College Park Real Estate:
A Downtown Fullerton Real Estate Guide

Real estate in the College Park neighborhood of Fullerton may be some of the most coveted property in all of the Downtown area. There are numerous reasons for the popularity of College Park real estate and this review will let prospective home buyers see many of the unique characteristics that go into making the neighborhood such a wonderful place to live. If they decide they like the area, the Tools section below will aid them in finding, buying, or just tracking real estate in Downtown Fullerton’s College Park neighborhood.

Tools:

College Park Homes For Sale - Use the FOUST Home Finder to search for homes yourself, or set up a custom search when you’re ready to dial in on a specific type of property in Fullerton’s College Park neighborhood. *This tool can also help to search for real estate in other areas as well.

College Park Property Tracker – Whether you’re a savvy investor or just a curious neighbor, our FOUST Property Tracker™ is the best way to keep you “In The Loop” with regards to home sales in your neighborhood or area of interest.

College Park Neighborhood Pictures – See for yourself what the neighborhood and its homes actually look like. (Coming Soon!)

Other Local Neighborhood Reviews - Scroll through our “Learn about Real Estate by Neighborhoods” section to find other neighborhoods of interest.

History of College Park

Starting around 1906, College Park was beginning the transformation from wilderness and orange groves to a fully developed Fullerton neighborhood. The houses were built from 1906 on to about 1930 with most of the construction having taken place between 1925 and 1927. The area was developed at a slower rate than some other Fullerton areas and done in an incremental fashion, one home at a time.

The homes were built as a result of demand from the working class families of the area. Blue-collar buyer demand and the popularity of the Arts & Crafts movement were the two major factors behind the creation of these modest sized bungalow homes. The architectures for these cozy houses often originated from plans available in various catalogs. One such home designer was Sears Roebuck and many of these architectures can still be traced back to the original plan books. Towards the end of the 1920’s, the Art Deco movement was beginning to influence housing styles all over the country including those in Fullerton’s College Park. Some indications are the use of more colorful ceramic tiles in the bathrooms and kitchens, streamlined fixtures, and shinier materials like polished nickel.

Although much of the bungalows in Fullerton’s College Park are easily distinguishable, many are custom homes unique in their features and architectures. Often these homes have numerous similarities to the neighboring homes, both materially and architecturally speaking, but it is still hard to determine exactly what style they represent. This is almost never a problem as most people simply do not care if their house is a French Colonial Revival or a Queen Anne Tudor, they just want a house that looks good! Home buyers should rest assured that these homes are some of the most visually appealing in all of the area.

In the table and links below, Fullerton home buyers will find some of the various styles within College Park and interested parties may also find more about the Arts & Crafts Bungalow movement by viewing our page on Craftsman Homes in Orange County California.

Area Home Models

College Park – California Craftsman Bungalows

Roughly between Balcom, Stanford, Chapman, & Commonwealth.

Bed	Bath	Stories	Bldg. Sq. Ft.	Insider Tips
2	1	1	700-1,000	*Laundry rooms and breakfast rooms can sometimes function as extra bedrooms. Contact us for more information.
2	2	1	800-1,300
3	1	1	900-1,500
3	2	1	1,000-1,600
4	2	1	1,300-1,800
Duplex		1 & 2	1,800-2,500
Triplex		1 & 2	2,400-3,800

Popular House Styles:

Craftsman Bungalows

Spanish Revival Bungalows

Bungalow Cottages

Bungalow Duplexes

*some repetition but many are custom built

Special Features

Downtown Fullerton – Perhaps one of College Park’s biggest attractions is its close proximity to the entire Fullerton Downtown area. The city has revitalized an entire community and created a vibrant metropolitan canvas for many growing businesses in these sectors. Demand is high for office space in the areas and the immense success of these bohemian marvels has prompted neighboring communities to encourage a cultural renaissance of their own.

To experience this, drive down Harbor Boulevard between Commonwealth and Chapman after 9 or 10 p.m. on a warm Friday night. Many longtime Fullerton residents are still in disbelief, as it can look more like a trendy L.A. club scene than something you expect to find in Orange County.

Daytime hours till about 9 p.m. or so are a completely different story. This scenario lends itself closer in resemblance to Rodeo Drive. Numerous boutiques, salons, shops, and restaurants are turning these areas into “walking communities” as shoppers browse, buy, or just hang out and enjoy the mild weather and charming ambiance Downtown Fullerton has to offer.

