House Estate World

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-27T09:44:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Wind-dyed House by acaa – Japanese House Architecture

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 07:15 PM PST

Wind-dyed House was a residential building located halfway up a cliff, overlooking the ocean in Yokosuka Kanagawa, Japan. The acaa forms this house as low-lying as possible, while also allowing the architecture to become embedded in the surrounding landscape according to the contours of the terrain. The design of the walls plays an important role [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

House S by Atelier Heiss Architects

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 06:47 PM PST

Atelier Heiss Architects designed a contemporary extension to an existing House S in Vienna, Austria. A drastic reconstruction preserving only the facade facing the street created a symbiosis of restraint and generosity. While the conventional design of the house on the outside seems almost anonymous, the open structure towards the garden speaks a modern architectural [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-27T07:28:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

Closed Sales from 1/19/2012 to 1/25/2012

Posted: 27 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Date Sold	Address	Zip	Tract	Sold Price	Beds	SqFt

Airport Area
1/19/2012	8061 Scholarship	92612	The Plaza	$675,000	2	1675
1/25/2012	2210 Scholarship	92612	Avenue One	$250,000	1	868

El Camino Real
1/19/2012	14772 Doncaster Rd	92604	El Camino Glen	$505,000	3	1750
1/20/2012	5151 Doanoke Ave	92604		$360,000	3	1480

Northwood
1/20/2012	26 Midsummer	92620	Bella Rosa	$680,000	4	2386
1/20/2012	31 Castillo	92620	Orchard Glen NW	$420,500	3	1337
1/24/2012	69 Cartier Aisle	92620	Northwood Villas	$388,000	3	1593
1/25/2012	37 Grant	92620		$489,000	3	1672

Portola Springs
1/20/2012	35 Sacred Path	92618	Sevilla	$585,073	3	2044
1/20/2012	20 Land Grant	92618	Sevilla	$599,445	4	2044
1/24/2012	52 Gray Dove	92618	Las Colinas	$995,000	4	3383

Quail Hill
1/20/2012	235 Tall Oak	92603	Ivy Wreath	$650,000	3	1800

Shady Canyon
1/20/2012	8 Vernal Spg	92603	Shady Canyon Custom	$2,750,000	4	4820
1/25/2012	25 Wildhawk	92603	Villas of Shady Canyon	$2,850,000	2	4240

Stonegate
1/19/2012	34 Serenity	92618	Santa Rosa	$378,000	1	1120

Turtle Rock
1/20/2012	12 Highland Vw	92603	Highlands Townhomes	$440,000	2	1600

University Park
1/20/2012	17672 Cassia Tree Ln	92612	Parkside - Deane	$650,000	3	1749

Walnut
1/20/2012	14502 Larch Ave	92606	College Park	$603,000	4	2621

West Irvine
1/19/2012	163 Topaz	92602	Mandeville	$403,000	3	1469
1/19/2012	36 Calais	92602	Concord	$785,000	5	2900

Woodbridge
1/19/2012	10 Rockwren	92604	Gables	$945,000	4	2300
1/20/2012	34 Brookstone	92604		$510,000	3	1440
1/23/2012	28 Greenfield	92614	Alders	$318,000	3	1267
1/24/2012	31 Glenhurst #18	92604	Parkside	$360,000	3	1399

Woodbury
1/20/2012	205 Groveland #15	92620	Garland Park	$375,000	2	1355
1/23/2012	199 Wild Lilac	92620	Garland Park	$390,000	2	1357
1/24/2012	9 Herringbone	92620	La Casella	$560,000	3	1550

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

2012-01-26T15:15:00.001-08:00

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

Awesome of Coral Reef Floor Lamp Design Inspired by Qisdesign

Posted: 25 Jan 2012 08:16 PM PST

Everyone must agree that adding the lamp is the practice and simple way to decorate the room design and decoration. Just adding the lamp and the room interior and decoration will look different atmosphere. A collaboration with Taiwan's National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, the Coral Reef Light which is inspired by the coral reef, aims to capture the magical feel of light reflecting in the underwater world. The Coral Reef Light, an LED floor lamp, features 3 overlapping and swivellable lighting layers, each of which can be activated independently by being swivelled. This lamp made by the high quality of aluminum alloy, aluminum de casting and polycarbonate. For more details of this product, please visit the website.

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-26T07:32:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

A Review of the Capistrano Tract at Stonegate East

Posted: 26 Jan 2012 03:59 AM PST

Location: On Sand Canyon Ave., between Jeffery and Irvine Blvd. is the Village of Stonegate East.
Builder: Irvine Pacific Homes by the The Irvine Company.

Exploring the homes of Capistrano:

The Capistrano homes are two-story duplexes between 1823 sf to 1956 sf. Three plans are offered, and the price range is mid-$500,000 to low-$600,000. Various options for the elevations, as many as seven for Residence 2 ensure a unique property. According to the sales agent on site, Residence 1 is no longer available, but they have Residence 2 and Residence 3 available.

The townhomes/duplexes at Capistrano are housed in Stonegate East village. This is a rectangular space between Highway 133, SandCanyon, Irvine Blvd and Spring Meadow. Some of the houses back Sand Canyon and Spring Meadow. Noise and air quality will still be affected greatly, considering there is Highway 133 in the vicinity.

(From www.irvinepacific.com)

All three floor plans have generous island space, home management center, granite slab kitchen counters with 6-inch backsplashes, Stainless steel double basin kitchen sinks, white Thermafoil finish cabinetry with under the cabinet task lighting, stainless steel appliance package for the kitchen. The Thermafoil finish might emit fumes for the first few months, but clean up and maintenance will be easier than wood cabinetry.

The Master Suites have Kohler tubs with ceramic tile surround, separate shower with clear glass enclosure, dual sinks with cultured marble countertops, backsplash and Kohler polished chrome faucets. Cultured marble countertops are inexpensive and look good, but they need daily cleaning.

The kitchen and entry have ceramic tiles, bathrooms and laundry have vinyl, carpet in other living areas.
The elevations are typical Irvine Santa Barbara/ Formal Spanish and Early California styles. California rooms are a feature in all the plans, and the model homes that I visited had lovely play of light and shade in these spaces. The weather in Irvine would put that space to a lot of use. The roof tiles are fire resistant concrete. The windows are energy efficient, and they have high efficiency air conditioning/gas furnace/ tankless water heater/radiant barrier roof/bathroom fixtures.

The houses will be ideal with a young family of four. Not all of the schools are walk-able, even though the elementary school (Stonegate Elementary as per the information sheet provided by Irvine Pacific) is touted as walk-able, it’s almost a mile. The upper elementary school kids are capable of walking or biking a mile, but it will be almost unrealistic to expect younger children (K-3) to walk or bike for a mile early in the morning.

Freeway 5, 405, 133 and 241 are close to the community, making commute easier. Woodbury Town center is across the street, and that includes all necessary services and shopping. Within five miles are Orchard Hills Village Center, Trabuco Grove Shopping Center, Irvine Spectrum Center and the Market Place. There are plenty of bike routes encouraging biking in the area.

Here is the breakdown of HOA and Mello-Roos for the Capistrano houses:
Property tax: 1.05% of sales price
AD tax (Mello-Roos): $1579 per yr
CFD tax(Mello-Roos): $1700 per yr
Other taxes: $156 per yr
Overall tax: 1.7% approximately
HOA due are $251 per month. (Stonegate East HOA- 125, Capistrano HOA -126)
Fixed annual cost would be Mortgage + Property Tax + $6447 (Mello-Roos and HOA)

Here is an overview of the three plans offered, with some pictures:

Plan 1:

Offers three elevations, in three similar color palettes.
Area: 1823 Sq ft approximately
3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
These houses are offered at mid-$500,000.

One of the houses in this plan, 26 Loquat is currently renting for $2950 according to public records.
One of the houses in this plan, 35 Bromeliad was sold for $549,715 according to public records.

Fixed monthly cost of this house assuming the sale price of $549,715 would be Mortgage + 1018.25
Assuming that someone bought this house with at $550,000 with 20% down payment at the current rate of 4.25 (0 Points, One West Bank) for 30 Yr Fixed, the mortgage would be $2165.

Monthly cost of owning would be = $3183 (Not including the interest lost on the down payment, the various insurances required by mortgage companies, closing costs)

A detailed calculation using the NY times Rent Vs Calculator says that after the sixth year, owning would be cheaper than renting at the sixth year.

According to the Sales Agent, this plan is sold out.

Pros:
- California Room
- Home Management center
- Laundry upstairs, close to the bedrooms
- Tech room upstairs that makes the perfect home office/homework station
- Two sinks in the secondary bath room
- The wall to wall counter in the kitchen
- Wall of windows in the Great Room, Dining Room and Master bedroom for ample day light.

Cons:
- The Kitchen Island with Dishwasher that opens towards the stove. Impossible for two people to work in tandem in the kitchen.
- The powder room downstairs is far off the living spaces.
- The coat closet door and garage door open into a constricted corridor between entry and living spaces.
- The secondary bedrooms are very tiny, and the closets are too small to hold the clothes and toys of a child.

Since this plan was sold out, there are no pictures of the model house, but here is the link to the builder, Irvine Pacific’s website:

Plan 2:

Offers seven elevations, in seven similar color palettes.
Area: 1904 Sq ft approximately
4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
These houses are offered at high-$500,000.

One of the houses in this plan, 37 Deergrass was sold for $571,121 according to public records.

Fixed monthly cost of this house assuming the sale price of $571,121 would be Mortgage + 1018.25
Assuming that someone bought this house with at $570,000 with 20% down payment at the current rate of 4.25 (0 Points, One West Bank) for 30 Yr Fixed, the mortgage would be $2238.

Monthly cost of owning would be = $3256 (Not including the interest lost on the down payment, the various insurances required by mortgage companies, closing costs)
Suitable comparable property in the community couldn’t be found for rent vs. own comparison.

According to the Sales Agent, this plan is sold out, almost. (I expressed interest in buying one of these plans and the sold magnets moved mysteriously)
Irvine Pacific’s website shows one home available prices starting from $570,121.

Here is the link to the builder, Irvine Pacific’s website: http://www.villagesofirvine.com/Villages-and-Neighborhoods/Stonegate-East/Residence/Capistrano/Residence-2. If you see last picture of the kitchen, you will notice the lack of space for two people to work in tandem in the kitchen. Irvine Pacific must really think kitchen is one man/woman domain considering the repetition of the same layout in most of their kitchens!

Pros:
- Spacious entry room without doors colliding into each other
- Powder room close to living spaces
- Home Management Center
- California Sun Room!
- Loft upstairs that can be the family room
- Laundry room upstairs
- Closet size in the secondary rooms is acceptable
- Windows for ample natural daylight
- Two sinks in the secondary bathroom

Cons:
- The kitchen island with dishwasher and stove opposite of each other of course!
- Pantry, refrigerator, sink and stove locations don’t make it easy for the cook with a tight work triangle, but the lengthy counter with cabinets makes up for it.
- The staircase opens very close to the entrance making it hard to keep track of who entered and who exited.
- Master Bath looks like everything is just crammed in. Lacks spacious and airy feeling.
- If the loft is turned into a bedroom, there will be a long corridor from the staircase ending into the laundry room giving it a dormitory feel.
Here are a few pictures:

Plan 3:

Offers four elevations, in four similar color palettes.
Area: 1956 Sq ft approximately
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
These houses are offered at low $600,000.

One of the houses in this plan, 28 Flowerstalk is currently renting for $3350 according to public records.
One of the houses in this plan, 25 Bromeliad was sold for $601,121 according to public records.

Fixed monthly cost of this house assuming the sale price of $601,121 would be Mortgage + 1018.25
Assuming that someone bought this house with at $600,000 with 20% down payment at the current rate of 4.25 (0 Points, One West Bank) for 30 Yr Fixed, the mortgage would be $2361.

