[quote author="IACRenter" date=1216816980][quote author="frank69m" date=1216796907]Thinking of purchasing a house and these are the schools my son would go to. I hear from some that there is a lot of traffic near this area during drop-off/pick-up times...
Any opinions?</blockquote>
frank69m,
Based on your other post asking about El Dorado vs Columbia and your question about traffic near Peter Canyon Elementary School, you must be considering the home at <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/11115-Matthews-Dr-92782/home/4775073">11115 MATTHEWS Dr</a> in the El Dorado gated community. I saw that home and thought it was much brighter than the comparable<a href="http://www.bobrealestate.com/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1921527&NF=1"> Model C</a> at <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/2534-Osterman-Ave-92782/home/4775236">2534 Osterman</a> for $899K (it was later pull off the market, not sure why).
The problem with the Matthews Dr home is that it backs to Peters Canyon Rd right across the street from the school--that scared me away. I was concerned about traffic and pedestrian noise from the school especially during peak times. It is otherwise a very bright home (because the main window facing the living room faces a greenbelt). It also has an expanded super family room and half bath downstairs instead of a main floor room with full bath. I still prefer it to have it with the extra room downstairs.
Your other choices for model C in El Dorado are <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/10995-Matthews-Dr-92782/home/4775182">10995 Matthews Dr</a> (in back up status) and a short sale <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/10940-Hiskey-Ln-92782/home/4775262">10940 HISKEY Ln</a> (bad location backing to Pioneer Rd). I think there was also a recent model C REO at <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/2565-Reynolds-Dr-92782/home/4775343">2565 Reynolds Dr.</a>
I think it is a great neighborhood. Family friendly, gated, community amenities, good schools, and close to park and Peters Canyon Trail.
Good luck with your Tustin Ranch home search!</blockquote>
I think Osterman is/was a short. They owe more than they could get for it... Probably gave up. Osterman had a good location but was indeed kind of dark inside. Some bad black/green granite throughout. You point out a big problem with those model C plans. With the downstairs bedroom and bath, the den is very tiny. Without that downstairs bedroom, you can a very large family room that isn't oriented well for usefulness. The kitchen in the model C doesn't really provide for a nook area, so eating will need to be done in the dining room or squeezed around a small table.
The plan 2 on Phillips is nice for that model. Small lot but not a bad location... Secondary bedrooms in that plan are tiny and the den is very small. Seriously overpriced though IMO and unrealistic sellers. When they came on at $975K I got a call from Kral and I told her I'd consider it at $875K but she scoffed at the notion. Hum, been $899K for months and still not sold. Time to drop to $849K. Hello, Rosemary, can you hear me?! 10995 Matthews was very nice on the inside.
The two places on the market in Columbia right now are very nice IMO. Association dues are WAY cheaper in Columbia vs. El Dorado. No pool and park means cheaper dues...