Monthly Archives: May 2013

Open House Review: 4 Alondra

The original owners of 4 Alondra have listed their house for sale at a low price of $317 per square foot. Why so low? They haven’t done any upgrades, so it’s a great opportunity for a buyer to come in and customize the home to their liking.

The basics:

Asking Price: $760,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 2,400

Lot Size: 4,792

$/Sq Ft: $317

Days on Market: 48

Property Type: Single Family Home

Year Built: 1977

Community: Northwood, Woodside

HOA dues are $97 per month and there are no Mello Roos.

Let’s start with the biggest downfall of the house: it backs to Irvine Blvd. This may be a deal breaker for some. Others may be enticed by the three car garage and the chance to remodel. For a home that hasn’t changed much since 1977, it is in very good condition.

A very small entryway leads right into the living room, which is carpeted and has high ceilings. It has several windows, but it doesn’t get a lot of light because of their placement. It leads directly back to the dining room, also carpeted, and with high ceilings. One large window looks into the backyard.

A doorway from the dining room leads to the kitchen at the back of the house. As was the style in the 70’s, the kitchen has u-shaped counters and panel lighting in the ceiling. The counters are white tile with plain wooden cupboards and a nice tile floor. While the dishwasher looks newer, the oven and stove are original. There is a large breakfast nook, surrounded by large windows and sliding doors that lead to the backyard. This kitchen has a lot of potential, as it is a good size and can easily be opened up and reconfigured.

The family room is through the other side of the kitchen and, unfortunately, the rooms don’t open up to each other. I’m not sure if it would be possible to open them up during a remodel, but it would be something to consider. The family room is big, with another sliding door out to the yard. There is a niche cut out for an entertainment unit, a wetbar, and a brick fireplace that is centered between the two. It doesn’t get a lot of light, since all the windows are down at one end. From the family room, you can access the three car garage, laundry room and the half bath.

The home has an L-shaped yard, with the back and side being about equal widths. The big patio has several large cracks in it and a cover over part of it. The owners just planted new grass in the back.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms. The master is to the right of the stairs and the other three are down the hall to the left. The master is very big but doesn’t leave a lot of space for furniture. One wall is covered with mirrored closets; another with a long, low window. The master bath has a long counter with two sinks, a sunken bathtub and a separate stall shower. The tub and shower are pretty dingy.

One of the secondary bedrooms has double doors and is a little smaller than the other two. It would make a nice office or playroom, but has a closet and could definitely work as a bedroom too.

The other two bedrooms are mirror images of each other. They each have a two-door sliding closet and a set of low, built in cabinets in a niche under the window. With a nice cushion, it would make a great window seat and a storage area for toys or off-season clothes. The upstairs bathroom has one sink and a shower/tub combo that has the original tile but seems pretty clean, though it is missing the shower head.

This home has a lot of potential. A buyer can get in at a lower price with a lower mortgage, and then spend the difference on remodeling. I recently reviewed 34 Alegria, which is just down the street and a comparable size. That one is fully remodeled and priced at $900,000. Which would you prefer? The higher price but not having to do any work, or get in for less, but have to put more money into it and spend the time and energy remodeling?

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3926.0.html

South Coast Air Quality District Offers Electric Lawn Mowers

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Through a program set up by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), Irvine residents, as well as residents from most other Orange County cities, are eligible to receive a high-performance electric mower at a discount of up to 75 percent. To qualify, you must live within the AQMD district and trade in your working gas mower. As you will see when you click on the AQMD district link, many Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino county residents also qualify.

Two brands and five models of these electric mowers are available. They are cordless, rechargeable, 50 percent quieter than most gas-powered mowers, environmental-friendly, and light weight. Your cost will be between $100 and $250 depending on the model that you choose. Here are more details on the available options:

  • The 20” Greenstation® (24v), which has a retail value of $430, can be purchased for $150.
  • The 20” Greenstation® Self-propelled (24v), which has a retail value of $470, can be purchased for $220.
  • The 18” Black&Decker (36v), which has a retail value of $379, can be purchased for $100.
  • The 19″ Black & Decker (36v), which has a retail value of $429, can be purchased for $180.
  • The Black&Decker 19″ self-propelled mower (36v), which has a retail value of $479, can be purchased for $250.

Pre-registration is mandatory. You can register online or by calling SCAQMD at 1-(888) 425-6247. Call-in times are Tuesday through Friday at 8 am to 5 pm. The remaining exchange dates are at the Anaheim Stadium on July 13 and at Bourns Inc. in Riverside on June 8.

Open House Review: 10 Sarena

Turtle Rock Pointe Condo – It’s all about the view!

10 Sarena $849,000

Last week I visited a single family home in Woodbridge at 12 Silkleaf that had 4 bedrooms and 2.5 baths. It was in the same price range as this Turtle Rock 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo. Both are well maintained, inviting properties with distinct asset lists that will attract totally different buyers.

