Costa Mesa · Buying a Home
Buying a Home in Costa Mesa
Your goals first, a clear walkthrough of the process, and a focused search through closing.
Explore the neighborhoods before you choose
Costa Mesa is one of those cities where you need to explore the individual neighborhoods, because the housing is eclectic. Eastside Costa Mesa can feel different from Mesa Verde or the Westside, and even from street to street you can see a surprising variety of architecture, lots and property types.
I'm Jeanette Nelson of Jeanette Nelson Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty, helping Orange County buyers since 2003.
Let's Start With a Conversation
What to look at beyond the photos
- What the property is. Single-family, duplex, condo, townhome, or a home with an accessory unit. Each is financed, insured and resold differently.
- Permits. When you're serious about a specific home, we can check with the city on permits for additions and accessory units.
- The lot. Configurations vary more here than in tract cities.
- Schools. Verify the assigned schools for each specific property.
In my July 2026 update, Costa Mesa single-family homes averaged $1,950,488 and condos and townhomes $932,778.
Why buyers choose Costa Mesa
You're next to Newport Beach's beaches, restaurants and shopping, often without Newport Beach prices. South Coast Plaza and Segerstrom Center for the Arts are here, and the 55, 405 and 73 and John Wayne Airport are close. The trade-off: Costa Mesa isn't a beach city itself. Compare with buying in Huntington Beach or read my Costa Mesa guide.
The buying steps are on my buying process page. Buying your first home? See first-time buyers in Costa Mesa.
Eastside, Mesa Verde or the Westside?
Eastside Costa Mesa sits right next to Newport Beach, with easy access to the coast, Back Bay and everything along 17th Street. You'll find original cottages and bungalows alongside remodeled homes and newer custom properties.
Mesa Verde is known for established residential streets and mature landscaping, with single-story and two-story homes, many with larger yards, near parks, golf and shopping.
Westside Costa Mesa mixes established residential pockets with newer development, condos and townhomes, and it's convenient to Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. The feel can change considerably from street to street.
Look at the neighborhood, lot, zoning, surrounding properties and lifestyle, not only the price, to understand what you're buying.
Let's start with a conversation
Tell me what you're looking for. Reach out here or call (714) 366-8575.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average home price in Costa Mesa?
In Jeanette Nelson's July 2026 market update, Costa Mesa single-family homes averaged $1,950,488 and condos and townhomes $932,778.
Is Costa Mesa a beach city?
No, yet parts of Eastside Costa Mesa are close to the ocean and Newport Beach is next door.
What should I check before buying a Costa Mesa home with an accessory unit?
Understand how the unit affects financing and insurance, review any existing tenant arrangement, and once you're serious about the home, we can check with the city on permits.
Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa at a glance
Where Character Meets Coastal Living.
- The homes
- Eclectic. A mix of residential zoning and development patterns: single-family homes alongside duplexes and other multifamily properties, condos, townhomes, accessory units, older cottages, remodeled homes and newer construction. Architecture, lot configurations and property types can vary street to street.
- Why people choose it
- People choose it for its variety and personality, and to enjoy neighboring Newport Beach's beaches, restaurants, shopping and coastal lifestyle without Newport Beach home prices. Eastside Costa Mesa, Mesa Verde and the Westside each feel different.
- Getting around
- Access to the 55, 405 and 73, and close to Irvine, Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport.
- Nearby
- South Coast Plaza, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, a strong restaurant, coffee and local business scene, and Newport Beach next door.
- The trade-off
- Versus Huntington Beach: Costa Mesa is not a beach city. Parts of Eastside Costa Mesa are very close to the ocean, but there are no miles of coastline, beachfront bike path, pier or surf-town setting outside your door.
Buying a Home: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Jeanette Nelson Real Estate?