Villages of Columbus - Columbus Square - Verandas

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
No matter the incentives, I'm having a hard time liking the location of these homes, which is across the street from the train tracks. I've walked by at night, and there is no way I would leave my window open with the trains rolling by at 11 PM. I could feel the ground shaking.



Sure a few of those models are pretty nice. But I can't justify spending over $500K for a home that is within 100 feet of the trains. Will just get too annoying after a few months.
 
[quote author="Shooby" date=1238460534]No matter the incentives, I'm having a hard time liking the location of these homes, which is across the street from the train tracks. I've walked by at night, and there is no way I would leave my window open with the trains rolling by at 11 PM. I could feel the ground shaking.



Sure a few of those models are pretty nice. But I can't justify spending over $500K for a home that is within 100 feet of the trains. Will just get too annoying after a few months.</blockquote>


yah I thought about that too, but the current phase is actually where the model homes so its way more than just 100 feet away from the tracks... whereas the previous phases were actually along edinger where the train tracks are.



i'm still in the consideration mode.....
 
Keep this in mind, the train blows the horn more frequently as it approaches the station. The closer you get to Jamboree, the louder and more annoying it will be. Personally I really like the Plan 1, however I think in a few years for the same money I can get a nice place in Woodbury, where the only sounds that break the peace and quiet are the chirps of crickets.
 
I actually really really like Residence 1 too. I think out of the 3 it makes the most sense in terms of layout and usage of space.



I never looked at these until this past weekend 'cuz i thought it was way out of my price range, but the current price is 569K for the Residence 1, they wouldnt tell me how much incentive they are giving unless we decided to really buy, so i wanted to know how much others were getting....and other info like closing and such...kinda like a comparable before i really jump into this.



but i will definitely make a note to drive around the area to see if i can hear the train and see how much i can tolerate =)



thanks Shooby
 
[quote author="hehegrl" date=1238477354]I actually really really like Residence 1 too. I think out of the 3 it makes the most sense in terms of layout and usage of space.



I never looked at these until this past weekend 'cuz i thought it was way out of my price range, but the current price is 569K for the Residence 1, they wouldnt tell me how much incentive they are giving unless we decided to really buy, so i wanted to know how much others were getting....and other info like closing and such...kinda like a comparable before i really jump into this.



but i will definitely make a note to drive around the area to see if i can hear the train and see how much i can tolerate =)



thanks Shooby</blockquote>
I would highly advise you to wait to purchase, at least 9-12 months. You might be able to pick up an REO for a 20-25% discount from today's brand new prices. There is a reason why I sold my Quail Hill condo last fall.
 
To put things into perspective, it seems prices have dropped 30K in the past 5 months. I stopped by Verandas one day to check out the homes. Plan 1 was going for 599K at the time. As you said, it's now 569K.



I'd agree that plan 1 is the most cost effective, and best layout of the 3. I'd recommend driving there and taking a walk around at night to see if the noise level is tolerable. However, I can definitely see why you'd be interested in getting this home. If you go in there knowing that prices will most likely drop further in the next 6-12 months, and you're completely OK with that, then what's to stop you?



1. You get a tax credit $8K from Feds

2. You get an additional $10K from the state.

3. Mortgage rates are great right now.





Also, did you leave your information? If you go with an agent, or someone that "brings you", they get a $5,000 referral bonus. You could offer them $500 bucks for their time and pocket the rest. As for incentives, I'd say you should take nothing less that $20-$25K in incentives, and then ask to put it towards the principal. They won't offer that option, but it's been done by other buyers before. I think if you can get the price in the low $500's, then I'd definitely consider it.
 
you don't even have to wait until the end of the year. There are two plan ones on MLS in the mid upper 400s. Why buy from Lyon Homes when you can buy a one year old Vernades for 130k less.
 
[quote author="ndiddy" date=1238554428]you don't even have to wait until the end of the year. There are two plan ones on MLS in the mid upper 400s. Why buy from Lyon Homes when you can buy a one year old Vernades for 130k less.</blockquote>


Got a link or MLS number?
 
looks like the one in the 470k range(short sale) is no longer on mls. When that one came on the market a few weeks ago, that's when Lyon Homes dropped their plan 1 to the mid 500s. Lyon Homes must be hurting badly it's been about 4 months and their website is full of typos and the Verandas pictures don't even load.
 
I ended up putting a deposit on one of the Verandas homes, Plan 1. Price was $569,990 with $20K worth of incentives that I used towards the closing and principal price. This is for Phase 6 so my build out date should be middle of Sept.



Here are the pricings, but I got this like a week ago but never got a chance to post them up, so these might or might not be available since in Phase 6 they sold pretty much all units in 3 weeks except one.



Phase 6:



Plan 1

Lot 376 $574,990.



Phase 7:



Plan 1

Lot 367 1CR $569,990

Lot 369 1BXR $571,990



Plan 2

Lot 366 2CX $604,990

Lot 368 2BR $602,990

Lot 371 2CR $601,990



Plan 3

Lot 370 3EXR $624,990

Lot 377 3CX $621,990

Lot 378 3D $619,990



This is for Phase 7, build out Nov 2009.



I think there is still a $20K incentive.



After Phase 7 there are still 2 more phases.
 
Congrats. Plan 1 is a good home. I like the floor plan of that home the best out of the three. Welcome to the neighborhood.
 
