Villages of Columbus - Columbus Square - Camden Place

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Becca, I side with your husband on that one, a nice LCD/Plasma Tv is one of the first investments I bought after moving in, right after my washer and dryer. It's just a necessity. It's like buying a BMW brand new and opting for non-powered seats.



The stucco is something they cannot correct during walk through, they will come by and paint the exterior one more time before move in, but we had blemishes on ours as well and they didn't mark it during walk through since it would be done one last time later on anyway.



I would definitely concentrate on all interior things, they also said they wouldn't paint anything in the garage, so spend your time in the rooms, checking the tiling, carpeting, molding, all the electrical outlets (i found one that didn't work) and make sure that the outlet connecting to your light switch is working. I would def bring a portable electronic device to the walk through to use as testing.



One major issue with these homes is the lighting in the kitchen. They used commercial ballasts in my home that weren't designed to be frequently turned on or off, so after 5 or 6 times of switching it blew out. I would spend time in the kitchen to test these lights switching them on and off to make sure the problem was addressed.



That's all I can think of, other than that, it's just what you can catch with your naked eye.



But congrats and enjoy your new place.
 
Speaking of moving in.... what would you buy and how much would it cost.



I think the basic necessities are...



1. washer/dryer

2. window coverings

3. tv/sofa/coffee table

4. dining table

5. fridge

6. beds/dresser/night stands



Am I missing anything? And do people tend to buy new furniture for a new home?
 
[quote author="hs_teacher" date=1223505531]Speaking of moving in.... what would you buy and how much would it cost.



I think the basic necessities are...



1. washer/dryer

2. window coverings

3. tv/sofa/coffee table

4. dining table

5. fridge

6. beds/dresser/night stands



Am I missing anything? And do people tend to buy new furniture for a new home?</blockquote>


1. I got a washer/dryer from sears total cost was about $1400

2. Bought curtains and installed myself. Total cost about $900, purchased blinds for the bathroom at home depot

3. got a 46'' LCD Samsung tv for $1800 on Amazon, used my old sofa, coffee table, and dining set

4. Fridge is included with the home

5. Bought a new bed, night stand, tv stands, and couch for loft, total cost was about $1700 (aunt owns a furniture store)



Think those are the major items, decorative stuff comes in later, my walls are still bare. A few plants, maybe an outdoor grill, patio furniture, and kitchen appliances/bar stools are all I need.
 
[quote author="Polarbecca" date=1223482048]You are funny. My husband keeps reminding me about the wiring and that we should get a plasma. I'm suprised they didn't tell you about the feature!!:) Any problems with the walk through? We took a look at our stucco the other day and anticipate we will have to request some touch ups right outside our garage!</blockquote>


No serious issues, a few loose wallplates, one cracked wallplate, buildup of drywall under the countertops, couple paint drips on baseboards, one outlet in the kitchen had a loose wire, couple scratches in the master bathroom counters, and multiple dings and scratches in the stair railings (which I will re-scratch when moving in). Also, check to make sure all toilet paper holders are nice and tight, mine were loose.



Another thing of note, there are two sprinker heads in the niches on the 2nd and 3rd floor, terrible design... If you were planning on installing a built-in in these areas, make sure you leave 6 inches or so around the sprinkler head to allow it to drop down in the case of fire.



One more while I think of it, the windows are covered under warranty, however, in order to access the area, nothing can be installed close to the frame of the window to restrict Lennar from taking out the window, i.e., plantation shutters. If Lennar needs to replace the window, the shutter would need to be removed by either you or a contracter, Lennar will NOT be responsible for taking off the shutter hardware. However, it worked out for us, since we got the window tinting and shutters through Vintage Design, so I would imagine since the windows and shutters are now warrantied under Vintage, they would take care of everything. Just food for thought for those who have their window warranty through Lennar and interested in getting plantation shutters.
 
I'm glad you mentioned the sprinkler heads in the niches because we were planning on building built ins! arghhhhh!



[quote author="Chi2Cali" date=1223517568][quote author="Polarbecca" date=1223482048]You are funny. My husband keeps reminding me about the wiring and that we should get a plasma. I'm suprised they didn't tell you about the feature!!:) Any problems with the walk through? We took a look at our stucco the other day and anticipate we will have to request some touch ups right outside our garage!</blockquote>


No serious issues, a few loose wallplates, one cracked wallplate, buildup of drywall under the countertops, couple paint drips on baseboards, one outlet in the kitchen had a loose wire, couple scratches in the master bathroom counters, and multiple dings and scratches in the stair railings (which I will re-scratch when moving in). Also, check to make sure all toilet paper holders are nice and tight, mine were loose.



