SCV Real Estate Insider Blog

New Santa Clarita Real Estate Blog...

Robert & Brian Team — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 05:15:00 GMT

If you are coming across this blog, and wondering why the content isn't updated, and rather stale...it's because I have relocated my Santa Clarita real estate blog to a new website that packs many more features!

Please now direct your browser, and bookmark... www.SantaClaritaRealEstateForum.com

It's an excellent blog, covering all aspects of the Santa Clarita real estate market. As a bonus, it's updated almost every single day! I can't wait to see you there!

- Robert

Single Story For Sale in Saugus

Robert & Brian Team — Tue, 15 May 2007 06:57:00 GMT

Large 1 story home, 3 car garage with RV

• 1,782 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm single story - MLS® #F1714255 $669,000 - Ready To Move In!

Saugus, Santa Clarita - LARGE TURN-KEY SINGLE STORY HOME! This property features 3 bedrooms + 2 bathrooms, 3 car garage, and GATED RV parking! Other features and upgrades incude Classy tile floors, wood blinds, tons of windows, open kicthen with center island, extra cabinety in kitchen, recessed lighting, ceiling fans throughout, custom paint schemes, 6 panel doors, and indoor laundry room.

The roomy master bedroom features a large walk in closet, elegant master bathroom with dual sinks, comfortable oversized tub, and private stall shower. There is a large grassy "pool sized" rear yard with above ground spa , and stamped concrete patio for entertaining on! This home is truly ready for move in and shows TRUE pride of ownership.

Circle J Ranch is a beautiful residential neighborhood only minutes from the 14 and 5 freeway, a unique and highly desirable community within Santa Clarita with easy access to all points of interest and shopping.

Property information

Mortgage applications RISE!

Robert & Brian Team — Wed, 09 May 2007 17:23:00 GMT

Greetings everyone,

It was announced this week that nationally, and on a seasonally adjusted basis, that mortgage applications have risen 4% in the last week, and just over 19% compared to the same period last year. This is yet another smidgen of good news for our rather mysterious real estate market. This coincides with other positive news from the first quarter of sales statistics gathered regarding the Santa Clarita real estate market.

Sales of 608 Santa Clarita single-family homes were up 18.1 percent over the same period a year ago and the 261 closed escrows reported this March were 14.0 percent higher. Condominium sales however did decline 4.9 percent to 274 transactions for the 1st quarter and were off 6.6 percent from March 2006 - which I have expected since they usually perform the worst in a relatively flat market or "down" market.

Business has been tremendous for me this year, so I certainly see the proof behind these numbers. Let's hope things continue to be somewhat balanced prior to going into another frothy market driven by buyer demand, which I can see happening by 2009, or 2010, barring any unforeseen national or worldwide turmoil that effects our economy and confidence.

Contact me to assist you in purchasing or selling Santa Clarita real estate. I can be reached at 661.373.2374 or Robert@TheScvAgent.com

As always, visit www.TheScvAgent.com for Santa Clarita's BEST real estate website.

- Robert Mickalson

Price reduction...

Robert & Brian Team — Wed, 02 May 2007 23:38:00 GMT

My listing @ 28026 Forst Ct in Castaic has just reduced its price from $599,000 to $589,000.

This is a lovely Castaic home in an excellent location! With 4 bedrooms, including one downstairs, and 3 full bathrooms, also one downstairs, this floor plan is great! Brand new carpet never lived on has just been installed. There are plenty of features that this home boasts that you are probably looking for. If you are in the market for a 4 bedroom, situated at he very end of a cul-de-sac street in Santa Clarita, you should give me a call to take a look at this one! Available for showings anytime!

View the home here

Contact Robert at 661-373-2374.

New 2007 Tax Break For Some Homeowners

Robert & Brian Team — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 06:02:00 GMT

Until recent times, most home buyers putting less than 20% down would opt for a piggyback loan (a 2nd), instead of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and just one loan. Since the prime rate on Piggyback loans have risen in the last year and there is still uncertainty as to where the will end up, home buyers have been taking a second look at taking out just one loan, and the PMI that goes along with that when putting less than 20% down. In the interest of having predictable loan costs home buyers have surely been altering the way they structure their loan. The PMI industry has already seen an 8.5% increase in the use of mortgage insurance with purchases and refinances since the beginning of the 1st quarter of 2007.

Other than the fluctuating cost of a piggyback loan, what is driving people now to use PMI? Well finally for 2007 there is a new tax break for a home purchase THIS YEAR. I'll cut to the chase. If you bought a home this year, and you used PMI, and your adjusted gross income is LESS than $100,000, then you can write off the full premium of the PMI! So you now get the Interest deduction on the 1st mortgage, the property taxes, and now PMI! Homeownership is great!

Bad news is, if your adjusted gross income is over 110,000, your out of luck on this new tax break (at least for this year). There is a partial deduction you can take if you make between 101,000-109,000, but it goes down 10% per thousand!

This is something that should have been implemented long ago - but who cared as prices were sky rocketing and everyone made money hand over fist buying and selling property.Lets just hope they increase the limit over $100,000, which will enable people who live in more expensive areas, such as California to qualify for this tax break too. After all, it takes much more income to simply own a home in an area like Calfifornia.

If I can advise you on your next home purchase, or sale, don't hesitate to contact me.

Robert Mickalson, Realtor

661-373-2374 / robert@thescvagent.com

The 2007 Real Estate Market, so far...

Robert & Brian Team — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:55:00 GMT

Once again, my Santa Clarita real estate blog has fallen behind. I have been working so don't worry. The problem has not been my lack of desire to keep the Santa Clarita home buyer and seller informed, rather the time it takes when the market has been quite hot and demanding so much of my time!

In 2006 I had nothing but time to blog, not quite true since business was decent, but it sure felt like it at times. Here we are now in 2007, just 3 months completed, and the year has been rocking! Buyer's have indeed lost that ever present 2006 fear of buying a home. They now have courage, and have caught wind that things aren't "so" bad, and they are now buying homes, or at least running us around looking for that home!

I am seeing full price offers made, and in once instance two weeks ago, a home with 5 offers on it in its first week on the market. Why the change year over year? I attribute it mostly to media coverage and people simply tired of renting! Sentiment is everything, and when people are fed news story after news story, either in a paper, magazine, cable news channel, or know it all blog like mine, well, if all that news is negative, who is going to feel good about going against the "advice", especially when it comes to dealing with home buying and selling. Its a good thing that people by nature, want to own real estate, otherwise it would be much less predicatable and more complicated!

Today, we see positive news stories, and much less doom and gloom from pundants. Sure there is uncertainty in the market still, just much less of it. Sure there is fear about the sub prime loan market and how its undoing could effect the mainstream market, I just don't see it effecting the desire to buy a home from the clients I have, or the clients I see my colleagues dealing with on a daily basis.

Bottom line, incase you were wondering, the Santa Clarita real estate market is looking very lively and healthy thus far in 2007. The beginning of the year was looking very promising in that the inventory was remaining at a nice low level after the holidays. It will be interesting to see how the inventory takes shape over the coming months. Currently we are at about 2050 homes actively for sale in Santa Clarita.It is important that inventory stays relatively low, for another dramatic increase like that of 2006, would mean to many options for buyers, which translates into one too many competing sellers. The good news is that buyers have in large number considered or actually got off the sidelines and are starting to participate in the market again. As I mentioned, a lot of that has to do with media coverage and how that has changed. So the larger number of buyers will actually help to eliminate a percentage of the growing "Spring" inventory. I feel that as some sellers realize things aren't so bad out there, they may actually opt to hang onto their asset, and not sell, which is the opposite of what they decided to do in 2006 - when everyone seemed like they wanted to sell!

In the coming months I will provide many more updates here, and do my best to keep you updated on the day to day minutia of the Santa Clarita real estate market. Thanks for supporting this blog by checking it often!

- Robert Mickalson

2 Story For Sale in Winnetka

Robert & Brian Team — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:07:00 GMT

Master bedroom with 1,100 sq ft!

• 2,897 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® #F1708074 $729,990 - Upgrades & Value!

Winnetka, San Fernando Valley - What an incredible home! 4 bedrooms with 3.5 bathrooms, this home features just over 2,550 sq ft! Not only is does this home feature a desirable size for the area, it features 2 master bedrooms, one upstairs and one downstairs.

The upstairs master bedroom features 1,100 sq ft! Its huge, elegant, and comfortable. Some of the features this master bedroom boasts are his and her dressing room/walk in closets, his and her restrooms, his and her vanities, and a retreat with wet bar, and built in media desk.

