Walking into an empty house can make it easier to imagine it as your own than when you see a home filled with someone else’s furniture, photos, and memorabilia. 52 Secret Garden in Northwood II is currently vacant, but I don’t expect that to last very long. Anyone walking into the house will see that the home is beautiful, move-in ready, and perfect for a family.

The basics:

Asking Price: $988,800

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Square Footage: 3,100

Lot Size: 4,270

$/Sq Ft: $319

Property Type: SFR

Year Built: 2005

Community: Northwood II

HOA Dues are $142 per month and this home has Mello Roos tax.

At only $319 per square foot, it is less than the other homes I’ve seen recently in Woodbury and Northpark Square. This house is in a quiet, small, gated community with beautiful common areas.

The entryway features a large archway and a staircase with pretty white railings. It leads back to a huge, open kitchen that can easily become the heart of the home for any family. It has stainless steel Kitchenaid appliances, with a stove in the island a double oven, and plenty of counter space. There is ample room for a large dining table and seats at the island. The colors of the wood floor, granite countertops, cupboards and tile backsplash all coordinate nicely with each other, giving a warm, homey feeling to the room.

Through the kitchen is the family room, with its built in 65” TV and surround sound speakers (surround sound is also wired in other rooms throughout the house). The room is truly separate from the kitchen, not a great room as is common in many new homes these days, but it is still a large, comfortable room.

The home lacks a formal living room and dining room, but I didn’t even notice this until after I’d left. These rooms are seldom used by many families and can be a waste of square footage. The extra large kitchen and family room in 52 Secret Garden are a much better use of space and the other rooms likely won’t be missed. The only other room downstairs is a guest bedroom, which could also be used as a home office.

Upstairs features two more secondary bedrooms, one with wood floors and one with berber carpet (all other upstairs rooms and hallways are also carpeted). Both rooms have walk-in closets, one has a large balcony, and they share a bathroom. The master bedroom has crown molding, an enormous walk-in closet, and a large master retreat that could be used as a sitting room, fitness room, or office. It opens onto a long balcony that overlooks the home’s inner courtyard.

Also off that balcony is a separate guest room with its own bath. The guest room has a private entrance with a stairway to the backyard. It provides an extra level of privacy for in-laws, a tenant, or a home office.

The backyard is small, but attractive with brick hardscape, a fountain, a built-in barbecue, a refrigerator and an ice chest. There is a large courtyard between the driveway and the detached garage. It is visible from the kitchen and family room, creating a large, safe place for children to play. The garage has several large built-in cupboards and additional storage suspended from the ceiling.

All in all, this is a truly gorgeous home with a great floor plan. Its only downside is that it backs to Trabuco, though there is a wider sidewalk and landscaped area along the road, so it isn’t right up against the house. While Trabuco is quiet now, traffic may pick up as people move into Cypress Village and the new junior high school opens. However, with its competitive pricing and beautiful upgrades, I don’t think this home will be on the market much longer. Take a look before someone else snaps it up!

Discuss below or on the Talk Irvine forums.

41 Willowgrove Irvine, CA 92604

This Woodbridge condominium has a whole handful of natural assets, and a few inevitable limitations. The private lot location at the end of a cul de sac gives the home a generous helping of natural light and privacy.

The location off of West Yale Loop in a secluded part of Woodbridge secures the home’s value in a community that offers a nearby lake with a beach club and water craft facilities, excellent schools, a senior center, tennis courts, pathways, bikeways, recreational parks, and pools. The overall established image of the Woodbridge community is a big plus.

Also, the home is FHA approved, and was recently reduced $20,000.

Specifics for this two level Craftsman:

• 3 bedrooms

• 2 full baths

• 1 half bath

• Square Footage: 2059

• Ceramic tile and linoleum flooring

• Shutters

• Metal Roof

• Twp car garage

• Stucco, 1 common wall attached

• Gas and wood fuel, gas starter fireplace in living room

• Laundry in the garage

• HOA: $346

• No Mello-Roos tax

Natural Assets: Within this home, a feeling of seclusion and ease is created with the open floor plan and a free standing patio and green space wrapping around the side and the back. Double paned windows insure quietness. The home was built in 1978 and shows definite pride of ownership.

