Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate's Blog

Santa Clarita Golf Course View Homes

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Golf Course View Homes in Santa Clarita Valley CA

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 07:45:40 -0800

Beautiful skies...expansive views...plenty of trees and green grass...sunny days...Santa Clarita Valley in California has so much to offer.

And for golfers, there are several choices. And even if you don't golf, you may want to have a home with a peaceful golf course view. What a pleasant place to relax and rejuvenate!

And what better time than now to find that special home!

Looking for a home with a golf course view? Santa Clarita offers the TPC - Tournament Players Club - in Valencia Westridge, the Valencia Country Club, Robinson Ranch Golf Course, and the public Valencia Golf Course.

Find golf course view homes here:

Valencia Golf Course View Homes

Canyon Country - Sand Canyon - Golf Course View Homes

Contact Tricia LaMotte, Five Star Professional Real Estate for personalized Five Star Buyer Service

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Realtors: Helping Zillow and Trulia outrank you in your local market?

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 14:40:15 -0800

For my fellow Active Rainers that are looking to improve their internet search rankings, I just read an article you will find interesting. It always bothered me to use widgets from Zillow or Trulia; this may give us all a good reason to pause and think about the consequences of using those free (?) widgets. Read on...

How You're Helping Zillow and Trulia to Outrank You was created by: Real Geeks IDX Solutions

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Santa Clarita Referrals

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:14:10 -0700

Usually when agents start talking about referrals, people assume they’re hunting for new listings or more buyers to represent. This isn’t one of those posts!

In fact, I wish more people would come to me looking for referrals in our community of Santa Clarita Valley. A good real estate agent knows people in the community you can trust, and I’m always happy to provide the connection.

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Search for current active listings in Valencia North Park

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Valencia North Park Homes

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:29:50 -0700

Okay, so you are a Santa Clarita home buyer, and you want a home in a great neighborhood, and you want amenities like walking paths, community swimming pools, community spas, tennis courts, a clubhouse that you can use for your private events. And oh, yes…you want all this without paying Mello Roos. (Mello Roos is the California bond that many home builders in the Santa Clarita Valley add to the property). And, of course you want low HOA fees! Does this community exist? YES!

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

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Search for Valencia Bridgeport Homes for Sale

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Valencia Bridgeport Homes – lakeside living!

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:43:03 -0700

Can you really live by a lake in Valencia? Yes! One of my favorite secret little places in Valencia – one of the communities in Santa Clarita Valley, CA – is Valencia Bridgeport.

Valencia Bridgeport is one of those places that many Santa Clarita residents have never discovered; perhaps because as you drive by Newhall Ranch Road or McBean Parkway, the only evidence is the Bridgeport Lighthouse, which looks a bit as if it has been transported from a New England beach town. Oh, sure you can see a portion of the lake; however you would not suspect that nestled in the middle of the shopping, theaters, restaurants of Westfield Town Center Mall and the Bridgeport Shopping Center is this little gem that has walking paths around a portion of the lake. There are numerous ducks and various birds nearby – why, we’ve even spotted a white heron!

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

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Search for all Santa Clarita homes for sale

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Santa Clarita real estate bidding wars!

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:39:47 -0700

Santa Clarita is reflecting the national trend of bidding wars.
Santa Clarita home buyers and Investors are sometimes shocked to learn that many homes on the Santa Clarita real estate market are seeing multiple offers, many above the asking price in a resurgence of the bidding wars we saw a couple of years ago. Home buyers are asking, “Why is this happening now?” The answer is manifold: Many national and local Santa Clarita home buyers feel that the market has reached something close to the bottom price-wise and are deciding to ‘strike while the iron is hot’. And when they do, they learn that others are feeling the same way and so…. multiple offers on the same property!

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

First Time Santa Clarita Home Buyers - Home by Christmas?

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:44:06 -0800

Whether you’re concerned about the Christmas Tree Tax or not, you may have been dreaming of being in a new Santa Clarita home for Christmas.

So, with over half the homes on the market in Santa Clarita Valley being distressed properties – short sales and bank owned homes, how can a first time home buyer be happily settled in their home by Christmas?

View current Santa Clarita homes for sale. A standard sale can close in 30 days, which mean you’re in your new home by Christmas! And, given as cold as has been….maybe it will be a white Christmas!!

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Santa Clarita - spring is in the air!