Monthly cost of owning would be = $3380 approximately (Not including the interest lost on the down payment, the various insurances required by mortgage companies, closing costs)
A detailed calculation using the NY times Rent Vs Calculator says “If you stay in your home for 6 years, renting is better. It will cost you $45,971 less than buying, an average savings of $7,662 each year”.
Another calculation at the Irvine Pacific website, assuming we stay in the house for ten years, and there is zero appreciation, 2% increase in rent annually, rest of the parameters same as above:

Result Returned	Rent	Buy

Value of Home after 10 Years of Appreciation:		$601,121
Remaining Balance After 10 Years:		$382,148
Home Equity:		$218,973
Payments**:	$440,178	$283,886
Property Tax:		$111,895
HOA Dues:		$30,120
Down Payment:		$120,224
Tax Savings (at 28%):		-$64,017
Net Payments:	$440,178	$482,109
Minus Home Equity:		-$218,973
Total Cost After 10 Years:	$440,178	$263,136
Total Savings for Owning 10 Years:		$177,042

Of course, the Irvine Pacific website does not include lost interest on downpayment, costs associated with the maintenance of the house, the insurance cost that would definitely put a dent in that $177k savings over the period of ten years of owning.

If you have made up your mind to buy, and want some reassurance from a third party crunching the numbers in your favor, use the Irvine Pacific calculator. If you are still dillydallying, leaning towards not buying, use the NYT calculator. The number crazy people like me can always use both, and add their own expenses/ savings to the list and come up with their own number. The banks aren’t paying much in interest, the stock market is going through crazy ups and downs that need constant monitoring, so some people might not have second thoughts before locking that amount in the downpayment for the house.

Coming to the floor plan of the house,
Pros:
- California Room! I just loved this concept. May be it was the time of the day I visited, or the well maintained and well planned little yard of the model, it was just an amazing space to spend a morning reading your favorite book, sipping coffee.
- Laundry upstairs, close to the bedrooms
- Two sinks in the secondary bath room
- The wall to wall counter in the kitchen
- Wall of windows in the Great Room, Dining Room and Master bedroom for ample day light.
- Bedroom downstairs, with an attached bathroom, and the entry opens into the great room rather than the long corridors.

Cons:
- The washer in the laundry room shares a wall with secondary bedroom, assuming there isn’t much sound proofing, there will be a lot of noise when the washer is running.
- The Kitchen Island with Dishwasher that opens towards the stove. My gripe continues.
- The work triangle in the kitchen isn’t too convenient either.
- The coat closet door and garage door open into a constricted corridor in “launch room” a tiny space between garage and kitchen. Too far off for the guests to drop their coats, and too close to the kitchen- the smells of the heavenly cooking won’t spare the jackets/coats.

There are four more homes available in this plan, starting from $599,579.
Here is the link to the builder, Irvine Pacific’s website: http://www.villagesofirvine.com/Villages-and-Neighborhoods/Stonegate-East/Residence/Capistrano/Residence-3

Here are a few pictures:

Schools:

When I plug in one of the addresses from the community in “My school locator” on the IUSD website, these are the displayed results.

Elementary School:

As of now, Stonegate Elementary will be the assigned school for this area, but the online school locator tool for IUSD lists “Portola Springs Future School” as the assigned school starting 2014.

Stonegate Elementary (K-6)
100 Honors, Irvine CA 92620
API Rank 10, API Score 954
Cultural Diversity: 46% Asian, 31% White (Data from www.greatschools.org)
Median teacher experience is 15 years and the student to teacher ratio is 23:1
Distance from home: Approximately 1.1 miles.
For more information about the school: http://www.iusd.org/sg/

For more information on the new school : (http://www.iusd.org/district_services/facilities_planning_and_construction/documents/PA40MiddleSchoolsite.pdf)

Sierra Vista Middle School (7-8)
2 Liberty, Irvine CA 92620
API Rank 10, API Score 948
Cultural diversity: 47% Asian and 36% White (Data from www.greatschools.org)
Median teacher experience is 17 years and the student to teacher ratio is 29:1
Distance from home: Approximately 3 miles
For more information about the school : http://www.sierravistams.org/

High School:
Northwood High School
4515 Portola Parkway, Irvine CA 92620
API Rank 10, API Score 908
Cultural diversity: 45% Asian and 43% White (Data from www.greatschools.org)
Median teacher experience is 10 years and the student to teacher ratio is 23:1
SAT Scores for 2011: Math: 579 Reading: 640 Writing: 603
Graduation rate: 95%
Distance from home: Approximately 3 miles
For more information about the school : http://www.northwoodhigh.org/

Parks:

Bluebird Park will be the primary park for the community. It is located in the center of the community, making it accessible to people from all sides, and the size is good enough to serve the community.

Personal observations:

Price is an important factor for many while buying a home. While not all these houses are brand new as the Capistrano houses, here is what $550,000-$600,000 would get in other Irvine Villages based on the recent sales:

1. 25 Night Bloom, Irvine CA 92602
4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms/ 1750 SF
Sold for $575,000. (TUSD Schools with Irvine addresses, Detached Condo)

2. 214 Tuberose, Irvine CA 92603
4 Bedrooms/ 2.75 Bathrooms/ 1850 SF
Sold for $602,000.

3. 24 Land Grant, Irvine CA 92618
4 Bedrooms/ 3 Bathrooms/ 2077 SF
Sold for $604,400. (Detached Condo)

4. 37 Wild Trails, Irvine CA 92618
3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms/ 2092 SF
Sold for $525,990.

All of them have their own set of pros and cons, and comparatively, Capistrano homes aren’t as overpriced as some other new homes are. But then, location plays a very important factor here. Capistrano homes are sandwiched between freeways and very busy streets. Air quality and noise levels will be a major concern for anyone planning to live in this community long term. The tall walls might not completely block all the motor vehicle exhaust from entering the community, and since this community is geared towards families with young children, it might be a huge risk for the residents.

Various health studies have shown that living close to major highways and very busy streets might elevate the risk of asthma and reduced lung function in children. Also, there have been associations with cardiac and pulmonary mortality. Most of the studies were conducted in the communities living in 200m of a highway.

The floor plans are good enough, with minor complaints about the kitchen work triangle. The bedrooms and closets in the first plan are very small. The California room will be my favorite aspect of the house. Master bathroom layout of the Residence 3 is designed very well, there is almost no wasted space. The tech room is another favorite. As someone who works from home a lot, I find it easier to be in an open space than be cooped up in a room. Some people like the long unending counters, but I feel it’s easier to work in the kitchen with L or U shaped counters.

What is your favorite part about the homes at Capistrano, Stonegate East?
What “con” did you notice? What would be your ideal blend of the three plans?
Do you agree with the proposed price tag?
Are you assuming that the HOA will remain low in the coming years?

The Real Estate Bloggers

2012-01-26T04:06:00.001-08:00

The Real Estate Bloggers

House Windows Melting A Toyota Prius

Posted: 25 Jan 2012 10:42 AM PST

Typically when you think of a battle between a house and a Prius, you add a dose of a drunk driver and a garage and you are done… But not today.

It looks like that super efficient windows are reflecting so much energy onto a car parked in Southern California that it is melting the plastic exterior parts of a lady’s Prius parked outside of the building.

A SoCal woman says the energy efficient window installed in a neighbor’s condominium is melting the plastic components on cars parked in her carport. Heather Patron of Studio City was dealing with a mystery regarding her Toyota Prius.

“The side view mirrors were melting,” says Patron. “Anything that was plastic on the car was melting.” Patron then observed a powerful beam of light that was reflecting off the window of a next door condominium, casting a concentrated beam over her carport.

CBS2’s Randy Paige placed a thermometer in the pathway of the beam on a partially cloudy day. The temperature registered over 120 degrees in less than five minutes.

“I’m positive that this window is what is causing the damage to my car,” says Patron.

Patron is not alone. Reports across the country have alleged damages brought on by concentrated sunlight reflected off of energy efficient windows. The National Association of Home Builders is now conducting a study on the matter. via CBS LA

There is no regulations against these types of windows but it will be interesting. And it makes me wonder if we are going to see melting Prius’s around the country in the coming years.

Progress…

Tags: melting+prius, prius, energy+efficient+windows

Thanks for reading this post. If you would like to see more articles like this, please come visit The Real Estate Bloggers. where it was originally published.

House Windows Melting A Toyota Prius

Live Mortgage Free By Turning Your House Into a Billboard

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-25T09:38:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Queen Anne Mid-Modern by Coop15 Architecture

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 09:13 PM PST

This project is a result of renovation and expansion made to a house at 2711 First on Seattle's Queen Anne Hill which designed by Paul Hayden Kirk. It was a bold compact composition with shingled walls that wrap over to become the roof. The idea was reinforced inside with cedar clad walls and ceilings. The [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Amin’s Residence by Dipen Gada & Associates – Leisure House in India

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 08:45 PM PST

This three bedrooms weekend house Amin's Residence is designed by Indian studio Dipen Gada & Associates for leisure activities. This 8,240 square foot two story contemporary home is situated at the outskirt surrounded greenery lot in Sherkhi, Vadodara City, in the state of Gujarat, India. The brief was to create an open plan which could [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-25T07:30:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

What can $600k buy in Westpark?

Posted: 25 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

zovall: The post below is written by Michelle Jones

Hi, I’m Michelle! I’m originally from Sacramento, but I’ve been living in Newport Beach since 2001. Currently, my husband and I live on the edge of Newport Beach and Irvine, with our two dogs. Despite the fact that we are currently renters, we are both very interested in the real estate market, and house hunting. Our guilty pleasure is anything on HGTV. Currently, I work full time as an account manager for an internet company, and help with IHB in my spare time.

Today I’m going to review for you two homes that sold within the past three months for similar prices in the Westpark neighborhood of Irvine.

House 1: 22 Palermo, Irvine, CA 92614

Sold for $604,000 in October 2011
Beds: 3
Baths: 2.5
Sq. Ft: 1,787
$/Sq. Ft: $338
Lot Size: 5,751 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Residential, Single Family
Style: Two Level, Mediterranean
Year Built: 1988

The house would definitely give you more space, but will require some upgrades to the kitchen. The appliances and tile counter tops need to be upgraded to stainless steel and granite, cupboards are slightly dated, the wallpaper border will need to be taken down, and backsplash added. However, the plantation shutters are a huge plus, and the kitchen windows look out into the backyard.

The backyard has a nice combination of both grass and concrete, and with the minimalist landscaping, at least there isn’t too much additional upkeep.

There are ceramic tile floors throughout the first floor of the house, which are at least durable and easy to clean, if nothing else. The second floor is fully carpeted, appears to be in good condition and is newer carpet.

Another bonus feature with this home is the HOA fee is low, at $41, and it offers a pool, spa and tennis courts in the community.

House 2 - 9 Palagonia Aisle, Irvine, CA 92606

$605,000
Beds: 3
Baths: 2.5
Sq. Ft: 1,500
$/Sq. Ft: $403
Lot Size: 2,500 Sq. Ft.
Property Type: Residential, Condominium
Style: 3+ Levels, Contemporary
View: Park/Green Belt
Year Built: 1999

This condo, on the other hand, offers views, an outdoor space with a BBQ and low maintenance landscape, and is 10 years newer than the house. Additionally, even though it is technically listed as a condo, it is actually a detached "villa". All pictures for this one were lo-res.

The living room brings in a substantial amount of light, but does lack some decent blinds.

And although the flooring in the kitchen is a step up from the house, the appliances and tile counters need to be upgraded to stainless steel and granite.

And the outdoor space is lacking.

The HOA fees for this one are also substantially more at $172, which apparently only gives you pool, BBQ access, and a gated community.

In summary, for a slightly older home that does require some upgrades, you will have more square footage, but will also need some extra cash to spend on making those upgrades to your home. However, for the newer home at the same price, you not only sacrifice the square footage, but your outdoor space as well, and you would still need to upgrade the kitchen on top of all that. So, since you’re going to need to upgrade the kitchens in either home, why not acquire the extra square footage? Sure, you’ll probably need to spend a little more money to upgrade the house, but at least it will be to your own personal taste, and you’ll have space and privacy from your neighbors, instead of them practically being on top of you in the condo.

Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk - 10 new articles - In This Issue...

2012-01-24T21:34:00.001-08:00

Mortgage Fraud Blog sends update emails once per week. You can change this setting to receive updates more or less often by following the link at the bottom of this email. The Mortgage Fraud Blog website is updated every business day and you can always get the latest news by visiting www.mortgagefraudblog.com.

Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk - 10 new articles

In This Issue...

Reverse Mortgage Scam Mastermind Sent to Prison
Mortgage Broker Sentenced for Paying Illegal Kickbacks
5 Indicted for Real Estate Development Conspiracy
Seminar, TV and Radio Host Sentenced for Real Estate Investment Scam
Loan Officer Heads to Prison for Defrauding Lender
Lawyer Gets 15 Years for Mortgage Bailout Scheme
Man Admits False Information in Settlement Statements
Federal Jury Convicts 2 of Loan Application Misrepresentations
Rachel Dollar Keynote Speaker at Mortgage Fraud Consortium
Loan Officer and Title Agent Admit Kickback Scheme
Search Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk

Reverse Mortgage Scam Mastermind Sent to Prison

Louis Gendason, 42, Delray Beach, Florida, a loan officer, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William P. Dimitrouleas in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, for his participation as the ringleader of a...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Mortgage Broker Sentenced for Paying Illegal Kickbacks

Nathan Russo, 35, Johnston, Rhode Island, was sentenced on January 20, 2012, to 30 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his role in an extensive mortgage fraud...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

5 Indicted for Real Estate Development Conspiracy

David P. Drake, Donald D. Snider, Jr., Vickie A. Hall, Heather A. Gibbs, and James B. Clarkson have been indicted in federal court, District of Kansas, for their roles in a mortgage fraud and...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Seminar, TV and Radio Host Sentenced for Real Estate Investment Scam

Anthony Cutaia, who pleaded guilty to mail and wire fraud by misleading investors and misappropriating funds, was sentenced in United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, to 51 months...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Loan Officer Heads to Prison for Defrauding Lender

Andrew F. Vulpis, 30, Gibsonton, Florida, who was employed as a loan officer of Wachovia Bank, Tampa, Florida, played a role in 12 residential real estate transactions in Hillsborough and Pasco...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Lawyer Gets 15 Years for Mortgage Bailout Scheme

Norton Helton, 50, a former Illinois lawyer, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for engaging in mortgage and bankruptcy fraud schemes involving a so-called "mortgage bailout" program that...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Man Admits False Information in Settlement Statements

Harvey Miles Lowell, 35, Lehigh Acres, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud for defrauding mortgage lenders by providing false information in...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Federal Jury Convicts 2 of Loan Application Misrepresentations

William "Ondra" Joel, 32, Oxford, Florida, and Maurice Vernon, 33, Tampa, Florida, were found guilty by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and making false statements on...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Rachel Dollar Keynote Speaker at Mortgage Fraud Consortium

Rachel Dollar, a Certified Mortgage Banker and renowned attorney who represents lenders and secondary market investors in mortgage banking litigation matters, is the keynote speaker at the upcoming...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Loan Officer and Title Agent Admit Kickback Scheme

Daniel Douglas Boler, 42, Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Susanne Eileen Mathis, 42, Minnetonka, Minnesota, the owner of a mortgage brokerage and the owner of a title closing company, admitted in...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Rachel Dollar represents lenders in mortgage related litigation. She is a shareholder at Smith Dollar PC. Ms. Dollar is a nationally recognized speaker on the topic of mortgage fraud, is licensed to practice law in California and maintains offices in Santa Rosa, California.

Mortgage Fraud Blog is co-sponsored by Smith Dollar PC and Interthinx, the leading provider of fraud services and solutions for the mortgage industry.

Legal Disclaimer. The information and notices contained on Mortgage Fraud Blog are intended to summarize recent developments in mortgage fraud cases and mortgage banking matters nationwide. The posts on this site are presented as general research and information and are expressly not intended, and should not be regarded, as legal advice. Much of the information on this site concerns allegations made in civil lawsuits and in criminal indictments. All persons are presumed innocent until convicted of a crime. Readers who have particular questions about mortgage banking, mortgage fraud matters or who believe they require legal counsel should seek the advice of an attorney. The creators, editors and sponsors of Mortgage Fraud Blog do not intend to create a confidential relationship or an attorney-client relationship by communication via or arising from this site.

Click here to safely unsubscribe from "Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk." Click here to view mailing archives, here to change your preferences, or here to subscribe • Privacy

Your requested content delivery powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 9 Thoreau Way, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA. +1.978.776.9498

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-24T09:18:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Spa House by Metropolis Design – Recreational House Design

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 08:21 PM PST

South Africa-based studio Metropolis Design has designed this Spa House in Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa. The concept is a multi-functional building with residential, recreational and spa facilities, annexed to a larger residence. This mountainside home also integrated into its powerful natural surroundings. As a place of entertainment and relaxation, it incorporates with swimming [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

2 Bar House by Feldman Architecture – Environmental Smart House

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 07:44 PM PST

The San Francisco-based studio Feldman Architecture has designed the 2 Bar House in Menlo Park, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. This 2,120 square foot two story contemporary home represents a very cost-conscious design and implementation of green materials and technologies for a couple with two young children. The new residence [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-24T07:44:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

A Review of the Esplanade Tract (Plan 4) at Woodbury

Posted: 24 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Hello readers, I'm Nilam and was one of the first original fans of IHB (might have something to do with the fact that I'm married to zovall/Omkar). I've lived in Irvine since 2003 and am very happy to call the city home to our family of three, which includes our one year old daughter. While I have no formal real estate training, I love to write and learn about our community, and do so from the perspective of a mother and wife. I'm a stay at home mom these days but in my former life, I was a web marketing executive at an insurance company and hold an MBA from the University of Arizona and a BA from UCLA (go Bruins!).

Recently I took a tour of Plan 4 in the Esplanade tract in Woodbury. I really wasn't interested in the smaller units so I spent my time in the Wisteria model.

For some, it might seem strange that a home of this size would be attached. I felt that way too, until I moved to Irvine and ~~drank TIC's Kool-Aid~~ became familiar with the more recent home offerings. Land squeezing in Irvine has been discussed to death on this blog so I won’t belabor the point. Honestly, I was just happy to see this square footage at this price (go ahead – judge away – but I haven't seen too much in Irvine with this kind of pricing on a new home of this size in a while so I was curious). Here’s a link to the homes and here are the facts:

Village: Woodbury
Tract: Esplanade
Model: 4: Wisteria
Square Feet: 2074
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Price: Release 5 span from $535,575 (may have builder incentives available)
Base Property Tax: 1.05% of sales price
Mello Roos: $4623 per year
Association fees: $105 for Woodbury community, $193 for Esplanade tract
Builder: Taylor Morrison

While I normally find something off about model homes and their décor, I must say, this one was impeccably furnished/finished. So much so that when I first walked in I was enamored. Let’s start downstairs.

Upon entry, you come into a short corridor. To your right are the stairs to the second floor (Please excuse the stroller).

To the left, an entry to the first bedroom and ¾ bathroom (no tub but very nicely finished shower). The bedroom is a decent size and faces the front of the house.

Past the bedroom and stairs is a great room that I really liked. It includes a kitchen with a large island spilling over into a family room with a dining area off to the side. The family room and dining area are lined with windows and since there are no walls separating these areas, they really add light to the space. The kitchen didn’t have a walk-in pantry but the cabinet space and counter space seemed ample and I likes me some space in the kitchen.

Whoever decorated this model did an outstanding job. I walked into that room and thought, “Wow. This is a space I’d love to live in." It felt big and I liked it! But then I kept looking...

On the other side of the great room is the home management (?) center (fancy term for a couple desks along the wall) in a skinny corridor followed by a utility room. The utility room is also long and skinny; the washer and dryer are lined up along one wall and had a sink on one side and a counter on the other. Beyond that is the door to a side by side two car garage.

The garage had additional space for storage. Did I mention it was a side by side garage? Sorry, that really appeals to me because our current garage is tandem and I am amazed at the ways my body has contorted to get in and out of our car. But back to this model.

Off to the side of the living space is a small (and I do mean small) courtyard. I found this disappointing. For 2074 square feet; it would be nice to see more outdoor space and in the description I had read before visiting, it seemed like there would be some space for a little one to play around in. Well, at least the little one could stand around out there.

Despite the airiness of the great room, the layout of the home gives a slightly awkward feel upon entry because it is obvious that the home is long and thin, which reminds you that the layout is a condo. It’s clear that the design was meant to fit this condo mold, rather than a home that was designed in an ideal way. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the decor was what I liked, not the home. It's actually kind of like a submarine, long and skinny.

On to the second floor! At the top of the stairs, there is another awkward view of the long skinny floor plan. When I saw the plan on paper, the space seemed more awkward than it did in reality but it's still strange.

The master bedroom was a decent size with a nicely upgraded bathroom attached. The shower stall is large and the model had attractive earthen tiles next to a full sized tub. Beyond the bathroom is a nice square walk-in closet. The master also has a Juliet’s balcony that didn’t really add to the bedroom in my opinion. Maybe if there was a view, or an area to sit, it would make more sense. Or maybe if we were in Verona, and there was a gentleman calling, it would make more sense. In this place, it didn’t. All in all the master was nice but not particularly outstanding.

The loft wasn’t huge – the designer had placed a flat screen on the wall but the space seemed small for that. It might serve well as a playroom or hobby studio.

Off of the loft is a linen closet and the third bedroom. The third bedroom was larger than I expected. This full bath was also nicely furnished and the space itself is pretty good and didn’t feel cramped.

Here are some of the pros and cons to this model as I see ‘em:

Pros:
• Large rooms
• Great room is open and airy
• Side-by-side garage
• Pricing is decent compared to other homes of this size
• Corner unit (only share one wall)
• None of the living space is above or below anyone else’s unit

Cons:
• Long, skinny plan is awkward
• Very small outdoor space
• Bedroom downstairs is not ideal for families with multiple young children (although if your in-laws are visiting, this might be a pro!)
• No powder room for guests

While there were some really nice things about this home, it wouldn't be a fit for our family. Have you visitied Esplanade? What do you see as the pros and cons?

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

2012-01-23T15:18:00.001-08:00

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

Yin Yang : Outdoor Chinese Inspired Chaise Lounge by Dedon

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 06:56 AM PST

When the summer coming, take relaxing on the outdoor area is very nice. We can sun bath while sleeping, reading a book or just relaxing with our friend or family. Choosing the perfect outdoor furniture is very important fir us. Chaise lounge is one of the best type of outdoor furniture that people usually used. Nicolas Thomkins the designer from Switzerland has designed for Dedon the Yin Yang: Outdoor Chinese Inspired Chaise Lounge that might inspire you to get the perfect outdoor furniture. This chaise lounge designed twin that it very perfect for couple. Available of bronze and platinum color style. YIN YANG has its origins in the harmony of forms. YIN YANG unites the dynamic opposites of ancient Chinese philosophy into a harmonious interplay of color and form. A work of art that unites two elements into a flowing form was the result of close cooperation between the designer and the development team. For more details about this product, please visit the dedon website.

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-23T07:19:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

The Village of Woodbridge

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Wendy Larson has lived in Irvine for over twelve years. She graduated from Woodbridge High School, took some courses at Irvine Valley College and eventually graduated from Penn State University as the Student Marshal with Highest Distinction. After graduation, Wendy was awarded a teaching assistantship in the South of France. After a year of working abroad Wendy moved back to Irvine. She is currently a Senior Operational Trainer at a health care company in Costa Mesa. Wendy spends her free time writing, public speaking and mentoring individuals looking to improve their speaking skills.

Located in one of the most picturesque areas of Irvine, Woodbridge Village offers distinct housing communities, charming views and an atmosphere that appeals to families, couples and singles alike. Nestled between the major streets of Jeffrey and Culver, and intersected by Barranca Parkway (North Lake) and Alton (South Lake), Woodbridge Village is situated around two gorgeous lakes and is convenient to all community amenities.

