Author Archives: Karen

A Review of the Terrazza Tract in Orchard Hills

This week, I will review the Terrazza homes in Orchard Hills. They are the second largest on the Orchard Hills II side, but the fourth smallest in all of Orchard Hills (the seven larger collections are in the gated Groves area). Like all homes on this side of Culver, Terrazza was built by Irvine Pacific. The homes all have four bedrooms, including a main floor bedroom, and range from 3-4 bathrooms. Each home also has a loft. They range from 1,981 – 2,408 square feet. Each home has a two car garage, some with an additional storage area. Terrazza only has two different models, though Residence Two has a slight variation known as Two X, which is always on a corner.

Some of the standard amenities in all homes include Kitchenaid stainless steel appliance package, including cooktop, oven, microwave, dishwasher and hood; white satin Thermofoil cabinets with adjustable shelves; granite slab kitchen counters with 6-inch backsplash and full backsplash at cooktop; stainless steel double basin sink with Kohler pull-out faucet; master bath with a sterling tub with 6” x 6” tile surround and separate shower; dual Kohler undermount sinks with marble countertops and backsplash; Kohler polished chrome faucets; ceramic tile flooring at entry, kitchen, dining, baths and laundry; plush carpet throughout living areas; pre-wired multi-media plate; fire-resistant concrete tile roofs; decorative front doors; high efficiency air conditioning and gas furnace; tankless water heaters; and energy efficient bathroom fixtures. All homes are Build it Green™ Certified.

Terrazza is the southernmost set of homes and the only collection south of the Narrow Path entry from Culver. There are four different elevations: Tuscan, Northern Italian, Formal Spanish and Early California. All homes in Terrazza are zoned for the Tustin Unified School District, including Hicks Canyon Elementary, Orchard Hills School, and Beckman High School. Currently, Hicks Canyon serves grades K – 4 and Orchard Hills serves 5 – 8. Eventually Orchard Hills will be a K-8 facility. There will be a total of 149 homes in the Terrazza neighborhood.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information

Approximate HOA Dues: $196 per month

Approximate Tax rate: 1.06%

Approximate Mello Roos: $3704 – 4154 per year (AD Tax: $1,950; CFD Tax: $1,650 – $2,100; other tax $104)

Overall Effective Tax Rate: 1.5%

Prices start at around $855,000 for Residence One, $935,000 for Residence Two, and $965,000 for Residence Two X.

Residence One

1,981 square feet

4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths

Loft, Optional Den, Optional California Room, Optional Conservatory

Base Price: $855,000 ($431 per square foot)

Residence One is modeled with a reversed floor plan and in the Northern Italian elevation. From the front gate, a long, narrow path leads to the front door. The main entryway is very plain, with the downstairs bedroom and bath off a hall to the right and the kitchen and great room to the left. There is a small coat closet just inside the front door. The flooring and window treatments throughout the home are upgraded.

In the model, they show the optional den instead of bedroom 4. As a den, there is an option for either pocket or double French doors. The bedroom has a standard door. Whether you choose a den or a bedroom, there is a large closet that goes under the stairs. The four recessed lights are included with the den but not the bedroom. The model shows upgraded crown molding, wainscot, and built-in shelving. One large, single window faces the side of the house. The only difference between the bedroom and the den is the type of door to the hall.

The downstairs bathroom is directly across from the den. It includes a single sink and a shower. There isn’t an option for a bathtub. This model includes upgraded Caesarstone countertop, tile backsplash, brushed chrome tubular pulls, shower floor, crown molding, and a framed mirror. The shower is average-sized with a small, corner seat and a window.

The door to the garage is just past the bathroom. There is a small launch area with built-in upper and lower cabinets.

The great room is on the right at the opposite end of the hall. It is a pretty standard room that includes recessed lighting and crown molding. The back wall is all windows, though the model shows it with the optional bi-fold doors leading out to the yard. The model also has a built-in media center. Though it isn’t shown in the model, Terrazza offers an optional fireplace.

The great room is completely open to the kitchen. There is a large island in the middle, the ovens and fridge to the left and everything else along one wall. The entire appliance package is upgraded to include Jenn-Air appliances. The cabinets, drawer pulls, countertop, backsplash, sink and faucet are also upgrades. The island is shown with the upgraded furniture package and brown outlets. The island is long enough to seat four on one side, and may even be able to accommodate one or two more along the short side. The sink and dishwasher are located in the island. This kitchen also includes the optional wine cooler. It has one full set of pantry height cupboards. There is a good amount of counter space on each side of the range.

There is a dining area behind the kitchen. It is shown with the optional base and upper cabinets, glass uppers, upgraded counter and the optional bi-fold doors. The windows along the two walls give a full view of the small backyard.

The yard in the model shows the standard trellis option. Buyers may also choose a California room, where the outside area has solid walls and ceiling with optional bi-fold doors. The third option for this space is a conservatory, which is actually inside the house as a small room behind the great room. Bi-fold doors are not available with a conservatory.

