Open House Review: 4 Brisa

Located in Northwood, 4 Brisa is a desirable single level property. The home is nicely located on a cul-de-sac street, although traffic from Irvine Boulevard can be heard outside of the home. Walking distance to Santiago Hills Elementary School and Sierra Vista Middle School, there are no mello roos or HOA fees associated with the property. Recently, another single level home a few doors down (see Karen’s review of 17 Carlina) with the asking price of $709,900 was quickly sold. Let’s analyze if this higher price for a smaller home is justified.

Asking Price:   $719,000
Bedrooms:        3
Bathrooms:      2
Square Footage: 1,300
$/Sq Ft:            $553
Lot Size:          3,920
Property Type: Single Family Residence
Year Built:       1979
Community:     Northwood

There are no HOA Fees or Mello Roos.

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The house is nicely situated on a cul-de-sac but noise from Irvine Boulevard can be heard from the front and backyard.  The entrance to the home is found on the side of the home, down a small walkway.

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The home has nice polished stone floors flowing throughout every room of the entire home. The fireplace is remodeled, and kitchen and bathrooms upgraded. The windows are original, some of the ceilings still textured and the hall lights and doors throughout the home are original.

Upon entering, the vaulted ceilings and large windows provide a spacious feel to the living room. Wood beams line the ceiling, giving character to the space. The room is a nice size and opens up to the dining room and kitchen.

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A regular sized dining table can be accommodated in the dining area. There is also space for a hutch against the wall. The kitchen peninsula separates the dining area from the kitchen.

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The kitchen has older wood cabinets, but updated granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The original fluorescent panel lighting has been removed and the room has recessed lights. A large window sits above the sink, providing a nice view to the backyard patio. Although the cabinetry looks older, there is plenty of room for storage, plus an additional pantry.

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The backyard is a narrow hardscaped patio. Accessible through the dining room sliding glass door, the patio is covered and provides a nice area for entertaining. There is no grass and the yard is on the smaller side for the neighborhood.

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The first secondary bedroom is average in size with a larger closet with dual sliding doors. The closet doors were missing at the time of the open house, so it is unsure whether the closet doors are available to install. The room has a sliding glass door leading out to the side yard. There is no ceiling light in the bedrooms.

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Adjacent to the bedroom is the shared bathroom. The bathroom is partially updated with a pedestal sink, new mirror and lighting. The tub looks original with dated hardware, but the tub surround is in clean condition and the overall space is in good condition.

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Across the hallway is another secondary bedroom. A large window brings in an abundance of light. The room is similar to the other bedroom and also has a closet with dual sliding doors.

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The master bedroom is at the end of the hallway, with the windows facing out to the front of the home. With vaulted ceilings and large windows, the room is spacious and light. The same beams found in the living room are also found on the high ceilings. A closet with mirrored sliding doors line one wall. The bathroom is found through a single door. I like how there is a privacy door installed to keep the light and limit noise from the bedroom. The bathroom is completely remodeled with dual pedestal sinks, a new decorative mirror, and a free-standing soaking tub. It is charming, but a shower curtain hangs around the entire tub which some people may not prefer. There is a lack of storage without any cabinetry.

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If you are looking for a single level home, the house is worth looking at, but the price, especially in comparison to 17 Carlina, seems high. The home has a smaller yard for the neighborhood but is walking distance to Santiago Hills Elementary School, Sierra Vista Middle School and biking distance to Northwood High School.