1k sounds a lot, but again isn't if you look at overall scheme. Depending on where you live, you're paying an extra 700/month on HOA. Over 20 years it is about 170k. You end up paying about ~$1,000/sqft for a brand new house. So probability, the choice is this or a 3M used house. Not a bad...
I think it is a thing!
This one sold for 2.5M with school district of Northwood: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/238-Shelbourne-Irvine-CA-92620/119680466_zpid/.
This one is still selling for 2.15M with school district of Irvine High in the future...
From my observation, isn't the real estate market getting hot?
This is what sold the past 2 weeks in OH and Eastwood from zillow. I'm a bit surprised quiet a few houses around 2M sold.