The backyard is pretty small, with a larger area under the trellis and the smaller area behind the dining room. If you opted for the conservatory, there would be almost no yard at all. The model lots are a little bigger than the average Terrazza property.

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a loft. The loft is right at the top of the stairs and doesn’t feel as open as in many other homes. The model shows the optional built-in tech desk, though upgraded with a Caesarstone counter and brushed chrome pulls. The room isn’t very big and has just one small window.

The master bedroom is on the right at the top of the stairs. The room feels spacious and bright, with a full wall of windows on one side and two smaller ones on another. The model is located on a street with views of the avocado orchard. The recessed lights, crown molding and wainscot are upgrades; the coffered ceiling is included. An optional, sliding door leads to the master bath.

The walk-in closet is on the left when you enter the bathroom area. It is shown with the standard double shelf and pole. Directly across from the closet is a built-in highboy, which could eliminate the need for a dresser in the bedroom. The highboy is actually an upgrade in lieu of a standard closet. The shower sits next to the highboy and has upgraded tile and an upgraded slab at the corner seat. The shower is attached to the tub deck (upgraded); the model includes an upgraded jetted tub with in-line heater. The vanity sits right next to the bathtub. It includes two sinks and is completely upgraded.

The laundry room, secondary bedrooms and bath are to the left when you come upstairs. The laundry room is first and accommodates side by side machines without any room for a sink or counter. The upper cabinets are included.

The bathroom has two sinks, but there isn’t a lot of space between them. This room actually shows the included cabinets and countertop. The backsplash and drawer pulls are upgraded. A separate door leads to the shower/tub combo (option for just a shower) shown with upgraded accent liners. There is a linen closet just outside the bathroom.

The two bedrooms both face the front of the house. They are the same size and feel spacious. Bedroom 3 has two small niches at the front, shown in the model with optional built-in bookshelves, so it feels a little bigger than bedroom 2. The recessed lights are not included. Each bedroom has a standard, two-door closet with storage above. Both rooms put the optional doors on the storage area.

The biggest difference in this home from the smaller collections is the option for a California room or conservatory instead of the standard trellis. Otherwise, the home is pretty similar to the ones I have already reviewed (Vista Scena and Corte Bella), though the rooms and overall square footage are bigger.

Residence Two

2,331 square feet

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths

Loft, Garage Storage, Optional Den, Optional California Room, Optional Conservatory

Base Price: $935,000 ($401 per square foot)

Residence Two X

2,408 square feet

4 Bedrooms, 4 Baths

Loft, Garage Storage, Optional Den, Optional California Room, Optional Conservatory

Base Price: $855,000 ($431 per square foot)

Residences Two and Two X are almost identical and only Two X is modeled (Tuscan elevation). Two X includes a front porch and the layout upstairs is slightly different (details below). Residence Two has a door from the street that leads to a courtyard before the entry to the home. From the entry, bedroom 4 (optional den) is straight ahead, the stairway, coat closet, garage access and a bathroom are to the left and the great room, kitchen and dining are to the right. As in Residence One, the flooring and window treatments throughout the home are upgraded.

The model again shows the optional den instead of the standard bedroom. The bedroom would include a standard closet, but the den does not have one. There are optional pocket doors available with the den. The other main difference is that the entry to the bedroom is on the side, closer to the bathroom, while the den entry is at the front of the room. A single window faces the side of the house.

There is a launch area next to the garage access door. The cubbies and coat hooks are upgrades. This area is across from the bathroom and coat closet. The bathroom has a single sink and a fairly big shower (optional tub). Almost everything in the bathroom is upgraded, including the crown molding, Caesarstone countertop, tile shower surrounds and accent liners, shower floor, framed mirrors and shower enclosure. The cabinets are shown in the standard white Thermofoil; the sink and hardware are also standard.

The opposite side of the entryway leads directly into the great room and kitchen. The great room on the left is the same as the one in Residence One. It has a full wall of windows, plus two more on the other side, and an option for a fireplace (not shown). The TV frame and media unit are upgrades. There is an option to add a conservatory at the back of the great room. This would replace the standard backyard trellis and would be open to both the great room and dining room, with sliders to the backyard.

The kitchen is also very similar to Residence One. The biggest difference is a walk-in pantry in the corner, shown with the upgraded built-in cabinetry. The refrigerator, warming drawer, and beverage center are all upgrades, but the other appliances are part of the standard package, providing a nice opportunity to see what you really get in the basic home. Many other upgrades include the glass cabinet doors, countertop, backsplash, reverse osmosis and the frosted glass on the pantry door. The island is primarily upgraded, including the furniture package, cabinets, granite counter, and brushed chrome knobs. The island offers seating on two sides.

The dining room is behind the kitchen. All of the cabinetry is upgraded. The standard dining area has windows on one wall and a sliding door leading to the yard on another. For buyers who keep the standard trellis configuration, there is an option to add bifold doors in place of the windows and standard slider.

