2010 Irvine New Home Collection

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
just got back from La Casella... they are open... brisk traffic... no food, no refreshments... booo...

more a mixture of other Irvine minorities... Indians, and you finally see some Whites...

I'll walk over to Sonoma this afternoon... it's lunch time for the kid...!
 
for those who own in Woodbury, what is your base tax rate? I always thought it would be at least, 1.22%... but the La Casella price sheet states.. 1.04%... plus 0.72% mello-roos is somewhere around 1.76%... wow, this changes some calculations... I thought you can't get away under 2% total... maybe that is Portola..!
 
[quote author="escrowbear"]Does anyone know if the Sonoma models are open today? Or does anyone have a phone number so I Can call them?[/quote]
Sonoma is open. Carmel was closed but Montecito was also open but too crowded for us to park. So we went through the Sonoma models.

Panda: I'll be posting a thread detailing each plan as I took as many pictures of each model.

I like Plan 1 the most as it seemed to have the most space upstairs but it didn't have a bedroom downstairs.

I can tell you that looking at these things really gets you compelled to want to buy... they have really nice features, stuff that people want. The kitches are enormous... in most plans almost 1/3 to 1/2 of the downstairs... but the pricing is obscene.

And the big kicker... no 3-car garage. If they somehow fit a tandem in there, I would probably be in the pre-reg list.

(lots of FCBs... 95% probably)
 
no the obscene thing is that you pay $900k to live right next to affordable housing... I'm going to be a dick today, just not feeling good I guess, and bring that up to the sales people...

hey that is convenient, at least your drug dealer will live close by... ;D
 
[quote author="roundcorners"]no the obscene thing is that you pay $900k to live right next to affordable housing... I'm going to be a dick today, just not feeling good I guess, and bring that up to the sales people...

hey that is convenient, at least your drug dealer will live close by... ;D[/quote]

Drug dealers make a lot of money. They don't need to live in affordable housing. If you recall, IR2 and I posted on some grow houses that got busted. All of which were in neighborhoods you would least expect it. You're in luck, Irvine homes are too clusterfawked together so it makes for a bad location for grow house or a dealer. They like their privacy; something that is unheard of in Irvine.

And this just helps confirm the snobbery of Irvine that Grace mentions with this post. I also thought someone such as yourself would have more compassion for his fellow man and woman.
 
I saw Montecito & Sonoma but skipped La Casella (already seen the old models 2 yrs ago). Lots of Asian foot traffic at both.

Carmel as of 12pm was still closed.

Quick impressions:

Montecito
Positive
+Nice open Great Rooms, especially like the plan 1 with lots of windows and natural light pouring in
+Kitchens have islands
+Feels efficient and practical in layout
+You have a real driveway (can fit a minivan or medium SUV)

Negative
-Would hate to live in this terrible motorcourt format; the motor court is very narrow and you will feel like living in a valley once homes are constructed on both sides
-No real sidewalks in front of homes
-California rooms back very close to rear of property
-very small backyards

Sonoma
Positive
+Traditional SFR format
+Nice Great Room execution
+Large Kitchens with large islands and walk in pantry
+Nice bright and open conservatory option on Plan 2
+Nice 2nd floor loft on Plan 3
+Large laundry rooms with plenty of storage space
+Plan 2 & 3 with downstairs bedroom with bath

Negative
-Small backyard but better than Montecito; Villa Rosa has bigger lots
-Plan 3 secondary bedrooms seem small versus Plan 2 (I guess that loft eats into the sqft
-All homes have garage dominant elevations
-Not much buffer space in terms of sideyards
-Your close neighbors will probably all be cooking Shrimp Paste <!-- s;) -->;)<!-- s;) -->
 
SONOMA Price Information
Release #1 pricing

Residence One
$771,700
3 bd, 2.5 bath
2345 sqft

Residence Two
$807,200
4 bd, 3 full bath
2463 sqft

Residence Three
$853,200
4 bd+Loft, 3 full bath
2627 sqft
 
[quote author="graphrix"]
[quote author="roundcorners"]no the obscene thing is that you pay $900k to live right next to affordable housing... I'm going to be a dick today, just not feeling good I guess, and bring that up to the sales people...

hey that is convenient, at least your drug dealer will live close by... ;D[/quote]

Drug dealers make a lot of money. They don't need to live in affordable housing. If you recall, IR2 and I posted on some grow houses that got busted. All of which were in neighborhoods you would least expect it. You're in luck, Irvine homes are too clusterfawked together so it makes for a bad location for grow house or a dealer. They like their privacy; something that is unheard of in Irvine.

