The Real Deal in Real Estate: One of the Best Kept Secrets in Orange County

Location, location, location. That's the mantra that everyone knows when it comes to real estate. If you're looking for THE location when it comes to size, features, accessibility, and affordability, there's a relatively small community in the South Coast Metro area that may fit your fancy.

It's called the Vantage Town Home community. It consists of just under 100 homes within this guard-gated neighborhood. Built in the early 2000's, it has that "newer" look, feel, and construction. There are 5 different floorplans, all are tri-level homes, and they all have attached garages -- some even with 2-car driveways. The great thing about this community is that it is located close to the key metro areas of Orange County. There is easy access to the 55 freeway. You can drive down Main, turn right onto Sunflower, left on Anton, and then enter the 405 North from this less congested entrance. Hang a left onto MacArthur and drive just a few miles to John Wayne Airport. Head down MacArthur in the other direction, turn left on Bristol, then you have access to shopping and restaurants galore at South Coast Plaza and surrounding centers. Jump on the 55 South during the summertime and you can make your way to the OC Fairgrounds, or to the beaches of Newport Beach/Corona Del Mar. Just off the 55 South is the 73 South, which you can take (without paying a toll) to the MacArthur exit and then straight toward Fashion Island (and Sprinkles Cupcakes!).

The homes themselves range from about 1,300-1,500 square feet for a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom unit; about 1,700 square feet for a 3 bedroom unit. Currently prices in this community are below $400,000 -- which is a STEAL compared to nearby Irvine, Costa Mesa, etc. The actual city location is Santa Ana, yet it boasts the more modern metropolitan look and feel that works well for those who don't need to live within the boundaries of the Irvine Unified School District, or those who are not partial to the planned communities of Irvine and other nearby cities.

Currently we have a listing in the Vantage Town Home community -- a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, ~1,400 square foot townhome in a quiet interior location of the community (NOT along busy Main Street) PLUS a 2-car driveway in addition to the attached 2-car garage. Check it out as one of my featured listings at my website at www.alicia-realestate.com. It's a standard sale (NO lender approvals needed, less hassle), and the list price is currently $349,000. For this same price, you can get a small 1,000 square foot condo without a garage and with someone living above or below you in Irvine. Take your pick.

Here are a few photos of the community.