The backyard again is very small. A final option is to replace the trellis with a California room. In this case, the dining room would have sliders to the California room, which would either be open to the yard or could have bifold doors. The model shows the California room in lieu of the terrace, but doesn’t have the bifold doors.

Moving upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a loft. The laundry room sits right at the top of the stairs. It has side by side machines, with a window above one and upper cabinets above the other. Just outside the room is another set of linen cabinets. These are all shown without upgrades.

Bedroom 3 is next to the laundry room and is considerably bigger than Bedroom 2. This is one of the most spacious secondary bedrooms I have seen in comparable new homes. There are two windows overlooking the side of the home and a Juliette balcony facing the street. It has a walk-in closet, shown with an upgraded door, and an en-suite bathroom. The bathroom has a single sink and a shower/tub combo, with an option for just a shower. Only the tub enclosure is upgraded.

There is a linen closet in the hall between the two secondary bedrooms.

Bedroom 2 is smaller, but still a good size. However, the configuration doesn’t leave a lot of wall space. A big window faces the side of the house on one wall, the entry door is on another and the closet and bathroom are on a third. This closet is a slider, shown with upgraded mirrored doors and organizers. There is additional storage above. The bathroom is shown with an upgraded backsplash, but the vanity is otherwise standard. This bathroom has a shower only, without an option for a tub, and shown with upgraded accent liners that match the backsplash.

The loft is across from bedroom 2. It is much bigger and nicer than the loft in Residence One. It has one small window, plus French doors leading to a Juliette balcony. The model’s upgrades include a built-in tech center, brushed chrome tubular pulls, panel wainscot and panel mouldings with base and chair rail. There is an option to put either pocket or French doors at the entry to the loft.

Finally, the master suite sits at the end of the hall. It is bigger than the one in Residence One. Two windows face the backyard and another faces the side of the house. The coffered ceiling is standard, with upgraded paint grade crown molding. There is an option to put in a door that separates the bedroom from the bathroom.

The master bath is highly upgraded. The vanity is actually shown with the standard cabinet doors and sinks; however, the countertop and bottom shelf configuration are upgraded. The vanity is quite long, with plenty of space between the two sinks. The tub and shower are perpendicular to the vanity. The tub has an upgraded deck and decorative liner (also seen at the vanity backsplash). The adjacent shower is a good size, with a small corner shelf and seat. The frameless enclosure is upgraded, as is the square style handle. The large walk-in closet is shown with a built-in organizer and upgraded door.

As a reminder, the model shows Residence Two X. The standard Residence Two has a different layout upstairs. The loft sits right at the top of the stairs where the laundry room was and seems to be a lot smaller. Bedroom 3 is in the same spot, but is more rectangular (it is pretty square in Two X). The laundry room is where the loft was, but it doesn’t have the extra linen storage outside of it. Bedroom 2 and the master suite are unchanged.

Overall, I like Residence Two X more than Residences One and Two. I think the layout upstairs is better and I like the larger secondary bedrooms. The house feels bright and spacious.

A Review of the Vista Scena Tract at Orchard Hills

A couple of weeks ago, I gave an overview of the non-gated side of the new Orchard Hills community (known as Orchard Hills II). Today, I will review the Vista Scena homes, which are the second smallest of the twelve new neighborhoods. Like all of the homes in the non-gated portion, Vista Scena homes are built by Irvine Pacific. These are townhomes, with configurations of either two or three connected homes. They have three different Residences, ranging from 1,586 – 1,914 square feet. The homes all have three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms; Residences Two and Three also have a loft. All homes have a two-car garage. None of them have a main floor bedroom. Elevations include a two-unit Monterey, two-unit Formal Spanish, three-unit Monterey and, as modeled, a three-unit Northern Italian. In the two-unit buildings, the homes are only connected on the ground floor and there are no shared walls upstairs. In a three-unit home, Residence One is always in the middle, with Residence Two on one side and Residence Three on the other. Residences One and Three share a wall upstairs, but Residence Two does not have a shared wall. Most streets have three or four buildings on each side, with two-unit buildings in the middle and three-unit buildings on each end.

Some of the standard amenities in all homes include Kitchenaid stainless steel appliance package, including cooktop, oven, microwave, dishwasher and hood; white satin Thermofoil cabinets with adjustable shelves; granite slab kitchen counters with 6-inch backsplash and full backsplash at cooktop; stainless steel double basin sink with Kohler pull-out faucet; master bath with a sterling tub with 6” x 6” tile surround and separate shower (Residences Two and Three only); dual unilav sinks with marble countertops and backsplash; Kohler polished chrome faucets; ceramic tile flooring at entry, kitchen, dining, baths and laundry; plush carpet throughout living areas; pre-wired multi-media plate; fire-resistant concrete tile roofs; decorative front doors; high efficiency air conditioning and gas furnace; tankless water heaters; and energy efficient bathroom fixtures. All homes are Build it Green™ Certified.

