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Orange County Real Estate, Inc.

Search every home for sale in Orange County, find out what yours is worth, and read the market data every week from the broker who writes it.

Orange County Real Estate, Inc. is a Costa Mesa brokerage working with buyers, sellers, and investors across the county. Eric Engelbert owns the company and is the broker of record, licensed since 1998 and a broker since 2003. The person who runs the firm is the person handling your transaction, from the valuation through the negotiation.

Most people who find us are looking for a home. A large share of them also have one to sell. Move-up buyers and downsizers are running two transactions at once, and the questions overlap: what is my house actually worth, what can I buy with it, and what happens if the timing does not line up. We handle both sides of that in one conversation, and when the timing genuinely does not line up, we can often arrange short-term financing so a purchase does not depend on a sale closing first. More about Eric »

Orange County Real Estate at a Glance

  • Brokerage: Orange County Real Estate, Inc., based in Costa Mesa
  • Broker: Eric Engelbert, licensed since 1998, broker since 2003
  • Serves: All of Orange County, California
  • Focus: Move-up and downsizing moves, investment property, relocation
  • Known for: Lender-grade valuations that hold up in negotiation
  • Free resource: Weekly Orange County Housing Report, published in full
Buying a house in Orange County

Buying

Search the full MLS, updated continuously.

Selling a house in Orange County

Selling

Pricing, preparation, and what your home will really bring.

New construction homes in Orange County

New Construction

Builder inventory across the county.

What Is Your Orange County Property Worth?

Start with the instant estimate for a range. Then have us check it against the actual comparable sales, the condition of the property, and what is happening on your specific street. The two numbers are often not the same.

GET MY INSTANT ESTIMATE »

Takes 30 seconds. Or call 949-430-7500 and skip straight to the real number.

How We Price and Negotiate

Before he sold his first home, Eric worked in construction alongside a custom home builder, then moved into real estate lending in Newport Beach, including work with a private lender. Three careers that turned into one skill.

A lender does not ask what a property might sell for on an optimistic day. A lender asks what it is genuinely worth if the asset has to be sold. That means selecting comparable sales rather than accepting whatever the software returns, and adjusting them for condition, lot position, view, and the upgrades a market will actually pay for. It is slower than pulling an average. It is also why our pricing tends to hold up when an appraiser or the other side of a negotiation puts it under scrutiny.

That work is what makes a negotiation winnable. When we hold a number, we can show exactly why we are holding it: the specific sales that support it, the adjustments behind them, and what the other side's comparables leave out. A position backed by data holds. A position backed by hope gets chipped away, usually in the last two weeks before closing when there is the most pressure to concede. Whether you are trying to net the most on a sale or make sure a purchase is worth what you are paying, that is where the outcome is decided.

Why our pricing holds up under scrutiny:

  • We select true comparable sales instead of accepting a software average.
  • We adjust each comp for condition, lot position, view, and paid-for upgrades.
  • We reconcile the numbers in writing, the way a lender or appraiser would.
  • We can show the exact sales behind a number and what the other side's comps leave out.

A valuation a CPA could use

A Mission Viejo estate needed a defensible date-of-death value. The work came down to a property inspection, twelve comparable sales, two exact floor plan matches that anchored the analysis, and a written reconciliation the family's CPA used to establish a stepped-up cost basis. Read how it was built »

A closing saved in seven days

A buyer in her seventies found the single-level home she needed, then discovered a $300,000 shortfall in her funds. Because a private lender trusted Eric's valuation work, he was permitted to perform the appraisal and inspection himself. The loan funded in twenty-four hours and the home closed four days later. Read the full account »

The Orange County Housing Report, Every Week

Eric writes and publishes a weekly read on the Orange County market: active inventory, new listings, pending sales, closings, expected market time, and where each price range actually stands. Not a monthly recap of closed sales, which is a look in the rear-view mirror, but current supply and demand.

Expected market time is the number of months it would take to sell all current inventory at the current pace of sales, and it is the fastest read on whether a price range favors buyers or sellers.

