Buying a home in Irvine: what questions should you ask before you start?

The direct answer: before you tour a single Irvine home, know the full monthly cost including HOA dues, the school attendance area for the exact addresses you will consider, the HOA documents for any planned community, the differences between new construction and resale, and how you will close safely. The questions below are the starting point Scarlett uses with buyers.

What is the real monthly cost, not just the price?

• Principal, interest, property taxes and homeowners insurance.
• Mortgage insurance when the down payment is under 20 percent.
• HOA monthly assessments, which are common across Irvine villages.
• Closing costs, moving costs and any immediate repairs.
• The payment change when taxes or insurance are reassessed.

Which school will this exact address attend?

Schools are assigned by attendance area, not by village name, so the school question is answered address by address using the district's current boundaries. [Scarlett to add: how she confirms attendance areas with buyers and what she covers when families are deciding between two villages.]

What do the HOA documents say?

• Monthly assessment and what it covers.
• Rental rules and caps, which matter if you may ever lease the home.
• Reserve funding and any pending special assessments.
• Rules on exteriors, parking, landscaping and short-term rentals.

New construction or resale?

New Irvine homes come with builder processes, lotteries or waiting lists, and their own timelines and price adjustments. Resale homes come with disclosures, inspections and negotiated terms. [Scarlett to add: the practical differences she explains to buyers considering both, from her own client experience.]

How will you close safely?

California escrow handles the closing, and wire fraud is an active threat: always confirm wiring instructions by phone with escrow using a known number, never by email alone. JC Pacific's security page has the full verification checklist. [Scarlett to add: her buyer closing timeline and the documents she walks buyers through at the end of the transaction.]