Baker Ranch in Lake Forest / Foothill Ranch

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
I received a message from "The Heights" sales office yesterday saying they were calling to check on my home search and that they had new "incentives" that they were anxious to discuss with me. 

Didn't say specifically what they were but I assume this is happening because sales aren't where they want them to be.  They already threw in the California rooms, I'm guessing this is some other monetary or design incentive. 

I would have likely purchased from them if they would have done this sooner.  When I was ready to put my deposit down (about 4 weeks ago), I told them that if they gave me a $15k design incentive I would be very likely to put my deposit then and there. 

They basically turned their nose up at me and and said "There are no incentives, these homes are selling very well".  I directed their attention to their site map and informed them that they only have half of the homes sold in phase 1 4 weeks after the grand opening.  Their response was "we have hundreds of people in line waiting to get into these homes, but the lender qualification process is so backed up right now and we can't accept their deposit until their prequal occurs". 

Great story, but my prequal turnaround was 2 days.  They lost my business.
 
aquabliss said:
I received a message from "The Heights" sales office yesterday saying they were calling to check on my home search and that they had new "incentives" that they were anxious to discuss with me. 

Didn't say specifically what they were but I assume this is happening because sales aren't where they want them to be.  They already threw in the California rooms, I'm guessing this is some other monetary or design incentive. 

I would have likely purchased from them if they would have done this sooner.  When I was ready to put my deposit down (about 4 weeks ago), I told them that if they gave me a $15k design incentive I would be very likely to put my deposit then and there. 

They basically turned their nose up at me and and said "There are no incentives, these homes are selling very well".  I directed their attention to their site map and informed them that they only have half of the homes sold in phase 1 4 weeks after the grand opening.  Their response was "we have hundreds of people in line waiting to get into these homes, but the lender qualification process is so backed up right now and we can't accept their deposit until their prequal occurs". 

Great story, but my prequal turnaround was 2 days.  They lost my business.
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Similar kind of story they told me to Parkview a month back. I also missed the lot I want and I dropped for Parkview.

If I compare 600K to 850K range.
Best selling order:
Knolls
RidgeWood
Parkview

RidgeWood Sold more homes sold less because of only 3 Phase released compared to others.
 
aquabliss said:
I received a message from "The Heights" sales office yesterday saying they were calling to check on my home search and that they had new "incentives" that they were anxious to discuss with me. 

Didn't say specifically what they were but I assume this is happening because sales aren't where they want them to be.  They already threw in the California rooms, I'm guessing this is some other monetary or design incentive. 

I would have likely purchased from them if they would have done this sooner.  When I was ready to put my deposit down (about 4 weeks ago), I told them that if they gave me a $15k design incentive I would be very likely to put my deposit then and there. 

They basically turned their nose up at me and and said "There are no incentives, these homes are selling very well".  I directed their attention to their site map and informed them that they only have half of the homes sold in phase 1 4 weeks after the grand opening.  Their response was "we have hundreds of people in line waiting to get into these homes, but the lender qualification process is so backed up right now and we can't accept their deposit until their prequal occurs". 

Great story, but my prequal turnaround was 2 days.  They lost my business.
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Great Story!
 
I drove by Baker Ranch the other day and the location seemed rather odd.  Directly across the street you have business/industrial buildings.  I'm sure once you drive in and go into your house it seems fine.  Does anyone know what the school situation is for Baker Ranch?
 
irvinepch1 said:
Do you guys think there will be another price increase?
Click to expand...

For Knolls 100% price increase by 5K to 10K depending on lot.
Each phase Shea increasing prices.
Good demand for Knolls and lot of new buyers are adding to priority list.
 
Do most people enter off of Bake or Alton?  Is Bake the "main" entrance? 

I still need to go check these places out. 
 
Tarmacpro said:
I drove by Baker Ranch the other day and the location seemed rather odd.  Directly across the street you have business/industrial buildings.  I'm sure once you drive in and go into your house it seems fine.  Does anyone know what the school situation is for Baker Ranch?
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BR Village 1 phase border homes are close to business/industrial buildings.

I liked middle lost area of Knolls and RidgeWood with views.

Assigned Schools for BR:

Grades K to 6: Foothill Elementary School
GreatSchools Rating: 9

Grades 7 to 8: Serrano Intermediate School
GreatSchools Rating: 9

Grades 9 to 12: El Toro High School
GreatSchools Rating: 9
 
Coleman said:
Do most people enter off of Bake or Alton?  Is Bake the "main" entrance? 

I still need to go check these places out.
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Both builders Toll and Shea are encouraged to come via Bake Parkway.

Here are the Directions from Sheahomes website.