It is free, it is published in full on this site, and there is no email form in front of it. Most agents either sell this kind of data by subscription or hold it back for lead capture.

Read this week's Orange County Housing Report »

For neighborhood-level numbers, see the market reports by city.

Moving to Orange County?

Relocating is a transition, not just a transaction. We work with out-of-area buyers who cannot be here for tours, inspections, or contractor follow-ups, and we handle that legwork on the ground. Neighborhood fit, commute reality, and school district research come first, before anyone gets on a plane.

Start Your Relocation Plan »
Catalina sunset from the Orange County coast

What Our Clients Say

Rated 5.0 out of 5 across 14 Google reviews. Read them all on Google »

Sold in 9 days

"We sold our home in Costa Mesa in just 9 days with Eric's help. My husband thought we didn't need to hire a realtor, Eric broke down the entire process for us and it just made sense to work with him."

Debra F.

Three years to the right house

"Eric listened to our likes and dislikes and narrowed down continually over about 3 years. We feel we got the house we wanted at an advantageous price. A true professional."

Gerry M. Read on Google »

Would use him again

"Eric Engelbert is a realtor that you can trust with the sale of your home. He is a true professional, easy to work with, and communicates often to know your needs and keep you aware of the market."

Kim M. Read on Google »

Orange County, Neighborhood by Neighborhood

Values here shift within a few blocks, and county-wide averages hide more than they reveal. Whether it is a coastal ocean view property, a master-planned community in Irvine, a mid-century Eichler in the City of Orange, a golf course home, or a duplex or fourplex held as investment property, the analysis starts at street level.

Weekend Open Houses

Touring homes this weekend? We keep real-time open house directories for every community. City pages like Newport Beach and Irvine carry localized schedules.

View the master list: Search all Orange County open houses »

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to what people ask most before they call.

Who is the broker at Orange County Real Estate, Inc.?

Eric Engelbert owns the company and is the broker of record. He has been licensed since 1998 and a broker since 2003, and he handles each transaction himself from the valuation through the negotiation.

What areas does Orange County Real Estate, Inc. serve?

The brokerage is based in Costa Mesa and works throughout Orange County, California, including Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Mission Viejo, San Clemente, Dana Point, and the surrounding cities.

How do you decide what my home is worth?

We start with an instant online estimate for a range, then verify it against true comparable sales, the condition of the property, and current activity on your street. Each comparable is adjusted for condition, lot position, view, and upgrades, the way a lender or appraiser would.

Is the Orange County Housing Report really free?

Yes. It is written by Eric each week and published in full on this site, with no email form and no subscription required.

Can you help me buy and sell at the same time?

Yes. Many of our clients are move-up buyers or downsizers running two transactions at once, and when the timing does not line up we can often arrange short-term financing so a purchase does not depend on a sale closing first.

Do you work with buyers relocating from out of the area?

Yes. We handle tours, inspections, and contractor follow-ups on the ground for out-of-area buyers, and we start with neighborhood fit, commute reality, and school district research before anyone gets on a plane.

Have a question about your property or the market?

No pressure and no pitch. If you are a year away from doing anything, that is a fine time to start the conversation.

Call or Text 949-430-7500

Prefer to schedule? Book a 15 minute call

Orange County Real Estate, Inc.  |  Eric Engelbert, Broker  |  California DRE 01241208 and 01527370

