Well, it’s sort of true. As of today, April 3, 2012, there are exactly 64 condos and townhomes for sale in Santa Clarita that are regular sales. Meaning, standard sales. Which also includes bank owned foreclosures. Or, if I must clarify further, sales that aren’t short sales.

SIXTY FREAKIN’ FOUR?

All we hear about lately is the low inventory of homes to choose from in Santa Clarita. And this proves it! While prices haven’t started a noticeble upward trend valley-wide (yet), and we still have yet to see how the busy part of the real estate season will affect the inventory levels, it’s quite obvious that it’s a great time to sell your home in Santa Clarita, if selling fast and getting top-dollar, is important. It’s also clear, that there’s immense homebuyer competition going on, struggling over a lighter inventory to choose from. This short list, of 64 condos and townhomes for sale in Santa Clarita includes attached homes ranging in price from $80,000, up to $375,000.

What’s The Active Inventory Like Including All Other Sales?

If I perform a home search for condos and townhomes for sale in Santa Clarita and include short sales, and all other sales, including the two 55+ for sale communities in Santa Clarita…the inventory sky rockets to 224 for sale.

The Problem Is This…

Most homebuyers want, or eventually want, a piece of the 64 listings when shopping for SCV condos or townhomes. They’re fighting for that part of the inventory. Those are the sales (standard sales, bank owned sales) where you know the price is for real. Those are the sales where you’ll typically get a quicker answer to your offer. Those are the sales where you know you won’t wait 4 months or more, to close an escrow. In other words, there’s more certainty. And buyers like certainty. It’s sort of an important purchase, after all.

Sure, Santa Clarita Homebuyers Buy Short Sales Too

The other part of the Santa Clarita condos and townhomes inventory, sell too. It’s just not for everyone. Short sales, are awesome opportunities for homebuyers with no time constraints, where there’s no rush to move from somewhere, and where a homebuyer isn’t the type to get all emotional over a home they could potentially wait months simply for an answer to their offer. For the patient, and unemotional…they can be great deals! The good news, is there’s plenty of short sales to choose from and less competition from other homebuyers for them in general, compared to standard sales.

Need A Good Real Estate Agent?

Maybe Santa Clarita short sales are right for you when buying your next home? Perhaps…they’re not! Let’s talk about it. Call on us here at The Robert and Brian Team. We’ll help you navigate the waters of the Santa Clarita real estate market.

Verify Verify Verify! Just a word to the wise, when shopping for a Santa Clarita home that falls within an HOA where there’s monthly or quarterly dues.

Sure, you see the HOA dues listed in the MLS, where the listing agent stated what they are for your information. However, you should take it as possibly imperfect information that, needs to be verified.

Here’s an action plan for the average Santa Clarita homebuyer regarding figuring out the HOA dues…

Who should verify the HOA dues?

Your local Santa Clarita real estate agent should help you verify them.

When should the HOA dues be verified?

Really at anytime interest in a home or community is expressed, but especially before making an offer on any one particular home.

How can the HOA dues be verified?

Two ways. You or your SCV real estate agent can call the HOA management company directly and ask them about the dues for any particular address. Don’t forget to ask what the dues include! The other way to verify, is to wait for the HOA paperwork once you open up escrow. If you’re the type who thinks that learning about any variance in HOA dues after you’ve opened up escrow, is too late, then definitely figure that out before writing your offer!

Looking for expert Santa Clarita real estate assistance? Contact us here at The Robert and Brian Team!

Zillow Neighborhood Advice Screenshot

Zillow has rolled out something cool, and really beneficial for those thinking about moving to a new neighborhood or area. If you’re thinking of relocating to the Santa Clarita Valley or just a different part of it, then consider asking a Facebook friend who’s most familiar with the area.

With Zillow’s new Neighborhood Advice tool, you can now connect your Facebook account with your Zillow account. When searching potential areas to move to, or honing in on that one you’ve had your eye on, you can take a look at which of your Facebook friends are familiar with that area. And via a link that says, “Ask For Tips,” you can privately message your Facebook friend to get their opinion or advice on the neighborhood particulars.  Zillow Neighborhoods take the Facebook check-ins of your friends, and other data collected, to formulate which of your friends are most familiar with the area you’re searching.