The residential communities consist of a mixture between single family residences, condos and apartments. Take a drive on East Yale Loop and West Yale Loop to get a scope of the residential neighborhoods within Woodbridge Village. This area is intrinsically unique in look and feel from the rest of Irvine. Much of the community is maintained by the Woodbridge Village Association, to which residents must pay homeowner’s association dues. The Association owns and operates 41 recreational facilities and does a great job ensuring these facilities are clean and well landscaped for all to enjoy.

The area has a close proximity to dining, shopping, parks, and athletic fields. Dotted along Barranca Parkway are major shopping centers, including the Woodbridge Village shopping center, The Crossroads, Woodbridge Square and the District at Tustin Legacy. If you’re looking for entertainment, dining and shopping in one spot, Woodbridge Village is just a hop, skip and a jump away from the nearby Irvine Spectrum. If education is your top priority, Woodbridge Village is within walking distance to Eastshore Elementary, Stone Creek Elementary, South Lake Elementary, Meadow Park Elementary, Lakeside Middle School, Woodbridge High School and Irvine Valley College. The Woodbridge Village shopping center also offers extracurricular educational facilities including Kumon Math and Reading Center, Mission: Renaissance Fine Arts Classes, and Aloha Mind Math.

The most popular attractions of this region are the North and South lakes. Two bridges, one spanning across Alton and the other crossing Barranca Parkway, link together the pedestrian access to both lakes. Enjoy the mountain backdrop as you relax in the gazebo on the lake, and watch the children feed the ducks. Or, grab a window booth in Ruby’s Aqua Diner and enjoy a meal while gazing over the water.

If fitness is on your agenda, you’ll appreciate how the layout of the community encourages exercise by providing bike trails where cyclists and joggers can enjoy a pleasant and safe route through the neighborhoods. CorePower Yoga offers day, night and weekend classes for beginners to advanced yoga enthusiasts. And of course, nearly all major gyms are within fifteen minutes driving distance.

With its convenient location, stunning views, and alluring housing, it’s worth giving Woodbridge Village some consideration if you want to buy in the city of Irvine. If you’re thinking it seems too good to be true, you may want to scope out the area to see if it’s right for you. Let me point out a few things you may want to consider should you decide to take a deeper dive into the community.

The oldest parts of Woodbridge date back to the 1970s, and it is obvious the housing is more dated than the rest of Irvine. The majority of Woodbridge Village was designed to reflect the New England Cape Cod style, which is visually prominent in the housing tracks bordering the lakes. But let’s be honest here folks. This is not Cape Cod, nor does it feel like Cape Cod! You can only pull off the Cape Cod style on the East Coast. It doesn’t belong in Orange County. California has its own coastal flair. We are deeply rooted in a contemporary look and feel, which the newer communities celebrate. The early architects of Irvine may not have fathomed the growth and development of the planned communities that currently populate the city. The California stucco and neutral color palette that characterize the newer housing and retail developments make Woodbridge Village stick out like a sore thumb. Because of the change in aesthetics, Woodbridge Village seems old.

The Woodbridge Village shopping center is drab. It’s one of the few timber constructed centers in all of Irvine. The wooden shingle exteriors and deeper paint colors make the center seem dark with too much shade. Other than Ruby’s, Stein Mart and Barnes & Noble, there aren’t any big name retail draws. Sometimes I wonder how these businesses keep their doors open. Ten years ago it used to be full of boutique style shops, but newer strip malls attract more crowds and the center is now home to more medical offices rather than stores. While the Woodbridge Village shopping center contains a movie theatre, the movies are several months old and have already cycled through the regular circuit. By the time the movies reach the Woodbridge Village theatre you’ll have read the reviews online or have gotten the Cliff’s Notes version from your kids. There is a sandbox area with over-sized concrete frogs that the kiddies can climb on, but let’s face it, with awesome lakes flanking both sides of the center the frogs seem a little lame. I don’t want to paint the wrong picture of the center. It’s a nice center to walk through and relax in. I just think the whole center, much like Woodbridge Village, needs an overhaul or at least a facelift.

There are additional areas that need some love. The scars of failed businesses and empty buildings give the area a depressive feel. For example, the Waters Restaurant is now an empty shell sitting on the lake. With its premium location, the restaurant was once an impressive dining experience. Currently it’s boarded up. A razed gas station surrounded by a chain link fence in the parking lot of the Woodbridge Village shopping center, is an eyesore. The timber constructed Bank of America has packed up shop and the space is now inhabited by a less well-known credit union. Then there’s the dark wooden shingle Wachovia building. It looks like it’s sagging. Maybe it’s because Wells Fargo bought them out. Other areas look downright deserted. Some people might call the neighborhoods quiet. Others would describe it as a reminder of tough times. I think that if retail traffic increased and if the buildings could be updated, Woodbridge might have a fighting chance. The truth is however, that Woodbridge Village has been overrun with medical offices that cater to the nearby retirement community. It would be hard to restore it.

Woodbridge Village is still a wonderful community to live in. Just because it’s an older community doesn’t mean it lacks charm. My advice: look at the big picture and decide if Woodbridge Village matches your preferences.

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-22T09:27:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

OZ House by Swatt | Miers Architects – Casual Vacation House

Posted: 21 Jan 2012 09:37 PM PST

The aim of this OZ House is a casual style house, barefoot feel, like a vacation destination, with strong indoor-outdoor connections. The site located has gentle slopes to the south and mature landscaping on all sides, perfect setting to create a home that would fully engage the beautiful landscape for family living. Swatt | Miers [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-21T09:34:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Swellendam House by GASS Architecture

Posted: 20 Jan 2012 07:13 PM PST

The Swellendam house is designed by GASS Architecture in rural South Africa: This new residential dwelling is situated in Swellendam at the door-step of the breathtaking mountains and valleys of Langeberg Mountains – a view so magnificent that the locals have named it "God's Window." It was because of this exquisite setting that simple forms [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Lakefront Residence by Moore Architects

Posted: 20 Jan 2012 05:49 PM PST

This house is designed by Moore Architects on a waterfront lots along private Lake Barcroft in Falls Church, Virginia. The site represent of the 1960s split-level. Saving the bones of the front to back split-level, the architects sought to use this basic organization to an advantage: exploiting the street side / water side split personality [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-20T07:44:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

Closed Sales from 1/12/2012 to 1/18/2012

Posted: 20 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Here are the closed sales in Irvine over the last week (1/12/2012 - 1/18/2012). See anything interesting? Did you visit any of these homes?

Date Sold	Address	Zip	Tract	Sold Price	Beds	SqFt

Airport Area
1/17/12	2410 Watermarke Pl	92612	Watermarke	$210,000	1	635

El Camino Real
1/17/12	14841 Doheny Cir	92604	Willows	$371,000	3	1112

Northwood
1/12/12	41 Appomattox	92620	Fieldstone Classics	$517,500	3	1504
1/13/12	84 Remington	92620	Horizon	$326,000	3	1224
1/13/12	7 Bellezza	92620	Woodside	$895,000	4	2951
1/18/12	174 Pineview	92620	Lakes, The	$289,900	2	1202

Orangetree
1/12/12	273 Tarocco	92618	Unknown	$249,000	2	995
1/13/12	267 Orange Blossom	92618	Lake Condos	$205,000	2	880
1/13/12	146 Orange Blossom	92618	Lake Condos	$160,000	1	739

Quail Hill
1/12/12	22 Nightshade	92603	Casalon	$430,000	3	1600
1/12/12	37 Nightshade	92603	Casalon	$475,000	3	1553
1/17/12	31 Windchime	92603	Sage	$510,000	3	1500

Rancho San Joaquin
1/14/12	2 Solana	92612	RSJ Townhomes	$345,000	2	1404

Turtle Ridge
1/12/12	109 Danbrook	92603	Ashton Green	$445,000	2	1398
1/12/12	203 Danbrook	92603	Ashton Green	$515,000	3	1324
1/17/12	116 Roadrunner	92603	Whispering Glen	$548,000	3	1610

Turtle Rock
1/12/12	43 Copper Crk	92603	Shady Canyon Custom	$2,670,000	5	7500
1/13/12	5971 Sierra Bravo Rd	92603	Broadmoor	$730,000	3	1580
1/13/12	27 Vernal Spring	92603	Shady Canyon Sycamore	$2,575,000	4	4820

Walnut
1/12/12	3972 Capri Ave	92606	Colony	$580,000	4	1868

Westpark
1/13/12	2202 Ladrillo Aisle	92606	Brio	$377,500	2	1219

Woodbridge
1/18/12	71 Goldenrod	92614	Stonegate	$422,000	3	1370

43 Copper Creek and 27 Vernal Springs are actually in Shady Canyon. For such a difference in size, it is interesting that the price is so similar. Any ideas why that may be the case?

The house on Doheny seems to be a low price for a detached SFR (that what it seems to be to me). The listing shows that it definitely needed some work. It is on a 6,000 square foot lot though.

The Real Estate Bloggers

2012-01-20T04:08:00.001-08:00

The Real Estate Bloggers

America’s Top 10 States For Business in 2011

Posted: 25 Sep 2011 08:53 AM PDT

Let’s face it, in these economically trying times going to a state that is conducive for conducting business is vitally important. If you are looking for work it does not make a great deal of sense going to a state that hinders a businesses ability to succeed.

Likewise, buying a house in a good business environment makes a lot more sense than doing so where businesses will be struggling. So if you are thinking of moving to a state that is favorable for business this list by CNBC is a very smart tool to use.

Virginia came in as the top state. With it’s pro-business state house and proximity to Washington DC, where growth in government spending has created it’s own jobs engine, Virginia is for business lovers. Texas is in second place, with southern states Georgia, North Carolina, and Colorado rounding out the top 5. The only northeast member of the list Massachusetts comes in 6^th owing mainly to it’s educated workforce.

The remaining states on our top 10 list are heartland states; Minnesota, Utah, Iowa, and Nebraska. The worst state in the country is Rhode Island with Alaska not far behind.

So if you are starting a business, looking for a job, or interested in investing in real estate, check out this list of the …

Top 10 States for Business in America for 2011

Virginia
Texas
North Carolina
Georgia
Colorado
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Utah
Iowa
Nebraska

Thanks for reading this post. If you would like to see more articles like this, please come visit The Real Estate Bloggers. where it was originally published.

America’s Top 10 States For Business in 2011

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-19T09:31:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Bondi House by Katon Redgen Mathieson – Compact Beachfront House

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 11:21 PM PST

Bondi House by Katon Redgen Mathieson: Located on Sydney's Bondi Beach, this four level house occupies a narrow infill site, and has been designed to maximize its' compact 120m2 site and capitalize on views across Icebergs to the beach. The ground level accommodates the entry hall and two bedrooms; one, on the beachside opens onto [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

House C:Z by SAMI-arquitectos – Energy Efficient House

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 10:37 PM PST

This House C:Z is designed by SAMI-arquitectos to take the various views from the highest point of the land in Ilha do Pico, Açores, Portugal. The house adapts traditional architecture to the terrain, separating four volumes by a living space, the walls of which are a continuation of the exterior façades and where only glass [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-19T07:24:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

Buy or rent at Monticello in Northpark Square

Posted: 19 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

28 Taquitz is a 3bd/3ba 1,826 sq. ft. attached condo in the Monticello tract in Northpark Square. Monticello is located across from Beckman High and is bounded by Bryan, Rubicon, Rosenblum, and Montellena. The streets inside Monticello are: Taquitz, Leucadia, Cosentino, Cabazon, and Idyllwild.

Monticella has 4 main floorplans:

Plan 1 - 2 Bed / 2 Bath 1211-1289 square feet
Plan 2 - 2 Bed / 2 Bath 1398 square feet
Plan 3 - 2 Bed / 2 Bath 1471-1663 square feet
Plan 4 - 3 Bed / 3 Bath 1826 square feet

28 Taquitz is a Plan 4 and is listed at $499,000

There is one other Plan 4 that is active and that is 27 Leucadia which is listed at $509,900.

