Quite a few price reductions took place today at Valencia West Creek, by Lennar. MLS records show that a total of 12 homes in the West Creek inventory were reduced.

Is this the right time to buy a new home in Santa Clarita?

It feels as if winter hasn’t happened, with the weather we’ve enjoyed so far here in January 2012. Soon, though, it will be spring, and with spring, comes the larger pool of homebuyers. More homebuyers means less stress for sellers – in this case the home builders. If you’re in the Santa Clarita real estate market for a home right now, it may be the right time to wheel and deal, for a brand new home. Ask for more upgrades and builder options. Get a closing cost credit. Get HOA dues credited for some amount of time. We have ideas. Call us. Wink. Wink.

New homes in Valencia, Ca

Take a look at these new home listings in the Valencia West Creek area, built by Lennar. Below is a list of all homes, currently listed for sale in the MLS within the West Creek area. See something you like? Give us a call here at The Robert and Brian Team. We can help you!

Showing properties 1 - 15 of 16. See more Valencia West Creek community real estate.
(all data current as of 2/5/2012)

1. $472,786 : 24333 La Montura Drive, Valencia
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,540 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
2. $289,283 : 28421 Herrera Street, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,418 sq ft
3. $309,900 : 23833 Brescia Drive, Valencia
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 1,940 sq ft

   Lot size: 16.77 ac
4. $516,320 : 22509 Breakwater Way, Valencia
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,396 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,500 sq ft
5. $524,320 : 22504 Breakwater Way, Valencia
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,396 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,500 sq ft
6. $508,014 : 22501 Breakwater Way, Valencia
   
   4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 3,396 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,500 sq ft
7. $470,072 : 24422 Aranda Lane, Valencia
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,554 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
8. $347,216 : 28631 N Pietro Drive, Valencia
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,664 sq ft
9. $272,900 : 23872 Brescia Drive, Valencia
   
   2 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,390 sq ft

   Lot size: 16.77 ac
10. $539,000 : 28456 Marques Drive, Valencia
    
    4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 2,806 sq ft

    Lot size: 4,709 sq ft
11. $498,408 : 24339 La Montura Drive, Valencia
    
    5 beds, 3 full baths

    Home size: 2,903 sq ft

    Lot size: 5,000 sq ft
12. $225,000 : 28422 N Herrera Street, Valencia
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,339 sq ft
13. $255,138 : 28425 N Herrera Street, Valencia
    
    2 beds, 2 full baths

    Home size: 1,360 sq ft
14. $269,000 : 28595 HERRERA Street, Valencia
    
    3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
15. $210,000 : 28548 Herrera Street, Valencia
    
    2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

    Home size: 1,270 sq ft

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

Location of Echo Ridge at Plum Canyon

We decided to take a look at the new homes that KB Home is building out in Plum Canyon, called, Echo Ridge. Echo Ridge at Plum Canyon is offering affordably priced new single family homes, with something that most homebuyers have on their wishlist…solar energy!

The solar energy systems that Echo Ridge at Plum Canyon homes come equipped with are standard in each home. Also, homebuyers have the option to upgrade their solar energy system by adding more solar panels.

We were very impressed with the plan 1925, which is the single story model. Apparently it’s been selling very well, since the community opened. Initially base priced at $384,990, we think there is great value there. There is a huge contingency of Santa Clarita homebuyers out there looking specifically for single story homes.

Models are always intended to emotionally draw you in. And the models at Echo Ridge, did just that. Loved plan 1925 and plan 2702. Personal favorites. Don’t forget, that this KB Home community does have Mello-Roos. The property taxes are higher as such. According to a schedule we were given by their very nice sales associate, the Mello-Roos averages out to be approx $393/mo to $574/mo extra, on top of your standard property taxes. Definitely something to consider, when weighing out your options as a homebuyer. That said, these are clearly homes that could go well into the $400k’s as starting points, but they don’t. They start in the $300′s. And that is due to the added cost of homeownership that the Mello-Roos presents.

Overall, these homes are beutiful, and KB Home did the right thing by offering Solar Energy, standard, in each home.

If you haven’t been to the models yet, go! Check them out. If you think you’re interested in buying a brand new home – call us. We can help you. In fact, KB Home cooperates with brokers like us. This means that you can have 3rd party representation, for free – no cost to you.