Vista Scena is situated in the northern portion of the community. It has approximately 200 homes and sits on both sides of the smaller Entrata collection. They are very close to Orchard Terrace Park.

Orchard Hills homes are split between the Irvine and Tustin Unified School Districts. Always double check with your sales consultant to make sure you know which schools you attend. Vista Scena is currently slated to attend Irvine Unified schools, including Canyon View Elementary, Sierra Vista Middle, and Northwood High.

Basic Neighborhood Financial Information:

Approximate HOA Dues: $385 per month ($196 to Orchard Hills II Community Association and $189 to the Vista Scena Neighborhood Association)

Approximate Tax rate: 1.06%

Approximate Mello Roos: $3612 per year (AD Tax: $1,750; CFD Tax: $1,700; other tax $162)

Overall Effective Tax Rate: 1.5%

Prices start at around $702,000 for Residence One, $738,000 for Residence Two, and $775,000 for Residence Three.

Residence One

1,586 square feet

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

Base Price: $702,000 ($443 per square foot)

If you start touring the models from the office, Residence One is actually in the middle of the three units. It can be found in any of the elevations except the Two-Unit Formal Spanish. The models are shown in the reversed floor plan. It connects to Residence Three on both floors and to Residence Two on the main level only. Upon entering, I saw a long hallway leading to the great room and kitchen at the back of the home. Immediately to the left of the front door are the stairs to the second floor. There is an optional storage drawer under the stairs, a powder room and access to the garage off the main hall.

The powder room shows the standard pedestal sink, faucet, and chrome light fixture. The tile wainscoting and decorative mirror are upgrades. The garage includes an upgraded organizer and upgraded floor coating.

The end of the hall opens up to the great room on the right and the kitchen on the left. The great room is pretty similar to almost every other new home I’ve seen. It has a full wall of windows at the back and another window on the side. The model shows the upgraded built-in unit and also includes upgraded wall paneling.

The kitchen has an island with bar seating and one long counter behind it. The sink and dishwasher are located in the island. Behind them are the cooktop, oven, microwave and optional wine fridge. The refrigerator is to the left of the island. The model includes an upgraded range, hood, dishwasher, wine cooler, a few glass cabinets, pull out pantry shelves, tile backsplash, hardware, single basin sink, faucet and pendant lights. There is plenty of storage and an average amount of counter space. The white cabinets are standard.

There is a dining area behind the kitchen with two sets of sliding glass doors that lead to the backyard. The kitchen cabinetry and counter extend all the way through the dining room. A very large dining table probably wouldn’t fit, but there is plenty of space for 8-10 people.

The backyard is tiny, as are all the lots in Vista Scena. The sliding doors lead to a trellis area with space for a table and barbecue. There is a narrower portion of the yard on one side.

The home comes standard with a coat closet at the foot of the stairs. The model shows the optional launch area instead, which includes four built-in shelves with a cabinet underneath. All three bedrooms, both full bathrooms, and the laundry room are upstairs.

The master suite sits at the top of the stairs and spans the whole back of the house. The bedroom has a large window looking to the backyard, but no windows on the side because it is attached to the townhouse next door (I believe it shares a wall with the closet in the master suite). The coffered ceiling is a standard feature, but the crown molding is an upgrade, as are the recessed can lights. The room isn’t big enough for a sitting area, but it’s a good sized bedroom.

The master bath has numerous upgrades. There is a double vanity on the left with several storage cabinets. These cabinets are standard, but the Caesarstone slab and full tile backsplash are upgrades. The undermount sinks and decorative mirrors are also upgrades. The standard master bath comes with a shower/tub combo across from the sinks. It would have a cultured marble tile tub deck with 6” x 6” white tile backsplash and a polished chrome framed shower door. The model shows the optional shower in lieu of a bathtub. The tile is upgraded, as are the Caesarstone slab seat and shelf. The walk in closet is average sized.

Back in the main hallway, the laundry room and bathroom are on the left and the two bedrooms are at the front of the house. The laundry room has a stacked washer and dryer and a set of linen cabinets. There is an option to replace the cabinets with a sink.

The bathroom has two sinks that are shown without any upgrades. The tile backsplash and framed mirror are the only upgrades in this bathroom. There is a standard shower/tub combo with white tile and polished chrome fixtures.

The two secondary bedrooms are pretty similar. One has two windows and the other has one, all overlooking the street. They are about the same size and both have two-door sliding closets. Each room has a storage area above the closet. Bedroom 3 shows the storage area with the upgraded cabinet doors; this room also has upgraded recessed can lights.

As the smallest townhome in the neighborhood, Residence One makes good use of the space. There are storage areas tucked in throughout the house and good counter space in the kitchen and upstairs bathrooms. The backyard is too small, but that is pretty typical for new construction in Irvine, especially in a smaller home.

