21 San Simon, Rancho Santa Margarita | Gorgeous Arroyo Oaks home with mountain views. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath private home is located at the end of a cul-de-sac that boasts views of the Saddleback Mountains. The light and bright foyer opens to marble floors, vaulted ceilings, a grand staircase, and the formal living room and dining room. The updated kitchen boasts rare river stone granite counter tops, white subway tile backsplash, white custom cabinets, breakfast bar, recessed lighting and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen is open to the family room which features a stacked stone fireplace, custom granite hearth and sliding glass door opening to the backyard. The private backyard backs to a hill and the covered patio is a great place for entertaining. The entire upstairs features bamboo wood floors. The master bedroom features a ceiling fan, a walk in closet and master bath with a dual vanity, frameless glass travertine shower and a large Jacuzzi soaking tub. Downstairs is lavished with new carpet, half bath with custom vanity, indoor laundry room and a finished attached garage with built-in cabinets, checkered flooring and efficient tankless water heater. The community amenities include a lush neighborhood park with playground, basketball court, sand volleyball court, pool and...
According to Zillow, roughly 20-30% of all home buyers purchase properties within homeowners associations. That means if you’re looking to buy, you need to know the facts and decide whether or not owning a property in an HOA community is worth the price. What is a homeowners association? An HOA is an organization in a residential community that creates and enforces rules for all properties in the development. HOAs can be associated with condominiums, town houses or could be a single-family home community or private neighborhood. HOAs are very common among Irvine homes for sale and other communities in South Orange County. HOA rules can govern everything from parking restrictions and storage usage to architectural and design guidelines. HOA fees on average range from $200 – $400 a month. What do HOA dues pay for? The homeowners association collects monthly or annual dues which pay for community areas and amenities like parks, sport courts, swimming pools and street signs. Keep in mind that every homeowners association is different. Some are voluntary but most are mandatory and some are picky about what the members do with their properties while others are more laid back. Pros and Cons of HOAs Pros: The homeowners association pays for common areas like swimming pools, sport courts, parks and clubhouses. That means you get to enjoy a pool without having to clean it and keep an eye on chlorine levels and enjoy a semi private playground or garden without the hassle of maintenance. Some HOAs offer services like lawn maintenance to keep the neighborhood looking good 24/7. You don’t have to hire someone yourself and your...
Choosing eco-friendly products, conserving energy and building for sustainability has been popular within the past several years but when it comes to your home, what does it really mean to “go green”? According to the latest NAHB Remodeler’s survey, these are the most popular green building features for 2014 (in order of popularity): Low-emissive (Low-E) Windows High-efficiency HVAC systems Smart thermostats Energy Star appliances Other green features that homes have these days, most predominantly newly constructed homes, include water conserving fixtures and high-performance insulation. Let’s break down each of these green features for your home to help you decide if a green remodel (or new home) is right for you. 1.What are Low-E Windows? These windows are high performing and reduce energy loss by 30-50%. How you ask? They’re glazed with a microscopically thin metal layer which controls heat transfer through these insulated windows. Low-E windows are best at blocking heat transmission which means most importantly they keep your home cooler during the summer. This particular type of window is a low solar-gain low-E glass which is actually coated in several layers of silver (Werewolves and sweltering heat beware!). 2.How much do high-efficiency HVAC systems cost? High-efficiency HVAC systems cost anywhere from $2,000 to about $6,000 and they easily pay for themselves in utility expenses over the years. Upgrading your HVAC system can reduce your house’s energy consumption up to 40% and save you hundreds every year. It also increases the value of your home when it comes time to sell. Not only do these HVAC systems save you money over time, they also improve the quality of air you and your families breathe....
