Catchmeif youcan,
If you have really checked out '20 condos' in the irvine area, and you are only finding garbageboxes that are in that price range, you need a new realtor!
There are many REO's that are on or soon-to-be-on the market in that area priced WAY below what you are quoting here. You are looking exclusively at 'wishing price' homes.
Maybe your realtor is only showing you the spots with the big 3-5% commission to the buyer's realtor???
I'll repeat, you can get a nice SFR with a big yard for mid-400's around that area now. Time to expand your search!
And the prices are ONLY going to go down from here. REALLY, REALLY far down. Stop by the little shopping center across from Woodbury. Notice how it's like a ghosttown? Think about it.