As you move from the formal entry into a comfortable living room, and then on into the dining area, central kitchen with breakfast bar, and a good sized family room, there is a natural feeling of openness and access to the outdoors that suggests entertaining and family parties. The cathedral vaulted ceilings complete the feeling of spaciousness. The outside areas are beautifully maintained.

The bedrooms are all upstairs and the master suite has a roomy retreat that could be become another bedroom or an office.

Limitations: On the downside, much of the interior is original with popcorn ceilings and darker wood cabinetry and paneling. A lighter approach In woods throughout the interior could capitalize on the natural inside/outside look of the home. Light lemon paints, lighter woods and plants might extend that appeal. Also, the availability of a bedroom on the main floor would be a welcome addition for senior owners or older guests.

Comparison with nearby properties: 45 Willowgrove is currently listed at $639,000. It is a similar property with 3 bedrooms, 2 and half baths, 1840 square feet. HOA: 346. It also lists Italian tile and special window treatments.

Who will pick this property? A young family seeking Woodbridge schools might choose to be here. Coupled with Woodbridge’s lakes and sports facilities, there is good family potential. Or it could be a retreat for a mature couple with room for a library, grandchildren and guests.

What appeals to you about this property? Is anything a dealbreaker?

Discuss below or on the Talk Irvine Forums.

This week we will look at two houses in North Park Square, the sister of the guard gated North Park community without the gates and guards. They have the same floor plan, they are on the same street, and none of them back major streets like Bryan or Culver. Both are standard sales, and both are in great condition. They are walk-able from Beckman High School, and Hicks Canyon Elementary. Orchard Hills Middle School would probably call for a bike though. The Market Place is within a mile.

Both are “Rutherford” homes, in a different shades of beige.

35 Bella Rosa, Irvine CA 92602

41 Bella Rosa, Irvine CA 92602

I love the main entrance via Porch. As you enter, the office is on your left, followed by the powder room. The living room comes next, and on your right is the entry to the garage, laundry room and staircase to the bedrooms. The Dining room has access to the courtyard as well. Then comes the kitchen and breakfast nook, followed by the Family room. The Master Bedroom is the last room, and on the second floor we have the other two bedrooms with a small desk area. Personally, the layout is a long and boring to me. The powder room opens in the entry area. The laundry room and dining room share a wall. The breakfast nook and shower share a wall. So, unless you are one of those people who don’t like the thud-thud of jeans load while you eat, or the white noise of a shower on the other side of the wall, it will be hard to eat in peace.

Here is a quick comparison of the fixed monthly costs of owning one of the Ruth homes:

Address	35 Bella Rosa		41 Bella Rosa
Listing Price	$979,800		$919,000
Beds/Bath	4 Beds/2.5 bath (3 bed rooms and office)
Area	2600 SF
Price/ SF	$377		$353
Year Built	2003		2002
Builder Information	Tract Code: RUTH Builder Name: Shea Homes
Elementary School	Hicks Canyon Elementary (K-5) Address: 3817 Viewpark, Irvine CA 92602 API rank 10, and API Score of 942 for 2011. For more information: http://hickscanyon.org/
Middle School	Orchard Hills (Middle School 5-7 for 2011, K-8 planned) Address: 11555 Culver Dr, Irvine CA 92602 API rank not available (new school), API score of 952 for 2011. For more information: http://ohhawks.org
High School	Arnold Beckman High School (9-12) Address: 3588 Bryan Ave, Irvine CA 92602 API rank 10, API score of 866 for 2011. For more information: http://beckman.tustin.k12.ca.us/ SAT Scores for 2011: Critical Reading 548 Math 588 Writing 571
HOA Dues	$217 Monthly	$217 Monthly
Down Payment	$195,960	$183,800
Monthly Mortgage (30 Yr Fixed at 3.875%)	$3,686 Monthly	$3,457 Monthly
Property Tax (1.0595%)	$ 10380 Annually $ 865 Monthly	$9736 Annually $ 812 Monthly
Mello Roos	$3018.94 Annually $ 251 Monthly	$ 3018.94 Annually $ 251 Monthly
Monthly Fixed Costs	$5019 Monthly	$4737 Monthly

Which house would you buy?

What are your views about the floor plan?

Is the $60,000 price difference justified?

If the lower priced property sells first, will the buyer for the other house have a hard time acquiring a good loan?

Share your views below or on the Talk Irvine Forums.