Here is a solution for our integrated newsletter that will provide you up to date market information that goes back a long way.  In Santa Clarita and the cities that compose it - Nationwide - All Real Estate news, we have the handle on it and a great newsletter that you can send to your circles of influences as well with a easy e-mail button at the bottom.  Real what we do to keep current and abreast of current market conditions in the Real Estate market in one of the four boards of Realtors that we are full members of - Which ones you may ask?  - http://www.HomeValue911.com is your portal with the explanation to that question.  Feel Free to find out what your home is worth and also to see what a home could possibly be purchased for.

http://realtytimes.com/nlnews.htm?open&Vol=c&ID=parisconnormacivor

Click the link for our newsletter - I don’t think it has a html code that I can splice into my page - But the link is wonderful!!!

Did you want to know if it would be better for you to purchase and stop renting?  Check this out!!!  I am a You Tuber! - CONNOR with HONOR

We have been blogging for quite some time now and have been able to convey the point of the "how we do thing".  Time after time, when we are interviewing clients we are finding out how "not to act".  They tell us stories that send chills up our spines.  I can compare it with some of the stories from the victims that I had interviewed with the LAPD.  I cannot imagine treating someone "another human being", in some of the ways that have been described to Paris and I, either in Real Estate, or when I was full time with the LAPD.

Blogging has its advantages, if you do any kind of search about Real Estate in Santa Clarita or a variation there of, including different cities with Real Estate, you will eventually come across Paris911, Connor MacIVOR, Paris MacIVOR, REMAX of Valencia, REMAX of Santa Clarita or our one of many blogs.  The point being that if you are looking for the subject matter experts when you are about to embark on a journey that will cost you more money than you have ever spent, or are looking to sell something that is the most expensive you have ever purchased, you must choose your representatives wisely.

Do your research, look around, kick the tires, even take it for a test drive.  But if you are faced with the "must move now" approach or the "impending doom" approach to the Real Estate Venue or market.  I would suggest running from out of your coat (Biblical).  Don’t stick around to see what else that agent has up their sleeve.

Enter Realtor.com and their blog solution, called a Featured Blog,  that is tied with one of our sister sites and Paris911.com, which I has aptly called TopProducing911.com.  You have information contained on the site that is specific to the producer of the site, a sister company of Realtor.com.  There is a lot of good information for you there if you are considering buying or selling a home.  You can also get back to Mother, Paris911.com.  Advantages, I know of no other agents that are running two fully independent Real Estate Websites and the other INTERNET marketing that we have in place.  That means much more exposure for your home and must more ready access to the homes on the market.

Give it a try and you will see.  Remember, we have several independent Real Estate Value engines so you as a seller can get a market snapshot of what is going on in your neighborhood and as a buyer can see where prices, were and where they are going.  Anywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley - punch in the city preceded by a www. and then followed by the city name and a 911.com.  Example:  www.Valencia911.com or www.SantaClarita911.com - After you enter that URL in the browser bar- you will be taken to a place where the information obtain is real time, directly from the source and will get on your end in about 30 minutes.  It is a great resource for our clients, past, present and future and we look forward to earning your trust and eventually your business. - CONNOR with HONOR

Here is a chart that depicts Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate activity for a three year period to date.  Escrows opened and escrows closed.  We have almost double the amount of listings that were put into escrow in 2006 versus 2007.  You will also see an intersecting line in the Number of Closed Escrow figures in about February of 2006 and 2007.  At this point the statistics pass one another criss crossing and what was that time in history?

That was about the time when the sub-prime lender fell out.  Where does that leave us to date with Real Estate in the Santa Clarita Valley and Beyond?  We are about 16 month’s of inventory at this point - If properties kept selling as they are now.

Only 99 homes closed during January of this year, 2008.  This was down 42.4 percent when you compare this figure with the 172 single family residences that recorded.  This is a record - How close to the bottom are we?  Before this, the prior low record was 105 back in September of 2007.  If you want to see where the high point was, you only need to look at June 2005 to see that there were 405 home sales recorded.

