We are new to Irvine (just moved from the east coast). We are considering to buy between a detached condo in parklane vs attached condo in Northwood pointe. We like the northwood pointe neighborhood but the condo has a shared wall (we have two small kids, 4, and 2) and high HOA. The detached condo is a lot spacious, and has low HOA, we heard the school is not as good (mainly for re-sale purpose) and it's close to the railroad. Both condos have low MR/tax and monthly payment is about the same. We would like to get some opinions/advices, thanks!
Northwood pointe vs parklane (walnut)
- Thread starter pinhead
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Northpark's Master HOA is $155/month--not bad for 3 guard gates, tennis courts, multiple pools, club house, tot lots, and basketball courts. If you get a condo though you would need to add in the cost of a sub hoa. Also, the school district while NOT IUSD---are very good TUSD schools.
West Irvine also is a relative bargain for SFR homes and most areas have no HOA. Schools are zoned to TUSD--but very good schools.
Tustin Ranch has some nice neighborhoods and sells at a discount to Irvine. Again excellent TUSD schools and central access to Irvine businesses/amenities and great parks nearby.
Have you looked at The Ridge in Mission Viejo?
http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/California/Orange-County/Mission-Viejo/The-Ridge
Heh.
Although... I don't know how strong resales are in those areas either considering the new homes are hitting the MLS regularly.
NWP, however, seems to be popular so I'm surprised there weren't multiple offers.
villiagepeople
New member
Tough choice... I personally would choose the detached... But being close to the train tracks is annoying and can limit your buyer buyer pool when you sell. On the other hand an attached product would be a show stopper for buyers like me (lower end sfr price range, but i was only looking at detached). The schools are a wash I would think (even if one school is "better", they are both in IUSD).
You may want to check out this thread for comment on attached vs detached...http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php?topic=1404.msg15980#msg15980...Good luck and let us know what you decide.
You may want to check out this thread for comment on attached vs detached...http://www.talkirvine.com/index.php?topic=1404.msg15980#msg15980...Good luck and let us know what you decide.
homer_simpson
Well-known member
Almost bought in Parklane, the HOA's and MRs are real low. The bad part of course is the Train Noise and also how crowded it feels inside. The streets seem pretty narrow and there are a ton of cars parked outside.
Never looked at the attached properties in Northwood Pointe but love love love the community there.
Never looked at the attached properties in Northwood Pointe but love love love the community there.
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
Have you looked at any other Villages in Irvine like Oak Creek? You might be able to find a detached condo in the low $300/sf price range with low HOA and low MR. I would opt for a detached condo primarily because the HOA will be much lower in most cases.pinhead said:
The Motor Court Company
Well-known member
Walnut and El Camino Real are the Ghetto part of Irvine. Stay away from these communities at all costs.
Thank you very much for all your opinions/suggestions!
We are actually in the middle of escrow process for a house (don't want to say which one) but found some fraud info and don't know if we should pursue. We are looking for a not so expensive house (around 500k), 1500 sq, 3 bed, good school but don't have to be great, good neighborhood, low HOA, low MR/tax, newer house (around 10 years). We don't want any yard work, so small yard is ok. Here are some of our findings:
1) Turtle rock area - houses either too old or too expensive
2) University park - houses too old and near to highway
3) Westpark - near to highway or too small or too expensive
4) El Camino - too old
5) Oak creek - too small or don't want the 2+ level house or not a lot of choices
6) Woodbridge - high HOA
7) Woodbury - high tax/HOA
8) Quail hill - close to highway+ high HOA
So Northwood/Walnut/Tustin field have some houses that we like, but saw so many negative comments about TF. We haven't look at Northpark or West Irvine. We thought as the school in Tustin ranch is the same as Northpark/WI, maybe we can find better deal in Tustin ranch? we also might be wrong.
Thanks again for sharing all your opinions!
We are actually in the middle of escrow process for a house (don't want to say which one) but found some fraud info and don't know if we should pursue. We are looking for a not so expensive house (around 500k), 1500 sq, 3 bed, good school but don't have to be great, good neighborhood, low HOA, low MR/tax, newer house (around 10 years). We don't want any yard work, so small yard is ok. Here are some of our findings:
1) Turtle rock area - houses either too old or too expensive
2) University park - houses too old and near to highway
3) Westpark - near to highway or too small or too expensive
4) El Camino - too old
5) Oak creek - too small or don't want the 2+ level house or not a lot of choices
6) Woodbridge - high HOA
7) Woodbury - high tax/HOA
8) Quail hill - close to highway+ high HOA
So Northwood/Walnut/Tustin field have some houses that we like, but saw so many negative comments about TF. We haven't look at Northpark or West Irvine. We thought as the school in Tustin ranch is the same as Northpark/WI, maybe we can find better deal in Tustin ranch? we also might be wrong.
Thanks again for sharing all your opinions!
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
I think you can get a pretty good deal out in Tustin Ranch.
iacrenter
Well-known member
pinhead said:
Northpark's Master HOA is $155/month--not bad for 3 guard gates, tennis courts, multiple pools, club house, tot lots, and basketball courts. If you get a condo though you would need to add in the cost of a sub hoa. Also, the school district while NOT IUSD---are very good TUSD schools.
West Irvine also is a relative bargain for SFR homes and most areas have no HOA. Schools are zoned to TUSD--but very good schools.
Tustin Ranch has some nice neighborhoods and sells at a discount to Irvine. Again excellent TUSD schools and central access to Irvine businesses/amenities and great parks nearby.
pinhead said:
Have you looked at The Ridge in Mission Viejo?
http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/California/Orange-County/Mission-Viejo/The-Ridge
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Congratulations.
usctrojancpa
Well-known member
Congrats on the purchase. So it sounds like you guys didn't have to deal with multiple offers on the NW home that you guys bought, right?pinhead said:
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Is that possible in Irvine? Esp Northwood Pointe?pinhead said:
Heh.
irvinehomeshopper
Well-known member
Asians are not crazy about attached homes and especially a used one. This should answer why there are not multiple bids on your home while Parklane a detached zero lot had multiple bids.
My comment should no way reflect you bought a bad home just a less desirable among the Chidian demographic.
My comment should no way reflect you bought a bad home just a less desirable among the Chidian demographic.
irvinehomeshopper
Well-known member
I like the home you bought pinhead. One of the few homes not made out of stuccgold.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Maybe I should have clarified with "resale" homes.IndieDev said:
Although... I don't know how strong resales are in those areas either considering the new homes are hitting the MLS regularly.
NWP, however, seems to be popular so I'm surprised there weren't multiple offers.
The Motor Court Company
Well-known member
probably because the seller asks for the sky and the buyer gladly obliges.
irvinehomeowner said: