Hidden Canyon in Irvine

[Villager]

Can?t stand when people refer to Hidden Canyon/Laguna Altura as ?coastal? communities. Nothing coastal about them. If they offered views of the ocean, I would let it slide, but the matter of the fact is that they are both pretty much as close to the ocean as most communities in Irvine. The phrase ?Coastal Canyon Community? was just a marketing phrase used by TIC when they began selling LA (which irked me equally as much back then) probably to allure buyers by distracting them from the fact that the community entrance is on a freeway offramp. I certainly don?t remember TIC marketing Quail Hill that way.

Beyond that, the school district assigned to HC makes HC a better investment on paper, even though the schools assigned to OH are pretty much on par with the schools assigned to HC. I personally like the floorplans offered at Trevi much better, but then again that's just preference.

Agreed on all points, but HC's location, being closer to the coast, makes it significantly cooler than OH during the summer (I'd say at least 5 degrees).

That being said, if I were dropping $3+ million on a home, I'd pick neither.  At that price point, I'd move to Newport.

Notice how I said "most" communities Certain communities like OH are clearly further away from the ocean than communities like HC.

Living in OH, I've found that the temperatures are really not that significantly hotter compared to where I moved from (Woodbridge). People think that OH is so far inland (traffic on Culver makes it seem that way), when in fact it's only about 5 miles more inland than HC. World Weather Online shows that the summer months in 92603 (HC) are actually a bit hotter than the summer months in 92602 (OH), which I found pretty interesting. Not that this is related, but I've also noticed that it rains harder in OH whenever it does rain in Irvine because the mountains cause some sort of rain-shadow effect; the tall mountains in the backdrop block the the clouds from moving further inland, causing the rain clouds to congregate above the area.

That being said, both communities offer their own allure. Like I said before, it's all about personal preference.

 

[Aspanbay]

That data seems interesting. I've lived in both areas, not specifically OH and HC but Portola and Quail Hill, living in PS generated more electricity bills during summer. Quail Hill was definetely cooler than PS period.

Can?t stand when people refer to Hidden Canyon/Laguna Altura as ?coastal? communities. Nothing coastal about them. If they offered views of the ocean, I would let it slide, but the matter of the fact is that they are both pretty much as close to the ocean as most communities in Irvine. The phrase ?Coastal Canyon Community? was just a marketing phrase used by TIC when they began selling LA (which irked me equally as much back then) probably to allure buyers by distracting them from the fact that the community entrance is on a freeway offramp. I certainly don?t remember TIC marketing Quail Hill that way.

Beyond that, the school district assigned to HC makes HC a better investment on paper, even though the schools assigned to OH are pretty much on par with the schools assigned to HC. I personally like the floorplans offered at Trevi much better, but then again that's just preference.

Agreed on all points, but HC's location, being closer to the coast, makes it significantly cooler than OH during the summer (I'd say at least 5 degrees).

That being said, if I were dropping $3+ million on a home, I'd pick neither.  At that price point, I'd move to Newport.

Notice how I said "most" communities Certain communities like OH are clearly further away from the ocean than communities like HC.

Living in OH, I've found that the temperatures are really not that significantly hotter compared to where I moved from (Woodbridge). People think that OH is so far inland (traffic on Culver makes it seem that way), when in fact it's only about 5 miles more inland than HC. World Weather Online shows that the summer months in 92603 (HC) are actually a bit hotter than the summer months in 92602 (OH), which I found pretty interesting. Not that this is related, but I've also noticed that it rains harder in OH whenever it does rain in Irvine because the mountains cause some sort of rain-shadow effect; the tall mountains in the backdrop block the the clouds from moving further inland, causing the rain clouds to congregate above the area.

That being said, both communities offer their own allure. Like I said before, it's all about personal preference.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

@Villager:

I dunno, seems warmer in "north" Irvine compared to central and south Irvine. Always seemed hotter in Northwood and Portola Springs than WestPark, Turtle Rock and Quail Hill. Woodbridge also seems cooler because it has the flakes.

Maybe OH isn't as warm because it's in the foothills but even Tustin Ranch and North Tustin seemed warmer than the 405 area.

I would choose Hidden Canyon over OH except for how expensive it is. But then again, I would choose Quail Hill over HC (and LA). For $3m, I would much rather get this at $1.8m (not sure what it would cost now, maybe $2.1m):
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/47-Balcony-92603/home/5929294

Single story, single loaded street, gigantic 2-car garage with storage space, elevations with great view, huge lot and cul-de-sac (the good feng-shui style). It is a *4* address but hey, I'll take it.

Or this one, probably $2.3m now, has a 3-car L garage:
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/26-Silhouette-92603/home/5929552

This one is actually for sale, $2.35m, has the in-law casita but *4* address:
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/24-Silhouette-92603/home/5929556

I would rather spend $1m less and buy in the highest elevated streets in QH but I guess some people like their gates.

 

[eatthis]

Capri price sheet for February.

 

[eatthis]

New price sheet for Capri. Lot 231 breaks the price record for this collection at almost $3.3M. It's a 20k+ sqft view lot on a single loaded street. Sales office says a few buyers have been waiting for it. If they can pull it off in this market that would be quite impressive. I wonder if lot 63 is over priced given that it's a much smaller lot compared to the ones on Aster Mesa. It's been sitting for close to a month now.

