Orchard Hills - Strada by Irvine Pacific

[Perspective]

Tax Tip: If you think you'll have a gain on the sale of your house greater than $500K (married), then you should track all improvements over the years and save the receipts. That $25K backyard you installed increases your cost basis for capital gains purposes.

 

[Perspective]

So, I believe the base price of a Plan 3 was ~$1,175,000 in Phase 14, about $5K higher than the previous phase.  This doesn't include any elevation premium ($10K for Tuscan & Monterey) nor any lot size/location premium.

Has anyone been offered a Plan 3 for Phase 15, officially released tomorrow? Does anyone know the base price? These home will all be in a cul-de-sac (Quarter Horse) and Lots 125-128 are much bigger than the typical Strada lots. There are also two Plan 3Xs. So the listed prices, if any make it to a public price sheet, should be higher due to added premiums.

 

[OC troll]

So, I believe the base price of a Plan 3 was ~$1,175,000 in Phase 14, about $5K higher than the previous phase.  This doesn't include any elevation premium ($10K for Tuscan & Monterey) nor any lot size/location premium.

Has anyone been offered a Plan 3 for Phase 15, officially released tomorrow? Does anyone know the base price? These home will all be in a cul-de-sac (Quarter Horse) and Lots 125-128 are much bigger than the typical Strada lots. There are also two Plan 3Xs. So the listed prices, if any make it to a public price sheet, should be higher due to added premiums.

Do you kown roughly how big these lots will be?

 

[Perspective]

YardMatters shared in an earlier comment that Lot 125 is 6,693 sq ft! Using the eyeball test, Lots 126-128 appear to be similarly sized, but likely smaller.

Lot 125 is a Plan 3 at the end of the cul-de-sac with a huge lot. The negatives are that, although it's at the end of a cul-de-sac, it doesn't include any scenic views. It's a bit odd-shaped, with a deep corner of the yard ending in a point. It's also surrounded by six other houses with views into the yard, but there's plenty of space for tall privacy trees.

 

[ariesinapril]

My AT&T service for cell --- signal is very poor, only one dot! People say they can't hear me at all ; even speaking loud doesn't help. Any comments?

 

[sky949]

My AT&T service for cell --- signal is very poor, only one dot! People say they can't hear me at all ; even speaking loud doesn't help. Any comments?

Aries -- Is this inside the house or even outside? -- I had noticed that usually it drops more when you are inside -- not sure if its is because of the insulation etc --  I spoke to the construction guys out there some time back and they said that off all the different services out there, ATT was better than the verizon or T-mobile -- Can any of the current residents comment on this pls?

Maybe ,time to check with ATT for a micro cell -- I think they provide it free.
http://www.att.com/att/microcell/

 

[ariesinapril]

I'm moving-in this weekend! This is how my wood floor looks

 

[Bubba]

YardMatters shared in an earlier comment that Lot 125 is 6,693 sq ft! Using the eyeball test, Lots 126-128 appear to be similarly sized, but likely smaller.

Lot 125 is a Plan 3 at the end of the cul-de-sac with a huge lot. The negatives are that, although it's at the end of a cul-de-sac, it doesn't include any scenic views. It's a bit odd-shaped, with a deep corner of the yard ending in a point. It's also surrounded by six other houses with views into the yard, but there's plenty of space for tall privacy trees.

Will there be a wall between the Quarter Horse cul de sac and Stetson cul de sac?

What's everyone's opinion of the most ideal street within Strada?  I like Bountiful, on the Narrow Path end.  You'll have city and orchard views, the lots look pretty big (by Strada standards), and not as many homes in the cul de sac.  Wild Horse is nice too, but I wonder if you'll hear the accelerating/braking of cars at the corner of Narrow Path and Twisted Oak.  Wonder what those homes will go for.

 

[ariesinapril]

My AT&T service for cell --- signal is very poor, only one dot! People say they can't hear me at all ; even speaking loud doesn't help. Any comments?

