Saratoga Upgrades

[songkou]

I'm in the process of purchasing a Saratoga Plan1 (contract signed).  I would like to borrow this thread to share with people in the similar situation like me or is considering purchasing at Saratoga.  I would like to hear from anyone who has gone through or is going through this process with Saratoga and is willing to share their experiences.  I'm hungry for news about Saratoga SG.

So, let me start first.  I got into Saratoga's priority list after Christmas last year, and since then, have gone through many phase releases, seen ??? ... :'( many price jumps with $6k and $8K each release, talked  to sale women many times about my standing in their "Top-secret" priority list, only to find myself with uncertainty and left-behind. >  In the meanwhile, I've also had my eyes on rest of the OC Housing market (Irvine, Aliso Viejo, and Mission Viejo, to be exact), both new and old, without success.  Actually, I turned to new houses (reluctantly, because of MR and unseen upgrade cost afterward) only after learning that the listing was so short and there were so little choices out there.  Finally, when I was about to give up and look else-where, the phone ringed.  I went the next day to hand them my deposit, signed the contract the next week and just that, in a few months, I'll sell myself to the Lender/Bank for a mall patch of dirt that is, last time I checked, still... small patch of dirt.

 

[test]

Why did you wait for the phone call and prices to rise?  According to broda:

My Wait list story is...they told me I was 9th on the list.  No one called.  I walked in and said I want this lot...they told me no one has a reserve on it...you can take it today if you want it.  I wrote a check and signed my reservation letter. 

What I realized?  the wait list means nothing...they will give priority to anyone willing to put a check down the day you're in there.

 

[songkou]

Why did you wait for the phone call and prices to rise?  According to broda:

I think we're talking about different market between now and then, and probably different builders too.  This is IP that I'm dealing with.  Believe me, I've walked in many times.  They won't even give me any clues about what was my number on the priority list.  Maybe it would have been a different story if I had been a FCB. Who knows.

 

[broda]

Same builder, different times.  I guess sometime after Sept, the Irvine housing market went even crazier than it already was...there was no longer a need to cut people in line.

I have to say that's pretty valid now...because when I walk around to all the sales offices...each release is pretty much sold out before they even release it on their pretty board.


Congrats on the new house.

 

[lucky760]

Unrelated to upgrades, but related to Saratoga:

The starting price is currently $50,000 more than when we signed our contract in November ($784k vs. $734k).  That's just insane.

 

[broda]

Unrelated to upgrades, but related to Saratoga:

The starting price is currently $50,000 more than when we signed our contract in November ($784k vs. $734k).  That's just insane.

that much of an increase and the waiting list is even longer than it was back in November.  How insane is that?

 

[woodburyowner]

Just to put things in perspective, I waited 6 months from the time I got on the waiting list until I was able to sign a contract for my Woodbury condo in 2005.  It was pretty painful watching the prices go up steadily every phase release and not being called.  I told myself, if I don't get called during this phase release, I wouldn't buy (prices were just getting too high).  However, I was called and I signed the contract the same day. 

 

[songkou]

Just to put things in perspective, I waited 6 months from the time I got on the waiting list until I was able to sign a contract for my Woodbury condo in 2005.  It was pretty painful watching the prices go up steadily every phase release and not being called.  I told myself, if I don't get called during this phase release, I wouldn't buy (prices were just getting too high).  However, I was called and I signed the contract the same day.

I was in the same mental state when I got the call.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

I'm in the process of purchasing a Saratoga Plan1 (contract signed).  I would like to borrow this thread to share with people in the similar situation like me or is considering purchasing at Saratoga.  I would like to hear from anyone who has gone through or is going through this process with Saratoga and is willing to share their experiences.  I'm hungry for news about Saratoga SG.

So, let me start first.  I got into Saratoga's priority list after Christmas last year, and since then, have gone through many phase releases, seen ??? ... :'( many price jumps with $6k and $8K each release, talked  to sale women many times about my standing in their "Top-secret" priority list, only to find myself with uncertainty and left-behind. >  In the meanwhile, I've also had my eyes on rest of the OC Housing market (Irvine, Aliso Viejo, and Mission Viejo, to be exact), both new and old, without success.  Actually, I turned to new houses (reluctantly, because of MR and unseen upgrade cost afterward) only after learning that the listing was so short and there were so little choices out there.  Finally, when I was about to give up and look else-where, the phone ringed.  I went the next day to hand them my deposit, signed the contract the next week and just that, in a few months, I'll sell myself to the Lender/Bank for a mall patch of dirt that is, last time I checked, still... small patch of dirt.

