San mateo almost sold out.

[irvinehomeowner]

the TIC condos of the past and present are both cookie cutter are rows and rows of clones.  my question to all of you is that *if* both these products pictured below were next to each other on a SFR street with same setback, same driveway size, same backyard, etc, you wouldnt pick the first one over the second one?? 

Then you're looking at Stonegate vs. Turtle Rock... and if they are at the same price point... even nicer modern architecture will tend to lose to location.

and my above point doesnt even take into account the layouts...so much of the 70s had very tight spaces with 8 ft ceilings vs open rooms with 9 ft ceilings...

Actually... if you look at many of the condos in Turle Rock, many of the ceilings are sloping volume ceilings with skylights. They feel much more open than you think they would. Additionally, while they don't have yards (like current stock), they have multiple decks, balconies and outdoor spaces... and it feels more connected with the surrounding area then the "3 homes in a row on an alley"-style we are currently seeing.

There is a reason there is a balcony over the garage on the Turtle Rock Canyon Ridge condo... there is actually a view other than just your neighbor's front door.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Turtle Rock may not have the new housing stocks like the one room houses with California room today. IMO the homes there are integrated with nature and land topography. I like the soft edges, curvilinear lines and picturesque landscape vs the flatland grids.

 

[rkp]

Turtle Rock may not have the new housing stocks like the one room houses with California room today. IMO the homes there are integrated with nature and land topography. I like the soft edges, curvilinear lines and picturesque landscape vs the flatland grids.

dont get me wrong...TR is an amazing location and if more people started customizing or completely rebuilding their homes, it will look less dated.  i was only referring to the new TIC product and saying that it wasnt ugly by itself..its the motorcourt, small lots, crowded locations etc that take away from it.

to me, northwood pointe is a good in between.  it has more curvy streets while still being flat.  for whatever reason, i feel a sense of tranquility driving through northwood pointe

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

We all have a difference in our opinion. I think the new elevations with the hemorrhoid cream applicator is hideous regardless of its siting positions.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Tranquility is where your home have totally privacy without drapes and blinds over the windows and fewer than 10 cars drive pass your home.

Turtle Rock may not have the new housing stocks like the one room houses with California room today. IMO the homes there are integrated with nature and land topography. I like the soft edges, curvilinear lines and picturesque landscape vs the flatland grids.

dont get me wrong...TR is an amazing location and if more people started customizing or completely rebuilding their homes, it will look less dated.  i was only referring to the new TIC product and saying that it wasnt ugly by itself..its the motorcourt, small lots, crowded locations etc that take away from it.

to me, northwood pointe is a good in between.  it has more curvy streets while still being flat.  for whatever reason, i feel a sense of tranquility driving through northwood pointe

 

[akim997]

i also like how the sierra streets in TR all have the nice central park in each of the inlets.  yes, zero lot lines and some houses have no setback, but TR just feels nicer. 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

i was only referring to the new TIC product and saying that it wasnt ugly by itself..its the motorcourt, small lots, crowded locations etc that take away from it.

Personally, I'm not that impressed by the more recent TIC floorplans (the internals).

While the Great Room execution is nice... it's not entirely functional. And the fact that they are putting less rooms/living spaces in the same square footage of homes built in the 70/80/90s is confounding. There are secondary bedrooms with walk-in closets in older homes that are bigger than the master walk-in closets at San Mateo.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

I like the formal living, dining and the great room at the rear set up. Turtle Rock homes have mostly this set up. From a functional stand point more rooms add more value. The dated elevations I am not bothered by it. Lack of privacy, parking, yard, setbacks, rooms, front yard landscaping and curbside parking for me are greater factors to be considered than just simply a dated look. The cover of the book may not have that glossy jacket but I still dig the contents of an old book.

 

[The Motor Court Company]

You definitely get more bang with older housing, real-estate wise. However, I would stay away from attached units unless the location is superb(view lot) and is relatively new. Attached condos in TRock are not holding their values as well as detached units. While no mello-roos, the HOAs for TRock attached condos are quite high, often in $400~$500 range, while peanuts for ihs or indie, somewhat significant for typical households. Woodbridge is better in this regard.

I like the formal living, dining and the great room at the rear set up. Turtle Rock homes have mostly this set up. From a functional stand point more rooms add more value. The dated elevations I am not bothered by it. Lack of privacy, parking, yard, setbacks, rooms, front yard landscaping and curbside parking for me are greater factors to be considered than just simply a dated look. The cover of the book may not have that glossy jacket but I still dig the contents of an old book.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Indie and I are now looking for properties with our spare change so we can be choosy and picky and not be desperate for a roof over our head. Settling is not in our game. When buyers are desperate that emotional factor blinds them from seeing the long term effect of the negatives.

Developers know you are a bunch of third graders so branding a pecking order of villages give you that sense of satisfaction to your ego just like Apple changes the edge trim of the latest model to date the look of the last generation.

You definitely get more bang with older housing, real-estate wise. However, I would stay away from attached units unless the location is superb(view lot) and is relatively new. Attached condos in TRock are not holding their values as well as detached units. While no mello-roos, the HOAs for TRock attached condos are quite high, often in $400~$500 range, while peanuts for ihs or indie, somewhat significant for typical households. Woodbridge is better in this regard.