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:45:26 -0700

Well actually, it has felt like spring for some time now in Santa Clarita, CA...the flowering trees haven't known whether to bloom or not - the past few months have been a real pendulum of change - from snowy days (a real surprise in this part of California) to warm sunny days that make you want to take off and explore places you haven't been to for awhile...

An enjoyable place to walk or hike (depending on the trail you take) is Towsley Canyon. You can walk back into the canyon and no longer hear the roar of Interstate-5, and feel the peace and quiet, along with the birds. It only takes an hour and you'll feel as if you've really been on a miny vacation. I love the fact that in spite of the master planned communities in Santa Clarita, and the Valencia Town Center, and signs of activity and hub-bub, there are places close by to catch your breath and enjoy the beautiful nature around us.

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Santa Clarita home buying beats renting

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:21:28 -0700

The current California housing market makes a compelling case for home ownership versus renting - with Santa Clarita home prices well below where they were at the height of the market, and interest rates still well below historic averages for the past 40 years, qualified home buyers have a unique opportunity to own their own homw.

As shown in the following chart, the monthly housing costs (principle, interest, taxes, and insurance or PITI) associated with buying a median-priced home of $301,430 is $1,590 (Fourth Quarter 2010 median priced home in California). This assumes the buyer is making a 20 percent downpayment and financing with a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 4.62 percent. In comparison, the median rent on a three-bedroom two-bath apartment with renter's insurance in California is $1,810. That means buying a home would save the homeowner $220 per month when compared to renting and the homeowner would save over $2,600 a year.

For mor information about the Santa Clarita home market and available homes for first time Santa Clarita home buyers contact Tricia LaMotte, Santa Clarita real estate specialist.

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24056 Whitewater Drive, Valencia

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Valencia Creekside Windsor home for sale

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:18:14 -0800

This beautiful Valencia Windsor 3 bedroom and large loft, 2 1/2 home is for sale in the wonderful neighborhood of Creekside. in Santa Clarita Valley. It offers over 1900 square feet of upgraded living. There are so many lovely spots to sit and relax in this charming neighborhood...or enjoy the walking trails, the gazebos, picnic areas, community pools and spas. The community is close to Valencia Town Center with its many shops and restaurants.

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Santa Clarita homeowner tax tips

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:56:31 -0800

Working on your taxes? Yes, it's that time of year. being a home owner means we have more deductions! I just read a good article with tips for homeowners doing their taxes.

5 Tax Tips, Tricks, and Traps for Homeowners:

1. Itemize your return to claim your deductions.

2. Plan ahead - be strategic when planning office deductions.

3. Tax relief for loan modifications, short sales, and foreclosures will only be around through 2012.

4. Anticipate income tax consequences of a refinance or property tax appeal.

5. Don't foget those closing costs.

The full article can be found at WalletPop

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703905404576164720668195108.html?mod=WSJ_RealEstate_LeftTopNews

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Time to Buy a Home in Santa Clarita | 5 Signs that say "Buy"

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 12:22:13 -0800

The Wall Street Journal had a recent story discussing the 5 signs that say "Buy Now". Santa Clarita is a great place to make that home purchase! It is arguably the best suburb within driving distance to Los Angeles. Santa Clarita Valley is an official Tree City, with beautifully landscaped streets; great schools, and master planned neighborhoods, including Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Fair Oaks Ranch, Tesoro del Valle, and Plum Canyon.

Five signs that say "buy"

Home buyers sitting on the fence wondering if now is the right time to buy should consider five factors when making this decision: Jobs, recent sales activity, construction, mortgage availability, and anecdotal evidence. Each of these issues can help consumers make the best choice for their situation and financial circumstance.

MAKING SENSE OF THE STORY

• Jobs: Although many areas of the country were deeply impacted by the recession, some areas were less affected by job loss. If employment stability is a concern, prospective buyers should review job-growth data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at www.bls.gov. The data provided by the Bureau is approximately one month old and shows the direction of the local economy.

• Recent Sales Activity: Housing inventory and sales volume should be taken into consideration while house hunting. A large inventory of homes with few actual transactions can be a negative indicator. On the other hand, if inventory is falling and transactions are rising, that is a good sign. In January, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®' Unsold Inventory Index stood at 6.7 months, up from 5 months in December 2010, but down from 5.7 months in January 2010. The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.