I'm looking to buy in the Verandas, Columbus Square but was wondering if now would be a good time. I noticed that prices have gone down considerably. Do you think prices will go down any further from now until William Lyon sells of their models? Does anyone know when William Lyon will release phase 8? Also, I have a friend that already put a deposit down on a Verandas home (will be built in November), but was hoping to change lots; is this possible? If so, what would the process take?
 
[quote author="Newbee" date=1242694388]I'm looking to buy in the Verandas, Columbus Square but was wondering if now would be a good time. I noticed that prices have gone down considerably. Do you think prices will go down any further from now until William Lyon sells of their models? Does anyone know when William Lyon will release phase 8? Also, I have a friend that already put a deposit down on a Verandas home (will be built in November), but was hoping to change lots; is this possible? If so, what would the process take?</blockquote>


I was there last week.....



They will be releasing Phase 8 in 2 weeks or so.



I'm not sure which Residence plan your looking at, but I think I heard the sale person say for Residence 3 the prices might go up to because of its popularity. But it can also be because the lot size is bigger. Currently its at 620K but her projection is 625K/630K or so.



She didnt say anything about Residence 2, but I think there is still one more left in Phase 6 that still hasn't been sold yet that was for 600K.

There is 1 Residence 1 in Phase 7 left and 1 more in maybe Phase 8 , then after it will be sold out entirely. the rest are just Res 2 and Res 3.



A week after I sign the papers, I saw another lot open that I kinda wanted, I asked them if I can change the lots, and they were okie with it. But that might be because not a lot of paper work was done yet, so it was much easier to just switch. I ended up not changing tho.



But your friend can just go ask one of the sales person ... either Donna or Cindy and see if its still possible to switch. They are fairly nice, and will probably try to accommodate ur friend as much as they can.
 
[quote author="hehegrl" date=1242702988][quote author="Newbee" date=1242694388]I'm looking to buy in the Verandas, Columbus Square but was wondering if now would be a good time. I noticed that prices have gone down considerably. Do you think prices will go down any further from now until William Lyon sells of their models? Does anyone know when William Lyon will release phase 8? Also, I have a friend that already put a deposit down on a Verandas home (will be built in November), but was hoping to change lots; is this possible? If so, what would the process take?</blockquote>


I was there last week.....



They will be releasing Phase 8 in 2 weeks or so.



I'm not sure which Residence plan your looking at, but I think I heard the sale person say for Residence 3 the prices might go up to because of its popularity. But it can also be because the lot size is bigger. Currently its at 620K but her projection is 625K/630K or so.



She didnt say anything about Residence 2, but I think there is still one more left in Phase 6 that still hasn't been sold yet that was for 600K.

There is 1 Residence 1 in Phase 7 left and 1 more in maybe Phase 8 , then after it will be sold out entirely. the rest are just Res 2 and Res 3.



A week after I sign the papers, I saw another lot open that I kinda wanted, I asked them if I can change the lots, and they were okie with it. But that might be because not a lot of paper work was done yet, so it was much easier to just switch. I ended up not changing tho.



But your friend can just go ask one of the sales person ... either Donna or Cindy and see if its still possible to switch. They are fairly nice, and will probably try to accommodate ur friend as much as they can.</blockquote>
I hope you guys are finding buyer's agent to go with and having them kick back the majority of their commission that the builder provides because there is no work involved for the agents on these new homes.
 
I have another friend that purchased a phase 6 and he agreed to give me the full 5,000 referral. Of course he'll want me to pay for the taxes from the 5,000, which works out better than bringing an agent. In regards to changing lots, if my friend wants to change to phase 8 (not released yet) will he have to wait until it is released or can they process this before?
 
[quote author="Newbee" date=1242712190]I have another friend that purchased a phase 6 and he agreed to give me the full 5,000 referral. Of course he'll want me to pay for the taxes from the 5,000, which works out better than bringing an agent. In regards to changing lots, if my friend wants to change to phase 8 (not released yet) will he have to wait until it is released or can they process this before?</blockquote>
It does? If I remember correctly, the buyer's agent will get 3% of the sales price as commission. So even after taxes and the broker split, you'll get more than $5,000. My point is not to leave any free money on the table from the builder.
 
I think we mentioned this property before but is anyone keeping an eye on <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/15204-Davenport-St-92782/home/12249225">15204 Davenport</a>?
 
[quote author="roundcorners" date=1242718438]I think we mentioned this property before but is anyone keeping an eye on <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/15204-Davenport-St-92782/home/12249225">15204 Davenport</a>?</blockquote>


"in the highly desired master planned community of Villages of Columbus!"



No_Vas probably has something to say about that description...
 
[quote author="IrvineRenter" date=1242721974][quote author="roundcorners" date=1242718438]I think we mentioned this property before but is anyone keeping an eye on <a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Tustin/15204-Davenport-St-92782/home/12249225">15204 Davenport</a>?</blockquote>


"in the highly desired master planned community of Villages of Columbus!"



No_Vas probably has something to say about that description...</blockquote>


Proximity to Legacy and Diamond Plaza makes the <strong>location</strong> highly desirable but not the master planned community.
 
[quote author="Newbee" date=1242712190]I have another friend that purchased a phase 6 and he agreed to give me the full 5,000 referral. Of course he'll want me to pay for the taxes from the 5,000, which works out better than bringing an agent. In regards to changing lots, if my friend wants to change to phase 8 (not released yet) will he have to wait until it is released or can they process this before?</blockquote>


Math here in the state of California is a bit different than some states. 3% of a $600k house = $18k, not $5k minus taxes.



Where are you from again? Because you aren't in SoCal.
 
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