And this just helps confirm the snobbery of Irvine that Grace mentions with this post. I also thought someone such as yourself would have more compassion for his fellow man and woman. [/quote]

You guys are both referring to the The Arbor at Woodbury, an affordable housing complex next to the Sonoma Subdivision. It is restricted to families earning 60% or less of the area median income, and will have 90 one-, two-, and three-
bedroom units.

I took a look at this complex and it looks just like the WB Court--an IAC complex next door. They even have a nice pool and tot lot as well. It looks no different than any other WB IAC place.

Here are the links from the old IHB threads:
http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/forums/viewthread/4380/
http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/forums/viewthread/5568/
 
This thread is so exciting! It makes me want to go to Woodbury and look at these model homes! And I don't even like Woodbury!
 
Looking through the information sheet, I like some of the things that are standard in Sonoma:

- Crown Molding in Kitchen and Great Room
- Coffered ceilings in Master
- Full wrap rain gutters
- Tankless water heaters
 
Thanks for all your efforts, IHO. Adds a lot to the conversation to see the pictures of the models. Sonoma looks nice. So let's hear what you really think --- you have certainly proven to have a sense for the Irvine market. Now that you have visited, are these worth $325-$330/sq ft? (Or maybe $350/sq ft optioned up?) I guess also considering the incremental tax and HOA to what you might find in resale?

Looking forward to your thoughts.
 
[quote author="ck"]I drove through Montecito last night on my way home from work. I know I have been critical of that design on here previously, but wow --- see the finished product in person was really shocking. That alley (er, motorcourt) is REALLY narrow. Really narrow. Can you imagine what that is going to look like when the houses are built on the other side? It will feel like a tunnel. Imagine how loud car noises will echo in there. Hopefully they don't allow anything but FCB's in, I'd hate to see what would happen if some white guy with a motorcycle is ever allowed in. And geez, backing out of your driveway is going to be no small feat, either. And what someone said about the "backyard" (using that term loosely) --- they are right, that California room is almost against the back wall. Picture that with a rear neighbor as well. You'll need to whisper outside. I didn't go into the models, there was no point after seeing the exterior. I'm sure they are nice inside, just like the many many townhouses you can find in Irvine, except at a lower price. But it better be nice inside, its going to be like a prison in there.

I've been pretty critical of Montecito on here (much more than other similar properties like Coronado). It's because of the obscene price point for Montecito. I'm all for a less than "traditional" layout to achieve a lower price point to allow lower budget buyers to own something of their own....But gawd, these are priced comparable to REAL houses. Crazy. I'll give it TIC, if they can sell out this crap at $800k they are magicians. Gives a guy like me a lot of confidence in buying resale in Irvine, no worries about an older SFR holding its value. That's why a value village like West Irvine is still at $325-$350 sq ft, and places like Westpark or Oak Creek still flirt with $400/sq ft.

Sorry if you love this place, I'm just being honest. No hard feelings.
[/quote]

I am getting the impression that Sonoma is a much better choice over Montecito? IHO, i am also curious about your thoughts? After viewing these homes, what do you think Sonomas are really worth? Did your wife like them? How do it think compares to the Villa Rosa models?
 
[quote author="ck"]I drove through Montecito last night on my way home from work. I know I have been critical of that design on here previously, but wow --- see the finished product in person was really shocking. That alley (er, motorcourt) is REALLY narrow. Really narrow. Can you imagine what that is going to look like when the houses are built on the other side? It will feel like a tunnel. Imagine how loud car noises will echo in there. Hopefully they don't allow anything but FCB's in, I'd hate to see what would happen if some white guy with a motorcycle is ever allowed in. And geez, backing out of your driveway is going to be no small feat, either. And what someone said about the "backyard" (using that term loosely) --- they are right, that California room is almost against the back wall. Picture that with a rear neighbor as well. You'll need to whisper outside. I didn't go into the models, there was no point after seeing the exterior. I'm sure they are nice inside, just like the many many townhouses you can find in Irvine, except at a lower price. But it better be nice inside, its going to be like a prison in there.

