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What I think every family home should have…
Posted: 05 September 2008 03:05 PM   [ Ignore ]
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In no particular order:

1. 5 bedrooms (4 with a den or bonus room will work)

2. All living areas: Living room, dining room, family room and nook

3. Kitchen: Must have huge center island with eat-at bar (usually the sink will be in it) and a walk-in (or really big) pantry

4. Separate laundry room with sink (preferably upstairs)

5. Master bathroom: Separate shower and tub, shower should be sizeable with a seat and separate vanity area (for the ladies)

6. Front courtyard

7. Vaulted or high ceilings

8. 3-car garage (real 3-car… not tandem)

9. Reasonable back/side yard space

10. Cul-de-sac location

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Posted: 05 September 2008 03:45 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 1 ]
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Uh yeah, okay.  Good luck with that.  Whatever.

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Posted: 05 September 2008 04:06 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 2 ]
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irvinesinglemom - 05 September 2008 03:45 PM

Uh yeah, okay.  Good luck with that.  Whatever.

I find this type of response surprising coming from a moderator.

Is this *not* what a family home should have?

I’ve posted this here because I’ve seen quite a few $1mil+ homes and only a few of them seem to have these things… am I wanting the wrong things? Do builders not know who they are building for?

EDIT: The only real problem I see is the 3-car wide garage since most lots won’t support that type of width so they go tandem. But everything else seems reasonable. In fact there is a model in Laguna Niguel that has all 10 of these items… I just can’t find it in Irvine.

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Posted: 05 September 2008 04:56 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 3 ]
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“every family home”

yah shur, but what about the 98% of the population that cannot afford such a palace?


elitism much?

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Posted: 05 September 2008 08:08 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 4 ]
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freedom got it exactly right.  My snide response is because, whether or not you intended it, your proposal for “every family home” needing these things is horribly elitist.  Maybe if you had called it “everyone’s dream home” or even better, YOUR dream home, it wouldn’t have been so bad.  But I can tell you that as written, your proposal is ridiculous and off-putting.  Hence, my snarky response.

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Posted: 05 September 2008 08:24 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 5 ]
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11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

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Posted: 05 September 2008 09:22 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 6 ]
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Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

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Posted: 05 September 2008 10:27 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 7 ]
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irvinesinglemom - 05 September 2008 08:08 PM

freedom got it exactly right.  My snide response is because, whether or not you intended it, your proposal for “every family home” needing these things is horribly elitist.  Maybe if you had called it “everyone’s dream home” or even better, YOUR dream home, it wouldn’t have been so bad.  But I can tell you that as written, your proposal is ridiculous and off-putting.  Hence, my snarky response.

I’m going to pretend the post is titled “what I WISH every family home had.“  Makes me feel better.

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Posted: 05 September 2008 11:32 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 8 ]
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PeterUK - 05 September 2008 09:22 PM
Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

13. Moat

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Posted: 05 September 2008 11:43 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 9 ]
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IrvineRealtor - 05 September 2008 11:32 PM
PeterUK - 05 September 2008 09:22 PM
Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

13. Moat

14. Speedboat for the Moat

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Posted: 05 September 2008 11:45 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 10 ]
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Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

oh-hai-pass-me-teh-towel.jpg

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Posted: 06 September 2008 10:39 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 11 ]
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Girl In the OC - 05 September 2008 11:43 PM
IrvineRealtor - 05 September 2008 11:32 PM
PeterUK - 05 September 2008 09:22 PM
Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

13. Moat

14. Speedboat for the Moat

15.  A pair of white swans swimming in the Moat

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Posted: 06 September 2008 10:52 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 12 ]
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And a facade like this to go with the list of 15 must-have.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 11:07 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 13 ]
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Most of the original list is not so outlandish in many parts of the country, just not very common in SoCal.  Maybe the OP has come onto the scene from a different environment.  I have been adjusting through my own sense of culture shock in SoCal.

Number 11 is not uncommon anywhere, it is called the laundry room.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 11:51 AM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 14 ]
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It is funny how people’s expectations inflate.  Visited a historic fort once, was surprised.  There was one (and only one) living building that the people running the fort lived in.  The leader’s room had enough room for a double bed and table.  More minor officers bedroom consisted of a room just big enough to hold one single bed and a tiny table just big enough for a pair of glasses and a candle.  There was 1 room with a larger table for everyone to eat in and/or hold big official buisness meetings.  And 1 or 2 rooms with room for a table for other meetings.  The kitchen was a seperate building with a garden by it.  And that with it for living space.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 01:27 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 15 ]
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irvinesinglemom - 05 September 2008 08:08 PM

freedom got it exactly right.  My snide response is because, whether or not you intended it, your proposal for “every family home” needing these things is horribly elitist.  Maybe if you had called it “everyone’s dream home” or even better, YOUR dream home, it wouldn’t have been so bad.  But I can tell you that as written, your proposal is ridiculous and off-putting.  Hence, my snarky response.

