Even with Mello-Roos and association fees, they’re happy

Buying their first house was a major headache, but the Ngoys have made a quick recovery.

Staling, 26, and Chris, 25, are happily settled in their new Tustin home.

The newlyweds, along with Chris’ brother Chet Ngoy and wife Susan, began looking for a house late last year. The couples had rented a Newport Beach apartment and decided it was time to settle in.

It took months to find a neighborhood they liked and longer to move through a waiting list and into their dream neighborhood.

“Because you’re spending so much money, you want to make sure it’s the place you want to [live] for a long time,” Staling said.

They were hoping for a less expensive house without Mello-Roos taxes or association fees, Staling said. But with market demand strong, the $230,000 price was the best they could do.

The area was key because it is close to their jobs and families, said Staling, a managing assistant for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Newport Beach. Chris is a financial consultant for Merrill Lynch in Santa Ana.

With the headaches behind them, they’re now comfortable in the 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom house.

“We’re just happy to be here,” Staling said.