Reality sometimes sucks.In a nutshell, I've learned that the problem I described is a tough cookie and there are no easy answers.

However the defined rules and strategies don't always fit like a cookie cutter.

That's just how the cookie crumbles. 

I noticed they have better build quality, features, more land, more potential than the earlier cookie-cutter McMansion types that were on the market a few years ago. 

While there are SOME good realtors out there, the reality is that these are cookie cutter forms a person with average intelligence can fill out on their own.

@Nicholas Cook  I couldn't agree more.

If it has unique features that work, that is more desirable that the cookie cutter home that looks like all the other options.  

Hi @David Cook, I am in almost the exact same situation as you.

If you want cookie cutter, HOA, low maintenance, good schools, etc. you can't beat the Irvine Company communities.

If there are a ton of cookie cutter houses as comparables and a lot of recent sales then you will probably get a more accurate representation of true value than if there are fewer sales and comps being used not really comps.