Orange County’s most expensive communities are concentrated along the water.
Newport Coast offers a handy example, with a median home price of $3.5 million, nearly five times the county average of $750,000, according to the California Association of Realtors’ October report.
Median prices in North Laguna and Corona del Mar edge over $2.5 million, and Orange County’s southernmost oceanfront city, Dana Point, boasts a median price of $1.7 million.
Buildable lots along the coast command equally elevated prices. In Laguna Beach, for example, the average price for a .30-acre lot zoned for a home is $757,000. The most expensive parcel on the market is .30 of an acre in Montage Ocean Estates in Laguna Beach that’s listed for $14.8 million.
And people are snapping them up. Seventy-one lots have sold since January for more than $750,000 in coastal communities up and down the coast. The highest price paid was $11.75 million for .25 of an acre on the sand in The Strand at Headlands community in Dana Point. The average price paid for a lot in Newport Coast was $5.4 million. A blank-slate lot in Corona del Mar averaged $4.7 million. Those who sought a buildable parcel in Laguna Beach paid $1.4 million.
Picture-Perfect
The contemporary home at 645 Bayside Drive, situated on the picturesque Newport Bay coastline, was constructed this year by Newport Beach builder Scott Cross.
The four-bedroom, five-bath home, which sits on a 5,663-square-foot lot, sold on Nov. 16 for $6.98 million, almost reaching its October list price of $7 million.
The 4,177-square-foot home features numerous amenities, including disappearing pocket doors to bring the outdoors in, automatic shades and lighting on timers, whole-house audio, and exterior security cameras. There’s a chef’s kitchen with Miele appliances, quartz countertops, and Swarovski pendant lighting. Additional highlights include a guest suite with private entrance, elevator and a built-in water softener system. There’s also a 250-square-foot toy garage for kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and more.
Tim Smith of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage represented the seller, and Steve High and Evan Corkett of Villa Real Estate worked on behalf of the seller.
Italy in Newport
The Tuscan-inspired home at 6410 W. Oceanfront in Newport Beach sold on Nov. 9 for $5.7 million, coming in under its April list of $6 million.
The four-bedroom, 3 ½-bath Tuscan-style home was built in 2004 by Wally Burgess and designed by Laguna Beach architect David B. Smith. Its two levels encompass 2,677 square feet and sit on a 2,250-square-foot lot at a desirable corner in West Newport.
Pella French doors lead to an on-sand patio ideal for entertaining. Views of the ocean and Catalina Island can be enjoyed from all levels, with a rooftop deck affording 360-degree views and capacity for an above-ground spa.
Additional amenities include radiant-heated floors throughout; custom ironwork in the lighting, railings and exterior details; a surround-sound system in every room; security system with monitoring cameras; slate roof; Jado plumbing fixtures; and an outdoor private hot-cold beach shower.
Rob Norquist of First Team Estate was the seller’s agent, and Danny Murphy, also of First Team Real Estate, was the buyer’s.
Essence of Luxury
The Yorba Linda residence at 20665 Mirkwood Run sold on Nov. 10 for $4.3 million. Its April list price was $4.8 million.
The French Manor estate offers six bedrooms and 10 baths over 9,400 square feet nestled on 1.1 acres of manicured grounds and formal French gardens. The two-story foyer boasts dual wrought-iron chandeliers and an ornate wrought-iron staircase.
There’s a chef’s kitchen, great room and executive library, plus a media room, private retreat, and an 11-car garage. The home includes a separate entrance to the attached carriage guesthouse with two master suites.
Its sale was represented by Sonia Sanchez of Prudential California Realty on the seller’s side and by Janet Lu of Re/Max 2000 Realty on the buyer’s.
