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| COMMUNITY HOUSING INFORMATION | |
| by Steve White, CRP, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SRES |
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| Volume 5 Number Eight | Sept, 2006 |
| BRAND NEW HOMES SANTA CLARITA VALLEY MOUNTAIN AREA | |
| The Santa Clarita Valley and it's nearby communities are ideal and affordable places to live. Commuting residents here find Los Angeles and it's San Fernando Valley to be within easy reach. Those same folks are also thrilled to leave the big city after work and come home to a vibrant and safe community with terrific schools! No matter what your housing needs are you can find the perfect home here. From condos and townhomes, attached homes, traditional single family homes, rural homes and ranches to upscale executive homes, the Santa Clarita and San Fernando Valleys and their surrounding communities offer a variety of affordable choices. |
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AFFORDABLE HOMES, SAFE CITY & INCREDIBLE SCHOOLS! |
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BRAND NEW HOMES  DON'T REGISTER AT NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS! Did you know you can buy a new home AND have an agent working exclusively for you? FACT: In most California residential Real Estate transactions Real Estate agents must disclose to you, in writing, whom they are representing and then act in the best interest of that party. It's called Real Estate Agency! FACT: Salespeople at new home developments are representing the builder exclusively and therefore are required, by law, to do what is in the builder's best interest, not yours. When you buy direct from a builder you will have to sign a document acknowledging that fact! In such a case, who is looking out for your best interest? FACT: Many Santa Clarita area new home builders come to REALTORS® with special incentives and packages for a REALTOR'S® homebuyer clients that they may not offer to a homebuyer off the street! FACT: IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY REGISTERED AT THEIR DEVELOPMENT, most Santa Clarita area new home builders will allow a REALTOR® to negotiate for you and represent you exclusively in the purchase of a home. Registering means filling out anything, even if it’s just leaving a name or phone number or your business card! FACT: Like most Sellers, most builders will compensate your agent so it doesn't cost you anything to have a REALTOR® represent you……but it may cost you in lost incentives if you don’t! FACT: To protect the integrity of sales prices of their homes, builders won't "discount" the price if you're not represented by a Broker. Most Santa Clarita area builders consider compensation to the Broker you've chose to represent you as just a cost of doing business. SANTA CLARITA VALLEY Bordered on the south by the Santa Susana and San Gabriel Mountains and on the north by Angeles National Forest is the beautiful and picturesque Santa Clarita Valley. Each one of the several communities that encompass the valley has a unique character of it's own. The four unincorporated communities of Valencia, Saugus, Newhall and Canyon Country were combined in 1987 to form the city of Santa Clarita. Even though just 35 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles and minutes from the San Fernando Valley to the south all 200,000+ residents here enjoy cleaner air, a very low crime rate, top rated schools and affordable housing opportunities. The FBI reports that Santa Clarita is among the Top Ten safest cities in the nation! Valencia is an award winning master planned community under development since the mid 1960s. The community enjoys a varied mix of housing types, most of which are served by Homeowner Associations with pools, spas, other recreational facilities and typically attractive common landscaped areas. A system of meandering sidewalks called paseos traverse the community. By use of landscaped walkways and pedestrian bridges over main streets, the paseos connect residential areas to shopping, recreation, parks and schools. Condominiums are plentiful and are priced from the high $200,000s. Very attractive Townhomes and attached Patio homes start in the mid $400,000s. Single family home neighborhoods are plentiful and are generally priced from the high $400,000s to high $800,000s. More exclusive neighborhoods can run well into the $900,000s and some very exclusive gated neighborhoods surrounding a golf course or lake are often priced over $1 million. A private golf course that is home to major tournaments, a challenging public golf course and several neighborhood parks serve the recreational needs of Valencia residents. Located here, Six Flags California, including Magic Mountain and the adjacent Hurricane Harbor, has become a amusement vacation destination. College of the Canyons, a community college, and California Institute of the Arts, a liberal arts college, provide the Valley with higher education. Valencia Town Center features 3 department stores and about 100 specialty stores and restaurants. A multi- screen theater complex here anchors the entertainment facilities. A unique Main Street area at the entrance to Valencia Town Center was designed with pedestrians in mind and features several multi-storied buildings with upscale retail and restaurants on the ground floor and office and professional space on higher floors. Princess Cruises has relocated from Los Angeles to Valencia's Town Center and occupies the top floors of three multi-storied buildings here. Spectrum Club, an upscale health club, and a Hyatt Hotel are in the same area as well. The Valencia Industrial Center and the Valencia Commerce Center serve as headquarters to several large corporations as well as a U.S. Postal Service Regional Processing Center with nearly a million square feet! The Woodlands is a very distinctive and gated community featuring spectacular views in 4 neighborhoods surrounding and adjacent to the exclusive Valencia Country Club. Copperhill, a single