Melinda Heights (MEH) Homes under $1.25 million

Welcome to Melinda Heights, a picturesque community nestled in the heart of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. This charming neighborhood in Orange County is known for its stunning views, family-friendly atmosphere, and a strong sense of community. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush landscapes, Melinda Heights offers a tranquil retreat while being just a stone's throw away from the vibrant amenities that Southern California has to offer.

One of the standout features of Melinda Heights is its diverse selection of homes, many of which are available for under $1.25 million. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a growing family, or looking to downsize, you'll find a variety of options that cater to your needs. From modern single-family homes to spacious townhouses, each property embodies the warmth and charm that this community is known for.

Residents of Melinda Heights enjoy access to top-rated schools, beautiful parks, and recreational facilities that promote an active lifestyle. The nearby Lake Rancho Santa Margarita provides opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying the great outdoors. Plus, with easy access to major highways, you’re never far from the excitement of nearby cities like Irvine and Mission Viejo.

In Melinda Heights, you’re not just buying a home; you’re investing in a lifestyle filled with community events, friendly neighbors, and a welcoming atmosphere. Discover your dream home in this enchanting neighborhood, where comfort meets convenience, all within a budget that suits your needs. Welcome to Melinda Heights—your new adventure awaits!

Newest Melinda Heights (MEH) Homes under $1.25 million

$869,900

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ OC26200890 MLS ⋅ Active Status

Welcome to 147 Mira Mesa, a beautifully appointed home located in the desirable Melinda Heights community of Rancho Santa Margarita. Offering approximately 1,514 square feet of comfortable living space, this thoughtfully designed residence features two bedrooms, a spacious loft, 2.5 bathrooms, inside laundry, and an attached garage with numerous upgrades. The inviting main living area offers a comfortable setting for relaxing and entertaining. The kitchen features soft-close cabinetry and updated appliances, including a new refrigerator and microwave. Upstairs, the open loft provides valuable additional living space and is ideal for a home office, playroom, study area, fitness space, or media room. Both bedrooms offer privacy and comfort, while the conveniently located indoor laundry area includes a new washer and dryer. Smart-home and energy-conscious upgrades add everyday convenience. The home features a Nest thermostat, a whole-house attic fan that can help reduce air-conditioning use, a smart front-door lock, and a new Alexa-compatible ceiling fan in the guest bedroom. New magnetic motion-sensor lights along the staircase provide added illumination, while soft-close toilet seats have been installed in the downstairs and guest bathrooms. Step outside to a private, low-maintenance backyard—an inviting space for outdoor dining, gardening, or relaxing in the Southern California sunshine. Established peach and lemon trees add charm and the opportunity to enjoy homegrown fruit. The garage is equally well equipped, featuring durable epoxy flooring and already-installed overhead storage racks that help maximize organization and usable space. Melinda Heights is known for its scenic setting, neighborhood parks, recreational amenities, and access to walking and biking trails. The home is conveniently located near Melinda Heights Elementary School, Altisima Park, and the Altisima community pool, which features a Junior Olympic-sized pool, a shallow wading pool, and beautiful views toward the Saddleback Mountains. Rancho Santa Margarita offers an exceptional outdoor-oriented lifestyle with numerous parks, sports courts, pools, open spaces, and recreational trails. Residents can enjoy the popular 1.1-mile walking path around Lago Santa Margarita, the Beach Club and swim lagoon, community events, and nearby O’Neill Regional Park. Shopping, restaurants, everyday services, and the city’s vibrant Town Center are also just minutes away.

