usctrojanman29 - 03 August 2009 08:25 AM

caycifish - 03 August 2009 08:18 AM

And I did the Tara house (2225 Victoria) while I was at it.

What on earth are the green fruits growing in the back?  The ones I took close-ups of?

I especially dig the toilets, especially the pink one.  haha

Save the pink bathroom! You can re-do the mauve one, just not in Home Depot circa 2006 granite and dark wood.

Also, it appears that buying these homes is one thing, but there seem to be a problem with maintaining them.  What’s up with that?  I can understand not having the time / ability / desire to do it yourself, but one would think that if you could afford the house, you should be able to afford to write a check to fix what’s broken, too.  Or is it that the owners just don’t “see” where the house needs maintenance? 

Please note that I am distinguishing between updating and maintenance.  There are a whole generation of older folks who very justifiably believe that if something is still serviceable, it need not be replaced.

EvaLSeraphim - 03 August 2009 03:32 PM

usctrojanman29 - 03 August 2009 08:25 AM

caycifish - 03 August 2009 08:18 AM

And I did the Tara house (2225 Victoria) while I was at it.

What on earth are the green fruits growing in the back?  The ones I took close-ups of?

I especially dig the toilets, especially the pink one.  haha

Save the pink bathroom! You can re-do the mauve one, just not in Home Depot circa 2006 granite and dark wood.

Also, it appears that buying these homes is one thing, but there seem to be a problem with maintaining them.  What’s up with that?  I can understand not having the time / ability / desire to do it yourself, but one would think that if you could afford the house, you should be able to afford to write a check to fix what’s broken, too.  Or is it that the owners just don’t “see” where the house needs maintenance? 

Please note that I am distinguishing between updating and maintenance.  There are a whole generation of older folks who very justifiably believe that if something is still serviceable, it need not be replaced.

EvaL, I thought of you and that site when I saw the pink toilet. 

I’m amazed that the kitchen appliances in both homes were still functioning.  The choice to put in cream/beige marble all over the house regardless of whether it matched or not is a matter of taste.  So is the orange carpet.  I did point out to Graph that there seemed to be an emphasis on making the outside of the house look nice but not bother to fix issues inside.  IE, what the Joneses don’t know won’t hurt them.

I asked about the partially painted blue wall in the Tara house.  I was told that there was a plumbing issue many, many years ago that caused damage to the wallpaper on that wall, and that it has since been fixed.  You can also see the discoloration where they didn’t bother to try to cover it up on the other side of the wall in my photos. I will give the Tara house folks credit in that the carpet on the second story was all fluffy still, so at least they had bothered to maintain the floors.

caycifish - 03 August 2009 08:18 AM

And I did the Tara house (2225 Victoria) while I was at it.

What on earth are the green fruits growing in the back?  The ones I took close-ups of?

I believe the tree is a Osage Orange (also known as hedge, hedge-apple, bodark, bois-d’are, bowwood and naranjo chino).  It was planted in thicket-like hedge rows before the advent of barbed wire fences.  The branch wood was used by the Osage Indians for making bows and is stronger than oak and as tough as hickory.  A yellow-orange dye is also extracted from the wood and is used as a substitute for fustic and aniline dyes in arts and industry.

Vlad, did you get a chance to tour Fullerton this weekend? If so, I’d be interested to hear what you liked and disliked.

graphrix - 03 August 2009 08:38 AM

bkshopr - 03 August 2009 06:29 AM

The attic rafters sustained water and possibly fungus damages over the years but does not appear to be structurally weakened. The simple front to back gable roof saved this house from water penetration the most damaging element for all vintage homes.

What did you make of the crack and bowing in the upstairs bathroom?

Typically when it looks like that… the big crack and serious bowing… it means that a leak from the pipes have caused the wood to soften up and when there is weight on it it will crack like that. But… it didn’t feel soft… I was that kid in the adult sized body jumping up in down in the bathroom.

.

In most vintage homes small hexagonal floor tiles were used because of the floor deflection caused by several people standing in the bathroom. The hexagon mosaic tiles disguised and controlled the hairline cracks along the zig zag edges of the tiles unlike the straight crack line along a larger tile depicted in the photos. No floor is perfectly flat and leveled therefore the smaller tiles negotiate warped surface better than larger tiles.