Before this January the last record held was in September 2007.  That is the time that the last of the "pinks" were shipped to those of us that had those funky adjustable rate mortgages that were on the increase.  Which brings us to the present.  March of 2008, in the Real Estate Market this is about the benchmark 6 to 7 month point where the banks that are holding bad paper can move and evict the homeowners.  Putting those properties on the market in Foreclosure status.  However, from what I am reading that is the last volley of Foreclosures.  We still have the short sales to contend with. However, we have been experiencing some good on our end because we are well versed in the Short Sale process, and specialize in that trade, - We have a definite advantage.  We have been able to retain Short Sale property listings without having the Bank reassign the property to a foreclosure or REO agent in the typical 6 month time period.  Which is also a help to our Sellers Credit! 

The numbers that I have been quoting were applicable to single family residences - When we are talking condo’s those numbers were at 31 recorded, which happens to be over 50% down from January of 2007.  This is a record as well.  Comparatively we have to look back to November 2007 to see that 38 condominiums closed.  For the Record High?  April 2003 we recorded 204.

What we are seeing from our buyers is that they are looking for a "steal" and our sellers are constantly trying to catch up with this declining market.  There are people that are needing to move property.  Death, Divorce, Disease, and Job Loss are several factors that create a bind in people that are the catalyst for them needing to sell.  If they don’t need to - Then they should wait and sit tight for a few years until they are right-side up again on their equity.  To Short Sale properties - Because of a hardship, our experience has been that the banks are not in agreement to even discuss the matter until there are a few 30 day mortgage lates.  If you were to do the contacting yourself - They would tell you that.  They don’t want you going out to purchase another home while you are letting your current slide and the bank bear the brunt of the financial loss.

Are there opportunities out there in the Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate Market.  I have seen a lot of investment opportunities and even regular Re-Sale homes and Condo’s that offer the ability to be purchased and rented for a slight profit.  Having someone make your mortgage payment is indeed a plus.  However, this is with the future in mind.  If you are looking to buy we would want to still be below market with any offers written.  (This would depend if there is any competition on the field with any particular target property.)  We will show you projective goals and work out the net-sheet with you in mind.  The tax breaks and the low interest rates are a plus with this current real estate market.

I have also noticed that our buyers are becoming more and more active.  This is not due to a high pressure approach to the selling of Real Estate.  If I have a fault it is that I am careful not to rush anyone into the commitment of being homeowners.  When they are ready I know it by them telling me.  But the tax advantages are worth it especially when you are at claiming 0 and 0.  That write off is very important.

With regard to the prices of single family homes and the median price point - homes during January fell below the $500K point for the first time in three and 1/2 years.  The Southland Regional Association of Realtors reports, "The median price of single-family homes sold during January fell below the $500,000 for the first time in three and a half years. The median price of $460,000 was down 21.8 percent from a year ago and well below the record high of $643,000 set in April of 2006."  "Similarly, the condominium median price fell below $300,000 for the first time in three and a half years with the $284,900 January median down 20.9 percent from the prior year. The record high of $397,000 came two years ago in January 2006."

“It will take several more months before we can be certain,” said Jim Link, the Associations chief executive officer, “but we believe the market is near or at the bottom of this cycle and we fully expect resale activity to pick up in the weeks and months ahead."

Active Listings at the end of January in the Santa Clarita Valley totaled 2,163.  That figure is up 22.9 % from 1 year ago. 

Where does that leave you.  That leaves you to call us to set up a buyer interview today, so we can help you plan for your future.  We also have an upcoming Real Estate Investment Seminar go to www.REIS911.com to register.

