Turtle Rock Condo’s Flipside

30 Brigmore $789,000

Turning off Turtle Rock Drive and winding back past Canyon Park, I found myself on a curvy little lane facing 30 Brigmore Aisle.

The home sits amidst trees in a shady spot. But when you step inside, there is a flip side. The condo opens to one light filled view after another of the park and distant hills. Perched above the park, the home makes the most of views from the master balcony and the patio off of the dining room.

Building on this setting, the marble entry, handsome wood floors, many windows, skylights and recessed lighting give this condo a sure footed ease. Entertaining here would be a breeze, and family time could be very special.

The home is furnished with many massive pieces of furniture, but still manages to appear spacious and open. This condo is part of the Turtle Rock Summit Townhome Collection.

Significant Numbers: This three bedroom, 2.5 bath condo has 2,160 square feet. It was built in 1990 and has been on the market 85 days. The HOA is $422 and the $/sq.ft. is $365. This is a standard sale and there is no Mello Roos.

Close Up: The marble entry leads into the living room, then on to the formal dining room and through sliding glass doors out to the patio. The kitchen and family room with fireplace are in the back to the right. The master and two other bedrooms and two baths are up the stairs to the right of the front entry.

The kitchen has stainless appliances and granite countertops. The master has a balcony view, large walk in closet and roomy bath with oval tub and separate shower. The garage has coated flooring.

Specifics for this 2 level condo:

Bedrooms, 3

Baths, 2.5

Sq.Ft., 2,160

$/Sq.Ft., $365

HOA, $422

Built in 1990

Association pool and spa

Forced air heating, central air

Attached double garage, 2 parking spaces

One common wall attached

Irvine Unified School System

What should be considered here? The view location is backed up with Irvine’s excellent schools and Turtle Rock’s many parks and hiking trails. Quail Hill and Woodbridge condos also compete with outstanding schools, parks, and views, but Turtle Rock does especially well in placing condos in their own secluded settings, tucked away from the traffic, and very much a part of their surroundings. But all of the bedrooms are upstairs and active families may opt for a single family home with more private outside space at this price level.

Who will move in? A small family drawn to the area, the view, and the schools or a busy couple looking for a polished setting, may be the next owners. Or perhaps it will become an investment property feeding into a brisk rental market.

Recent Sales: 2 Longbourne Aisle sold for $710,000 in October; 50 Brigmore Aisle sold in August for $725,000. Recent listings: 11 Tulliver Aisles is $849.00; 10 Brigmore Aisle is listed at $785,000.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3357.0.html

Comparing 3 Woodbridge Condos

38 Lakeshore $709,000

Woodbridge condominiums come in many flavors. Recently, I sampled three: at 35 Waterway, 26 Summerwind, and most recently, 38 Lakeshore.

The condo at 35 Waterway cost the most and offered a plush lagoon setting with an equally sleek interior. The condos on Summerwind and Lakeshore were closer to each other in price. But they offered two different flavors.

The condo at 26 Summerwind could pass for a single family home if you half closed your eyes. But 38 Lakeshore was a traditional condo, close to North Lake, and defined on several levels with greenbelt/park views. The Summerwind condo covered all of the bases for family living, while 38 Lakeshore sketched in a little more dreaming room in a thoughtful floor plan with a view.

Significant numbers

CloseUp at 38 Lakeshore: Built in 1977, this three bedroom, 2.5 bath home has a prime location and an impressive street presence. Inside, the entry presents a variety of levels and spaces with most of them pulling you toward the glassed end of the home and sweeping view.

This condo just seems to be a natural for parties, with a formal dining room to the right, comfortable family room, kitchen with granite counters, breakfast nook and bar on the left. Below, there is an ample living room and music/family room with sliding doors leading to the patio. It is easy to see a New Year’s celebration or a family gift exchange with a festive dinner here with lots of leisure time on the patio.

A remodeled kitchen and bath, recessed lights, crown moldings, new paint and hardwood floors throughout the house work to create a feeling of function and ease.

All bedrooms are upstairs with a good sized master and master bath, and balcony with a greenbelt view and sliding glass doors. There is a double garage and inside laundry.

Specifics:

Bedrooms, 3

Baths, 2.5

Sq.Ft., 2042 sq. ft.

