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.
agree. I am new to OC, and was at first shocked at the lack of sq footage and back yard space…
Not being familiar with this forum or the members, do the builders/designers ever lurk to see what people are asking for?
Are you sure that you’re not a homebuilder who’s here trying to justify building those ugly over-sized homes where the master bathroom is bigger than most master bedrooms?
I wish… because I would fix that problem.
While I do agree that some masters are undersized compared to the bathrooms… it’s also nice to have a big master bathroom because parents with younger children actually spend a lot of time in that area depending on if that master tub is your primary “clean the dirty kids” area.
I wonder if builders ever do those group research studies like auto companies where they get several people together and ask them about designs. I would join one of those (I’ve done probably half a dozen car ones).
Yes, builders do group research all the time.
I participated in several group studies for the Irvine Apartment Complex.
Oh how I wish the IAC would enlist MY opinion on their work! I have lived in Santa Rosa for three years and just this weekend put down a deposit for a new home in the brand new community of Mirasol in the Village of Stonegate (across Irvine Blvd from Woodbury). This is going to be my long term home until my new house is built in Orchard Hills
First of all, as someone pointed out earlier in this thread, it seems that housing in Irvine is so cramped that only a family that is my size (one adult, one child) could be comfortable in most offerings. Well, I picked the largest floor plan (1440 sq ft) in Mirasol in order to have more space than my current townhouse, because it is just so cramped! I cannot fathom how more than two people can handle living in any of the smaller units (600-1000 sq ft). More power to those folks - they are better people than me.
While I am very excited about my new home, it does have some negatives. Here are the lists:
Pros:
1. Nice size for two people - not big, but not as cramped as most other choices in my financial range.
2. Brand new. I just LOVE a brand new home!
3. Perfect location. Unlike most people, the location of Portola Springs, Stonegate, and Woodbury is perfect for me in that my job is very close by and I love hiking Peters Cyn and Whiting Ranch, plus the District and the Marketplace are my fave daily shopping locations.
4. IAC won’t get foreclosed on and kick me out.
5. It’s a townhouse again - no one above or below. That’s non-negotiable for me. Again, people who can tolerate hearing feet stomping above them day and night are better people than me.
6. Did I say it was brand new?
7. Brand new school facility (Stonegate Elementary) opening up next fall with a seasoned faculty and administration (from Westwood Basics and the former principal from Plaza Vista).
8. Clean, jr-olympic pool - and no rats to be seen!
9. Very nice fitness room - I can cancel my LA Fitness membership.
10. Adjacent to Woodbury shopping but outside the sardine-packed Woodbury community.
Cons:
1. The floorplan is not the greatest; the townhouse is actually above garages so it’s not on the ground floor. There is one room - master bedroom - that is technically on the third level.
2. Tile flooring (I want wood or Pergo).
3. Granite countertops (I want Caeserstone).
4. My mountain view will be partially obstructed by a row of apartments between me and the view.
5. No playground equipment of any kind will exist in Mirasol or Palmeras. Until the school is built, that means we’ll have nothing my son can play on without crossing Irvine Blvd to get to Woodbury.
6. Two single car garages instead of one double. I guess I should be happy - the townhouse is the only plan in the community with two garages. And since it’s just me, I’ll be able to use the second garage for storage. That is a big thing - certainly makes the high rent seem a little more justifiable.
I’m sure I’ll think of others, too. Especially after we move in.
and just this weekend put down a deposit for a new home in the brand new community of Mirasol
ism, It’s not clear…did you buy or are you renting.
Uhh, sorry! Mirasol is an IAC community and I put down a deposit to get onto the waiting list to have first dibs at the specific townhome on their site map that I want. Lease, lease, lease. I’m no knife-catchin’ fool!
That floorplan looks pretty good… I like the connectivity from kitchen to dining to living area. Are you concerned that the bedrooms are on different floors?
Most of the floorplans are actually quite functional, I like the ones with the eating bars at the kitchen but they seem pretty small.
Will Stonegate have any residential homes or they pulling an Orchard Hills and only opening the rental communities?
That floorplan looks pretty good… I like the connectivity from kitchen to dining to living area. Are you concerned that the bedrooms are on different floors?
Most of the floorplans are actually quite functional, I like the ones with the eating bars at the kitchen but they seem pretty small.
Will Stonegate have any residential homes or they pulling an Orchard Hills and only opening the rental communities?
I emailed the person in charge of planning the new Stonegate school and he confirmed that there are no houses being built in Stonegate any time soon.
I love the open kitchen floorplans and they are decent sized but I just can’t do it - I can’t live within anyone above or below me.
