You know you want to buy in Irvine, and you know how big of a house you want. But what you pay for the property, and what kind of property it will be depends on the village you will buy in. Today, I searched for a Single Family Residence between 2000 SF and 2250 SF in Irvine, on the other side of Freeway 5, away from the beach.

Here are the results:

North Park: 15 River Oaks, Irvine CA 92602

Listing price: $859,000

Beds/ Bath: 3 Beds/ 2.5 Bath

Area: 2,200 SF

Lot Size: 5,076

Price/ SF: $390

Mortgage(3.625%): $3,134

HOA Dues: $217

Tax + Mello Roos: $12,119 Annually

Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $1010

Monthly Cost of Owning in North Park: $4,361

Northwood: 34 Mount Vernon, Irvine CA 92620

Listing price: $815,000

Beds/ Bath: 4 Beds/ 2.5 Bath

Area: 2,173 SF

Lot Size: 3,000

Price/ SF: $375

Mortgage(3.625%): $2,973

HOA Dues: $133

Tax + Mello Roos: $10,706 Annually

Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $892

Monthly Cost of Owning in Northwood: $3,998

Portola Springs: 95 Keepsake, Irvine CA 92618

Listing price: $625,000

Beds/ Bath: 4 Beds/ 3 Bath

Area: 2,056 SF

Lot Size: Not listed

Price/ SF: $304

Mortgage(3.625%): $2,280

HOA Dues: $232

Tax + Mello Roos: $10,871 Annually

Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $906

Monthly Cost of Owning in Portola Springs: $3,418

(I have a feeling this is a detached condominium, but the MLS says it’s a Single Family Residence)

West Irvine: 9 Carriage Dr, Irvine CA 92602

Listing price: $735,000

Beds/ Bath: 4 Beds/ 2.5 Bath

Area: 2,237 SF

Lot Size: 3,740 SF

Price/ SF: $329

Mortgage(3.625%): $2,682

HOA Dues: $0

Tax + Mello Roos: $9096 Annually

Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $758

Monthly Cost of Owning in West Irvine: $3,440

Which one would you buy?

Will the age of the home matter more, or the real estate conditions in the area?

Do HOA Dues and Mello Roos influence your decision?

Discuss on Talk Irvine.