...too bad I just bought a semi-fixer with no view which is STILL gutted and won’t be finished until (hopefully) early next year. Wah. Here it is:

My housecrush - 28471 Rancho de Juana

I think the kitchen is a little cheeseball and I’m not a big fan of travertine, imported Italian marble, yadda yadda yadda, but I love the view, the pretty yard, the layout, the family room, etc.

Can somebody please tell me why I shouldn’t be drooling over this house? I don’t think my husband wants to listen to me whine about it anymore.

traceimage - 30 October 2009 11:02 PM

...too bad I just bought a semi-fixer with no view which is STILL gutted and won’t be finished until (hopefully) early next year. Wah. Here it is:

My housecrush - 28471 Rancho de Juana

I think the kitchen is a little cheeseball and I’m not a big fan of travertine, imported Italian marble, yadda yadda yadda, but I love the view, the pretty yard, the layout, the family room, etc.

Can somebody please tell me why I shouldn’t be drooling over this house? I don’t think my husband wants to listen to me whine about it anymore.

Yeah, one great reason…it’s at least $100k overpriced.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it does not appear as though the hood is installed to code. I believe it should not be more than about 30” from the cooktop. At least it’s big and seems to cover the entire range, but when I see things like that it always makes me wonder what else there is.

SoCal78 - 31 October 2009 06:44 AM

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it does not appear as though the hood is installed to code. I believe it should not be more than about 30” from the cooktop. At least it’s big and seems to cover the entire range, but when I see things like that it always makes me wonder what else there is.

Oh, really? That’s interesting. It makes me wonder that, too. Especially since they seem to have remodeled the whole house. This is helpful, thanks!

traceimage - 30 October 2009 11:02 PM

Can somebody please tell me why I shouldn’t be drooling over this house? .

the family room doesn’t look very comfortable and it sees like an ackward way to watch the tv.

and even though the outside view may be nice, Laguna Niguel homes always seem to be falling down the hill.

I hope you don’t mind me butting into a subject that I know nothing about.  But I did want to point out that I have been using a strategy with google, lately, that has really been working.

I ask a direct question as clearly as I think of it, modify it, if necessary.  For your current discussions this is what I posed:  what is the distance of cooktop and exhaust hood?

And from that there were a number of answers.  Here is an example for you:  http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=BuyGuide/ChsRngHd.html

Where will the range hood be located?
If you select a ducted unit, the exhaust must be vented to the outside, never directed to the attic or basement. If your range hood will be mounted on an exterior wall, the exhaust ducts will be shorter and therefore more efficient. If you plan to install the hood on an interior wall or island, keep in mind the longer distance and consider a more powerful unit.

Proper installation of ductwork is critical to the efficiency of the range hood. While many individuals choose to hire a professional to install their ductwork, you can purchase materials and accessories to do it yourself. Always read the manufacturer’s specifications carefully.

Range hoods are available in many styles, from hideaway models to brushed metal units.

If you have upgraded your range or cooktop, especially to a larger size, upgrade your range hood as well.

There were a lot more links with additional information on the subject of that search.  Best wishes on your home hunting!

Congratulations on your purchase.  I hope you find contentment and satisfaction in your abode.

SoCal78 - 31 October 2009 06:44 AM

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it does not appear as though the hood is installed to code. I believe it should not be more than about 30” from the cooktop. At least it’s big and seems to cover the entire range, but when I see things like that it always makes me wonder what else there is.

You’re wrong  

According to Section 916 of the California Mechanical Code, 30” is the minimum required distance from the cooktop, not the maximum. They appear to have about 4 feet in that kitchen.

Nude - 31 October 2009 08:00 AM

SoCal78 - 31 October 2009 06:44 AM

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it does not appear as though the hood is installed to code. I believe it should not be more than about 30” from the cooktop. At least it’s big and seems to cover the entire range, but when I see things like that it always makes me wonder what else there is.

You’re wrong  

According to Section 916 of the California Mechanical Code, 30” is the minimum required distance from the cooktop, not the maximum. They appear to have about 4 feet in that kitchen.

(Do you have a link? I can not find that cited online.) Is there any limit on how high a hood should be? It seems like the higher it is, the less capture you will get. On a separate note: Recently, I went to two open houses where the owners did kitchen remodeling and had cooktops with no ventilation above at all.

Edit: I see 916.1 Section B & 916.2- Vertical Clearance says 24” is the minimum if you’re using a hood. It’s only 30” if there is combustible material or metal cabinets above the cook top. It looks like the rest is up to manufacturer’s instructions.

