The Groves
Learn more about why we love
The Groves in Irvine!
About Our community
A Resident-Owned Community For Active Seniors 55 And Over.
Owning your own park with great, organized social events in a small community setting makes The Groves a great place to live.
Privacy and Security
Our community entry is staffed 24 hours a day. All comings and goings of the neighborhood are monitored and recorded. This monitoring does more than provide safety, it reinforces a feeling that this is a private neighborhood. We are both an owner owned and an owner-occupied community, meaning they are no renters or Airbnbs at any time.
Walking our tree-lined paths or going to one of the many amenities throughout, you are secure and have a sense of peace and serenity.
Join the Fun!
Seemingly unlimited activities and programs available!
There is a club or activity for everyone from water aerobics, gardening, ceramics, wood working, chorale, cards, RV outings and many events!
THE GROVES MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY
Pool Area
Lawn Bowling Green
Community Park
Our pool area is a very active part of life in The Groves. From Aquacise classes daily to pool parties on weekends and holidays, to that late night dip, makes this area a real community favorite. Plus, our Sheltered Jacuzzi is a great place to relax! The jacuzzi and pool are heated year round providing an exceedingly comfortable temperature for all to enjoy.
Community Park
Lawn Bowling Green
Community Park
Our Community Park is 7 acres of lush green grass and many mature shade trees. A wonderful location for hosting community and family events. A large covered Pavilion, with barbecues, picnic table and chairs, evening lights and game supplies available, it's just awaiting your next event.
Lawn Bowling Green
Lawn Bowling Green
Lawn Bowling Green
The Lawn Bowling Green is hosted by the Groves Lawn Bowling Club. This is another very active club in our community. Most mornings you will see members of this group playing on the green. The Groves have hosted many national and local tournaments. Those who choose can have the opportunity to travel and participate in tournaments abroad!
Community Areas
Community Areas
Lawn Bowling Green
Our Groves Community is operated by The Groves Homeowners, Inc. using a Board of Directors structure made up of Groves' residents. The Board employs a Community Manager to manage day-to-day activities.
And So Much More
Community Areas
And So Much More
The Groves Senior Community where you own a membership share in a non profit shared corporation. Plus we have many amenities to enjoy such as heated pool and jacuzzi, spa, gym, clubhouse with a game room that includes pools tables, ping pong, and cards! Also, Lawn Bowling, Ceramics, wood shop, gardening area, 7-acre park, dog park, and much more!
Be Free
Community Areas
And So Much More
Join with like-minded people who come from all walks of life. People who have simplified their lives and discovered that The Groves is no ordinary mobile home park. More like a resort than a residential neighborhood.
Membership Certificate
What is The Groves’ MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATE?
Most clients who come to the dedicated real estate office come because they have heard that they can purchase the land and avoid paying monthly space rent (which is the case in most traditional mobile home parks). In purchasing a 1/533 membership in/of the entire park as opposed to purchasing a specific piece of land. The Membership Certificate can only be sold to a resident owner of a manufactured home located in The Groves Park. If the homeowner decides to sell the home, they must also sell their Membership Certificate to the new homeowner. In addition, the manufactured home is “personal property” and the Membership Certificate is considered a “security,” yet the Orange County Tax Assessor assesses personal property taxes in the combined price of the home and Membership Certificate.
The History and Explanation on The Groves' Membership Certificate
The residents and owners of the manufactured homes in The Groves purchased The Groves Mobile Home Park from the original developer in 1986. At that time, all but about 55 of the owners each purchased 1 Membership Certificate (hereinafter ‘Certificate’), in The Groves Homeowners, Inc. The remaining 55 Certificates were owned by the Corporation. They would be purchased from the Corporation at the time those homes came to market. To initially sell each original Certificate the first time, the Corporation applied for permission and paid a fee to the State Department of Corporations. Once the Certificate was sold to the homeowner, it became their property to be owned along with the manufactured home. Also, if the homeowner ever decided to sell their home, they would be required to also sell the Certificate to the Buyer of their home.
The Groves is resident-owned and occupied, only the owner of a manufactured home in The Groves is allowed to own a Membership Certificate in the Corporation. The manufactured home and the Certificate became a unit being sold together. To facilitate the sale of the homes and Certificates, a dedicated real estate office was established on the premises. An outside real estate firm, Northwood Realty, entered into a contract to occupy the on-site real estate office. On June 13, 1996, Northwood Realty was issued a letter from Thomas A. Greco, Mollis & O’Hare, wherein he stated his opinion based upon his research of the Corporation’s Code that “Membership in The Groves is essential to residency in the manufactured home park and therefore ‘incident’ to the sale of a manufactured home.” As such, commission would be charged on the total sale price of a home and its corresponding Membership Certificate.
Later that year when Northwood Realty’s contract expired, The Groves Corporation entered into a new contract with Don Dougherty Sr. and Jean Thompson assuming responsibility for our on-site Real Estate Sales Office. Each was real estate Brokers and both were resident-owners of their own homes and Membership Certificates in The Groves. Groves Home Sales contributes a goodly portion of commission revenue with The Groves Homeowners Inc., which really benefits everyone in our Park in providing one of the lowest HOA monthly fees in all of Orange County; additionally, our resident Sellers pay all commissions when selling their homes and the vast majority of residents list through our on-site Office since we are the experts in listing and selling the Park’s manufactured homes AND the Membership Certificates and clearly know all the ins-and-outs involved in the sales transactions.
It was understood by all concerned that the original sale of a Membership Certificate by the Corporation must be approved by the Dept. of Corporations but, once sold to an individual, the Certificate would simply be sold along with the sale of the home with a commission paid on the total sales price. The Membership Certificate can only be sold to a resident owner of a manufactured home located in The Groves Park. If the homeowner decides to sell the home, they must also sell their Membership Certificate to the new homeowner.
Most clients who come to the dedicated real estate office come because they have heard that they can purchase the land and avoid paying monthly space rent (which is the case in most traditional mobile home parks). In order to sell The Groves’ manufactured homes to inquiring clients, the agents must first explain the concept of the Certificate – in purchasing a 1/533 membership in/of the entire park as opposed to purchasing a specific piece of land. Before the agents ever show prospective buyers any manufactured home listed for sale, they must first educate the buyer on the purchasing of the Membership Certificate. Only after the buyer has this understanding are they ready to go house-hunting.
The time required to sell the Membership Certificate is often more involved than the sale of the manufactured home. In addition, the manufactured home is “personal property” and the Membership Certificate is considered a “security,” yet the Orange County Tax Assessor assesses personal property taxes in the combined price of the home and Membership Certificate.
Have Questions?
One of our dedicated team members is happy to answer any questions you have or you can check our FAQs.
About Us
Visit Us Now
The Groves is a beautiful place, and it has some beautiful people, but, above all, it’s a great community. It's definitely worth your time to visit us. We invite you to come by and let us show you “The Best Kept Secret in Orange County”.