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 37. See more * Friendly Valley Santa Clarita.
(all data current as of 2/5/2012)

1. $245,000 : 19317 Oak Plaza Court, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,077 sq ft

   Lot size: 20.36 ac
2. $329,000 : 26320 Long Oak Drive, Newhall
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,479 sq ft

   Lot size: 15.04 ac
3. $170,000 : 26828 Circle Of The Oaks, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,141 sq ft

   Lot size: 8.09 ac
4. $388,900 : 26541 Oak Crossing Road, Newhall
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 1,824 sq ft

   Lot size: 12,261 sq ft
5. $84,900 : 19158 Avenue Of The Oaks #A, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 806 sq ft

   Lot size: 11.65 ac
6. $139,900 : 26324 Oak Highland Drive #A, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 967 sq ft

   Lot size: 13.60 ac
7. $245,000 : 26809 Oak Garden Court, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,150 sq ft

   Lot size: 20.36 ac
8. $124,900 : 26348 Oak Plain Drive #A, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 853 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,312 sq ft
9. $94,000 : 19230 Avenue Of The Oaks #D, Newhall
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 864 sq ft

   Lot size: 11.65 ac
10. $305,000 : 26381 Oak Plain Drive, Newhall
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,479 sq ft

    Lot size: 13.15 ac
11. $82,000 : 26853 Avenue Of The Oaks #B, Newhall
    
    1 bed, 1 full bath

    Home size: 666 sq ft

    Lot size: 8.11 ac
12. $79,900 : 19723 Spanish Oak Drive, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 960 sq ft

    Lot size: 6.22 ac
13. $270,000 : 26581 Cardwick Court, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,190 sq ft
14. $115,000 : 26837 Avenue Of The Oaks #A, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 864 sq ft

    Lot size: 8.11 ac
15. $317,500 : 19823 Avenue Of The Oaks, Newhall
    
    3 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,479 sq ft

    Lot size: 15.04 ac
16. $185,000 : 19338 Flowers Court, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,135 sq ft
17. $145,000 : 19720 Avenue Of The Oaks, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 960 sq ft

    Lot size: 6.22 ac
18. $127,700 : 26477 Friendly Valley, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 822 sq ft

    Lot size: 2.26 ac
19. $112,500 : 26344 Oak Plain Drive #E, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 909 sq ft

    Lot size: 6.75 ac
20. $99,500 : 26360 Oakspur Drive #B, Newhall
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 851 sq ft

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 - 7 of 7. See more Confetti (conf) (confetti (conf)) tract real estate.
(all data current as of 2/5/2012)

1. $70,900 : 18820 Mandan Street #408, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.33 ac

   Year built: 1984

   Days on market: 5
2. $72,000 : 18808 Mandan Street #314, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.33 ac

   Year built: 1984

   Days on market: 19
3. $60,000 : 18806 Mandan Street #213, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 652 sq ft

   Lot size: 4.33 ac

   Year built: 1984

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 95
4. $69,000 : 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: 126
5. $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: 127
6. $69,900 : 18820 Mandan Street #414, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Year built: 1984

   Days on market: 133
7. $67,900 : 27240 Luther Drive #506, Canyon Country
   
   1 bed, 1 full bath

   Home size: 635 sq ft

   Lot size: 1,346 sq ft

   Year built: 1984

   Parking spots: 4

   Days on market: 229

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 - 4 of 4. See more Courthome Collection (cyco) (courthome Collection tract real estate.
(all data current as of 2/5/2012)

1. $320,000 : 27845 Crown Court Circle #62, Valencia
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,187 sq ft

   Lot size: 3,500 sq ft
2. $216,900 : 27868 Crown Court Circle #84, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 910 sq ft

   Lot size: 35,183 sq ft
3. $214,000 : 27880 Crown Court Circle #90, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 868 sq ft

   Lot size: 35,183 sq ft
4. $219,500 : 27925 Crown Court Circle #102, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 910 sq ft

   Lot size: 3,141 sq ft

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

We just launched our new Santa Clarita home search website, that’s mobile! Use it from your iPhone, your Droid, or whatever…just use it! It’s full of awesome, and we think you will like it. Don’t forget to turn on your phone’s GPS and get good use of searching for homes, with the mobile site’s GPS feature. There’s nothing like finding out all the information you need about homes around you, with the touch of a button. Don’t you just love real estate technology?

Today we were checking out our newest listing in the Crown Villas community, located in Stevenson Ranch, and we thought we’d take you along.

This Crown Villas community, unlike its sister community to the south, is gated. Located off of Stafford Canyon Rd, the views and landscape at Crown Villas is amazing. Our listing, has an equally impressive location. In the SCVRealEstate360 video found below, Brian shares with you details about the community, and the floor plan we listed, which is the 1,667 sq ft 3 bedroom 2.5 bath townhome. Amazing architecture as far as Santa Clarita Valley condo living goes, and ample space, make this a crowd favorite among Santa Clarita home buyers.

Interested in what Crown Villas in Stevenson Ranch has to offer? Check out the video below.

Interested in what’s currently for sale at Crown Villas in Stevenson Ranch? Check out the listings below. Also if you’re looking to search all Stevenson Ranch condos and homes, click here.

Showing properties 1 - 3 of 3. See more Crown Villas (crnv) (crown Villas (crnv)) tract real estate.
(all data current as of 2/5/2012)

1. $289,900 : 25546 Hemingway Avenue #B, Stevenson Ranch
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 1,667 sq ft

   Lot size: 32,017 sq ft

   Year built: 1992

   Parking spots: 2

   Days on market: 4
2. $179,888 : 25951 Stafford Canyon Road #H, Stevenson Ranch
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,112 sq ft

   Lot size: 38,774 sq ft

   Year built: 1991

   Parking spots: 1

   Days on market: 16
3. $213,400 : 25564 Hemingway Avenue #H, Stevenson Ranch
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,110 sq ft

   Lot size: 20,971 sq ft

   Year built: 1992

   Parking spots: 3

   Days on market: 173

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