Santa Clarita Real Estate Buzz

Local home sales are up in March, but inventory is shrinking.

Section: Buyers, Housing Statistics, Sellers Published on April 23rd, 2012

Thank you Tina and SJ for agreeing to speak to our local newspaper, The Signal. Congratulations on finally being in escrow. Kim Local home sales were up in March, but the inventory of houses listed for sale is shrinking, forcing homebuyers into competitive bidding wars, according to Santa Clarita Valley Realtors. When the employer of Tina Ham-Yoo’s husband relocated him to Santa Clarita from Washington, D.C., the couple expected to buy a home in the area pretty easily. But the couple was......Continue Reading!

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Santa Clarita Valley homes sales strongest they’ve been since the same period in 2007

Section: Buyers, Housing Statistics, Sellers Published on April 12th, 2012

In a report released by the Southland Regional Association of Realtors, sales of single family homes were up 19 percent in February over the prior year. Condo sales rose 3.8 percent, reversing what had been a downward trend in that market. February home sales recorded the fifth consecutive month of increases, the association reported. For the past two months, Santa Clarita Valley existing condo and single-family-home sales were the strongest they have been since the same period in 2007, even surpassing......Continue Reading!

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What is my Valencia Home Worth?

Section: Sellers Published on February 20th, 2012

Receive a custom evaluation for your home, including comparisons to other homes that have recently sold or are on the market. This guarantees you receive the most accurate information available. To find out what your home is worth, fill out the information below: ...Continue Reading!

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Top Four Foreclosure Questions and Answers

Section: Home Owners, Sellers, Short Sale Info Published on December 1st, 2011

Short Sales and Foreclosures continue to be a force in the Santa Clarita Valley/Los Angeles real estate market.  The four most common questions asked lately are... How long does it take for the lender to take the home back in foreclosure?   The typical foreclosure timeline in California is just under four months.  However, in many instances it's taking longer, sometimes more than two years.  I was at a conference today with Chase Bank.  They claim their time period is 400+ days. They......Continue Reading!

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13 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays

Section: Sellers Published on November 8th, 2011

13 Reasons to List Your Home During the Holidays The Holiday Season may be one of the best times to sell a home, and here are 13 reasons why: There is less competition for buyers during the Holidays, since many sellers delay listing their homes until the Spring. Winter buyers are more generally more serious, not just looky-loos. This is a great time for buyers to take a dual-purpose trip to include both house hunting and family visits without extra cost. Buyers are more emotional......Continue Reading!

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Shadow Inventories Shrinking

Section: Buyers, Sellers Published on November 6th, 2011

Shadow Inventories Shrinking Recent calculations by CoreLogic show that nationwide shadow inventories are shrinking, which is a good sign. There has been a lot of concern over the last few years that lenders with significant shadow inventories could dump a lot of homes on the market all at once, which would further depress housing prices in some areas by creating excess housing inventory for sale. What’s shadow inventory? Residential shadow inventory is the combined total of unlisted foreclosures (REO’s or bank-owned homes)......Continue Reading!

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California Home Sales Activity Continues to Improve

Section: Buyers, Home Owners, Sellers Published on November 5th, 2011

California Home Sales Activity Continues to Improve California’s home sales numbers are still showing upward movement for the third consecutive month as compared to 2010 numbers, according to the California Association of Realtors (CAR). Executives at CAR consider this to be a sign of stabilization in the California real estate market. Escrow closed for sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California were at a seasonally adjusted total of 487,940 for September 2011, as compared to 468,700 for September 2010, for a......Continue Reading!

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How Would Your Homeowners Policy Respond to a Total Loss?

Section: Business Professionals, Sellers Published on October 24th, 2011

Insurance Tidbits: How Would Your Homeowner Policy Respond to a Total Loss? Due to the recent firestorms in Southern California, many people have wondered how their homeowner policy would respond to such a catastrophe.   The following outlines some major coverage’s and endorsements your policy should have. Dwelling- This covers losses to the main structure of your home.  The limit on your policy should be sufficient to rebuild your home if it were completely destroyed.  Based on the characteristics of your home, your agent......Continue Reading!

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Preventing Foreclosure: Is Your Bank Likely to Cooperate?

Section: Sellers, Short Sale Info Published on October 17th, 2011

Preventing Foreclosure: Is Your Bank Likely to Cooperate? Fannie Mae just released a new list of loan servicers that are on track to earn the 3-star rating in its Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards Program (STAR).  The STAR system, which awards a maximum of 5 stars, evaluates the consistency and level of service that is provided by loan servicers (lenders or banks) in helping homeowners to avoid foreclosure. Fannie Mae had this to say about their new STAR program: “Fannie Mae’s mission......Continue Reading!

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Is Mortgage Life Insurance a Good Decision?

Section: Business Professionals, Sellers Published on October 12th, 2011

Insurance Tidbits: Is Mortgage Life Insurance a Good Decision?   You have just bought a new home.  Now you are being overwhelmed with offers for mortgage life insurance.  These policies promise to pay off your mortgage in the event of your unexpected death.  The question- Should you invest in one of these policies?  The answer- Probably not. Mortgage life policies are very simple.  The initial benefit amount is based on your mortgage.  As you pay down your mortgage, the policy benefits drop to remain......Continue Reading!

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