Lemongrass in Fountain Valley

[Arman]

So, I visited this community a few weeks ago, just as a lookie-loo.

Generally, I liked the homes, especially impressed with lot size. One thing I didn't like specifically in Plan 3 was the walk-thru laundry from the garage to the house. There are a couple things that are deal-killers for me in any home, this being one of them (not that I had any intention of buying anyways).

However, there was another thing that struck me, not because I didn't like it, but because it was downright dangerous and useless: the configuration of the double-oven in plan 3. I'm an average-height male (5'8") and I found it difficult to access the upper oven when it was not turned on. I can only imagine how difficult and dangerous this would be if (a) the oven was on, and (b) if I was any shorter than I am (which I suspect many females, and even men, are). And not to stereotype, but I figure that this home's primary demographic (Asians) are even generally smaller than me.

Anyone else notice this glaring flaw in the house? When we were walking back through the sales office, the very inquisitive sales agent (probably one of the most aggressively inquisitive I've met on any model viewing) asked me what I liked and didn't like about the models. When I brought this up, she seemed genuinely offended that I would actually answer her question in an honest manner.

 

[LAtoOC]

Glad to know there is a home for people who are taller. The passthrough laundry is also a dealbreaker for us.

 

[elgringo]

Hmmm....  In the home I grew up in we had a pass through laundry room.    Is the reason for it being a deal breaker that it isn't near the bedrooms or is there another reason?

 

[Arman]

Hmmm....  In the home I grew up in we had a pass through laundry room.    Is the reason for it being a deal breaker that it isn't near the bedrooms or is there another reason?

Entering the home through the garage is the way I always come in the house, and the way guests often come in if we've driven somewhere together. I don't want a messy laundry room to be the first thing they see. Furthermore, the laundry room is a "clean" area, and coming in with grocery bags, boxes, etc from the outside doesn't seem very clean to me. I know that the latter is mostly just a perception issue, but the former is the main reason. Entering the house through the laundry room is just something that really turns me off and is one of a few deal breakers in deciding to buy a house or not. And it's not something that's easy to change (unlike flooring, window treatments, etc).

That's my personal reason for this dislike.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I agree with Arman about the laundry pass-thru.

And when we throw bigger parties... the garage usually becomes an area for extra tables, chairs or play space so the pass-thru has high traffic... no need to expose my guests to IHO's dirty socks.

 

[socal78]

Agree about the comments on laundry pass-through. Not only a visually unwelcoming area but if you have laundry baskets spread out or sorting clothes, it is a functional problem in a tight space. I'd love to have a separate laundry room with a door to close on the first floor. Don't like second floor due to potential water issues. Garage laundry is better but still not fantastic.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Don't like second floor due to potential water issues.

Do you know of many people with 2nd floor laundry rooms that had water issues? There's more potential for problems with tubs, showers and toilets... and none of those have an extra drain in the middle of the room that would help alleviate the problem.

I also find second floor laundries more convenient because it's closer to the bedrooms and showers... much easier to go there in a towel than downstairs.

 

[socal78]

Don't like second floor due to potential water issues.

Do you know of many people with 2nd floor laundry rooms that had water issues? There's more potential for problems with tubs, showers and toilets... and none of those have an extra drain in the middle of the room that would help alleviate the problem.

I also find second floor laundries more convenient because it's closer to the bedrooms and showers... much easier to go there in a towel than downstairs.

Don't know of others but know of myself. I've had a busted water valve which flooded my first floor throughout laundry, bathroom, kitchen, and partial living room about 2" deep before I could have someone come out to shut it off for me. I've had a drain regurgitation issue which caused mold in the wall and repeat flooding on the floor. Each of these resulted in having to make cuts into the drywall to fix the problems then do a rough patch. When you deal with insurance, by the way, all you're going to get is a rough patch. These are messy and unsightly issues that are best left to an outside area or exterior wall. The pan under a machine is not enough to contain the problem when it's a significant one. It would be like trying to comb your hair with a toothpick. Do all second floor laundry rooms have a drain in the center of the floor? I'm not aware of that. I would certainly hope so to mitigate the water damage. Believe me. I get sick and tired of carrying laundry up and down. Would love the convenience of second floor laundry... however it's only convenient until it's not.

 

[ps99472]

Never had upstairs laundry, one benefit I see is that you won't have dirty hampers anymore, just chuck it in the room (OCD cringe).

 

[davenlei]

I had no idea that a pass through laundry was so despised.  I have that in my house and although I do wish it was in a separate room, it would not be a deal breaker for me (obviously since I bought).  To me, having the laundry in the garage is the worst location.