Here’s a peek at what we saw today, when we visited the models. If you’d like to discuss how we can help you with your next new home purchase, simply fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch. Enjoy!

Image credit: Kbhome.com

We’re excited to tell you guys about yet another new home community in Plum Canyon. Make that two. KB Home is in the process of building Echo Point and Echo Ridge. These two new home communities by KB Home, follow their previous build outs from several years ago, of Strawberry Fields, Citrus Groves, and Blackberry Briar, all in the same general area of Plum Canyon in Saugus.

These homes do have CFD/Mello-Roos taxes. Usually when that’s the case, the sales prices are a bit lower, in order to be competitive with nearby homes. We’ll see what pricing is like. That has yet to be announced. We will repost an update once we learn what they are.

Model details (click link to view Echo Ridge and Echo Pointe floor plan layouts):

Echo Ridge at Plum Canyon:

Echo Ridge Plan 1925

• 1,925 sq ft
• 1 story
• 3-4 bedrooms
• 2.5 baths
• 2 car garage

Echo Ridge Plan 2160

• 2,160 sq ft
• 2 story
• 3-4 bedrooms
• 2 car garage

Echo Ridge Plan 2376

• 2,376 sq ft
• 2 story
• 4-5 bedrooms
• 2.5+ baths
• 2 car garage

Echo Ridge Plan 2702

• 2,702 sq ft
• 2 story
• 4-5 bedrooms
• 3 baths
• 2 car

Echo Pointe at Plum Canyon:

Echo Pointe Plan 1480

• 1,480 sq ft
• 2 story
• 3 bedrooms
• 2.5 baths
• 2 car garage

Echo Pointe Plan 2022

• 2,022 sq ft
• 2 story
• 3-4 bedrooms
• 2.5 baths
• 2 car garage

Echo Pointe Plan 2285

• 2,285 sq ft
• 2 story
• 3-5 bedrooms
• 2.5+ baths
• 2 car garage

KB Home has a special VIP buyer program where you can have access to buying a home at least one day prior to the rest of the public. Also, there will be some incentives given on certain homes, or under certain conditions. Incentives such as closing costs, and or access to upgrades from the KB Home design center.

Buying a new home? All new home builders in Plum Canyon, and most in Santa Clarita for that matter, cooperate with Realtors! What does that mean to you? It means that a Realtor can represent YOU in your new home purchase, at no extra cost to you, whatsoever. This also means, that you have someone on YOUR team, to lookout for you, and help ensure that all goes well with your home purchase. Why go at it alone?

Contact us here at The Robert and Brian Team by email, or simply call us @ 661-964-1760. We love helping new homebuyers, and we’d love to help you!

If you’d like, you can fill out this simple form about your new home purchase, and we’ll get back to you quickly!

The new homes at Plum Canyon Ranch, located in the communities of Sage and Heatherton, have solar power! That’s right, powered by SunPower® solar panels. Per the community brochure, you one can generate up to 50% more power than conventional designs. That translates into greater energy savings for you, the new home buyer!

Other energy efficient features include but aren’t limited to, CFLs. That’s Compact Fluorescent Lighting. This type of lighting lasts up to 10 times longer with a whopping 75% less energy consumption that incandescent standard bulbs. Less energy, less heat, and safer to operate.

When we visited the community, here’s what we saw with respect to the Solar Panels on the roofs of these new homes at Plum Canyon Ranch. The roofs in these photos, below to those of the Heatherton community, which is situated right above the Sage community.

Kudos to Shapell homes for including this feature and others, at their Sage and Heatherton communities at Plum Canyon Ranch. Another feature we’re quite fond of here at The Robert & Brian Team are the Outdoor Rooms.

Interested in Plum Canyon Ranch? We can help. Just contact us here for more information. The builder at Plum Canyon Ranch cooperates with brokers – that’s us. So we can offer you, free, our 3rd party representation when buying your new home. Have no time, and just want to go direct to the community? Go for it. The sales staff at Plum Canyon Ranch is knowledgeable and very friendly.

We love the Outdoor Rooms over at Plum Canyon Ranch. Specifically the Sage and Heatherton communities. Why not? This is California. We love the outdoors here in CA. Outdoor fireplaces, hang a flat screen, some tables and lounge chairs. It’s a beautiful thing.

