Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate

On Friday, February 23rd cycling fans can experience a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy an evening with an icon of the cycling world - Greg LeMond. The "An Evening with Greg LeMond Special Guest Kozo Shimano" will be held at Robinson Ranch as the precursor to the Amgen Tour of California, which arrives in Santa Clarita on Saturday, February 24th. The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6:00pm, followed by dinner, presentations on the cycling world, and an opportunity to ask questions of Greg LeMond and Kozo Shimano. LeMond and Shimano will share anecdotes about their paths to success including the challenges, triumphs and experiences that have catapulted them to the top of the cycling world. Tickets for the event are $100 per person; please contact Jenni Shadle at jshadle@santa-clarita.com or (661) 286-4012.

City Manager Ken Pulskamp was awarded the League of California Cities prestigious Diversity Award last week at the annual City Manager’s Conference in San Francisco. Nominated by Mayor Marsha McLean, the Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities was presented to Pulskamp by the League of California Cities on Thursday, February 8, 2007. The Diversity Award recognizes individuals who are instrumental in encouraging diversity in the workplace and in their communities. Pulskamp was honored for his work with the Sister City program in Santa Clarita, as well as for the City’s efforts including the Human Relations Forum, work place practices and programs and the City’s Newhall Community Center, which opened last year. Pulskamp helped establish the City’s sister city relationship with Tena, Ecuador and is active in the Philippino-American community, participating in the groundbreaking of a new medical facility in Sariaya, Philippines. During that mission he arranged to bring medical equ

Mortgage rates eased this week on the heels of Friday's employment report that showed weaker-than-expected job growth in January. 30-year fixed rate mortgages averaged 6.28% this week compared to 6.34% last week according to Freddie Mac's mortgage market survey. Economists at Freddie Mac predict that long term rates will hover between 6.3% and 6.5% this year which would cause the refinance share of origination to contract to 42% from 49% currently

HouseValues got a lot of people talking this week. Questions about the long term survivability of the company echoed through the blogosphere, much of it spurred on by the grumbling of ex-employees . As one of the highest profile real estate 1.0 web properties, I believe HouseValues’ troubles are ultimately a result of the macro changes that are happening right across this industry. It’s pretty clear. Real estate professionals are no longer the gatekeepers of information. On the surface however, HouseValues has not evolved. It’s main sites JustListed.com and HouseValues.com still treat consumers and real estate agents like children and are obviously little more than lead capture tools. Homepages.com is so confusing and poorly designed, it borders on being virtually unusable. In the past, there may have been few other options to turn to; but consumers these days have many more friendly data sources to choose from - Trulia or Zillow , Redfin or Shackprices , and Cyberhomes just to

There's a common saying in the real estate industry regarding the vast number of agents in the business: "If you don't have any friends who are agents, then you probably don't have any friends at all." With so many agent out there, how can you make an intelligent decision? Do you choose a friend, neighbor or coworker? Should you work with an agent at a large firm, a small firm, a franchise or an independent? While there's an exception to every rule, and every marketplace has its own nuances, here are some solid rules to apply when you want the best representation to protect your interests. Demand Experience Always look for an agent with at least two years of experience. Anyone still in the business after two years has probably learned at least the fundamentals of real estate. Look for Commitment Another problem we have in the industry is a large number of part-time and recreational salespeople. No matter how long they have been in real estate, their lack of f

The word "mold"has become a household name. It seems that there is so much information out there about health and air quality in our immediate environment stems back to "mold". It is as big an issue as the dreaded Termite problem. This is now so big that even home insurance companies may not issue new home owners coverage until they come to photograph key locations in your home to ensure that you do not have existing "mold". Insurance companies can go so far, as excluding coverage for any pre existing mold in your house. So what is the big issue with "mold" and why are we so cautious today? Well, recent studies show how sick it can make you and your loved ones in the home. It may well be the source of many allergies, and many other problems that we had not even noticed in the past years. Sometimes "mold" can be very obvious, and sometimes not If you are living in an old home, as many are in the US then chances are you may have mold in s

Please look at the picture, read what her mother says, then forward this message on. Maybe if everyone passes this on, someone will see this child. That is how the girl from Stevens Point was found by circulation of her picture on tv . The internet circulates even overseas, South America, and Canada etc. Thanks Please pass this to everyone in your address book. We have a Deli manager (Acme Markets) from Philadelphia, Pa who has a 13 year old daughter who has been missing for 2 weeks.Keep the picture moving on. With luck on her side sh e will be found. "I am asking you all, begging you to please forward this post to anyone and everyone you know, PLEASE.My 13 year old girl, Ashley Flores, is missing. She has been missing for now two weeks. It is still not too late. Please help us. If anyone anywhere knows anything, please contact me at: HelpfindAshleyFlores@yahoo.com I am including a picture of her. All prayers are appreciated!! " It only takes 2 seconds to forward this. If it