And there is one Plan 4 that is Pending Sale: 9 Cabazon which is a short sale listed at $425,000.

A quick search revealed 3 Plan 4's sold in the last year:

10/20/2011	9 Leucadia	$430,000
9/16/2011	10 Taquitz	$470,000
6/27/2011	28 Taquitz	$481,000

Yes, 28 Taquitz was purchased just about 6 or so months ago. It looks like it was bought for cash and the agent is the owner - not sure why they are selling now.

Seems like the sales prices have a pretty wide range. I'll use an average of the closed and pending sales for the analysis - $451,500

Here's what the numbers might look like if purchased by someone with excellent credit and 20% down:

Purchase Price	$451,500
Closing costs	$13,545	3%
Total price	$465,045

Down payment	$103,845	20%

Loan Amount / Percentage Of Price	$361,200	80%
Interest Rate / Period (months)	4.00%	360

	Monthly	Yearly
Mortgage Payment	$1,724	$20,693
Interest Component	$1,204	$14,448

Property Tax	$399	$4,784	1.06%
Special Assessments	$107	$1,285	0.28%
Effective Tax rate			1.34%

Insurance	$50	$600
HOA 1	$227	$2,724
HOA 2	$74	$888

Cash Out	$2,581	$30,973

There are some possible adjustments that may apply to your situation. Be sure to also consider how long you may own the property (average is around 6 years), what kind of financing you actually qualify for, how much you put down, the effect of giving up the standard deduction, potential price declines, costs to sell the property, etc. The NY Times Buy or Rent calculator is a great tool that helps with some of these.

Possible Adjustments
Interest paid		$14,448
Property tax		$4,784
Total deductible		$19,232
Tax benefit	$401	$4,808	25%

Opportunity cost of down payment	-$173	-$2,077	2%

Principal paid in mortgage payment	$520	-$6,245

So, what do these Plan 4s rent for? I didn't find much in terms of closed leases but 43 Leucadia is listed at $2550/month.

Based on this info, would you buy 28 Taquitz for $451k or rent it for $2550/month? If you wouldn't buy it fo $451k, what price would you pay for it?

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

2012-01-18T16:34:00.001-08:00

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

Fany : Practice and Functional Sleeper Sofa

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 10:35 PM PST

Everyone must agree that sofa is one of the most important element to create perfect living room design and decoration. If you enter the home, you must find the sofa. Today, designer has designed sofa not just for sitting but also for sleeping too and they called sleeper sofa. Sleeper sofa is very practice and functional to solve the spaces limitation, it just need a few minute to convert the sofa into the sleeper sofa. If Your friends, guest or family down road after a long night (dark night, wintery or raining), You can ask them to stay in your home since it very perfect for them. Fany is the sample of the Practice and Functional Sleeper Sofa that provided by KMP furniture that might could be your reference to furnish your home to the Fany collection. For maximum comfort their collection made by the high density-resiliency foam seat and back cushions hide an extra strong spring system underneath for additional durability and comfort. And did by hand made reinforced hard-wood frame with interlocking joists. This collection offered $1,795.00 and you can visit the website for more details information.

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-18T09:19:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

IS by Yo Yamagata Architects

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 07:42 PM PST

IS by Yo Yamagata Architects in Saitama, Japan: This house has plane configuration of three layers. Along a north-south from road side in that order the BUFFER, BODY and SLOT. There is an intermediate region between the inner spaces that make up the facade with wooden louvers at BUFFER of the road side. There is [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-18T07:21:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

Open House - 18711 Paseo Picasso in Turtle Rock

Posted: 18 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

It’s difficult to critique a pre-owned house, because for so many years it wasn’t just a house, it was a home to a family. It’s almost like shell-shock reviewing an older house since up until now I’ve been focused on new developments. I often think well-loved properties have more charm and individuality and I’d say that I’m personally inclined to purchase an older residence, rather than a cookie cutter home. 18711 Paseo Picasso was an eye opener for me.

Here’s the 411 on 18711 Paseo Picasso:
Purchase price: $675,000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1.75
Square footage: 1710 Sq. Ft.
$/Sq. Ft.: $395
Property Type: SFR
Year built: 1973
Community: Turtle Rock

The HOA dues are $150 per month and there are no Mello Roos.

Brochure

I’m going to come right out and say it. The price is too high for the property. The first thing the real estate agent informed me was that the price was negotiable, which tells me that I’m right. Her selling angle was the location. If I had children I’d consider this neighborhood. It’s perfect for kids. The house is literally just down the street from University High School and Turtle Rock Elementary. There is also a park and community pool around the corner. My initial impression about the neighborhood was that it was old. The houses have the 1970s and 1980s over painted exterior wooden features. I feel like I’d get splinters if I touched the wooden posts. Don’t get me wrong—they’re nice houses, but you can tell they’re forty years old. Here are some of my initial observations:

Pros:
Wood floors
Upgraded countertops in the kitchen and bathroom
Upgraded cabinetry in the kitchen
Travertine floors in the bathrooms
Fireplace

Cons:
Interior wooden posts
Under-developed backyard
Popcorn ceilings
Outdated bathrooms
Low ceilings
Small kitchen

The first thing I noticed walking in the door is how open the living room area is. The high ceiling makes the space feel comforting.

However, I felt like the ugly wooden posts on the interior upset the balance. The wood posts support an overhang that shelters the hallway from the living room, creating a rafter feel.

I didn’t like this at all. I’d expect to find wooden posts on the exterior of the house, but never the interior. I also thought the rafter was wasted space. I left myself wondering how I’d go about fixing that—and I realized that it would translate into dollar signs. There’s a wet bar in the hallway, which is an extra bonus. The countertops have been upgraded, but the cabinetry looks dated.

The homeowners have extended the dining area for extra space. Essentially they created a very tiny nook, and I’m not sure what I’d do with it. I could fit a couple of chairs in the space, but I really didn’t see the benefit. Maybe I’m not thinking outside the box, but the space wasn’t usable in my opinion. Maybe you could put an Ikea desk and chair in there for a small office feature, but I’d feel mighty cramped.

The kitchen was a lot smaller than I expected.

The homeowners spent money upgrading the backsplash, cabinetry, tile and countertops but it wasn’t my decorating style. I still felt like it had a 1980s look to it. I couldn’t get past the fact that the refrigerator had to be placed around the corner because the kitchen was too small to accommodate it. The refrigerator blocks the panty—albeit you can still access the pantry, but it destroyed the flow for me. It’s a functional kitchen, but I couldn’t see myself preparing Thanksgiving dinner in it. I did like that the kitchen featured access to the backyard, which from my understanding is an addition the owners chose to add.

The master bedroom isn’t overly large, but there’s enough space. The closet doors are double sliding mirrors. I’d probably replace the track and invest in a closet organizer. There’s access to the backyard from the master bedroom. The glass door is the only window in the space, and I once again felt caged in.

The remaining two bedrooms are great for kids or even an office. I wasn’t disappointed in the space. It’s the same size room I grew up in. The closets are definitely larger than any of the newly developed houses I’ve previously toured! Off one of the bedrooms was the atrium, which has fallen by the wayside. It’s literally a small concrete square that the homeowners have never done anything with. The real estate agent suggested that I could close off the space, put a roof over it and make it into a den. Indeed this is what the other homeowners in the area have chosen to do with this space. All I could think of was dollar signs. Plus, my little tiny voice inside me said to leave it open and put a fountain or small herb garden out there. If you want to make the investment, you could do a lot with the space and sometimes it’s nice to put the money into something you could make your own.

I wasn’t impressed with the bathrooms. They need a lot of work, and it’s the first space I’d demolish. The master bathroom has the upgraded countertop and travertine floors, but the vanity cabinets need some updating. It looks like it’s the original 1970s stain. The toilet is in a separate room, but you’ll have to rip it out and I’d say the shower and tub need replacing. I noticed that the ceilings seemed rather low, which made me feel like I was in a cave. There’s a small square skylight, but that feature reminded me of its age.

The second bathroom is very small, and the shower doors have this weird frosted pattern. It definitely has to go.

The garage only accommodates one car, but the driveway features a carport. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it. I’d rather have a two car garage. I think the exterior of the house looks more attractive when both cars are in the garage. The full size washer and dryer are located in the garage. There’s plenty of storage in the above rafters.

The backyard is a wrap around and you’ll need to put some time and money planting bushes or flowers in the planters. If you make the effort, the backyard could be a great place to have some friends over for a barbeque, but you’re a long way from getting to that point.

I don’t think this house is bad. I think it needs work, and once you invest the time and money it could turn into something very comfortable. I personally don’t care for houses that have wooden exteriors and this was a big turn off for me. I don’t like wooden terrace carport. The exterior seemed very bland, and I don’t know if there’s much I could do about making improvements. So, I’m going to take a pass on this house. If you get this house at a fair price, meaning lower than $675K, and you have a remodeling budget, you might like it. Turtle Rock is a great place to be in Irvine. From what I observed, the neighborhood seemed friendly and I could be very happy here. With this house, your budget and imagination are the determining factors.

The Real Estate Bloggers

2012-01-18T04:10:00.001-08:00

The Real Estate Bloggers

Technorati Claim Token

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 05:42 AM PST

It is amazing that I dropped out of Technorati and did not notice it. This post is just to get the token into my feed stream so they can recongnize I am the owner.

6HBP6J9VUJF7

(And also it is spam bait to see how many folks are auto reposting my posts. My guess is 9.)

Thanks for reading this post. If you would like to see more articles like this, please come visit The Real Estate Bloggers. where it was originally published.

Technorati Claim Token

No related posts.

Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk - 10 new articles - In This Issue...

2012-01-17T21:37:00.000-08:00

Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk - 10 new articles

In This Issue...

Real Estate Investor Sentenced for Tax & Mortgage Fraud
Closing Attorney Sentenced for Improper Distributions
Broker Sentenced to 2 Years for Defrauding Lenders
Former Employee of Mortgage Lender Admits Fraud
Broker Gets 2 Years Behind Bars for Fraud Scheme
Charges filed for Seller Misrepresentations in Straw Buyer Scam
Egregious Mortgage Scam Lands Fraudster in Prison for 12 Years
Mortgage Fraudster with $70,000 in his Cowboy Boots Admits Scam
Guilty Pleas Entered in Mortgage, Tax and Property Management Fraud Scheme
Straw Buyer Admits Lying to Obtain Loans
Search Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk

Real Estate Investor Sentenced for Tax & Mortgage Fraud

Deangelo Wade, 41, Detroit, Michigan, was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution to the IRS and the FDIC for his role in a scheme to defraud IndyMac Bank in connection...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Closing Attorney Sentenced for Improper Distributions

William Helbley, Poland, Ohio, has been sentenced for his role in a scheme whereby lenders were induced to approve and fund loans based on the fraudulent loan applications. Hebley, a title agent,...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Broker Sentenced to 2 Years for Defrauding Lenders

Douglas Skibicki, 42, Bethesda, Maryland, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake to 33 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for two counts of mail fraud in...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Former Employee of Mortgage Lender Admits Fraud

Jorge Abbud, 33, Dover, N.J., a former employee of a Parsippany, N.J., mortgage lender admitted to taking $138,402 in illegitimate proceeds of multiple home sales as a result of a mortgage fraud...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Broker Gets 2 Years Behind Bars for Fraud Scheme

Keith Davis, 39, Jacksonville, Florida, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Anne C. Conway to 2 years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in fraudulently...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Charges filed for Seller Misrepresentations in Straw Buyer Scam

David R. Sharrock, Richard W. Balliett, Rhonda J. McElroy, and Ronald L. Kightlinger have been indicted and charged with multiple counts of bank and wire fraud in connection with a mortgage fraud...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Egregious Mortgage Scam Lands Fraudster in Prison for 12 Years

Eric Omar Jones, 41, Clinton, North Carolina, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III to 151 months' imprisonment followed by five years' supervised release for leading...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Mortgage Fraudster with $70,000 in his Cowboy Boots Admits Scam

Christopher J. Warren, 29, Folsom, California, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft related to a $19 million fraud scheme.