Check out some of the sights and images of their Outdoor Rooms at Sage and Heatherton. We even mixed some cool music, so you can imagine yourself sitting there, that much easier.

Want to talk to us about buying a new home in the Santa Clairta Valley? We can help. Contact us here or just call us @ 661-964-1760. Plum Canyon Ranch cooperates with real estate brokerages – that’s us and any other Realtor. So we can help you there. There are benefits of being helped by a third party to a new home purchase. We can discuss that by phone, if you wish. Have no time and just want to go look at them? That’s fine…head on over! They have great salespeople in their models to help you.

Now…enjoy the video.

We wanted to take a peek at the new community at West Creek Valencia the other day, called Estrella. Estrella at West Creek impressed us so much, that we wanted to share the community with you here. Looking for a new home to buy in Valencia? Moving up from a condo? We think Estrella is priced right, and just the right size for many of today’s Santa Clarita homebuyers.

There are 3 residences at West Creek Valencia:

Residence #1: 2,003 sq ft, 3 bedrooms plus loft, 2.5 baths, great room, dining room, interior laundry room, and a 2 bay garage.

Residence #2: 2,225 sq ft, 4 bedrooms plus loft, 3 baths, great room, dining room, interior laundry, 2 bay garage

Residence #3: 2,554 sq ft, 5 bedrooms plus loft, 3 baths, great room, dining room, interior laundry, 2 bay garage

Check out some of the images we put together from our trip to the models (residence 1 & 2):

Interested in looking at the Estrella model homes at West Creek Valencia? Let us know. Lennar cooperates with Realtors, and we’re able to help you. Use the contact form below, or just call us @ 661-964-1760. Be sure to ask us why it’s important to have free, third party representation from a Realtor, when buying new construction.

Trying to find Plum Canyon Ranch, and the two new communities being built by Shapell Homes, Sage and Heatherton? It’s all located off of Plum Canyon Road, at the new intersection of La Madrid. Which is also the entrance to the Mariposa townhomes of Plum Canyon, at Via Mariposa.

If you can’t quite picture this intersection, yet, perhaps this will help:

View Larger Map

Now that you’ve found the Plum Canyon Ranch community, give us a call @ 661-964-1760, or just search our blog for more information on this new home community coming to Santa Clarita, by searching “Plum Canyon Ranch” in the SCREF Search box at the right. Enjoy!

West Creek Valencia Construction

The pushers of Awesometown are pushing what I like to call an Awesomedeal at Lennar’s West Creek Valencia community.

If you’re in the market for an attached home, such as a condo or townhome, this awesomedeal could be for you! At West Creek Valencia, there are two communities that are offering, what amounts to be, a very low down payment loan, with the help of Bank of America.

The two communities you’re able to utilize this special offer at, are Esperto at West Creek, or Artisan at West Creek.

How it works:

First, you choose a home you’d like to purchase. Then, you get approved for an FHA insured home loan through Bank of America. One of the qualifying factors for this particular “awesomedeal” is that the borrowers income does not exceed $82,500 annually. Other requirements, such as it must be your primary residence, may apply (call us for details). Once that has been completed, Bank of America will work to secure a grant, for you, the borrower, for up to 3% of the purchase price of the home you choose. It’s an FHA loan, minimum down payment needed, is only 3.5%. That means, all you need to come up with for your down payment is…wait for it….     .5%. That is *point* 5 or half of 1 percent. That’s it!

Some of you, I know, are thinking this is no good, and exactly what got us into trouble in the first place and caused the downturn in the real estate market several years ago. They may have a point, but I’d argue homebuyers will still have to qualify income wise, for these home loans. They must be able to afford the monthly payments. Back in 2003, 2004, 2005, etc, that wasn’t the case for zero down loans. You just had to “state” your income. Big difference.

Back to the deal

The best priced home @ Esperto West Creek, the plan 2 and 3, which has over 1,300 sq ft, starts at $280,000. If you selected this plan, at that price, your down payment, assuming you qualify for the grant Bank of America attempts to secure for you, would only be $1,400. Surely, many of you can appreciate such a low barrier for entry, to get into brand new home.

