Saratoga vs roundtree/springhouse
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NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Except..it could go up every year for 5-7 years.
perhaps not TIC, but i think test posted something that indicated the Pavilion Park ones did increase.
I'm not a Stonegate resident but I asked Saratoga sales person about MR increase. They said MR bonds in Stonegate is not an increasing fund, so they said it doesn't go up.
The house itself I like Springhouse better as well. But you have to consider other factors. IMO, I think with a lower HOA, lower Mello-Roos, higher Asian density=), and higher quality feel of IP communities (i.e. school, pocket parks, little more central compared to GP, it will most likely retain value better in the long-run (based on TIC track record). I might be biased as I am a owner in SG. Also, it seems like the floorplan is very good/excellent based on feedback from existing Saratoga home owners. It all depends on what you prefer more. There are pros and cons with both houses/communities.
For me, I don't spend all day looking at the exterior or hang out in the driveway no more then going in and out of my garage. I like hanging out at the pocket parks (10 sec. walk) and inside the house more. I hate spending $ and maintaining the yards either (I might be just lazy).
Personally, I don't care very much curb appeal. I mean it may matter down the line if I sell my house but I spend maybe 30 seconds looking at the outside of the my house/neighborhood.
I agree that PP is a nicer looking neighborhood but that is in part because it's mostly model homes right now.
That I do agree with...they could have mixed up the landscaping a little bit.
Again, would I like having better curb appeal...sure. It's just not very high on the list I care about relating to my house.
Irvinecommuter
New member
FranchisePlr said:
Except..it could go up every year for 5-7 years.
perhaps not TIC, but i think test posted something that indicated the Pavilion Park ones did increase.
akirvine79
Member
irvinehomeowner said:
I'm not a Stonegate resident but I asked Saratoga sales person about MR increase. They said MR bonds in Stonegate is not an increasing fund, so they said it doesn't go up.
Thanks for this post OP, I figured that this question had to come up at some point. I signed a contract into Saratoga back in April this year. Just closed about a month ago and been real busy getting the home set up. Went to visit PP as soon as they opened and really liked the Springhouse Model 2, Roundtree wasn't all that great to me. I really like the fact that Springhouse offered larger rooms, a driveway, and more of a SFR feel.
If I had the choice between the two, I'm quite torn. In an unbiased opinion I believe I would lean towards PP because of the larger home/larger rooms, the laundry room + sink upstairs. But I do feel that I would be missing out on more pocket parks and the elementary school (not that it matters to me now, but in terms of resale), and the higher mello roos/HOA.
Its really what matters more to you. Driveway>NO Driveway (I have a 1/2 driveway...)
If I had the choice between the two, I'm quite torn. In an unbiased opinion I believe I would lean towards PP because of the larger home/larger rooms, the laundry room + sink upstairs. But I do feel that I would be missing out on more pocket parks and the elementary school (not that it matters to me now, but in terms of resale), and the higher mello roos/HOA.
Its really what matters more to you. Driveway>NO Driveway (I have a 1/2 driveway...)
Bennyboy said:
The house itself I like Springhouse better as well. But you have to consider other factors. IMO, I think with a lower HOA, lower Mello-Roos, higher Asian density=), and higher quality feel of IP communities (i.e. school, pocket parks, little more central compared to GP, it will most likely retain value better in the long-run (based on TIC track record). I might be biased as I am a owner in SG. Also, it seems like the floorplan is very good/excellent based on feedback from existing Saratoga home owners. It all depends on what you prefer more. There are pros and cons with both houses/communities.
For me, I don't spend all day looking at the exterior or hang out in the driveway no more then going in and out of my garage. I like hanging out at the pocket parks (10 sec. walk) and inside the house more. I hate spending $ and maintaining the yards either (I might be just lazy).
akirvine79
Member
When I looked at Saratoga model homes at its grand opening last year, I liked Saratoga floor plan but ridiculously small back yard size was deal-breaker to me. So I had never looked back and I waited for other neighbor hoods such as Cypress Village and Great Park.
However, I started having a different look on Saratoga after I re-visited Saratoga sales office recently.
I realized that the location of new Saratoga homes (aka Saratoga Extention II) are better than previous location.
Old location was near Sand Canyon but new location is near Jefferey and very close to Jeffery Open Space Trail.
And here are a couple of more things that are different from former Saratoga release.
I personally think
Saratoga Pros:
Saratoga Cons:
However, I started having a different look on Saratoga after I re-visited Saratoga sales office recently.
I realized that the location of new Saratoga homes (aka Saratoga Extention II) are better than previous location.
Old location was near Sand Canyon but new location is near Jefferey and very close to Jeffery Open Space Trail.
And here are a couple of more things that are different from former Saratoga release.
- Slightly bigger lot sizes than former phases. Most of new Saratoga homes will have 3040 sq feets (38 * 80) lot size and a few premium sites are bigger and have own drive way. (Saratoga Model homes are 2,800 sqft lot size)
- All homes have minimum rear setback of 13 ft with Conservatory installed. (I think model home shows 8~10 feet backyard?)
- It's right next to two new pocket parks (Egret and Swallows Parks)
- 71-acre public community park (aka Gateway Park) is planned with Orchard Hills at Jeffrey Rd and north side of Portola Pkwy/Stonegate community. Gateway Park will be owned and maintained by the City of Irvine.
I personally think
Saratoga Pros:
- Good floorplan
- Low monthly HOA and non-increasing Mello-Roos
- Many parks near community and Jeffery Open Space Trail
- Stonegate Elementry School
- More central location especially Extention II
Saratoga Cons:
- Small lot and back yard size compared to Great Park homes
- No driveway
- Price tag (it's almost 100k increase since opening)
J
jmoney74
Guest
I agree with OpenSky.. curb appeal. Seems like Irvine Company is getting worse and worse with these.. jamming in homes and taking out the appeal from the outside.. getting rid of Drive ways. My friend lives over at Stone Gate.. both communities are nice.. just that SG homes all look the same.
Irvinecommuter
New member
jmoney74 said:
Personally, I don't care very much curb appeal. I mean it may matter down the line if I sell my house but I spend maybe 30 seconds looking at the outside of the my house/neighborhood.
I agree that PP is a nicer looking neighborhood but that is in part because it's mostly model homes right now.
J
jmoney74
Guest
don't get me wrong.. I think Irvine in general is very nice and these new communities are great. I guess it's more of just trying to pick between the two. We'll see how these homes turn out. One thing I like about PP is that they are all homes.. not fronted by an apartment complex. Although SG has more parks.. hmmm.. tough to say.
J
jmoney74
Guest
Yes cheap HOA is good but it has to be run well.
Irvinecommuter
New member
broda said:
That I do agree with...they could have mixed up the landscaping a little bit.
Again, would I like having better curb appeal...sure. It's just not very high on the list I care about relating to my house.
irvinerealtor
Well-known member
A couple of points of clarification:
There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive.
There is likewise a difference between expensive and valuable.
Whether it be an association, a home, an 80" Vizio and a nice couch to watch it on, or a relationship, the distinction speaks to what you are receiving in exchange for what you are giving up.
-IR2
There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive.
There is likewise a difference between expensive and valuable.
Whether it be an association, a home, an 80" Vizio and a nice couch to watch it on, or a relationship, the distinction speaks to what you are receiving in exchange for what you are giving up.
-IR2