Author Archives: SMS

Open House Review: 17 Soaring Hawk

Detached, Upgraded Woodbridge Single Family Home in Outer Loop

17 Soaring Hawk $820,000

Turning off Culver onto Main and then taking Timberwood to Soaring Hawk leads to this upgraded single family detached home in the outer loop. New to the market, about 5 days, and nicely remodeled, this 3 bedroom, 2 bath property also raises the question of location. Recently I have seen several properties in the outer loop in Woodbridge that have been nicely upgraded. In the market it is interesting to see how price plays out with homes that sit closer to Culver traffic. Woodbridge’s prime lake recreation, community atmosphere and top schools are all part of the package with location being the only difference from many other similar properties inside the loop.

Significant Numbers: Built in 1984, this 1,633 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2 bath home sits on a 4,356 sq. ft. lot. HOA dues are $80 and the price per sq. ft is $502. Public records show this home sold for $630,000 in 2010.

Close up: From the custom brick landscaping at curbside on through the home to the complete brick planter and entertainment layout in the rear patio, the home creates a feeling of relaxed ease.

Stepping inside an inviting atrium with fountain is straight ahead and a spacious living room is on the right. The living room has a striking library wall with custom built-in bookcase and ladder, cozy window nook and fireplace. Cathedral ceilings with skylights, lush carpet and new ceramic tile make the most of this breezy light filled single level floor plan.

The dining room has ceramic tile flooring and overlooks the atrium.

The newly remodeled kitchen with granite and stainless appliances sits next to the family room that opens to the patio.

The patio has custom brickwork, a retractable cover and a built in barbecue making the most of the outside space.

More specifics:

Single family

Bedrooms, 3

Baths, 2

Detached, no common walls

Central furnace, central air

Laundry inside

Attached two car garage

Two parking spaces

Association pool, spa

Irvine Unified School District

What should be considered? The outer loop location near Culver paired with many upgrades will be evaluated. Just around the corner from the property there is a local park and South Lake is within walking distance. Along with top local schools at all levels this makes Woodbridge a key player in the Irvine market. Being a completely detached home is another big plus for this home.

Who will move in? A family looking for top schools and equally great lake recreation facilities may choose this home. A family with older members who needs a single level home may check this one out. Professional couples who like to entertain and are looking for access to Irvine and Orange County’s many options may choose this home too.

Recent nearby listings: 28 Bahia, $900,000; 22 Queens Way, $685,000.

Recent nearby sales: 14 Whistling Isle, $845,000; 57 Barcelona, $860,000

Open House Review: 19 Sycamore

Turtle Rock Single Family Detached Patio Home Near UCI

19 Sycamore $1,375,000

Heading up Campus and turning onto Turtle Rock Drive quickly takes you to this quiet spot on Sycamore. New to the market, about 6 days, this single level 4 bedroom, 2 bath detached homeoffers a good sized lot in Turtle Rock’s interior loop location, tucked away, but still close to UCI and Orange County’s many options. According to public records the property sold for $1,139,000 in 2006.

Significant Numbers: Built in 1977, this 2,348 sq. ft. single family, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home sits on a 6,612 sq. ft. lot. HOA dues are $98 and the price per sq. ft is $586.

Close up: Stepping inside, the atrium courtyard in the center of the house really defines the mood of the home. Everywhere you look there are cathedral ceilings, skylights, large windows, sunlit views and doors accessing garden areas.

The formal sunken living room with fireplace and dining room are on the right.

Down the hall the kitchen opens to a good sized family room with fireplace that leads to the covered patio.

The kitchen has a garden window, granite counters, stainless and black appliances, breakfast bar, and a casual eating area next to the family room.

The covered patio, wraparound yard and nicely landscaped gardens provide a private retreat and a focal point for views throughout the house.

Double doors open to the master suite off to the left of the entry. The master bath includes double vanity with granite counters, tub alcove and separate shower, recessed lighting and ample closets.

The three other bedrooms and full bath are near the inside laundry.

Gleaming wood, lush carpet, marble and travertine floors and plantation shutters are well done and nicely maintained.

More specifics:
Single family home
Bedrooms, 4
Baths, 2
Detached, no common walls
Central furnace, central air
Laundry inside
Two car garage
Two parking spaces
Association pool, spa
Irvine Unified School District

What should be considered? This single family home is completely detached and all on one level in a prime spot in Turtle Rock. It can work well for all ages. Plans for expansion or more upgrading would work or it is move in ready for families or professional couples looking for a key Irvine spot right now. It will be interesting to see how it competes with other Turtle Rock homes with prime locations and good sized lots.