When the floor was redone several decades ago the installer probably the homeowner did not have the understanding of floor movement and laid the tile known as thin set right over the floor without preparing the floor with a proper substrate consisting of a monolithic mortar bed of light weight concrete. The idea is to spread the liveload forces over the entire floor causing the entire bathroom floor to settle rather than to deflect at the weakest point of the beam causing tiles to pop or crack.

Bathroom weight varies daily. A tubful of water plus the occupants could add 800 pounds to the floor and that is enough to cause deflection. If the floor was damaged due to water related issue then the ceiling of the room directly below should display evidents of staining and warpage.

Don’t invite IHO to your home or restrict him to the powder room downstairs.

Mcdonna1980 - 03 August 2009 06:11 PM

Vlad, did you get a chance to tour Fullerton this weekend? If so, I’d be interested to hear what you liked and disliked.

I didn’t get a chance to check out Fullerton.  Actually, we were just really lazy this weekend.  My wife also needs a little convincing to go check out Fullerton, she really doesn’t want to see any of her current or former students outside of school.  I can totally understand that, I don’t even like seeing most of my coworkers outside of work.

We did drive around Tustin a little more and had lunch at Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin.  I got an enormous garlic chicken salad!

Vlad - 03 August 2009 09:24 PM

Mcdonna1980 - 03 August 2009 06:11 PM

Vlad, did you get a chance to tour Fullerton this weekend? If so, I’d be interested to hear what you liked and disliked.

I didn’t get a chance to check out Fullerton. Actually, we were just really lazy this weekend. My wife also needs a little convincing to go check out Fullerton, she really doesn’t want to see any of her current or former students outside of school. I can totally understand that, I don’t even like seeing most of my coworkers outside of work.

We did drive around Tustin a little more and had lunch at Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin. I got an enormous garlic chicken salad!

Yum, I’m going to have to check out Rutabegorz. I love garlic. About the running into student thing. I wonder how likely that is? I would say I ran into the people in the apartment across from me a total of 5 times in the last 3 years. Does she teach at one of the home schools in the historic neighborhoods? I can kind of understand where you are coming from. I’m paranoid about joining Facebook thinking my boss will try and add me as a “friend”.

Mcdonna1980 - 04 August 2009 12:24 AM

Vlad - 03 August 2009 09:24 PM

Mcdonna1980 - 03 August 2009 06:11 PM

Vlad, did you get a chance to tour Fullerton this weekend? If so, I’d be interested to hear what you liked and disliked.

I didn’t get a chance to check out Fullerton. Actually, we were just really lazy this weekend. My wife also needs a little convincing to go check out Fullerton, she really doesn’t want to see any of her current or former students outside of school. I can totally understand that, I don’t even like seeing most of my coworkers outside of work.

We did drive around Tustin a little more and had lunch at Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin. I got an enormous garlic chicken salad!

Yum, I’m going to have to check out Rutabegorz. I love garlic. About the running into student thing. I wonder how likely that is? I would say I ran into the people in the apartment across from me a total of 5 times in the last 3 years. Does she teach at one of the home schools in the historic neighborhoods? I can kind of understand where you are coming from. I’m paranoid about joining Facebook thinking my boss will try and add me as a “friend”.

I guess it bears repeating again. My husband and I both teach in the same city that we live in. You’d be surprised how seldom we actually run into any of our students. From time to time, we encounter our or former students’ parents at their place of work and they are always extremely kind and respectful (they also offer us discounts and freebies sometimes). It really isn’t an issue for us. In fact it is kind of nice to have a vested interest in your own community as a teacher.

I agree. I greet everyone as they come down the freeway off ramp.

bkshopr - 04 August 2009 12:54 AM

I agree. I greet everyone as they come down the freeway off ramp.

Sorry BK, I must have missed you yesterday when I exited Bristol to check out your hood. Now that I think of it, you probably only frequent Irvine off-ramps in hope some FCB will toss you a Benjamin on their way to Ivy.

tmare - 04 August 2009 12:32 AM

Mcdonna1980 - 04 August 2009 12:24 AM

Vlad - 03 August 2009 09:24 PM

Mcdonna1980 - 03 August 2009 06:11 PM

Vlad, did you get a chance to tour Fullerton this weekend? If so, I’d be interested to hear what you liked and disliked.