Historical Designation – The “P” portion of the R2P zoning throughout much of the College Park neighborhood signifies that this is a preservation district. This district is being preserved for both the uniqueness of architectures and the historical significance of the area. One should inquire with the city if they have any specific questions about this designation, but it basically means that the homes façade, landscape, and streetscape are to be consistent with the architectures and styles of the early 20 th century. As such, homeowners planning on making external changes, additions, or improvements should contact the city’s planning department to make sure their plans are acceptable.

Some people will find the preservation zoning to be a real positive attribute in that it will keep a continuity of architecture and style throughout the neighborhood. Other people may find the zoning to be too restrictive for their needs and as such should carefully consider whether they will be able to stay within the constraints of the zoning regulations without cramping their personal style.

Dual Residence Zoning – The “2” portion of the R2P zoning refers to the possibility of adding a second unit to many of the properties. This second unit is a big bonus in that it can add extra income to a property that is already owned by an investor or it can create an income stream to a homeowner for supplementing their mortgage payment. Some properties may not be capable of adding a second unit without partaking in considerable rebuilding or obtaining additional consent from the city. This is yet another area that should be further investigated by prospective home buyers.

Large Lots – Even with the dual residence zoning, many College Park homeowners may not want to add a second unit. If they choose to keep their home a single residence, they will still reap the benefits of the areas larger than normal lots, which make excellent backyards.

Streetscapes - Mature trees, flat streets, and cute vintage streetlights make College Park an excellent neighborhood for taking a leisurely walk. Many of the trees in the area are nearly 100 years old and make for a fantastic canopy when strolling down the block.

Good Bones – College Park homes are blessed in that they were built at a time when builders were true craftsmen and many materials were of the highest quality. Starting at the bottom, nearly all foundations within the neighborhood are raised concrete, making for easier plumbing repairs than their slab cousins. The downside is that raised foundations on older homes tend to be places where water drainage can accumulate and cause movement. Most times this is correctable but home buyers should make note of any irregularities in the flooring or foundation walls found by an inspector.

Where home buyers find raised foundations, they often find original hardwood flooring and most of College Park is no different. This high quality flooring exhibited throughout the area can look incredible if given the proper care.

The skeletons of many of these bungalow homes are truly a testament to the quality of their wood. Most of it is redwood, a very hard strain of lumber that is incredibly resilient to termite damage. If you measure the 2x4’s, you’ll find that they measure approximately two inches by four inches instead of the scaled down versions used in most modern construction.

The early 20 th Century Arts and Crafts movement was a time when detail and creativity were highly appreciated in everything, including home architecture. Home shoppers will find this is exemplified in College Park real estate by an astounding array of built- in cabinets, shelves, seats, ironing boards, and niches. These “built-ins” provide an excellent opportunity for homeowners to showcase their creativity as well as add to the feel of a custom home

Good Skin – Downtown Fullerton homes built between 1915 and 1930 do share many external similarities. Some of these similarities are the cornerstones behind the popularity of the modern craftsman bungalow. Upon first glance, one will often note the attractive wood siding, large picture windows, and generous front porches that have become the trademark of these homes. Inside the walls, early century homes will often have unique ceilings, moldings, and doorways.

Area Fundamentals

Close to Downtown Fullerton – While it may be repetitive, College Park’s proximity to Downtown Fullerton is attractive in that it is close to a booming mini-economy. With the area growing every year, we wouldn’t be surprised to see even more jobs close to the homes of Downtown Fullerton residents.

Popular Architectures – The California bungalows that have been mentioned throughout this review have seen a tremendous increase in demand over the past ten years. Whether it’s the relative scarcity, the nostalgia associated with them, or just the fact that people think they are adorable, there is no doubt that the homes within College Park have a highly coveted aesthetic appeal.

Close to Colleges – While only walking distance from Fullerton College, hence the name, the neighborhood is just a very short drive from Cal State University of Fullerton as well. With both of these colleges continuing to grow, the area is becoming a even more attractive opportunity for faculty, administrators, and students. As such, prospective area landlords should not have a problem keeping their properties occupied for top dollar.

Close to Train Station – Any working Southern Californian knows the grind of a daily commute through heavy traffic, but Fullerton Downtown may actually have a viable alternative to this drudgery. Many residents, working in L.A. or other parts, are saying “good-bye” to the daily commute and “hello” to services such as Metrolink. Users do not have to contend with freeway gridlock or have to worry about trying to avoid an accident. As always, prospective train commuters should check with the Fullerton train station for schedules and availability.

Expert Insider Information

Value Added Projects – If there ever was a group of homes built with “future opportunities” in mind then these homes would have to be it. Many of the homes have small basements under the foundations that some rumor to have been bomb shelters. Modern uses for these include wine cellars, music rooms, and art studios.

