Santa Ana is the county seat of Orange County and one of its oldest cities, which gives it something most of the county lacks: whole neighborhoods of houses from the 1910s through the 1940s. Add postwar tracts, downtown lofts and condo towers near South Coast Metro, and Santa Ana real estate turns out to be more varied than its reputation as a government and business center suggests. For buying or selling help, call or text Aimee Ghafouri of 951 Properties at (951) 331-8453.
Santa Ana Homes for Sale: Start With the Era
The quickest way to sort houses for sale in Santa Ana is by when they were built.
- Pre-war homes. Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor and Colonial styles on tree-lined streets north and south of downtown.
- Postwar tracts. Single-story ranch houses from the late 1940s through the 1960s cover much of the west, south and far north of the city.
- Condos and townhomes. Garden-style complexes from the 1970s and 1980s, plus newer mid-rise and high-rise buildings.
- Lofts and live-work units. Found in and around downtown and the Artists Village, some in converted commercial buildings.
- Small multi-unit buildings. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes are common in the central neighborhoods.
Historic Neighborhoods
Santa Ana’s named historic neighborhoods are a large part of its appeal to buyers who want an older house:
- Floral Park, in the north, known for larger period-revival homes on wide streets and for its yearly home tour.
- French Park, a historic district just north of downtown with some of the city’s oldest houses.
- Wilshire Square and Washington Square, with modest bungalows and revival cottages from the 1920s and 1930s.
- Park Santiago and West Floral Park, close to Santiago Creek and the freeways on the north side.
The city keeps its own register of historical properties. A listed house may need review before exterior changes, and may qualify for a Mills Act contract, which exchanges a preservation commitment for a property tax adjustment. Confirm a property’s status with the City of Santa Ana planning division, and ask a tax professional what a contract would mean for you.
Getting Around and Where Things Are
Santa Ana is an incorporated city in central Orange County, with Orange and Garden Grove to the north, Tustin to the east, Costa Mesa and Irvine to the south, and Fountain Valley across the Santa Ana River to the west. Interstate 5 and State Routes 22 and 55 frame the north and east sides, and Interstate 405 passes the southern edge. The Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center serves Amtrak and Metrolink trains. The Civic Center holds the county courthouses and government offices, and downtown’s Fourth Street corridor is the historic commercial core. The Bowers Museum and the Santa Ana Zoo are both in the city, and John Wayne Airport is just beyond the southern border.
The southern tip, usually called South Coast Metro, sits beside South Coast Plaza (which is in Costa Mesa) and is where many of the newer condo buildings stand.
Due Diligence for Older Houses
With pre-war and early postwar homes, the inspection matters as much as the floor plan. Ask about:
- Foundation type and condition, including whether a raised foundation has been bolted and braced.
- Knob-and-tube or other early wiring, panel capacity and grounding.
- Galvanized or cast iron plumbing and the sewer lateral, ideally with a camera inspection.
- Unpermitted additions, garage conversions and second units. City permit records are the place to check.
- Lead paint and asbestos materials, which are common in homes of this age and covered in standard disclosures.
Parts of the city near the river may fall in mapped flood zones; the natural hazard disclosure and current federal flood map show an address’s status.
Notes for Investors
Santa Ana has adopted its own rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinances, which apply to many rental properties in addition to state law. The rules, exemptions and registration requirements are specific and can be amended. Anyone buying a rental here, including a house with a second unit, should read the current ordinances on the city’s website and consult a landlord-tenant attorney before relying on income projections. School assignments also vary: most of the city is in the Santa Ana Unified School District, with some edges served by neighboring districts.
Selling a Home in Santa Ana
Period homes sell on originality and care. Document restored features, system upgrades and permits, and state clearly whether the house is on the historic register. For tract homes and condos, recent same-model sales and condition set the price. For rented property, organize leases, rent history and compliance records before listing, since buyers and their lenders will request them.
A Santa Ana Real Estate Agent Licensed Statewide
Aimee Ghafouri is a Temecula-based real estate agent licensed to work anywhere in California. She grew up in Murrieta, has a bachelor’s degree in business and brings more than 15 years of sales and marketing experience to representing buyers, sellers and investors. Communication, dedication and service guide her work.
Nearby Cities
Compare Santa Ana real estate with Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley and Irvine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Santa Ana neighborhoods have historic homes?
Floral Park, French Park, Wilshire Square and Washington Square are among the best known, with houses mostly from the 1910s through the 1940s. Other central neighborhoods also have individual period homes.
Does Santa Ana have rent control?
The city has its own rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinances that cover many rentals, alongside state law. Coverage and exemptions depend on the property, so read the current rules on the City of Santa Ana website and speak with an attorney.
What is the Mills Act in Santa Ana?
It is a contract program for qualifying historic properties in which the owner agrees to preserve the home in return for a property tax adjustment. Ask the city whether a property has a contract or is eligible.
Are there condos and lofts in Santa Ana?
Yes. Downtown and the Artists Village have lofts and live-work units, and the South Coast Metro area has mid-rise and high-rise condo buildings. Review association budgets, reserves and rental rules for any of them.
How do I start a Santa Ana home search?
Call or text Aimee Ghafouri at (951) 331-8453 with the neighborhoods and home styles you prefer. She can set up alerts and arrange showings.
Buying or Selling in Santa Ana?
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.