Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate

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

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

According to recent reports and forecasts by housing analysts, the three-year descent in home prices appears to be at an end. Eight cities, including San Francisco, showed price increases in May, up from four in April, and one in March, according to Standard and Poor’s/Case-Shiller Index. For the first time since early 2007, the index of 20 major cities was virtually flat, rather than down. · Earlier reports show that sales of existing homes nationwide rose last month for the third consecutive month, while sales of new homes increased in June by the largest percentage in eight years, according to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and the U.S. Commerce Dept., respectively. · Although some skeptics believe the market is pausing before home prices decline further, the median price in California’s housing market appears to be stabilizing. June marked the fourth consecutive month of rising home prices and the second largest gain on record for the

MID-YEAR MARKET SUMMARY The California housing market showed more signs of emerging from the worst of the market downturn in June as the median price rose for the fourth straight month and sales registered significant year-to-year and year-to-date gains. At $274,740 in June, the median price rose to its highest level so far this year and stood 4.2 percent higher than the May revised median price of $263,600. The median remained well below levels of a year earlier, however, with a 26.4 percent decrease from the June 2008 median of $373,100. Year-to-year changes have been less severe in recent months and the June decrease was the smallest since February 2008. June sales dipped 6.0 percent from revised May sales of 546,750 homes to a June sales figure of 514,110 homes, but showed a 20.1 percent increase over prior year sales of 427,910 homes. This was the smallest percentage gain in a year, and smaller gains are expected through the rest of the year. Still, sales in the first

Last month Pending US home sales skyrocketed to their highest number in 7 years, a sure sign that the bottom is forming and that bargain seekers have arrived. The National Association of Realtors reported that its seasonally adjusted index of sales contracts signed (the Pending Home Sales Index) jumped 6.7% to 90.3, well ahead of analysts' expectations. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said buyers have responded to favorable market conditions. "Housing affordability conditions have been at historic highs, but now the $8,000 first-time buyer tax credit is beginning to impact the market," he said. "Since first-time buyers must finalize their purchase by November 30 to get the credit, we expect greater activity in the months ahead, and that should spark more sales by repeat buyers." Santa Clarita Home Value Santa Clarita CA Real Estate Agent | Santa Clarita CA Homes for Sale Weichert, Realtors - Hoshaw & Associates David Hoshaw, Broker, CRS, GRI, e-P

The real estate market is always changing and just 2 days after the Nov. 4th 2008 election our inquires from the web, signs and referrals have more than doubled. Real estate is a long term investment, don't panic, the market is turning around,over the next few years it will come back. Now is the time to ride the wave if you can. Sales activity through September 2008 were up 85.7% from last year for the same time in 2007. Pending home sales through September 2008 were UP 148.4% from same time last year 2007. Active listings through September were DOWN 2008 36.3% from same time last year 2007. Information supplied from Santa Clarita Valley Multiple Listing Service