NO Closing costs

As if a very low, down payment wasn’t enough, Lennar is also taking care of all of your closing costs. I repeat, NO closing costs! Typically, when buying a home, you’d have to pay for your down payment (FHA min = 3.5%), and you have to pay for your closing costs, which are typically around 3% of the purchase price of the home you’re buying.

This means you can *possibly* move into one of Lennar’s West Creek Valencia communities for as little as $1,400. And that’s it.

Interested in touring the West Creek Valencia community? Does this deal interest you? Call us at the Robert and Brian Team, 661-964-1760, or just fill out the form below, and we’ll get a hold of you. When buying a brand new home, it’s important that you have free, third party representation. We, as your Realtors, can offer you that. Lennar’s West Creek Valencia communities cooperate with us, which enables us to help you. Again, for free. No cost to you.

Sage and Heatherton at Plum Canyon Ranch

The preview and sales release event dates have been announced for the two Plum Canyon Ranch developments currently under construction – Sage and Heatherton.

Take note:

Feb 12, 2011 – Preview Opening event. It’s possible that this is where they will announce pricing for homes at both Heatherton and Sage in Plum Canyon Ranch. This is certainly the event, that you’ll want to bring your Realtor with you, and get registered. If you’d like to work with us at The Robert & Brian Team on your new home purchase at Plum Canyon Ranch, just fill out the interest form below, and join us on this date!

Feb 19, 2011 – Sales Release event. This is where they will take your deposit on a home site that interests you.

Anticipated pricing for Sage at Plum Canyon Ranch will be starting from the mid $400,000 range.

Anticipated pricing for Heatherton at Plum Canyon Ranch will be stating from the low $500,000 range.

Don’t forget – NO MELLO ROOS on these Shapell Homes at Plum Canyon Ranch! That’s right. A reasonable property tax bill. These homes will also be built with SunPower Solar, which will save you money on utility expenses. We absolutely love that Shapell Homes is doing this, I like to think of it as building with a conscious. Much like Lennar did with their some of their homes at West Hills/West Creek Valencia.

Check out our recent blog post regarding floor plans at Sage and Heatherton of Plum Canyon Ranch.

Check out our recent YouTube Video for the community, as it is now, at Plum Canyon Ranch.

Work with The Robert and Brian Team….

Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch. Our service to you, is free. Having third party representation is invaluable when buying a brand new home. We look forward to hearing from you!

Plum Canyon Ranch - Sage and Heatherton

CFD FEES AT PLUM CANYON RANCH?

Today I called Shapell Homes, the builder who’s building out Sage and Heatherton at Plum Canyon Ranch. I’m happy to tell you, that there will NOT be any CFD fees (Community Facility District Fees). I also called the Regional Planning Dept at Los Angeles County, and they confirmed that they could not find any recording of CFD fees for the Sage and Heatherton community at Plum Canyon Ranch.

We’ve received quite a few calls from clients, curious if there would be any. The main cause for concern, is, I think, attributed to the fact that the CFD fees down the road a bit at the Strawberry Fields, Citrus Groves, and Balckberry Briar communities are quite significant. I also think the amount of those fees has affected home values there as well. So it has some savvy homebuyers a bit leery.

Most homes in Plum Canyon do NOT have CFD fees. CFD fees are much like Mello-Roos fees.  You pay them in your property tax bill, or in your mortgage payment, depends on how you have it set up when obtaining financing. They can cause a significant increase in your monthly mortgage or semi-annual property tax payments.

PRICING UPDATE:

Per my conversation with staff at Shapell Homes, pricing will not likely be announced until early February 2011. They will apparently do so at a special “preview event.” This preview event, will supposedly be announced, with further details, in early January 2011.

Shapell Homes cooperates with real estate agents at all of their communities. What does this mean to you? This means that when you’re ready to view brand new homes and models at Sage and Heatherton at Plum Canyon Ranch, you should also bring your Realtor! Don’t know one? Call us here at The Robert & Brian Team (661-964-1760 or email  info@thescvagents.com). As experts in the Plum Canyon, and Santa Clarita real estate markets, we would be happy to represent you in your purchase. It is FREE to you, as a homebuyer. The builder (the seller), pays us for our services. And with our services, you have an independent third party, looking after you, and your transaction, to ensure all is going smooth.