18 Prescott is a two level townhome with two bedrooms and a loft. It is located in an area with very low traffic due to surrounding cul-de-sac streets. The home gets street noise from Irvine Boulevard, but it does not back directly to Irvine Boulevard. In fact, the backyard gate opens to the walk-way leading just a short distance to the community pool. The home fell through escrow and is now back on the market. Originally listed at $529,000, the price increased just two days later to the asking price of $535,000.

Asking Price: $535,000
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2.5
Square Footage: 1,430
Lot Size: 2,178
$/Sq Ft: $374
Days on Market: 30
Property Type: Townhome Two Level
Year Built: 1980
Community: Northwood – Sheffield Manor

HOA dues are $245 per month and there are no Mello Roos taxes.

This house is in very clean condition. It was originally a model home, which has a unique loft area. Upon entry the staircase is immediately to the right. To the left is the living room with the open loft partially above the room. A short hallway with a coat closet and bathroom is straight ahead which leads to the kitchen and dining area.

The home has been upgraded with glossy laminate wood flooring, clean cream carpet in the living room, staircase, upstairs hallway and bedrooms, and clean walls. With homes on each side of the shared walls, it is still a light and bright home with multiple large windows in the front and back. The windows are original.

The living room has high ceilings with an open loft above part of the room. The loft has skylights which also bring in natural light to the area. The fireplace is located next to the front windows. Lining the opposite wall is a wood built-in entertainment area.

The bathroom has been updated with a new vanity and mirror. The laminate floor continues into the bathroom.

The kitchen is light and bright with painted white cabinets, new hardware, white appliances and clean 4×4 tile countertops. The original fluorescent lights have been replaced with recessed lighting, partially raising part of the ceiling. The kitchen has an open solution with a peninsula long enough for some bar seating. It overlooks the dining area. There is plenty of cabinets and counter space but it lacks a pantry.

To the left is the indoor laundry room. On the left is space for a side-by-side washer on the dryer. On the right are additional lower and upper cabinets for more storage.

The dining area sits in front of the sliding glass door. It is a nice spacious area. The back patio is large for a townhome. It has a small area for entertaining, artificial grass and some citrus trees. The garage entrance is located in the patio. The back patio fence opens up to a back trail which leads to the community pool.

Once upstairs the small loft area is straight ahead. There is light coming through from the skylights. It is narrow but big enough to be used as a small play area or office area. On the back wall are some closets. To the right is a hallway lined with some linen cabinets on the right hand side.

The master bedroom is to the right. It has built-in bookshelves on one wall. The large window looks out to the patio and back street entrance to the garage. On the other side of the alley wall is Irvine Boulevard. I could hear some traffic from upstairs. The bathroom is located through an open entrance. Without a privacy door some of the light and noise may travel into the sleeping area in the morning and evenings. There are two sets of mirrored sliding doors. The carpet runs up to the vanity area. Double sinks and newer vanities furnish the area, however there is no true counter space. The separate toilet and shower have tile flooring. The shower base looks a bit worn, but the original 4×4 tile walls are in clean condition.

The secondary bedroom is a standard size. Next to the room is the shared bathroom. It has tile floors and a new sink and vanity. The tub/shower combo is original but is in excellent condition.

18 Prescott is a standard townhome in move-in condition. It feeds into great Irvine schools: Brywood Elementary, Sierra Vista Middle School and Northwood High School. The extra loft in the home is an excellent extra space for the home.

Single Family ‘Retro’ Home in University Park

14 Gillman St. $739,990

Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood off of Michelson in University Park, 14 Gillman has been billed by the realtor as “retro.” However you choose to define it, original or retro, this single family 3 bedroom, 2 bath single family home is nicely positioned in a corner lot with a large front yard with mature shade trees.

How its position in the market plays out will be interesting to watch. When I was there numerous neighbors were trooping through the open house, remarking on things that they had done as updates to their homes.