Driving into the gated community at Turtle Rock Pointe, it was hard not to marvel at how quiet and secluded the area was. 10 Sarena #52 is neatly tucked into a quiet spot. Then when you step inside, you get the message. It’s all about the view. As a JM Peters home, the location dictates design in this elegant condo that makes the most of canyon, hills and golf course views with a sweeping two level floor plan, and bricked patio.

Significant Numbers: New to the market, this 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath condo was built in 1985. It has 1830 sq. ft. HOA dues are $487 month with $/sq. ft. at $464.

CloseUp: Double doors open into a tiled entry leading into a huge light filled living room with cathedral vaulted ceiling and fireplace. Here’s your ringside seat for entertaining, nicely linked to the bricked patio and view beyond. To the left, there is a formal dining area, then a snug breakfast nook with view and patio access, backed up by a small but sleek kitchen with handsome cabinetry and granite counters.

Upstairs, there are two bedroom suites and a good sized loft area that could be converted to a third bedroom, or used as a family room, study, library or office. The master suite has a double vanity and makes the most of the view.

Specifics:

Bedrooms, 2

Baths, 2.5

Attached Double Garage

Two parking spaces

Forced air heating, central air

Association pool, spa

Attached 2+ common walls

Slump stone fence, brick patio

Irvine Unified School System

What will be considered here? The private gated community in Turtle Rock Pointe, offering a top of the line view in a JM Peters home will be weighed against the price and the number of bedrooms. The loft could be converted to make a third bedroom. All bedrooms are upstairs, which can be a limitation for some buyers.

Who will move in? A couple or individual who values quiet and privacy, treasures the view, wants a key Irvine/Orange County location, and likes to entertain will be attracted to this property. The buyer will enjoy being near everything, but still nicely removed. Turtle Rock’s natural setting, top schools and other recreational pluses all work too.

Recent listings: 16 Mirador #3, $899,000; 1 Del Rey #7, $1,024,000.

Recent sales: 3 Alejo. $740,000; 10 Del Rey #16, $1,250,000

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3913.0.html

Open House Review: 143 Arden

Yesterday, I reviewed 154 Kingswood #117 in Northwood Pointe’s Arden Square. This week, I will show you 143 Arden #72, which is located just across the street. Both have three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and comparable pricing – they are actually the same model, but the floor plans are reversed. There is a slight difference in the entryway.

As it happens, there are two other similar units in the same neighborhood that also just came on the market – 71 Arborwood and 181 Kingswood #91. An interested buyer should definitely tour all four properties, since the size and pricing is nearly identical on all of them. As of May 20, 154 Kingswood is listed as Pending on Redfin. 143 Arden had previously been in escrow but fell out right before they relisted it, which accounts for the longer time on the market.

Here’s a closer look at 143 Arden.

The basics:

Asking Price: $799,800

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 1,700

Lot Size: 3,200

$/Sq Ft: $470

Days on Market: 40

Property Type: Detached Condo

Year Built: 2001

Community: Northwood Point – Arden Square

HOA dues are $114 per month and Mello Roos is $600 per year.

This house has a very long driveway that leads to a two car garage. The driveway could fit four cars, a plus since there is little street parking.

The house opens to a small entryway, with the kitchen on the right and the living room ahead and to the left. Like the Kingswood property, this kitchen has white melamine cabinets. However, while Kingswood had granite counters and nice tile floors, the Arden home has white tile counters and plainer white floors. This kitchen has a large eating area and a big opening that looks into the dining and living rooms.

143 Arden has carpet in the living and dining rooms, in contrast to the wood floors in Kingswood. The carpet is in pretty good shape. The fireplace is surrounded with nice tile and there is a niche for the entertainment center but, unlike Kingswood, it doesn’t have a built-in unit.

The downstairs bath has a pedestal sink and there is a large closet under the stairs. The backyard is pretty small and fully hardscaped, with some bushes around the edges. It is very similar to the Kingswood yard.

Both secondary bedrooms are carpeted and have two-door sliding closets. The carpet is much nicer and plusher than in the Kingswood bedrooms. The shared bathroom is quite similar, with nice tile floors, white melamine cabinets, a solid surface counter, and a shower/tub combo.

The master bedroom has the same carpet as the others and a large walk-in closet. The bathroom has nice floors, but has white tile counters and melamine cabinets. The shower is also white tile.

Overall, Kingswood has more upgrades in the kitchen and bathrooms and has wood floors downstairs where Arden has carpet. Upstairs, Arden’s carpet is nicer than Kingswood’s. I also prefer Arden’s location, which is on an outside corner as opposed to Kingswood’s inside corner. It also backs to a residential, single-loaded street, so there isn’t a house directly behind it. Kingswood backs to another home with very little space between them.

Which one would you choose and why?

Open House Review: 154 Kingswood

Last weekend, I went to look at a house in Northwood Pointe’s Arden Square neighborhood. I ended up seeing a second house, also for sale, right across the street. I visited both, and will review one today and the other next week. The first one I saw was 154 Kingswood #117.

The basics:

Asking Price: $799,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 1,700

Lot Size: N/A

$/Sq Ft: $470

Days on Market: 9

Property Type: Detached Condo

Year Built: 2001

Community: Northwood Point – Arden Square

HOA dues are $118 per month ($78 + $40) and there are Mello Roos taxes. Northwood Pointe has a fairly low rate for Mello Ross. The realtor for the house across the street said it was only $600/year, so this is likely the same.

