For those of you who have multiple properties here in Santa Clarita or anywhere in the United States you really need to take the time to read this information. You may get an unexpected Capital Gains Tax Bill in the mail. Please take time to be a wise real estate investor especially with the all the policy changes occurring on Capital Hill. Now more than ever education is key. A popular tax-saving loophole regarding capital gains taxes on some primary residences has been impacted by the recently signed 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery act. The law places new restrictions on wealthy homeowners who own two or more homes and plan to "house hop" to avoid paying capital gains taxes. Under previous law, those who sell a house for profit after living in it as their primary residence for two... 10/30/2008

Have some of you have noticed the banners across the paseos overwalks in Valencia or bridges around Santa Clarita letting our great community know about our outstanding schools and students? If not here is the great news William S. Hart Union High School District receives highest overall API score in the state!!!In API (Academic Performance Index) test results released this month by the California Department of Education, the William S. Hart Union High School District has received the top ranking in the state for union high school districts with 10,000 or more students. The Hart School District encompasses the majority of the junior high and senior high schools in the Santa Clarita Valley.Vicki Engbrecht, assistant superintendent of instructional services said in an interview with The S... 10/29/2008

By Scott Akerley We've all heard the expression that time is money.  It couldn't be truer in the escrow business.  I am always amazed when I hear horror stories about nightmare escrows and failed closings.  It isn't necessary to have horrible escrow experience, all you need to do is use a reputable, experienced company who is diligent and understands the deadlines of the real estate that you are purchasing. Right now the market is flooded with REO properties.  We are seeing families previously priced out now able to purchase homes because of this rare market opportunity. Sometimes prospective home buyers are skittish about buying REO.  It's a new experience for most home buyers and they are uncertain as to the differences in buying REO and purchasing a traditional home.  In actuality, b... 10/22/2008

Condominiums for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Real Estate Specialist I am here to provide you with the most current Cypress Point condo sales information for the Westridge Valencia area.                                             ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF OCTOBER 22: Currently there are 10 condo's for sale in Cypress Point. Minimum List Price: $329,000        Days on Market:41 Average List Pirice: $412,442         Days on Market: 186 Maximum List Price: $499,999       Days on Market: 537 OF THE 10 CURRENT LISTINGS 7 ARE SHORT SALES.   ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 28: Currently there were 9 condo's for sale in Cypress Point. Minimum List Price: $359,000        Days on Market: 5 Average List Pirice: $448,712         Days on Market: 171 Maximum List Price: $599,999       Days on Ma... 10/22/2008

THIS IS A QUESTION THAT WE ARE ALL ASKING OURSELVES ABOUT THE BAILOUT  "HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ME AND MY SITUATION"? As Santa Clarita's Real Estate Specialists, my husband and I have many different approaches to help buyers and homeowners in today's market here in Santa Clarita. We can help you in the following ways: - Loan Modifications - Short Sale Consultations/Short Sale Purchases - Home Rentals/Leasing - Traditional Home Sales/Purchases - Bank Owned Purchases (REO's) For further information on our services go to: www.santaclaritavalleyhomesonline.com 10/21/2008

  Homes for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Real Estate Specialist I am here to provide you with the most current single family home sales information for the entire Valencia area.                                              This is a picture Six Flags Magic Mountain. ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF OCTOBER 21: Currently there are 219 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $295,000        Days on Market: 1 Average List Pirice: $657,724         Days on Market: 88 Maximum List Price: $2,395,000    Days on Market: 525 ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 25: There were 203 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $250,000        Days on Market: 0 Average List Pirice: $688,080        Days on Market: 93 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market: 6... 10/21/2008

Average sale price  November 2007: $551,600  Current average sale price: $406,498  Bottom Line: The average sales price is down approximately 26 percent from last year.    Average days on market  November 2007: 112  Current average days on market: 75  Bottom Line: Homes that have sold this year have been on the market 37 days less, or are selling 33 percent faster, this year.      Total closed sales  November 2007: 2,365  Year to date, 2008: 2,065  Bottom Line: There have been 300 fewer sales this year, or 13 percent fewer sales. 10/18/2008

