Open House Review: 18 Prescott

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.

A Look at Some Housing Stats for Irvine and Surrounding Cities: May 2014

One of my posts from November 2013 provides stats on the Irvine housing market and some surrounding cities. Today we will take an updated look at these numbers. These two sets of numbers can be used to do some then-and-now comparison. The following numbers are for the ninety days that precede May 31.

What is your conclusion? Has the local housing market gone up, down, or sideways?

Area Median List Price Median Sale to List Price Avg # of Offers Avg Down Payment # Homes Sold
Irvine $820,000/$431 per SF 98.6% 2.7 24.60% 618
Lake Forest $619,000/$337 per SF 98.7% 2.6 19.60% 223
Tustin $669,000/$376 per SF 98.40% 4.3 13.7% 148
Orange $639,000/$345 per SF 98.4% 2.3 18.6% 336
Santa Ana $430,000/$314 per SF 99.10% 3 10.30% 359
Costa Mesa $744,000/$477 per SF 98.1% 2.0 10.0% 217
Newport Beach $2,290,000/$916 per SF 96.8% 3.0 40.0% 363
Orange County $699,000/$377 per SF 98.4% 2.6 24.5% 7,268

Open House Review: 19 Sycamore

Turtle Rock Single Family Detached Patio Home Near UCI

19 Sycamore $1,375,000

Heading up Campus and turning onto Turtle Rock Drive quickly takes you to this quiet spot on Sycamore. New to the market, about 6 days, this single level 4 bedroom, 2 bath detached homeoffers a good sized lot in Turtle Rock’s interior loop location, tucked away, but still close to UCI and Orange County’s many options. According to public records the property sold for $1,139,000 in 2006.

Significant Numbers: Built in 1977, this 2,348 sq. ft. single family, 4 bedroom, 2 bath home sits on a 6,612 sq. ft. lot. HOA dues are $98 and the price per sq. ft is $586.

Close up: Stepping inside, the atrium courtyard in the center of the house really defines the mood of the home. Everywhere you look there are cathedral ceilings, skylights, large windows, sunlit views and doors accessing garden areas.

The formal sunken living room with fireplace and dining room are on the right.

Down the hall the kitchen opens to a good sized family room with fireplace that leads to the covered patio.

The kitchen has a garden window, granite counters, stainless and black appliances, breakfast bar, and a casual eating area next to the family room.

The covered patio, wraparound yard and nicely landscaped gardens provide a private retreat and a focal point for views throughout the house.

Double doors open to the master suite off to the left of the entry. The master bath includes double vanity with granite counters, tub alcove and separate shower, recessed lighting and ample closets.

The three other bedrooms and full bath are near the inside laundry.

Gleaming wood, lush carpet, marble and travertine floors and plantation shutters are well done and nicely maintained.

More specifics:
Single family home
Bedrooms, 4
Baths, 2
Detached, no common walls
Central furnace, central air
Laundry inside
Two car garage
Two parking spaces
Association pool, spa
Irvine Unified School District

What should be considered? This single family home is completely detached and all on one level in a prime spot in Turtle Rock. It can work well for all ages. Plans for expansion or more upgrading would work or it is move in ready for families or professional couples looking for a key Irvine spot right now. It will be interesting to see how it competes with other Turtle Rock homes with prime locations and good sized lots.

Who will move in? Families or couples involved with UCI will be attracted to the location. The green belt, private tennis courts and pool will appeal to all ages. Turtle Rock’s award winning local schools and hiking trails will attract active families.

Recent nearby listings: 18741 Via Sienna, $1,498,000; 4962 Paseo de Vega, $975,000

Recent nearby sales: 28 Sycamore Creek, $1,450,000; 17 Morning Dew, $1,360,000

Open House Review: 18 Prescott

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.

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.

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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.