Sorry to hear about your experience.  We got into a 2X about a month after we got on the list...we weren't looking to get the 2X (just the 2) but went for it for $20K.  Turned out to be a good choice considering what has been happening.  I think plan 1 is a lot more popular though.

 

[lucky760]

It's really awesome that there are so many other [future] Saratoga residents on this board, especially considering that there aren't too many homes there.

I wonder if I'll ever talk to any of you Talk Irvine neighbors in real life and if I'll know it if I do.

 

[songkou]

It's really awesome that there are so many other [future] Saratoga residents on this board, especially considering that there aren't too many homes there.

I wonder if I'll ever talk to any of you Talk Irvine neighbors in real life and if I'll know it if I do.

Let's have some sort of "TI sticker" put on our short when we go out.

I've been a frequent visitor before I register to IT and post messages.  I noticed there are quite a few people mentioning purchasing Saratoga, including lucky, I think.  Now that I've actually joined the club, I really want to have a place we can talk about common interest regarding Saratoga, what kind of upgrades you're opting for builder and what you're opting for outsider, or any CC&R rules that people should know, or suggesting any contractor for any interior/exterior job and share some pricing, etc.

 

[songkou]

For people who lives, or are going to live, in Stonegate, do you worry about we're right next to the Great Park, a formal SUPERFUND site?  I'm sure this issue have been discussed many times in TI, but this is the most recent one:http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3716.0.html

I personally think stonegate is not affected, but I don't have any evidences to back it up.  I would like to read others opinions on this.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

For people who lives, or are going to live, in Stonegate, do you worry about we're right next to the Great Park, a formal SUPERFUND site?  I'm sure this issue have been discussed many times in TI, but this is the most recent one:http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3716.0.html

I personally think stonegate is not affected, but I don't have any evidences to back it up.  I would like to read others opinions on this.

Great Park used to be a military base...just about every military base is a Superfund site as they are exempt from environmental laws.  I do not believe Stonegate is affected.  The disclosures are pretty benign...the most memorable one was about avocado trees.  Stonegate used to be on farmland.

 

[socal78]

I wonder if I'll ever talk to any of you Talk Irvine neighbors in real life and if I'll know it if I do.

Let's have some sort of "TI sticker" put on our short when we go out.

May I suggest a sticker or a shirt for your dog?http://www.zazzle.com/talkirvine/gifts

Here is a picture of Qwerty's guard dog going for a walk around the block. I hope he doesn't mind I post this.

 

[songkou]

I wonder if I'll ever talk to any of you Talk Irvine neighbors in real life and if I'll know it if I do.

Let's have some sort of "TI sticker" put on our short when we go out.

May I suggest a sticker or a shirt for your dog?http://www.zazzle.com/talkirvine/gifts

I didn't know there is actually a gift shop for TI.  Cool.

 

[Irvinecommuter]

For people who lives, or are going to live, in Stonegate, do you worry about we're right next to the Great Park, a formal SUPERFUND site?  I'm sure this issue have been discussed many times in TI, but this is the most recent one:http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3716.0.html

I personally think stonegate is not affected, but I don't have any evidences to back it up.  I would like to read others opinions on this.

Also...the film director is a little too biased for my taste.  Lennar may have done bad things but all builders are guilty of that.  Honestly, it's pretty unfair to say that Lennar is swindling people.  300+ lawsuits for a major builder like Lennar is actually not that bad.

Also, it is pretty unfair to say that nothing has taken place to fix El Toro. 
http://yosemite.epa.gov/r9/sfund/r9...El+Toro+Marine+Corps+Air+Station?OpenDocument
http://www.irwd.com/your-water/water-quality/el-toro-cleanup-facts.html

The site is being monitor by the EPA and the DOD remains on the hook for cleanup. 

 

[Bennyboy]

Thought I would share my experience also. Just signed the contract on a phase one yesterday. Of course I'm happy, but at the same time the reality that I am paying nearly 50k more for a house that I wanted to buy back in November.
Same situation as songkou... Went in November and really liked the property. Got on the priority list as fast as I could as well as every other priority list in Irvine. Ended up getting the call for Laguna Altura first, but just not ready to pay the extra money just to be in that area/small community. I waited, went into their sales office a couple times, the first time I found out that they had put me on a unverified funds list. (No wonder why i wasn't getting any calls...) Anyway proved to them that I'm supposed to be on the Priority list... about a month later late April/Early May got the call they had them available. I was busy in a meeting, called them back afterwards, they only had 2 model 1's left. One of which the caller had called before me so they reserved it to them. Leaving me just the 1 option. Ended up going in that same day to leave a deposit. finished the contract this weekend and well at least I don't have to worry about looking any longer....