Who will move in? Families or couples involved with UCI will be attracted to the location. The green belt, private tennis courts and pool will appeal to all ages. Turtle Rock’s award winning local schools and hiking trails will attract active families.

Recent nearby listings: 18741 Via Sienna, $1,498,000; 4962 Paseo de Vega, $975,000

Recent nearby sales: 28 Sycamore Creek, $1,450,000; 17 Morning Dew, $1,360,000

Open House Review: 32 Morning Dove

Woodbridge Single Family Updated Home in Outer Loop

32 Morning Dove $835,000

Turning off West Yale Loop onto Stone Creek N, and then onto Sparrowhawk takes you to this upgraded and remodeled, detached single family home in the outer loop of Woodbridge. Just reduced from $847,500, the home shows well from the curb and all the way through to the backyard and patio that overlooks the park. Several visitors started their Memorial Day holiday weekend with a Saturday tour of this property.

Significant Numbers: On the market about 45 days, this all on one level, three bedroom, 2 bath single family home has 1,525 sq. ft. on a 4,356 sq. ft. lot. Built in 1977, the home has HOA dues of $82. It is $548/sq.ft. There are no Mello Roos taxes.

Close up: Moving down the side entrance and stepping into the entry, there is a large step down living room on the left with custom mantel fireplace, bay window nook, vaulted ceilings, and new carpeting.

Straight ahead the formal dining area overlooks a striking atrium retreat.

To the right the kitchen and casual dining area overlook the patio and back yard that has wood and wrought iron fencing.

The kitchen has been enlarged with a custom pantry and upgraded with new cabinetry, granite counters and stainless appliances.

Around the corner, the master bedroom overlooks the atrium and has a new vanity and recessed can lighting. There are two more bedrooms and another full bath.

This floor plan has been widely used in Woodbridge but this is one of the nicest interior treatments of it that I have seen.

More specifics:
Single family home
Bedrooms, 3
Baths, 2
Detached, no common walls
Central furnace, central air
Laundry in garage
Two car garage
Two parking spaces
Association pool, spa
Irvine Unified School District

What should be considered? This single family home is completely detached and all on one level. On the plus side, it overlooks the park and has been nicely upgraded throughout. On the down side, the lot has been well used but is a bit snug and the home sits in the outer loop not far from Culver St. traffic. Woodbridge’s Stone Creek Swim Club, tennis courts and top schools are nearby. On the price side, the property competes with a number of other key spots in Irvine and Orange County, also delivering nice asset packages.

Who will move in? A young family valuing the park access and Irvine Unified schools will be attracted. Families with more mature members will be drawn to this all one level home. Professional couples looking for an appealing, move in ready home, needing little updating, that’s close to everything, will check this one too.

Recent nearby listings: 34 Morning Dove, $799,000; 30 Bluejay, $829,000

Recent nearby sales: 3 Ironwood, $839,980; 38 Bluejay, $720,000

Open House Review: 6022 Sierra Siena

Turtle Rock Single Family Sierra Bonita Home on Oversized Lot

6022 Sierra Siena Rd. $1,229,000

Turning off Turtle Rock Drive into the Sierra Bonita community takes you to this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath single family detached home with 3 car garage and a 10,000 sq. ft lot., richly planted with 20 some trees and countless plants. Brand new to the market, about 4 days, this home drew a stream of neighbors and interested families to the first open house last Saturday.

Significant Numbers: Built in 1971, this all on one level 2,037 sq. ft. lot has low HOA dues of $75. The price per sq. ft. is $603 and the lot size is 10,019 sq. ft. There are no Mello Roos. According to the broker, this home has one of the largest lots in the community and the surrounding neighborhood has many original owners. Public records show this property sold for $920,000 in 2008.

Close up: Nicely situated on the last street in the back of the community with an amazing private rear yard and garden, the home has a double doored, gated courtyard in front.

Inside, the entry is defined with a brick fireplace that leads to the living room, patio deck and tropical gardens beyond.

Left of the entry, a large family room also accesses the garden and connects with the kitchen and casual dining area. The formal dining area sits between the kitchen and the living room.

A wraparound wood deck is the viewpoint for the King Palms, Pineapple Guava, cactus, lavender, fern and jade plants that fill the garden and run to the hilly wall in the back of the property. For me, this immense private green retreat would be the perfect way to begin and end every day. For gardeners, it would be the perfect ongoing project.

