Author Archives: Karen

Open House Review: 102 Vintage

For the third week in a row, I visited a property in Woodbury. However, this time, I checked out a townhouse in the Treo tract at 102 Vintage. While the MLS lists it as a three bedroom, it really is more like two bedrooms and a den.

The basics:

Asking Price: $665,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 1,824

Lot Size: N/A

$/Sq Ft: $365

Days on Market: 10

Property Type: Townhouse

Year Built: 2005

Community: Woodbury – Treo

Schools: Woodbury Elementary, Jeffrey Trail, Irvine High

HOA dues are $290 per month ($110 + $180) and there are Mello Roos.

When I first saw the listing online, I thought it was going to be a fairly noisy home, as it is situated just off one of the main entry points into Woodbury. However, the unit is actually set back from the street and I didn’t hear any noise while I was inside. When you look at the picture of the front of the house, the units you see actually sit in front of 102 Vintage; the open door in the center leads through a private courtyard to the actual home. The townhouse is only a block away from Woodbury Community Park, as well as the community’s main swimming pools and Commons area.

Inside the front door, you face a hallway with a staircase at the end. Immediately to the right is the den. Since it doesn’t have a door (the whole room is open to the hall) and it doesn’t have a closet, I find it hard to call it a third bedroom. It does make a great space for an office though. The room has Berber carpet and a window facing the interior courtyard. Because it is the only room downstairs, it offers a lot of privacy.

Also downstairs, there is a half bath with a pedestal sink. Access to the two-car garage is directly beyond the den. There is a small coat closet just past the bathroom.

Moving upstairs, there are two bedrooms, a living room and the kitchen. At the top of the stairs, there is a closet and a small nook

The master bedroom is just to the right at the top of the stairs. Like the room downstairs, the bedrooms have Berber carpet. The master is a good size, with several small windows letting in light from two sides. It has a door leading out to a mini terrace that isn’t actually big enough to stand on. The room has ample wall space, so arranging furniture should be easy. There is a walk-in closet in one corner of the room with really nice built-in organizers.

The master bath is interesting, with two arched doorways leading into it. On one side, there is a single vanity with Caesarstone counters, a tile backsplash, and several cabinets and drawers. Through the other doorway is a matching vanity and small water closet. I like the separate his and hers vanities. The shower, oddly enough, is between the two vanities, with a door opening to each side. The shower itself is average-sized, with plain tiles and a built-in seat. The only thing I don’t like about the bathroom is that one vanity doesn’t really connect to the water closet, unless you go through the shower or back through the bedroom. While the setup is odd, the bathroom is nicely upgraded.

The other bedroom is also a good size. It has a single window that overlooks the courtyard. There is a two-door, standard closet. This room has a hallway bath with a single sink and a shower/tub combo. Like the master, it has a Caesarstone counter. The shower tile is ceramic with a decorative, travertine surround.

An arched doorway leads from the bedroom area to the living area. Attractive, cherry wood floors stretch across the living room and kitchen. The living room has a built-in media center on one wall. Another wall has a built-in bookshelf/cabinet unit and a fireplace surrounded by white molding. The third wall is lined with windows looking out the back of the townhouse. The living room is pretty big and I like both the setup and the overall look of it.

The laundry room is off the living room, just before the kitchen. The side by side machines are negotiable with the sale and there are overhead cabinets.

A wide arch leads to the large kitchen, which has high ceilings to make it feel even more spacious. There are three pantry-height cabinets, as well as many other cabinets and drawers to provide ample storage. The stainless steel, four-burner range sits centered on one wall with counters on both sides of it and the fridge (included in the sale) at the far end. The shorter, far wall has the sink in the center, also with counters on both sides, as well as the dishwasher. Glass-fronted upper cabinets frame a small window over the sink. The third wall has two windows with a sliding door between them, which leads to a balcony. The center of the kitchen has space for a big dining table.