Another thing of note, there are two sprinker heads in the niches on the 2nd and 3rd floor, terrible design... If you were planning on installing a built-in in these areas, make sure you leave 6 inches or so around the sprinkler head to allow it to drop down in the case of fire.



One more while I think of it, the windows are covered under warranty, however, in order to access the area, nothing can be installed close to the frame of the window to restrict Lennar from taking out the window, i.e., plantation shutters. If Lennar needs to replace the window, the shutter would need to be removed by either you or a contracter, Lennar will NOT be responsible for taking off the shutter hardware. However, it worked out for us, since we got the window tinting and shutters through Vintage Design, so I would imagine since the windows and shutters are now warrantied under Vintage, they would take care of everything. Just food for thought for those who have their window warranty through Lennar and interested in getting plantation shutters.</blockquote>
 
We need to find a new grill. Most likely stainless so it won't be an eyesore on our back balcony. If any one has found a gril that fits perfect on the back balcony let us know!



Also anyone know of good child care in the area for a newborn?







[quote author="Shooby" date=1223508736][quote author="hs_teacher" date=1223505531]Speaking of moving in.... what would you buy and how much would it cost.



I think the basic necessities are...



1. washer/dryer

2. window coverings

3. tv/sofa/coffee table

4. dining table

5. fridge

6. beds/dresser/night stands



Am I missing anything? And do people tend to buy new furniture for a new home?</blockquote>


1. I got a washer/dryer from sears total cost was about $1400

2. Bought curtains and installed myself. Total cost about $900, purchased blinds for the bathroom at home depot

3. got a 46'' LCD Samsung tv for $1800 on Amazon, used my old sofa, coffee table, and dining set

4. Fridge is included with the home

5. Bought a new bed, night stand, tv stands, and couch for loft, total cost was about $1700 (aunt owns a furniture store)



Think those are the major items, decorative stuff comes in later, my walls are still bare. A few plants, maybe an outdoor grill, patio furniture, and kitchen appliances/bar stools are all I need.</blockquote>
 
One common mistake that people make while moving into a new home is buying a bunch of new furniture. It is especially true if you are moving to a bigger place. The basic rule of thumb is that 50% of the baseboard in each room needs to be visible, if it is not, you have too much furniture.

So, just go through everything you have and everything you are going to buy, and ask yourself, do I really need this?

For instance, you don't really need a chest drawer, you can buy plastic drawers that are very practical and put them in your walk-in closet in case you are worried about appearance. All bedrooms need a bed, 1-2 nightstands, and maybe 1 chair, not anything else. For your living room, you need a TV stand, a TV, a couple of couches and chairs and maybe a coffee table (if you insist, I hate those huge ones that take up all of the room and nobody uses them anyways), and small items like lamps perhaps. For the office, a couple of desks, 2 chairs, maybe a couple of shelves for printer paper and other office supplies. If you have books like I do, you need a bookshelf, but that's pretty much it.

I resisted buying new furniture when I moved, and it allowed me to save more money for more important things, like your kids' college tuition or your retirement savings. Any new piece of furniture you buy is a depreciating asset too. And I just personally like houses with a lot of air and space, which is achieved by, among other things, having minimum furniture.
 
[quote author="blackacre-seeker" date=1223882269]One common mistake that people make while moving into a new home is buying a bunch of new furniture. It is especially true if you are moving to a bigger place. The basic rule of thumb is that 50% of the baseboard in each room needs to be visible, if it is not, you have too much furniture.

So, just go through everything you have and everything you are going to buy, and ask yourself, do I really need this?

For instance, you don't really need a chest drawer, you can buy plastic drawers that are very practical and put them in your walk-in closet in case you are worried about appearance. All bedrooms need a bed, 1-2 nightstands, and maybe 1 chair, not anything else. For your living room, you need a TV stand, a TV, a couple of couches and chairs and maybe a coffee table (if you insist, I hate those huge ones that take up all of the room and nobody uses them anyways), and small items like lamps perhaps. For the office, a couple of desks, 2 chairs, maybe a couple of shelves for printer paper and other office supplies. If you have books like I do, you need a bookshelf, but that's pretty much it.

