New Affordable Housing Options Coming to Irvine

“In a … city with three jobs for every housing unit, a mix of affordability in our housing is critical to the long-term success of our economy and our community.”—Sukee Kang, mayor 2011

Irvine will be getting some additional affordable housing options in the near future. Phase two of Doria Apartment Homes started construction last week at 1000 Crested Bird, which is located in Stonegate (one of Irvine’s newer neighborhoods located in the north-eastern section of Irvine). These homes are being built by Jamboree Housing on land donated by the Irvine Company and are part of the City of Irvine’s Community Land Trust.

Phase one, which consists of 60 apartment homes, was completed in 2011. According to Jamboree Housing, phase two, which will consist of 74 apartments, is expected to hit the market in February 2014 with a cost of $256 to $1,331.

Features include:

· Spanish Colonial-style architecture that integrates with the surrounding architecture in Stonegate

· Access to a pool and tot lot

· A 3,000 square-foot community building that includes the management offices, kitchen, computer lab and multi-purpose room for resident services (provided by Housing with HEART, Jamboree's resident services group)

· Energy efficiency features that reduce utility costs to the renters and management: ENERGY STAR refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and stove (In addition, the property exceeds Title 24 energy efficiency standards by approximately 15%.)

· A combination of tuck-under garages, on-grade spaces, and stand-alone garage buildings

Is there a need for affordable housing in Irvine (or Orange County for that matter)? If you read the papers or listen to the news, you will learn that housing costs and rents are making a rapid increase in Orange County. In addition, these words that are written in bold, red letters at the top of a Jamboree Housing’s webpage regarding the 74 rental homes might give you an idea: To be added to the existing list of 1,500 applicants from Doria I, contact the leasing office at (949) 701-4719.

Note: 10 homes are set aside for those who receive Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)services.

Open House Review: 23 Sunriver

Primo Single Family Woodbridge Home

23 Sunriver $985,000

As the market picks up speed, open houses for upscale single family homes in the same area of Woodbridge have been turning up every weekend with heavy traffic and warp speed sales. Two in this same South Lake area, 5 Rainstar and 20 Rainstar, spun through the market very quickly. Both are now sale pending.

Now 23 Sunriver’s open house followed suit as a new to the market, remodeled single family home in a cul de sac in this same South Lake area, inside the loop and built by J.M. Peters.

The Saturday open house was brimming with people and the realtor said she recognized many from the previous 20 Rainstar open house. Seven days later, as of Wednesday, the property was listed as sale pending with backup offers accepted.

Significant Numbers: Built in 1982, this 4 bedroom, 3 bath single family detached home is 2,547 sq. ft. at $387/sq. ft. The lot size is 5,100 sq. ft. HOA is $82 and there is no Mello Roos.

CloseUp: Stepping into the ceramic tile entry, you have a straight shot view of the step down living room with cathedral ceiling and French doors opening onto an entertainer’s patio. On the right of the entry, stairs lead up to an open view balcony and 3 bedrooms including the master suite. Immediately to the left from the entry there is a bedroom and full bath.

Moving on from the living room, to the right there is a built-in wine cooler, bar, and large family room with rock fireplace, shutters and French doors leading to the patio.

The remodeled kitchen that opens to the family room has granite counters, stainless appliances, recessed lighting and a built-in work area. There is a formal dining room and a casual eating area.

Throughout the main floor the floor to ceiling windows, skylights, hardwood floors, and attention to detail work beautifully. Sleek ebony fixtures and accent paint, punctuated with shots of vibrant red are used effectively throughout the home.

The private patio with custom in ground spa fits beautifully with the light airy windowed views from the living room and family room.

Upstairs three bedrooms with two baths include a luxe master suite with fireplace, walk-in closet, private bath with double sinks and soaking tub.

There is a double garage and interior laundry room.

Specifics:

Single family

Two level contemporary

Bedrooms, 4

Baths, 3

Central furnace, central air

Detached, no common walls

Irvine Unified School System

Double Garage, 2 parking spaces

Association pool, community spa

Who will be moving in? The home is within walking distance of elementary, middle and high schools, all top rated, perfect for a good sized active family. With a main floor bedroom and full bath, the home would also work for an active couple who wanted to be based in Irvine and needed room for guests or senior family members.

What was considered here? As a Woodbridge JM Peters single family home on a quiet cul de sac in this South Lake area, in an accelerating market, this home attracted traffic and got immediate results.

Recent Listings nearby: 8 Rainstar, $885,950; 10 Woodflower, $1,200,000.

Recent sales: 15 Daybreak, $880,000; 21 Bayside, $950,000.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3596.0.html

Wisterias Climbing

Inventory on March 2nd, 2013: 201 Homes

On my blog “See spot buy or sell“, I wrote about 95 Waterman #155 listed for $619,000:

“Given the market conditions, it might sell quickly also, at the listing price or even more. There are already talks about how all cash offers are pushing others away from the market. Remember those fairy tales where princes came from a land far away? I can imagine Realtors telling the story of the client coming from land far away with briefcases filled with dollars to make an all cash offer!”