Often, homeowners will be able to add laundry hookups to the garage and can turn the laundry rooms in these homes into another bedroom or den. As long as the room is large enough to meet the code requirements, this can be a relatively quick way to add equity. Attics are another feature of some of the larger College Park homes that may provide an opportunity to add a loft, bedroom, or even another residence. Some real concerns for these types of projects will be the nature of the homes foundation and of course, approval of the city.

Historical Catalog of Fullerton Homes – In addition to the historical designation of the neighborhood, the city has shown other interest in preserving, respecting, and appreciating much of the real estate in Fullerton’s College Park. Throughout the last twenty years, a non-profit group known as Fullerton Heritage has used their photographers to create a public catalog of the homes within the neighborhood. This catalog is available for viewing at the Launer Rooom of the Fullerton Public Library. It’s often fun for College Park home owners to take a trip to the library and possibly see some old pictures of the neighborhood, maybe even their own home!

Alley Access – Parking an RV or boat on the premises of these homes can definitely be possible in many instances due to the access granted by many alleyways. Even large rigs can often be accommodated with the help of a motorized dolly. This is another application where potential home buyers will need to consider the ramification of the preservation zoning and its potential affect on the parking of their vehicles. This is best done by home buyers at the city level.

Street Parking – Most of the city does not allow vehicles to be parked on the street overnight. This neighborhood is an exception to that rule because many of the homes do not have front driveways. College Park owners do not have to worry about their friends and family who stay over, getting towed for this reason. Visitors to College Park will, however, be towed for illegally parking on street sweeping day or if they park within a red zone.

Fixer Opportunities – College Park is not only an older neighborhood, but it is one that has seen some very positive transformations over the past ten years. Many dilapidated properties have been restored and brought back to life by a long list of real estate investors. The good news is that there are still some homes in need of repair. These fixer opportunities are a chance for prudent investors to beautify a community while making a little money for their efforts. Interested parties can use the College Park Home Finder at the top of this page to find your perfect investment.

Air Conditioning and House Fans – Even with the mild Southern California climate, summer can often bring some fairly hot temperatures to the area. Many of the homes within this and other older neighborhoods were not built with central air. In most cases, it is completely possible to add a central air conditioning system if ceiling fans and window units are not getting the job done. One of the most effective and inexpensive ways to cool these homes is by adding a whole house fan. While they are nothing new, whole house fans are becoming very popular as a supplement to, or replacement of, a central air conditioning system. They are anywhere from two to three feet in diameter and mount in the ceiling behind a discreet and attractive vent cover. The fan operates from a wall switch and will essentially pull hot air out of the house while simultaneously pulling cool air from outside into the home. There are some requirements one must understand about these units but when combined with the rebate that Southern California Edison currently gives, the value of these $200-$300 fans is unparalleled. Read our whole house fans post to learn more about these handy pieces of equipment.

Train Whistles – A big part of Fullerton’s history revolves around the railroad that was once used as a hub for exporting the local orange crop. Since real estate in College Park was one of the first developments of the city, it makes sense that the railroad tracks are somewhat nearby. Homeowners will still hear whistles from the passing trains during both day and nighttime hours. College Park real estate is separated from the tracks by the large street of Commonwealth as well as an entire neighborhood just south of it. Some may find the occasional whistle pleasing to the ear, while other would consider it a disturbance. Prospective homebuyers need to investigate this for themselves to see if it suites their needs.

Small Business in Community – In addition to the larger areas of commerce, a few of the local streets are home to some very small office and professional buildings. In fact, many of these office buildings were actually homes at one time and the processes of city redevelopment and rezoning have made them viable office opportunities. Small business owners, dentists, lawyers, accountants, architects, consultants, and other service providers will find that the surrounding streets may make it possible to someday work within walking distance of home.

345 Commonwealth Project – There is currently plans to build a mixed commercial/residential usage development just adjacent to the College Park neighborhood. A developer known as Newcastle Development has plans to turn the vacant lot at 345 Commonwealth into 28 mixed-use condominiums. The lot is also currently for sale and it is unclear what the outcome of this will be. Either way, we’d like to see something of value to the community as a replacement of the vacant lot.

A Note From Your Local Real Estate Professional

Most of the information contained in this site is free to use and share with friends, family, and coworkers. All we ask in return is that when you see a neighborhood or property that you like, you give us a call to let us know and then tell all your friends and family about our wonderful services!

While these tools for buying a home in Downtown Fullerton’s College Park neighborhood will be extremely helpful, we would like to note that they are no substitute for our own personal insight and attention. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions, comments, concerns, or ideas regarding the Downtown Fullerton real estate market.

 

 

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