Seller's Agent in 2023
Carter Kaufman
Compass
(949) 734-6500
1 in this area
161 Total Sales
856 Cliff Dr Laguna Beach, CA 92651
North Laguna NeighborhoodEstimated Value: $3,426,000 - $4,546,000
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,387
Sq Ft
$2,772/Sq Ft
Est. Value
Highlights
- White Water Ocean Views
- Primary Bedroom Suite
- Wood Flooring
- El Morro Elementary School Rated A+
- Traditional Architecture
- Main Floor Bedroom
About This Home
As of September 2023Available for the first time in over sixty years, this idyllic Laguna Beach cottage exemplifies the quintessential beach cottage lifestyle. Mere feet from the sandy beach of iconic Fisherman’s Cove, with expansive ocean and coastline views, this three bedroom, two bath home was originally constructed in the '20s as a holiday place to enjoy local fishing. The exterior is clad in redwood siding and features a large brick patio with sit down white water ocean views as well as a private side yard which can be accessed from the main living area and one of two ground floor bedrooms. Inside, the main living area features a classic exposed beam ceiling and warmly greets occupants with a wood burning fireplace framed by floor to ceiling wood paneling and a mantle which was sourced from Edgar Allen Poe’s childhood home in Richmond Virginia (c.1810) which earns this home it’s moniker: "Raven House”. Original Knotty Pine “Laguna Paneling” and Douglas Fir flooring are carried throughout the home which has a completely updated electrical system, newer roof and plumbing replaced with copper supply and ABS lines, new central heater and 10’’ of fiberglass batting insulation in the attic. An abundance of light enters the home through glass windows and doors which were assembled on site by carpenters and glaziers in the '20s & '30s. The kitchen houses a vintage steel Youngstown Kitchen sink and cabinet assembly which is original to the home, a walk-in pantry, Lindsay Lockerby Field hand-painted cabinets, and a dining nook with ocean views. The upstairs bedroom suite offers ocean views, a bathroom and can be accessed from inside the home or via a separate outside entrance. At one time, this suite featured a kitchenette and could be easily reconverted for additional living flexibility. A small one car garage & and driveway offer two off-street parking spaces. This beautifully restored and maintained cottage retains all of the charm of an original Laguna Beach cottage with subtle upgrades to the major systems and is an excellent candidate for the Mills Act which could offer an owner tremendous property tax savings. The Raven House presents a truly once in a generation opportunity.
Home Details
Home Type
- Single Family
Est. Annual Taxes
- $38,824
Year Built
- Built in 1933
Lot Details
- 2,500 Sq Ft Lot
- Brick Fence
- Corner Lot
- Front Yard Sprinklers
Parking
- 1 Car Direct Access Garage
- 1 Open Parking Space
- Parking Available
- Side Facing Garage
- Up Slope from Street
Property Views
- White Water Ocean
- Coastline
- City Lights
- Park or Greenbelt
Home Design
- Traditional Architecture
- Cottage
- Turnkey
- Shingle Roof
- Copper Plumbing
Interior Spaces
- 1,387 Sq Ft Home
- 2-Story Property
- High Ceiling
- Family Room
- Living Room with Fireplace
- Storage
Kitchen
- Breakfast Area or Nook
- Eat-In Kitchen
- Gas Oven
- Gas Cooktop
- Free-Standing Range
- Microwave
- Freezer
- Disposal
Flooring
- Wood
- Carpet
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
- 3 Bedrooms | 2 Main Level Bedrooms
- Primary Bedroom Suite
- In-Law or Guest Suite
- Bathroom on Main Level
- 2 Full Bathrooms
- Soaking Tub
- Separate Shower
Laundry
- Laundry Room
- Laundry in Garage
Outdoor Features
- Patio
- Exterior Lighting
- Front Porch
Utilities
- Central Heating
- Natural Gas Connected
Additional Features
- More Than Two Accessible Exits
- Suburban Location
Listing and Financial Details
- Legal Lot and Block 7 / C
- Tax Tract Number 481
- Assessor Parcel Number 05315508
- $1,178 per year additional tax assessments
Community Details
Overview
- No Home Owners Association
- North Laguna Subdivision
Recreation
- Park
- Water Sports
Ownership History
Date
Name
Owned For
Owner Type
Purchase Details
Closed on
Sep 2, 2020
Sold by
Desmond Christopher Thomas
Bought by
Desmond Christopher Thomas and Desmond Christopher Thomas
Current Estimated Value
Purchase Details
Closed on
Oct 20, 2006
Sold by
Desmond Christopher
Bought by
Desmond Christopher and The Joan L Carter Trust
Purchase Details
Closed on
Sep 13, 2004
Sold by
Carter Joan L
Bought by
Carter Joan L and Carmichael Jane Giddings
Purchase Details
Closed on
Sep 2, 1985
Sold by
Christopher Thomas Desmond Revocable Liv and Desmond Christopher Thomas
Bought by
Carol Ann Johnston Trust and Johnston
Home Financials for this Owner
Home Financials are based on the most recent Mortgage that was taken out on this home.