We will be covering a lot of different options to help you to look at properties from an investment viewpoint. - CONNOR with HONOR

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone, here is a Market Snapshot where the listings are by City within the Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate Community(reports).  Data obtained from the local Board of Realtors and Multiple Listing Service, Compiled by Yours Truly - CONNOR with HONOR.  I must say I have curtailed my style with the bolding and all of the underlining since I was gently educated by one of our local bloggers, Jeff Wilson with www.scvtalk.com.  LOL, I still love his quote and wish I would have thought of it: "It makes my eyes bleed"…  That is GREAT!!!!  OK, enough of my sentimental side, here are the current Santa Clarita Valley Real Estate Active Listing numbers at 1631pm on 03/17/2008:

Castaic has 289 active listings on the market, the average price of which is $546,988.00 with a Median price of $419,000.00.

Valencia has 442 active Listings on the market, the average price of which is $558,922.00 with a Median price of $475,000.00.

Saugus has 360 active listings on the market, the average price of which is $489,000.00 with a Median price of $489,000.00.

Canyon Country has 649 active listings on the market, the average price of which is $492,368 with a Median price of $385,000.00.

Newhall has 305 active listings on the market, the average price of which is $489,250.00 with a Median price of $399,000.00.

Last but not least:  Stevenson Ranch has 128 active listings on the market, with the average price being $635,106 and the median being $599,900.00.

I am curious about how April 1st of this year will kick this inventory off and start getting it moved out so we can return to a "normal" market.  That is when the new loan amounts are going to be in effect.  That is kind of like saying a "routine" traffic stop.  Or a "run of the mill" "garden variety" domestic violence call.  But not to worry, nothing ever stays the same.  CONNOR with HONOR

I have finally put this together for all of our customers, past, present and future.

Just choose one of the indepent Market Snapshot Engines Above or you can Also Request Community Reports for each community and their schools.

It has been signed, into being something that will happen, on February 17.  Apparently, those powers that be have 30 days to finalize the package.  What is the economic stimulus package was designed to do.  Looking at it from a lay-person’s perspective - It should be able to kick start the housing market and allow other factors that depend on Real Estate to start to move and increase. 

Here are some of the things that are on the table:

When you borrow over 417K you are in a jumbo loan configuration - That means that those 10 year bonds are sold on the foreign market are is how these items are being bought and sold - Thereby making that interest rate for the Jumbo loan product more than the main line under 417K loan amount.  If they do indeed agree that the $417,000 figure should be increased to where the rumors lie - That would be somewhere, depending on local economic figures, at $750,000.  What would be the charge for borrowing money - Where would the banks make their money.  Would there be a loss recorded being able to capture a $750,000 loan amount at 5.5% interest? These are questions that pop into my mind - Oh Ye (me) of So Little Trust.

Also they are talking about increasing the FHA loan amount.  $360ish"K" is where that is.  If they did increase that figure to over $550K, then that would open the market to people wanting to purchase homes in those amounts.  But, we still have the qualification process and the restrictions that have been put in place by those regulators.

Long Term Survivability - This package is only good for one (1) year.  That should put some hot pokers to those buyers that are on the fence.  But the underwritten allowances would allow for this to increase for another year (one) after a "study" was conducted. 

Is it a good thing?  That one is tough question to answer and would take more "sheepskins" than I possess.  However, being a person that people can talk to helps my drive and mission.  To bring you the very best in Real Estate in Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and both Ventura County and Los Angeles.  I also want you to know your loan is covered.  I do not originate loans.  But for a buyer, where your closing costs are only made up of Title, Escrow and the Lender’s fee, it is important for us to have a handle on the Loan Process and what to educate you to look out for.  That is what we do - We want you to have that Good Faith Estimate generated from the lender you choose - We also want you to have a copy of your credit report made - We want to have a look see on what you have been given by any lender.  There are a lot of good lenders in the world - as their are a lot of good Realtors.  But with the good, we have the bad entering stage left in droves. 

