How much does size matter?

[NewIrvineBee]

IMO 13 year old floorplans don't hold a candle to new design.

I've seen some very nice 2001 floorplans. Even 1996 and 1988 ones (and yes, they have a pseudo great room set up... AND a dining room AND a living room).

Here's one from the late 90s in Westpark II:

But that's my preference.

This floor plan is nice. For me I just feel a bit weird, the kitchen was not facing the dinning area. The kitchen was located in the middle. It seems like this kitchen was the boss in the house. As NYCtoOC said....cooking smells get it everywhere... I just think...living room or family room always are the boss in the house.

I can imagine this staircase elevation and the entrance were pretty nice designs but this floor plan also created some dead corners.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

This floor plan is nice. For me I just feel a bit weird, the kitchen was not facing the dinning area.

It doesn't face the *formal* dining area. In a great room layout, the nook is the only dining area so in this case, the kitchen actually does face the *primary* dining area.

The kitchen was located in the middle. It seems like this kitchen was the boss in the house.

Isn't it? That's why you pour the most money into it... it's the heart of the home.

As NYCtoOC said....cooking smells get it everywhere...

To clarify, what NYCtoOC said was in a great room floorplan, because it's really just one big room on the first floor, the cooking smell gets everywhere. In that Westpark II floorplan, the "smell" is relegated to the kitchen/nook/family area (depending on how well ventilated it is) and so the living room and the other areas aren't as affected.

I just think...living room or family room always are the boss in the house.

The family room being part of the kitchen/nook is boss. The point is it's not the only area to entertain.

Take a wedding shower party for example. The women can be in the dining room or the living room talking about the things they do and the guys can be in the family room watching a game. Can't do that if they are all in one big room.

I can imagine this staircase elevation and the entrance were pretty nice designs but this floor plan also created some dead corners.

Vaulted ceilings are nice... but it does take more time to cool/heat.

The pros are it's easy to communicate with the 2nd floor, the cons are the 2nd floor isn't very private.

There are pros and cons, and people prefer one over the other, I just think that functionally, you can have both with the older floorplans, if you want everyone in the same room, you can do that... but if you don't, you have that option... which is not available in most of today's single big room layout.

 

[jmoney74]

What you guys cooking.. curry? 

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Great room is in then soon another plan configuration will take over that. Population will always chase after the latest trend.

This floor plan is nice. For me I just feel a bit weird, the kitchen was not facing the dinning area.

It doesn't face the *formal* dining area. In a great room layout, the nook is the only dining area so in this case, the kitchen actually does face the *primary* dining area.

The kitchen was located in the middle. It seems like this kitchen was the boss in the house.

Isn't it? That's why you pour the most money into it... it's the heart of the home.

As NYCtoOC said....cooking smells get it everywhere...

To clarify, what NYCtoOC said was in a great room floorplan, because it's really just one big room on the first floor, the cooking smell gets everywhere. In that Westpark II floorplan, the "smell" is relegated to the kitchen/nook/family area (depending on how well ventilated it is) and so the living room and the other areas aren't as affected.

I just think...living room or family room always are the boss in the house.

The family room being part of the kitchen/nook is boss. The point is it's not the only area to entertain.

Take a wedding shower party for example. The women can be in the dining room or the living room talking about the things they do and the guys can be in the family room watching a game. Can't do that if they are all in one big room.

I can imagine this staircase elevation and the entrance were pretty nice designs but this floor plan also created some dead corners.

Vaulted ceilings are nice... but it does take more time to cool/heat.

The pros are it's easy to communicate with the 2nd floor, the cons are the 2nd floor isn't very private.

There are pros and cons, and people prefer one over the other, I just think that functionally, you can have both with the older floorplans, if you want everyone in the same room, you can do that... but if you don't, you have that option... which is not available in most of today's single big room layout.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Wow reading this just made me think where are these buyers coming from and certainly not raised in America thinking that homes should reflect third world living standards.

IMO 13 year old floorplans don't hold a candle to new design.

I've seen some very nice 2001 floorplans. Even 1996 and 1988 ones (and yes, they have a pseudo great room set up... AND a dining room AND a living room).

Here's one from the late 90s in Westpark II:

But that's my preference.

This floor plan is nice. For me I just feel a bit weird, the kitchen was not facing the dinning area. The kitchen was located in the middle. It seems like this kitchen was the boss in the house. As NYCtoOC said....cooking smells get it everywhere... I just think...living room or family room always are the boss in the house.

I can imagine this staircase elevation and the entrance were pretty nice designs but this floor plan also created some dead corners.

 

[Zippohunter]

1 is Capella/OH or Sausalito/SG
2 is NP/NWP
3 is PP?
4 is El Camino Real/Walnut

Don't like FCBs so 1 is out.  Don't like PP location so 3 is out.  Don't even want to talk about El Camino so 4 is out.  That only leaves one.  Unless you can guarantee non smoking, polite FCB neighbors, I'll never waste my $1 million+ on my brand spanking new dream home to be polluted by second hand smoke and stinky dirty habits.

