Placentia grew out of north Orange County’s citrus era, and the old packing house district by the railroad is still the historic heart of the city. Around it are several decades of suburban tracts, a golf course community on the east side and newer attached housing near Old Town. For help with Placentia homes for sale, or with selling a home in Placentia, call or text Aimee Ghafouri of 951 Properties at (951) 331-8453.
Placentia at a Glance
Placentia is an incorporated city bordered by Fullerton to the west, Brea to the north, Yorba Linda to the east and Anaheim to the south. The 57 freeway runs along its western side and the 91 is a short distance south. Chapman Avenue, Yorba Linda Boulevard, Kraemer Boulevard and Orangethorpe Avenue are the streets most people use to get around. Cal State Fullerton is just over the western city line, and Tri-City Park sits where Placentia, Brea and Fullerton meet.
Old Town Placentia
The Old Town area, around Santa Fe Avenue and Bradford Avenue in the southwest part of the city, is where Placentia began. It has early commercial buildings, older small homes on a street grid, and long-established restaurants. The city has adopted plans to encourage new housing and mixed-use development here, tied in part to a planned commuter rail station that has been discussed for many years. If the station matters to your decision, ask the City of Placentia where the project stands today.
The George Key Ranch Historic Park and the Bradford House are reminders of the ranching and citrus period, and a number of older houses around the city date from that time.
Placentia Real Estate: Main Property Types
- Tract homes from the 1950s to the 1980s. This is the bulk of what you see among houses for sale in Placentia. Earlier tracts are mostly single-story. Later ones, generally further north and east, include more two-story plans and cul-de-sac streets.
- Alta Vista Country Club area. On the east side, homes and attached communities are arranged around the golf course. Golf course homes raise their own questions about views, privacy, stray balls and what an association controls.
- Townhomes and condos. These are spread across the city and range from 1970s complexes to recent infill.
- Older homes near Old Town. Smaller lots, earlier construction and, in places, zoning that allows more than one unit.
Things Placentia Buyers Should Look Into
The rail corridor
A main freight rail line crosses the southern part of the city along the Orangethorpe corridor. Several crossings have been rebuilt as underpasses or overpasses, but trains still run day and night. Visit homes in the south end at different hours.
Age and permits
On mid-century tract homes, check the roof, plumbing, electrical panel, sewer lateral and the permit history of any addition or conversion. City records are the place to verify permits. Patio enclosures and garage conversions are common in these tracts, and an appraiser may not count unpermitted space, which matters to both the buyer’s loan and the seller’s price.
Associations and tax bills
Many townhome and golf course communities have homeowners associations. Read the rules, budget and reserve study, and ask about pending assessments. Review the property tax bill for any special assessments, particularly on newer construction.
Schools
The city is served by the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. School assignment depends on the address, so confirm it with the district.
Selling a Home in Placentia
Buyers often look at Placentia alongside Fullerton, Brea and Yorba Linda, so your home competes with listings in those cities as well as with the house down the street. Pricing should rest on recent sales of similar homes in the same part of Placentia, adjusted for condition and lot. Before listing, pull together permits and records of major work, take care of visible repairs, and consider a pre-listing inspection if the home has not changed hands in decades. Clear disclosures about train noise, past repairs and any unpermitted work reduce surprises once you are in escrow.
Investors and Multi-Unit Property
Placentia has apartment buildings and smaller multi-unit properties, especially in the older southern neighborhoods, and rental demand in this part of the county is influenced by the nearby university. State law and local ordinances govern rent increases, evictions and accessory dwelling units. Review the current rules with the city, and speak to an attorney where needed, before you buy on rental assumptions.
How a Placentia Real Estate Agent Helps
Aimee Ghafouri is a Temecula-based real estate agent licensed anywhere in California. Raised in Murrieta, she has more than 15 years in sales and marketing and a bachelor’s degree in business. She represents buyers, sellers and investors, and her approach comes down to communication, dedication and serving others. The 91 freeway links this part of Orange County with the Inland Empire, and moves in both directions are common. Reach her on (951) 331-8453 or through the contact page.
Nearby Cities
Compare Placentia with Fullerton, Brea, Yorba Linda, Anaheim and Anaheim Hills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Old Town Placentia?
Old Town is in the southwest part of the city around Santa Fe Avenue and Bradford Avenue, next to the rail line. It is the original commercial district, and the city has planned for new housing and mixed-use projects there.
Are there golf course homes in Placentia?
Yes. Homes and attached communities surround Alta Vista Country Club on the east side of the city. Check the association rules and how close the home sits to the line of play.
Does Placentia have a Metrolink station?
A commuter rail station near Old Town has been planned for years. Ask the City of Placentia for the current status before you count on it.
Which school district serves Placentia?
Placentia is in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. Confirm school assignment for a specific address with the district.
How do I start looking at Placentia homes for sale?
Call or text Aimee Ghafouri at (951) 331-8453 with the kind of home you want and your timing. She will set up a search and arrange showings.
Buying or Selling in Placentia?
Aimee Ghafouri is a real estate agent based in Temecula who grew up in Murrieta. She is licensed to work anywhere in California and represents buyers, sellers and investors.
Aimee Ghafouri, 951 Properties, CAL DRE #02193341. This page is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Equal Housing Opportunity.