The Prado Models in Portola Springs are for Sale

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
Anyone going to the open house today? Would love to see what an allegedly-furnished house in the middle of the middle of nowhere looks like. ;)
 
Just saw the Prado models. They are very nice homes, but of course you have to be ok with living on a street with 4 homes, surrounded by vacant lots. Agent reports that all of the other lots have been "sold back to the Irvine Company." Agent says that they are collecting all offers from this weekend and they will be submitted to the builder. $50K "good faith" payment required.



Homesite 220, Plan 1AR:

"entertaining offers from $1.0 - $1.2M"

MLS S544219



Homesite 219

Plan 2B

"entertaining offers from $1.1 - $1.23M"

MLS S544230



Homesite 221

Plan 3C

"entertaining offers from $1.3 - $1.5M"

MLS S544120
 
Just got back as well. There were about 6 other cars parked along the side of the street. I made it known to the seller agent that I learned about the listings from IHB when she asked. Then I told her that I'm a bear and think prices will drop even more ;)



I can now confirm that they are fully furnished. Actually the homes weren't that bad. I just wish it wasn't located in Portola - what a ghost town!
 
hey cantaloop, I was the guy that was there at the same time as you... yeah, my wife and I only liked the plan 3. 1.3-1.5 mil... would probably prefer a house in woodbury or quail hill for that amount. however, i really think they did a good job on the plan 3 with the pool and landscaping. I think there will be someone who will offer them the $1.3 they are looking for.



GJ
 
Dropped by while running errands. There was no one there when we first came by, but there were about 10 cars there when we left. Of all the people I saw, I think only one or two parties looked remotely serious about buying.



Some thoughts:



I still loved the house with the sleeping porch (Plan 1?), <em>but</em> that home had no downstairs bed / bath. It had the best kitchen of the bunch.



Plans two and three had the worst kitchen layout, with the wall ovens buried at the back of the kitchen and outside the main kitchen layout. Plan two had even buried the microwave back there. Seriously, that it probably the most used appliance in any modern kitchen and it was placed as far away from the main part of the kitchen as possible. Really bad design.



Plan three was awesome for throwing a lot of outdoor parties. It also had a great downstairs bed / bath that very disabled access friendly. Plan two was the worst layout of the three and looks like someone gave the project to an intern - even the back yard was underwhelming.



Big kudos to Pardee for having the foresight to put a drain in the floor of the laundry room for each plan (all of which were on the second floor). In the event of an "oops," the water has a place to drain off to rather than pooling on your floor or flooding out of the laundry room.



If Plan One had had a downstairs bed/bath, we would have made a lowball offer on it.
 
[quote author="gasjockey" date=1218953704]hey cantaloop, I was the guy that was there at the same time as you... yeah, my wife and I only liked the plan 3. 1.3-1.5 mil... would probably prefer a house in woodbury or quail hill for that amount. however, i really think they did a good job on the plan 3 with the pool and landscaping. I think there will be someone who will offer them the $1.3 they are looking for.



GJ</blockquote>


It was nice bumping into you! My wife also liked plan 3. I was thinking to myself that if I didn't want kids, then plan 3 would be perfect. There would be parties at my place all the time. But, the reality is, $1.3-$1.5M is above my price range. And for that price, I'd prefer Serra (if I had to choose PS). But you're absolutely right, location-wise, Woodbury or QH is better. We've been renting in Woodbury for 2 years+ and we've fallen in love with it. Now, if we can just get some more Woodbury sellers to list their houses < $300 sq ft.... They all bought at the height and refuse to believe that their house lost 30% equity within 1-2 years.
 
cantaloop,



If you are looking for a house similar to the size of Prado in Woodbury, then I can tell you in good confidence that MF, VR, & JB tracks's average homes have not lost 30% in the last 1-2 years AT THE PRESENT TIME.
 
[quote author="irvine123" date=1218968082]cantaloop,



If you are looking for a house similar to the size of Prado in Woodbury, then I can tell you in good confidence that MF, VR, & JB tracks's average homes have not lost 30% in the last 1-2 years AT THE PRESENT TIME.</blockquote>


That's my big problem. I know that their house is worth 30% less, but for some reason, they seem to think that it's worth the same or even appreciated in the last 2 years. It makes me frustrated. Sometimes I take it out on the seller agent. And I must admit, I do get a little over-passionate. I usually end the conversation with, "Tell you seller to pick up the WSJ and read the headlines. It's all BAD NEWS. Instead of chasing the market down, tell your seller to list the house at a realistic price."
 