I've been pretty critical of Montecito on here (much more than other similar properties like Coronado). It's because of the obscene price point for Montecito. I'm all for a less than "traditional" layout to achieve a lower price point to allow lower budget buyers to own something of their own....But gawd, these are priced comparable to REAL houses. Crazy. I'll give it TIC, if they can sell out this crap at $800k they are magicians. Gives a guy like me a lot of confidence in buying resale in Irvine, no worries about an older SFR holding its value. That's why a value village like West Irvine is still at $325-$350 sq ft, and places like Westpark or Oak Creek still flirt with $400/sq ft.

Sorry if you love this place, I'm just being honest. No hard feelings.
[/quote]

Now, I don't know if I can say they are REALLY narrow. They are narrow - but IMO, they provide ample room to drive in and out of, and to back out of. They are not that much smaller than normal streets, and I have seen the models at least 5 times. I'm not saying I would like to live on a motorcourt -- I don't, I'd rather have my home facing the street -- but, I think there is more than enough room to drive in and out on.
 
[quote author="Panda "]
[quote author="ck"]I drove through Montecito last night on my way home from work. I know I have been critical of that design on here previously, but wow --- see the finished product in person was really shocking. That alley (er, motorcourt) is REALLY narrow. Really narrow. Can you imagine what that is going to look like when the houses are built on the other side? It will feel like a tunnel. Imagine how loud car noises will echo in there. Hopefully they don't allow anything but FCB's in, I'd hate to see what would happen if some white guy with a motorcycle is ever allowed in. And geez, backing out of your driveway is going to be no small feat, either. And what someone said about the "backyard" (using that term loosely) --- they are right, that California room is almost against the back wall. Picture that with a rear neighbor as well. You'll need to whisper outside. I didn't go into the models, there was no point after seeing the exterior. I'm sure they are nice inside, just like the many many townhouses you can find in Irvine, except at a lower price. But it better be nice inside, its going to be like a prison in there.

I've been pretty critical of Montecito on here (much more than other similar properties like Coronado). It's because of the obscene price point for Montecito. I'm all for a less than "traditional" layout to achieve a lower price point to allow lower budget buyers to own something of their own....But gawd, these are priced comparable to REAL houses. Crazy. I'll give it TIC, if they can sell out this crap at $800k they are magicians. Gives a guy like me a lot of confidence in buying resale in Irvine, no worries about an older SFR holding its value. That's why a value village like West Irvine is still at $325-$350 sq ft, and places like Westpark or Oak Creek still flirt with $400/sq ft.

Sorry if you love this place, I'm just being honest. No hard feelings.
[/quote]

I am getting the impression that Sonoma is a much better choice over Montecito? IHO, i am also curious about your thoughts? After viewing these homes, what do you think Sonomas are really worth? Did your wife like them? How do it think compares to the Villa Rosa models? [/quote]

I know those questions were to IHO, but I would like to comment -- Sonoma is a better (not much better) choice than Montecito, IF you have the extra money to spend. For example, a 2308 sq/ft Montecito plan 2 was starting at $760K, while a 2463 sq/ft Sonoma Plan 2 was going for around $800K. They are comparable in floorplans, same number of rooms, both have rooms downstairs, etc. Sonoma also seems to offer more lots with larger lot sizes. Granted, many of the larger lots are close to Sand Canyon Ave, but they are still on average larger then Montecito. I believe the prices are still too high. I love the floorplan for the plan 2 at Sonoma and Montecito, and would buy the Sonoma 2 if it was closer to $750K. Even that is too high, but right now, that is pretty reasonable for Irvine. When it comes down to it, it all depends on if you like the Montecito models and can live with a motorcourt (IMO, they aren't that bad). If you have extra money to spend, go for Sonoma. Otherwise, I think Montecito would be fine.

Now, in regards to Lennar's Villa Rosa, I think they are priced WAY too high. I mean, their plan 1's start at around $1 million. They need to bring their price down or else they won't be able to sell anything. Poor Lennar though, they have been here forever!
 
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