family home development featuring 3 distinct neighborhoods is adjacent to Valencia High School and Bridgeport, and upscale development featuring a variety of housing---including a very exclusive gated community on an island---and recreation surrounding a lake in the heart of Valencia. Westridge, a large expansion of Valencia west of the I-5 freeway included a mix of residential development along with exclusive home sites surrounding a Tournament Player's Golf Course---one of only a few in the nation---and a huge Valley Oak savannah that is to be left undisturbed in its natural state. Another huge master planned community, Newhall Ranch, is said to be in the final planning stages for west of the I-5 to the Ventura County line. Canyon Country is the valley's largest community. Extensive neighborhood shopping, schools and recreation abound here. Major new developments are planned for this diverse community on the valley's eastern edge. Fair Oaks Ranch, a huge master planned community is now under development east of the 14 freeway. Canyon Country is certainly the valley's most diverse community in terms of housing. The first time home buyer will be excited to know that Canyon Country offers everything in the affordable range from Condominiums starting in the low-and-mid $200,000s, Townhomes from the mid $300,000s and single family homes generally priced from the mid $400,000s. For the move-up Buyer, several neighborhoods offer 3 and 4 bedroom homes priced below $500,000 to the mid $700,000s and higher. An entertainment complex anchored by a 10 Edwards movie theatre complex and several restaurants anchors the heart of this vibrant community. Sand Canyon is home to many TV, film, sports and music celebrities. This exclusive area of Santa Clarita offers executive luxury homes on acreage. Robinson Ranch Golf Course has now been opened here and another one has been approved for development. In a picturesque and rural setting, Sand Canyon is adjacent to the Angeles National Forest and its riding trails. The area features many exquisite estates and custom homes with equestrian facilities. Homes here are generally priced from the low $900,000s to well over $2 million. MacMillan Ranch, an exclusive gated enclave here of large estates on large lots with room for tennis courts, pools and equestrian facilities, has homes priced from over $2 million to over $3 million. Newhall is named for it's founder, Henry Mayo Newhall and is also located within the city of Santa Clarita. It is the valley's oldest and southernmost community. Within it's borders are the William S. Hart Park, named for the famous silent screen movie star. Also in Newhall are the Western Walk of Fame, the Western movie industry's answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the historic Pioneer Oil Refinery. Condominiums are priced from the low $200,000s and single family homes range from the low $400,000s to well over $700,000 and more in some exclusive neighborhoods. The Placerita Canyon and Happy Valley areas are dotted with large oak trees and feature custom homes on larger lots and acreage starting in the high $800,000s to over $2 million. The Friendly Valley area of Newhall is a gated retirement community featuring a golf course, extensive recreation and shopping facilities for seniors. Housing in Friendly Valley ranges from single story Condos priced from the mid $100,000s to duplexes from the mid to low $400,000s. Saugus is named after Henry Mayo Newhall's hometown in Massachusetts. Home of the regionally famous Saugus Swap Meet. Every Sunday, shoppers from all over Southern California converge to find special deals on everything from antiques and used goods to new items including housewares, clothes, electronics, tools and automotive accessories. This predominately residential community of Santa Clarita features the Bouquet Canyon Recreational Area and is the gateway to the Angeles National Forest and it's hiking, horseback and off road trails and camping. Shopping is convenient in well placed neighborhood centers. Condominiums start in the mid $200,000s and Townhomes in the low $300,000s. Several single family neighborhoods are adjacent to or surround parks and schools and range from starter homes from the low $400,000s to quite large family homes up to the high $700,000s and higher. Some feature Homeowner's Associations with recreation facilities. In the outlying areas of Saugus, equestrian ranches are common. Castaic is located in the northwestern part of the valley just outside of Santa Clarita city limits. It features the Castaic Lake Recreation Area, part of the California Water Project. Boating, water skiing and fishing are favorites in the upper lake. Swimming, sailing and windsurfing are the lower lake activities. Spacious condominiums are priced from the high $200,000s, townhomes from the low $300,000s and a terrific array of single family homes. Homes range from the low to mid $400,000s for homes on smaller lots surrounding an Association pool, spa, clubhouse and park area to spectacular larger family neighborhoods from the high $400,000s to the high $700,000s. North Lake, a new planned development featuring community recreation and walking trails for approximately 4,000 units ranging from condominiums to moderate and large luxury homes with a golf course has now started development in the area. Several single family home neighborhoods there feature homes starting in the low $500,000s. Nearby is the Hasley Canyon area of ranches priced from the high $700,000s and Val Verde, a rural community of affordable homes just now beginning to blossom with promise, priced from the low-to-mid $300,000s. Santa Clarita is one of 3 communities that began Metrolink trains for commuters to Downtown Los Angeles in late October 1992. This is one of the first phases of regional mass transit in Southern California. It now connects with Burbank Airport and the new subway system in Los Angeles. Within an easy commute to the employment centers of the San Fernando Valley, Downtown and West Los Angeles, the Santa Clarita