$/sq.ft. $347

HOA, $372 per month

1 common wall attached

Association pool and spa

Forced air heating, central air

Inside laundry

Double garage, 2 parking spaces

Community, Woodbridge

Irvine Unified School System

What should be considered here? Prime location near North Lake, greenbelt view, and square footage will all be factored in with the price. Top flight recreational facilities and schools will be added in. Finally condo versus single family home might be evaluated.

Who will be the next party planners here? A busy couple who love the location and all that Woodbridge offers might make this their Southern California base. An active family attracted to the schools and the lake’s recreational facilities could easily settle in here.

Recent sales: 97 Lakeshore #50, sold for $650,000 in May; 5 Woodgrove #10 sold for $625,000 in July.

Recent listings: 34 Willowgrove, $749,000; 5 Pinewood #3, $629,900.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3337.0.html

Woodbridge Condo Quiz

26 Summerwind $749,900

When a condo looks and feels like a single family home minus the maintenance, what do you find? Well 26 Summerwind in Woodbridge has some answers. First, you get an impressive presence from the curb, then you discover a relaxed open floor plan inside, and finally you can walk out to a good sized, private wrap-around fenced yard and patio.

Significant Numbers: New to the market, this three bedroom, 2.5 bath home delivers 2,092 square feet in a two level open floor plan. Built in 1981 this home is newly remodeled and located in a prime spot in Woodbridge. This is a standard sale and there is no Mello Roos. HOA dues are $308 a month and the $/sq. ft. is $358.

Close-up: Stepping inside from the entry to an airy living room you find a windowed dining area, gleaming wood floors, handsome plantation shutters, recessed lighting and cathedral ceiling all working to create an elegant space.

Moving on to the right, the kitchen is centered between the living room and the family room, which also provides an eating area with sliding doors opening to the back yard and wrap around patio. The natural light and ease of traffic flow work well throughout the home.

The kitchen has been remodeled with all new appliances and granite countertops. Family meals and party preparations could easily come together here, serving up dinner in the dining room or swinging over to the family room and out to the patio.

Upstairs, there is a nicely sized master suite with remodeled bath, two more bedrooms and another bath. The master includes extra space for an office or sitting area. The other bedrooms are comfortable with the bonus of extra walk in storage space.

Freshly painted with double paned windows and skylights, the home has a double garage with two parking spaces.

Specifics for this 2-level contemporary:

Bedrooms, 3

Baths, 2.5

2092 Sq. ft.

Property type, Condominium

Community, Woodbridge

HOA dues, $308/month

$/sq.ft., $358

No Mello Roos

Built in 1981

1 common wall attached

Association pool and spa

Irvine Unified School System

Central furnace, forced air and air conditioning

What should be considered here? Making the choice of a condo or a single family home, the ample size of the home versus the price, and the key location in Woodbridge with two lakes, 22 pools and network of parks and tennis courts will all be factors for potential buyers to evaluate. The Irvine Unified School System will add to the value.

Who will move in to 26 Summerwind? A family seeking space indoors and out plus top schools and recreational choices will be drawn to this home. The open floor plan and comfortable use of space will work for a young, active family, or for couples drawn to Irvine’s community appeal and atmosphere, who could use extra bedrooms for guests and projects.

Recent sales: 11 Firestone #6 was recently sold for $675,000; and 49 Rushingwind #29 was sold for $725,000 in October.

Recent listings: 4 Fieldflower #14 is listed at $718,000; 16 Orangegrove #35 is listed at $659,000.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3321.0.html

Petite Package in Westpark

1 La Ronda $575,000

An inviting grassy lawn with small trees nicely frames this single family home at 1 La Ronda in Westpark. Then when you step inside, the story has a new twist. This time it is all about space, as this home makes the most of 1,085 square feet.

Significant Numbers: This single family home in Westpark is a single level home with 1,085 sq. ft. on a 3,320 square foot lot. Built in 1995, the home has been on the market 9 days. HOA dues are $150. The $/sq. ft. is $530.

Close Up: Effectively using an open floor plan with lots of light, this three bedroom, 2 bath single family home manages to handle everything without seeming crowded or close.

Choosing furnishings to fit and using a custom entertainment center with fireplace in the living room works to make the home feel functional and comfortable.