Significant Numbers: Brand new to the market, this three bedroom, two bath home with 1,684 square feet has HOA dues of $123 a month and no Mello Roos. The location is close to the Association pool, spa, tennis court and park. The lot size is 6,098 sq. ft. and the $/ sq. ft. is $439. The home was built in 1965 and was called “Chancellor Plan 3.”

Close-Up: Stepping into the ceramic tiled entry there is a large living room with custom draperies and mirrored fireplace to the left, followed by a formal dining room, kitchen and family room that opens to a small but well maintained patio and backyard.

The kitchen is original with breakfast bar and desk. It sits opposite the family room, which could also be used as a dining area.

To the right of the entry a doored hallway leads to the three bedrooms including a good sized master suite with walk-in closet. With the bedrooms on one side of the home and the living room and dining room areas on the other, there is a comfortable division of entertainment and family areas.

The laundry is inside and the oversized double garage includes storage cabinets.

Specifics:

Single Family Home

Bedrooms, 3

Baths, 2

Detached, no common walls

Double garage

Central heat and air

Two parking spaces

Irvine Unified School System

Association pool and spa

What will be considered here? As a single family home on a secluded corner lot in University Park with top schools, and recreational facilities, plus a regional park, the price will be compared with other properties in neighboring communities in Irvine. Projections of what would be needed to upgrade the kitchen and baths will also come up for discussion.

Who will be the next ones moving into University Park? A young active family seeking the University Park setting might choose this home. Mature couples looking for a single level home in a quiet setting in Irvine might also be attracted.

Recent listings: 4472 Elm Tree Lane, $729,000; 6 Bayfield, $750,000.

Recent sales: 15 Gillman, $732,480; 2 Norton, $740,000.

15 Diamante

Overview

Asking Price: $835,000

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 2,180

Lot Size: 6,098

Price per Square Foot: $353

Property Type: Residential, Single Family

Style: Two Level

Year Built 1980

Community: Northwood

HOA Fees: $85

Mello Roos: No

Days on Market 12

The location, at the end of the cul-de-sac and down the street to one of the two community pools, is desirable for any family. This house has 4 bedrooms upstairs, with one of the bedrooms having an open half-heighted wall that overlooks the entrance/living room, but the wall can easily be enclosed. 15 Diamante is a zero-lot-line property with a larger flat backyard for Northwood, currently with views of the mountains and is backing to a large empty field. However, the buyer should be aware that the Irvine Company will be building housing on the empty fields behind the house. New construction has already started along Irvine Blvd, southeast of Jeffrey (Stonegate Community). The construction will continue on the northwest side of Jeffrey as well.

Walking up to the new front door, the wide iron fence allows visibility and an open feel to the backyard. If you want a private backyard, a different type of fence will need to be installed.

Although the ceilings have the original popcorn texture, the vaulted height and large windows bring in a lot of natural light. The carpet is clean, paint new and the tile in the bathrooms and family room are very plain but clean. The cabinets in the bathrooms are original, however the kitchen was being remodeled with granite countertops and new cherry cabinets, with the plan of completion during the week. The bathrooms had some newer features, but need to be updated to give a modern look throughout the bathroom. There are a few new windows with multi-panes downstairs and in the master bedroom but the rest are original.

The outdoor entrance has clean but outdated tile, leading up to a nice new wood door.

Upon entering, there is a carpeted dining room immediately to your left and a carpeted living room with vaulted ceilings to your right. There are plenty of windows to bring in a lot of natural light.

Straight ahead leads to the back of the house where the family room is located. The room has a remodeled wetbar. The garage entrance and a half bathroom is located off of the family room. On the back wall is a red/pink painted brick fireplace and the sliding door leading to a lattice covered patio and large backyard. The backyard has a lot of grass and is a nice play area for kids/pets. It has room for a pool to be built.

The family room opens up to the kitchen (which has an entrance into the dining room). There are modern lights hanging over the eating counter and the original fluorescent lights are replaced with recessed lights. Along the back wall is an original large bay window allowing a lot of light to come in from the backyard and a small nook that might fit a very small table.