The bedrooms being on different floors is fine. My son and I sleep together and I’ll be using the room on the “main” floor as my exercise/his playroom.
That’s interesting that they’re putting in the school infrastructure prior to any non-rental residences… will it service Portola Springs too?
That makes sense about the floorplan if the other ones are stacked units… that “whole no neighbors above/below” item would be on my list too whether I was renting or buying (yeah… so no high-rise living for me).
That’s interesting that they’re putting in the school infrastructure prior to any non-rental residences… will it service Portola Springs too?
That makes sense about the floorplan if the other ones are stacked units… that “whole no neighbors above/below” item would be on my list too whether I was renting or buying (yeah… so no high-rise living for me).
Stonegate Elementary will be serving the two apartment complexes in Stonegate, all of Portola Springs, and all of the kids in Northwood who right now currently attend Westwood Basics Plus. My location is ideal imho, in that we are a stone’s throw (get it? funny ha ha!) from the school site and will be able to walk there rather than do the parking lot battle every day. The school being built is also a deal breaker/maker for me, since it will be the only play area for my son until at least 2011 or so.
6. Two single car garages instead of one double. I guess I should be happy - the townhouse is the only plan in the community with two garages. And since it’s just me, I’ll be able to use the second garage for storage. That is a big thing - certainly makes the high rent seem a little more justifiable.
I don’t know about you using that 2nd garage for storage. IAC is pretty strict about parking regulations even for half empty properties (i.e. OH & PS). They normally do a garage inspection 2-3 times per year and require you to have enough space in the garage to park your car. They don’t want people using their garages as permanent business centers, storage units, or even ping pong courts while at the same time leaving their vehicle out in the open parking lots. Maybe you can tell them your 2nd garage is for your Smart car
Funny how before you have kids… schools near where you live don’t figure into the equation…. and then when you have kids… it’s all about the schools.
That’s why Woodbury was a draw for us because of the proximity of the school but very packed like other posters have said and we just can’t find a floorplan that we would pay that type of dollar for.
It was a minus for Portola because they weren’t sure if there was a school that would be built in the community and I guess the Stonegate one verifies that.
We like the prospect of hillside living which points towards Quail Hill… or Orchard Hills… or Laguna Crossing… the last 2 probably not getting built until the real estate cycle restarts which is another 5 years… heh.
A house should have its own driveway. I used to live in Wisteria in West Irvine (California Pacific 4 pack cluster home) and there were many residents there who had more than two cars or used their garages for something other than parking. As a result, the street in front of my front door became my neighbors’ permanent parking space. Alley loaded homes only look nice when they are not blocked by parked cars.
6. Two single car garages instead of one double. I guess I should be happy - the townhouse is the only plan in the community with two garages. And since it’s just me, I’ll be able to use the second garage for storage. That is a big thing - certainly makes the high rent seem a little more justifiable.
I don’t know about you using that 2nd garage for storage. IAC is pretty strict about parking regulations even for half empty properties (i.e. OH & PS). They normally do a garage inspection 2-3 times per year and require you to have enough space in the garage to park your car. They don’t want people using their garages as permanent business centers, storage units, or even ping pong courts while at the same time leaving their vehicle out in the open parking lots. Maybe you can tell them your 2nd garage is for your Smart car
Mirasol is unique among IAC communities in that they will in fact specifically be allowing this. Guess they’re building plenty of extra parking spots?
(sorry to have hijacked this thread with my moving plans!!!)
Okay, my usually decisive self is jumping all over the map on this. After visiting Woodbury Place today, I have now switched over from Mirasol to Woodbury Place! (And in the middle of this I bugged dear sweet IR2 to see if he could find me any private listings in Woodbury village… )
I had never actually seen the Plan D’s in WP and when I walked into one today, it felt like home. Kinda smallish, but excellent layout for me, and nice design features including laminate wood floors, fancy cabinetry, and an adorable under-stairs storage spot that my son immediately claimed ownership over (this is the secret kids-only room, mama!). The two-car garage is attached, and there is a good-sized patio that will fit all my potted plants and then some.
I move in mid-October. And, best of all, it’s an approved dog location and we’re going to get a puppy!!!
I am very excited, and I actually think that this is it - I’m not going to change my mind again. At least, I don’t think so!
(sorry to have hijacked this thread with my moving plans!!!)
