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.

If you would like to create an attractive landscape for your home as well as save some money on your water bill and other yard-related expenses, the California Native Plant Society OC will provide some ideas for you at their next meeting in Irvine. This upcoming meeting will feature a talk on smart garden design, which is a way of designing your home landscape in a manner that will help you conserve resources and money.

• Speakers: Greg Rubin, author and owner of California’s Own Native Landscape Design,  and Lucy Warren, author and longtime regional garden writer in Southern California 
• Topic: Rubin and Warren’s new book, The California Native Landscape—The Home-owner’s Design Guide to Restoring Its Health and Beauty
• Where:  Duck Club—15 Riparian View, Irvine
• When: Thursday, June 20, 2013; 5:30 pm to 9 pm, however, the main event starts at 7:30

The Duck Club, part of Irvine History

Following is the full schedule for the evening. Choose to attend all or part of the event.

• 5:30 Rich Schilk leads a Bird Walk in the Duck Ponds.  Bring your binoculars or just stroll with the group.
• 5:30 Donations of items for the silent auction or raffle accepted.  If you have questions, contact Kathy Glendinning (ktglnd@netscape.net).
• 5:30 Setup occurs; help is welcome. For more information, contact Laura Camp (campsjc@mac.com).
• 6:30 Silent Auction commences. Raffle ticket purchase and item selection occurs.
• 6:30 Light appetizers served.
• 6:30 Slideshow of Chapter activities for 2012-2013 will be shown.
• 7:30 Main Program starts.

For more information, see the California Native Plant Society website.