Wall Street Drama How it Affects Local Real EstateBy Joshua Suess         Wall Street may be in New York, but most people want to know how the stock market drama will affect local real estate in Santa Clarita. Let’s take a quick look at what’s happening in our market. First of all, while most markets around the country have a rising number of homes hitting the market and skyrocketing inventory levels, we are seeing the exact opposite here in Santa Clarita. Our inventory has been decreasing steadily month after month. With that said, nearly 52 percent of the homes on the market are either foreclosures or short sales, leaving “normal sellers” in the minority. While most markets are experiencing a slow down in sales and a shortage of buyers, we are seeing increasing sales with a huge pool... 10/18/2008

  "Curb appeal” is the good impression or feeling made when looking at a home from the curb to the front door. It is taking the best exterior feature of the house or yard and enhancing it to the fullest potential. Believe it or not, it can be one of the most important factors to home buyers and many will choose not to view the inside of a home if the outside does not look up to par. Here’s how to maximize your curb appeal: Keep landscaping neatly trimmed and maintained. Keep your grass green and replace dead spots with new sod or seed. Don’t neglect flowers, plants and trees. Trim dead stems or branches and if they aren’t looking good, replace them! You’d be surprised how far some inexpensive annuals, like petunias or impatiens, will go. Add low voltage landscape lighting. It’s an easy... 10/18/2008

Homes for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Realtor I am here to provide you with the most current single family home sales information for the entire Valencia area.                                              This picture is the Valencia Town Center located in Valencia. ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 18: Currently there are 214 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $250,000        Days on Market: 1 Average List Pirice: $657,634         Days on Market: 89 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market: 559 ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 24: There were 224 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $250,000        Days on Market: 1 Average List Pirice: $671,045         Days on Market: 92 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market:... 09/18/2008

Buyers looking to purchase in Valencia have been watching and waiting for the right opportunity to jump into the market hoping to capture a bargain, many have made the choice to do just that. Home prices have steadliy declined back to prices before the real estate boom, these homes may be regular listings, short sales, or bank owned properties. This activity has sellers's experiencing mulitple offers. Many of the properties seeing offers presented to them over the list price. With this happening, many buyers are in competition for the same property, they are growing frustrated waiting to see if their offer is the lucky one to be choosen. Short sale listings are being listed well below market value thus generating interest and multilple offers. With short sales though the bank is the on... 09/18/2008

                                             Santa Clarita Valley home sales up 22% Sales of existing single-family homes increased 22.2 percent throughout the Santa Clarita Valley during July with the 237 closed escrows up 43 transactions from the 194 total of a year ago, the Southland Regional Association of Realtors reported on Thursday, Aug. 28. According to the sales statistics the median price of single-family homes sold last month was $441,000, down 22.6 percent from a year ago, well below the record high of $643,000 reached in April 2006. Most of the sales activity is concentrated on homes listed for less than $500,000, which then pulls the overall median price lower. At the current pace of sales, the inventory represents a 5.5-month supply. Industry experts believe a balanced ... 09/18/2008

Number of Closed Sales in SCV  Aug. 2007—Sept. 2007:     304  Number of Closed Sales in SCV  Aug. 2008—Sept. 2008:     343    Bottom Line: The number of sales is increasing when compared to last year, or even the last eight months of 2008.      Average List Price  Aug. 2007—Sept. 2007: $564,560   -or-   $311.85 per square foot  Average List Price  Aug. 2008—Sept. 2008: $429,849    -or-  $233.65 per square foot  Bottom Line: The average list price has fallen $134,711, or 24 percent.  09/17/2008

          “Curb appeal” is the good impression or feeling made when looking at a home from the curb to the front door. It is taking the best exterior feature of the house or yard and enhancing it to the fullest potential. Believe it or not, it can be one of the most important factors to home buyers and many will choose not to view the inside of a home if the outside does not look up to par. Here’s how to maximize your curb appeal: Keep landscaping neatly trimmed and maintained. Keep your grass green and replace dead spots with new sod or seed. Don’t neglect flowers, plants and trees. Trim dead stems or branches and if they aren’t looking good, replace them! You’d be surprised how far some inexpensive annuals, like petunias or impatiens, will go. Add low voltage landscape lighting. It’s ... 09/17/2008

