Looking for a historic/older home

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[quote author="bkshopr" date=1249372464]I agree. I greet everyone as they come down the freeway off ramp.</blockquote>


Sorry BK, I must have missed you yesterday when I exited Bristol to check out your hood. Now that I think of it, you probably only frequent Irvine off-ramps in hope some FCB will toss you a Benjamin on their way to Ivy.
 
[quote author="tmare" date=1249371135][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1249370641][quote author="Vlad" date=1249359855][quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1249348260]Vlad, did you get a chance to tour Fullerton this weekend? If so, I'd be interested to hear what you liked and disliked.</blockquote>
I didn't get a chance to check out Fullerton. Actually, we were just really lazy this weekend. My wife also needs a little convincing to go check out Fullerton, she really doesn't want to see any of her current or former students outside of school. I can totally understand that, I don't even like seeing most of my coworkers outside of work.



We did drive around Tustin a little more and had lunch at Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin. I got an enormous garlic chicken salad!</blockquote>


Yum, I'm going to have to check out Rutabegorz. I love garlic. About the running into student thing. I wonder how likely that is? I would say I ran into the people in the apartment across from me a total of 5 times in the last 3 years. Does she teach at one of the home schools in the historic neighborhoods? I can kind of understand where you are coming from. I'm paranoid about joining Facebook thinking my boss will try and add me as a "friend".</blockquote>


I guess it bears repeating again. My husband and I both teach in the same city that we live in. You'd be surprised how seldom we actually run into any of our students. From time to time, we encounter our or former students' parents at their place of work and they are always extremely kind and respectful (they also offer us discounts and freebies sometimes). It really isn't an issue for us. In fact it is kind of nice to have a vested interest in your own community as a teacher.</blockquote>
She teaches at Sunny Hills HS. I don't think it's really that big a deal running into them, it's not like they're going to throw rocks at her. And I'm sure you're right in that they would be kind and respectful. But if she doesn't want to run into students, even if it's not so frequent, I'm ok with that. I think it's just that given a choice, she'd rather not see them. I'd probably feel the same way if I were her. You never know though, maybe she'll change her mind as we're looking around more. Seems like our housing search is expanding week by week. We started out just looking at places in Irvine.
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1249372997][quote author="bkshopr" date=1249372464]I agree. I greet everyone as they come down the freeway off ramp.</blockquote>


Sorry BK, I must have missed you yesterday when I exited Bristol to check out your hood. Now that I think of it, you probably only frequent Irvine off-ramps in hope some FCB will toss you a Benjamin on their way to Ivy.</blockquote>


The stingy FOB FCB only toss me Chairman Mao!
 
My wife and I spent a good deal of time on Sunday morning cruising around Floral Park, assessing all of the homes for sale. This one seems like a good value on paper, but for the fact it is a short sale. Anybody here who knows FP well have any history to share on this one?



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/1916-N-Ross-St-92706/home/3049111">1916 N. Ross</a>



Despite the fact that we are militant Irviners, we both really like this type of home (remember our "lottery win" neighborhood is San Marino). Although something like this would probably work for us, we are always held up from considering historic homes because even at $600k this would ultimately end up trumping most similarly sized Irvine homes in real cost once you factor in the maintenance and upkeep --- plus the cost of private schools...but great home nonetheless.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1250042171]My wife and I spent a good deal of time on Sunday morning cruising around Floral Park, assessing all of the homes for sale. This one seems like a good value on paper, but for the fact it is a short sale. Anybody here who knows FP well have any history to share on this one?



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/1916-N-Ross-St-92706/home/3049111">1916 N. Ross</a>



Despite the fact that we are militant Irviners, we both really like this type of home (remember our "lottery win" neighborhood is San Marino). Although something like this would probably work for us, we are always held up from considering historic homes because even at $600k this would ultimately end up trumping most similarly sized Irvine homes in real cost once you factor in the maintenance and upkeep --- plus the cost of private schools...but great home nonetheless.</blockquote>


You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.



In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA's responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1250042171]My wife and I spent a good deal of time on Sunday morning cruising around Floral Park, assessing all of the homes for sale. This one seems like a good value on paper, but for the fact it is a short sale. Anybody here who knows FP well have any history to share on this one?



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/1916-N-Ross-St-92706/home/3049111">1916 N. Ross</a>



Despite the fact that we are militant Irviners, we both really like this type of home (remember our "lottery win" neighborhood is San Marino). Although something like this would probably work for us, we are always held up from considering historic homes because even at $600k this would ultimately end up trumping most similarly sized Irvine homes in real cost once you factor in the maintenance and upkeep --- plus the cost of private schools...but great home nonetheless.</blockquote>


You might actually be surprised by some of your public school options if you keep an open mind. Santiago Elementary is in West Floral Park and has some excellent teachers and very high scoring students. There is a large population of more wealthy and involved parents that pretty much ensure that their kids are placed in classes together. Those classes are very demanding and the expectations are high. There is also Muir Fundamental a bit farther away (still North SA) and also quite a good school with a similar environment to Santiago. You would probably find that you had to go private for intermediate and high school, but there still are some options there (although less attractive). Of course, it's not Irvine, but certain classes in these school are getting a similar education to Irvine. It is also not impossible to get a transfer to another district after elementary, I have many students who go to Troy, Foothill, Fountain Valley High Schools. There are also a lot of parents who choose St. John's and Holy Family predominantly as their private schools.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1250043846]



You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.