One thing that I cannot stand, is any type of injustice being done on another by someone that deems themselves superior or is superior.  This is why I have strived so long to produce positive results as a Los Angeles Policeman 1990-2007.  Why I still am an Active Reserve Officer (Twice a Citizen).  This is the primary reason that I have entered this profession, of Real Estate, back in 1998.  I hate to see injustice and wish to make all of the wrongs done to those of us that cannot protect ourselves or understand the right from wrong.  If I have one mission in life, it is to make sure everyone has a great experience in any and all Real Estate Transactions - Never being slighted, or viewed as the next meal ticket by one of those predators. - Enough of the Soap Box - CONNOR with HONOR

I hope you realize this is a training DAY!  - But funny just the same…

If you have never purchased a home before there are several things in which you must be made aware:  whether Santa Clarita Real Estate or other areas in which Paris911 Serves:

1.  It is not "normal" to pay your agent a commission in order to have them help you find a home and write the offer.
As a rule of thumb our commission, when representing buyers, is paid by the Seller.  That is the price of admission to having owned real estate and wanting to sell it.  As a seller you will bear the responsibility of paying both Agents commissions.  The one that you have chosen to represent you and market, subsequently bringing the other agent and buyer to your home and successfully closing escrow.  You also pay the Other agent that brings the buyer.  In most markets this fee is 6%, which is allotted 3% per agent or side of the transaction.  A seller will also pay their own fees as they relate to title and escrow.  Usually one (1%) percent of the sales price for each fee - These are set fees and have little wiggle room.  So rough numbers has a seller paying 8% total to sell a home without considerations and discounts.

2.  Your fee’s as a buyer or closing costs are going to be about three things:  
      A.  Your part of Title fees (Usually 1 % of the purchase price or there abouts)
      B.  Your part of Escrow fees (Usually 1 % of the purchase price (this is an estimate))
      C.  Your Lender’s fees (the origination fee for your loan - Appraisal - Document preparation - The list goes on and on depending on the Lender and their Hunger)

3.  You can pay your closing costs in a few different ways:
      A.  Cash
      B.  Check
      C.  Borrowing the money from a relative or friend
      D.  Having the closing costs incorporated into the loan.
      E.  Have the Seller Pay the closing costs.

Let me bring your attention to #3-D, "having the closing costs incorporated into the loan".  This is by far the most popular option for most new home buyers.  IN A HOT MARKET.  OTHER WISE KNOWN AS A SELLERS MARKET. Understanding that for every $10,000.00 financed your payment will change in the area of $50.00 to $75.00 a month - You have a decision to make regarding the hard money you have saved in the bank - Which, for that matter, is not very easy to save and having the closing costs incorporated into the loan.

Another option regarding closing costs is, #3 -E, "having the seller pay the closing costs".  This option is what is the most prevalent at this time in this market and date of this post.  This is a Buyers Market without a doubt.  So in this market you make an offer of let us say $300,000.00 and then ask the seller to pay your closing costs which rough numbers would be 3%, or $9,000.00.  You would still Borrow $300,000.00 to purchase the home, the seller would then clear $291,000.00 (300,000(purchase price) - 9,000(your closing costs) = 291,000(Seller’s Net). 

We have to explain and stress the fact that as a buyer your don’t pay our commission, the reason that this chaps my hide and is so stressed upon by Paris and I is because we have had a huge amount of clients in our office that did get conned into paying their agent an additional fee when just buying a home.  Usually their first home and thereby that agent made more than their "own fair share".  

I will write more later, in the meantime, check out this site, no advertising, just community information about Santa Clarita Valley and the cities that compose it!

 http://santaclaritaguide.com/

Another specific home for searching for Real Estate can be found for those that work for the City of Los Angeles in Communications Division for the LAPD.  These men and women have to be able to function in the heat of stress, with officer screaming, citizens yelling, and need to be able to multi-task like Mothers.

If you ever have any doubt about what the human mind can accomplish - Just see if you can have a sit down with one of these fantastic 911 operators with the Los Angeles Police Department and watch while they work.  You will be amazed and come soon to realize that there is not enough pay to have to deal with that amount of stress.

For the PSR’s for the LAPD - Paris and I have put together their own specific search page - Somewhere they can feel at home without having to input any personal information.  With nothing to input - They can search in the privacy of their own computer to their hearts content.   The URL for the site that has their own specific Real Estate Search Engine for all of Southern California is located at:  http://LAPSR.com. - CONNOR with HONOR