Huntington Beach · Trading Up
Trading Up in Huntington Beach
Selling and buying with one plan, with the timing worked out before you list.
From a condo or starter home to more room
A lot of Huntington Beach homeowners start in a condo, townhome or smaller house and then need more space: another bedroom, a yard, a garage. The good news is that the equity you've built often funds the next step. The challenge is timing two transactions so you have somewhere to live.
I'm Jeanette Nelson of Jeanette Nelson Real Estate at Keller Williams Realty. I help clients upsize here in Huntington Beach, and I handle both sides of the move.
Where Huntington Beach buyers move up to
Many move-up buyers look for a single-family home with a traditional lot. Around 6,000 square feet is common in the city's 1960s and 1970s tracts, like the South of Hamilton neighborhoods. Others want newer construction or a larger two-story home. If more house and land matter most, Fountain Valley next door often has lots around 7,200 square feet and easier freeway access.
Selling and buying at the same time
We decide the order before anything goes on the market: sell first, buy first, a contingent purchase or a rent-back. It depends on your equity, your lender and the market. Read selling and buying in Huntington Beach and whether to sell before you buy.
Your current home's sale usually pays for the next one, so it helps to know what your Huntington Beach home is worth first. More on my trading up page.
Let's start with a conversation
Tell me about the home you have and the one you want. Reach out here or call (714) 366-8575.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a bigger Huntington Beach home before I sell mine?
Sometimes, depending on your equity and financing. Other options include selling first, a contingent purchase or a rent-back. Jeanette helps you choose with your real numbers.
What lot sizes are common in Huntington Beach?
Lots around 6,000 square feet are common in many traditional Huntington Beach tracts, although lot sizes vary a lot across the city.
Should I look in Fountain Valley too?
If you want more house and land and easier access to the 405, Fountain Valley is worth a look. Lots around 7,200 square feet are common there.
Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach at a glance
Coastal Lifestyle. Hometown Feel.
- The homes
- Much of the city was developed in the 1960s and 1970s. Lots around 6,000 sq ft are common in traditional tract neighborhoods, though lot sizes vary considerably. Unusually wide variety: condos and townhomes, beach cottages, single-story ranch homes, larger two-story homes, newer construction, custom homes, and luxury waterfront homes in Huntington Harbour, so a very wide range of price points. Many neighborhoods still have traditional lots, yards, driveways and two-car garages while being minutes from the ocean.
- Why people choose it
- People choose it for the coastal lifestyle without feeling on top of the neighbors: the beach, the pier, miles of bike paths, Bolsa Chica wetlands, Huntington Central Park, Huntington Harbour, Pacific City, neighborhood parks, restaurants, community events and the coastal weather.
- Schools people ask about
- Buyers frequently ask about Edison, Huntington Beach and Marina high schools, plus the elementary and middle schools for individual neighborhoods. The city is served by multiple school districts, so always verify the assigned schools for a specific property rather than assuming by neighborhood.
- Getting around
- No freeway runs directly through the city. Depending on the neighborhood, reaching the 405 or 22 can take time during busy commute hours, a trade-off many buyers accept to live closer to the ocean.
- Nearby
- The beach and pier, Bolsa Chica wetlands, Huntington Central Park, Huntington Harbour, Pacific City, miles of bike paths.
- The trade-off
- Versus Fountain Valley: the true coastal-city location and lifestyle, and a much wider range of home types and prices, in exchange for typically smaller lots (around 6,000 vs 7,200 sq ft), a land premium, and slower freeway access. Neighborhoods differ a lot: the Harbour, Downtown, Southeast Huntington Beach, and the areas around Central Park and Bolsa Chica each feel different.
The method
How we do it in Huntington Beach
Trading Up: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Jeanette Nelson Real Estate?