Aries -- Is this inside the house or even outside? -- I had noticed that usually it drops more when you are inside -- not sure if its is because of the insulation etc --  I spoke to the construction guys out there some time back and they said that off all the different services out there, ATT was better than the verizon or T-mobile -- Can any of the current residents comment on this pls?

Maybe ,time to check with ATT for a micro cell -- I think they provide it free.
http://www.att.com/att/microcell/

Inside the house it is really bad; outside-- little better but still not good. I had different vendors coming in for different tasks that needs to be done before the move-in.  Guys with  Verizon, T-mobile service had to go out the home to use their cell!

 

[Perspective]

YardMatters shared in an earlier comment that Lot 125 is 6,693 sq ft! Using the eyeball test, Lots 126-128 appear to be similarly sized, but likely smaller.

Lot 125 is a Plan 3 at the end of the cul-de-sac with a huge lot. The negatives are that, although it's at the end of a cul-de-sac, it doesn't include any scenic views. It's a bit odd-shaped, with a deep corner of the yard ending in a point. It's also surrounded by six other houses with views into the yard, but there's plenty of space for tall privacy trees.

Will there be a wall between the Quarter Horse cul de sac and Stetson cul de sac?

What's everyone's opinion of the most ideal street within Strada?  I like Bountiful, on the Narrow Path end.  You'll have city and orchard views, the lots look pretty big (by Strada standards), and not as many homes in the cul de sac.  Wild Horse is nice too, but I wonder if you'll hear the accelerating/braking of cars at the corner of Narrow Path and Twisted Oak.  Wonder what those homes will go for.

I've looked down that street, Quarter Horse, a number of times, but I don't remember if there will be a wall between the two cul-de-sacs. I suspect there will be a 6' tall berm full of shrubs and trees.

 

[Perspective]

As for the most ideal street in Strada, it depends on your priority list. We wanted at least a 15' setback in the back yard and be near, if not at the end, of one of the many cul-de-sacs. We also preferred a view of something other than neighbors' houses (which the large Quarter Horse lots in Phase 15 don't offer).

We were pre-qualified in early January and declined a number of lots over the next five months hoping that we'd be offered what we really wanted (since nobody will give any details about the pre-qual list, you're never certain what your probability is of getting offered what you're asking for).

The coolest lots, with the biggest WOW factor are those on Copper Mine with the view perched on top of the hill above Narrow Path. That feels like a "million dollar" street. However, those homes don't have big lots, and they're in TUSD. So, no lot is perfect...

 

[malteselover]

Phase 15 will be officially released tomorrow. If anyone visits the Sales Office will they be so kind to post the Price Sheet. Who knows if they'll even have one if they are all already accounted for : /  I'm curious how much the 3X's will be going for. Do these homes in Phase 15 have any lot premiums? Thanks Group!   

 

[Perspective]

Phase 15 will be officially released tomorrow. If anyone visits the Sales Office will they be so kind to post the Price Sheet. Who knows if they'll even have one if they are all already accounted for : /  I'm curious how much the 3X's will be going for. Do these homes in Phase 15 have any lot premiums? Thanks Group!   

I think five of the eight will have big lot premiums due to the size of the lots. I'll ask about the base price and the lot premiums if I make it over there this weekend.

 

[ariesinapril]

My AT&T service for cell --- signal is very poor, only one dot! People say they can't hear me at all ; even speaking loud doesn't help. Any comments?

Aries -- Is this inside the house or even outside? -- I had noticed that usually it drops more when you are inside -- not sure if its is because of the insulation etc --  I spoke to the construction guys out there some time back and they said that off all the different services out there, ATT was better than the verizon or T-mobile -- Can any of the current residents comment on this pls?

Maybe ,time to check with ATT for a micro cell -- I think they provide it free.
http://www.att.com/att/microcell/

I spoke with the AT&T cell service  they think the homes are built with some kind of insulation material  and they are not responsible for the structural properties of your home! We can buy a micro cell for $150 bucks!. They are not free; however they offer a $75 coupon!  Something I will have to think about  since we are moving this week end!  If I have to go to the street to make a call in the night that sucks!