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Guilty Pleas Entered in Mortgage, Tax and Property Management Fraud Scheme

Bryan W. Talbott, 48, and Chester D. Ransom, Jr., 44, owners of a property management company, have pleaded guilty to defrauding their clients, mortgage lenders, and the government out of more than...

Read the whole entry »

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Straw Buyer Admits Lying to Obtain Loans

Robert Veazie has pleaded guilty to a fourth superseding criminal information in connection with obtaining residential home loans, including some in the Kirby Lofts condominium complex.

• Email to a friend • Article Search •

Click here to safely unsubscribe from "Mortgage Fraud Blog - Perp Walk." Click here to view mailing archives, here to change your preferences, or here to subscribe • Privacy

Your requested content delivery powered by FeedBlitz, LLC, 9 Thoreau Way, Sudbury, MA 01776, USA. +1.978.776.9498

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-17T10:08:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Luxury 5 Bedroom Villa in Sierra Dorada, Benidorm

Posted: 16 Jan 2012 07:11 PM PST

This luxury villa presented by Alicante Luxury Homes in tranquil and glorious Costa Blanca coastline of Sierra Dorada in Benidorm. This 5 bedroom villa offers contemporary, comfortable living, luxury architecture, incredible panoramic views and calm, relaxing atmosphere. Built in 2010, this easy-maintenance program spread over three floors with a vast garage on the ground floor [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-17T08:15:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

A Review of the Maricopa Tract at Stonegate

Posted: 17 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Hello IHBers, I am Cubic Zirconia.
One day while researching on the house that we wanted to put an offer on, I stumbled upon IHB, and then religiously followed every post by Irvine Renter. It gave me a good insight on the market condition then, and what to expect in the near future. We moved to Irvine in 2008 from Pasadena, and I have two daughters who go to Irvine schools in Tustin Unified. I have a Masters Degree in Architecture, and worked full-time creating cookie cutter retail stores (Longs Drug Stores mostly) while funding the dream of the cookie cutter house. I write also, thanks to the economy, I write more and design less these days. Real Estate for me is more about the location and schools than the floor plan and the size of the backyard.

Maricopa Tract at Stonegate
Location: On Sand Canyon Ave., between Jeffery and Irvine Blvd. is the Village of Stonegate.
Builder: Irvine Pacific Homes by the The Irvine Company.

Village of Stonegate consists of attached and detached neighborhoods. Here are the five neighborhoods offered:
1. Santa Clara – 1129 to 1322 SF
2. Santa Maria – 1386 to 1614 SF
3. San Mateo – 1636 to 1804 SF
4. San Marcos – 1824 to 2011 SF
5. Maricopa – 2262 to 2974 SF

The elementary, middle and high schools are under IUSD, with all API rank 10 schools and API scores above 900. They offer three floor plans, and a choice of three different elevations for each plan. The community is not gated.

Exploring the Homes at Maricopa (Community Overview):

The Homes at Maricopa are housed in Stonegate, and feature the largest floor plans.
None of the houses back to major streets. They offer three floor plans, and three elevation choices to each plan.

Pricing Sheet as of 1/6/12

All three floor plans offered have a bedroom/ den downstairs with an attached full bathroom, and at least three bedrooms upstairs. The ‘great room’ is also a constant, with ample windows to light up the rooms in natural daylight, doing complete justice to the Irvine weather.

Granite countertops and backsplash, stainless steel appliance and Kohler smart divide sinks, under cabinet lighting and recessed lighting are standards for all the kitchens, and they all feature an island. Except for the Plan 1, all of them have a sink in the kitchen island.

All bathrooms have white cultured marble countertops and Kohler sinks. The secondary bathrooms upstairs also have his and her sinks like the Master bathroom, making it easier for two kids to get ready at the same time. All the laundry rooms have a sink and cultured marble countertops with a six inch backsplash.

All the living rooms have crown moldings, recessed lights and multimedia ports. Also, upgrades have fireplaces, which I doubt will be used much in California weather, but nevertheless make lovely additions to the space.

It will be an ideal home for a family of four, with guests that would need the optional fourth bedroom. Teenage children and older parents come to my mind.

The distance to the elementary school is walk-able, but the middle school and high school are a little far, might not be an easy distance for most kids to bike or walk to school. A family with children in different schools might have to do some serious route planning, with the elementary school starting at 8.15am, middle school at 7.57am and high school at 8.00am.

The freeways 5, 405, 133 and 241 are all in close proximity.
Woodbury Town Center that has almost all the essential stores and services, including Hoag Health Center and LA fitness gym are within walking distance. Within five few miles would be Orchard Hills Village Center, Trabuco Grove Shopping Center, Irvine Spectrum Center and The Market Place. You can also bike to these places.

Here is a break up of Taxes and HOA, with Mello-Roos:

Property tax: 1.05% of sales price
AD tax (Mello-Roos): $2346 per yr
CFD tax(Mello-Roos): $1700 per yr
Other taxes: $156 per yr
Overall tax: 1.5% tax.
HOA due are $110 per month.

Fixed cost for any house in this neighborhood per month would be: Mortgage + Approximately $460 in Mello-Roos (Community Facilities Districts- CFD and Assessment Distrcits –AD) and HOA (Home Owners Association) +Property tax/12 (The current tax is 1.05% of the Sales Price).

Here is an overview of the three plans offered, with some pictures:

Plan 1:

Offers three elevations, in three different color palettes.
Area: 2262 Sq ft approximately
3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Den/ optional bedroom downstairs, and all the other bedrooms are upstairs.

These houses are offered at $786,400.
Fixed monthly cost of this house assuming the sale price of $786, 400 would be $1148 (Property tax + Mello-Roos + HOA).

As with all the houses, this house has a bedroom with a full size bath downstairs, and three bedrooms upstairs. The entry room is inviting, and uncluttered, with only a coat closet and entrances to the great room and optional den/bedroom. All the rooms are well lit, and the Great room has a wall of windows opening into the backyard.

Pros:

Bedroom downstairs, with attached bathroom. Useful when parents visit, which most Asian parents do, and also for teenage/adult children needing privacy.
Home management center is located between kitchen-laundry-garage, which makes it an ideal spot to dump the paperwork /bills/ keys and all the little things that need attention.
The nice flow of area between living and dining. Even though it’s a Great Room, the plan is such that there is a visual break of spaces.
Flow of unobstructed daylight throughout the house

Cons:

Balcony in the secondary bedroom would be a problem if you have young children. (Plan 1C offers a balcony free option)
Laundry is too far from the bedrooms, have to lug around the basket all the way to the other end of the kitchen. But if flooding occurs, it’s downstairs- wouldn’t damage much!
Smaller backyard compared to the size of the house.
Not a good sized closet; in a house this size, there should have been two- his and hers.

Here are a few pictures of the Plan 1 residence, taken from the model home.

Guest Bedroom:

Guest Bath:

This is the secondary bedroom upstairs. It’s a size suitable for one child, and has a balcony!

The kitchen with recessed lights and all stainless steel appliances, and island. The backsplash is lovely!

The living room with wide windows opening to the patio.

Den:

Downstairs Bathroom:

The Master bedroom, just big enough to house a queen bed and two oversized bedside drawers and a reading chair with a lamp on the other side. Ideally I would like to see a small retreat, or some extra space to make a his/her spot for some personal time.

Master Bath:

Plan 2:

Offers three elevations, in similar color palettes.
Area: 2577 Sq ft approximately
3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Den/ optional bedroom downstairs, and all the other bedrooms are upstairs.

These houses are offered between $866,400 to $872,927.
Fixed monthly cost of this house assuming the sale price of $866,400 would be $1218 (Property tax + Mello-Roos + HOA).

As you enter, you will see the standard den/optional bedroom on your left. The entry is a cluttered space with den, staircase, full size bathroom, garage and the great room opening into it. The Great room is rectangular, and as with other houses at Maricopa, has a wall of windows for light. The dining space is off the kitchen, and the kitchen island houses the sink and the dishwasher. The island is big enough to seat four people. The Home Management center is a part of the Dining space, and makes it a good place to work on homework. Laundry is upstairs, very conveniently located between the bedrooms. The master bath is very spacious, lot of natural lights, and location of the tub between his and her sinks increases privacy.

Pros:

A bedroom downstairs is always desirable.
The size of the Great room is in sync with the rest of the houses.
The bedrooms upstairs are all close to each other, making it easier for people with young children.
Laundry upstairs, between the bedrooms.
Spacious Master bathroom.

Cons:

Kitchen space planning- the dishwasher, when being loaded will obstruct cooking.
Optional balconies both open through the secondary bedrooms again, and even though there is a balcony free option, I would love to see a balcony off of Master bedroom.
Small closets, compared to the size of the bathroom. With some more planning, they could have played around with the space and created bigger closet, or his and her space.

Here are a few pictures of the Plan 2 residence, taken from the model home.

Master bedroom, again with space just enough for a Queen bed and two oversized bedside drawers, and a small reading space.

Walk-in Closet

The secondary bedroom is small, but I like the height of the window on the wall. With a twin bed and two bedside drawers, the lamp wouldn’t be obstructed with the window.

Third Bedroom

View of the Kitchen Island, which leaves me wondering, how would two people work together here, if one is cooking and one is doing the dishes? The dishwasher clearly obstructs the cook’s reach of pantry and refrigerator.

Kitchen Pantry

Well lit living room, and an obstructed view of the backyard.

Den

Plan 3:

Offers three elevations, in three different color palettes.
Area: 2974 Sq ft approximately
3 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Den/ optional bedroom downstairs, and all the other bedrooms are upstairs.
Bonus Family Room/ Optional bedroom.

These houses are offered between $937,620 to $943,879.
Fixed monthly cost of this house assuming the sale price of $937,620 would be $1280 (Property tax + Mello-Roos + HOA).

This plan adds a bonus room with an option of a bedroom with the den/optional bedroom downstairs. The bonus room turned into another bedroom would clutter the upstairs, with a door to the bedroom facing you as soon as you climb up the stairs.

This model provides the option to turn the second bedroom into a retreat for the Master bedroom. A Master bedroom with a retreat would be a great option to have, giving ample space for the “masters” to have their own private space to make hobby space, or a small personal library, or even an office space to work from home. The Master bedroom planning is a little weird, the closets flank the room on both side as you enter, and the bathroom is on the other side of the room. It is also the first room from the staircase.

Pros:

Option of the Master bedroom with a retreat will make the master suite spacious and give ample personal space.
Optional retreat also enlarges “her” closet, bringing it to a desirable size.
The bonus room serves as a great family room for the family to hang out, or even the kids to do homework, play their musical instruments, play video games and watch TV, or just play with their toys.
The plan might work well for a couple with older children, with ample privacy to all residents.
Walk-in pantry has well planned storage.

Cons:

Optional fifth bedroom instead of the bonus room would cram the bedrooms, and hurt the spacious look of the house.
Secondary bedroom has the balcony.
Dishwasher between the stove and refrigerator.
The huge great room that is one big rectangle, with a smaller rectangle of a dining space jutting out. Somehow not very inviting.
The distance from entry room to the living room is long, with too many distractions- staircase, den/optional bedroom, bathroom, garage, laundry.

Here are a few pictures of the Plan 3 residence, taken from the model home.

The Secondary bedroom with a desk height window to help do homework in daylight.

The Bonus/ Optional bedroom.

Downstairs Bedroom

Guest Bath

Kitchen

The Living Room

The Master bedroom, again just big enough to house a Queen bed and two bedside drawers, a chair and lamp in the other corner.

Master Bath

Schools:

Here is a brief overview of the schools that will serve Maricopa at Stonegate.

