Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate

Today’s short sale buyer may be at an advantage purchasing a short sale property compared to a foreclosure because if the borrower stills owns the home, he or she is likely to take better care of it. Patience is now required until the approval process is updated and efficiency improves from banks, lenders and investors; who approve the net acceptance price for opening and closing short sale escrows. We have closed new listings in less than 90 days with efficient servicers. Other properties can take over a year with changes in condition, occupancy and legal status. We love helping our sellers, and buyers with shortsales. Our short sale department is tenacious and efficient. And so is our probate, relocation and foreclsure department. David Hoshaw Broker, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Weichert, Realtors - Hoshaw & Associates 28009 Smyth Drive Santa Clarita, CA 91355 661-287-4466 ext. 226 david@scvRealty.com www.scvRealty.com For another take see this article.... Short Sales Spread across Real

When Congress passed an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers last winter, it was intended as a dose of shock therapy during a crisis. Now the question is becoming whether the housing market can function without it. As many as 40 percent of all home buyers this year will qualify for the credit. It is on track to cost the government $15 billion, more than twice the amount that was projected when Congress passed the stimulus bill in February. In the view of the real estate industry and some economists, all that money is well spent. They contend the credit is doing what it was meant to do, encouraging a recovery in the housing market that is gathering steam. Analysts say the credit is directly responsible for several hundred thousand home sales. Skeptics argue that most of the money is going to people who would have bought a home anyway. And they contend that unless it is allowed to expire on schedule in late November, the tax credit is likely to become one more ex

The latest bank owned properties available for sale. For more information, or to view them please contact me asap. Sincerely, David Hoshaw Broker, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Weichert, Realtors - Hoshaw & Associates 28009 Smyth Drive Santa Clarita, CA 91355 661-287-4466 ext. 226 david@scvRealty.com www.scvRealty.com Address: 22817 22819 14TH STREET, SANTA CLARITA, CA Rooms: 8 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.0 Price: 179,900.00 Address: 20940 JUDAH LANE 17, SANTA CLARITA, CA Rooms: 6 Bed: 3 Bath: 3.0 Price: 199,900.00 Address: 25235 WHEELER ROAD, SANTA CLARITA, CA Rooms: 7 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.0 Price: 326,900.00 Address: 13040 DRONFIELD AVE APT 5, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 3 Bed: 2 Bath: 1.0 Price: 68,900.00 Address: 14425 FOOTHILL BLVD UNIT 9, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 5 Bed: 2 Bath: 2.0 Price: 135,900.00 Address: 15122 ROXFORD STREET UNIT 4, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 6 Bed: 3 Bath: 3.0 Price: 222,900.00 Address: 13265 RAVEN S

Santa Clarita Valley Home Prices Bottoming Out Single-family homes sales during July in the Santa Clarita Valley held even with activity reported a year ago and gained 16.3 percent over this June. 235 homes closed escrow, down two sales or 0.8 percent from a year ago, but up 33 sales from this June. The 237 sales were the second highest monthly figure since the low point of this market of 99 sales was reported in January 2008. 88 condos changed owners, up three sales from a year ago and off a single transaction from the 89 closed escrows reported this June. Condo resales also have been gaining momentum since the low-water mark of 31 transactions in January 2008. Buyers interest in puchasing has increased across the board, with homes priced under $500,000 receiving the most activity and multiple bids common. "Inventory is half of what is was in 2008 while the pool of prospective buyers continue to expand as financing and low interest rates are available today. Plus th

Despite home buyers being advised to issue down payments of at least 20 percent, many home buyers are finding that smaller down payments result in better interest rates—but also higher payments. Rules put in place in late 2008 by Fannie Mae and similar rules adopted by Freddie Mac are less favorable to borrowers who put down 20 percent to 25 percent--partially because the GSEs consider these borrowers to be more of a credit risk since they are not required to purchase private mortgage insurance. According to Fannie Mae, borrowers benefit from this industry practice because they are able to leave themselves a financial cushion by not issuing larger down payments, and can instead save the extra money for emergencies. It is important to note though that smaller down payments mean higher monthly payments because the loan itself will be larger. To read the full story, please click here Message David Hoshaw Broker, CRS, GRI, e-PRO Weichert, Realtors - Hos

Fast Facts Calif. median home price - July 09: $285,480 (Source: C.A.R.) Calif. highest median home price by C.A.R. region July 09: Santa Barbara So. Coast $885,000 (Source: C.A.R.) Calif. lowest median home price by C.A.R. region July 09: High Desert $110,650 (Source: C.A.R.) Calif. First-time Buyer Affordability Index - Second Quarter 2009: 67 percent (Source: C.A.R.) Mortgage rates - week ending 9/3/09 30-yr. fixed: 5.08% Fees/points: 0.7% 15-yr. fixed: 4.54% Fees/points: 0.6% 1-yr. adjustable: 4.62% Fees/points: 0.6% (Source: Freddie Mac) www.scvRealty.com Find Your Next Home Know the Value of your Property? Become our fan on Facebook

Walkable neighborhoods command price premiums A new study says that homes located in more walkable neighborhoods command a price premium over similar homes in less walkable areas. The study, “Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities” was commissioned by CEOs for Cities and conducted by Joe Cortright using data from Walk Score. Key findings include: · In 13 out of 15 metro areas higher levels of walk-ability were directly linked to higher home values. · In the typical metropolitan area, a one point increase in Walk Score was associated with an increase in value ranging from $500 to $3,000. Gains were larger in denser, urban areas and smaller in less dense markets. · In the typical areas studied, the premium commanded for neighborhoods with above-average Walk Scores ranged from $4,000 to $34,000. More info