This weekend, I visited a condo in the southernmost part of Woodbridge. It is an upper end unit, overlooking a greenbelt, and has some recent updates.

The basics:

Asking Price: $389,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2

Square Footage: 1,164

Lot Size: N/A

$/Sq Ft: $334

Days on Market: 14

Property Type: condo

Year Built: 1982

HOA dues are $392 per month and there are no Mello Roos taxes.

This condo is in the Park Vista tract of Woodbridge. As soon as I arrived, I could hear the cars rushing by on the nearby 405 freeway. All of the windows were open in the condo, but I would imagine that it’s close enough to hear the freeway noise even with the windows shut.

There is a small storage closet at the bottom of the outside staircase that leads up to the unit. It’s a great place for storing children’s bikes, scooters, or a stroller, but isn’t big enough to hold much more. The staircase had recently been repainted and there was a balcony at the top with room for a small table and a couple of chairs.

The front door opens directly into the living room. It has newer Pergo floors and recessed lighting. The room is a good size, but with windows only in one corner, probably doesn’t get a lot of light for most of the day.

The dining room and kitchen are on the other side of the front door. It is big enough for a table for eight, but doesn’t have any windows. It leads directly into the kitchen, which has attractive granite counters and brushed nickel hardware. The room is long and narrow, with white appliances and darker cabinets. There is a second balcony off the kitchen that provides space for a grill.

A hallway at the back of the condo leads to the three bedrooms. The master is first, with a big window on one wall and a large mirrored closet on another. The room isn’t very big and doesn’t give many options for arranging furniture, but there is space for a bed and two other pieces (dressers or a comfy chair). The attached bathroom has a single sink and a shower, plus a couple of storage cabinets.

Next down the hall is the second bathroom. This one is bigger than the one in the master, but still only has one sink. There is a shower/tub combo. Though half the bathroom has the same Pergo floors as the rest of the condo, the back half is tiled.

The next bedroom is a good size and has a mirrored closet. It currently has five bigger pieces of furniture in it and still has plenty of open floor space in the middle. The third bedroom is smaller, but still a decent size. It has a nice walk-in closet and sliding doors that lead out to the balcony off the kitchen.

A small closet at the end of the hall (between the two secondary bedrooms) houses the washer and dryer.

The condo is in really good condition and makes good use of the space. It only has one parking spot – a covered carport a bit down the greenbelt. Additional parking is available on the street on the far side of all the carports. The owners can enjoy all of the benefits that Woodbridge has to offer, including parks, lakes, and good schools, but the specific location of this unit is a drawback. The owners will review offers this week, so set an appointment and put your bid in quickly if you’re interested.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3624.0.html

Today, I came across an open house at 2 Tiempo in the Windstream neighborhood of Northwood and decided to check it out. The home is not currently listed for sale on Redfin or Zillow and neither of the two listing agents have the property mentioned anywhere on their websites. That said, the home is definitely on the market. The current owners tried to sell in July 2011 at $879,000. After three months and a $10,000 price drop, the listing was removed. Here’s where it stands today:

Asking Price: $839,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 2,562

Lot Size: 6,969

$/Sq Ft: $327

Property Type: Single Family Home

Year Built: 1981

Community: Northwood – Windstream

HOA dues are $175 per month and there are no Mello Roos taxes.

The house sits on a corner lot of a small cul-de-sac within the gated community of Windstream. Just one house separates it from the greenbelt and views of the Hicks Canyon Trail, though there isn’t direct access to the trail. It’s also a very short walk to Santiago Hills Elementary School. It does sit very close to one of the main gates into the community, so there may be some traffic going down the adjacent street, but overall it is still a pretty quiet location.

From the front gate, you can walk directly through to the backyard; there aren’t any fences or gates dividing the front from the back. A swimming pool sits right in the corner of lot, visible from the front, and without a fence around it. Owners with children will probably need to better protect the pool since it is so easily accessible from the street (there is a gate to enter the property but it doesn’t lock or automatically latch closed). The fully hardscaped backyard also has a jacuzzi, a built in barbecue with bar seating, and plenty of additional space.

The living room is just off the main entryway and a couple of steps down. It has vaulted ceilings, new wood floors, and a brick fireplace in the middle of own wall. The white mantle doesn’t fit in with the dark wood floors but could be refinished to match.

The dining room is behind the living room, but not sunken down. It also has vaulted ceilings and new wood floors, plus a large window facing the backyard.

