Rancho Santa Margarita Homes & Real Estate

Rancho Santa Margarita Neighborhood Homes

The median home prices in Rancho Santa Margarita neighborhoods are in the low $600s and have increased by nearly 10 percent compared with last year. Single-family homes in the city start in the low $500s for about 1,300 square feet, while homes starting in the low $1 millions typically offer about 3,800 square feet and an attached garage. The median price for a condo or townhome is in the low $400s for about 1,100 square feet, though they start in the mid $200s for one-bedroom and efficiency units.

Dove Canyon features single-family homes with impressive amenities such as a Jack Nicklaus signature golf club, a reservoir, and access to a horse trail. Dove Canyon home prices start in the upper $700s. Rancho Cielo is a gated community with homes from the mid $800s. Dahlia Court offers new construction townhomes by William Lyons Homes from the mid $500s. The Oaks at Portolo Hills in Trabuco Canyon features homes for sale by Baldwin and Sons from the low $1 millions. There are several other new construction neighborhoods in the area surrounding Rancho Santa Margarita, such as Skyridge in Mission Viejo, which has homes built by CalAtlantic starting in the upper $900s, and the Vine at Portoloa Springs in Irvine with real estate starting in the upper $400s.

The most common architectural style is Spanish Colonial, although contemporary style is becoming more popular in new construction neighborhoods. Many homes in the city feature swimming pools, particularly in neighborhoods such as Trabuco Highlands and Talavera.

Rancho Santa Margarita Community Amenities

Rancho Santa Margarita offers plentiful outdoor recreation. The city maintains a dog park and skate park, while the county oversees four large wilderness parks. Many of the city’s other parks are managed by various large homeowners associations, particularly the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation, which owns 13 parks including Central Park. Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the Cleveland National Forest, with nearly half a million protected acres of chaparral. In addition to activities like camping and hiking, the area features the Mount Laguna Observatory.

The city has an abundance of retail centers, making it one of Orange County’s premier shopping destinations. Plaza Antonio has nearly 50 shops, restaurants, and service locations, while Mercado del Lago offers nine eateries and about 20 stores and offices. Other major shopping centers include Rancho Santa Margarita Town Center and Plaza Empresa.

Rancho Santa Margarita Neighborhood Schools

Children of Rancho Santa Margarita residents attend schools in either Saddleback Valley Unified or Capistrano Unified School Districts. There are six public elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools serving the city. Parochial schools in the area include Mission Hills Christian School and Santa Margarita Catholic High School.

Rancho Santa Margarita Information Resources

• Rancho Santa Margarita City Government
• Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce
• Visiting Rancho Santa Margarita
• Rancho Santa Margarita Wikipedia
• Rancho Santa Margarita City-Data