I resisted buying new furniture when I moved, and it allowed me to save more money for more important things, like your kids' college tuition or your retirement savings. Any new piece of furniture you buy is a depreciating asset too. And I just personally like houses with a lot of air and space, which is achieved by, among other things, having minimum furniture.</blockquote>


I agree with you. More furniture, more dust collector. A roomba is all you need for automatic cleanning.
 
[quote author="Polarbecca" date=1223881651]We need to find a new grill. Most likely stainless so it won't be an eyesore on our back balcony. If any one has found a gril that fits perfect on the back balcony let us know!



Also anyone know of good child care in the area for a newborn?



</blockquote>


PolarB: yes, St. Andrews Children's Center on Barranca takes 6-week olds. My son was there for five years. Anybody who knows me knows my son is my whole world, so if I kept him at this place for five years, that means they do a pretty good job! It's secular, and although the preschool class was top notch academically, most of the time I had him there (since he was four months old) all I cared about was that he was safe, and he was loved. And he was. Very much.
 
polarbecca, please don't take this the wrong way; and we certainly by no means, know the details of what you and your husband have chosen as a lifestyle. Also, we all know that typically for a young couple, both parents usually need to work if they own a house in Irvine. It is certainly a luxury in Irvine for a parent to stay home and raise the children. In saying this, couldn't you and your husband have chosen to rent and try to raise your child yourself?



I know that there are probably great day-care places out there, and I my wife and I certainly like Camden Place; but at what cost? How much is daycare eating out of your paycheck every month, and how much will Camden continue to drop? A plan 2 resale is currently selling for: $395,000 (http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/15207-Camden-Way-92782/unit-13/home/17176348).



Again if this house suits all your needs, and you are planning to stay for the long haul, by all means, congratulations you made a great decision. But, what if you could wait, keep saving that down, have the pleasure of raising your own child and buy a bigger SFR house a few years from now, wouldn't that be better? All I know is that I rather bbq in my own private back yard versus on the top of the balcony overlooking the garage alley.
 
[quote author="roundcorners" date=1223901997]polarbecca, please don't take this the wrong way; and we certainly by no means, know the details of what you and your husband have chosen as a lifestyle. Also, we all know that typically for a young couple, both parents usually need to work if they own a house in Irvine. It is certainly a luxury in Irvine for a parent to stay home and raise the children. In saying this, couldn't you and your husband have chosen to rent and try to raise your child yourself?



I know that there are probably great day-care places out there, and I my wife and I certainly like Camden Place; but at what cost? How much is daycare eating out of your paycheck every month, and how much will Camden continue to drop? A plan 2 resale is currently selling for: $395,000 (http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/15207-Camden-Way-92782/unit-13/home/17176348).



Again if this house suits all your needs, and you are planning to stay for the long haul, by all means, congratulations you made a great decision. But, what if you could wait, keep saving that down, have the pleasure of raising your own child and buy a bigger SFR house a few years from now, wouldn't that be better? All I know is that I rather bbq in my own private back yard versus on the top of the balcony overlooking the garage alley.</blockquote>


Ah, I see roundcorners is making the "rational" arguement also known as the "responsible planning" technique
 
IrvineSingleMom-

Thank you so much for your kind reply and opinion. I really apprecite your time in writing to me and suggesting St. Andrews Children's Center







[quote author="irvinesinglemom" date=1223890988][quote author="Polarbecca" date=1223881651]We need to find a new grill. Most likely stainless so it won't be an eyesore on our back balcony. If any one has found a gril that fits perfect on the back balcony let us know!



Also anyone know of good child care in the area for a newborn?



</blockquote>


PolarB: yes, St. Andrews Children's Center on Barranca takes 6-week olds. My son was there for five years. Anybody who knows me knows my son is my whole world, so if I kept him at this place for five years, that means they do a pretty good job! It's secular, and although the preschool class was top notch academically, most of the time I had him there (since he was four months old) all I cared about was that he was safe, and he was loved. And he was. Very much.</blockquote>
 
I just got this in an email:





Plan Two

- Homesite 59 - 1,553 sf, 2 bedrooms + Den, 2.5 baths; NOW $423,000



Plan Three

- Homesite 72 - 1,679 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; NOW $480,000
 
[quote author="asianinvasian" date=1230796950]Most builders will pay closing costs.</blockquote>


all or some?



because they are offering $5000 for closing costs, but for some reason the way that its stated makes me feel like closing costs are more than that.
 
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