Ten New Orange County Listings

553 Bernard, Costa Mesa
$1,425,000
4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ NP26216638 MLS ⋅ Coming Soon Status
Welcome to Four West, a collection of four brand-new single-family residences in prime Costa Mesa. Built in 2026, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath end-unit residence offers 1,817 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, combining contemporary style, natural light, and comfortable everyday living in a highly desirable location. Inside, an open-concept floor plan connects the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, with oversized windows bringing abundant natural light throughout. The kitchen features quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, crisp cabinetry, and a generous breakfast bar, while warm wood-tone flooring adds warmth and character. A distinctive open staircase with modern horizontal railing creates architectural interest and a sense of openness. The spacious primary suite provides a private retreat, while three additional bedrooms offer flexibility for family, guests, or a home office. Contemporary bathrooms feature quartz surfaces, tile finishes, and modern fixtures. Sliding glass doors extend the living space to a private yard, creating an inviting setting for outdoor dining, entertaining, or simply enjoying the Southern California climate. A two-car garage and additional dedicated parking add everyday convenience. Ideally located near Triangle Square and 17th Street, with easy access to beaches, golf, top schools, dining, entertainment, business districts, and major freeways. A thoughtfully designed new home offering generous space, modern finishes, and the ease of a private outdoor setting in the heart of Costa Mesa.

553 Bernard, Costa Mesa

551 Bernard, Costa Mesa
$1,425,000
4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ NP26216597 MLS ⋅ Coming Soon Status
Welcome to Four West, a collection of four brand-new single-family residences in prime Costa Mesa. Built in 2026, this 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers 1,984 square feet of thoughtfully designed living space, combining contemporary style, natural light, and comfortable everyday living in a highly desirable location. Inside, an open-concept floor plan connects the kitchen, dining, and living spaces, with oversized windows bringing abundant natural light throughout. The kitchen features quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, crisp cabinetry, and a generous breakfast bar, while warm wood-tone flooring adds warmth and character. A distinctive open staircase with modern horizontal railing creates architectural interest and a sense of openness. The spacious primary suite provides a private retreat, while three additional bedrooms offer flexibility for family, guests, or a home office. Contemporary bathrooms feature quartz surfaces, tile finishes, and modern fixtures. Sliding glass doors extend the living space to a private yard, creating an inviting setting for outdoor dining, entertaining, or simply enjoying the Southern California climate. A two-car garage and additional dedicated parking add everyday convenience. Ideally located near Triangle Square and 17th Street, with easy access to beaches, golf, top schools, dining, entertainment, business districts, and major freeways. A thoughtfully designed new home offering generous space, modern finishes, and the ease of a private outdoor setting in the heart of Costa Mesa.

551 Bernard, Costa Mesa

34421 Camino El Molino, Dana Point
$2,249,900
4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ OC26215939 MLS ⋅ Active Status
Ocean views above and a resort-like pool setting below give this reimagined Capistrano Beach home two distinct ways to experience coastal living. Spanning approximately 2,176 square feet, the four bedroom, three bath residence is arranged with its main living spaces upstairs, where vaulted wood ceilings, exposed beams and abundant natural light bring warmth and character to the open interior. A floor-to-ceiling brick fireplace framed in wood anchors the living room, while wide-plank flooring and large expanses of glass carry the eye toward the Pacific. An expansive ocean-view deck extends the living and dining spaces outdoors, creating a natural setting for morning coffee, open-air dinners and sunsets. The remodeled kitchen is bright and restrained, with crisp custom cabinetry, quartz surfaces, stainless steel appliances and generous storage. Skylights bring additional natural light from above, while the kitchen’s open connection to the dining and living areas allows the upper floor to function as one continuous gathering space without losing the individual character of each room. Downstairs, all four bedrooms create a quieter separation from the home’s primary gathering spaces. The generously proportioned primary suite includes dual vanities and a stone shower/tub, while three additional bedrooms offer flexibility for family, guests or a home office. The backyard is an experience of its own. A private pool and spa with custom tilework, a Baja shelf and cascading water features form the centerpiece, surrounded by generous areas for lounging, dining and gathering. A fire feature and integrated lighting carry the setting into the evening, while the upper deck overlooks the entire scene. The result is an outdoor environment that feels equally suited to a quiet afternoon by the pool or a house full of friends. The improvements extend well beyond what is immediately visible, with updates made to major systems including plumbing, electrical, roofing and piping, along with the renovated kitchen, flooring, trim, pool and spa. Set within Capistrano Beach, the home brings together ocean views, substantial outdoor living and a relaxed residential setting, with the beach, Dana Point Harbor and the restaurants and shops of Dana Point and San Clemente all within easy reach.