Overall, I really liked this townhouse. I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was and I felt that the living areas were very bright and attractive. The rooms are all a good size and the downstairs den is a great extra space, especially if you’re looking for a quiet, private office. The unit next door, 104 Vintage, is also on the market. While it is a bigger house (three full bedrooms plus a den), I like the layout of 102 Vintage much more. I also preferred the cabinets and tile in the kitchen and bathrooms more in 102 Vintage.

Open House Review: 39 Tall Cedars

As I mentioned last week in my review of 3 Clocktower, I am going to compare it this week with 39 Tall Cedars. Also located in Woodbury’s Sonoma neighborhood, this home is a bit bigger and includes a bonus room.

The basics:

Asking Price: $1,238,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square Footage: 2,777

Lot Size: 5,100

$/Sq Ft: $446

Days on Market: 44

Property Type: Single Family Home

Year Built: 2010

Community: Woodbury – Sonoma

Schools: Woodbury Elementary, Jeffrey Trail, Irvine High

HOA dues are $110 per month and there are Mello Roos.

At a quick glance, 39 Tall Cedars is 145 square feet bigger, the lot is 862 square feet bigger, and the price is $48 less per square foot ($61,000). You’re definitely getting more for your money on Tall Cedars than you are on Clocktower. In terms of location, Clocktower backs to another home, has homes on both sides, and is close enough to Sand Canyon to hear street noise from out front (and probably from inside if the windows were open). Tall Cedars backs to a non-residential street (though toward the end, so there probably isn’t much traffic), with a swimming pool for the neighboring apartment complex right across from the home. In addition, one side of Tall Cedars borders a small cul-de-sac and doesn’t have any houses directly next to it. I think I give the location edge to Tall Cedars, but others may disagree.

The houses themselves are quite similar. When you walk inside, you can see down the hallway to the great room at the back of the house. The downstairs bedroom is off a short hallway immediately on your left. It is on the smaller side, though there was a lot of furniture that made it feel more crowded. It has windows on three sides and a two-door sliding closet. While the bedroom is carpeted, the rest of the downstairs has travertine floors.

Just outside the bedroom is the downstairs bathroom. It has a single sink and a decent sized stall shower. The main hallway has a large closet that extends under the stairs, providing plenty of storage.

The great room in Tall Cedars is bigger than that in Clocktower. The owners opted to extend it toward the back, rather than have an outdoor California Room. The extra space is surrounded by windows, plus a door to the backyard. The main room is quite similar to the one in Clocktower. There is a fireplace surrounded by white crown molding on one wall, flanked by windows on both sides. Overall, it feels a lot more spacious and open.

The adjacent kitchen is also quite similar. It has a large center island with bar seating. There are white melamine cabinets and the same color granite counters. The sink and dishwasher are in the island; the stove and one oven are directly behind it. A second oven, microwave and fridge are on another wall, next to a walk in pantry. This home does not have a tech center off the kitchen, but it does have a small drop zone leading to the garage.

The dining area is more a part of the kitchen than in Clocktower, but does still have some separation. It also has additional counter and cabinet space.

The backyard is a good size for the neighborhood. About half is hardscaped; the other half is a combination of grass and a garden. It has a free standing gazebo and a large built in barbecue that includes a sink plus a stove with two burners.

The biggest difference between the two rooms is that Tall Cedars has an open loft area/bonus room at the top of the stairs. This is the only room in the house with wood floors. Several windows bring in a lot of light. It has a space where you could add a nice built-in unit or mount a TV on the wall. In one corner, a small alcove offers space for a mini office, toy storage, or maybe a place to store off-season/holiday items.

You have to cross through the bonus room to get to the master bedroom. It is a simple, rectangular room with plenty of space. One corner could work well as a sitting area. Windows overlook the backyard and side of the house.




The master bath has two sinks with a tub in between them. The vanities have white melamine cabinets and granite counters. The bathtub surround is plain, white tile. The shower has matching tile and is a decent size with a built-in seat. There is a large walk-in closet as well.

Both of the secondary bedrooms are a good size and noticeably bigger than the room downstairs. Each one has several windows plus a French door leading to a large, shared balcony. They have two-door, sliding closets that are bigger than the one in the downstairs bedroom.