I like the formal living, dining and the great room at the rear set up. Turtle Rock homes have mostly this set up. From a functional stand point more rooms add more value. The dated elevations I am not bothered by it. Lack of privacy, parking, yard, setbacks, rooms, front yard landscaping and curbside parking for me are greater factors to be considered than just simply a dated look. The cover of the book may not have that glossy jacket but I still dig the contents of an old book.

 

[socal78]

I like the formal living, dining and the great room at the rear set up. Turtle Rock homes have mostly this set up. From a functional stand point more rooms add more value. The dated elevations I am not bothered by it. Lack of privacy, parking, yard, setbacks, rooms, front yard landscaping and curbside parking for me are greater factors to be considered than just simply a dated look. The cover of the book may not have that glossy jacket but I still dig the contents of an old book.

So, you are saying conversation pits are IHS-approved.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

let's not push it! San Mateo qualifies as conversation pit.

I like the formal living, dining and the great room at the rear set up. Turtle Rock homes have mostly this set up. From a functional stand point more rooms add more value. The dated elevations I am not bothered by it. Lack of privacy, parking, yard, setbacks, rooms, front yard landscaping and curbside parking for me are greater factors to be considered than just simply a dated look. The cover of the book may not have that glossy jacket but I still dig the contents of an old book.

So, you are saying conversation pits are IHS-approved.

 

[The Motor Court Company]

I agree with ihs, indie, Pat Star..etc that the San Mateo buyers got a raw end of the deal...but let's look at today buyer's preference:

• 1. Decent schools; Northwood or University
• 2. Detached
• 3. Newer or updated;
• 4. Not close to major freeways such as 5 or 405

For $600k or below, what choices do you get?
1. Small detached condos in Quail Hill, 1400~1500 sqft
2. Sevilla, Primrose, and Casero in Portola Springs
3. San Mateo in Stonegate
4. Occasional decent SFR in Northwood I
5. Occasional fairly priced small SFR in West Park I, between Main and Alton

So buyers don't really got a lot of choices. 1 to 3 are readily available and each has its pros and cons. 1 to 3 also do not have drive ways (the ones that do are priced much higher, Sevilla), either alley-way setup or motor-court setup and are super dense, as some are zero-lot lines.

 

[IndieDev]

Again that's why Irvine is a tough sell for middle-class families. $600,000 is a huge amount money to spend on a house IMO for people in that income bracket.

You work 9-5 for the man, come home to an alley way, and spend time in your "side yard" which is bordered by your neighbors wall. Better be quiet though, wouldn't want your neighbor listening in on your conversation from their bathroom window while they are taking a sh*t (which you will hear and become accustomed to).

But I suppose their are a lot of "unicorn" qualities about Irvine that make it desirable enough for the middle class to take on that mortgage every month, such as DJ Plaza, 99 Ranch, the 405 freeway, and lots of asian people.

 

[The Motor Court Company]

But I suppose their are a lot of "unicorn" qualities about Irvine that make it desirable enough for the middle class to take on that mortgage every month, such as DJ Plaza, 99 Ranch, the 405 freeway, and lots of asian people.

Don't forget schools with 900+ API scores in every level, lack of racial diversity(small % of black and brown residents) and perceived safest City in the America.

 

[IndieDev]

But I suppose their are a lot of "unicorn" qualities about Irvine that make it desirable enough for the middle class to take on that mortgage every month, such as DJ Plaza, 99 Ranch, the 405 freeway, and lots of asian people.

Don't forget schools with 900+ API scores in every level, lack of racial diversity(small % of black and brown residents) and perceived safest City in the America.

Yeah, 900+ API scores to get into prestigious schools like Harvard, or if that doesn't pan out, CSU Fullerton, UCI, or Cal Poly like 1/3 of Uni High students.

Irvine is safe though. I mean one time I was walking through "unsafe" Costa Mesa to get some food at The Lab, and I thought I was going to get shot every step of the way. I never feel like that walking through the Irvine spectrum.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

lack of racial diversity(small % of black and brown residents)

Well... then you're really talking about a lack of specific racial diversity. I see tons of Asian/Middle Eastern diversity in Irvine.

And maybe it's just who I hang out with... but I see a lot of black/brown diversity in Irvine.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Were you sneaking into TIC construction jobsite again and see the brown in front of the taco trucks. You gotta be kidding me! And the Blacks I have no idea? Were they hanging around Chase Banks? The common perception among Chinese.

lack of racial diversity(small % of black and brown residents)

Well... then you're really talking about a lack of specific racial diversity. I see tons of Asian/Middle Eastern diversity in Irvine.

And maybe it's just who I hang out with... but I see a lot of black/brown diversity in Irvine.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Were you sneaking into TIC construction jobsite again and see the brown in front of the taco trucks. You gotta be kidding me! And the Blacks I have no idea?

Maybe you don't see any because you're afraid to look at them?

Seriously... for me... Irvine seems just as or more diverse than other OC cities.

 

[irvinehomeshopper]

Here is a pie chart of racial composition of Irvine and you call this diverse. No wonder you are the unicorn. Look at black population sliver. It is smaller than the Chinese eyes. The author did not even bother with the browns. Sorry Qwerty you don't even matter in this pie chart.