Fresno | $ 695,000
A four bedroom, two bath cottage built in 1949 on 0.4 acre lot
This house is in the Old Fig Garden neighborhood, which has wide tree-lined streets and houses from the first half of the 20th century. The Fig Garden Swim & Racquet Club is another major attraction with its swimming pool, tennis facilities and clubhouse. During the holidays, several streets become a one-way street so that visitors can admire the elaborate lighting effects of the residents.
California State University's main campus at Fresno is approximately 10 minutes' drive away. Fresno Yosemite International Airport and downtown Fresno are approximately 20 minutes' drive away.
Size: 2,624 square feet
Price per square foot: $ 265
Inside: A footpath framed by low hedges leads from the street to the red front door that leads into an open plan living space with Saltillo tile floors that span the entire main level.
To the right is a sitting area anchored by a fireplace adorned with ceramic tiles by a local artist and flanked by built-in shelving. There is a dining area on the left. A door from the dining area leads to a kitchen with a breakfast nook with a window and a view of the backyard.
At the rear of the first floor there is a hallway that leads to two bedrooms, a bathroom and a study. The first bedroom and study are connected and the bathroom has a marble-topped vanity and glass-walled shower. On the other side of the bathroom is a bedroom with beamed ceilings and whitewashed adobe walls. There is also a refrigerated wine cellar on this level.
Two more bedrooms and another bathroom with peach walls and a walk-in tiled shower are on the second floor.
Outside space: A door on the other side of the living area opens to a terrace with a trellis covered with jasmine. The yard behind is laid out with grass, hedges and mature trees. The driveway leads to a carport with two parking spaces at the rear of the property.
Taxes: $ 7,848 (estimated)
Contact: Danyelle Conner, London Properties, 559-259-2996; fresnoluxury.com
Idyllwild | $ 690,000
A mid-century 2008 modern inspired two bedroom, two bath home set on 0.4 acre lot
The original owner of this house, the general manager of the Palm Springs Art Museum, brought an eye for bright colors and unusual materials to its design.
The property is within walking distance of the center of Idyllwild, a scenic area in the San Jacinto Mountains with boutique hotels, restaurants and small grocery stores. Residents – about half of whom are second home owners – drive about 45 minutes into Hemet town for major shops and services. Palm Springs is about an hour away.
Size: 1,980 square feet
Price per square foot: $ 348
Inside: A long driveway leads from the street to the garage and lower level. Stairs that run next to the house lead you to the glass front door that leads into a long hallway that, like the rest of the main level, has cork floors.
At the end of the hall is the spacious living area with a corrugated iron ceiling, a cast iron stove and glass doors to the front deck. The living area is open to the dining area and the kitchen with cherry-red cabinets, Caesarstone worktops and a stainless steel island.
A short hallway leads from the kitchen to a bedroom suite with its own balcony. The bathroom has a light green accent wall, a porcelain bathtub, and a washer and dryer.
A flight of stairs near the kitchen leads down to the lower level where there is a comfortable family room and a second bedroom large enough to accommodate a king size bed with sliding glass doors that lead outside. The bathroom on this level has a bath and shower combination.
Outside space: Glass doors in the living area open to a partially covered terrace with new glass railings and space for a dining table and chairs. There is a new hot tub on a smaller deck across the house. The attached garage has space for two cars.
Taxes: $ 8,832 (estimated)
Contact: Bill Cochran and Daniel Miracle, Cochran & Miracle Group, Compass, 805-364-1997; kompass.com
Los Angeles | $ 699,000
A 1911 two bedroom, one bathroom bungalow on 0.16 acre lot
All that can be seen of this home from its quiet cul-de-sac in Highland Park is a carport and stairs that lead to the top of a small hill where the building sits above its neighbor. The seller who bought the house in 2012 redesigned the landscape, added avocado trees and succulents, and tended to fruit trees that were overgrown.
The house is just a few blocks from Figueroa Street, one of the main streets in the neighborhood. There are cafes and several independent grocery stores within walking distance. Eagle Rock restaurants are a five minute drive away. Dodger Stadium is about 10 minutes' drive away and downtown Los Angeles is a 15-minute drive.
Size: 752 square feet
Price per square foot: $ 930
Inside: Outside stairs in the carport lead to the front door that leads into the sunny living room.
The floors are made of reworked hardwood and two windows face the veranda. To the right is a room currently used as a dining area with more windows and space for a table and chairs or a home office setup. A few steps further is an open plan kitchen with white quartz counters, white painted cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.
A short hallway off the kitchen leads to a bedroom with space for a queen bed. Next door is a recently updated bathtub and shower combo bathroom that is tiled with subway.
A second bedroom, also large enough to accommodate a queen bed, is adjacent to the dining area.
A staircase in the back of the house leads to a small shed that serves as a home office.
Outdoor space: The back yard is planted with drought tolerant plants and fruit trees such as pomegranate, tangerine and nectarine. The seller replaced the courtyard's retaining walls to make it easier to look after the vegetation, and added cacti and agave plants, as well as a vegetable garden. A flat, paved area near the home office shed offers city views. The carport at the front of the house has space for one car.
Taxes: $ 8,880 (estimated)
Contact: Courtney Poulos, ACME Real Estate, 323-596-0006; acme-re.com
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