I personally don't understand the appeal of Laguna Altura, it is an interesting real estate case, indeed. Yes, it's not surrounded by a sea of homes like the rest of Irvine, but you also see all the powerlines as you drive in. What's so special to command ~$600 per square foot?! Funny to think that they couldn't sell those homes initally and then all of a sudden, they were selling like hot cakes. My aunt has a rental in there, she got in early and is loving life.
Hidden Canyon in Irvine
- Thread starter lcms2002
- Start date
NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
It's in the middle of open space and every major freeway access in the area. I think that's part of the appeal they are advertising, not sure what you like to have close by but Quail Hill Shopping Center is about 5 minutes away, the new Whole Foods at Los Olivos is less that 10 and you can be at the spectrum in about the same.
I like how you think, +$2 million home, want that 0.5% back, rich people are not cheap. I would kiss up to the agent that already has an 'in'. Measly commission kickback is not worth losing a home that has a good chance at appreciation/FCB drool. In hindsight, would you say no to a Laguna Altura home 1st phase with a realtor that gives no kickback but can guarantee purchase?
No home no commission no kickback, go with an agent that has connections, secure the home. Real estate is not fair. If you spend a dollar would you worry about being overcharged $0.005? At this price range money is not the issue, its the connections. If USCTrojan can secure me a home, call me.
True, true, Just a reliable cash counting machine is the only flrrrrrr sounds that they need to hear. ;D
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
If they named it Laguna Valtura, it would have been hotter sooner. 
SC_housegeek
New member
Home Buyer said:
It's in the middle of open space and every major freeway access in the area. I think that's part of the appeal they are advertising, not sure what you like to have close by but Quail Hill Shopping Center is about 5 minutes away, the new Whole Foods at Los Olivos is less that 10 and you can be at the spectrum in about the same.
irvinebullhousing
Well-known member
Check UscCPA he is a resident realtor here and he is an upstanding fellow to work with. I can vouch for him.
ps99472
New member
Harajuku said:
I like how you think, +$2 million home, want that 0.5% back, rich people are not cheap. I would kiss up to the agent that already has an 'in'. Measly commission kickback is not worth losing a home that has a good chance at appreciation/FCB drool. In hindsight, would you say no to a Laguna Altura home 1st phase with a realtor that gives no kickback but can guarantee purchase?
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
Thank you for the kind words. I'll make a few calls and see if I can find out. My guess would be $25k-$30k but I'll let you guys know for sure once I find out.Compressed-Village said:
ps99472
New member
bones said:
No home no commission no kickback, go with an agent that has connections, secure the home. Real estate is not fair. If you spend a dollar would you worry about being overcharged $0.005? At this price range money is not the issue, its the connections. If USCTrojan can secure me a home, call me.
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
Builder's agents are not paid like listing agents of resale homes. They are paid to sell the homes and get buyers through the process. They are generally employees of the builder that get paid a salary and/or a bonus and do not collect a commission like a listing agent does on a resale property. The broker co-op commission comes out of the builder's marketing budget. The builder's sale people get paid either the home is sold to buyers who work with agents and ones that don't work with agents.Harajuku said:
@usc- I get that, but if they had a huge list of interested parties, some with agents, some without, wouldn't they want to try to save those marketing dollars and maybe sell to those without agents? I would imagine every bit of profit helps. Although, I would imagine most foreign suitcase full of cash buyers have agents. Can't communicate otherwise.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
They don't need an agent... a suitcase of cash needs no translation.
irvinebullhousing
Well-known member
irvinehomeowner said:They don't need an agent... a suitcase of cash needs no translation.
True, true, Just a reliable cash counting machine is the only flrrrrrr sounds that they need to hear. ;D
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Heh... I already told this story but this still reminds me of when I was touring Pavilion Park and a salesperson was telling a buyer to fill out the prequal app for their lender and the buyer kept saying "Why? We are paying cash!".
The agent is not needed for cash counting but is necessary to help with the inch thick of disclosure docs one needs to sign. I've seen them suitcasers try to argue about signing the documents. Agent steps in to calm them down and translate the forms. Painful. Prob no kickback structure here. Too much work.
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
If that were the case then every builder would put the buyers with no agents ahead of the buyers with agents. Then why even have a broker co-op commission in the first place? And conversely then why would agents even bring their buyers to that development? It's a slippery slope and I believe it is against the rules (per the Department of Real Estate as being discrimination). Buyers are put on the list based upon when they get pre-approved with the builder's lender. The real estate market is flatish so they will offer a broker co-op.bones said: