which house would you pick?

[villiagepeople]

Helping a cousin look for a place... requirements, 4/2.5 in Aliso > 1500 sq ft... detached and < 700k.  Do you guys know of anything else?

 

[nosuchreality]

What are they currently living in?

From first glance, #1 seems most dense.

#2 needs a bit of work, and that arrangement with the TV should be a warning for #2 or #4 if they're a TV family.
#3 is a long narrow house, JMO, can't stand long narrows. Notice the photos don't show width of rooms, most are pointed at corners, (for good reason.)
#4 is #2 with better taste and $50K more, which buys a lot of that taste.

 

[villiagepeople]

Wow, great observations/input NSR... they are renting right now in Aliso, they want to buy cause his wife is going back to work after being a stay at home mom for 2+ years.  Older one starts school next fall.  Based my experience trying to buy in Aliso... there's limited supply and I told them to start looking now.  I think she needs to hold her job for at least 6 months to qualify anyway... so just getting started really.

What are they currently living in?

From first glance, #1 seems most dense.

#2 needs a bit of work, and that arrangement with the TV should be a warning for #2 or #4 if they're a TV family.
#3 is a long narrow house, JMO, can't stand long narrows. Notice the photos don't show width of rooms, most are pointed at corners, (for good reason.)
#4 is #2 with better taste and $50K more, which buys a lot of that taste.

 

[nosuchreality]

Renting a house or apartment? Yard, no yard, one story, two etc.  Aliso has some older homes on nice lots.  With children, that may be desirable, or a neighbor park in easy walk distance may be more desirable, or may be completely immaterial as they're always going to be in Kumon or structured sports like AYSO or Pop Warner which seems to burn up every minute of sunlight time on the weekends.

Do they have a preference in Schools?

 

[villiagepeople]

they are currently renting an apartment.  i don't know if they have a preference in schools, just that's it's good.  they both work in irvine but can't afford irvine or at least not at the sq. ft. house (not attached) for what they can afford... i threw in the 675k house cause they can "qualify" for 700k but i think they would probably pick something closer to 600k if they can get that price for a detached.  i suggested foothill ranch and they didn't want to be that far inland.

Renting a house or apartment? Yard, no yard, one story, two etc.  Aliso has some older homes on nice lots.  With children, that may be desirable, or a neighbor park in easy walk distance may be more desirable, or may be completely immaterial as they're always going to be in Kumon or structured sports like AYSO or Pop Warner which seems to burn up every minute of sunlight time on the weekends.

Do they have a preference in Schools?

 

[Chairman]

#4 had best presentation in the photos but you also pay a lot more for it.

 

[paperboyNC]

Lake Forest has some large lot homes that are not that far inland. Here's an example:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Lake-Forest/24052-Sutton-Dr-92630/home/4836667

Hopefully the low price would leave them room to upgrade and make it their own over time.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

#4 Dominguez has a better location (doesn't back anyone).

 

[villiagepeople]

Lake Forest has some large lot homes that are not that far inland. Here's an example:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Lake-Forest/24052-Sutton-Dr-92630/home/4836667

Hopefully the low price would leave them room to upgrade and make it their own over time.

thanks for the link, looked good at first but the elementary school is a 4 out of 10 on greatschools.net... i don't think it's that good.  but i will forward it on, thanks again.