Residence Two

1,731 square feet

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

Loft

Base Price: $738,000 ($426 per square foot)

Residence Two is the closest model to the office and can be found in all four building types. Its layout is similar to Residence One, with the stairs just inside the doorway, a hallway with a powder room and garage access, and the kitchen and great room at the back. Upstairs, the two secondary bedrooms overlook the street and the master suite spans the back of the house. The key difference between the units is the addition of a loft in Residence Two. The flooring and window treatments throughout the home are all upgrades.

The powder room has the standard pedestal sink, light fixture, and faucet. The tile accent wall and decorative framed mirror are upgrades.

As in Residence One, the hallway opens up to the great room on the right and the kitchen on the left. The great room is very similar, though the upgraded built-in unit is on the side wall instead of the front. Windows line the back wall. The recessed lights and crown molding are standard. The room is slightly larger than the great room in Residence One.

The kitchen in this home features upgraded perimeter cabinets in bamboo glaze, though the rest of the home uses the standard white Thermofoil. The center island houses the sink and dishwasher and has an upgraded granite counter (granite is standard, but this particular color – Giallo Cream – is not). The back counter used a Caesarstone slab with upgraded tile backsplash. In this home, we get to see the standard appliance package, with the exception of the refrigerator and the addition of the smaller, undercounter fridge. Large, optional storage drawers flank the oven. The setup is very similar to Residence One; however, in this home, the cabinets and countertops do not extend into the dining area.

The dining area is about the same size as in the first home and, like that one, has sliding doors on both the back and side walls.

The backyard is equally tiny, with a trellised area and a smaller area behind the dining room.

This home shows the standard coat closet at the base of the stairs. Like Residence One, there is an option for a built-in launch zone.

The loft is straight ahead when you come upstairs. It is a great size for a playroom or office, though there isn’t an option for a door. The built-in unit and upper shelf are upgrades. This room has three small, high windows looking out to the side of the house, on the side that faces Residence One.

The door to the master bedroom is right at the top of the stairs. This room is brighter, as it has windows both on the back and side wall, since it isn’t attached to another home. It is slightly smaller than the master bedroom from Residence One.

The master bath does not have any other optional layouts. Throughout the bathroom, the counters, tub deck and tiles are all upgraded. The two sinks are set into a vanity smaller than the one in Residence One. There is a stall shower attached to a separate bathtub. The jetted tub is also upgraded. The shower has a very narrow ledge and a tiny shelf. The walk-in closet is long and narrow.

There is a hallway leading to the other bedrooms, with a laundry room on the left and a bathroom on the right. The laundry room again has stacked machines, standard linen cabinets, and an option for a sink in lieu of cabinets.

The bathroom has two sinks with a decent amount of storage and a shower/tub combo. The tile backsplash and framed mirror are upgrades, but the rest of the bathroom is standard. There is an option to have only a shower and no tub.

Bedroom 2 is slightly larger than Bedroom 3. It has two windows facing the front and another on the side. Like Residence One, this room has a standard, two-door sliding closet with storage above. The only upgrade to bedroom 2 is the addition of recessed lights.

Bedroom 3 is a little smaller. It has French doors leading to a tiny, Juliette balcony. It has a standard closet and the storage above shows upgraded cabinets. This room also shows an upgraded wall to wall shelf unit. The highlight of this room is that there is a second closet. It is a small walk-in, shown with upgraded closet organizers.

As I said, Residences One and Two are very similar. Some of the rooms in Two are a little larger and the loft offers great additional space. The price difference isn’t significant, so I think having the extra room is worth the extra money.

Residence Three & Three Y

1,841 – 1,917 square feet

3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths

Loft

Base Price: Three: $775,000 ($421 per sq ft) / Three Y $785,000 ($409 per sq ft)

Residence Three actually has three different configurations depending on which building it is in. The Two-Unit Formal Spanish features the Three Y, the Three-Unit Monterey is a Three X, and the Three-Unit Northern Italian (modeled) is a standard Three. In the standard Three, the front door is actually on the side of the house. The powder room and coat closet are right off the entry, next to the stairs. In Three X and Y, the front door is on the front of the home, with the coat closet at the bottom of the stairs and the powder room farther down the hall. The only difference I can find between the Three X and Y is that Y has a door leading from the back of the garage to a narrow side yard. The garage may also be a bit wider in the Y plan. The extra square footage in the X and Y models appear to all be in the main entry and downstairs hallway areas.

In the standard Three, the side entry brings you into a small foyer, with the stairs directly on the right, the powder room just past them, and the great room immediately to the left. Everything in the powder room is upgraded. The small coat closet next to it shows the standard single shelf and pole.

The great room is quite similar to the other two. Three windows line the back and one more looks out to the side. The media unit is an upgrade, but the recessed lights and crown molding are standard. As in Residence Two, the media unit is on the side wall.

