Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate

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

HOME LOAN RATES REMAIN LOWER:    NOW MAY BE THE PERFECT TIME TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE ON YOUR NEXT MOVE.  HAVE YOU BEEN CONSIDERING DOWNSIZING, UP-SCALING,  MOVING TO A BETTER NEIGHBORHOOD OR SCHOOL DISTRICT?   IF YOUR CURRENTLY RENTING THIS IS ALMOST A NO BRAINIER, WHEN YOU COMPARE YOUR RENT TO YOUR INVESTMENT IN OWN HOME.    TODAY'S  CONFORMING LOANS TO 417K OFFER THE FOLLOWING: 5/1 ARM: 3.25%with zero points 10 Year Fixed: 3.375% with zero points 15 Year Fixed: 4% with zero points 30 Year Fixed: 4.75% with zero points. JUMBO TO 729K 5/1 ARM: 3.5% with zero points 10 Year Fixed: 3.875% with zero points 15 Year Fixed: 4% with zero points 30 Year Fixed: 4.75% with zero points out-of-pocket cost is for the appraisal. SUPER JUMBO TO 1.5MM 5/1 ARM: 4% with 1/2 point 30 Year Fixed: 4.75% with 1/2 point    Special attention to consider the 30 year fixed rate on Super Jumbo. This rate has never been...

Contrary to some widely circulated e-mail messages, the new federal health care law does NOT include a 3.8 percent transfer tax on home sales, according to Snopes.com, FactCheck.org and the National Association of Realtors. The new law created a 3.8 percent Medicare tax, which applies to net investment income earned by taxpayers who have an adjusted gross income of more than $200,000 for individuals or $250,000 for married couples. That tax becomes effective Jan. 1, 2013. Net investment income includes capital gains from the sale of a home, so a home sale could push a taxpayer's income into the bracket in which the new tax would apply. However, the existing capital gains tax exclusion of $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for married couples on the sale of a principal residence is still in effect, and that will protect nearly all homeowners from the new tax. "The truth is that only a tiny percentage of home sellers will pay the tax," FactCheck.org reports. More...

Smaller and regional lenders are issuing more new jumbo loans and doing more refinancings, which could help bolster home sales in some areas. • Jumbo mortgages are mortgages deemed “too big” to be sold by lenders to government-supported agencies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. • The loan limit of a jumbo mortgage varies depending on location. In high-cost areas, including many areas in California, jumbo loans are generally considered those that exceed $729,750. In other areas, the jumbo loan limit usually is capped at $417,000. • Some borrowers applying for jumbo mortgages are finding the processing time at larger lenders can be as long as four months, while some smaller institutions can process a jumbo mortgage as quickly as 30 to 60 days. • Additionally, borrowers seeking jumbo mortgages for condos or vacation properties also may be better served using a local lender or contacting a mortgage specialist, as many large lenders have reduced their lending activity. • With ...

Getting the Best Tax Break When Selling Your Primary Residence When you sell your primary residence, you may be able to save thousands of dollars by taking advantage of one of the best available tax breaks.  Provided that you have lived in the home as your primary residence and owned it for at least two of the past five years, when you sell your home, you can exclude from income up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 for married couples filing jointly).  This tax benefit can be used once every two years.  Did you know that a married couple can qualify for the entire $500,000 exclusion even if only one spouse has owned the property for two years?  Or that you don’t need to own the home and use it as your primary residence the same two years?  Read on for a few pointers that may help you take advantage of this tax benefit when you sell your primary residence.  Pointer One - $500,000 Exclusion for Married Couples Available Even if Only One Spouse Owns Home for...

How to buy a home at a $100,000 discount With nearly 150,000 foreclosed homes on their books, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are trying to pare down their growing inventory of repossessed properties, in turn providing home buyers with tremendous purchasing opportunities. MAKING SENSE FOR CONSUMERS An analysis by SmartMoney magazine found that home buyers could save $100,000 on the price of a home by purchasing a foreclosed home owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac as opposed to a similar fair-market property just a few blocks away. Fannie Mae’s homebuying program, which requires down payments as low as 3 percent on 30-year mortgages also can help buyers save money. However, buyers should note, smaller down payments generally translate into higher monthly mortgage payments. Another bonus to purchasing a Fannie Mae-owned home, the company doesn’t require private mortgage insurance, which most lenders require for buyers who put down less than 20 percent. Unlike many foreclosed pro...