I didn’t get a chance to check out Fullerton. Actually, we were just really lazy this weekend. My wife also needs a little convincing to go check out Fullerton, she really doesn’t want to see any of her current or former students outside of school. I can totally understand that, I don’t even like seeing most of my coworkers outside of work.

We did drive around Tustin a little more and had lunch at Rutabegorz in Old Town Tustin. I got an enormous garlic chicken salad!

Yum, I’m going to have to check out Rutabegorz. I love garlic. About the running into student thing. I wonder how likely that is? I would say I ran into the people in the apartment across from me a total of 5 times in the last 3 years. Does she teach at one of the home schools in the historic neighborhoods? I can kind of understand where you are coming from. I’m paranoid about joining Facebook thinking my boss will try and add me as a “friend”.

I guess it bears repeating again. My husband and I both teach in the same city that we live in. You’d be surprised how seldom we actually run into any of our students. From time to time, we encounter our or former students’ parents at their place of work and they are always extremely kind and respectful (they also offer us discounts and freebies sometimes). It really isn’t an issue for us. In fact it is kind of nice to have a vested interest in your own community as a teacher.

She teaches at Sunny Hills HS.  I don’t think it’s really that big a deal running into them, it’s not like they’re going to throw rocks at her.  And I’m sure you’re right in that they would be kind and respectful.  But if she doesn’t want to run into students, even if it’s not so frequent, I’m ok with that.  I think it’s just that given a choice, she’d rather not see them.  I’d probably feel the same way if I were her.  You never know though, maybe she’ll change her mind as we’re looking around more.  Seems like our housing search is expanding week by week.  We started out just looking at places in Irvine.

No need to worry then, the kids at Sunny Hills can’t leave their house and loose precious study time.

Mcdonna1980 - 04 August 2009 01:03 AM

bkshopr - 04 August 2009 12:54 AM

I agree. I greet everyone as they come down the freeway off ramp.

Sorry BK, I must have missed you yesterday when I exited Bristol to check out your hood. Now that I think of it, you probably only frequent Irvine off-ramps in hope some FCB will toss you a Benjamin on their way to Ivy.

The stingy FOB FCB only toss me Chairman Mao!

We went to another house for kicks last weekend, and Graph picked up this flyer.

I thought others might find it useful so I scanned it.

Link to Large, printable Image: http://www.cayci.com/pictures/IHBShare/NorthSantaAna.jpg

Small version:

My wife and I spent a good deal of time on Sunday morning cruising around Floral Park, assessing all of the homes for sale.  This one seems like a good value on paper, but for the fact it is a short sale. Anybody here who knows FP well have any history to share on this one? 

1916 N. Ross

Despite the fact that we are militant Irviners, we both really like this type of home (remember our “lottery win” neighborhood is San Marino).  Although something like this would probably work for us, we are always held up from considering historic homes because even at $600k this would ultimately end up trumping most similarly sized Irvine homes in real cost once you factor in the maintenance and upkeep—- plus the cost of private schools…but great home nonetheless.

CK - 11 August 2009 06:56 PM

My wife and I spent a good deal of time on Sunday morning cruising around Floral Park, assessing all of the homes for sale. This one seems like a good value on paper, but for the fact it is a short sale. Anybody here who knows FP well have any history to share on this one?

1916 N. Ross

Despite the fact that we are militant Irviners, we both really like this type of home (remember our “lottery win” neighborhood is San Marino). Although something like this would probably work for us, we are always held up from considering historic homes because even at $600k this would ultimately end up trumping most similarly sized Irvine homes in real cost once you factor in the maintenance and upkeep—- plus the cost of private schools…but great home nonetheless.

You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.

In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA’s responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.

CK - 11 August 2009 06:56 PM

My wife and I spent a good deal of time on Sunday morning cruising around Floral Park, assessing all of the homes for sale.  This one seems like a good value on paper, but for the fact it is a short sale. Anybody here who knows FP well have any history to share on this one? 