Okay, my usually decisive self is jumping all over the map on this. After visiting Woodbury Place today, I have now switched over from Mirasol to Woodbury Place! (And in the middle of this I bugged dear sweet IR2 to see if he could find me any private listings in Woodbury village… )
I had never actually seen the Plan D’s in WP and when I walked into one today, it felt like home. Kinda smallish, but excellent layout for me, and nice design features including laminate wood floors, fancy cabinetry, and an adorable under-stairs storage spot that my son immediately claimed ownership over (this is the secret kids-only room, mama!). The two-car garage is attached, and there is a good-sized patio that will fit all my potted plants and then some.
I move in mid-October. And, best of all, it’s an approved dog location and we’re going to get a puppy!!!
I am very excited, and I actually think that this is it - I’m not going to change my mind again. At least, I don’t think so!
Welcome to the hood! I have an E unit. You will love it here. Easy walk to Woodbury shopping center and the Commons. The WP club house and pool are nice. Just make sure you come to a complete stop at all the intersections or face the wrath of Irvine PD
(sorry to have hijacked this thread with my moving plans!!!)
Actually it’s on-topic as we can see what type of floorplan/features your home should have.
I like the main floor open kitchen/dining/living area… it has an island which is not common. The office area can be used as the dining area if you choose.
Attached garage is great… I didn’t realize the other place wasn’t attached.
At least Woodbury is fully built out and I really like their retail town center. The main park/pool area is really top notch.
The only difference is the school but at least the Woodbury one is already open.
We would like to live in Woodbury… I’m just not too happy with the floorplans/neighborhoods in our price range.
Back to the thread—I am a sucker for loft spaces if you have the space. I just like the idea of having a flex space on the 2nd floor—office, playroom, media room, teen room, etc… I also love sky lights—you can never have enough natural light in a home.
Back to the thread—I am a sucker for loft spaces if you have the space. I just like the idea of having a flex space on the 2nd floor—office, playroom, media room, teen room, etc… I also love sky lights—you can never have enough natural light in a home.
I have never had skylights until my recent rental.
I don’t like how they get dirty, and you can’t clean them.
It drives me crazy.
(sorry to have hijacked this thread with my moving plans!!!)
Okay, my usually decisive self is jumping all over the map on this. After visiting Woodbury Place today, I have now switched over from Mirasol to Woodbury Place! (And in the middle of this I bugged dear sweet IR2 to see if he could find me any private listings in Woodbury village… )
I had never actually seen the Plan D’s in WP and when I walked into one today, it felt like home. Kinda smallish, but excellent layout for me, and nice design features including laminate wood floors, fancy cabinetry, and an adorable under-stairs storage spot that my son immediately claimed ownership over (this is the secret kids-only room, mama!). The two-car garage is attached, and there is a good-sized patio that will fit all my potted plants and then some.
I move in mid-October. And, best of all, it’s an approved dog location and we’re going to get a puppy!!!
I am very excited, and I actually think that this is it - I’m not going to change my mind again. At least, I don’t think so!
I read a post in the Prado thread that said that they thought casitas were not a good feature for home design but I don’t agree with that.
The one thing I would like for a casita to have is another entrance directly into the home, so you can have the option of it being a standalone living space (with it’s separate outer entrance) or an expansion of your inside living space.
I read a post in the Prado thread that said that they thought casitas were not a good feature for home design but I don’t agree with that.
The one thing I would like for a casita to have is another entrance directly into the home, so you can have the option of it being a standalone living space (with it’s separate outer entrance) or an expansion of your inside living space.
I saw a casita above a 3rd car garage in Tustin Field with its own entrance but no bathroom. That is a big no no to me. Otherwise it will be just be another remote bonus room. My favorite one so far was one I saw and was profiled on IHB in Northwood II. Not sure what happened to that property since it was a short sale. Maybe it will go REO and come back again.
I read a post in the Prado thread that said that they thought casitas were not a good feature for home design but I don’t agree with that.
The one thing I would like for a casita to have is another entrance directly into the home, so you can have the option of it being a standalone living space (with it’s separate outer entrance) or an expansion of your inside living space.
I saw a casita above a 3rd car garage in Tustin Field with its own entrance but no bathroom. That is a big no no to me. Otherwise it will be just be another remote bonus room. My favorite one so far was one I saw and was profiled on IHB in Northwood II. Not sure what happened to that property since it was a short sale. Maybe it will go REO and come back again.
Re: the Northwood II property at 59 Fire Thorn, IR’s profile in June didn’t mention that the owner filed for bankruptcy in April, which will delay things. This looked like an unapproved short sale attempt back then. NOD was recorded on 8/22/08, so you may see this one as an REO before the end of the year, depending on the BK status. Might get yerself that casita sooner than you thought!
)
At least, I don’t think so!