Experienced Sales Associates: Increase your real estate success at Weichert ® . Take advantage of our unique Internet strategy Our Family of Companies provides quality leads to build business Refresh and update yourself with free online courses   Here's an overview of the advantages that will be yours when you join us. We've clearly demonstrated the determination and innovation to continue growing even through difficult markets. As we expand, so does our commitment to the cutting-edge technology and comprehensive Sales Associate-centric res...

http://www.scvrealty.com   You're probably used to thinking that patience can be a virtue when you're shopping for a bargain on a large purchase. But when that purchase is real estate, the opposite is true. Today's conditions - attractive home prices and interest rates at historic lows - have combined to make the current housing market one of the most affordable in decades. It simply makes no sense to hold out for a better opportunity that isn't likely to come. Signs are already pointing to higher interest rates and, with home prices stabilizing or increasing in most markets, waiting to buy a home could easily cost you several thousand dollars each year. If buying a home is in your future, you won’t want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Comparison of cost at sample mortgage amount: $275,000 Mortgage At current low interest rate $1476.26 per month ...

Fannie Mae bites back on homeowners who walk away from the upside down homes and investment properties. The courts will now come to the mortgage giant’s plans to take on those who decide not to make their payments. It also will limit their access to future loans. Foreclosures continue at a rate of 2.5 million a year, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairwoman Sheila Bair said, and some 11 million households owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth. Taking aim at homeowners who are able to pay their mortgage but decide it's not worth it, Fannie Mae plans to go after them in court and to limit their access to home loans for seven years. It was a clarion call to companies servicing its loans to recommend, engaging in a so-called deficiency judgment — a court order requiring a defaulting borrower to pay any remaining unpaid portion of the loan after a seized home is sold. Under California state law, lenders who opt for court proceedings can obtain a deficiency judgment ...

Foreclosure Timeline Seller's, Borrower's and even novice Realtor's are often confused by the entire foreclosure process; Foreclosure has never been simple but with the current backlog of bank owned properties and other pressures, it's become worse than ever. Here is an easy to read foreclosure process time line. It will help one understand the different methods used to handle and a purchase short sale, pre-foreclosures and foreclosed properties. If you have personal situation we can answer it, or get an answer to your question about your options for staying in your home, selling and moving on your schedule while helping you step by step through the process. 1. First month missed payment. This counts as day one for the bank but notice, the homeowner had 30 days just like normal to come up with a payment. They will always remain 30 days ahead of the bank schedule. 2. Second missed mortgage payment...day 30 for the bank. 3. Third missed mortgage payment...day 60...

Create a Certified Wildlife Habitat - National Wildlife Federation

For 24 hour Info 1-800-422-8693 Ext 397 Embrace the Splendor! One of the best locations in Valencia with easy access to everything. Gorgeous and rare largest model in The Fairways features fresh upgrades inside! 3 bedroom, 2 baths, plus a den. Light and bright end unit town home on a cul-de-sac street is surrounded by large wrap around covered patio, expansive greenbelts, mature trees, community tennis courts, spas and sparkling pools. Spacious 1,462 sq. ft. home, plus attached double garage with newer furnace and A/C. Designer kitchen with recessed lighting, Corian countertop and sink. Newer laminate flooring downstairs and newer carpet in the downstairs bedroom and upstairs. Fresh paint thru out, home is ready to move into! Centrally located within walking distance to Valencia schools, parks, paseos and stores! This Valencia home is very clean and shows true pride of ownership! Directions: Exit I - 5 East on McBean Parkway to Tournament, Right @ 1st stop sign, Lema Dr. nex...