Original Mortgage
$1,850,000
Interest Rate
7.09%
Mortgage Type
New Conventional
Create a Home Valuation Report for This Property
The Home Valuation Report is an in-depth analysis detailing your home's value as well as a comparison with similar homes in the area
Home Values in the Area
Average Home Value in this Area
Purchase History
| Date | Buyer | Sale Price | Title Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desmond Christopher Thomas | -- | None Available | |
| Desmond Christopher | -- | None Available | |
| Carter Joan L | -- | -- | |
| Carol Ann Johnston Trust | $3,725,000 | Chicago Title Company |
Source: Public Records
Mortgage History
| Date | Status | Borrower | Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Previous Owner | Desmond Christopher | $329,374 | |
| Previous Owner | Desmond Christopher | $354,000 | |
| Previous Owner | Desmond Christopher | $350,000 | |
| Previous Owner | Carter Joan L | $700,000 | |
| Previous Owner | Carter Joan L | $300,000 | |
| Previous Owner | Carter John L | $125,000 | |
| Previous Owner | Carol Ann Johnston Trust | $1,850,000 |
Source: Public Records
Property History
| Date | Event | Price | Change | Sq Ft Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/29/2023 09/29/23 | Sold | $3,725,000 | -4.4% | $2,686 / Sq Ft |
| 09/05/2023 09/05/23 | Pending | -- | -- | -- |
| 07/24/2023 07/24/23 | Price Changed | $3,895,000 | -2.6% | $2,808 / Sq Ft |
| 05/01/2023 05/01/23 | For Sale | $4,000,000 | -- | $2,884 / Sq Ft |
Source: California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS)
Tax History Compared to Growth
Tax History
| Year | Tax Paid | Tax Assessment Tax Assessment Total Assessment is a certain percentage of the fair market value that is determined by local assessors to be the total taxable value of land and additions on the property. | Land | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,824 | $3,853,267 | $3,734,175 | $119,092 |
| 2024 | $38,824 | $3,725,000 | $3,660,955 | $64,045 |
| 2023 | $15,889 | $1,444,864 | $1,390,490 | $54,374 |
| 2022 | $15,530 | $1,416,534 | $1,363,226 | $53,308 |
| 2021 | $15,174 | $1,388,759 | $1,336,496 | $52,263 |
| 2020 | $14,952 | $1,374,519 | $1,322,791 | $51,728 |
| 2019 | $14,671 | $1,347,568 | $1,296,854 | $50,714 |
| 2018 | $14,371 | $1,321,146 | $1,271,426 | $49,720 |
| 2017 | $14,070 | $1,295,242 | $1,246,496 | $48,746 |
| 2016 | $13,787 | $1,269,846 | $1,222,055 | $47,791 |
| 2015 | $13,561 | $1,250,772 | $1,203,698 | $47,074 |
| 2014 | $13,291 | $1,226,272 | $1,180,120 | $46,152 |
Source: Public Records
Agents Affiliated with this Home
-
Carter Kaufman
-
Ryan Keller
Buyer's Agent in 2023
Ryan Keller
Compass
(949) 412-1010
3 in this area
6 Total Sales
Map
Source: California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS)
MLS Number: OC23072396
APN: 053-155-08
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
The multiple listing data appearing on this website, or contained in reports produced therefrom, is owned and copyrighted by California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. ("CRMLS") and is protected by all applicable copyright laws. Information provided is for viewer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties the viewer may be interested in purchasing. All listing data, including but not limited to square footage and lot size is believed to be accurate, but the listing Agent, listing Broker and CRMLS and its affiliates do not warrant or guarantee such accuracy. The viewer should independently verify the listed data prior to making any decisions based on such information by personal inspection and/or contacting a real estate professional.
Based on information from California Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. and /or other sources. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information
Nearby Homes
- 738 Cliff Dr
- 716 Cliff Dr
- 166 Fairview St
- 1041 Marine Dr
- 222 Wave St
- 253 Fairview St
- 1105 N Coast Hwy
- 246 Fairview St
- 990 Hillcrest Dr
- 310 Hawthorne Rd
- 1292 Cliff Dr
- 625 High Dr
- 284 Chiquita St
- 481 Dartmoor St
- 1373 N Coast Hwy
- 239 Viejo St
- 251 Viejo St
- 455 Bonvue Terrace
- 428 Cypress Dr Unit 428
- 422 Cypress Dr
- 880 Cliff Dr
- 814 Cliff Dr
- 848 Cliff Dr
- 846 Cliff Dr Unit Back
- 846 Cliff Dr
- 872 Cliff Dr
- 825 Cliff Dr Unit 821
- 825 Cliff Dr
- 827 Cliff Dr
- 823 Cliff Dr
- 836 Cliff Dr
- 821 Cliff Dr
- 826 Cliff Dr Unit Lower
- 826 Cliff Dr Unit A
- 826 Cliff Dr Unit 2
- 826 Cliff Dr Unit 1
- 826 Cliff Dr Unit Upper
- 826 Cliff Dr Unit Back Studio
- 826 Cliff Dr
- 121 Wave St