Elementary School:

Stonegate Elementary (K-6)
100 Honors, Irvine CA 92620
API Rank 10, API Score 954
Cultural Diversity: 46% Asian, 31% White (Data from www.greatschools.org)
Median teacher experience is 15 years and the student to teacher ratio is 23:1
Distance from home: Approximately 0.5 miles.
For more information about the school : http://www.iusd.org/sg/

Middle School:
As of now, the Middle School would be Sierra Vista Middle School. But, 2012-2013 academic year will bring the changes. The new middle school, “Jeffery Trails” will open in September 2013, and accept students from the communities of Stonegate. It will be located at the corner of Jeffery and Trabuco. The distance would be approximately 2.5 miles. The “home to school” distance changes, but not greatly to the children in this community. Previously it was roughly 2.8-3.0 miles for Sierra Vista Middle School.

For more information on the new school : (http://www.iusd.org/district_services/facilities_planning_and_construction/documents/PA40MiddleSchoolsite.pdf)

Parks:

Meadowlark Park will be the primary park for the community, and it’s still under construction. It is a decent sized park, which would provide ample space for the children of the community to play, and also make up for the tiny backyard that comes with the house.

Personal observations:

While all three plans are spacious and luxurious, I find them a bit overpriced.

Location is everything. The homes are built such that they don’t back to major streets, and they are walk-able from the shopping center and park. Close proximity to the freeways is also a plus. But as a representative of a typical Irvine family with kids, I don’t think I would go to Trader Joes and come out with a bag light enough to walk with, and I don’t think I will be happy pulling the car out of the driveway, devising a quick route to drop kids to Middle school and High school opening within three minutes of each other (pick up will be another story!). So location doesn’t cut it for me.

My space planning complaints are limited to the remote laundry room in Plan 1, dishwasher disturbance in Plan 2 and Plan 3, “enter the closet” Master bedroom of Plan 3, and of course the balconies of the secondary bedroom. With a young child, I would be scared the curious mind would fall off the balcony. With an older child, I would be worried about uninvited visitors.

Home Management centers are great, away from the television, or even the living space providing private corner in the great room. Backyards are small, but the optional trellis makes it an interesting space to have a small gathering. The entrances are well defined, and not hidden somewhere in the back overpowered by the garage and driveway. There is enough space to personalize, put out some plants, or even a small bench with a few cushions.

My perfect blend would be the Plan 1 great room and living-dining spaces, a plain kitchen island, a small Home Management center close to garage, and the Plan 1 entry room double the size, Plan 2 extra Home Management center for homework purposes, walk in pantry, laundry room location, and the Plan 3 Master Suite with retreat, his and her closets close to the bathrooms, not at the bedroom entrance, with the plan 3 Bonus room.

Construction work is still going on in the neighborhood. There will be noise and dust, and visitors to the new houses. The next phase is planned for release around September. The landscaping work is in progress, so is the park. It might take a couple of years for the landscaping to mature and blend with the neighborhood. But that’s something everyone expects with a new house.

What is your favorite part about the homes at Maricopa, Stonegate?
What “con” did you notice? What would be your ideal blend of the three plans?
Do you agree with the proposed price tag?
Are you assuming that the HOA will remain low in the coming years?

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-15T09:33:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Lake House by Mark Dziewulski Architect

Posted: 15 Jan 2012 12:03 AM PST

This cliff house project was developed by San Francisco-based studio Mark Dziewulski Architect. Capturing the natural beauty of the massive granite boulders nestled in the sand beneath the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, together with the pristine alpine sky of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in a single gaze, is a vision that continues [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Dune Road Residence by Stelle Architects

Posted: 14 Jan 2012 09:08 PM PST

Dune Road Residence by Stelle Architects in Bridgehampton, New York: This low-key two-story house is sited on a classic ocean front site. The original house, slated for demolition, was built into the dune before current coastal construction standards requiring a much higher elevation. The goal was to keep the existing scale and dynamics of the [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Home Architectural Design

2012-01-14T09:17:00.001-08:00

Home Architectural Design

Four Eyes House by Edward Ogosta Architecture – California Desert Retreat

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 09:22 PM PST

This contemporary 3,800 square foot Four Eyes House is designed by California-based studio Edward Ogosta Architecture in the desert of the Coachella Valley, Southern California, USA. This weekend desert residence is an exercise in site-specific experiential programming. The house was designed as an instrument for intensifying a number of onsite phenomenal events. Four "sleeping towers" [...]

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-13T08:19:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

Closed Sales from 1/5/2012 to 1/11/2012

Posted: 13 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Based on feedback from last week, it sounded like this was a helpful post so I'll continue. The sales listed here are those that have closed in the 7 days between 1/5/2012 and 1/11/2012.

Date Sold	Address	ZipCode	Tract	Sold Price	Beds	SqFt

Airport Area
1/9/12	3030 Scholarship	92612	3000 The Plaza	$905,000	2	1925
1/10/12	2223 Scholarship	92612	Avenue One	$330,000	2	1037

El Camino Real
1/11/12	4391 Vale St	92604	Greentree	$540,000	3	1515

Northpark
1/5/12	2 Healdsbury	92602	Manchester	$1,190,000	4	3400
1/9/12	18 Leucadia	92602	Monticello	$375,000	2	1400

Northwood
1/5/12	9 Trailwood	92620	Cristal	$1,139,999	5	3582
1/6/12	939 Somerville	92620	Northwood Villas	$527,500	3	1610
1/7/12	28 Grape Arbor	92620	Camellia	$775,000	4	2315

Oak Creek
1/5/12	9 Hawk	92618	Ashford Place	$850,000	4	2750

Orangetree
1/10/12	2312 Apricot Dr	92618	Terrace	$228,500	2	910

Portola Springs
1/9/12	59 Bell Chime	92618	Decada	$485,500	3	1545

Quail Hill
1/6/12	32 Paperwhite	92603	Solstice	$540,000	3	1509

Rancho San Joaquin
1/10/12	1 Solana #22	92612		$410,199	3	886

University Park
1/5/12	30 Rockrose Way	92612		$420,000	4	2130

Westpark
1/6/12	4 Lorenzo	92614	Sorrento	$845,000	4	2580

Woodbridge
1/11/12	109 Fallingstar	92614	Laurels	$210,000	1	860
1/11/12	64 Eagle Pt	92604		$189,000	2	954

Woodbury
1/5/12	75 Sanctuary	92620	Cachette	$470,000	3	1580
1/10/12	28 Vintage	92620	Lombard Court	$420,000	2	1526

Do any of these sales look interesting? Were you considering any of these properties?

One sale that stood out to me is 75 Sanctuary. I am really surprised by the closing price of $470k. When it came onto the market, it was listed at $500k as a Short Sale and went Pending pretty immediately. At that price, I would have expected multiple offers and for it to be bid up. $470k is the lowest I've seen for a Cachette Plan 1.

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

2012-01-12T16:39:00.000-08:00

Great Home Design, Architecture and Interior

The 2nd Floor, American Club: The Fusing of Eastern and Western influences Restaurant Interior Design

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 08:40 PM PST

OngandOng the world reputation Singapore Architect Firm has success to fuse the western and eastern influence interior and decoration for the 2nd Floor, American Club in Singapore. This new restaurant designed by the brilliant and talented architect Lynn Ng, Teo Bon Kiat and others member, Tiled ceilings, a brick wall behind the bar, and a hardwood-floored pavilion to be the main focus of this design that will evoking an ambiance that is reminiscent of Singapore's colonial past.
Eastern influences come into play through the use of movable dividers, bringing to mind traditional Chinese screens. By clever manipulation, these screens can be used to expand the bar area. So, If You have holidays in Singapore, this places could be your first consideration to visit. (source)

Architecture Directory

2012-01-12T11:51:00.001-08:00

Architecture Directory

Box-shaped Lighthouse by BYTR Architects in Utrecht, Netherlands

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 03:15 AM PST

The Project planned in 2006 by BYTR Architects and have built and realized in 2010. The new building was added to the corner house at the Utrecht canal to providing a new living layer in a metal rooftop extension. This new part is constructed with a glass wall is wrapped with a light, perforated aluminum [...]

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-12T07:14:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

$800k in Turtle Rock vs. University Park

Posted: 12 Jan 2012 03:59 AM PST

You’re ready to buy a house. You have $800,000 in your pocket (give or take), and you’re looking to purchase a place in either University Park or Turtle Rock in Irvine. Since the housing market took a dive, you figure $800K is going to get you into something decent. It’s a large chunk of change and a relatively big commitment, so you want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. So what exactly will $800K get you in Turtle Rock? The answer is: not much. University Park however, comes with a less expensive price tag—around a couple hundred thousand dollars cheaper. So what’s the difference and can I get a Turtle Rock house on a University Park budget? Well, let’s take a look.

Current listings in the Turtle Rock area are upwards of $900,000 with the majority of properties beginning in the $1 million dollar range. It’s not surprising. Turtle Rock is one of Irvine’s most prestigious locales. But don’t let the large price tag bum you out. If you know what you want, do your homework, and have patience, the stars might align and you could end up in a Turtle Rock neighborhood. There are lower priced options in the area, but you’ll have to make sacrifices on size. But before you let that $800K burn a hole in your pocket, let’s take a step back and make an informed decision about the housing in Turtle Rock. We need to know what’s available, and what we’re getting for the price.

The two villages are divided by University Drive. Turtle Rock sits further back from the 405 freeway against Shady Canyon. Turtle Rock can offer more picturesque views. While still close to UCI and Concordia, Turtle Rock has a separate feel to it. The deeper you go into Turtle Rock, the less you feel the presence of the universities. Turtle Rock has a mixture of housing and condo communities, combined with a great outdoor atmosphere. If I had to choose between the two areas just based upon location criteria, I’d choose Turtle Rock. But let’s be realistic. A great location is definitely on my “must have” checklist, but I also want to make sure I’m maximizing my money.

If we take a look at square footage alone—Turtle Rock would be king. On average, the residences are larger and can range anywhere from 1,600-4,000+ square feet. The properties in University Park, on the other hand, are typically mid-sized ranging from 1,100—2,000+ square feet. So we’ve resolved our first mystery in the price disparity between the two areas—square footage.

What about the number of bedrooms? As you have surmised, the number and size of the bedrooms has a direct relationship to the square footage. You can easily find 2-5 bedroom places in both University Park and Turtle Rock. University Park can offer you 4 and 5 bedroom properties below your $800K budget. If you’re married, with two children and need a home office, University Park fits your price range. If you want 4-5 bedrooms in Turtle Rock, you’re putting yourself in the red, or a very tiny living space. Don’t fall into the trap in thinking that more square footage equals larger bedrooms. That’s not always the case.

Let’s do some comparisons. Here’s a property that just sold in University Park:

Address: 2 Almond Tree Ln
Sale price: $635,000
Residence Type: SFR
Square Footage: 2,234
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
Year built: 1973
Lot size: 5,000 square feet
Price per square foot: $284

Here’s a property that just sold in Turtle Rock for around the same price:

Address: 18692 Paseo Cortez
Sale price: $640,000
Residence Type: SFR
Square Footage: 1,450
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Year built: 1969
Lot size: 4,200 square feet
Price per square foot: $441

It’s obvious that the University Park property offers more bang for your buck based upon the price per square footage ratio. The University Park property also has a bigger lot.

When I look at homes, I imagine myself standing in 1 square foot. In that square foot is the $/sq ft price tag. Each time I take a step into another square foot, I’m subtracting cash out of my wallet—paying the price for each square foot. If I can continue to walk in the house, stepping on each square foot, feeling my wallet become thinner without regret, I know that I’ll be happy with my purchase. I can step on each square foot and feel comfortable that I’m paying a fair price. Personally, I’d rather come in under budget with a larger interior square footage. I can’t imagine stepping on a $441 square foot in a house that only offers me 1,450 square feet of living space. I’m feeling over crowded just thinking about it! In my opinion, it’s not worth the price.

Ultimately, there are many factors to consider when buying a home. The purchase price and size are not always the determining factors. Both University Park and Turtle Rock are excellent communities. I’d live in either one. Now that you’re informed you can choose what’s right for you. Remember: It’s your decision. You have to live in it. What would you do? What factors matter most to you?