The kitchen and casual dining area overlook and access the garden. The tiled kitchen has stainless appliances and ample cabinetry.

Wood and tile floors, cathedral ceilings, skylights and double slider doors are used throughout the home.

To the right of the entry, the master suite also accesses the garden and has a double vanity, tiled floor, tub and shower. The three other bedrooms have garden views too, accessing the second full bath. There is also a powder room and an oversized 3 car garage with built-in workshop with storage, cabinetry and laundry.

More specifics:
Single family home
Bedrooms, 4
Baths, 2.5
Detached, no common walls
Central furnace, central air
Three car garage with workshop
Three parking spaces
Laundry in garage
Association pool, spa
Irvine Unified School District

What should be considered? This good sized single level, detached single family home on an oversized Turtle Rock lot gives the buyer lots of options for future development in a prime area. Updating and upgrading the baths would probably be one of the future projects. The private location in the back of the Sierra Bonita community is choice, along with Turtle Rock’s top schools, parks and hiking trails. The community park and pool and Chaparral Park are close by.

Who will move in? New owners who want the perfect private spot for entertaining, relaxing and gardening, that’s just minutes from everything, will be pleased. The all on one level home with four bedrooms works for families with mature members, or busy couples who entertain a lot, host out of town guests and need a home office. Active families with kids that need community parks, pools and top schools may also choose this home. Parents with teens and tons of sports equipment or hobbies will be drawn to the 3 car garage, workshop and cabinetry.

Recent nearby listings: 6042 Sierra Sienna Rd., $1,450,000: 23 Sunlight, $1, 238,888.

Recent nearby sales: 6162 Sierra Palos Rd., $1,190,000; 5502 Sierra Roja Rd., $1,200,000.

Open House Review: 12 Summerfield

Woodbridge 2 Story Townhome in the Seasons Tract
12 Summerfield $629,900

One minute you can be on West Yale Loop in Woodbridge, and with two quick turns you can reach this end unit 3 bedroom Seasons townhome on Summerfield. This also means it is just a stone throw from traffic noise. However, the homes sit above Yale Loop, there is central air, and the noise has been buffered. Last Saturday there was a steady stream of neighbors and interested families arriving to see this upgraded property.

Significant Numbers: On the market about 10 days, this two level, 1,378 sq. ft. 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home was built in 1986. HOA dues are $238, and the property is $459 a sq. ft. There are no Mello Roos.

Close up: A cottage look is framed with a picket fence and grassy side yard wrapping around the home and leading to a secluded rear patio. The entry opens into a living room with custom cabinetry and a custom built ceramic tiled fireplace.

The dining area has sliding doors opening to the rear patio. Gleaming hardwood floors, plantation shutters, designer accent paints and cathedral ceilings make the most of the open floor plan.

A galley kitchen with ceramic tile floors, granite counters, tiled backsplash, garden window and glass insert cabinets sits next to the family room with built-in desk and cabinets that also opens to the patio. A guest bathroom with wainscotting is just around the corner, along with a door accessing the two car garage. Laundry is in the garage.

The wraparound side yard and covered patio are ready for small parties and lots of family barbecues.

To the right of the entry, stairs lead to the 3 bedrooms including a remodeled master suite that has a roomy walk in closet, window seat and bath with granite counter. One of the two other rooms serves as an office/study and does not have closets, but could be converted. The other full bath has tub and shower.

More specifics:
Townhome
Bedrooms, 3
Baths, 2.5
Attached, one common wall at garage
Central furnace, central air
Double garage
Laundry in garage
Two parking spaces
Association pool, spa
Irvine Unified School District

What should be considered? This updated townhome in the outer loop of Woodbridge is close to South Lake and the community pool is a few yards away. Distinguished Irvine schools, community atmosphere and beach clubs are all part of this home’s package. All bedrooms are upstairs which works well for younger families, but not as well for mature buyers.

Who will move in? Professional couples looking for a key Irvine location with community atmosphere and extra bedrooms for guests, work or hobbies may consider this townhome. An active family seeking the benefits of the prime local schools and the accessibility of the pools and beach clubs may also be drawn to this home.

Recent nearby listings: 6 Windwood # 22, $679,900; 28 Firebird #68, $535,900.
Recent nearby sales: 483 East Yale #19, $615,000; 86 Greenmoor #43, $539,000.