The kitchen is also pretty similar to the other two. This one models the standard appliance package except for the upgraded refrigerator. Numerous pot and pan drawers, frosted glass cabinets, the Caesarstone Mocha slab, and the tile backsplash are all upgrades. The hardware on the drawers is upgraded, but the cabinets have the standard hardware. The island has bar seating and includes the sink and dishwasher. The stove and oven are set into the long countertop, while the fridge and microwave sit on another wall, along with pantry cabinets. In this home, having the counter and cabinets extend to through the dining room is an upgrade. There is a choice of three natural stone countertop colors and it includes 6” splash, frosted glass uppers, and under cabinet lighting. The dining area again has sliding doors at the back and side. My only complaint about the kitchen is that the garage access is right next to the refrigerator. I never like having the garage enter the kitchen and prefer the access to be in the hall.

The backyard is just like the others – very small, with a trellis area and a smaller area behind the dining room.

The stairs open directly to the loft at the top. The model shows upgraded built-in desks with storage above. The recessed lighting and ceiling fan are also upgrades. One window looks out to the side of the house.

The master bedroom sits behind the loft. It is about the same size as the master in Residence One, but this one is squarer and the other is rectangular. As in the other homes, the coffered ceiling is standard, but the recessed lights and crown molding are not.

The master bath has two sinks and a bathtub on the left and a shower on the right. The sinks are set into a shared vanity, shown with upgraded shelves in the middle, and upgraded undermount sinks. The vanity also has upgraded Caesarstone counters and tile backsplash. The tub face has matching tile and Caesarstone upgrades. The shower also has upgrades on the seat and the tiles. The long, narrow closet sits at the back of the bathroom.

The other two bedrooms are off a hallway to the right of the loft. Like the other two Vista Scena plans, both bedrooms face the front of the house. There aren’t many differences between them. Both have the same two-door sliding closets with overhead storage and they are similar in size. Each room has French doors leading to a tiny Juliette balcony.

The laundry room sits across the hall. Unlike the other models, this one comes standard with a sink and linen cupboards, in addition to the stacked washer and dryer.

The bathroom is at the end of the hall. The vanity, which is shown without any upgrades, has two sinks and a few storage cabinets. The tile backsplash and framed mirror are upgrades, as is the frameless tub enclosure. This bathroom does have the option to include a shower without a tub.

There really aren’t that many differences between the homes in Vista Scena. The biggest difference is that Residences Two and Three have a loft. Residence Three is only about 100 square feet bigger than Two. Buyers looking for a townhome setup will probably like these homes. They are laid out well and make good use of the space. The biggest disappointment will be the lot size and the small backyards.

Orchard Hills Overview

After many years of waiting, Orchard Hills finally debuted 12 new sets of models this weekend. The neighborhood is split into two parts Orchard Hills and a gated community known as The Groves at Orchard Hills. This week, I will present an overview of the non-gated side, located within the Culver Drive/Orchard Hills Drive loop. Over the coming weeks, I will present the five sets of models within this neighborhood, as well as an overview of The Groves and the seven sets of models on that side.

There are five collections on the non-gated side of Orchard Hills. The smallest, Entrata, is a combination of townhomes and flats. The next smallest, Vista Scena, are all townhomes. The remaining three collections – Corte Bella, Terrazza, and Strada – are all single family residences. All five collections were built by Irvine Pacific. Each collection has three basic floorplans, though some have one or two additional variations on one of the plans. Every home in these five collections has a two car garage. Here is a quick rundown of the collections, from smallest to biggest:

Collection Sq Ft Beds Baths Base Price School District
Entrata 1,494 – 1,809 2 – 3 2 – 2.5 Upper $700,000s Irvine
Vista Scena 1,586 – 1,914 3 2.5 $700,000s Irvine
Corte Bella 1,833 – 2,325 3 – 4 2.5 – 3.5 Upper $700,000s Irvine
Terrazza 1,981 – 2,408 4 3 – 4 $800,000s Tustin
Strada 2,195 – 2,747 4 3 – 4.5 $900,000s Irvine & Tustin

Entrata, Vista Scena and Corte Bella are all part of the Irvine Unified School District. Students will attend Canyon View Elementary School, Sierra Vista Middle School, and Northwood High School. Terrazza homes are all in the Tustin Unified School District. Currently, students will attend Hicks Canyon Elementary School from kindergarten through fourth grade, Orchard Hills School for fifth through eighth grade, and Beckman High School. However, Orchard Hills School is officially designated as a K-8 school, so as the population of the neighborhood grows, students will likely attend Orchard Hills beginning in kindergarten and will not be slated for Hicks Canyon.

The Strada neighborhood is split between the two districts, so buyers should make sure to discuss the schools with the sales office when purchasing a home. Buyers should consider talking directly to the school district offices to ensure that they receive correct information regarding school designations.

All of the homes in these collections are two stories, though some models in Entrata have only the garage downstairs with all living areas upstairs. In the Entrata collection, one model has a downstairs bedroom. None of the models in Vista Scena have a downstairs bedroom. In Corte Bella, Residence One has all bedrooms upstairs, Residence Two has the master downstairs and the other two bedrooms upstairs, and Residence Three has a downstairs bedroom with the master and two additional rooms on the second floor. Both Terrazza and Strada have a downstairs bedroom in every model.