1916 N. Ross

Despite the fact that we are militant Irviners, we both really like this type of home (remember our “lottery win” neighborhood is San Marino).  Although something like this would probably work for us, we are always held up from considering historic homes because even at $600k this would ultimately end up trumping most similarly sized Irvine homes in real cost once you factor in the maintenance and upkeep—- plus the cost of private schools…but great home nonetheless.

You might actually be surprised by some of your public school options if you keep an open mind. Santiago Elementary is in West Floral Park and has some excellent teachers and very high scoring students. There is a large population of more wealthy and involved parents that pretty much ensure that their kids are placed in classes together. Those classes are very demanding and the expectations are high. There is also Muir Fundamental a bit farther away (still North SA) and also quite a good school with a similar environment to Santiago. You would probably find that you had to go private for intermediate and high school, but there still are some options there (although less attractive). Of course, it’s not Irvine, but certain classes in these school are getting a similar education to Irvine. It is also not impossible to get a transfer to another district after elementary, I have many students who go to Troy, Foothill, Fountain Valley High Schools. There are also a lot of parents who choose St. John’s and Holy Family predominantly as their private schools.

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 07:24 PM

You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.

In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA’s responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.

Here is my perfect house….brand new construction which look like historic—- right in the middle of an area of historic homes.  Unfortunately this is just a *little* out of my budget.

1010 Darby, San Marino

Rent an apartment from IAC for $1,600 a month and have the utility and lease agreement in your name. Use the documents to enroll kids to an Irvine school. Then advertise in Craiglist to sublease the apartment to a tenant for 1,300 plus utility. Many will rent for a rate well below the market.

School officials rarely visit and let alone getting permission to go inside the gate. Parents are not home between the school hours from 9-3 and administrator will not perform visitations at their own time outside of the school hours.

CK - 11 August 2009 07:55 PM

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 07:24 PM

You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.

In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA’s responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.

Here is my perfect house….brand new construction which look like historic—- right in the middle of an area of historic homes.  Unfortunately this is just a *little* out of my budget.

1010 Darby, San Marino

This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 08:02 PM

This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.

Unfortunately we have more of a “south of Roses Rd” budget….

159 N. Mission,  San Gabriel

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 08:02 PM

This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.

Is pedigree is a polite way of saying white people in San Marino like to live north of Huntington and Chinese in San Marino like to live south of Huntington?

CK - 11 August 2009 08:15 PM

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 08:02 PM

This location is south of Huntington Drive. It is not the prime San Marino district. Homes are beautiful there too but not as pedigree as the homes north of Huntington. The same house north of Huntington would be in the high 2m-low3m.

Unfortunately we have more of a “south of Roses Rd” budget….

159 N. Mission,  San Gabriel

What a difference in character just from the outside alone between the 2 listings. The second listing reminds me of Irvine stucco aesthetic and vinyl windows (without the wood sidings of course)

CK - 11 August 2009 07:55 PM

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 07:24 PM

You are right the up keeping is not only expensive and sometimes unpredictable. Yard maintenance and landscape replacement is a monthly expense. The exterior has quite a bit of character and the trims and wood that contributed to the aesthetic required painting every 18 months. Sun and moisture fade and damage paint very easily. Seeing a 80 year old home in nice condition meant a lot of work went into renovation and up keeping.

In newer homes the exterior is maintenance free and most landscape cost is HOA’s responsibility unless one is fortunate enough to have a front yard that is not a part of the public domain.

Here is my perfect house….brand new construction which look like historic—- right in the middle of an area of historic homes.  Unfortunately this is just a *little* out of my budget.

1010 Darby, San Marino

In case nature calls while you’re doing the laundry?

bkshopr - 11 August 2009 08:32 PM

What a difference in character just from the outside alone between the 2 listings. The second listing reminds me of Irvine stucco aesthetic and vinyl windows (without the wood sidings of course)

We have done a lot of looking around N. San Gabriel and N. Alhambra, as well as South Pas over the years. My wife lived in N. Alhambra when we met/dated, so we know the area pretty well. For similar style vintage homes, Floral Park is clearly a better value than that area.