Throughout the home you will find designer upgrades and touches sure to please! Items such as the travertine with marble floors, , 6" upgraded base boards, travertine tiled bathtubs, jetted bathtub, custom paint schemes, and newer carpets less than a year old in bedrooms.

Close to all of the major city conveniences yet situated on a quiet cul-de-sac location, this home really has it all. Easy to view - call your Realtor to see this home today!

Property information

Open House in Castaic on Saturday

Robert & Brian Team — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 01:03:00 GMT

Castaic, Santa Clarita - We invite everyone to visit our open house at 28026 Forst Ct on April 7 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Property information

SunCal Homes San Francisquito Development On Hold Again

Robert & Brian Team — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:03:00 GMT

The residents in San Francisquito keep fighting back, and winning. The large home builder, SunCal, is interested in developing a piece of land just north of Copperhill in the San Francisquito area, long known for its equestrian feel.

SunCal had an original plan to develop 60 homes, each with a varying lot size, however nearby existing residents argued that the lot sizes would not accommodate the housing of horses since it is after all an equestrian community. SunCal argued that the lot sizes indeed were sufficient and the plan for the 185 acre development fit in with the existing theme of San Francisquito. The department of regional planning for Los Angeles county disagreed and sent SunCal back to the drawing board.

SunCal came back this year in March and offered their new solution to the problem, by reducing the number of homes to be built to 45 from 60. This would increase the average lot sizes in theory and lay rest to some concerns. It is noted that SunCal planned on lot sizes ranging from 15,000 to 60,000 sq ft. Because the community consists of two different zoning requirements, SunCal would not be required to adhere to the 2 acre minimum lot sizes.

The department of regional planning for Los Angeles County yet again struck down the development plan, and has asked SunCal to change the plan to reflect each lot to be a minimum of 1 acre and report back to the Los Angeles subdivision committee. After the committee has reviewed the revised map the decision will be back up for review with the Board of Supervisors on June 26th of this year.

Anyone looking for a 1 acre tract home!? Contact me to get on my list of interested parties for this future development! 45 homes - 1 acre each - sounds great!

Search the MLS like a pro at www.TheScvAgent.com

Robert Mickalson, Realtor

Robert@TheScvAgent.com

661-373-2374

3-Level Split For Sale in Bon Aire

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 06:00:00 GMT

• 1,768 sq. ft., 1 bath, 3 bdrm 3-level split "Tri-level" - MLS® #182227 $144,900 - REDUCED!!!

Bon Aire, Merrillville - Take a look at this spacious tri-level in the wonderful Bon Aire subdivision. This lakefront home has a completely fenced backyard with a 12x24 above ground pool.

Property information

No New Listings Last Few Days...

Robert & Brian Team — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 23:14:00 GMT

Incase anyone has been paying attention when searching the Santa Clarita MLS, there has been absolutley ZERO new listings over the last several days since February 14th!

Our local board of Realtors has been changing and converting the software us Realtor's use to do our job. The new system will be up and running tomorrow Tuesday February 20th. I expect A LOT of new listings to be entered into the system tomorrow by Realtors who have done business over the last several days, but couldn't input them.

So, if you are looking for new homes, tomorrow could be a big day with lots of "new" listings to choose from. Give me a call or send an email if you want a complete list of all Santa Clarita new listings for Tuesday February 20th, and I will make sure you get that by Wednesday via email or fax - your choice.

Our new system, which is being enabled tomorrow, will make some Realtors job more difficult since its something new to learn, but for us Tech Savvy Realtors, this new system is going to help us do a much better job for our clients because it has so many more tools and features that the past system never had.

I can't wait to share some of these new features with those of you who will be buying or selling a home in 2007.

Now you can search the Santa Clarita MLS by TRACT NAME - go to www.TractDirectory.com to see for yourself - its AWESOME and very helpful.

Take care!