This side of Orchard Hills is home to three parks. The smallest one, Bella Garden Park, isn’t built yet and will be located near the Corte Bella homes. This park will only have shade structures, picnic tables, and barbecues. The other two parks are already built and I think they will be very appealing to residents. Though they are designated as being exclusively for the use of residents in these five collections, the playgrounds aren’t gated. In addition to the parks, these homes surround the existing avocado trees and many will have nice views of the orchards. Some homes will even have views that stretch to the ocean on clear days.

Orchard Vista Park sits at the front of the Strada neighborhood. It has a tot lot and half basketball court. The playground is very cute and is designed to embrace the area, featuring climbing structures that resemble farm crates and trees, as well as a pretend produce stand. Most of the area has a rubber play surface, though there is a small sandbox. Inside the gated area, there is a large lap pool surrounded by a spacious patio area. The spa is tucked into a corner behind the pool. The patio has shade structures, community barbecues and picnic tables. I didn’t notice any barbecues outside of the pool area.

Orchard Terrace Park is a little farther up the hill, in front of the Entrata homes. This larger community area features a tot lot with barbecues, shade structures, picnic tables and a large, grassy lawn around it. Children who love to climb will be in heaven at this park, where the avocado-colored play structures include large, web-like climbing structures. The colors of the structure, the painted butterflies on the ground and the bug-like appearance of some of the climbing zones really tie the park into the natural environment. Like Orchard Vista, this park has a mostly rubber play surface with some sand. Inside the gates, there is a Junior Olympic-sized pool, a wading pool, and a spa, along with additional tables and shade structures. There are separate bathrooms for the playground and pool areas. Orchard Terrace Park is also home to a nice multi-purpose room for community use.

Because parts of Orchard Hills opened several years ago, the area already has an established shopping center located at the corner of Culver and Portola. The Orchard Hills Village Center houses a Pavilions and CVS, several restaurants (including Zov’s and La Sirena Grill), plus a bank, salon, yoga studio, and much more. Residents can also enjoy Settler’s Park, which opened several years ago. In addition to the playground, the park has picnic tables and barbecues, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, and soccer fields. Settler’s Park is located just outside the gates to the Groves and just below Orchard Hills School.

For those looking to experience nature, Orchard Hills boasts paths that weave along the avocado groves and trails that lead to open space around Loma Ridge. The trail is only open during scheduled, docent-led activities. Its double loop offers a 1.2 mile lower loop trail for beginners and 3.1 mile upper loop for more advanced hikers. On the trail, hikers can discover wildflowers, native birds, Eucalyptus trees, and enjoy panoramic views (including the ocean and Catalina on clear days). The elevation starts at 400 feet and ends at 815 feet if you take the upper loop. Docent-led activities include a sunset hike, full moon hike, morning nature hike and a cardio hike.

I am looking forward to touring the different home collections and reporting back in the coming weeks. I will also go inside the gates of the Groves to tour their resort area and provide a community overview.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,11813.0.html

Open House Review: 63 Turnbury Lane

I recently saw 63 Turnbury Lane in Northwood Pointe’s Carlyle at Lanes End community. The house is now pending, but they are accepting backup offers.

The basics:

Asking Price: $773,000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Square Footage: 1,857
Lot Size: 2,862
$/Sq Ft: $416
Days on Market: 28
Property Type: Single Family Home
Year Built: 1998
Community: Northwood Pointe, Carlyle at Lanes End

HOA dues are $136 ($96 + $40) per month and there are Mello Roos.

This single family home is attached on one side; however, only the garage and master bathroom share a wall with the adjoining house, so noise shouldn’t be an issue. The tandem, two-car garage has access both from the street in front and the lane behind, so the cars won’t ever block each other in. I haven’t seen this feature before but I think it’s a great way to design a tandem garage.

From the entry, a long hallway leads straight to the back of the house. The dining room is on the left when you first enter the home. It has French doors on one wall (leading to the front porch) and large windows on another. There is plenty of room for furnishings and it has Berber carpet.

As you walk down the hall, there is a good-sized coat closet on the right, along with a set of cupboards (standard on the bottom, glass-fronted on top). Just past that, a short hallway leads to the half bath and garage. The small bathroom has a pedestal sink.

The kitchen is on the left. It has white, plantation-style cabinets with no handles or drawer pulls. The stainless steel appliances include a five-burner stove, oven, microwave and dishwasher. The cabinets and backsplash are white tile while the floor is a darker tile. A window above the sink looks out to the yard. The kitchen isn’t large, but makes really good use of the space.

The family room sits at the back of the house, just beyond the kitchen. Like the dining room, it has Berber carpet. It has a single French door leading out to the yard, plus two full walls lined with windows. The third wall has a raised, tile hearth running the full length of the room. A fireplace with matching tile and white molding sits toward the back, while a built-in entertainment center is in the middle. The room is pretty big and even has enough space for a large piano.

The stairs to the second floor are at the front of the house. Just a few steps up, there is a small landing with a built-in desk, making it a great space for a small office.