These rooms share a bathroom off the hallway. It has two sinks set into a long counter and a door that separates them from the toilet and shower/tub combo. The shower has tan, square tiles.

The laundry room has a sink, side by side machines, and a big linen area at the back.

The two houses – 39 Tall Cedars and 3 Clocktower – are quite similar. There are a few main differences: the combination of travertine and carpet in Tall Cedars versus wood floors throughout Clocktower; the tech center and pantry in Clocktower versus the drop zone in Tall Cedars; the added space to the great room and the bonus room in Tall Cedars; the nicer tile and marble in the master bath at Clocktower; and the balcony on Tall Cedars.

While a few of the differences go in Clocktower’s favor, I think the extra square footage – both inside and out, along with the location make Tall Cedars the better choice. Of course, the lower price clearly swings in Tall Cedars’ favor as well.

Open House Review: 3 Clocktower

Some of Woodbury’s newest homes, 2010 models from the Sonoma neighborhood, are currently on the market. This week, I will review 3 Clocktower; next week, I will bring you 39 Tall Cedars.

The basics:

Asking Price: $1,299,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 3

Square Footage: 2,632

Lot Size: 4,238

$/Sq Ft: $494

Days on Market: 93

Property Type: Single Family Home

Year Built: 2010

Community: Woodbury – Sonoma

Schools: Woodbury Elementary, Jeffrey Trail, Irvine High

HOA dues are $110 per month and there are Mello Roos.

The first thing I noticed at 3 Clocktower was that I could hear a lot of noise from Sand Canyon from outside the house. Inside, I didn’t notice the noise at all, though none of the windows were open. The entry foyer is attractive, with dark wood floors and a view of the great room at the back of the house.

To the right of the foyer, there is a full bathroom and a bedroom. The bathroom has a single sink and a nicely tiled shower. Between the bathroom and the bedroom is a small coat closet. The bedroom faces the street and is somewhat small. It has a two-door, sliding closet.




The hallway off the foyer leads to the great room and kitchen at the back of the house. There is a big storage closet under the stairs at the end of the hall. The great room is to the right and it has a fireplace on wall, surrounded by white molding. Windows flank both sides of the fireplace and also line the wall to the backyard. The room is pretty big and I like the contrast of the white fireplace with the darker floors.

The kitchen has a large island with seating on one side. The sink and dishwasher are also in the island. Just across from it is a 5-burner cooktop and single oven. A second oven and microwave are on another wall next to the fridge. There are granite counters and white melamine cabinets, as well as a few glass-faced cabinets around the stove. In addition to the ample cabinets, drawers and counter space, there is also a small walk-in pantry next to the microwave and oven. A door leading to the two-car garage is tucked into one corner of the kitchen.

At the back of the kitchen is an alcove with a built-in desk and an additional walk-in pantry. This is a great spot for organizing bills and mail and the extra storage is a big bonus. Also at the back of the kitchen is a separate dining area. It has large windows and doors to the backyard on two sides with space for a china hutch on the third. Having the slight separation from the great room makes the dining room feel a bit more formal.

The backyard is fully hardscaped with pavers. There is a fountain along the back wall.

Upstairs, there are two bedrooms plus the master, all with the same wood floors as the first story. The master is right at the top of the stairs, with windows facing the backyard and side of the house. It is a big, rectangular room with ample wall space to arrange the furniture.

The master bath has two sinks, separated by a bathtub. The cabinets are white melamine and the counters and bathtub surround are marble. The stall shower is large with a built-in seat and travertine tiles. There is a big walk-in closet at the back of the bathroom.

The other two bedrooms are much larger than most secondary bedrooms, especially in newer construction. One bedroom is noticeably bigger than the other. Both have two-door, sliding closets that are larger than the one in the downstairs bedroom. Each room also has windows facing both the front and side of the house.

The two rooms share a hallway bathroom. It has two sinks set into one long counter, with white melamine cabinets and drawers. A door separates them from the toilet and shower/tub combo. The laundry room is next to the bathroom. It has a sink, side-by-side machines, upper cabinets, and a big linen storage area at the back.