Avoiding Burglary Showing you how to improve your life and helping you protect their belongings! Santa Clarita CA enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest cities in the nation. However this status does insure total safety in our lives and does not allow us to skip preventive measures and action to protect ourselves and our families.  With summer approaching, many of us are considering family vacations. You know who else is looking forward to their summer vacation? Neighborhood thieves! Keep in touch with your friends and help them protect their home by passing along a couple of useful articles on how burglars determine if a home is a good topic. From Reader's Digest, these two articles are great conversation starters: 13 Things a Burglar Won't Tell You http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/13-things-a-burglar-wont-tell-you/article156709.html 8 More Things a Burglar Won't Tell You http://www.rd.com/living-healthy/article-8-more-...

When is Enough, Enough? The Big Banks are Opposing C.A.R.'s Bill to Protect Borrowers The Vote is TOMORROW! Please Call NOW! C.A.R. is sponsoring SB 1178 (Corbett) to extend anti-deficiency protections to homeowners who have refinanced "purchase money" loans and are now facing foreclosure. Most homeowners didn't even know that when they refinanced they lost their legal protections, and now may be personally liable for the difference between the value of the foreclosed property and the amount owed to the lender. SB 1178 will be voted on THIS WEEK by the entire Senate. One can't help but think, "when is enough, enough?" Banks have already foreclosed upon a family's home and now lenders can continue to hound them for additional payment. How much more money can today's families afford to pay when they've already lost their homes and most likely their jobs? Are they never to have the opportunity to begin again? Action Item Call Senator G...

Santa Clarita CA:  2010 Concerts in the Park Lineup Promises a Rockin' Good Time The City of Santa Clarita’s Concerts in the Park series is one of the most popular summertime traditions year after year. The free annual concert series begins July 10th and runs through August 28 th , with all shows starting Saturdays at 7:00 PM at Central Park. The 2010 series will kick off on July 10 with a performance by Incendio . Famous for their invigorating live shows and four critically acclaimed albums, the band showcases an infectious world fusion and Latin guitar sound sure to bring even the most reserved concert attendees to their feet. “ Concerts in the Park is one of the City’s most celebrated summer traditions and the City is proud to once again present the popular event at no cost to attendees,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Community members are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and the entire family to enjoy fantastic performances all summe...

Fannie Mae extends seller assistance program Fannie Mae recently announced it is extending its seller assistance incentive on all Fannie Mae-owned HomePath properties. Buyers will receive 3.5 percent of the final sales price, to be used toward closing cost assistance or their choice of selected appliances. The offer is available to any owner-occupant who closes on the purchase of a property listed by June 30.   We can help you with your next home purchase and sale in Los Angeles County CA. We serve the area of    Los Angeles County - Santa Clarita Valley real estate - San Fernando Valley real estate Westside LA - Antelope Valley real estate - Santa Clarita Relocation Services

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to announce that the California Appliance Rebate program is officially underway. The program, which launched on Earth Day, April 22, 2010, offers rebates to assist California residents in swapping out old energy inefficient home appliances for new, Energy Star qualified items. “The residential sector presents a large challenge and sizable opportunity of protecting the environment through energy efficiency,” said California State Assemblyman and former Santa Clarita Mayor, Cameron Smyth. “Households are the third largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., behind only the industrial and transportation sectors, and offer potential energy savings in the range of 25 to 30 percent compared with current consumption.” Three residential appliance categories are eligible to receive rebates as part of the program: clothes washers ($100 rebate), refrigerators ($200 rebate), and room/window air conditioners ($50 rebate). Applia...

        Owning a home invokes more than a sense of pride and freedom. It is also a long-term investment opportunity. With tax season in full swing, it is a great time to speak to your tax advisor about the tax advantages associated with homeownership. Some of these benefits include: Reduce your taxable income: On your itemized income tax return, you may be able to deduct mortgage interest payments, property taxes and points paid to lower your loan's interest rate. Take advantage of special tax breaks : First-time buyers who get under contract before April 30, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010, may be eligible for an $8,000 tax credit. Some existing homeowners who purchase a new principal residence within the same time frame could get a $6,500 tax credit. Lower tax on capital gains when you sell : When you sell your home, you will not have to pay federal income tax on capital gains of up to $500,000 for a married couple and $250,000 if...

Good crop of foreclosures today. 5+5 near 4,000 sq ft. simi custom home on 2 acres in Castaic. We have smaller homes as well. EZ down payments can start at $100. for qualified properties. Got a house?