What do you all think about the standard flooring options that we get? After looking at them, it's so bad that I wish they would at least give you something more reasonable for the price we're paying. What are you guys doing about your flooring, upgrading with IP or going to do your own? Of those of you who've already made the decision to do any upgrades. Would you mind sharing which upgrades you went with and why? I would think most of us if we could do it after for less money would. Its just sometimes I worry about tearing into the house when really it should be done when building. I'm thinking about surround sound cables, bathrooms, things like that. What did you do about recessed lighting?

 

[Irvinecommuter]

Thought I would share my experience also. Just signed the contract on a phase one yesterday. Of course I'm happy, but at the same time the reality that I am paying nearly 50k more for a house that I wanted to buy back in November.
Same situation as songkou... Went in November and really liked the property. Got on the priority list as fast as I could as well as every other priority list in Irvine. Ended up getting the call for Laguna Altura first, but just not ready to pay the extra money just to be in that area/small community. I waited, went into their sales office a couple times, the first time I found out that they had put me on a unverified funds list. (No wonder why i wasn't getting any calls...) Anyway proved to them that I'm supposed to be on the Priority list... about a month later late April/Early May got the call they had them available. I was busy in a meeting, called them back afterwards, they only had 2 model 1's left. One of which the caller had called before me so they reserved it to them. Leaving me just the 1 option. Ended up going in that same day to leave a deposit. finished the contract this weekend and well at least I don't have to worry about looking any longer....

What do you all think about the standard flooring options that we get? After looking at them, it's so bad that I wish they would at least give you something more reasonable for the price we're paying. What are you guys doing about your flooring, upgrading with IP or going to do your own? Of those of you who've already made the decision to do any upgrades. Would you mind sharing which upgrades you went with and why? I would think most of us if we could do it after for less money would. Its just sometimes I worry about tearing into the house when really it should be done when building. I'm thinking about surround sound cables, bathrooms, things like that. What did you do about recessed lighting?

We are doing any electrical/plumbing with IP, which also includes flooring for the bathroom.  Water and electrical stuff are probably the two things that I want the builder to do because of the tearing up wall factor and someone to blame in the future.  We did recessed lighting, ceiling fan and surround sound (just the wiring) with the builder.

We are going outside with the other flooring.  Better quality material at 2/3rd the cost.

 

[broda]

Flooring is a must outside of the builder.  The carpet and vinyl is pretty hideous.  For the Provenza French Oak floor, IP charged $15K that was no downstairs bathroom (they said they won't put wood in bathroom due to liability) no downstairs storage closet (additional $1200 for closet.).  I went with Venetian, who was charging $9300 for the same floor and they were putting it in my storage closet, they agreed to do the bathroom and they upgraded my baseboards for free.  I'm very happy with the work I received.  I saw at least 4 of my neighbors also do flooring outside.

Electrical was definitely better and easier through the builder.  I priced out Kitchen appliances, and they ended up being cheaper through IP for specific package.  Other packages ended up being more...so do your research on the model of the appliances.  I thought frame less shower was a waste...it didn't look that much better than the standard.  Privacy door was a must and whole house insulation was important to me.  Even they are only using like an R13 which is really thin.  But so far it seems to keep the temperature of the house steady have yet to experience summer so not sure how it will do.  Speakers I backed out of because they couldn't tell me what type of wiring they were using for speakers and that makes a world of difference in terms of sound quality.  Tile I'm doing outside as well...all the quotes I've gotten came at least 50 to 60% cheaper than IP's prices.

 

[lucky760]

Doing all electrical options with IP as just makes sense. Also did countertops, upper cabinets, and shower options with them. Rain glass on shower doors is an elegant upgrade that's not too expensive. Oh, and definitely must have full-house insulation.

It would be a terrible waste of a lot of money on poor quality materials to do flooring with IP. Absolutely essential to get it with a 3rd party.

Most people want hardwood, but for my children I need carpet (and I just like carpet more). Was going to insert a bunch of carpet research here, but started a new post instead.

You really need to stay on top of them and really pay attention to all your upgrades. They've made several blunders where they've done something poorly or they've just ignored the upgrade altogether and installed the standard materials.