34421 Camino El Molino, Dana Point

25691 Weston Drive, Laguna Niguel
$2,295,000
4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ SW26215817 MLS ⋅ Active Status
Welcome to Rolling Hills Estates, a desirable gated community offering a beautiful community pool, spa, picnic area, playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, and volleyball courts. This community is highly desirable, and listings here are few and far between. This is a unique opportunity. This newly renovated, inside-and-out four-bedroom, three-bathroom home offers approximately 2,288 square feet of comfortable living space, with a 180-degree view of Saddleback Mountain and city lights. New upgrades include: new paint throughout, newer energy-efficient windows throughout, new baseboards and mouldings throughout. The three-car garage is freshly painted and drywalled, with epoxy flooring, new insulated garage doors, and new openers. All bathrooms are upgraded with new cabinetry, countertops, and tile floors. Step inside to find plenty of natural light and high ceilings. A cozy fireplace in the den is perfect for cool coastal nights, with new tile and carpet throughout. The kitchen features brand-new cabinets and appliances, and quartz countertops. An open floor plan provides plenty of space for family gatherings or entertaining. The primary suite is large and spacious with mountain views and an en suite bathroom, soaking tub, tiled walk-in shower, and 2 walk-in closets. The other two spacious bedrooms share a Jack-and-Jill bathroom. A fourth bedroom is located downstairs. Outside, enjoy an alumawood covered patio and private pool and spa. A lovely space to enjoy a morning cup of coffee or unwind with a glass of wine after work, or host a barbecue. Residents of Rolling Hills Estates enjoy access to Capistrano Unified School District, plenty of shopping and dining options, and excellent access to the 5 freeway and the 73. Schedule your private showing today.

25691 Weston Drive, Laguna Niguel

360 Villanova Road, Costa Mesa
$1,975,000
4 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ NP26213905 MLS ⋅ Active Status
Welcome to this beautifully updated and expanded home in the coveted community of College Park, situated on a spacious corner lot. Thoughtfully upgraded and meticulously maintained, this single-level, four-bedroom, two-bath residence combines timeless character with modern comfort and a private backyard retreat. Light-filled interiors showcase original oak flooring and an open layout connecting the remodeled kitchen, dining area, and living room. Contemporary maple cabinetry, porcelain countertops and backsplash, updated appliances, and counter seating create an inviting gathering space. A fireplace adds warmth, while French doors open to the backyard for effortless indoor-outdoor living. The primary suite features a walk-in closet and a spa-like bathroom with an oversized soaking tub, separate shower, and dual vanity. Quartzite countertops enhance the bathrooms, while three additional bedrooms offer flexibility for guests or a home office. Outside, mature trees and lush greenery surround a sparkling PebbleTec pool. A covered dining patio, pergola-shaded lounge area, and open lawn create a tranquil setting for entertaining or unwinding. A white picket fence and attractive paver driveway complement the landscaped grounds. Additional features include air conditioning, direct garage access, epoxy garage flooring, storage cabinetry, side-yard storage, and potential RV parking. Ideally positioned to enjoy the best of Costa Mesa and coastal Orange County, this home places shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and the OC Fair & Event Center close at hand. Convenient access to major freeways simplifies commuting and exploring the region, while nearby Newport Beach offers an easy escape for beach days and waterfront dining. From everyday errands to weekend outings, College Park puts it all within easy reach.

360 Villanova Road, Costa Mesa

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Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. as of . This information is for your personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties you may be interested in purchasing. Display of MLS data is usually deemed reliable but is NOT guaranteed accurate by the MLS. Buyers are responsible for verifying the accuracy of all information and should investigate the data themselves or retain appropriate professionals. Information from sources other than the Listing Agent may have been included in the MLS data. Unless otherwise specified in writing, Broker/Agent has not and will not verify any information obtained from other sources. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.