In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA's responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.</blockquote>


Here is my perfect house....brand new construction which look like historic --- right in the middle of an area of historic homes. Unfortunately this is just a *little* out of my budget.





<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Marino/1010-Darby-Rd-91108/home/7016995">1010 Darby, San Marino</a>
 
Rent an apartment from IAC for $1,600 a month and have the utility and lease agreement in your name. Use the documents to enroll kids to an Irvine school. Then advertise in Craiglist to sublease the apartment to a tenant for 1,300 plus utility. Many will rent for a rate well below the market.



School officials rarely visit and let alone getting permission to go inside the gate. Parents are not home between the school hours from 9-3 and administrator will not perform visitations at their own time outside of the school hours.
 
[quote author="CK" date=1250045717][quote author="bkshopr" date=1250043846]



You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.



In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA's responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.</blockquote>


Here is my perfect house....brand new construction which look like historic --- right in the middle of an area of historic homes. Unfortunately this is just a *little* out of my budget.





<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Marino/1010-Darby-Rd-91108/home/7016995">1010 Darby, San Marino</a></blockquote>


This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1250046151]

This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.</blockquote>


Unfortunately we have more of a "south of Roses Rd" budget....



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Gabriel/159-N-Mission-Dr-91775/home/7034063">159 N. Mission, San Gabriel</a>
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1250046151]



This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.</blockquote>


Is pedigree is a polite way of saying white people in San Marino like to live north of Huntington and Chinese in San Marino like to live south of Huntington?
 
[quote author="CK" date=1250046918][quote author="bkshopr" date=1250046151]

This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.</blockquote>


Unfortunately we have more of a "south of Roses Rd" budget....



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Gabriel/159-N-Mission-Dr-91775/home/7034063">159 N. Mission, San Gabriel</a></blockquote>


What a difference in character just from the outside alone between the 2 listings. The second listing reminds me of Irvine stucco aesthetic and vinyl windows (without the wood sidings of course)
 
[quote author="CK" date=1250045717][quote author="bkshopr" date=1250043846]



You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.



In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA's responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.</blockquote>


Here is my perfect house....brand new construction which look like historic --- right in the middle of an area of historic homes. Unfortunately this is just a *little* out of my budget.





<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Marino/1010-Darby-Rd-91108/home/7016995">1010 Darby, San Marino</a></blockquote>


In case nature calls while you're doing the laundry?



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/58/bigphoto/897/22122897_13_0.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="bkshopr" date=1250047960]

What a difference in character just from the outside alone between the 2 listings. The second listing reminds me of Irvine stucco aesthetic and vinyl windows (without the wood sidings of course)</blockquote>


We have done a lot of looking around N. San Gabriel and N. Alhambra, as well as South Pas over the years. My wife lived in N. Alhambra when we met/dated, so we know the area pretty well. For similar style vintage homes, Floral Park is clearly a better value than that area.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1250047075][quote author="bkshopr" date=1250046151]



This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.</blockquote>


Is pedigree is a polite way of saying white people in San Marino like to live north of Huntington and Chinese in San Marino like to live south of Huntington?</blockquote>


nothing to do with race but the homes and neighboring areas. all of the larger estates are north of huntington. lacy park, huntington library, the former ritz carlton are all on this side of town. this side of san marino blends into just-as-ritzy south pasadena, which leads to old towne pas, the lake ave shopping corridor, and playhouse district.



smaller lots south of huntington... the further south you go, the smaller and more stucco-y the homes get. south of lorrain turns into san gabriel real quick. a minute or so further south and you'll need to speak either spanish or cantonese.
 
[quote author="High Gravity" date=1250047075][quote author="bkshopr" date=1250046151]



This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.</blockquote>


Is pedigree is a polite way of saying white people in San Marino like to live north of Huntington and Chinese in San Marino like to live south of Huntington?</blockquote>


The well known 1920's architects designed the bigger custom houses the north side on very large varying size lots while the less known architects designed the homes on the south side on very good size but repetitive lots. Most streets on the north side have wide sweeping curvature while the south side is gridded for efficiency. Chinese live on both sides.
 
Since we are sharing lottery win houses, <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Coronado/1127-F-Ave-92118/home/5795418">here's mine.</a>



I heart Coronado



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/48/bigphoto/894/070052894_1S.jpg" alt="" />
 
[quote author="Mcdonna1980" date=1250121212]Since we are sharing lottery win houses, <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Coronado/1127-F-Ave-92118/home/5795418">here's mine.</a>



I heart Coronado



<img src="http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/48/bigphoto/894/070052894_1S.jpg" alt="" /></blockquote>


This house was designed by Richard Requa. I have 10 his books from his library. Good choice.
 
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