• Construction: Staying up-to-date on the number of building permits issued for local builders is useful for gauging builder sentiment and the future of housing activity. The California Building Industry Association recently announced that California homebuilders pulled 2,920 total housing permits in January, registering a 5-percent decline compared with a year ago and a 56-percent decline compared with December. However, the Construction Industry Research Board is projecting 62,000 total permits will be pulled in 2011, an increase of 38 percent compared with 2010's total of 44,893 permits.

• Mortgage Availability: Home buyers hoping to be approved for a mortgage should monitor local lending patterns. Following the financial crisis, most national banks tightened lending standards; however, some local banks haven't been impacted as much as large lenders and are more willing to lend, even for higher-priced homes.

• Anecdotal Evidence: Although buyers can access home listings online, one of the best ways to monitor the local housing market is to work with a REALTOR® and gather intelligence using their expertise and guidance.

Read the full story

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

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Information about Valencia in the city of Santa Clarita

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Featured Santa Clarita Neighborhood | Valencia Old Orchard Homes

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:30:05 -0800

The neighborhood of Valencia Old Orchard in the city of Santa Clarita is what originally put Valencia on the map so to speak. In the mid 60's young families were looking for an affordable alternative to congested Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Newhall Land and Farming started a master planned community, with Donald Bren as the builder of the Old Orchard Homes. Many people today believe that these homes are among the best built in Valencia.

The neighborhood offers various floorplans, all offering great use of space and still popular since their first arrival on the scene. Among these are 2 and 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes with zero lot lines - creating an extra large side patio and of course a backyard. There is a very popular one story floorplan with 4 bedrooms - a rarity now in Santa Clarita and especially the community of Valencia due to rising land costs. There are also 3 different 2 story floorplans with 4 or 5 bedrooms.

There are three neighborhoods in the Old Orchard Homes: Old Orchard I, which has its own clubhouse, swimming pool, amenities, and Home Owner's Association; Old Orchard II, also with its own clubhouse and swimming pool; and Old Orchard III, which does not have a Home Owner's Association - for those homeowners who do not want an HOA. The Old Orchard Homes in Valencia have great access to both the Interstate 5 freeway and the 14 State Highway, to elementary schools, junior high school, and high school; as well as shopping, restaurants, public transportation, and places of worship.

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Certified Residential Specialist

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Fannie Mae suspends foreclosure evictions

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:38:39 -0800

Fannie Mae, FNMA, is suspending evictions during the holiday season from December 20, 2010 through January 3, 2011. It is Fannie mae's practice that they do not evict families during this time of the year. Freddie mac recently made a similar announcement.

Fannie Mae also recently instructed their REO agents to resume selling foreclosed properties.

If you are a Santa Clarita homeowner with late payments, a Notice of Default filed against your home loan mortgage, there may still be time to stop the foreclosure with a short sale. Obtain answers now by contacting a Pre-Foreclosure Specialist. Contact Tricia laMotte.

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Stevenson Ranch foreclosures : REOs, bank owned homes - Fannie Mae releases

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 17:55:22 -0800

Fannie Mae has released some of their bank owned propeties in Stevenson Ranch, located near the hills of Santa Clarita Valley in north Los Angeles County. There are currently a total of 7 REOs, or bank owned, properties on the market in Stevenson Ranch. They range in price from $267,000 for a 2 bedroom townhome to $719,000 for a beautiful over 3400 square feet home with granite counters.

Search Bank Owned, REOs - Stevenson Ranch Foreclosures

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Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Successful HAFA Wells Fargo short sale in Santa Clarita

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:53:48 -0700

Another Santa Clarita homeowner was able to avoid foreclosure, even after attempting and being turned down 3 times for a loan modification. We successfsully negotiated with Wells Fargo on a HAFA short sale.

A short sale is a graceful way to avoid foreclosure. Even if some banks have a foreclosure freeze or a moratorium...this will soon be lifted. Get the real facts on what to do to avoid foreclosure. Call for a confidential consultaion or download our free reports.

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http://www.23332Summerglen.com

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Valencia North Park home for sale. New listing, not in MLS yet!

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:41:57 -0700

Beautiful Valencia North Park 4 bedroom, 3 bath home just came on the market! In fact it's not even in the MLS yet! This absolutley stunning home features wood floorin in the living room, huge kitchen with a center island, granite, stainless steel appliances, an elegant master bedroom suite with a private balcony, and 3 other bedrooms, one of which is conveniently located downstairs, next to a full bathroom.