[quote author="cantaloop" date=1218968333][quote author="irvine123" date=1218968082]cantaloop,



If you are looking for a house similar to the size of Prado in Woodbury, then I can tell you in good confidence that MF, VR, & JB tracks's average homes have not lost 30% in the last 1-2 years AT THE PRESENT TIME.</blockquote>


That's my big problem. I know that their house is worth 30% less, but for some reason, they seem to think that it's worth the same or even appreciated in the last 2 years. It makes me frustrated. Sometimes I take it out on the seller agent. And I must admit, I do get a little over-passionate. I usually end the conversation with, "Tell you seller to pick up the WSJ and read the headlines. It's all BAD NEWS. Instead of chasing the market down, tell your seller to list the house at a realistic price."</blockquote>


As far as the builder is concerned, it doesn't matter what the WSJ says when VR can sell out its most recent phase of 5 lots without any difficulty. Apparently, there are a sufficient number of families willing to ploink down 1m to get a tract house... and with homes like VR, there are only so many homes remaining until they finish. To be honest, I doubt that they are going to have difficulty selling the remaining 20+ homes that are yet to be built. The only home it appears that VR is having a tough time selling is that model 1 on Winding Way... which is really a function of a lousy location.



I'll agree however, that it sucks... the economy and housing seem oblivious to reality. What's up is down... what's down is up... I'm about to make all of my decisions based upon what George Castanza would do.
 
[quote author="cantaloop" date=1218968333][quote author="irvine123" date=1218968082]cantaloop,



If you are looking for a house similar to the size of Prado in Woodbury, then I can tell you in good confidence that MF, VR, & JB tracks's average homes have not lost 30% in the last 1-2 years AT THE PRESENT TIME.</blockquote>


That's my big problem. I know that their house is worth 30% less, but for some reason, they seem to think that it's worth the same or even appreciated in the last 2 years. It makes me frustrated. Sometimes I take it out on the seller agent. And I must admit, I do get a little over-passionate. I usually end the conversation with, "Tell you seller to pick up the WSJ and read the headlines. It's all BAD NEWS. Instead of chasing the market down, tell your seller to list the house at a realistic price."</blockquote>


I see foreclosures, I see lots of foreclosures. They will all see and feel the headlines soon. Sit back, relax, and enjoy some mango yogurt with lychees in the mean time. Think of it as in the long process of making the yummy yogurt, and having Mrs. Cantaloop chopping the yummy fresh fruit in the back. It takes time for the yummy goodness to come together, and it takes an even longer time for the goodness of prices drops to happen for housing. Both are a natural process, and in order for it to all come together, you just have to wait for the process to be complete. It is happening now for housing, but at least I can get my cantaloop now, a much better business process than the slow process of housing.
 
HAHA graphrix!! Thanks for the encouraging note. BTW next Friday after the shop closes, we're going to be experimenting in spiking the yogurt with some 'un-natural' goodness. We're going to start off with mixing some kahlua into the chocolate, and rum into the pina colada. I'll let you know how it goes. If it tastes good and swirls nice, get ready for the exclusive Club Cantaloop. (i'll need to run the club as if we were the prohibition) and you'll get a special VIP invite.
 
[quote author="cantaloop" date=1219021347]HAHA graphrix!! Thanks for the encouraging note. BTW next Friday after the shop closes, we're going to be experimenting in spiking the yogurt with some 'un-natural' goodness. We're going to start off with mixing some kahlua into the chocolate, and rum into the pina colada. I'll let you know how it goes. If it tastes good and swirls nice, get ready for the exclusive Club Cantaloop. (i'll need to run the club as if we were the prohibition) and you'll get a special VIP invite.</blockquote>


Oh...oh... how can I get on the VIP list? Hook up your long time customer! Are you there today? Maybe I should go to Osh instead of Lowes and stop by to get some cantaloop. You can call the VIP members cantaloopers, kinda like how I am a nutter already.
 
The place was a zoo today.



It's seems the colonial house is the most popular plan. I like 27 but they're asking way too much. The house also needs a lot of patchwork.