 

[Irvine Dream]

New price sheet for Capri. Lot 231 breaks the price record for this collection at almost $3.3M. It's a 20k+ sqft view lot on a single loaded street. Sales office says a few buyers have been waiting for it. If they can pull it off in this market that would be quite impressive. I wonder if lot 63 is over priced given that it's a much smaller lot compared to the ones on Aster Mesa. It's been sitting for close to a month now.

Based on these prices guess that La Vita Motor Courts in OH has been the best investment purchase.  Congratulations to all the first phase La Vita buyers.

 

[happios]

If you buy in the first phase you're likely to built equity regardless where you buy.  La vita sold well but after phase 4, model 3s rose in price substantially.  So yah you could say the same for first phase hc buyers Or other homes that have decent locations.

 

[Irvine Dream]

If you buy in the first phase you're likely to built equity regardless where you buy. 

Except at Capella and possibly Messina, Saviero, and Vicenza in OH and very likely all of BP with the exception of Ellwood?

 

[akkord]

If you buy in the first phase you're likely to built equity regardless where you buy. 

Except at Capella and possibly Messina, Saviero, and Vicenza in OH and very likely all of BP with the exception of Ellwood?

Base price on Nathaniel in Ellwood was ~830k phase 1, the model Nathianiel is under contract for 1.2 mil.  So definitely equity built up in Ellwood.

 

[hello]

If you buy in the first phase you're likely to built equity regardless where you buy.

If this is not an example of recency bias, im not sure what is. 

 

[AW]

If you buy in the first phase you're likely to built equity regardless where you buy. 

Except at Capella and possibly Messina, Saviero, and Vicenza in OH and very likely all of BP with the exception of Ellwood?

Speaking of Capella, couple new MLS entries. 

 

[OC-Broker]

HC prices have turned out to be more lot-specific than I imagined.  Homes on smaller non-view lots still sell around $2.4M.  Homes on the larger view lots in Marbella have been selling in the mid $3Ms and will easily have a final cost over $4M after landscaping and interior finishes.  It seems like lot size in HC and in Orchard Hills is really commanding a premium.

 

[happios]

Read my post again .  The keyword here is location.
My point is builders jack up prices every phase (when there is demand) being early in the phases builds instant equity.

If you buy in the first phase you're likely to built equity regardless where you buy. 

Except at Capella and possibly Messina, Saviero, and Vicenza in OH and very likely all of BP with the exception of Ellwood?

 

[eatthis]

Non-view homes on smaller lots in HC started at $2.1M in the 1st phase. That's a $300k+ increase. Not bad considering the 1st HC phase just moved in not long ago. La Vita is really the only collection that has had same level of success. Most other homes in OH or elsewhere are either flat or had modest increase.

The reason they've been able to raise prices so aggressively is because demand is so high. Location clearly makes a big difference. Nothing more important than that. But, having a unique product that really stand out clearly separated them from the crowd. Hopefully, this will push builders to be more creative and innovative instead of pushing the same old designs over and over again.

 

[Villager]

But, having a unique product that really stand out clearly separated them from the crowd. Hopefully, this will push builders to be more creative and innovative instead of pushing the same old designs over and over again.

Unique? I don't know if I would describe the product at HC unique... a lot of Toll-Brothers-esque elements have been reused and recycled in the floorplans. I think what really makes the product stand out from the crowd are finishes and landscaping in the model homes.

In regards to the newest price sheet, I'm kind of shocked that the view properties are being sold at such a premium. The terracing (especially on the street they're selling now) is far too minuscule to provide any view beyond "peek-a-boo" once the houses below are built.

 

[OC-Broker]

I think the premiums are more associated with lot size and privacy (i.e. how close you are to your neighbors and whether you have other homes with visibility into your back yard from the terraces above). 

 

[hello]

But, having a unique product that really stand out clearly separated them from the crowd. Hopefully, this will push builders to be more creative and innovative instead of pushing the same old designs over and over again.

Unique? I don't know if I would describe the product at HC unique... a lot of Toll-Brothers-esque elements have been reused and recycled in the floorplans. I think what really makes the product stand out from the crowd are finishes and landscaping in the model homes.

In regards to the newest price sheet, I'm kind of shocked that the view properties are being sold at such a premium. The terracing (especially on the street they're selling now) is far too minuscule to provide any view beyond "peek-a-boo" once the houses below are built.

you can buy a super nice view property in Newport for 4 million.  Im not sure why people are dropping that much in HC...

 

[OC-Broker]

Here's a good example of what you would get in NB for about $3.8M if you were looking for new construction:https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/1833-Port-Ashley-Pl-92660/home/4718356  Better location, no doubt-- but less square footage, smaller lot and no view.

 

[Bullsback]

Unless I had an Ocean view, I don't see what the desire would be to live in Newport. If I had a view of the ocean, alright, I get it, otherwise, the hell with it.  Pain in the ass to get anywhere and when the weather is nice I have to deal with the rest of the world coming to my neighborhood to enjoy the beach. 

 

[hello]

Here's a good example of what you would get in NB for about $3.8M if you were looking for new construction:https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/1833-Port-Ashley-Pl-92660/home/4718356  Better location, no doubt-- but less square footage, smaller lot and no view.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Unknown/17-Canyon-Peak-92657/home/5928670
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/4-Fairwind-92657/home/4749085
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/2-Peninsula-92657/home/4749065
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/11-Point-Loma-Dr-92625/home/4722708
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/23-Montecito-Dr-92625/home/4733692
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Newport-Beach/25-Seawatch-92657/home/5927594

All view homes with list price around 4M.  At this price range, its not unusual to get it for 5% and sometimes even 10% below list.