You know you want to buy in Irvine, and you know how big of a house you want. But what you pay for the property, and what kind of property it will be depends on the village you will buy in. Today, I searched for a Single Family Residence between 2000 SF and 2250 SF in Irvine, on the other side of Freeway 5, away from the beach. 

Here are the results:

North Park: 15 River Oaks, Irvine CA 92602

Listing price: $859,000
Beds/ Bath: 3 Beds/ 2.5 Bath
Area: 2,200 SF
Lot Size: 5,076
Price/ SF: $390
Mortgage(3.625%): $3,134
HOA Dues: $217
Tax + Mello Roos: $12,119 Annually
Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $1010

Monthly Cost of Owning in North Park: $4,361

Northwood: 34 Mount Vernon, Irvine CA 92620

Listing price: $815,000
Beds/ Bath: 4 Beds/ 2.5 Bath
Area: 2,173 SF
Lot Size: 3,000
Price/ SF: $375
Mortgage(3.625%): $2,973
HOA Dues: $133
Tax + Mello Roos: $10,706 Annually
Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $892

Monthly Cost of Owning in Northwood: $3,998

Portola Springs: 95 Keepsake, Irvine CA 92618

Listing price: $625,000
Beds/ Bath: 4 Beds/ 3 Bath
Area: 2,056 SF
Lot Size: Not listed
Price/ SF: $304
Mortgage(3.625%): $2,280
HOA Dues: $232
Tax + Mello Roos: $10,871 Annually
Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $906

Monthly Cost of Owning in Portola Springs: $3,418
(I have a feeling this is a detached condominium, but the MLS says it’s a Single Family Residence)

West Irvine: 9 Carriage Dr, Irvine CA 92602

Listing price: $735,000
Beds/ Bath: 4 Beds/ 2.5 Bath
Area: 2,237 SF
Lot Size: 3,740 SF
Price/ SF: $329
Mortgage(3.625%): $2,682
HOA Dues: $0
Tax + Mello Roos: $9096 Annually
Tax+ Mello Roos Monthly: $758

Monthly Cost of Owning in West Irvine: $3,440

Which one would you buy?
Will the age of the home matter more, or the real estate conditions in the area?
Do HOA Dues and Mello Roos influence your decision?