This will be extremely useful for those of you thinking about relocating to the Santa Clarita Valley. You’re probably not very familiar with Santa Clarita and it’s various neighborhoods, however you may have some friends that are.

Usually friends like to chat about what they like, and don’t like about neighborhoods. This is an excellent option for homebuyers and those simply relocating to Santa Clarita who may rent. Realtors are sometimes perceived to be bias, or out for a quick buck (damn Realtors), so this opens up the door for the consumer to easily ask their friends for their thoughts in addition to that of an agent.

Zillow has created the perfect way to give consumers more options in real estate and lifestyle searching.

Don’t have friends? (or Faceook?)

We’re here to help the friends of the friendless. As local Santa Clarita real estate experts, and, having lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for a combined 60+ years, us guys at The Robert and Brian Team are well positioned to give you some excellent insight into this great place…the SCV! Contact us anytime @ 661-964-1760 or just shoot us a note here.

PS.. while we’re on the topic of Facebook (sorta), please LIKE our page! (shameless we are)

We get so many calls from people looking to purchase a home at Friendly Valley, located in Newhall. Some of those calls happen to be from family members, doing leg-work for their loved ones, who need a home in retirement community.

Our newest listing in the Friendly Valley community is one of the nicest I’ve seen. It’s turn-key, and the location is superb.

Thinking of buying a home in Newhall’s Friendly Valley?

Check out this listing:

Did you find this Friendly Valley blog post sometime into the future, and are wondering what’s currently for sale? Have no fear…below is a list of everything for sale in Friendly Valley, no matter when you’re reading this…enjoy!

Showing properties 1 - 20 of 27. See more * Friendly Valley Santa Clarita.
(all data current as of 5/22/2012)

1. $249,999 : 19544 Brendle Way, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,190 sq ft

   Lot size: 8.16 ac
2. $85,000 : 19204 Avenue Of The Oaks #A, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 806 sq ft

   Lot size: 11.65 ac
3. $114,000 : 19219 Avenue Of The Oaks #A, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 864 sq ft

   Lot size: 6.46 ac
4. $114,900 : 26371 Oak Highland Drive #C, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 909 sq ft

   Lot size: 6.75 ac
5. $185,000 : 26840 Avenue Of The Oaks #D, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,077 sq ft

   Lot size: 8.09 ac
6. $89,900 : 19110 Avenue Of The Oaks #D, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 806 sq ft

   Lot size: 11.65 ac
7. $170,000 : 18927 Circle Of The Oaks, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,077 sq ft

   Lot size: 8.09 ac
8. $165,000 : 26814 Circle Of The Oaks, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,077 sq ft

   Lot size: 8.09 ac
9. $175,000 : 19032 Avenue Of The Oaks, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,200 sq ft

   Lot size: 2.29 ac
10. $259,000 : 26544 Cardwick Court, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,190 sq ft

    Lot size: 8.16 ac
11. $98,900 : 19221 Avenue Of The Oaks #C, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 1 full bath

    Home size: 806 sq ft

    Lot size: 6.46 ac
12. $302,000 : 19823 Avenue Of The Oaks, Newhall
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,479 sq ft

    Lot size: 15.04 ac
13. $107,000 : 26758 Whispering Leaves Drive #B, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 864 sq ft

    Lot size: 8.11 ac
14. $198,000 : 19340 Oak Crossing Road, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,332 sq ft

    Lot size: 20.36 ac
15. $184,950 : 26817 Circle Of The Oaks, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,254 sq ft

    Lot size: 8.09 ac
16. $89,000 : 26857 Avenue Of The Oaks #B, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 864 sq ft

    Lot size: 8.11 ac
17. $265,000 : 19504 Avenue Of The Oaks #A, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 909 sq ft

    Lot size: 1.72 ac
18. $329,000 : 26320 Long Oak Drive, Newhall
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,479 sq ft

    Lot size: 15.04 ac
19. $74,900 : 19158 Avenue Of The Oaks #A, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 1 full bath

    Home size: 806 sq ft

    Lot size: 11.65 ac
20. $225,900 : 26809 Oak Garden Court, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,150 sq ft

    Lot size: 20.36 ac

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Every now and then we like to check in on which listing takes the cake, when it comes to being the best priced condo for sale in Santa Clarita. On this fine day, January 5, 2012, the winner is a 1 bedroom 1 bath (usually is), 588 sq ft bank owned listing. We looked at only regular or bank owned sales, since their pricing is true.