The house has been on the market for three months, which is pretty long in the current market. One offer was accepted but fell through. There is a fairly wide range of prices for recent sales and this falls closer to the upper end. The house is in excellent condition because it is still so new. Would you pay nearly $500 per square foot for this home?

A Review of the Whistler Collection at Pavilion Park – Residence 3

In continuation of our series on the Great Park’s Pavilion Park Neighborhood, I am going to introduce you to the Whistler Collection. Built by William Lyon Homes, Whistler has three models ranging from 2,336 – 2,896 square feet. With four collections smaller and five bigger, the Whistler homes are truly mid-size for the neighborhood. The homes have four or five bedrooms and 2.5 – 3.5 baths. All houses have a two-car garage and either a standard or optional main floor bedroom. Prices start at $879,990 for the smallest model and 979,990 for the biggest. There will be 83 homes in the collection, which is located on the western side of the neighborhood, about halfway between Irvine Boulevard and Portola Parkway. In a refreshing change from many of the other collections, the Whistler models are actually built on some of the smallest lots, helping to give potential buyers a true picture of what the backyard may look like. Many of the lots are even bigger than in the models. Shade structures are optional in all backyards.

Some of the standard amenities in all homes include KitchenAid® Architect II Stainless Steel Appliance Package, including a 36” gas cooktop with six burners, 30: stacked built-in convection microwave and convection oven combo, Energy Star® dishwasher, and a 36” stainless vent hood; white Thermofoil cabinets with brushed chrome knobs; granite slab countertop with square edge detail, 6” backsplash and full backsplash above cooktop; and a stainless steel double undermount sink with Moen® single handle pull-out faucet. The master bath offers spacious walk-in closets with wood shelf and pole and double mirrored wardrobe doors; white Thermofoil cabinets with brushed chrome knobs; solid surface countertops and 4” backsplash; 6 x 6” ceramic tile showers; deep fiberglass tubs; and clear glass shower enclosure with chrome frame and frameless door. The secondary bathrooms have similar features to the master bath, though either with a shower/tub combo or just a shower. The homes also have 8’ interior doors with polished chrome lever handles; structured wiring for phone, data and cable; 12” x 12” ceramic tile floor at entry, kitchen, dining, all bathrooms and laundry; Energy Star® bath fans and energy efficient dimmer switches in baths; programmable thermostats and central air; and laundry hookups including natural gas dryer connection. The external features include tankless water heaters; extra deep garages to allow for storage; Energy efficient weather stripping and insulation; and durable concrete tile and composition shingle roofs.

All Pavilion Park homes are currently slated to attend Canyon View Elementary, Jeffrey Trail Middle and Northwood High Schools, all part of IUSD. However, a new K-8 school is slated to open in the Great Park Neighborhoods in 2016 and there are also plans for a new high school in the area.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Approximate HOA Dues: $193 per month

Approximate Tax rate: 1.16%

Approximate Mello Roos (aka Community Facilities District tax): Plan 1 from $5,400, Plan 2 from $5,900 and Plan 3 up to $6,500 per year, subject to an increase by 2% per year

Base Prices start at $879,990 for Plan 1, $899,990 for Plan 2, and $979,990 for Plan 3.

Link to Review of Residence 1

Link to Review of Residence 2

Residence Three

2,896 square feet

5 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths, Formal Dining Room

Optional Bonus Room, Covered Balcony on some elevations

Base Price: $979,990 ($338/sq ft)

Residence Three has a surprisingly low price per square foot if you go with the basic package. It is modeled in the Spanish elevation, with Farmhouse and Monterey as the other two options. All three elevations have a covered porch downstairs; the Spanish and Monterey elevations also have a covered balcony upstairs.

This house is pretty similar to Residences One and Two, but bigger. The foyer is the same, with a room to the left, the great room and kitchen at the back and the stairs, a bath and bedroom off to the right. In this house, the room on the left is labeled Formal Dining Room. It really isn’t much different than the Flex Room from the other two homes though, so I don’t see the need for a distinction in name. There are windows facing the front and side of the house. The brick veneer on one wall is a decorator’s item, though I feel like it makes the room seem less formal. The can lights are included but the hanging fixture is not.