As I drove through the neighborhood, I quickly found myself frustrated by the lack of street parking, as much of the curb space is marked Fire Lane. However, I did find one spot right out front. I also noticed that many of the houses, including 154 Kingswood, have long driveways that could fit three or four cars.

Inside, there is a small entryway that looks into the living room and dining room. Though the current owners have the living room area towards the front, it actually makes more sense to put the dining room at the front and living room at the back. Toward the back of the room, there is a small, built-in entertainment center. There is a fireplace in the middle. The rooms aren’t too big, but lots of windows bring in plenty of light and there is attractive hardwood flooring.

The kitchen is through a doorway to the left at the very front of the house (another reason why the dining room should come before the living room). It has granite counters, tile floors, and white, melamine cupboards. There is ample space and room for a small dining table. Above the sink, a large opening in the wall provides a view into the living and dining rooms so the kitchen doesn’t feel too closed off.

At the back of the house, there is a small half bath with a pedestal sink. The home has a small backyard that is fully paved, with a couple of trees along the edges.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. One is set off by itself on one side. This room has hardwood floors and a two-door, sliding closet. It’s a good size and I liked the privacy of it. The other secondary bedroom faces the back of the house. It has carpet and a mirrored closet. These rooms share a small bathroom with one sink and a shower/tub combo. Like the kitchen, this bathroom has granite counters and white, melamine cupboards.

The master bedroom also faces the street. It’s a good sized room for a condo and has a tiny balcony at the front. There is a walk-in closet and carpet that matches the other bedroom. The master bath has two sinks and a shower, but no tub.

The home is located on a corner, though it probably doesn’t get too much traffic since there aren’t very many houses down the street beyond it. It is in good condition and has nice upgrades. For a condo, the HOA fees are relatively low and do include a nearby community pool in addition to the main Northwood Pointe swimming pool complex. The price is in line with other nearby properties on the market.

Do you like the idea of a detached condo? What benefits do you see in buying one versus a traditional single family home?

This home is fully upgraded and currently vacant, so buyers will be able to move in quickly with little to no work. In addition to remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, the home has new wood floors, newer carpet, new windows, scraped ceilings, and a new roof. The biggest downfall I saw is that the house is located on a corner near a main entrance to the neighborhood, so there will be a lot of cars driving by. Noise shouldn’t be an issue, since it’s not backing to any big streets; it just isn’t a great location for kids to play outside.

Dark walnut, distressed floors were the first thing I noticed when I entered the house. The front living room is large, with high ceilings, so the floors just seemed to stretch on and on. The living room flows directly into the dining room, which also has a vaulted ceiling. At the back of the room, a window was converted to a French door that leads to the backyard.

The kitchen is bright, with multi-colored tile floors, updated white tile counters, and light wood cabinets throughout. The appliances are mostly stainless steel (the fridge is white), and include a completely flat stovetop for easy cleaning. The kitchen has an eat-in area with space for a six-seat table. There is not an island, but there is plenty of counter space and a large garden window brings in lots of light.

The family room is three steps down from the kitchen, but a large opening between the two rooms allows for easy visibility and doesn’t make the kitchen feel closed off. The railings in this area look a bit widespread to me, so this may be an issue with small children. The family room has a built-in entertainment center in one corner, and the large, flat screen TV and surround sound speakers come with the house. The room also has a white brick fireplace, French door to the backyard and a small bar area with light green cabinets.

Also downstairs are a half bath and a laundry area. There isn’t a door to the laundry area, so noise from the washer and dryer may be a problem to someone watching TV in the family room. The backyard has a small grassy area but otherwise is mostly hardscaped.

A wide staircase leads to four bedrooms off of one long hallway. The master is to the left. It is a big room with newer carpet and a ceiling fan. There are two steps leading up to the large walk-in closet (complete with built-in organizers) and the beautifully remodeled bathroom. The upgrades include granite counters, tile floors, and many drawers and cabinets that offer ample storage space. It has double sinks plus a vanity area. An old-style, stand alone bathtub sits in one corner. The separate stall shower is nicely tiled and has a seat built into one corner.

The other three bedrooms are all comparable in size. Two are carpeted, with ceiling fans and two-door, mirrored closets. The third bedroom was converted to an office, but still has a walk-in closet so it could still be used as a bedroom. It has hardwood floors that match those downstairs, a ceiling fan, a large built-in desk and many different built-in cabinets. This room also has a bigger window than the other two and faces front, rather than the side of the house, so it gets more light.

The secondary bedrooms share a nicely remodeled bathroom with a single sink and a shower/tub combo.

The house is just down the street from the community pool, spa, tennis courts, and tot lot. A greenbelt leads to the Hicks Canyon Trail and it’s also a short walk to Sierra Vista Middle School. Northwood continues to have a lower price per square foot than most other Irvine neighborhoods. Do you think this one is a good buy?

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3897.0.html