The dining room flows into the kitchen, which mostly reflects the original 1981 design. The floors and counters are both white tile and the counters are white too. The black fridge and dishwasher are a bit newer, but the double ovens are original. There is a built in stove with four regular and two grill burners. The cupboards definitely show their age, with some of them not hanging perfectly straight and several with paint chipping. They are in decent, but not perfect, condition. When I opened the wide pantry doors, I was surprised to find very narrow shelves inside. A large breakfast nook has sliding doors to the backyard and a set of built-ins with cupboards and shelving.

The family room has a large rock fireplace on one wall and a niche for the TV on another. There are nice plantation shutters on the windows and the same wood floors as in the living and dining rooms.

Beyond the family room are the laundry room, with a sink, and half bath that hasn’t been remodeled but appears to be in good condition.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms. The two secondary rooms are pretty big and bright. One has wood floors, two windows, and a large, mirrored closet. Crown molding and a niche in one corner give it a nice touch. The other room is carpeted and has smaller windows, but still has a large, mirrored closet. It also has a niche in one corner, but much smaller than the one in the first bedroom.

Like its downstairs counterpart, the upstairs bathroom is in good condition but hasn’t been remodeled. It has white tiled floors and counters, two sinks, and a shower/tub combo.

The master is a big room with vaulted ceilings and several windows. Its layout offers space for numerous pieces of furniture without feeling crowded. It has a nice sitting area at one end. There is also a fancy chandelier hanging over the bed, similar to one normally seen in a dining room.

The master bath is very large, with two sinks, a big soaking tub, and a good-sized stall shower. There are two mirrored closets. The vaulted ceilings have a skylight which, along with other windows, makes the bathroom very bright.

The house has a new roof and a three-car garage. The wood floors are all new and the carpet, though older, is in great shape. It’s in a safe, quiet neighborhood and on a large lot. Most 2,500 square foot homes have at least four bedrooms; with only three in this house, you know you’re getting rooms that are bigger than average. Despite the original kitchen and bathrooms, the house has a lot going for it and it is priced to sell. I’m not sure why the listing is so hard to find, but I think it’s worth tracking down.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3604.0.html

This week, I visited 22 Glenn, an older (1980) home in Northwood. It is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with a park at the end of the street and it backs to a greenbelt that divides it from the newer Northwood II neighborhood.

The basics:

Asking Price: $865,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 2900

Lot Size: 5,820

$/Sq Ft: $298

Days on Market: 23

Property Type: Single Family Home

Year Built: 1980

Community: Northwood

There are no HOA dues or Mello Roos taxes.

The house is being sold “as is,” with obvious needs to paint and replace the carpet. The sellers will give a credit back for both, giving the new buyers an opportunity to choose their own colors and styles. The entryway, front hall, and kitchen have white tiles that, along with the dark grout, create an outdated look. The house does have newer windows throughout.

The living room is just inside the entryway and one step down. It has vaulted ceilings that make the large room feel even bigger. Just past it, and on the same level as the hall, is the dining room. It is an average size for the area and has a large window looking out to the yard. Both rooms are currently carpeted and have older vertical blinds.

The kitchen and family room are at the back of the house. The family room is a step down from the kitchen. It has newer laminate flooring with a brick fireplace at one end and a wet bar in the back corner. One wall still has wallpaper but the rest are painted. The ceilings haven’t been scraped. Several windows and a door look out to the backyard.

The kitchen has been updated with granite counters and stainless steel appliances. There is ample counter and cabinet space, plus several pantry cupboards. There is plenty of room for a casual dining table and many windows to make the room bright. There is still an older style panel light, which has a rather strange floral design on it.

Off the family room, a small alcove leads to a half bath with a door to the outside. This is a nice feature since there is a pool in the backyard. Also in this alcove are a closet and the washer and dryer hookups, separated by a pocket-style door. Garage access is off the laundry area.

The home is located on an inside corner, so the yard is bigger than average and wraps around the house. A pool and spa sit in the corner. On one side, there is a rock bed and, on the other side, a large patio.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms. The master sits by itself on one side and is a step up from the hallway. It is a big room with vaulted ceilings and a huge retreat. The retreat is one step down and separated by a railing. Like the family room, it has a brick fireplace at the end and a wet bar in one corner. Sliding doors from the retreat lead out to a balcony overlooking the yard.