 

[Arman]

My position on this has evolved. My first home is the home I'm currently living in, which has a separate laundry room (single story). When I was looking for this house, the laundry pass-thru was not something I was looking at either way. It's only developed after seeing how I use my current laundry room, and as I've been looking to buy a new house over these past few years, it's become a very important consideration for me.

The other single issue that is a deal-breaker for me is an in-island cooktop. Another huge turnoff and not something that's easy to change.

 

[socal78]

A turn-off for me is the dining area being visible from the front door. Just like a laundry pass-through, it is an unwelcoming image if the table is not neat and tidy. The people in my house have this weird habit of wanting to eat least 3x a day. It seems like I never stop cooking, serving & clearing the table. However, sometimes the table doesn't get cleared fast enough before the next mess is made. Imagine having a guest stop over and this is the first thing they see. No, thank you! In my current house, I relocated the dining area so this is not an issue.

 

[davenlei]

A turn-off for me is the dining area being visible from the front door. Just like a laundry pass-through, it is an unwelcoming image if the table is not neat and tidy. The people in my house have this weird habit of wanting to eat least 3x a day. It seems like I never stop cooking, serving & clearing the table. However, sometimes the table doesn't get cleared fast enough before the next mess is made. Imagine having a guest stop over and this is the first thing they see. No, thank you! In my current house, I relocated the dining area so this is not an issue.

This has me thinking.  Our library/piano room is the first room on the right you see when you enter the house (other than the living room straight ahead).  We converted the library/piano room to the combined kids play room and it is a mess 99% of the time (even 10 minutes after it has been cleaned up) so that is what people see initially when they come over.  Friends with young kids say it is so cool to have a room like that dedicated to the kids and the friends without kids don't say a thing (maybe they are shocked at the toys all over in there).  Maybe we need to put a door in the open entrance to the room or move the kids junk to their rooms and turn it back into a library/reading room like it was intended (we don't play a piano and don't give kids piano lessons).... 

Our dining area is shrouded from the door by the staircase that comes down but even if it didn't, our dining table is seldom used.  We use the bar counter in the kitchen and cook/eat with the kids there.

 

[rkp]

why do we all care about guests so much?  i am in same boat and my wife and i over think the guests.  really how many unexpected guests do you have and of those, how many would really care if they saw a clean dining table or library or no laundry room first?

 

[socal78]

why do we all care about guests so much?  i am in same boat and my wife and i over think the guests.  really how many unexpected guests do you have and of those, how many would really care if they saw a clean dining table or library or no laundry room first?

LOL! I have to laugh because you are sooo right. In reality, I do everything I can to avoid unannounced guests including not answering the door. By appointment only.  I guess it is human nature. It's a pride issue. We don't want someone catching us at our messiest and worst just as we would be embarrassed if we had to answer the door in a bath towel. You want to leave a positive impression on a guest.

 

[OCgasman]

The other single issue that is a deal-breaker for me is an in-island cooktop. Another huge turnoff and not something that's easy to change.

This. 

I hate these.  The downdraft vents never work well and even worse is having no hood or downdraft vent at all.  Smoke goes everywhere.  I don't know how people cook without an adequate hood.

 

[qwerty]

The other single issue that is a deal-breaker for me is an in-island cooktop. Another huge turnoff and not something that's easy to change.

This. 

I hate these.  The downdraft vents never work well and even worse is having no hood or downdraft vent at all.  Smoke goes everywhere.  I don't know how people cook without an adequate hood.

go old school and open up the windows.

 

[OCgasman]

The other single issue that is a deal-breaker for me is an in-island cooktop. Another huge turnoff and not something that's easy to change.

This. 

I hate these.  The downdraft vents never work well and even worse is having no hood or downdraft vent at all.  Smoke goes everywhere.  I don't know how people cook without an adequate hood.

go old school and open up the windows.

What is this window thing you speak of?  Does it have anything to do with the little box on my living room wall that I change numbers on to cool and warm up my room?

 

[rkp]

my problem with the island stove is risk of knocking it over.  something about having a wall behind super hot pots and pans makes me feel better

 

[irvinehomeowner]

The other single issue that is a deal-breaker for me is an in-island cooktop. Another huge turnoff and not something that's easy to change.

This. 

I hate these.  The downdraft vents never work well and even worse is having no hood or downdraft vent at all.  Smoke goes everywhere.  I don't know how people cook without an adequate hood.

go old school and open up the windows.

But if you do this you either:

1. Let in the smell of the landfill

2. Let in the noise of the freeway, tollroad or trash trucks rumbling down the road