For just $69,900, you could be the proud owner of this hot item!

21226 Trumpet Dr #101, Newhall, Ca

Details are available below, while the home is still available for sale:

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # F11151676 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

Canyon Country condos - Confetti community

If you’ve been thinking about entering the Santa Clarita real estate market, as an investor, you may have excellent timing on your side. The entry point at which you can purchase a condo, for instance, is incredibly low.

Check out this example. 

Let’s say you’re in the market to purchase a 1 bedroom condo, in Canyon Country, and turn it into a rental. You can find one of those for about $65,000. They’re not available often, and when they do hit the market, they sell! They do exist however. That type of pricing can be found at the Confetti condos in Canyon Country. They are directly behind the Edwards Cinema shopping center. It’s a very well kept community, the landscaping is spotless, and it has a great location off of the Santa Clarita trail that skirts along the Santa Clara river.

Pardon the math…

If you were to nab a 1 bedroom condo in the Confetti community for $65,000, that would mean your 20% down payment would only be $13,000.  That would leave you with a loan of $52,000. You can rent out a condo like that for approximately $1,000/mo. right now. That would leave you with an annual gross rental income of about $11,500 (taking some vacancy into consideration). After monthly payments (including interest) on your $52,000 loan, property taxes, HOA dues, estimating $350 for annual repairs, and even 8% of your monthly rent going toward property management fees, that would equal approximately $8,000 a year in out of pocket expenses. Here, you can see that $8,000 out versus $11,500 in, equals a smile for any would-be real estate buy and hold investor.

There are 3 factors that make this the right time to purchase a Santa Clarita rental property:

1. Home values have declined tremendously
2. Interest rates for home loans are at all-time lows
3. Due to financial circumstances and deteriorated credit ratings, the quantity of people in the renter pool has swollen, and subsequently increased demand for rental homes. Rental prices have been increasing as a result (in sharp contrast to the drop in cost of owning a home).

We’re helping investors, and many of them have different strategies. Some want to buy and hold for 3 years. Some want to hold for 10 years. Some say they’ll never sell. And then there are those that are buying to flip for a quick profit, and move onto the next property.

There is no right answer, as to how to enter the Santa Clarita real estate market as an investor. The question is, will you enter it?

Curious about the condos currently for sale in the Canyon Country Confetti community, discussed above? Below is a list of any and all Confetti condos, currently for sale. If none are available, none will show. Thanks for reading!

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 5. See more Confetti (conf) (confetti (conf)) tract real estate.
(all data current as of 5/22/2012)

1. $70,000 : 18808 Mandan Street #301, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 652 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.33 ac

   Year built: 1984

   Days on market: 74
2. $63,000 : 27240 Luther Drive #509, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 652 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.33 ac

   Year built: 1984

   Days on market: 233
3. $69,000 : 27240 Luther Drive #512, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.33 ac

   Year built: 1984

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 234
4. $75,000 : 18820 Mandan Street #414, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Year built: 1984

   Days on market: 240
5. $67,900 : 27240 Luther Drive #506, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,346 sqft

   Year built: 1984

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 336

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Quite a few of our Santa Clarita homebuyer clients are looking for townhomes. Usually they’re first-time homebuyers, too. At The Robert and Brian Team we’re tasked to find them the very best possible home, the best value, the best location – it’s our job. Though, not an easy one when you figure in individual, and sometimes random preferences.

Looking for a townhome in Santa Clarita? 

Why not consider a townhome that’s detached? That’s right – one that shares no walls. Usually, once one of our clients figure out that they can get a townhome in their price range, and in a great area no less…they’re all ears.

There are a few detached townhome communities in Santa Clarita. There’s Citrus Groves in Plus Canyon. There’s Canterbury in Tesoro del Valle. There is the Acacia tract in Saugus. The Marigold tract in Castaic. And several others.

The detached townhome community that wins the hearts of our buyers, time after time, is the Courthome Collection, in Valencia.

