HELP - where can i find a spanish style home with a decent size lot in OC

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frugalwithclass_IHB

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i tend to like new homes and have been looking at yorba linda vista del verde , irvine and HB. my wife doesnt like "cookie cutter" homes and likes to be able to do things to a house (she is a furniture designer) . any tips on what area i can find spanish style or mediterraniean homes with a nice size lot and a great school system? any info would greatly be appreciated.
 
El Moderna in Orange.



Oh wait, you asked for a large lot, good schools, new construction, non cookie cutter, and in Orange County. Yeah, that doesn't exist.
 
thanks custom. that is what i was scared of. i guess i will look for the next best thing. new home that looks old LOL. i think villa park has some cool homes but i am not to big on the surrouding area or i am just ignorant and dont know it
 
Yeah, but they aren't new construction.



There are a lot of homes around in OC, just none that notch off all the boxes on your checklist.



I think there's some killer homes in the Park Santiago (and Floral Park) neighborhood in Santa Ana that have character, but they were built in the 1930's and the schools suck. There's some great newer homes in Anaheim Hills, but they may not have the styling you want and the lots are a little small. You can go to North Tustin (92705 if you dare) and get large lots and good schools and neat non cookie cutter looks, but there aren't any that are new construction.



You and I want a lot of the same things, but I don't want new construction. That said, my fave (in order):



1. North Tustin (county island, Santa Ana zipcode 92705)

2. Park Santiago (Santa Ana - more affordable)

3. Floral Park (Santa Ana - less affordable)

4. Villa Park (Feels like old money)

5. Orange Park Acres (feels like the country)



I like parts of Orange, but the neat stuff is often under the control of the Historic District and they are a monster with no rules. I've heard nothing but HOA horror stories, so I won't buy somewhere that has some. Ditto for neighborhood rules. I'm a bitter old man with two white dogs and I don't have any kids so I don't care about schools. But I know what I want and I know what I don't. You're going to have to make your own list of stuff you want and prioritize.



I live in the area surrounding Villa Park and I think you're high. If you stay out of the trailer parks and the streets in Orange full of multiplexes you're fine.
 
thanks for the info. the challenge is that i have my own list and my wife has her own and they dont seem to match (haha). thanks for the info. i am not too familiar with most of the areas you mentioned and might check them out. my wife is getting an "overdose" and i think she is going crazy since i am pretty flexible and can change/modify a tad based on what i think is a fair price/deal. thanks again.
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1244632364]Yeah, but they aren't new construction.



You and I want a lot of the same things, but I don't want new construction. That said, my fave (in order):



1. North Tustin (county island, Santa Ana zipcode 92705)

2. Park Santiago (Santa Ana - more affordable)

3. Floral Park (Santa Ana - less affordable)

4. Villa Park (Feels like old money)

5. Orange Park Acres (feels like the country)



I like parts of Orange, but the neat stuff is often under the control of the Historic District and they are a monster with no rules. I've heard nothing but HOA horror stories, so I won't buy somewhere that has some. Ditto for neighborhood rules. I'm a bitter old man with two white dogs and I don't have any kids so I don't care about schools. But I know what I want and I know what I don't. You're going to have to make your own list of stuff you want and prioritize.

</blockquote>


If you don't mind Washington Square (just south of West Floral), and depending on what the inside looks like,<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/1439-Louise-St-92706/home/4503998"> this house</a> could be a good deal.
 
COOL! Eva's back!



Check out the pricing history here:



Property History for 1439 N Louise St

Date Event Price Appreciation Source

Jun 09, 2009 Listed $290,070 -- SoCalMLS #P690644

Feb 05, 2009 Sold $574,469 -3.5%/yr Public Records

Nov 08, 2005 Sold $645,000 21.4%/yr Public Records

Jun 29, 2001 Sold $276,500 401.4%/yr Public Records

Apr 05, 2001 Sold $190,000 -- Public Records



55% of the peak in 2006. That is a cute house. And a detached garage hidden in the back of the property.



I consider crossing 17th Street south akin to crossing the DMZ in Korea, but that certainly is a cute house.
 
Washington Square is actually a cute little neighborhood, although it's a bit close to everything that is wrong with SA, it is somewhat of an oasis. I sold my house there because the neighborhood doesn't have a park and with kids, I consider that essential. Nice community of very eclectic people and a good neighborhood association. I didn't really think that house met the "Spanish Style" qualification but it is a cute house. The nice Spanish style homes in Floral Park don't seem to come up for sale often and here in Park Santiago there aren't very many of them at all.



Side note: I sold my 2 bdr. house in in Washington Square in 2004 for 500K and I don't think the mortgage broker who bought it could get 300K for it now. Nice to hear from Eva!
 
thanks for the info. i know what you mean about an oasis. my wife and i live in bixby knolls right now and there is an area right next to us that is called virginia country club, beautiful big homes but it also feels like an oasis.