The detached condominium sold for $630,000.

But two other comparative Wisteria homes sold within last six months didn't manage to reach the $600,000 mark. Low inventory has added the premium to all already overpriced Irvine homes. This is Irvine, this too shall sell, as long as there is someone ready to give an all cash offer. All along Irvine Boulevard, there is a lot of building activity. There will be a lot of new homes in the market soon. At this point, it's hard to state the effect of the influx of new inventory. New schools, new apartments in the neighborhood to help increase diversity or resale homes that have schools with proven track record?

Wisterias climb. It doesn't matter if they are climbing clockwise or counter clockwise- they just climb. Like the Wisteria homes in West Irvine.

85 Waterman, Irvine CA 92602

Listing Price: $519,888

Bedrooms: 2 bedrooms

Bathrooms: 2.5 Bathrooms

Area: 1220 SF

Price/SF: $426

Year Built: 2002

Builder Tract name: Wisteria

I was in awe that the Wisterias went from $329/SF in October 2012 to $364/SF in February 2013.

Speechless as I note that it's listed for $426/SF. Low Inventory Fairy and her magic wand! As an Irvine homeowner myself, I am happy at the renewed irrational exuberance, but as a potential buyer, I feel priced out of this market. It's hard not to remember the Price/SF last year, and the four digit inventory in 2007.

Monthly Expenses:

Mortgage @ 3.625% : $1897

HOA Dues: $174

Property Tax: (1.0593%)$458

Mello Roos: $110

Fixed Monthly Expenses: $2639

What would you do?

Will you buy before you are priced out?

Will you buy a new construction around the same price?

Discuss at Talk Irvine.

Closed Sales from 2/21/2013 to 2/27/2013

Date Sold Address Zip Tract Sold Price Beds SqFt
Airport Area
2/22/2013 5154 Scholarship 92612 The Plaza (5000 and 8000) $1,645,000 2 2000
2/27/2013 2212 Watermarke 92612 Watermarke $282,500 1 635
Columbus Grove
2/21/2013 46 Snowdrop Tree 92606 Lantana $1,025,000 4 3000
2/25/2013 331 Silk Tree 92606 Savannah $520,000 3 1700
El Camino Real
2/27/2013 8 Skipper 92604 Irvine Groves $479,000 3 1707
Northpark
2/21/2013 7 Hallwood 92602 Santa Venetia $845,500 4 2300
2/21/2013 14 Walnut 92602 Saratoga $980,000 3 2700
2/21/2013 30 Whitford 92602 Rutherford (RUTH) $964,000 4 2850
2/26/2013 15 Bodega Bay 92602 Sonoma $865,000 4 2300
2/27/2013 10 Mineral King 92602 Evergreen (EVRG) $720,000 4 2477
2/27/2013 30 Pacific 92602 Huntington Collection $1,242,000 4 3500
Northwood
2/21/2013 73 Grant 92620 Show Case $742,500 4 2557
2/22/2013 192 Garden Gate 92620 Glenneyre at Lanes End $485,000 2 1200
2/25/2013 92 Trailing Vine 92602 Tamarisk $441,000 3 1498
2/25/2013 265 Pineview 92620 Lakes, The $267,500 1 1050
2/26/2013 50 New Dawn 92620 RoseGate $1,900,000 7 4800
Quail Hill
2/25/2013 26 Dovetail 92603 Jasmine $455,000 2 1200
2/25/2013 93 Canopy 92603 Laurel Quail Hill (LAUR) $800,000 4 2000
2/25/2013 225 Terra Cotta 92603 Soltice $685,000 3 1850
Turtle Ridge
2/21/2013 115 Jadestone 92603 Ashton Green $435,000 2
Turtle Rock
2/22/2013 29 Trinity 92612 Concordia $1,402,000 5 3200
2/25/2013 34 Golden Eagle 92603 Shady Canyon Custom $4,390,000 5 5630
University Park
2/26/2013 8 Acacia Tree 92612 Village III (Village Park) $420,800 2 1300
West Irvine
2/25/2013 81 Linhaven 92602 Fieldstone Communities Inc $808,000 4 2478
2/26/2013 80 Linhaven 92602 Amberwood (W.I.) $775,000 4 2478
2/27/2013 63 Exeter 92612 Columbia Square $280,000 1 826
2/27/2013 78 Avondale 92602 $557,000 3 1622
Westpark
2/22/2013 21 Giovanni Aisle 92614 Tiempo $387,000 2 1104
2/22/2013 1201 Reggio Aisle 92606 Aventura $435,000 2 1050
2/25/2013 18 Ghiberti 92606 Montage $888,000 4 2310
Woodbridge
2/25/2013 54 Emerald 92614 Landing II $1,050,000 4 2860
2/27/2013 38 Willowgrove 92604 Grove (GR) $640,000 3 2040
Woodbury
2/22/2013 6 Nature 92620 Santa Barbara $570,000 3 1559

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3590.0.html

Open House Review: 22 Glenn

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