Have been renting, now considering buying!

R

rentorbuy

New member
Considering buying a 3 Bed Condo in Irvine (Portola Springs) after renting in this area for almost a year.

Need Feedback on following shortlisted properties.

1.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/27-Wild-Trl-92618/home/146522900

2.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/152-Firefly-92618/home/112721717

3.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/181-Pathway-92618/home/45377541

4.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/133-Pathway-92618/home/17466681

Please help us in further shortlisting these. Our kids are quite settled in Portola Springs hence our preference is to stay here while they finish elementary school. We actually liked all of these, and these homes are still available.

Thank you!!!!!!
 
rentorbuy said:
Considering buying a 3 Bed Condo in Irvine (Portola Springs) after renting in this area for almost a year.

Need Feedback on following shortlisted properties.

1.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/27-Wild-Trl-92618/home/146522900

2.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/152-Firefly-92618/home/112721717

3.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/181-Pathway-92618/home/45377541

4.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/133-Pathway-92618/home/17466681

Please help us in further shortlisting these. Our kids are quite settled in Portola Springs hence our preference is to stay here while they finish elementary school. We actually liked all of these, and these homes are still available.

Thank you!!!!!!
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What is your max budget? This is how i would rate

1. https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/152-Firefly-92618/home/112721717

This one is a corner unit and has privacy. Very popular floorplan

2. https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/133-Pathway-92618/home/17466681

Nice location, but higher HOA

 
For the record, I'm the listing agent on 152 Firefly.  Anyhow, here are some more details on all 4 listings...

1.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/27-Wild-Trl-92618/home/146522900

This is an attached condo with all 3 bedrooms upstairs, these attached condos can be a bit dark due to them being attached.

2.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/152-Firefly-92618/home/112721717

This is a fully detached condo with all 3 bedrooms upstairs along with an upstairs loft and a short walking distance from Portola Elementary

3.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/181-Pathway-92618/home/45377541

This is also a fully detached condo with all 3 bedrooms upstairs but does not have an upstairs loft like 152 Firefly and also close by Portola Elementary

4.https://www.redfin.com/CA/Irvine/133-Pathway-92618/home/17466681

This is an attached condo where all of the living space is upstairs (you live above the garages and another unit below you).  HOA is very high.

If you are interested in seeing 152 Firefly, I'm happy to show it to you this weekend.  I also provide a commission rebate to all of my buyers, including ones on my listings.  ;)
 
My pick goes to the #2 on Firefly.

Always try to pick a detached over attached so the #1 and #4 are out. 

That Firefly home is Luna by CalPac.  Luna has a very well designed floor plan and very popular among buyers, the same floor plan was also used in other CalPac home in other villages.  Also CalPac has the reputation of being one of best builders here in Irvine,  you can?t go wrong buying one of CalPac homes. Thus I?m favored #2 over #3.

And the Firefly is just a pretty cool street name especially if you are a sci-fi fan.



 
lnc said:
My pick goes to the #2 on Firefly.

Always try to pick a detached over attached so the #1 and #4 are out. 

That Firefly home is Luna by CalPac.  Luna has a very well designed floor plan and very popular among buyers, the same floor plan was also used in other CalPac home in other villages.  Also CalPac has the reputation of being one of best builders here in Irvine,  you can?t go wrong buying one of CalPac homes. Thus I?m favored #2 over #3.

And the Firefly is just a pretty cool street name especially if you are a sci-fi fan.
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I second this vote! Everything Inc says is true. Also, 152 Firefly has a great floorplan for young families because it gives you room to grow. From a design perspective, this floorplan also allows for a lot of natural light and free flowing space, making it ideal for family time and entertaining guests. On the outside, it is located very close to guest parking, so if you have friends or family over, they'll have the ability to park nearby.

This property is located near my home and one of the benefits of this neighborhood are the parks and trails that are within walking distance. There is a new recreation center opening just up the road that will provide lots of space and activities for your kids as well.

Property #1, 27 Wild Trail, has an awkward layout, particularly where the living room, stairs and front door are located, and will limit your furniture options. As you can see in the listing photos, the television, sofa and chairs are not in optimal seating positions. Also, the kitchen cabinets don't run the height of the ceiling the way that the kitchen cabinets do in 152 Firefly. Ceiling height cabinets look more upscale and provide more storage. Lastly, you'll be needing to repaint a lot of those walls.

Property #3, 181 Pathway, already looks outdated. The colors and materials all blend together and don't create a timeless look. Also, judging by the photos, it looks like they used standard carpeting. That carpet is 7-8 years old and probably due to be replaced soon, even if it looks clean. Standard carpeting from the builder lasts MAYBE 3-5 years with low traffic and regular maintenance. 152 Firelfy also has carpeting on the stairs and second floor, but it is upgraded carpeting and only 3 years old. Higher quality carpets tend to last longer.

Property #4, 133 Pathway, is designed well and staged nicely. However, as Martin (USCTrojan) pointed out, you will be living upstairs above a garage or another unit.

Good luck on your search! Finding a new home is always exciting!



 
1. Only buy detached.
2. A 3br w/loft is probably better than just a 3br.

So yes, 152 Firefly wins from those 4 but I do have questions for USC, why no staging furniture and why 127 pics of the kitchen?

I also like 48 Prickly Pear that paperboy posted for a budget stretch. The one con to Prickly is it's close to the toll road.
 
irvinehomeowner said:
1. Only buy detached.
2. A 3br w/loft is probably better than just a 3br.

So yes, 152 Firefly wins from those 4 but I do have questions for USC, why no staging furniture and why 127 pics of the kitchen?

I also like 48 Prickly Pear that paperboy posted for a budget stretch. The one con to Prickly is it's close to the toll road.
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The owner chose not to want to stage the home at this time.
 
I always see a lot of homes up for sale in that area right by the toll road in the older part of PS, normally with price drops before they sell, good indication to stay away unless you get a great deal and can see yourself staying there for the long run.  Just my observation, YMMV.

irvinehomeowner said:
I also like 48 Prickly Pear that paperboy posted for a budget stretch. The one con to Prickly is it's close to the toll road.
Click to expand...
 
akkord said:
I always see a lot of homes up for sale in that area right by the toll road in the older part of PS, normally with price drops before they sell, good indication to stay away unless you get a great deal and can see yourself staying there for the long run.  Just my observation, YMMV.
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The prickly pear home went pending today. Under $1.25m detached homes in the area are mostly pending in under 30 days with no price reduction.

You probably see the homes built before 2009 that are generally over 2,500sqft and either attached or large lots that list for over $1.5m
 
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