This home has a powder room to the right of the foyer. It has a pedestal sink and, aside from the mirror and brick veneer, it is shown with all included items. There is a regular coat closet next to the bathroom.

A downstairs bedroom is also to the right of the foyer and at the front of the house. This room is a little smaller than the bedrooms upstairs, but there is still plenty of space to use for a guest room or office. It has a two-door closet and there is also a storage closet under the stairs that is only accessible from the bedroom. Upgrades include can lights, the ceiling fan, mirrored closet doors and the brick veneer. This bedroom has a private, en-suite bathroom with a single sink and a shower. The entire vanity and shower tile are all upgraded.

The great room and kitchen are a lot bigger in this house than in the other two models, but the setup is similar. The great room is on the left and the kitchen on the right. There is space for a dining table between them, though the model doesn’t show one. The great room exhibits the optional built-in media cabinet. As in the other two homes, it shows the Western sliding doors, so we don’t to see what the standard sliding door and fixed window would look like.

The kitchen has a huge, square island with seating on two sides, along with numerous drawers. The model shows the optional sink in the island but doesn’t show the optional wine fridge. The main sink and dishwasher are along the back of the house, set into a very long counter with drawers and cabinets. Another wall has the cooktop, along with many more cabinets. The third wall has the fridge, microwave, oven, and the pantry. The cabinets – both interior and exterior, Caesarstone countertop, backsplash, lighting and appliances are all upgrades. This kitchen has tons of storage and feels very spacious. My only complaint is that, like the others, the door to the garage is right in the kitchen without any sort of entryway.

The backyard is also quite similar to the others. It stretches the length of the house and is fully hardscaped. Upgraded features include a pool, built in bbq, shade structure with ceiling fan, outdoor speakers and vertical trellis.

Upstairs, the hallway includes two sets of low linen cabinets. There are three bedrooms, plus the master, and an optional bonus room. The bonus room is to the right at the top of the stairs and goes over the garage. It has windows facing both the back and front of the house, and another window on one side, so there is light pretty much all day. It has optional built-in cabinets along one wall, with the model showing an optional desk as well. The room is really big and would be a great extra space for children or teens. If you don’t include the bonus room, the smaller set of linen cabinets are extended across the hallway wall.

The three secondary bedrooms are all similar. Bedrooms 2 and 3 are at the back of the house and are mirror images of each other. Each one has a single window facing the backyard and a two-door closet. The can lights, mirrored doors, ceiling fans, speakers and crown molding are upgrades.

Bedroom 4 faces the front of the house and is a little bigger than the other two. It has a comparable closet with an optional built-in desk and upper cabinets next to it. The drywall window seat is included.

The shared bathroom sits between Bedrooms 2 and 3. It has two sinks and a door separating them from the toilet and shower/tub area. Everything shown is upgraded. The laundry room is across from Bedroom 2. It has an optional sink, shown with an upgraded faucet.

The master bedroom is on the left side of the house and is pretty similar in size to those in the other models. It has windows on the front and side of the house, plus a French door leading to the covered balcony. The large, walk-in closet is L-shaped and is accessed from the bedroom, not the bathroom.

The master bath has two sinks, a soaking tub, and a large shower with a seat. The cabinets, counters, tile, backsplash, framed mirror and handheld showerhead are all upgrades.

This home is very similar to the other two but noticeably bigger. The rooms all feel spacious and there is a lot of storage throughout the home.

Overall, I like this collection of homes. All of the models are very similar to each other, with four bedrooms upstairs and one (or an option for one) downstairs. The layouts are all quite similar. I was disappointed that all three homes had upgraded flooring throughout, so I couldn’t see what the included tile actually looks like. I really liked seeing true-to-size backyards and knowing that many lots will be even bigger. While none of these homes have any “wow” features, there was very little about them that I disliked either. The only major structural changes you can make are turning the Flex Room into a bed and bath in Residence One and turning a bedroom into a loft in Residence Two. This makes it easy to picture exactly what you’re getting, as opposed to some collections that have numerous configuration options. I think this collection will appeal to many buyers.

A Review of the Whistler Tract at Pavilion Park – Residence 2

In continuation of our series on the Great Park’s Pavilion Park Neighborhood, I am going to introduce you to the Whistler Collection. Built by William Lyon Homes, Whistler has three models ranging from 2,336 – 2,896 square feet. With four collections smaller and five bigger, the Whistler homes are truly mid-size for the neighborhood. The homes have four or five bedrooms and 2.5 – 3.5 baths. All houses have a two-car garage and either a standard or optional main floor bedroom. Prices start at $879,990 for the smallest model and 979,990 for the biggest. There will be 83 homes in the collection, which is located on the western side of the neighborhood, about halfway between Irvine Boulevard and Portola Parkway. In a refreshing change from many of the other collections, the Whistler models are actually built on some of the smallest lots, helping to give potential buyers a true picture of what the backyard may look like. Many of the lots are even bigger than in the models. Shade structures are optional in all backyards.

Some of the standard amenities in all homes include KitchenAid® Architect II Stainless Steel Appliance Package, including a 36” gas cooktop with six burners, 30: stacked built-in convection microwave and convection oven combo, Energy Star® dishwasher, and a 36” stainless vent hood; white Thermofoil cabinets with brushed chrome knobs; granite slab countertop with square edge detail, 6” backsplash and full backsplash above cooktop; and a stainless steel double undermount sink with Moen® single handle pull-out faucet. The master bath offers spacious walk-in closets with wood shelf and pole and double mirrored wardrobe doors; white Thermofoil cabinets with brushed chrome knobs; solid surface countertops and 4” backsplash; 6 x 6” ceramic tile showers; deep fiberglass tubs; and clear glass shower enclosure with chrome frame and frameless door. The secondary bathrooms have similar features to the master bath, though either with a shower/tub combo or just a shower. The homes also have 8’ interior doors with polished chrome lever handles; structured wiring for phone, data and cable; 12” x 12” ceramic tile floor at entry, kitchen, dining, all bathrooms and laundry; Energy Star® bath fans and energy efficient dimmer switches in baths; programmable thermostats and central air; and laundry hookups including natural gas dryer connection. The external features include tankless water heaters; extra deep garages to allow for storage; Energy efficient weather stripping and insulation; and durable concrete tile and composition shingle roofs.

All Pavilion Park homes are currently slated to attend Canyon View Elementary, Jeffrey Trail Middle and Northwood High Schools, all part of IUSD. However, a new K-8 school is slated to open in the Great Park Neighborhoods in 2016 and there are also plans for a new high school in the area.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Approximate HOA Dues: $193 per month

Approximate Tax rate: 1.16%

Approximate Mello Roos (aka Community Facilities District tax): Plan 1 from $5,400, Plan 2 from $5,900 and Plan 3 up to $6,500 per year, subject to an increase by 2% per year

Base Prices start at $879,990 for Plan 1, $899,990 for Plan 2, and $979,990 for Plan 3.

See Review of Residence 1 here

Residence Two

2,487 square feet

5 Bedrooms, 3 Baths, Flex Room

Optional Loft in Lieu of Bedroom 2

Base Price: $899,990 ($362/sq ft)

Residence Two is modeled in the Stone Colonial elevation. The others are a Siding Colonial (identical except for wood siding instead of stone work) and Spanish, which has a small balcony off the master bedroom. None of them have a front porch.

The foyer is similar to Residence One, with a flex room to the left, stairs to the right, and a view back to the great room straight ahead. The flooring throughout the home is upgraded, as are the paint, baseboards, cabinet stain and pulls, blinds and shutters, ceiling fans, hanging light fixtures, and picture frame window casing.