Source

traceimage - 30 October 2009 11:02 PM

...too bad I just bought a semi-fixer with no view which is STILL gutted and won’t be finished until (hopefully) early next year. Wah. Here it is:

My housecrush - 28471 Rancho de Juana

I think the kitchen is a little cheeseball and I’m not a big fan of travertine, imported Italian marble, yadda yadda yadda, but I love the view, the pretty yard, the layout, the family room, etc.

Can somebody please tell me why I shouldn’t be drooling over this house? I don’t think my husband wants to listen to me whine about it anymore.

Why you shouldn’t drool would be a hard one, but here is why I didn’t drool:

1. No mention of blue ribbon schools.
2. The cooktop on an island is a big turn off for me- very inconvenient to cook.
3. Don’ t like that fan in kitchen.
4. If I pay so much for a four bed, it better be in Irvine, and if possible, close to the lake.
5. Too much granite. Too many floor types. I would have preferred the same wood all over.

Still, drool worthy for the views, and the yard.

I have a different suggestion -

Once you are committed to a course of action, it’s detrimental to look at alternatives (which you can no longer take). It uses time and thought, which none of us have enough of. Further, because people value losses much more than gains, it’s almost certain to make you more miserable. My husband is *terrible* about this kind of thing - he does endless comparison shopping after he’s bought, almost always *eventually* finding something better to beat himself up about. In the process he makes his *next* choice inferior by using time and energy he could be using on that.

Right now I’d recommend you bury yourself in remodeling plans, and plans for how to use your house after you’re done. Think of projects to do, collections to keep, parties to have, friends to impress, etc. Information about that can improve your life, while information about houses you can’t buy won’t.

Eventually, there will come a time to move on to your next house and *that’s* when to do the post-mortem on “what I should have bought”. Then, analysis will inform a decision you’ll actually make. Plus, it will be more efficient - you’ll know more of the long-term consequences. Maybe the house you wish you’d bought will crash in price in 2011 and in the end you’ll be delighted you didn’t buy it. You can’t know that until 2012, so analysis of your decision then will be more efficient than analysis now.

In the end, remodeling yourself lets you get something much more like what you want. Things will probably come out well for you in the end.

1980’s construction scares me for some reason; something related to cardboard boxes and pianos falling through the floor and landing on top of me.

Since it sold for $772k in 2006, $695k today seem overpriced.  Or did they do a bunch of remodeling in the past 3 years?

xoneinax - 02 November 2009 12:21 PM

Since it sold for $772k in 2006, $695k today seem overpriced.  Or did they do a bunch of remodeling in the past 3 years?

It is overpriced…I got one of my buyers into escrow on a home built in the 90s in Laguna Niguel that is very upgraded around $270/sf.

USCTrojanCPA - 02 November 2009 12:26 PM

xoneinax - 02 November 2009 12:21 PM

Since it sold for $772k in 2006, $695k today seem overpriced.  Or did they do a bunch of remodeling in the past 3 years?

It is overpriced…I got one of my buyers into escrow on a home built in the 90s in Laguna Niguel that is very upgraded around $270/sf.

What part of Laguna Niguel, the same area? It’s pretty difficult to compare sq footage prices on an entire city. This home will sell well above $300/sq foot, probably around $320-330/sq foot.

RoLar_USC - 02 November 2009 01:00 PM

USCTrojanCPA - 02 November 2009 12:26 PM

xoneinax - 02 November 2009 12:21 PM

Since it sold for $772k in 2006, $695k today seem overpriced.  Or did they do a bunch of remodeling in the past 3 years?

It is overpriced…I got one of my buyers into escrow on a home built in the 90s in Laguna Niguel that is very upgraded around $270/sf.

What part of Laguna Niguel, the same area? It’s pretty difficult to compare sq footage prices on an entire city. This home will sell well above $300/sq foot, probably around $320-330/sq foot.

I rather not say the name of the tract as it will give away the home, but it is near Golden Lantern and Old Ranch Rd.

My housecrush has just gone into backup offers! Sigh.

traceimage - 19 November 2009 03:47 PM

My housecrush has just gone into backup offers! Sigh.

Shame on you for having a crush on another home while yours is getting a makeover.  haha

USCTrojanCPA - 19 November 2009 04:49 PM

traceimage - 19 November 2009 03:47 PM

My housecrush has just gone into backup offers! Sigh.

Shame on you for having a crush on another home while yours is getting a makeover.  haha

It’s true! I’m cheating on my house…sssssshhh…

Buy the other house and have a happy 3-some.