It’s a rainy Sunday afternoon—a perfect time to read the Sunday paper. I skimmed through the pages and came across this article by Marilyn Kalfus in The Orange County Register’s Real Estate section: “How Much House Can You Get for $455,000?” OK, I’ll bite. How much home can you get in Orange County for the current median price, which just happens to be $455,000?

Orange County homes that were listed in the article that sold at or near $455,000 were the following:
• Anaheim:  A 2,096-square-foot home with four bedrooms and three bath at 1575 W. Audre Drive 92802
• Laguna Beach: An 8,798-square-foot empty lot with approval for Spanish-revival-style home
• Yorba Linda: A 1,796-square-foot home with three bedrooms and two baths at 4751 Lavell Drive 92886
• Orange: A 1,335-square-foot, mid-century home with three-bedrooms and two baths at 1219 W. Birch Ave 92868
• Santa Ana: A 1,535-square-foot, 1974 home with three bedrooms and two baths at 2734 S. Diamond Street 92704
• Mission Viejo: A 1,178-square-foot, 1975 home with three-bedrooms and two baths at 22662 Via Tercero 92691
• Huntington Beach: A 2,268-square-foot, Beachwalk community home with three-bedrooms and three baths at 19615 Surfbreaker Lane 92648

But this is the Irvine Housing Blog, so we want more information on what is available in Irvine. I’ll start with the Irvine home that was listed in the O.C. Register article as selling for $455,000. At 1158 Scholarship, which is in the Irvine Business Complex area (also known as the airport area), is a 1,340 square foot condo in a mid-rise with three bedrooms and two baths. Be aware that you will likely pay some hefty HOA and Mello Roos fees for this type of home.

This home is already sold. So let’s take a look at some Irvine homes that are currently on the market for $440,000 to $470,000:

2253 Martin #404:

• 2 beds/2 baths
• 1,269 SF
• IBC (airport area)
• Condo built in 1994
• HOA Dues: $392/month
• Mello Roos Tax: No

17186 Citron:

• 2 beds/1.75 baths
• 1,189 SF
• University Park
• Single family built in 1973
• HOA Dues: $218/month
• Mello Roos Tax: No

22 Lakeview #89:

• 3 beds/2 baths
• 1,617 SF
• Woodbridge
• Condo built in 1977
• HOA Dues: $438/month
• Mello Roos Tax: No

141 Talmadge:

• 3 beds/2 baths
• 1,000 SF
• Northpark
• Condo built in 2002
• HOA Dues: $430/month
• Mello Roos Tax: No