University Park Condo – Trim Package in a Top Location

6 Lancewood Way $499,000

Winding back from the main streets of University Park, the condo at 6 Lancewood Way is a nice surprise in an inviting tree filled area. As a first home in Irvine or an investment property, this 2 bedroom condo offers some interesting options.

Significant Numbers: This single level, two bedroom, 2 bath condo is 1,279 sq. ft. on a 3,049 sq. ft. lot. It just went on the market. It was built in 1966. HOA dues are $223. There is no Mello Roos.

CloseUp: The home is neatly tucked into a quiet part of University Park. Walking through the courtyard area and stepping inside the tiled entry takes you to a great room that includes the living room with fireplace opening onto the patio, dining area, and kitchen with a view through window.

The two bedrooms and two baths are off to the right from the entry hall, sharing a common hallway. The master suite also opens onto the back patio.

The kitchen, recently updated and remodeled has granite counters, an extra breakfast bar, and an open window to the dining room. The cabinetry and attention to detail make it a natural extension of the great room.

Overall, the home packs a lot into the space, with a light filled open floor plan that works very well. The back patio is a natural entertainment area with room enough for a fountain, or barbecue.

Specifics:

Bedrooms, 2

Baths, 2

Condominium

Double attached garage

Irvine Unified School System

Association pool and spa

What will be considered? The quiet, secluded location in the established University Park community will weigh in here, along with the price and the size of the home. The open floor plan is a good choice and the remodeling adds to the overall appeal of the home.

Who will select this condo? A young family looking for a first home in Irvine might choose this home. It will also appeal to investors looking for a good location in a key community. It might also work for a professional couple who travel a lot, but still need a comfortable home base in Irvine. University Park’s regional park, top schools and many recreational opportunities will add to the attraction.

Recent listings: 16 Sequoia Tree Lane, $569,000; 33 Fairside #22, $487,000.

Recent sales: 43 Morena, $520,000; 28 Valley View, $580,000

While on my way to check out the open house at 17 Prosa, I came across 27 Eden. This week, I will tell you about the Eden home; next week, I’ll write about the Prosa one.

The basics:

Asking Price: $838,800

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.5

Square Footage: 2,250

Lot Size: 3,485

$/Sq Ft: $373

Days on Market: 6

Property Type: Single Family Residence

Year Built: 1981

Community: Northwood – Park Paseo

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

27 Eden is nicely situated at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, just steps away from a greenbelt and the smaller of Park Paseo’s two swimming pools. The home has been nicely upgraded and expanded to include four bedrooms and an enlarged master suite.

The entryway and hall have hardwood floors, as does the kitchen, while the rest of the downstairs rooms have blue carpet. Upon entering, the formal living room is to the right and the dining room is to the left. Both rooms have crown molding and windows on two sides, all with plantation shutters. The stairs are straight ahead and a hallway leads to the family room at the back of the house.

The family room has a brick fireplace on one wall, next to the sliding door that leads to the backyard. On the opposite wall, a wet bar was converted to a built in wine rack with shelving and storage cupboards. A short hallway leads to the nicely remodeled half bath and the garage access. The bar seating for the kitchen is also in the actual family room.

The kitchen has been fully remodeled to include Caesarstone counters, white cabinets, and a tile backsplash. The newer white appliances fit well with the kitchen’s country feel and a built-in hutch in the breakfast nook offers additional storage and display space. A huge window that extends into the ceiling brings in a lot of light and offers a view of the backyard.

The yard is small, but nicely landscaped. It has a large, covered patio, a small grassy area, and an above-ground Jacuzzi.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms. The three secondary rooms are pretty small. They each have a mirrored closet (two are small, one is larger) and a window looking out to the backyard. They all have the same blue carpet found downstairs. These rooms share a bathroom that hasn’t been updated but appears clean and well maintained. It has two sinks set into a long counter, tile floors, and a shower/tub combo.

The master bedroom has been expanded. The huge room has vaulted ceilings, blue carpet, two windows overlooking the street, and two large walk-in closets. The master bath has new hardware, but is otherwise original. It has two sinks and a stall shower. My favorite feature of the expanded master is a small room added to one end. Fully separated by a door, this room can serve as a nursery, office, sitting room, or gym. It is a great addition to the room.

In addition to the previously mentioned upgrades, the house has new windows and recessed lighting in many rooms. Everything is in very good condition and the location is highly desirable. While the rooms – and the lot – are small, I think the home will be appealing to a family looking for a quiet street near good schools.

Woodbridge Single Family 4 Bedroom in Outer Loop

27 Songsparrow $789,900 Sale Pending

Turning off West Yale Loop into the outer loop I wound back to 27 Songsparrow, to find a 4 bedroom single family home with quite a few options. When I visited the open house, there were people streaming through the home, ticking off the options and quizzing the realtor. The realtor was telling everyone the buyer was eager to sell and the home was priced to sell. That was Saturday. On Wednesday the home was listed as sale pending.

The home does back up to Culver Street traffic, and a fence and a screen of trees form a buffer. On Saturday afternoon the traffic noise was definitely noticeable on the back patio. Inside with closed windows noise is not apparent. And there is an energy saving whole house fan, plus individual ceiling fans, that can be used to clear all of the hot air out before turning the air on.

Significant Numbers: This four bedroom, two and a half bath, two level detached single family home is 1,946 sq. ft. Lot size is 4,356 sq. ft. Built in 1976, it has been on the market about ten days. The $/sq. ft. is $405. HOA is $82.

CloseUp: Stepping into the entry there is a formal dining room to the left, a large living room with a custom marble hearth fireplace to the right and custom stairway in the middle. In the back of the home the kitchen and family room pair up and lead to a good sized covered patio that also has a pass through window from the kitchen.

The kitchen is recently remodeled with wood cabinetry, under cabinet lighting and pullout shelves, granite countertops with breakfast bar and stainless appliances including a self cleaning convection oven.

Upstairs, the four bedrooms include a remodeled master suite with double vanity, double shower and double closets. The other upstairs bath has also been remodeled and updated. There is a half bath on the lower level.

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Crown molding, high ceilings, plantation shutters, ceramic tile and carpet are used to advantage throughout the home. There is a double attached garage and inside laundry.

Specifics:

Bedrooms, 4

Baths, 2.5

Double Garage

Detached/no common walls

Laundry room inside

Central furnace and central air

Irvine Unified School District

Association pool and spa

What will be the determining points here? As a sale pending, backup offers will be accepted. The issue of traffic noise from Culver St., and the good sized, four bedroom detached home in Woodbridge, are the main considerations for buyers to weigh against price. Also, all bedrooms are upstairs which can be a negative for some buyers.

Who will move in? It could be a young family looking for Woodbridge schools and lakeside recreation, or a couple looking for a key Irvine location, and extra bedrooms for guests, home office, and hobbies.

Recent listings: 41 Songsparrow, $789,000; 90 West Yale Loop, $798,000.

Recent sales: 1 Del Cambre, $763,000; 29 Del Sonterra, $725,000