 

[timandjess]

I have ATT and there are a couple dead spots in the house, but otherwise it's ok.  My wife's Verizon has similar performance.  We had people with TMobile and it's practically useless inside the house.

There's talk of an additional cell tower being built across the street so that'll probably improve things.

 

[sky949]

My AT&T service for cell --- signal is very poor, only one dot! People say they can't hear me at all ; even speaking loud doesn't help. Any comments?

Aries -- Is this inside the house or even outside? -- I had noticed that usually it drops more when you are inside -- not sure if its is because of the insulation etc --  I spoke to the construction guys out there some time back and they said that off all the different services out there, ATT was better than the verizon or T-mobile -- Can any of the current residents comment on this pls?

Maybe ,time to check with ATT for a micro cell -- I think they provide it free.
http://www.att.com/att/microcell/

I spoke with the AT&T cell service  they think the homes are built with some kind of insulation material  and they are not responsible for the structural properties of your home! We can buy a micro cell for $150 bucks!. They are not free; however they offer a $75 coupon!  Something I will have to think about  since we are moving this week end!  If I have to go to the street to make a call in the night that sucks!

So Insulation is part of the problem - makes sense to an extent because I remember checking cell reception at Strada when the houses were not built and it was very good -- Can you guys try with open windows and see if that makes any difference (even though this sounds stupid). On a side note --  One advantage will be less cell radiation -- back to land lines!!!

 

[jayjaym3]

I'm moving-in this weekend! This is how my wood floor looks

Aries, congrats! 
You mentioned before that you're doing a loft to office conversion. Does this include putting up a wall and door? I want to do this but any input would be appreciated. 

 

[Jonah]

What's everyone's opinion of the most ideal street within Strada?  I like Bountiful, on the Narrow Path end.  You'll have city and orchard views, the lots look pretty big (by Strada standards), and not as many homes in the cul de sac.  Wild Horse is nice too, but I wonder if you'll hear the accelerating/braking of cars at the corner of Narrow Path and Twisted Oak.  Wonder what those homes will go for.

The open street on Coppermine is hard to beat, but those houses are facing away from the view.  I think the upcoming phase in Bountiful would be my ideal - street with a view, and only 10 lots will make for a quieter street.

Congrats Aries, hope your move goes well.

 

[Perspective]

What's everyone's opinion of the most ideal street within Strada?  I like Bountiful, on the Narrow Path end.  You'll have city and orchard views, the lots look pretty big (by Strada standards), and not as many homes in the cul de sac.  Wild Horse is nice too, but I wonder if you'll hear the accelerating/braking of cars at the corner of Narrow Path and Twisted Oak.  Wonder what those homes will go for.

The open street on Coppermine is hard to beat, but those houses are facing away from the view.  I think the upcoming phase in Bountiful would be my ideal - street with a view, and only 10 lots will make for a quieter street.

Congrats Aries, hope your move goes well.

Agreed, the view side of Bountiful in the next phase will be very nice. These homes will be very close to the pool too, if you'll be using that frequently (i.e. if you have young kids). My concern with these lots though, was that they're near the only entrance/exit to Strada and next to Narrow Path (increased traffic relative to other lots).

 

[Jonah]

Agreed, the view side of Bountiful in the next phase will be very nice. These homes will be very close to the pool too, if you'll be using that frequently (i.e. if you have young kids). My concern with these lots though, was that they're near the only entrance/exit to Strada and next to Narrow Path (increased traffic relative to other lots).

Possibly, but the Bountiful lots are elevated - I don't think Wild Horse is ideal because it's right at the junction of Narrow Path.  Internally, it'll only be traffic going down the Horseshoe side so that's not a huge factor for me.  Traffic will increase going up Culver once they start developing the new neighborhood, so that's why I believe Bountiful is the best option.  Having said that, I don't know what the lot sizes are like for Bountiful.  I wouldn't take anything less than a 16ft setback.