Irvine Housing Blog

2012-01-11T08:08:00.001-08:00

Irvine Housing Blog

A review of the Santa Clara tract in the village of Stonegate

Posted: 11 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST

Located off of Irvine Blvd and Groveland, the Village of Stonegate (Stonegate Overview PDF) offers 5 housing tracts: Santa Clara, Santa Maria, San Mateo, San Marcos and Maricopa. Their tagline is “intimate yet connected” and I think that’s an accurate portrayal of the area. It seems to be nestled in its own corner but has close access to Woodbury Town Center, Orchard Hills Village Center and is about 15 minutes from the Irvine Spectrum. The housing development is walking distance to Stonegate Elementary School and not far from Sierra Vista Middle School and Northwood High School. Much like the rest of Irvine, the Village of Stonegate is marked by convenience.

Since Santa Clara (Santa Clara Community Overview PDF) is the smallest of the 5 tracts, it’s ideal for singles and couples. The Santa Clara floor plans are referred to as “flats” which in my opinion is a euphemism for small. However, after viewing the models I think “flats” is an appropriate description and they did a nice job working with the space. The smallest of the 3 floor plans (All floor plans available here) is Residence 1, which is 1,129 square feet. In retrospect it’s not a lot of space, but somehow it feels roomy. I think it can be attributed to the idea of the “great room” which is heavily prominent throughout all three residences. The great room gives you the freedom to define your living space. I can appreciate the benefit of unrestricted design, and I think it’s a selling point.

Estimated property taxes and special assessments:
Base Property Tax: 1.05% of sales price
AD Tax: $1,350 per year
CFD Tax: $1,700 per year
Other Taxes: $156 per year
Overall Effective Tax Rate: Approximately 1.9%

The HOA dues are approximately $306 per month, which is comparable to other new developments. After looking at the well-manicured neighborhood, I think you’ll get your money’s worth.

Residence 1
Number of bedrooms: 1 bedroom + den
Number of bathrooms:   1.5
Square footage:   1,129 sq ft
Garage:    1 car
Base price:   $339,300

I immediately liked walking through the door into Residence 1. It has a bit of an apartment ambiance to it, but on the flip side there are no stairs to contend with. It’s my feeling that the great room concept forces your furniture placement between the dining and living room spaces. You could comfortably fit a table that seats 6-8 people in the dining space. What I didn’t like about the dining space was that it was smack dab in the middle of a high foot traffic area. It literally borders the entry way. Some creative thinking might alleviate that quality, but I feel like it downgrades the overall attractiveness and makes it more comparable to apartment style living.

All the residences come with stainless steel appliances as part of the standard kitchen package. The kitchen counter space was workable, but it would’ve been nice to have at least another 1-2 feet of extra countertop. It isn’t a deal breaker. They’ve configured the kitchen countertops to accommodate 2 barstools facing the sink. There’s not a lot of space, but if you’re the grab and go diner, it won’t be an issue for you. I was impressed with the cabinet storage. I think having a designated pantry is a plus. However, the microwave is built into the pantry and sits at waist level. It’s the most awkward spot to put a microwave. It’s like the builders ran out of space and were forced to stick the microwave somewhere, so they built it into the pantry. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s a conversation piece at best. Access to the one car garage is off the kitchen as well as a door masking the stackable washer and dryer (available as an upgrade).

The master bedroom is fairly decent sized. If you strategically configure your bedroom furniture, you could make it comfy and cozy. The bedroom has large windows, which limits wall space, but I’m willing to sacrifice the wall space for a little sunlight. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of wall space for your dresser and you can still mount your television.

The walk in closet is standard, but there were only bars and shelves on one side with a bunch of empty wall space. That’s an easy fix.

The master bathroom is unimpressive. It’s functional. It has the typical “hallway” feel. There’s a dual sink vanity, a shower/tub combo and the toilet is not separate from the main bath area. They made a valiant attempt to separate the toilet by pushing it back into a recessed corner. It’s disappointing that the shower isn’t separate from the tub. I’d expect to have that feature in newer developments.

Residence 1 advertises the floor plan as 1 bedroom + den. Do not consider turning the den into a bedroom. It won’t work. The space is too small, the closet isn’t functional, and the second bedroom would share a wall with the master bedroom—a big problem in my book. Here’s the kicker: the den (or second bedroom) is only separated from the dining room by wooden shutters. This made me say the big NO to this floor plan.

The wooden shutters give this space no privacy. Unless you’re living by yourself, there’s always going to be a noise factor. This room is sandwiched between the dining room and the master bedroom. I don’t like the idea of having the dinner table so close to the den. It didn’t feel right and I think it created a chasm in the flow of the house.

The guest bathroom has a very small vanity with no counter space. It’s a shower/tub combo. It’s very cookie cutter. This floor plan is advertised as a 1.5 bathroom flat and you definitely feel the .5 in this bathroom. It’s purely functional and lives up to its purpose.

Sorry Residence 1, but you’re off the list. If I’m going to pay $340,000+ for you, I want to feel like I’m living in more than just an apartment with an oddly placed microwave.

Residence 2
Number of bedrooms: 2 bedrooms
Number of bathrooms:   2
Square footage:   1,305 sq ft
Garage:    2 car
Base price:   $415,300

Residence 2 was my favorite floor plan. When I walked through the door I immediately imagined myself coming home from work and walking up the staircase to the comforting view of my home. I LOVED the attractive, bright, open view of the entire space. I almost felt like I was home and upon first glance was ready for move in!

I was really impressed with the kitchen. It’s spacious, plenty of counter and cupboard space, and a nice island with extra storage. The island has a nice stainless steel sink, but you can upgrade to the double wide basin. The model displayed a small built in desk and bookshelf nook. It looks out of place because it feeds off the kitchen countertop. I’d rather nix the desk and have the extra cupboard and counter space. There is no full length pantry, but there’s ample space to store your dry goods.

The oversize windows in the living room are what make Residence 2 so inviting. As much as I enjoy the illuminating open concept look and feel of this floor plan, I didn’t like that there is no distinction between the living room and dining areas. This is the negative side to the great room concept. The buyer will have to get creative and define the space. Area rugs can work wonders, and so can well-placed furniture. If you do it right, you and your guests won’t even notice that it is one blended area.

Off the “dining room” is the patio. You can easily fit a table and four chairs out there with a small grill. I like that the patio is immediately off the dining area simply because if you are entertaining a large group of guests, you can open the sliding glass doors and instantly create a connection between the balcony table and the dining room table.

For me, one of the biggest selling points was the bedroom layouts. The bedrooms are on OPPOSITE sides of the house. This is a huge plus. It’s great for privacy. The second bedroom is not very large, but it’s doable. It’s ideal for a roommate situation, or can be used as a child’s bedroom.

The second bedroom has an ensuite. Granted, it’s a small bathroom, but it’s fully equipped with a shower/tub combo. The vanity has very little counter space, which is a buzz kill for me. If it’s a kid’s room it probably wouldn’t be a problem. On the whole, this bedroom received a passing grade. The only issue with having an ensuite in both bedrooms is the lack of a guest bathroom. Someone in the house will have to keep their bathroom and bedroom clean when guests come over.

The master bedroom is an adequate size and is built to accommodate the typical bedroom furniture setup. The walk in closet is nothing special.

The most depressing and disappointing feature about the master bedroom was that there is no tub in the ensuite. It was nearly perfect: walk-in shower, dual sink vanity, toilet located in a separate room. No tub. Major bummer. I would’ve at least built a shower/tub combo, and the design center might allow the original homeowners to have that option. There is no excuse for not including a tub in the master ensuite.

When looking at the big picture, Residence 2 is a house I’d consider buying. My word of caution is to really determine which upgrades you’d like to invest in. I really loved this house, but the model has the bells and whistles and I had to stop and consider how much extra money I’d have to pump into this place. If all the upgrades are pushing me into the $430s-$450s, I’m going to buy somewhere else. Because this is an open space floor plan, I’d recommend getting hardwood floors. Unless you upgrade the floors, you’ll have a house full of carpet with vinyl in the “wet” areas. I’d also take advantage of the opportunity to upgrade to recessed lighting and crown moulding. Any blinds, shades or shutters in the model are not included in the home, and I think if I was buying the house I’d have them install those features.

Residence 3
Number of bedrooms: 2 bedrooms
Number of bathrooms:   2
Square footage:   1,322 sq ft
Garage:    2 car
Base price:   $400,300

Residence 3 was very bland in my opinion. Your living space is upstairs, with access to the garage immediately off the entry way. The top of the stairs brings you immediately into the kitchen with a view of the great room. While it feels like the floor plan is an open concept, there is a wall that sections off the kitchen from the living room. After visiting Residence 2, I wasn’t partial to having an enclosed space. It made the home seem darker to me.

The kitchen is lackluster. Don’t get me wrong—it’s sufficient, but there’s no island and not as much counter space as I’d like to have. There’s definitely enough storage. A couple of the cabinets are high and may require a step stool, but there’s also low storage to help keep frequently used items easy to reach.

The living room and dining room had more of a distinction than Residences 1 and 2. There was a big enough space between the two areas where I could visualize the separation. I didn’t see an issue with the sizes of the living room/dining room areas. I think they both offer enough space. In the model, they built this strange dining room table contraption and I wasn’t quite sure if I liked it. Built into the wall was a set of recessed bookshelves, and jutting out from the bookshelves was a matching table with coordinating bookshelves on the end caps. It was like a Murphy bed—but a dining room table/storage eyesore. It was the most curious piece of furniture I’ve ever seen! That would be the first thing I’d get rid of. Don’t build that in my house!

The second bedroom was cookie cutter tiny. It’s funny how they always showcase the second bedroom as a nursery! The closet follows suit—unsuitable for an adult occupant.

The guest, or 2nd bathroom has the single sink vanity with 1 cabinet and two drawer storage, with modest counter space. It has a tub/shower combo and the toilet is positioned next to the vanity. Honestly, I don’t want to be overly critical with the second bathroom because it serves its purpose and if you upgrade and get the backsplash you could make it look nice.

The master bedroom received a passing grade. It is large enough for a King bed, a couple of nightstands and dressers, and perhaps a chair if you position things well. It was very bright and had small windows flanking each side of the bed. I liked it.

The master bathroom on the other hand has a narrow, “hallway” type of feel. It has a very large stand-alone shower, but no tub. I’m getting used to disappointment. The vanity is the same as the rest of the floor plans—his and her sinks with ample storage. The bathroom has a decent size walk-in closet. I could really do some damage filling it up. In this particular closet I think I would invest in the upgraded organizer and put the optional mirror on the door. I think there’s enough space to merit investing in these features.

There are a couple of other noteworthy features that I’d like to mention.

The two car garage contains a big cut out under the stairway for designated storage space. It adds a big plus to the functionality of the home. You can also opt to have the overhead cabinet organizer installed.
The second point is the balcony. The balcony is wonderful. It’s narrow, but spans the length of the great room. You could get several chairs out there, maybe a few bistro tables and a grill. I imagined myself reading a book out there during the summer.

If I had to sum up the space, I’d give it a 3 out of 5 stars. It’s big enough for a single gal like me. I’d turn the second bedroom into my office. I’d grin and bear it while taking a bath in the guest bathroom tub. Since I don’t spend too much time in the kitchen, I’d look past its dullness. A few key decorating pieces would spice it up. I’d be happy here.

Happiness aside, I will say that the price tag is fairly hefty for this size property. The average price for this floor plan will start around $403,040 for approximately 1,322 square feet. I’m not willing to part with my pennies for this place.

Pricing Sheet as of December 20, 2011

Standard and Upgrade Options

Final Thoughts
I enjoyed touring the Santa Clara tract. It taught me that I could live with an open space flat concept. It also taught me that I would have to compromise on having a tub in the master ensuite. As I think about the homes, and think about the upgrades that I’d have to invest in, I worry that I’m not getting the best bang for my buck. I would definitely live in Residence 2, but it needs the upgrades and that can get expensive. Let’s just say that after reviewing Santa Clara, I’m keeping my options open.