Courthome Collection

At the Valencia Courthome Collection, there are 4 floor plans that range in sq ft from 868 sq ft to 1260 sq ft. For these, though, it’s all about location, and curb appeal. The community is gorgeous. Lots of trees, and it’s quietly tucked away off of McBean Parkway. The location, situated just north west of McBean and Decoro, is perfect. It’s one of the best locations in the  91354 zip code of Valencia. They are surrounded mostly by single family homes. For the discerning Santa Clarita townhome or condo buyer, these should be high up on your hot list.

The Courthome Collection community is the perfect blend between modestly sized detached townhomes, style, and above all – location.

There are certainly many other townhome communities in Santa Clarita that offer newer townhomes, and larger size. The catch here however is, they’re not attached, and the location can’t be beat in this price range.

Judge for yourself…check out what’s currently for sale at the Valencia Courthome Collection, below.

Showing properties 1 - 2 of 2. See more Courthome Collection (cyco) (courthome Collection tract real estate.
(all data current as of 5/22/2012)

1. $220,000 : 27944 Crown Court Circle #123, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 868 sq ft
2. $209,000 : 27833 Crown Court Circle #58, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 868 sq ft

   Lot size: 24,114 sqft

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Trulia has an awesome heat map, that reveals pricing by geography. The map is color coded. The more green, the less expensive. The more red, the more expensive the real estate. Santa Clarita real estate pricing reveals that the most expensive homes tend to be in the 91381 and 91390/91387 areas of the SCV. No brainer, right? Well, sure, for us locals. This map comes in quite handy, however, for those that are less familiar with this place called the Santa Clarita Valley. A place many of our readers already call home.

October 2011 Santa Clarita Real Estate Prices Heat Map via Trulia

Santa Clarita real estate heat map 2011

Relocating to Santa Clarita? I suggest you give this tool a try, over at Trulia. Then when you’re done having fun with this novel home search tool, which you can apply to your Santa Clarita Relocation efforts, I suggest that you head over to the #1 local home search portal – TheScvAgents.com. Go see what you’ve been missing!

Need home search assistance? Call on us, here at The Robert and Brian Team. We’re ready!

If you’re in the process of buying a home in Santa Clarita, or are about to embark on your home search soon, take a moment to read this, in the event you are considering homes with older roofs that have wear and tear issues.

Roofing problems can be expensive. That expense however, doesn’t necessarily have to fall on your shoulders, when buying the right home, and when you have a Realtor negotiating effectively, on your behalf.

Once you’re in escrow, and you learn about roofing repairs that are necessary, you may find yourself considering backing out of the deal, due to the fear expenses piling up. Your home inspector, may recommend that you seek the opinion of a licensed roofing contractor. We think that’s a smart idea to do, generally. Once repairs are specifically identified by the roofing contractor, you will have a more clear picture as to the price tag.

Ask about a roof certification

Did you know that many roofing contractors offer a roof certification? Each certification can have different terms. Essentially a certification will warranty the roof free from leaks and the such, for a set period of time – often 2 years. The roofing contractor will issue an estimate for the roof certification. If agreed to, they will perform necessary repairs, and then issue the certification. If a leak occurs during the certification time frame, and it was caused by normal wear and tear, most contractors will fix that at little to no cost to you.

This can give you much needed piece of mind, when buying a home with roofing issues, an older roof, or simply an older home.

Make sure you ask your agent about having the seller pay for the roof certification. Have them negotiate this for you, during your inspection contingency time frame.

Watch our SCV Real Estate 360 video below, as Robert elaborates a bit more on this topic of roof issues, and your Santa Clarita home purchase.

Need a Santa Clarita real estate agent to guide you through the homebuying process, and strongly negotiate on your behalf? Then please consider calling us here at The Robert and Brian Team. It’s what we do best.

The Appraisal Institute just came out with a new appraisal addendum, which will enable an appraiser to more accurately give credit for and analyze Santa Clarita homes with ‘Green” upgrades. It’s all about energy efficiency these days. Sellers love to tout their upgrades like, energy efficient windows, solar paneled roofs, and Energy Star appliances. It will be much easy now for your Santa Clarita home to get the credit it deserves, and possibly receive a higher home value, due to this new addendum.

Listen to the tips below, on how to best use this addendum, and don’t forget to click the link below to print up the addendum for yourself!

Looking for energy efficient “Green” homes in Santa Clarita? We can help you. Contact us here at The Robert and Brian Team to get started on your home search.

Click this link to print up or review the Appraisal Addendum for Green Homes