147 Mira Mesa, Rancho Santa Margarita

44 Tierra Montanosa, Rancho Santa Margarita

$899,000

3 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ OC26156405 MLS ⋅ Active Status

Melinda Heights, NO ROAD NOISE. PEACEFUL SETTING. Rancho Santa Margarita At Its Best! Review the attached supplements for the full list of upgrades & Watch the 3D tour to see it all come together before you even walk in the door. This is the ONE! A rare, expansive wrap-around private patio - your own outdoor sanctuary framed by a brick-and-stone planter wall, with a separate gated entrance to the backyard. Room to lounge, entertain, and unwind in complete serenity, with far more private outdoor living space than many in the community. — this home has been renovated top to bottom, and the numbers speak for themselves. Downstairs, a bedroom suite with its own full bath and laundry opens directly onto that show-stopping patio - perfect for guests, multigenerational living, or a private home office. The kitchen has been fully reimagined with a Bosch 800 Series dishwasher, Samsung smart refrigerator and oven, quartz countertops, and recessed lighting. PLUS a whole-house Filtersorb Puragain water filtration system with a 6-stage alkaline drinking water tap. Every bathroom has been upgraded with sleek, low-flush, single-piece toilets to custom counters with molded sinks! Upstairs, two stunning primary suites deliver rare flexibility: the first with high ceilings, a closet with custom doors, a custom made shoe closet w/ separate spaces and a spa-like renovated walk-in shower that is a fully tiled European rain shower. Shower and Toilet are separated by a custom barn door. The primary bath also features custom double vanity, and smart mirrors. The second Primary features vaulted ceilings, walk-in closet, its own bath/shower. The upgrades don't stop there: New luxury lighting throughout, a newer HVAC system, an automatic sprinkler system, a fully installed garage EV charger, and a whole-home Vivint security system — cameras, sensors, and glass-break detection, equipment (paid for). The HOA has just repainted the exterior, repaved the roads, and replaced the garage doors — the whole community is looking sharp. Step outside your door and into SAMLARC living at its best: 13 parks, sport courts, hiking and biking trails, Saddleback Mountain views, and the beach club at Lake Rancho Santa Margarita. Zoned for award-winning Melinda Heights Elementary and Trabuco Hills High, with shopping and dining just minutes away. No Mello-Roos. Turnkey. Upgraded top to bottom. New HOA Statement for 2026-2027: HOA FEES REMAIN UNCHANGED!!!

44 Tierra Montanosa, Rancho Santa Margarita

$840,000

2 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ OC26148993 MLS ⋅ Active Status

DETACHED CONDOMINIUM *** Unlike an attached condominium, this detached residence may qualify for streamlined or waived condominium project review under certain conventional financing guidelines, including applicable Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac requirements. Buyer and buyer’s lender to independently verify financing and project eligibility ***. Offering the privacy, comfort, and feel of a single-family residence with no shared living walls, this inviting two-story home features 2 spacious bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a versatile upstairs loft ideal for a home office or study, an attached 2-car garage with 2 car driveway, and a generously sized private backyard with no rear neighbors. Step inside to a light-filled, open-concept floor plan designed for comfortable everyday living and effortless entertaining. The well-appointed kitchen offers attractive cabinetry, quality appliances, a pantry, and a window overlooking the backyard, while the adjoining dining area flows seamlessly to the outdoor patio, creating the indoor-outdoor lifestyle Southern California is famous for. A convenient powder room completes the main level. Thoughtfully updated for today’s homeowner, this move-in-ready residence showcases smart-home, comfort, and energy-efficient improvements, including an Ecobee® Wi-Fi smart thermostat with an upstairs comfort sensor, a smartphone-controlled Rain Bird® irrigation system, an LG ThinQ® smart washer & dryer on pedestals, 220V EV Charging Outlet, dual-pane tinted windows & Wood Flooring throughout, a new rain gutter with leaf guard over the patio, an outdoor shower, a custom dog door integrated into the sliding glass door, perfect for your four-legged family member. Enjoy low HOA dues while experiencing Rancho Sta Margarita's exceptional lifestyle, including access to four community pools, spa, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, beautiful parks, miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, and the picturesque Lake & recreation area. Ideally located within the attendance area of highly regarded schools and just minutes from shopping, restaurants, entertainment, the 241 Toll Road, and countless outdoor recreation opportunities, this exceptional home offers the perfect blend of privacy, technology, comfort, and convenience. Wake up to bright mornings, spend your afternoons enjoying the nearby trails, parks, pools, or RSM lake. Homes offering this combination of detached living, smart-home upgrades, a private backyard are a rare find

54 Paseo Viento, Rancho Santa Margarita

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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.