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 this low.  Usually rates on the Super Jumbo are at least .

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

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

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

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

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-

        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 you are single. This applies

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?

The federal tax credit for home buyers was extended and expanded late last year. Qualified first-time buyers may be eligible to receive a tax credit of up to $8,000 on homes purchased before April 30, 2010. Repeat buyers may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $6,500. Click here for more information about the federal tax credit for home buyers, including eligibility requirements. To receive the tax credit, home buyers must comply with the IRS’s documentation requirements, including a fully executed IRS Form 5405. On the form, which is available on the IRS’s Web site, taxpayers provide information supporting their claim of eligibility, such as income and home purchase date. LA Times story The IRS also requires home buyers to submit a copy of the closing or settlement statement that proves the transaction took place. The IRS previously said that the statement should show “all parties’ names and signatures, property address, sales price, and date of purchase.” H

Today Dec 11, 2009 the House of Representatives approved the biggest changes in financial regulation since the Great Depression on Friday, marking a win for the Obama administration and top Democrats in Congress. The sweeping bill, which will have to be reconciled with any measure the slower-moving Senate might eventually approve, aims to safeguard the financial system and ward off future crises of the type that punished the nation in the past year with its deepest recession since the 1930s. The House voted 223-202 to pass the 1,279-page bill, which was hammered out in the months since last year's crisis convinced Democrats of an urgent need for reform. All of the chamber's Republicans and 27 Democrats voted against bill. "This legislation brings us another important step closer to necessary, comprehensive financial reform that will create clear rules of the road, consistent and systematic enforcement of those rules, and a stronger, more stable financial system," Pr

The new tax credit is an improvement over the existing one which expires on Nov. 30. Some of the enhancements it includes are: The $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers has been extended through April 30, 2010. Current homeowners are eligible for a $6,500 tax credit through April 30, as long as they have lived in the home they are selling as a principal residence for five consecutive years out of the last eight years. Time has been added to allow for closing the home purchase. As long as buyers have a binding contract by April 30, they will then have until June 30, 2010, to close the transaction. Income limits for eligible buyers were increased to $125,000 for single buyers and $225,000 for couples. The passing of this legislation is very positive news for anyone looking to buy or sell a home. Both first-time and move-up buyers can now take advantage of the new tax credit in addition to today's historically low interest rates. We'll help you stay

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

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

Weichert, Realtors - Hoshaw & Associates Freddie Mac Selling Agent Select Property Report As a Selling agent Select agent for Freddie Mac we can help you negotiate the best possible purchase price for these homes. Don’t see your future home on this week’s list? Just let us know where you want to live and we will help you find and get settled into your next home. Contact me directly or your Weichert, Realtor with any questions 661-287-4466 x 226 or david@scvrealty.com Ask about the special promotions available to buyers of these homes. Address: 22817 22819 14TH STREET, SANTA CLARITA, CA Rooms: 8 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.0 Price: 213,900.00 Address: 13040 DRONFIELD AVE APT 5, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 3 Bed: 2 Bath: 1.0 Price: 92,900.00 Address: 13100 BROMONT AVE UNIT 13, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 4 Bed: 2 Bath: 0.0 Price: 105,900.00 Address: 12918 N FOUR PALMS LANE, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 5 Bed: 3 Bath: 3.0 Price: 251,900.00 Address: 13265 RAVEN STREET, SYLMAR, CA Rooms: 7 Bed: 3 Bath: 2.0 Price: 289,900.00 Addre

Valuable information to for buyers and sellers. Statistics from the National Association of Homebuilders show that the square footage of homes has shrunk in recent years. This is a trend that is likely to continue given the current economy. This may be an opportune time for owners of smaller homes to sell, according to a recent article published in Realty Times , which provided these tips for giving a small home big appeal to buyers: Accentuate storage space . A buyer must sense that a smaller home has enough storage space to accommodate their everyday needs. Clear out the attic and/or basement if the home has them. In addition, built-in furniture or custom closets also provide convenient, hidden storage. Create an office niche . Home offices are very popular, but a smaller home might not have an extra room to use for this purpose. Using a decorative screen around a small desk or tucking one away beneath a staircase shows buyers how they can