Home ’smackdown’ results: H.B. vs. Irvine

November 11th, 2009, 3:00 am · 11 Comments · posted by Marilyn Kalfus, real estate reporter

Did you see the “smackdown” post by my colleague Erika Chavez over at the Irvine Homes blog a week ago?

She pitted an Irvine house built in ‘87 against a Huntington Beach house that went up in ‘67 and asked readers where they’d rather live.

I figured geez, no contest. Since it’s the Irvine blog, those homeowners would see the poll and pile on, and the results would be pretty lopsided.

And indeed they were. But in favor of Huntington Beach!

………………THE CONTESTANTS

In this corner: ………………………………….In this corner:

15 Del Perlatto, Irvine………………………….6382 Fallingwater, H.B.

List price: $675,000…………………………. …List price: $670,000
Square feet: 1,600………………………….. …..Square feet: 1,948
Price per sq ft: $422 …………………………….Price per sq ft: $344
Lot size: 4,006 sq ft ……………………………..Lot size: 6,000 sq ft
Year built: 1987…………………………………..Year built: 1967

Here’s how readers responded, as of Tues. night: (All categories worded by Erika)

23%: The Irvine home. Location, amenities and schools are better, even if it’s smaller.

40%: The Huntington Beach home. It’s larger, has more character and doesn’t belong to an HOA.

28%: Neither of these homes appeal to me — they’re both overpriced.

8%: I could afford either home, but still don’t care for them.

That.

Ok, just for the record, I’m not taking sides. Not gloating. Just saying.

Oh yeah, and anytime you want to have another smackdown, Erika …

Bring it!

Hump day recap:

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Posted in: On the market • Houses • Smackdown

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Surf City home "mood ring"

For the 22 business days ending Oct. 16 -- DataQuick's freshest stats -- we tap into Surf City's homebuying mood with how local ZIPs fare vs. a year ago! ZIPs with GAINING median prices and sales are GREEN while MIXED trends are YELLOW and FALLING prices and sales are RED!

ZIP	Price	Ch.	Sold	Ch.
92646	$477,000	-14%	59	+40%
92647	$530,000	-3%	32	+10%
92648	$693,500	-6%	46	-4%
92649	$668,500	+14%	31	+7%

Overall O.C. home trends are HERE!

Liar Loan says:

November 11, 2009 at 10:03 am

I love catfights, but next time there should be something riding on it — The loser needs to shave their head.

Post Reply

jo says:

November 11, 2009 at 2:57 pm

Having the pleasure of living in BOTH of these areas (HB for 17 years and Irvine for 15 years), I can say without a doubt, Irvine hands down.

House size isn’t everything and there is no way on earth I would EVER go back to HB, EVER.

So go ahead and ask those who haven’t lived in either or only one which is better. You heard it from someone who has lived in both for an extended period of time, Irvine.

HB K says:

November 11, 2009 at 4:38 pm

Jo, stay in Irvine then, inlander

Dave39 says:

November 11, 2009 at 5:47 pm

Jo, I’ve lived in Irvine for the past 20 years, nice city but after growing up in H.B. I really miss the beach and we are moving back as soon as or daughter finishes high school[ cant beat the public schools here]

HBWHITEGUY says:

November 11, 2009 at 8:15 pm

well - i own a house on that Fallingwater street - it’s been for sale for a while.

The HB street is cool.

HeretoStay says:

The nicer area of HB is near the beach, any other area in the city is - nah!

lwps says:

November 11, 2009 at 9:04 pm

There’s a lot of nice streets in HB, not necessarily close to the water. Irvine looks really nice, but there is something that makes me very uncomfortable about that city. Appearances aren’t everything. Everything in that town seems owned by a corporation — because it is owned by a corporation!

Point and Laugh says:

November 12, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Both areas I’m sure has there good and bad points depending on your current need(s) or situation. If you’re single or have no kids, HB might suite your lifestyle. If you have kids Irvine schools are pretty hard to beat. Both cities are near enough to all that OC has to offer. So I think it pretty much comes down to the size of the lot and cost of living. For me, HOA dues are a thorn on my side. I mean come on people, mowing your lawn and making sure your house is tidy is all part of owning a home. Learn how to do it! Just like if you drive a monster SUV, you should a least know how to park the F-ing thing and not take 2 parking spots (but that’s another issue).

Lance500 says:

November 12, 2009 at 8:09 pm

There is no question that Irvine has the nicest public school. I lived in HB for over twenty years. My kids went to private school and they are grown. I like the cool weather and the ocean breeze. I will live in HB until I reitre then I will move to Florida. I wouldn’t live in Irvine because of the diversity there. All the houses there seemed to be the same and I would feel suffocate there.

bpsqwerty says:

November 16, 2009 at 1:31 pm

something weird in the above paragraph. just can’t put my finger on it…

Post Reply

bpsqwerty says:

November 16, 2009 at 1:34 pm

I’ve lived in HB and I currently live right on the border of Irvine. I think HB is a bit overrated but in some regards so is Irvine.

basically, for family, Irvine wins out. career wise, Irvine again. any other purpose, HB probably wins by a little. but family and career trump being close to the beach anyday. sure you can do the same in HB it’s just harder and not worth the trouble.

there are some desirable areas of Irvine but I would avoid a lot of the neighborhoods that don’t interest me, but that pertains to a lot of HB too.