Hmm… I guess I should capitalize the words “I think” in the title.

Usually… in normal conversation, that usually implies “my opinion”... but I guess in this particular forum, you need to be more exact (or use the word “wish”?).

And actually my list is not outlandish nor am I from another dimension.

I live in Irvine (hence my screen name) and our current residence has all of the above except for the walk-in pantry. It has a pseudo vanity for the Mrs. and the laundry room isn’t really a separate area as it is the pass-through to my 3-car wide garage.

I’ve been looking at model and resale homes for the last 10 years and I’m just surprised by how poorly designed many of these homes are.

The point of the thread wasn’t to say “oh look at this ridiculous wish list” or to “off-put” anyone… it was merely to get other opinions on whether ot not these things are what everyone else thinks should or should not be in a family home (but I guess I need to direct it to a minority who can “afford” this type of home in Irvine).

I’m not being elitist, I just happened to buy prior to the boom… I’m just trying to figure out why most of these $1mil+ homes don’t have what I **THINK** are good features for any family (esp if you can afford that price range).

I’ve posted in many other forums and I have to say that this one is probably one of the most hostile I’ve come across. Why are many of you so snarky to begin with? Is it because I’m new here? Is that how you guys treat new people?

I would think that the explanations I’m getting now should have been the lead-off posts… not the “Oh… excuse my rudeness… this is why I belittled your opinion” ones.

Or do I not understand that usually forums such as these are supposed to be a place where people express their opinions?

This is the second time I’ve posted and received this type response… I guess I’m not one of the “cool kids” yet.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 01:53 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 16 ]
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I want alligators in my moat.
And a Juliette balcony so my husband can serenade me each night.
And I want a big room with one big refrigerator filled with every type of ice cream imaginable.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 02:02 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 17 ]
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PeterUK - 05 September 2008 09:22 PM
Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

OK, Petah, I had to look up velodrome.  shut eye
That was my “learn something new” today.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 02:09 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 18 ]
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irvine_home_owner - 06 September 2008 01:27 PM
irvinesinglemom - 05 September 2008 08:08 PM

freedom got it exactly right.  My snide response is because, whether or not you intended it, your proposal for “every family home” needing these things is horribly elitist.  Maybe if you had called it “everyone’s dream home” or even better, YOUR dream home, it wouldn’t have been so bad.  But I can tell you that as written, your proposal is ridiculous and off-putting.  Hence, my snarky response.

Hmm… I guess I should capitalize the words “I think” in the title.

Usually… in normal conversation, that usually implies “my opinion”... but I guess in this particular forum, you need to be more exact (or use the word “wish”?).

And actually my list is not outlandish nor am I from another dimension.

I live in Irvine (hence my screen name) and our current residence has all of the above except for the walk-in pantry. It has a pseudo vanity for the Mrs. and the laundry room isn’t really a separate area as it is the pass-through to my 3-car wide garage.

I’ve been looking at model and resale homes for the last 10 years and I’m just surprised by how poorly designed many of these homes are.

The point of the thread wasn’t to say “oh look at this ridiculous wish list” or to “off-put” anyone… it was merely to get other opinions on whether ot not these things are what everyone else thinks should or should not be in a family home (but I guess I need to direct it to a minority who can “afford” this type of home in Irvine).

I’m not being elitist, I just happened to buy prior to the boom… I’m just trying to figure out why most of these $1mil+ homes don’t have what I **THINK** are good features for any family (esp if you can afford that price range).

I’ve posted in many other forums and I have to say that this one is probably one of the most hostile I’ve come across. Why are many of you so snarky to begin with? Is it because I’m new here? Is that how you guys treat new people?

I would think that the explanations I’m getting now should have been the lead-off posts… not the “Oh… excuse my rudeness… this is why I belittled your opinion” ones.

Or do I not understand that usually forums such as these are supposed to be a place where people express their opinions?

This is the second time I’ve posted and received this type response… I guess I’m not one of the “cool kids” yet.

I will have to back ISM on this one.
Your initial post came across as snobish.
What every family home should have?
Maybe it wasn’t your intent, but that’s how it came across.
What you listed are luxuries, not necessities - hence the snarky responses.
 
Maybe this is what you were intending for a thread:
 
What Kind of Home Design Do You Prefer?

[ Edited: 06 September 2008 02:13 PM by CalGal ]
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Posted: 06 September 2008 02:55 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 19 ]
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CalGal - 06 September 2008 02:09 PM

I will have to back ISM on this one.
Your initial post came across as snobish.