3mil homes right next to section 8 apts, i never got it and probably never will.

private country club with a 150k join in fee 2 blocks away from where people get shot. this is why i dont like "LA" and prefer OC , i know OC is not perfect but the oasis factor i bet is much more dramtic here, or at least i think.

that is crazy about 500 vs 300k. you should buy back the home for 200k cash LOL and then sell it back to them in 5yrs for 400k LOL
 
What's the neighborhood like North of 17th Street but West of Bristol? How about West Floral Park? I'm digging some of these homes and the prices are getting pretty close to being decent.
 
[quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1244722267]What's the neighborhood like North of 17th Street but West of Bristol?</blockquote>


It's okay I guess. Nothing really special, but it's not super horrible either.



<blockquote>How about West Floral Park? I'm digging some of these homes and the prices are getting pretty close to being decent.</blockquote>


West Floral Park reminds me of Brady Bunch Hell, but in a good way. It's okay. But why buy the knockoff when you can have the real thing?
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1244722469][quote author="usctrojanman29" date=1244722267]What's the neighborhood like North of 17th Street but West of Bristol?</blockquote>


It's okay I guess. Nothing really special, but it's not super horrible either.



<blockquote>How about West Floral Park? I'm digging some of these homes and the prices are getting pretty close to being decent.</blockquote>


West Floral Park reminds me of Brady Bunch Hell, but in a good way. It's okay. But why buy the knockoff when you can have the real thing?</blockquote>
Can't even afford Floral Park at the current prices. West Floral Park had a few closing of a home I would buy (single story 3bed/2bath, 1,500sf home with a yard) in the $250/sf range.
 
I'm not in love with West Floral Park the way I'm in love with Park Santiago on the other side of Main (north of 17th). They should be about the same price. I hear you on not being able to afford Floral Park right now - but time is on your side. Look what happened to Lancaster.
 
[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1244725268]I'm not in love with West Floral Park the way I'm in love with Park Santiago on the other side of Main (north of 17th). They should be about the same price. I hear you on not being able to afford Floral Park right now - but time is on your side. Look what happened to Lancaster.</blockquote>
Yeah, Park Santiago is trading at about $250/sf as well. If I can pick up the home I mentioned for $250k-$300k (under $200/sf), I'll be a happy camper. How's the Park Santiago area? I like the central location. Even if I picked up a run down REO, it'd be fun because I could upgrade it the way I want plus there's plenty of room for a dog in the backyard.
 
It's quiet, and is buffered from a lot of problems by the railroad tracks on the east and the I-5 on the west, and Willy the Hobo creek on the North. There is almost no cutthrough traffic. You can walk to the City Place and the Westfield Mall if you want. A neat area where you can drive or walk depending on how you feel.



I forgot! Close proximity to the hospital!
 
This is my neighborhood USC, it is very quiet (people who visit always comment that they didn't know there were houses in here). MUCH quieter than Floral Park. There are many double lots like mine (about 16,000 sq ft.), but they don't come up for sale very often. The park makes the neighborhood extra nice. I do love West Floral Park also, I am partial to sprawling one story ranch houses. Any questions about Park Santiago, I'm your girl.
 
Technically, it is 'Santa Fe' style (and a remodel job), but still intriguing:



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/14121-Windsor-Pl-92705/home/4480017">Windsor House</a>
 
[quote author="SoOCOwner" date=1244766109]Technically, it is 'Santa Fe' style (and a remodel job), but still intriguing:



<a href="http://www.redfin.com/CA/Santa-Ana/14121-Windsor-Pl-92705/home/4480017">Windsor House</a></blockquote>


I like that house, it reminds me of Bing Crosby's old house in Palm Springs, it's now a vacation rental. I'm not sure about the kitchen remodel, but the rest looks pretty good.
 
<blockquote>spanish style or mediterraniean homes with a nice size lot and a great school system</blockquote>


Below you can view some Spanish style homes large lots in Fullerton. None of the homes are for sale at the moment but the neighborhood does fit the your criteria: Spanish, unique, large lots, and great schools.







<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/birds-eye-view-map/25121914_zpid/#street-view">Zestimate $849,000, 2,292 sqft, Lot 17,380 sqft</a>

<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/birds-eye-view-map/25121837_zpid/#street-view">Zestimate: $968,000, 4,143 sq ft, Lot 12480 sqft</a>

]<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/birds-eye-view-map/25121851_zpid/#street-view">Zesitmate: $521,000, 1726 sqft, Lot 9,600 sqft</a>

<a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/birds-eye-view-map/25350678_zpid/#street-view">Personal Favorite</a>

This one sold in June of 2008 for $825,000, not sure if it is 2600 or 2800 sq ft

<img src="http://images1.zillow.com/is/image/i0/i0/i247/ISyyfna7cjvijn.jpg?op_sharpen=1&qlt=90&size=330,225" alt="" />
 
LOVE that Windsor home..Is that in a good area? Is the pricing right for what it is? Just not familiar with North Tustin but fabulous house..Not your typical Peach/Orange tract home you get in OC.
 
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