The flex room is much less flexible than in Residence One. It borders the kitchen, so it can only open to the foyer, not through to the great room as in the other home. It also only has windows to the front, without an option for sliding doors, since there isn’t a porch area. It also can’t be made into a bedroom. The only flexibility is whether or not to have the optional cabinets, can lights, ceiling fan and special outlets included. Obviously, the room is flexible in that it can be used for a variety of purposes, but it doesn’t have the flexible options as in Residence One.

To the right of the foyer, there is a storage closet under the stairs, though not as large as in Residence One due to a straight staircase. A short hallway leads to a full bath with a single sink and a shower. The cabinet stain, counter and shower tile are all upgrades.

The downstairs bedroom is adjacent to the bathroom. It faces the street and has a large closet that takes up most of one wall. There is a large bed in the model, which makes the room feel smaller, but it’s actually pretty similar to all of the other secondary bedrooms. The upgrade list doesn’t show anything for this bedroom.

The great room, dining area, and kitchen stretch across the back of the house. The dining area is in the center, directly off the foyer. As is common in many new homes, the space would work well as either a formal or casual area.

The kitchen is to the left. It has a large, rectangular island that has numerous cabinets but no sink or appliances in it. One side has seating and there is an option for a wine fridge. The kitchen forms a u-shape around the island. One wall has the refrigerator, pantry and oven. Another has the cooktop (the model shows an oven here as well) and numerous cabinets and drawers. The wall along the back of the house has the dishwasher and sink. It has ample cabinet space and plenty of counter space, especially around the cooktop. The model shows almost everything upgraded, including all appliances, a warming drawer and wine chiller, cabinetry (stain, interior, accents), granite color, full height tile backsplash, pendant lights, single bowl sink, and professional pull-down faucet. The door to the garage is directly off the kitchen in this model, too.

The great room is pretty similar to the other one as well. There are optional built-in cabinets on one wall. The door to the backyard can be the Western multi-slide (shown) or the standard slider and fixed window. The floor plan lists the Western door as “optional,” but the upgrade sheet lists it as included, so it’s hard to say which door option actually comes with the house.

The backyard is similar to the last, shown with the optional shade structure over a highly upgraded outdoor kitchen. This one doesn’t show a fireplace, but it does have a fountain.

The second floor is also similar to Residence One. There are three secondary bedrooms with a shared bath, laundry, and a master suite. The laundry room has a walk-in linen area with shelves but does not have an option for a sink. The shared bathroom has two sinks with a door separating them from the toilet and shower/tub area. The cabinets, counters, tile and shower enclosure are all upgrades.

Bedroom 2 is at the top of the stairs and can be an optional loft instead of a room. In the bedroom, there is a two-door standard closet on one wall and a window overlooking the backyard. In the loft option, the closet is taken out and the entire front wall is gone so the room is completely open to the hallway.

Bedroom 3 is pretty much identical in size to Bedroom 2 and also looks out to the backyard. The closet is the same as well. The two rooms are side by side and have no noticeable differences other than the placement of the closet. Again, the can lights, mirrored doors, speakers and crown molding are all upgrades.

Bedroom 4 is at the front of the house and is bigger than the other two. The closet is a little bigger and there is an alcove next to it that could fit a bookshelf or small desk. It has windows looking to the street and the side of the house.

The master bedroom also faces the front of the house, with windows on one side as well. In the Spanish elevation, the front windows would be replaced with French doors leading out to the small balcony.

The master bath is highly upgraded in a similar style to the kitchen. The cabinets, counters, backsplash, tile, tub deck and mirrors are all upgraded. There are two sinks with a linen storage area between them. The tub and shower are separated, so the shower is a lot bigger than the one in Residence One. The closet is long and narrow, shown only with the included door, shelves and poles.

There are a lot of similarities between Residences One and Two. The biggest difference is that Residence Two has a flex room and a downstairs bedroom, rather than one or the other. The other main difference is the optional loft in lieu of Bedroom 2. Otherwise, the rooms are all similar in size and style. Residence Two has a bigger kitchen, occupying most of three walls, while the counters and cabinets in Residence One’s kitchen are mostly on only two walls. I would give the edge to Residence Two because of the bigger kitchen and extra room downstairs, but overall the houses are not that different.