The master bath has a large soaking tub and a big, separate shower. These have both been remodeled with attractive tiles and sit next to large, frosted windows that give the room nicely filtered light. In contrast, the vanity area – two sinks with a long counter in between – still boasts its original 1980s look from top to bottom. Finally, there is a large, L-shaped walk-in closet.

The other three bedrooms are pretty standard. They are all average-sized. Two have sliding door closets and one has a walk-in. Each room is carpeted and has one window with older-looking window treatments. The bathroom they share has two sinks and a shower/tub combo. The original fixtures and gold-trimmed shower doors, along with gray tile, definitely give the room a tired look.

Overall, you’re getting 2900 square feet of living space, with large rooms downstairs and a huge master bedroom for under $300 per square foot. Plus, you get a backyard that is bigger than most others in the neighborhood. Yes, the house needs some work, but the sellers will make up for some of it with a paint and carpet credit. The bathrooms are old but in decent condition, so a remodel isn’t critical if it’s not in the budget right away. I couldn’t find any other single family homes in Northwood for under $300/ft, so I think 22 Glenn is definitely worth checking out.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3582.0.html

As I turned down the street towards 6 Night Bloom, I saw three families leaving the open house and two more heading in. Once inside, the dozen pairs of shoes in the entryway confirmed that there was a lot of interest in this home.

The basics:

Asking Price: $600,000

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 1,635

Lot Size: 1,000 (per redfin)

$/Sq Ft: $367

Days on Market: 7

Property Type: detached condo

Year Built: 2006

HOA dues are $156 per month and there are Mello Roos taxes.

This property is located in a small community near Northwood and Northpark Square. The unit has the unfortunate location of being on the corner of Culver and Farwell, though neither street has direct access to the neighborhood. The windows were open and noise wasn’t terrible, but may be worse during busier times. The master bedroom faces Culver. Because it’s on the west side of Culver, all homes in the community are slated for the Tustin Unified School District.

The condo itself is in very good condition and was more spacious than I expected. A small den at the front of the house offers a nice additional living space, though it doesn’t get a lot of natural light.

The great room comprises the rest of the living space downstairs. The family room, kitchen and eating area all truly flow together. The kitchen features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a walk-in pantry and an island with seating on one side. The white cupboards are a nice contrast to the darker wood floors and granite. The kitchen is a good size for a condo but cabinet space will definitely have to be used wisely. The dining area is also fairly small and is positioned in front of the sliding doors to the patio. The adjacent family room is bright, with windows on two sides and space for a large entertainment unit or wall mounted TV.

Because of its corner location, the condo has a large wraparound patio. One side has a fire pit and the opposite end has a built-in barbecue with bar seating for four. The patio has access to the row of garages at the back of the house.

The washer and dryer are in the attached two-car garage, which also has a big storage area cut into one side.

A small half bath with pedestal sink completes the downstairs.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and two full baths. The master has thick carpet and a ceiling fan. While it does face Culver, several large trees are in place to provide some privacy. The master bath has travertine floors, two sinks with tiled countertops and a separate tub and shower. The long, narrow walk-in closet also features a small vanity at the back.

The other two bedrooms were much bigger than I expected for a condo. Both have standard sliding closets with six-panel doors, plush carpet, and small windows on two sides. Each room also has a chair rail and one has wainscoting.

These rooms share a bathroom with travertine floors, a single sink, and a shower/tub combo.

Based on the sheer number of people viewing the residence, I wouldn’t be surprised if offers come in after this first weekend on the market. Its HOA fees are lower than most other condos I have seen and the unit has many upgrades inside and out. The location is the condo’s biggest drawback. The many trees planted around it to help block the view from the street also result in a lack of natural light despite the many windows in each room.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3560.0.html

A new addition to the For Sale market this week was 8 Campanero East in Northwood’s Park Paseo neighborhood. Originally built in 1977 as a one-story, 3+2 home at just over 1300 square feet, this house was remodeled and expanded in 1989. It is now a 5+3 with a large loft and is 2,840 square feet.

The basics:

Asking Price: $889,000

Bedrooms: 5 + loft

Bathrooms: 3

Square Footage: 2,840

Lot Size: 4,185

$/Sq Ft: $313

Days on Market: 7

Property Type: Single Family Residence

Year Built: 1977; expanded in 1989

Community: Northwood

HOA dues are $85 per month and there are no Mello Roos taxes.