Of course only FCB's are bad neighbors.  I am sure you are a delight to live next to.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Isn't 2nd hand smoke also prevalent in Korean and Middle Eastern 'hoods?

 

[Zippohunter]

One topic to consider is that with a larger yard means more costs especially when it comes to hardscapes.  I spent $200k alone in my old house in San Diego and I regretted putting that much money in the yard.  Without maintaining it, it can quickly look horrid.  Which is the reason why I don't mind smaller yards.  But my opinion is the minority, so it is more of just for you to consider for yourself and lifestyle.  If all of your neighbor's yard are the same size, you shouldn't have much to worry about in resale advantage.  As I stated in my other posts, some of these builders are charging $100,000 lot premiums for larger yards that aren't even large.  If a buyer is looking at your house for sale in the future, that means they are shopping your neighborhood and all of these new constructions are very similar in comps.

Just FYI...Messina plan 2 lot 21 available now is about 6000 sf.  I believe right around 30 feet deep back yard.  It is more or less the same price as other lots that are 14 feet deep.  Go figure.  But you are right I have seen big premiums for bigger lots.  Messina is tempting especially love the plan 2 layout withe outside kitchen which lot 21 has.

To answer the op.  If I had the money I would opt for paying more for a new construction and bigger lot.  But I just could not pull the trigger on stuff like Arcadia where I would pay 1.4 for a 5 feet deep lot.  My neighbors master bedroom window behind me is only 12 feet away from mine.

 

[Zippohunter]

Isn't 2nd hand smoke also prevalent in Korean and Middle Eastern 'hoods?

Next phase at OH...the non smoking neighborhood.  Get caught and the association will tattoo FCB across your forehead.  The Scarlett Letters.

 

[ps99472]

1 is Capella/OH or Sausalito/SG
2 is NP/NWP
3 is PP?
4 is El Camino Real/Walnut

Don't like FCBs so 1 is out.  Don't like PP location so 3 is out.  Don't even want to talk about El Camino so 4 is out.  That only leaves one.  Unless you can guarantee non smoking, polite FCB neighbors, I'll never waste my $1 million+ on my brand spanking new dream home to be polluted by second hand smoke and stinky dirty habits.

Of course only FCB's are bad neighbors.  I am sure you are a delight to live next to.

Nice to meet you as well...

Jeesh, now I know how OS feels.

 

[Zippohunter]

1 is Capella/OH or Sausalito/SG
2 is NP/NWP
3 is PP?
4 is El Camino Real/Walnut

Don't like FCBs so 1 is out.  Don't like PP location so 3 is out.  Don't even want to talk about El Camino so 4 is out.  That only leaves one.  Unless you can guarantee non smoking, polite FCB neighbors, I'll never waste my $1 million+ on my brand spanking new dream home to be polluted by second hand smoke and stinky dirty habits.

Of course only FCB's are bad neighbors.  I am sure you are a delight to live next to.

Nice to meet you as well...

Jeesh, now I know how OS feels.

Sorry I read through some of your other posts since I am interested in Messina.  You don't seem like a bad person.  I still don't agree with this particular post of yours but I think I was harsh.

 

[OpenSky]

8)

 

[bones]

h

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I'm assuming ps9 will not be purchasing next to Lot 21.

#NonSmokingMatters

 

[Zippohunter]

Just don't like generalizations as if non FCBs are perfect.  Not an FCB and definitely do not smoke.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

1 is Capella/OH or Sausalito/SG
2 is NP/NWP
3 is PP?
4 is El Camino Real/Walnut

Don't like FCBs so 1 is out.  Don't like PP location so 3 is out.  Don't even want to talk about El Camino so 4 is out.  That only leaves one.  Unless you can guarantee non smoking, polite FCB neighbors, I'll never waste my $1 million+ on my brand spanking new dream home to be polluted by second hand smoke and stinky dirty habits.

Of course only FCB's are bad neighbors.  I am sure you are a delight to live next to.

'Zippohunter' takes offense to the mere suggestion that FCBs smoke.

I think he takes offense to the suggestion that all FCBs smoke.

 

[eyephone]

1 is Capella/OH or Sausalito/SG
2 is NP/NWP
3 is PP?
4 is El Camino Real/Walnut

Don't like FCBs so 1 is out.  Don't like PP location so 3 is out.  Don't even want to talk about El Camino so 4 is out.  That only leaves one.  Unless you can guarantee non smoking, polite FCB neighbors, I'll never waste my $1 million+ on my brand spanking new dream home to be polluted by second hand smoke and stinky dirty habits.

Of course only FCB's are bad neighbors.  I am sure you are a delight to live next to.

'Zippohunter' takes offense to the mere suggestion that FCBs smoke.

I think he takes offense to the suggestion that all FCBs smoke.

Most smokers I see are foreign people or young people. ;D