redo it today (bold are changes):
1. 4 bedrooms and a loft and one bedroom has to be downstairs.
2. Living room/den, dining room and kitchen/nook/great room. Doesn't need all the living spaces but should have at least 2 eating spaces and 2 gathering spaces.
3. Kitchen: Must have island or eat-at bar (usually the sink will be in it) and a walk-in (or really big) pantry
4. Separate laundry room with sink (upstairs or downstairs is fine)
5. Master bathroom: Separate shower and tub, shower should be sizeable with a seat and the tub should be in the shower and separate vanity area (for the ladies)
6. Front courtyard (not needed)
7. Vaulted or high ceilings (not needed but should be 9-10 feet)
8. 3-car garage (real 3-car? not tandem)
9. Reasonable back/side yard space (I would prefer large but can deal with small)
10. Cul-de-sac location (I think I prefer corner lot over cul-de-sac, but depends)
11. Separate his/her master walk-in closets
12. Fully enclosed master shower (see change to 5 with tub in shower)
13. California Room (esp if no backyard)
Adds:
14. Driveway (these are not standard anymore)
15. 1.5+ bathrooms downstairs (2 toilets on the main floor is very convenient)
16. 1-story (older now)
17. Wood-like tiles downstairs, LVP is nice but I've seen some wood tiles that look really good. We have engineered wood now but it's getting dinged up.
For some context, homes like this used to cost around $700-800k in Irvine back then... today... probably $3m+ (I have no idea what new homes cost now other than too much).
Once we empty nest... this list will change, mostly in size, bedroom count and 1-story being a must have (and maybe a velodrome since I bike more now).