From the entryway, I saw a dining room to my left and a large living room to my right. Both rooms, along with the rest of the downstairs, are covered with reddish terracotta tiles. The dining room is on the smaller side, but can fit a table for eight, possibly more. The living room is actually quite large, with enough space to create two separate seating areas. One end has a fireplace and there are two sets of French sliders leading out to the backyard.

The backyard is very small and fully hardscaped in a combination of brick and wood. Most of it is covered by a white trellis. The yard is plumbed for a Jacuzzi, though it doesn’t actually have one.

Beyond the living room is the downstairs bedroom, which also has access to the backyard. This room is tiny, especially since one side is taken up almost entirely by the sliders. It has a small closet and a ceiling fan. The adjacent (not attached) bathroom has a single sink and a shower/tub combo. This is actually the only bathtub in the house suitable for small children.

A short hallway leads to the family room and kitchen. The first part of the room is perfect for a casual dining area, with space for a good-sized table, and bar seating just outside the kitchen. The kitchen itself is small and the counters are covered in large white, marble tiles that look outdated. The cabinets are white, with most of the upper cabinets having glass faces, making the small room feel a bit more open. A small center island has an expandable butcher-block top and provides much-needed extra counter space. Despite advertised stainless steel appliances, all of the appliances are black. And, while it does have a double oven as advertised, it fits into the same space as a regular single oven, so each oven is half-size. There is a walk-in pantry and direct access to the garage. The kitchen also has a door leading into the dining room.

The family room has a big fireplace in one corner and a nice set of built-ins across from it. Dark wood around the fireplace and wainscoting on the walls give the room a bit of a country feel. One large window looking out to the street provides the only natural light for the family room, kitchen and casual dining area.

The staircase is tiled to match the downstairs, but once at the top, there are dark, hardwood floors that extend down the hall and into the master bedroom. A small alcove with several windows offers space for a bright work area if desired. All of the bedrooms are off a hallway to the left and another staircase on the right leads up to the loft.

There are four bedrooms on the second level. The three secondary bedrooms come first, all in a row across the back of the house. Each one is on the smaller side and they all have new carpet, two-door mirrored closets (still with the gold trim common in 1980’s construction), and ceiling fans. The two on the ends have vaulted ceilings. At the end of the hall is the shared bathroom, which was recently remodeled. It has a single sink and a large shower with a seat, but no bathtub. Unlike the brushed nickel fixtures used in the kitchen and other bathrooms, this bathroom has bronze hardware.

The master bedroom is at the front of the house. The entry to the room is awkward, with a wall almost right in front of you to create one hallway straight ahead to the bedroom and another on the right to the bathroom. The double vanity appears newer, with dark wood and brushed nickel hardware. However, the large soaking tub is surrounded by 80’s-style tile and chrome hardware. The tub is incredibly deep with high walls and probably requires a stool to get into. It wouldn’t work well for bathing children but would be a nice place to relax. The separate shower is quite small and has not been updated.

Just inside the main door to the room is a large mirrored closet. The bedroom itself is average-sized, with vaulted ceilings and a fan. French sliders lead out to a big balcony overlooking the street. There is a large walk-in closet that doesn’t currently have doors but does have a track at the top if you wanted to install them.

The staircase leading up to the third floor is somewhat steep, especially at the top where the railings felt a bit low. The loft is a good-sized room that could easily be a bedroom, office, playroom, etc. It has angled ceilings that are lower on the sides, so an adult couldn’t stand at full height, but are tall enough to put a couch, bed or desk against. It has one small window overlooking the backyard. Like the secondary bedrooms, it has new carpet. Currently, the loft is closed in, but with what is clearly a temporary wall. Per the agent, it is made to be easily removable, so owners can choose whether to have it open or closed in. The wall is solid, but thinner than a regular wall and with visible seam lines and cracks around the edges.

Overall, this house offers many rooms and plenty of space. It is well located on a quiet cul-de-sac and just steps away from Santiago Hills Elementary School and the association pool, spa, clubhouse and tennis courts. The floors, carpet, and paint are new throughout most of the house and everything is clean and well maintained. The downfalls are that many of the rooms are small, most notably the kitchen and all secondary bedrooms, as well as the backyard. Personally, I dislike the terracotta floors downstairs, but they may appeal to others. The other big negative in my opinion is the lack of a bathtub on the second floor. It is a good house and definitely worth checking out if you need a lot of rooms, want a good association with low dues, and don’t mind that the rooms and yard are small. The large living room and extra loft do provide extra space to make up for the smaller bedrooms and kitchen.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3526.0.html