23 is too compact for my tastes, at least in terms of the first floor. But I did like how all the bedrooms have steps to the bathrooms.



All homes had decent water pressure.
 
Gotti, you wouldn't be related to this <a href="http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=john+gotti&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title">family</a>, would you?



If so, we need to talk. I could use your help on a small matter. :coolsmirk:



J/K
 
[quote author="GOTTI" date=1219033359]The place was a zoo today.



It's seems the colonial house is the most popular plan. I like 27 but they're asking way too much. The house also needs a lot of patchwork.



23 is too compact for my tastes, at least in terms of the first floor. But I did like how all the bedrooms have steps to the bathrooms.



All homes had decent water pressure.</blockquote>
Yeah, I was just over there. You are right the plan 1 was the most popular. the design made the house seem extra long an roomy.
 
I was surprised on some of the touches added in to this project, like the multi levels on each floor. Like mentioned earlier a drain in the laundry room...even though a washer tube with drain would have done. Multi zoned AC system. Large front/side yards on some of the lots. The recycle center kitchen drawer...



I can see where this would compete with both Las Colinas and Villa Rosa. But not really the Serra project next door...Serra has bigger view lots, and larger square footage.
 
2 or the 3 house tucked the ovens away...the designer that did that should have been slapped. I know why they did that...to make the kitchens seem even bigger...but the oven is the hearth of the home.



Pic:

<blockquote>http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img1244im9.jpg</blockquote>
 
I went today but was not impressed. Technically, these houses are bigger than Las Colinas by Taylor Woodrow across the street. But the layout actually make all three homes feel smaller than Las Colinas. In addition, these are model homes and yet the backyards are small compared to Las Colinas?.



Before I go into the pros and cons, let?s identify each property. Plan 3 is next to the street (where the agent was), Plan 1 is in the middle, and Plan 2 is at the end of the Cul-de-sac (with the gutted garage).



The winning design (drum rolls please)? The Sleeping Porch in Plan 2 - very unique concept. The cape code beach home style is wonderful. The windows make the room bright, airy and cozy. We need to see more homes with cape code style. No more dark and brown Italian/French/Spanish elevations.



The runners-up winning design is the three French doors leading to the backyard in Plan 2. This mimics the design of a custom home. This makes the house feel more like a McMansion as this feature allows you to incorporate the outdoor entertainment with indoor living.



One more honorable mention... Plan 3 ? the three bedrooms for the children are at one end of the house but separated far enough to give each of them some privacy: one at the East end, one at the South end and one at the West end. Great design concept. If you work for the builders, please repeat (or copy) this design in the future.



Now the ugly?



Plan 3 ? It?s a 3,566 sf house but it feels a lot smaller. The first floor layout is so bad that you feel like you are in a 2400 sf starter home. The pool and Jacuzzi in the backyard overpower the first floor in terms of design - a total mismatch. The backyard deserves a better home to go with it. There are 5 bathrooms in this house and only the one in the kid?s bedroom has a window. The rest are without windows. Oh, the smell and the humidity? Please give us windows for ALL bathrooms in the future?



Plan 1 ? You get this tiny door to the backyard. It is hidden on the side next to the nook. Even an older home gets a sliding door twice its size in width. The door and the tiny nook belong in a condo design, not a 3,300+ sf home. Then, there is that down stair bedroom which opens its door to the kitchen and the nook. Is that room supposed to be for your live-in maid (oh, I mean in-laws)?



Plan 2 ? The office separated from the rest of the house is so yesterday - never a fan of it. The ideas of having to open/lock office door every time you enter and exit, go back to the main house for bathroom break, get accidentally lock out of the main house/office or walk in rain are just mind-boggling. Foyer and the stairs are so in-your-face as one enters the front door. Here is the most unfortunate part. Two toilets above the kitchen!! (remember what BK told us?)



For all 3 plans - The master bedrooms are all in the northeast corner ? direction of most Santa Ana winds? Do I need to say more? In addition, because the living area (kitchen, dining and great room) is not facing south, you may need to turn on the lights during the day. (= higher electricity bill) As for the kitchen, I have seen better and bigger ones in smaller homes. Given the size of these homes (3,300+ sf), the kitchen should be more functionally layout and bigger. Also, what?s the deal with no pantry in Plan 1 and 2? A walk-in pantry should be a minimum standard for any kitchen.
 
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