All three bedrooms and the laundry room are on the second floor. The laundry room has a folding counter and a full set of upper cabinets.

The master bedroom is pretty big and, like the rooms downstairs, has Berber carpet. The back wall has two large windows with a window seat running beneath them. It also has a ceiling fan.


The master bath has a large tub in the middle, surrounded by white tile. On each side of the tub sits a pedestal sink with a set of three drawers and small counter next to it. The bathroom also has a small window seat, with storage below. The shower is average sized. There is a walk-in closet with a single shelf and hanging rod.

The other two bedrooms sit across from each other at the end of the hall. They are comparable in size and both have standard, two-door closets. One has windows on two walls. The other has two small windows plus a door that leads to a balcony overlooking the street. The balcony is small and mostly enclosed.

f

These rooms share a bathroom off the hall. It has a single counter with two sinks and plantation-style cabinets. The shower/tub combo is done in basic white tile. Like the master bath, all of the hardware is chrome.

The house has a cute, country cottage style inside and out. It is well-priced for the neighborhood and when compared to similar, nearby homes. I think they made good use of the space and the owners have taken good care of the home.

Open House Review: 16 Phillipsburg

I recently toured 16 Phillipsburg, a four bedroom house in Northwood’s Courtside tract. This home has many upgrades and a downstairs office that could convert to a bedroom, though it doesn’t have a closet.

The basics:

Asking Price: $846,000
Bedrooms: 3 + office (but listed as a 4 bedroom home)
Bathrooms: 3
Square Footage: 2,132
Lot Size: 4,790
$/Sq Ft: $397
Days on Market: 14
Property Type: Single Family Home
Year Built: 1985
Community: Northwood – Courtside
Schools: Brywood Elementary, Sierra Vista Middle School, Northwood High

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

The house looks nice from the street and has a small front porch with enough space for a table and two chairs.

The living room sits just inside the entry on the left. It has high ceilings and windows on the front and side walls. Like the adjoining dining room, it has bamboo floors.

The dining room is pretty standard, with space for a large table and a single window on the side of the house. It has a doorway to the kitchen and is open to the front hallway.

The kitchen has been fully remodeled. Large, ceramic tiles make up the floor. There are also granite counters and espresso colored cabinets. While the dishwasher is white, the other appliances are stainless steel, including a five burner range, hood, and sink. It has plenty of counter space and a fair number of cabinets and drawers. There is a breakfast nook in front of a bay window overlooking the backyard.

The family room is a few steps lower than the kitchen. It has bamboo floors and French doors leading to the backyard. One wall has a full set of built-ins surrounding the fireplace. The white cabinets and shelves include a space for a flat-screen TV. The fireplace has ceramic tile at the edges. A small wet bar sits in a hallway just off the family room. Its cabinets and counters match the kitchen.

The hallway leads to the den, a full bathroom, laundry room and the garage. The den has a double-door entry and bamboo floors. A single window looks out to the sideyard. The room is a good size and could work as a bedroom if you added a closet.

The full bath is not attached to the room. It has a single sink, with cabinets and counters to match the kitchen. The shower/tub combo is newer, with brushed nickel hardware and nicer tiled walls. The laundry room has several sets of upper and lower cabinets with counter space for folding.

The master bedroom and two additional bedrooms are upstairs. The master sits near the top of the stairs, overlooking the backyard. Like the family room below, it has bay window that make a nice sitting area. Three mirrored doors span the full length of one wall. Overall, the room isn’t very large, but the high ceilings and mirrored closets make it feel a little bigger than it actually is.

The master bath has also been completely redone, similarly to the kitchen. There are two sinks with brushed nickel hardware and individual mirrors hanging above each one. The stall shower sits next to the tub. I thought the shower was too small, but the bathroom is nice otherwise.

The secondary bathroom upstairs hasn’t been remodeled at all. The original cabinets are white, with a plain, solid-surface counter and original hardware. The shower/tub combo also has its original white tile and hardware. There is a set of upper and lower linen cabinets in the hall outside the bathroom.

Both secondary bedrooms face the front of the house. The one on the left is a lot bigger and has a three-door, sliding closet. There is a ceiling fan and it has windows facing both the front and side.

The smaller bedroom also has a ceiling fan, but only one window. It has a large, walk-in closet. All upstairs bedrooms have the same flooring as downstairs.

The backyard is mostly hardscaped, with a raised garden around the edges.

Overall, the house is nicely redone and is move-in ready. The upstairs bathroom is the only original room in t
he house. I don’t really like how the family room and den are four steps lower than the kitchen and wish that the downstairs was all one level. I also thought the last bedroom upstairs was too small. On the plus side, the home is a short walk from the community pool, tot lot, and tennis courts. It backs to a greenbelt and is a short walk to Brywood Elementary School without crossing any streets. The price per square foot is about $20-50 higher than most similar homes on the market, though there are a few that are $25 or more per square foot higher than this one.