Baker Ranch is located at Dimension Drive and Bake Parkway in Lake Forest. Southbound via the I-5 or I-405 Take the Bake Parkway exit and turn left onto Bake Parkway.
Northbound via the I-5 Take the I-405N/I-5 N/Bake Parkway exit toward Long Beach.
 
LiveAtOC said:
Coleman said:
Do most people enter off of Bake or Alton?  Is Bake the "main" entrance? 

I still need to go check these places out.
Click to expand...

Both builders Toll and Shea are encouraged to come via Bake Parkway.

Here are the Directions from Sheahomes website.

Baker Ranch is located at Dimension Drive and Bake Parkway in Lake Forest. Southbound via the I-5 or I-405 Take the Bake Parkway exit and turn left onto Bake Parkway.
Northbound via the I-5 Take the I-405N/I-5 N/Bake Parkway exit toward Long Beach.
Click to expand...
I've always entered off Alton since I'm coming from Irvine.
 
aquabliss said:
I received a message from "The Heights" sales office yesterday saying they were calling to check on my home search and that they had new "incentives" that they were anxious to discuss with me. 

Didn't say specifically what they were but I assume this is happening because sales aren't where they want them to be.  They already threw in the California rooms, I'm guessing this is some other monetary or design incentive. 

I would have likely purchased from them if they would have done this sooner.  When I was ready to put my deposit down (about 4 weeks ago), I told them that if they gave me a $15k design incentive I would be very likely to put my deposit then and there. 

They basically turned their nose up at me and and said "There are no incentives, these homes are selling very well".  I directed their attention to their site map and informed them that they only have half of the homes sold in phase 1 4 weeks after the grand opening.  Their response was "we have hundreds of people in line waiting to get into these homes, but the lender qualification process is so backed up right now and we can't accept their deposit until their prequal occurs". 

Great story, but my prequal turnaround was 2 days.  They lost my business.
Click to expand...
Nice, serves them right.  I guess they were penny wise and pound foolish.  You got yourself a nice home at a great price though.  Can't stand when builders have that kind of attitude.  It's like come on...you aren't the only show in town. 
 
USCTrojanCPA said:
I've always entered off Alton since I'm coming from Irvine.
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Same here, I try to avoid that round-about off the Bake-Dimension entrance/exit ala National Lampoons European Vacation.  ;D
 
LiveAtOC said:
irvinepch1 said:
Do you guys think there will be another price increase?
Click to expand...

For Knolls 100% price increase by 5K to 10K depending on lot.
Each phase Shea increasing prices.
Good demand for Knolls and lot of new buyers are adding to priority list.
Click to expand...


My guess is at this point, the turn around time from when you get pre-qualified (non-contingent) to signing a contract is about 3-4 phases.  Popularity of plans/lots will also dictate wait time.  Plan 3-Plan 2-Plan 1 appears to be the order of popularity.
 
Toured the Toll Bros homes today. Was very surprised to see an upstairs covered deck with those big sliding doors. Interesting concepts.

The builder is putting up additional homes without closing out phase 1. The board had quite a few still for sale homes (I can spot a plugged board a mile away). Standing inventory is going to be upon this builder soon so I'd expect to see some concessions sprouting.

The sales staff at Sendero (Mission Viejo) has been making the rounds at the OCAR Broker Preview meetings. The Baker Ranch opening probably sucked all of the potential Sendero buyers out of the pipeline.

Just as in 2007, once one or two whispers get out about concessions and price reductions, it spooks the entire herd. If sales stall here as re-sale inventory also is constrained, it's going to be interesting to see what all of the "not Irvine" new construction tracts will be doing to get standing inventory sold.
 
Someone I know is telling me that Baker Ranch is having pretty good sales... but I guess that's not true.

It sounds like Rancho Mission Viejo is also slowing down.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
Someone I know is telling me that Baker Ranch is having pretty good sales... but I guess that's not true.

It sounds like Rancho Mission Viejo is also slowing down.
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I think it depends on the portion of BR you're talking about.  We discussed how the products below $700K (or) are selling well but the product above that are struggling. 
 
LiveAtOC said:
Let see this Saturday at 9 AM turn up for Knolls?.
Prices crossing $650K for model 3...


TOLL and SHEA arranging  the festivities at The Grove for food, fun and music.
https://www.facebook.com/liveatbakerranch
or
Baker Ranch Food Truck Festival - May 3rd
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oooh...free food.  The heat wave and crazy winds can't be helping sale.  They're going to have a hard time with people going out there during the summer.
 
Toured the Shea Ridgewood homes Thursday. The garage dominates the footprint of each plan. It seemed as though the first floor of each model was an afterthought once the garage was taken into account. Not a big fan of these, and at $780k before upgrades, not something I'd invest in myself.

Anyone like the floorplans, or is it just me?
 
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