So… after only 4 posts… I am a snob. Shouldn’t someone maybe ask the new person what they mean first before throwing them into the elitist pool?

Is that really the best way a “moderator” should handle the new posters on a forum that’s meant to foster community discussion?

From everyone else… sure… have fun at my expense… I don’t know you… you don’t know me… but a mod should be little more… uh… I don’t know… moderate?

I’ve been contacted by another mod and I’m sure that ISM is a great person in real life and I don’t mean to make this into something bigger than it is… but at the same time… I’m not one to just let things that I don’t feel are appropriate go unmentioned. I intend to participate and contribute to this forum but if that’s not what this place is for… why bother?

What every family home should have?
Maybe it wasn’t your intent, but that’s how it came across.
What you listed are luxuries, not necessities - hence the snarky responses.

Is this really a stretch? Most likely if you’re looking in Irvine at ANY 5 bedroom home… you’re going to be skirting the $1mil mark… at least today. 5 to 8 years ago that was more like $400-$500k but relatively speaking… a 5 bedroom, 2500-3500 sft house in Irvine should have the things I mentioned… pricing aside. Hence… did anyone even bother to notice I didn’t even really make price a talking point in my original post?

I don’t necessarily believe those are luxuries… some may be borderline (like a 3-car garage) but who doesn’t want a walk-in pantry or a dedicated laundry room? Every woman deserves a separate vanity in their master bedroom.

Snarky is fine… but let’s get real… I’m not asking for a room for my kitty litter box, a moat or an underground secret lair for my nightly superhero activities.

Maybe this is what you were intending for a thread:
 
What Kind of Home Design Do You Prefer?

I guess it’s all about the framing.

That thread is good… but it’s over year old and somewhat different to what I’m shooting for.

Again… I apologize for the drama… it’s just the Internet is so full of assumptions.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 03:08 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 20 ]
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CalGal - 06 September 2008 02:02 PM
PeterUK - 05 September 2008 09:22 PM
Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

OK, Petah, I had to look up velodrome.  shut eye
That was my “learn something new” today.


Thx CalGal!  Glad I wasn’t the only one who had to google the velodrome!  red face

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Posted: 06 September 2008 03:32 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 21 ]
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I stand by my original response.  Your post was ridiculous and deserved ridicule.  Yes, I am a moderator and actually, I can’t recall the last time I was dismissive in this manner on these boards.  I am just callin’ a spade a spade.

I actually think you did this on purpose; or are you actually so obtuse as to not get it, even after all the feedback?  Either way, instead of flagging another one of my posts (!!!) why don’t you just go back to hanging out with all of your McMansion neighbors who agree with you that if a house doesn’t have a butler and a bidet, it’s not worthy of your family?

Jeez.

Edit:  Oh wait, nowwwwww I get it!  By “family”, did you assume a husband and wife and several kids?  That would explain why you think so much living space is a necessity.  So what exactly are you suggesting about me and my little boy - we don’t comprise a “real family” because it’s just the two of us?  Because certainly, MY family does not need five bedrooms.

[ Edited: 06 September 2008 03:43 PM by irvinesinglemom ]
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Posted: 06 September 2008 04:22 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 22 ]
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Keanu - 06 September 2008 10:39 AM
Girl In the OC - 05 September 2008 11:43 PM
IrvineRealtor - 05 September 2008 11:32 PM
PeterUK - 05 September 2008 09:22 PM
Trooper - 05 September 2008 08:24 PM

11. Separate room for the cat litter box.

12. Velodrome

13. Moat

14. Speedboat for the Moat

15.  A pair of white swans swimming in the Moat

16. A good recipe should 15 and 14 ever meet.

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Posted: 06 September 2008 05:36 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 23 ]
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Are you just being a jerk on purpose?  some type of obtuse troll?

What I think every family home should have…
 
In no particular order:

1. 5 bedrooms (4 with a den or bonus room will work)

2. All living areas: Living room, dining room, family room and nook


So a 2-person family like ISM, or maybe a 3-person family, a couple and a kid,

they should have 5 bedrooms to make it a *real* family home?

So a family that “only” makes $100k, or hey, how about $50k, the OC median,

they should have 5 bedrooms to make it a *real* family home?


I’m quite curious as to your well considered thoughts on these matters

[ Edited: 06 September 2008 05:43 PM by freedomCM ]
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Posted: 06 September 2008 06:50 PM   [ Ignore ]   [ # 24 ]
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If you reduce the population of Southern California by 75% or if you have a family the size of Sarah Palin’s, then I absolutely agree with everything except for the laundry being on the second floor.

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