  Number of Closed Sales in SCV ( August 1, 2007 - September 1, 2007):  304 Number of Closed Sales in SCV (past 30 Days, Aug. 1st - Sept. 1st): 343 Bottom Line:  The number of sales is increasing when compared to last year or even the last 8 months of 2008. Average List Price ( August 1, 2007 - September 1, 2007): $564,560 - $311.85 per sq.ft. Average List Price (past 30 Days, Aug. 1st - Sept. 1st): $429,849  - $233.65 per sq.ft. Bottom Line:  The average list price has fallen $134,711 or 24% Average Sales Price ( August 1, 2007 - September 1, 2007):  $552,428 -  $306.10 per sq.ft. Average Sales Price (past 30 Days, Aug. 1st, 2008- Sept. 1st,2008):  $421,233  - $228.69 per sq.ft. Bottom Line:  The average sales price has fallen $131,195 or 24% * Since the stats I reported last month, Av... 09/02/2008

Condominiums for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Realtor I am here to provide you with the most current condo sales information for the Westridge Valencia area.                                             ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 28: Currently there are 9 condo's for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $359,000        Days on Market: 5 Average List Pirice: $448,721         Days on Market: 171 Maximum List Price: $599,000       Days on Market: 482   BACK UP OFFERS AS OF AUGUST 28:  Currently there is 1 condo in back up offer status. List price: $419,900       Days on Market: 108    PENDING AS OF AUGUST 28: Currently there are 3 condo's pending. Minimum List Price: $369,900          Days on Market: 6 Average List Price: $369,900            Days on Market: 18 Maximum List Pri... 08/28/2008

Tired of looking in the newspaper or online at Craig's list for homes or condo's to rent here in the Santa Clarita area? Look no further, I have a no obligation daily home/condo search for you, it goes beyond buying or selling a home. If your looking to rent in the following areas: Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Castaic. You will get an e-mail to alert when there are new homes or condo's on the market. My site offers a live feed, you get a head start on others looking for rentals, which these days are getting rented quicker. It is very user friendly after I have assigned you an account, you can change the search criteria as you please. Then if you would like me to show you the property you just contact me when your ready. If you would like to sign up for thi... 08/27/2008

Homes for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Realtor I am here to provide you with the most current single family home sales information for the entire Valencia area.                                              This picture is the beautiful community of Bridgeport located in Valencia. ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 24: Currently there are 224 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $250,000        Days on Market: 1 Average List Pirice: $671,045         Days on Market: 92 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market: 534 ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 14: There were 222 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $250,000        Days on Market: New listing Average List Pirice: $674,609        Days on Market: 93 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000 ... 08/27/2008

Homes for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Realtor I am here to provide you with the most current single family home sales information for the entire Valencia area.                                              This picture is the beautiful community of Bridgeport located in Valencia. ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 14: Currently there are 222 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $250,000        Days on Market: New listing Average List Pirice: $674,609         Days on Market: 93 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market: 524 ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 5: There were 230 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $320,000        Days on Market: New listing Average List Pirice: $673,428        Days on Market: 97 Maximum List Price: $3... 08/27/2008

Homes for sale in Valencia. As your Santa Clarita Realtor I am here to provide you with the most current single family home sales information for the entire Valencia area.                                              This picture is of the Valencia Town Center. ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF AUGUST 5: Currently there are 230 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $320,000        Days on Market: New listing Average List Pirice: $673,428         Days on Market: 97 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market: 515 ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF JUNE 29: There were 244 single family homes for sale in Valencia. Minimum List Price: $285,250        Days on Market: New listing Average List Pirice: $670,153        Days on Market: 87 Maximum List Price: $3,350,000    Days on Market: 508 ... 08/27/2008