It is easy to see a young family going through their day here, moving through the living room, dining area, kitchen and patio. From breakfast on through dinner, with a movie later, this home could make it all work.

New to the market, and nicely remodeled, the home has ceramic tile and gleaming hardwood floors with crown molding, and granite countertops and newer stainless appliances in the kitchen.

The patio is a private enclosed area that could be a play spot for younger children with activities easily supervised from the kitchen.

There is the master and bath, plus two additional bedrooms, with one being used as an office.

Specifics:

Beds. 3

Baths, 2

Sq. ft., 1,085

Lot size, 3,320 sq. ft.

Type, Single Family

Year Built, 1995

Double Garage

Detached/No common walls

Forced Air Heating and Air Conditioning

Community: Westpark

Irvine Unified School System

Association: Barbecue, Sport Court, Tennis Courts

What will be considered here? The compact size of the house and lot will be factors to consider along with the price and a good location in Westpark. Convenience, great schools and an appealing park system will weigh in as positives. A young family looking to buy a first home in Irvine might find this to be a good choice.

Who will be the next residents of 1 La Ronda? A young family seeking good schools and nearby parks might be quick to settle in here. The compact space would be workable for a couple or a small family. This home might also appeal to a more mature couple seeking a single level home with space for guests.

Recent sales: 25 La Ronda sold for $500,000; 10 Marsala sold for $450,500.

Recent listings: 17 Woodrush is listed for $550,000; 25 Laconia is listed for $675,000.

Discuss at Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3291.0.html

Woodbridge Lakeside Hideway

35 Waterway $959,500

As you turn off of West Yale Loop and make your way through a nest of streets to reach 35 Waterway, the atmosphere drops back, and becomes positively mellow as you approach this lakeside community.

Inside, there is a distinct “this place has it together” feeling. Nicely done with a contemporary design on two floors, you can easily see life flowing through this condo, moving from the kitchen, to the dining room, on into the living room and family room and out to the balconies overlooking the water.

Significant Numbers: This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath lakeside condo has 2,700 sq. ft. Built in 1985 it has been on the market 45 days. HOA dues are $292. $/sq. ft is $355. There is no Mello Roos. This is a standard sale. There are 80 units in the complex and an available boat ramp.

If you smile a lot when you think about never gardening again, and can easily see yourself lounging, lunching and relaxing by the water, this place may have your number.

The living room has a fireplace, garden atrium, and sliding doors opening to a large deck overlooking the lagoon. The separate family room has a brick fireplace, a vaulted ceiling and a sunny deck.

Plush carpeting, ceramic tile, travertine tile and laminated floors work well with shutters, recessed lighting and skylights to define the individual areas.

The kitchen has granite counters, updated cabinets, newer stainless appliances, a good sized nook with many windows, and wood laminate floors.

Upstairs the space is equally tranquil. The large master retreat has a separate sitting area and a balcony overlooking the lagoon. There are skylights and a walk-in closet. The master bath has been redone with dual granite vanities, soaking tub, and separate shower. The guest bath has also been remodeled with granite.

The other two bedrooms have balconies too. One of the bedrooms is being used as an office. The laundry room with sink is also on the second floor. There is a double attached garage and the home has 9 ceiling fans and central air.

Specifics:

Bedrooms, 3

Baths, 2.5

Sq. ft., 2,700

$/sq.ft., $355

HOA dues, $292

Built 1985

Double Garage, attached

1 Common wall, attached

Two parking spaces

Forced air heating, central air

Association pool

No Mello Roos tax

Community, Woodbridge

Irvine Unified School District

What might be considered here: This polished condo on a prime Woodbridge waterside corner lot might be targeted for its investment potential. Interested buyers will be attracted to Woodbridge’s many community assets and the ample 2,700 square foot home with its numerous upgrades.

Who will move in to 35 Waterway? This could become home base for a couple who travels a lot, but always want to return to the perfect retreat. People who work in or near Irvine and want a community atmosphere with all of the recreational bonuses of the lakes will also be drawn to this home.

Recent sales: 29 Waterway #4 sold for $1,065,000 in May, 2012. Recent listings: 53 Lakeview #25 is listed at $999,900; 8 Harborcrest is listed at $749,800.

Discuss on Talk Irvine: http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php/topic,3266.0.html