Jasmine Park – Adrienne Brennan
Introduction to the enclave: Jasmine Park is comprised of 41 single-family attached homes located on two streets – Gardenia Way and Hibiscus. It is located behind gates in an extremely secure setting, making it a very desirable neighborhood for residents who like to lock up and travel, and not worry about leaving home. The neighbors are all friendly yet respect each other’s privacy – another wonderful advantage of living in a small, quaint neighborhood of homes. Many of the residents are original owners; it’s not a community that one likes to leave. We are in the absolute best location, as we are in a quiet neighborhood (as opposed to in the middle of the village), yet we enjoy the amenities of Corona del Mar Village living. I walk to mass, the grocery store, the bank, Saturday morning’s farmers market, and of course, the most beautiful beaches in all of Southern California. From my doorstep to the ocean, on foot, it’s a 12-minute walk or a three-minute bike ride!
Bordered by: We are surrounded by Harbor View Hills to the east and west and just above us is Jasmine Creek – a similar community of approximately 325 condos.
Views: Almost half the homes in our community have fantastic views of the ocean, glorious sunsets and Catalina Island on those clear, crisp days and evenings.
Homes: The 41 homes were built in 1986 by M.J. Brock and Sons. There are a total of four floor plans ranging from 1,624 to 2,160 square feet. The homes are either two or three levels. Many of the original floor plans have been expanded by the owners – some adding bedrooms, offices and recreational rooms. The style can be defined as Cape Cod. We’ve just completed a renovation of the homes and landscape, so it looks like a brand new community. The roofs are have all been freshly painted, and more than 75% of the landscaping is new. The entry way has been updated with a lovely water feature at the gated entrance. It’s well lit in the evening, being conducive to walks to town for dinner or just to get some exercise.
History of the Area: The land was originally owned by James Irvine (as was most of the surrounding area). Originally, the community attracted loads of “empty nesters,” for all of the reasons listed above.
How the Community Has Evolved: We have become a diverse community – once considered a senior/retirement community, we now enjoy young single professionals, families with young children, and as mentioned earlier, loads of original owners – a tribute to the enclave! Jasmine Park is full of fabulous energy and loads of camaraderie among those of us fortunate enough to call this neighborhood home.
Community Features/Amenities/Special Events: We have a lovely pool and spa set in a park-like environment; its fantastic to entertain here in the summers (or most of the year, for that matter). The sound of children playing and families enjoying each other permeates the area. All of this is managed by the association – no hassle for the owners! The dues are extremely low for the amenities ($426 per month). All landscaping, street maintenance, pool, spa and roof maintenance is covered, as is the bulk of the homeowners’ insurance.
Why You Love Living Here: I LOVE living here for many reasons. First, because of the home designs – bright and light with lots of space between the homes allowing for sunshine and privacy. Next, the location is excellent. Where else can you live in paradise for under $1.5 million in Corona del Mar? The neighbors are fantastic with close proximity to the best restaurants, serene beaches and parks, world-class shopping and entertainment, and all within five minutes of major freeways, and our top-notch airport is unparalleled. As a Realtor, I see more than 20 homes per week throughout Newport and Corona del Mar – I have yet to fine a place I would rather live.
Current Market Activity
There have only been two sales since February 1, 2010. One was a short sale and the other never went on the market – it was purchased by a family that was renting in the complex (two homes away), and they bought directly from the seller. The home was completely original and is a view property, but only from the front balcony.
The short sale at 956 Gardenia Way was a two bedroom, two bath with a two-car garage that sold for $837,500. Built in 1985, it measures 1,624 square feet, with a price per square foot of $515.70. The home sold on January 11, 2011 with 78 days days on market.
As a comparison, the home at 811 Gardenia Way that was taken off the market and rented was a three bedroom, three bath with a two-car garage that was listed at $1,295,000. Built in 1986, it measures 2,012 square feet, with a price per square foot of $643.64 and 266 days on market.
Information, provided by Adrienne Brennan, Realtor with Surterre Properties. Reach her directly at 714.401.8277 or by email at abrennan@surterreproperties.com. www.adriennebrennan.com