Photo tour of this stunning home listed at $519,000 located in the city of Santa Clarita:

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Certified Residential Specialist

Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist

Obtain Santa Clarita House Values

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Santa Clarita House Values | September Real Estate Market Trends

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:57:53 -0700

The latest Real Estate Market Trends newsletter features market indicators, housing market video reports, real estate glossary, maps, consumer articles, Santa Clarita home values, and much more.

Check out September's real estate market trends View national and regional home prices, and more!

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Certified Residential Specialist

Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Valencia Old Orchard Home in Santa Clarita CA | For Sale? Sold!

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:47:12 -0700

A new family is moving into this lovely Old Orchard I home in Valencia CA. The sellers have moved to Colorado and are so appreciative of my working with them to sell their home quickly and with no hassle!

It's always a delight when everyone works as a team to make a move possible - down to negotiating and working out the details of repairs to the satisfaction of both the buyers and the sellers.

The Old Orchard I tract in Valencia is the original Valencia neighborhood that started the master plan back in 1967. It is still popular today and offers so many amenities - such as a beautiful clubhouse, pool, picnic areas, the great Valencia paseo systems, good access to the Intersate 5 for commuters, excellent schools, and living in Santa Clarita...one of the best places to live in the U.S.!!

For more information about selling your Valencia home...in Old Orchard or any other Valencia neighborhood...or buying a Valencia or Santa Clarita home, contact Tricia LaMotte. Make your home purchase or home sale hassle free!

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Contact Tricia LaMotte for a real short sale plan that will get your home sold!

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Short Sale home sellers in Santa Clarita - do you really want relief?

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:00:41 -0700

I am working with some wonderful buyers - they are super well qualified for a conventional loan, great credit, first time buyers up to $550,000, willing to be flexible while they wait for a short sale. Sounds like a good situation in this market of half the homes listed are short sales.

But wait.....Why is it, then, that it is so difficult to show many of the short sale homes currently listed?? There are no lockboxes, appointment only - must call the agent; who never returns calls! No way to reach the seller to make the appointment. Honestly, you wonder who is kidding whom? If you really want to sell and avoid a foreclosure, then you must make your home available for showing.

And why don't these listing agents answer their phone or return calls? Do they really want to sell their listings?

Santa Clarita homeowners: before you list your home in a short sale, make sure you have a good chance at getting it sold!!

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Certified Residential Specialist

Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist

View all Valencia Westridge Homes currently listed in the MLS

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Valencia Westridge Homes for Sale - some great deals

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:38:54 -0700

If you have ever considered owning a beautiful Valencia Westridge Home in the Santa Clarita Valley , this is a good time to consider one. The mortgage rates are at a historic low, and of the 29 homes currently on the market, 18 are standard sales, 9 are short sales, and 2 are bank owned properties. Many banks are willing to take a bigger loss on a luxury home, because they don't want them in their inventory of real estate owned properties.

Valencia Westridge is conveniently located near Interstat 5, just about 38 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. The Tournament Players Cluc (TPC) is nestled within Westridge, and many homes offer golf course views.

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Certified Residential Specialist

Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Net Neutrality and Your Web Presence….

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 19:09:06 -0700

Net Neutrality - this is an important bit of information for us as small business owners to be aware of.

Via Ruthmarie Hicks (Keller Williams Realty):

I know, I know, this sounds about as interesting as watching paint dry. it’s kind of like having fire insurance. The top BOOOORRRRRRING – until you have a fire and then its a topic of high interest.

Well….we have a fire!!

if you don’t find the topic interesting now – you will. Just as soon as the implications for your own web presence become apparent.

At this moment in time you can access anything on the internet with equal speed. All those big companies with their pockets stuffed full of VC can not do one thing: they can not control the speed with which your web site or theirs is accessed. In this way – we are all equal. My blog will load as fast as Trulia or Zillow.

BUT -what if that could change? What if the Trulia’s and Zillow’s and ALL of those wonderful indexed IDX companies could “buy” their way to the front of the line. Their sites snap up in the blink of an eye – while your site which has been carefully and lovingly nurtured can’t be opened or has been left in the slow lane because you couldn’t pay what they can.

What if your readers suddenly had trouble accessing your site?

Potential clients might be able to access your site, but they had better be patient and perhaps brew a nice pot of coffee while they are waiting. Once on your home page exploration of other pages proves equally frustrating. Each page loads at a snails crawl. You might have a loyal following, but how much are they supposed to put up with to access your information?

Have I got your attention?