Robert Mickalson

Realtor & Property Management Specialist

Vintage Sotheby's International Realty

Peninsula Rentals & Property Management

office direct 661.219.2260

cell 661.373.2374

direct fax 661.216.2264

By The Way! ...I am NEVER too busy for your referrals!

www.TheScvAgent.com for Santa Clarita real estate

www.Pr-Pm.com for Santa Clarita rental management

www.TractDirectory.com for ALL Santa Clarita tracts

2 Story For Sale in Broadmoor

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 06:00:00 GMT

• 2,828 sq. ft., 2 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story - MLS® #178536 $339,900

Broadmoor, Munster - Take a look at this AMAZING, 7-year old, 2 story home in the prestigious Broadmoor subdivision of North Munster. 3 bedrooms and a bonus/office/nursery room upstairs that is connected to the master bedroom gives this home plenty of great space. The bonus room features a vaulted ceiling, skylight, and French doors that lead to a balcony. Plus, the main level has a 2-room office that could easily be converted into a 4th bedroom or possible family room. Total square footage for this home is over 2800 square feet!!! The open-concept kitchen/dining room/living room makes this home great for entertaining. The large, quarter-acre lot comes with attractive landscaping, sprinkler system, large mature trees, and a fenced rear yard.1-yr Home Warranty included! COME AND TAKE A LOOK!!! DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!

Property information

2 Story For Sale in Castaic

Robert & Brian Team — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 06:04:00 GMT

Extremely Private Location!

• 1,963 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® #R2071585 $599,000 - Excellent Price!

Castaic, Santa Clarita - AMAZING CUL-DE-SAC LOCATION and HUGE LOT!

This grand new listing located on one of Castaic's most sought after cul-de-sac streets features over 1900 sq ft of living space with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. To make life convenient, one bedroom, and one full bathroom are situated downstairs. This showplace is in immaculate condition.

Some of the features, upgrades, and delightful touches include tile flooring, berber carpet, custom paint schemes throughout, recessed lighting, designer plumbing fixtures in bathrooms, winding staircase, bright and airy living & dining room with dramatic raised ceilings, tons of windows, and a custom painted backsplash in kitchen.

With a lot of more than 11,400 sq ft, and a prime END of cul-de-sac location, this home has as much to offer on the outside as it does the inside. Aside from an extra large front yard, the year yard boasts a patio area with covered shade. There is even a private swimming pool in the rear yard, that is gated with nice wrought iron fence as an added "plus". Have pets? There is a huge Dog Run on the side yard as well.

With features galore, and a location that can't be beat anywhere in Castaic, its time to set an appointment to view this fabulous listing located at 28026 Forst Ct.

*** Short walk to Elementary and Middle school! (buyer to verify school child can attend)
*** Short drive to two different Ralph's grocery markets
*** Excellent sports complex and park nearby
*** Great I-5 freeway access
*** Just 5 minute drive to Valencia

Property information

Amgen Tour of California Comes To Santa Clarita..

Robert & Brian Team — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:38:00 GMT

Note that this information is outdated.

Stage 6 of the Amgen Tour of California will commence in Santa Barbara on Saturday Feb 24, 2007, and end 105 miles later that day in Santa Clarita. The finish line for stage 6 will be at McBean and the Valencia Town Center area. Over 100,000 are expected to be in attendance in Santa Clarita for this event! Visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com for more information.

When/Where: Santa Clarita, Ca ...Saturday February 24, 2007

Introducing www.TractDirectory.com for Santa Clarita

Robert & Brian Team — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:09:00 GMT

In an effort to educate Santa Clarita home buyers on the existing inventory of homes, and different styles available, I made an amazing tool for all of my clients and Santa Clarita real estate website visitors: www.TractDirectory.com.

Santa Clarita homes are in large part grouped by Tracts. We all know a few Tract Names, but how many of you really know them all? With just over 500 tracts to find homes from...wouldn't it be nice to sift through them by name and eliminate the ones & styles you don't like as a buyer?

By using www.TractDirectory.com I hope I have made the information gathering and buying process JUST A BIT easier for you!

If you have any comments, or suggestions for my website, always feel free to send me an email, or call me at 661-373-2374.

Thanks!

Robert Mickalson
Realtor ® & Property Management Specialist
Vintage Sotheby's International Realty
Peninsula Rentals and Property Management
Mobile: 661.373.2374
Office: 661.219.2260
Fax: 661.219.2264

"By The Way...I am NEVER to busy for your Referrals"

Go to www.TheScvAgent.com for expert real estate sales assistance!

Go to www.Pr-Pm.com for all your local property management needs!