Once upstairs, the master bedroom is to the right. It is large with vaulted ceilings and new windows which face the cul-de-sac. Someone may want to consider the noise from the garage door with their master bedroom located on top of the garage.

The bedroom has an open solution to the vanity, not having a door separating it from the sleeping area. It has double sinks, each with different hardware, but a large countertop and new lighting. To the right of the sinks is a nice large walk-in closet. To the left is the toilet and bathtub.

The upstairs bathroom has double sinks, a large countertop, toilet and bathtub. The flooring is vinyl and glass tub doors and cabinets are outdated, but the faucets, sinks and lighting are newer.

The bedroom next to the bathroom is the largest of the three, with a large mirrored closet. The view from all three bedrooms overlooks the current empty fields.

The second bedroom (located in the middle of the three bedrooms) has a small closet.

Depending on what you want to use the third bedroom for, it can be a den/playroom that opens up with a view to the downstairs entrance/living room. If it is destined to be a bedroom, the wall would need to be enclosed.

Looking at current listings and recent sales, the price for this house seems high. The layout is nice but one should consider the zero-lot-line, room for upgrades and most of all, impact of the new construction behind the backyard. Would you be willing to live next to construction with the noise and dust for a couple of years without knowing the true impact of your views/privacy and noise?

This will be the twenty-ninth year that the Irvine Police Association will host Fourth of July activities. Live music, kids’ activates, and fireworks are on the agenda. In addition, food will be available for purchase.

Here are more of the particulars for the July 4th fireworks and concert:

• What: July 4th Annual Concert on the Green and Firework Festival
• Where: Irvine High School Football Stadium
• When: Thursday, July 4; gates open at 3 pm
• Cost: $14 for adults, $9 for children and seniors (Tickets will be available on July 4th at the box office. They can also be purchased in advance.
• Information and Advance Ticket Purchase: Vince Palazzolo at 949-724-0488

And later in the month, you might be interested in visiting The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. The Wall That Heals will be available for viewing at Woodbridge Community Park (20 Lake Road, Irvine) 24 hours per day from July 18-21. There is no cost.

The Wall That Heals event schedule is as follows:

· Wednesday, July 17 at 8 am: Line up for the Escort Challenge (http://www.cityofirvine.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=22850 )in Riverside, Wall and Escort to arrive in Irvine between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm

· Thursday, July 18 at 10 am: Opening Day Ceremony

· Thursday, July 18 at 7 pm: Bridging the Gap, Honoring both U.S. and South Vietnam Veterans

· Friday, July 19 at 7 pm: POW/MIA Tribute and Candle Lighting Ceremony, Red Shirt Friday (Wear a RED shirt to Remember Every Deployed)

· Saturday, July 20 at 10 am: Welcome & Gratitude Ceremony (Main event)

· Sunday, July 21 at 6 pm: Closing and Honor Walk of Flags Ceremony

I received an email from a long time IHB reader, Chuck Darrow, regarding an organization he is involved with, Canstruction. Sounds like many of the companies in the housing and residential development industry participate in this event where they create twenty structures using canned food.

From their PR:

The premise is this: local architects, engineers, community groups, and students formed twenty teams that include at least one architect. They then designed a structure, gathered all the food items necessary to build it (over 80,000 cans!!), then constructed their visually and structurally stunning canned art structures during an overnight build commencing the night of Friday, August 31 2012 The structures will be on display and open to the public on both sides of South Coast Plaza from September 1 – 23 in conjunction with the Festival of Children.

2009 Build Night Video:

At the end of the event, all of the canned food will be donated to the Orange County Food Bank. We did an IHB volunteer event here a few years ago and it was an incredibly rewarding experience. Very cool to see these local companies make these donations to the food bank! Fluor, Inc is this years major financial sponsor.

Have you seen these in the past? We will try to check them out this weekend. Discuss below or on Talk Irvine.