Net neutrality ensures that your site will open as quickly and as readily as the “big gun” sites. For the uninitiated the video below will help explain what is meant by “net neutrality.” The video is old, but still relevant.

The net neutrality debate has been on the table since the days of the Bush administration In fact,The FCC and net neutrality issue have a long history together. During the Bush years, the majority of the powers that be in the FCC favored allowing telecommunications companies to do whatever they wanted with their “pipes.” Although net neutrality ruled the day, there were enough votes overturn the status quo. The above video and the “Save the Internet” campaign began as a result in 2006. The campaign was successful in preventing the FCC from ceding control to telecom companies. Obama and the current FCC appear to be in favor of net neutrality (an improvement over what was present during the Bush years) BUT a recent court ruling has put net neutrality back on the table.

In April a court ruling limits the FCC’s authority to regulate internet service such that all web sites are created equal in terms of speed. The decision forced the FCC to reconsider their strategy with respect to net neutrality mandates. US Court Curbs FCC Authority on Web Traffic)

Since that time, the FCC has thrown in the towel in trying to negotiate with telecommunications companies. FCC gives up on brokering compromise on ‘net neutrality’ Google and Verizon have hammered out an agreement on their own that has come up against fierce criticism. Net neutrality crusaders slam Verizon, Google .

NAR has maintained its support of net neutrality and has been lobbying for same.

Will the Internet stay open? NAR’s position on FCC proposal Here is the low-down from Agent Genius on the Google-Verizon deal: Google-Verizon Deal: How does it affect your net?

I feel it is imperative that the FCC have the power to enforce net neutrality. As some of the articles I’ve read and site indicate – the telecom companies were ready enough to accept government $$$ in order to establish and expand its broadband base. As one writer expressed “They were out with their wheelbarrows to collect all the cash.” Did they really think they could collect all that cash without having to abide by certain basic practices?

Perhaps the most direct way to ensure that net neutrality becomes and remains the law of the land would be to get Congress to enact legislation – in an election year – yeah – GOOD LUCK!!!! IMO the Google/Verizon talks are not the last nail in the coffin,but they are perhaps the 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

Note: It is obvious that this issue has many serious implications for our society. Since this is my real estate blog – I have limited the discussion to this area – otherwise this would have been a “book” not a blog!

Amazing Video by Lawrence Lessig.

If you want a detailed video by Lawrence Lessig on net neutrality – this video is worth a watch….but it does take time.

To Search for Homes and for further information go to my website/blog with free home search at The Westchester View.

I am always happy to answer your questions and you can speak to me directly on my moble phone: 914-374-5529.

©2010 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

Net Neutrality and Your Web Presence….

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Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

Was the HAMP program hamp-ered? or is that tampered?

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:03:07 -0700

It has been common knowledge among those that deal with short sales and loan modifications that a very small number of successful loan modifications have actually occurred.

Now a FNMA insider, a former vice president, is accusing FNMA of mishandling the oversight of HAMP, the Home Affordable Modification Program.

Certified Residential Specialist

Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist

Tricia LaMotte, Realtor, CDPE, CIAS, CNE, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR

Keller Williams VIP Properties

Valencia, CA 91355

in the Santa Clarita Valley

DRE # 00826786

661-259-6154

HAFA Short Sales in Santa Clarita - do they hafa take longer?

Tricia La Motte - Santa Clarita Real Estate (Keller Williams VIP Properties) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:45:22 -0700

It's been over 4 months since the HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternative) program came into "full swing". So, you would think that some of these HAFA short sales would have closed escrow by now according to the time period. (more about these time lines in another post) However, in checking with other agents across the U.S. that also specialize in doing short sales, no one appears to have actually closed a HAFA short sale! Fellow short sale agents...if you have...please tell us about it.

However, in this same time, I have closed the easiest short sale ever with CITI, which when I took the listing, appeared to be the most challenging of all. But because the property belonged to a past client of mine I wanted to do everything possible to assist him through a bad situation. He didn't qualify for a HAFA short sale because he wasn't living in the property - a tenant was. We got approval within 30 days of submitting the package!! And in a few weeks after the closing the negotiator even sent me an email, asking for feedback on how the experience was in working with her. Bravo, Cassie!

The buyer's agent was thrilled - she said she would try to sell all my listings. Now, if only the HAFA short sales would go as smoothly! (sigh)

Certified Residential Specialist

Certified Negotiation Expert

Certified Short Sale Specialist