Valley continues to enlarge it's corporate and clean industrial base, creating more jobs locally every year. Many TV shows are filmed in one of several studios located within the Valencia Industrial Center. A major corporation consisting of a movie studio, production facilities and a TV Network is currently negotiating on for relocation to our valley! Several more large corporations have committed to locate within our developing industrial parks. Our regional and super regional shopping centers promise many more jobs as well. As mentioned previously, Santa Clarita Valley schools are among the top rated in the state. We attribute this to extensive parental involvement and local control. Several neighborhood elementary schools, 7 Middle/Junior High and 6 senior High Schools serve the communities and many are California Distinguished Schools! No matter what your needs in housing and lifestyle are, there is a neighborhood within one of our communities that is perfect for you. Single and multi family developments range from those that are affordable to those with extensive recreation facilities to those sophisticated and cosmopolitan. Whether you are ready to step up into a larger more luxurious home, downsize or are just getting started, the Santa Clarita Valley has it all. Our neighborhoods and their amenities are as diverse as the residents themselves. The fact that thousands of our residents first invested in a condominium or townhome then upgraded to a single family home shows that unlike several other areas of Southern California, condominiums and townhomes have been a good investment and generally follow the appreciation of single family homes. Come discover the lifestyle so many of our residents are enjoying. Imagine a community vibrant and bustling with local involvement and concern, with terrific public schools that's rated among the safest cities in the nation! That's the Santa Clarita Valley. Cleaner air. More open space. Neighborhoods you can safely take moonlight strolls in. In many ways we're worlds away from the problems of big city life in nearby Los Angeles but within an easy commute for those residents who make their living in the city. Come discover what it has to offer you. Call or e-mail us now with the button at the left for an appointment to see those many homes that meet your needs and how affordable they can be! SURROUNDING RURAL COMMUNITIES Southern California's best kept secret is the Northern Los Angeles County Mountain and Acton/Agua Dulce Areas! Nestled within or adjacent to the Angeles National Forest are the 4 distinct communities of Lake Elizabeth, Green Valley, Leona Valley and Lake Hughes. Elevations of about 3000 feet keep the climate moderate in this pristine Mountian Area of Northern Los Angeles County, cooler than the desert and inland valleys. These mountain communities are just 55 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles. The nearby communities of the Santa Clarita Valley, including Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, Castaic and Stevenson Ranch and the San Fernando Valley are 22 miles and 35 miles, respectively, to the southeast. Palmdale and Lancaster are each just minutes away to the east as well. Lake Elizabeth and Lake Hughes each surround and are named after natural lakes fed by rainfall runoff and ground water. Water sports like fishing, sailing, canoeing and wind surfing are exciting recreational activities here. Lake Elizabeth also offers a public, championship 18 hole golf course at the Ranch Club. All of the over 600 homes enjoy views of the surrounding mountains and many enjoy views of the lake and/or the golf course. Homes range from the very few original retreat cottages of the 1950s to the spectacular and beautiful new and newer custom homes that are the norm today. Homes are currently priced from the high $200,000s to mid $500,000s. Lake Hughes is a smaller community with predominately smaller, resort style cabin construction homes to some larger, newer customs. Two local markets, a pub, a gas station, a Bed and Breakfast Inn, churches and camping areas can be found here. Fixer upper cabins from the 1920s are available from the mid $100,000s, completely refurbished homes range from the high $200,000s and larger homes range from the mid $400,000s. A smaller community of about 500 homes currently with limited growth, Green Valley is aptly named. Majestic oak trees and manzanita bushes grow abundantly in this small, fertile valley. Horses are common on many larger parcels. A local market/gas station, a pub/cafe, a diner, a hardware store and churches are located here. Homes vary from 1920s cottages from the mid $200,000s to new and newer customs priced from the high $300,000s to those on larger or multiple parcels reaching the mid $400,000s and higher. Leona Valley offers exclusively acreage sized parcels with homes built generally from the 1950s to present. Cherry, pear and peach orchards abound in this country community known for it's annual Cherry Festival. An enjoyable Mexican food restaurant, a cafe/pizza parlor, a market/gas station/delicatessan, a feed and tack store, an auto repair shop, hardware store and churches are all located here. Homes are priced from the low $500,000s to over $1 million and more for larger homes and ranches. Local schools are highly rated and offer smaller class sizes. Children up to the 8th grade in Lake Elizabeth, Lake Hughes and Green Valley attend historic Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union School located between Lake Elizabeth and Lake Hughes. Leona Valley students attend Leona Valley School. Most High School students in all 4 communities attend Highland High School. Recreation is abundant within the Angeles National Forest area. Many trails and campgrounds exist for the horseback and Mountain bike rider, hiker and off road vehicle enthusiast. Local child and adult activities include T-ball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, Scouting and other social activities. An approximate 30 minute drive southeast down Bouquet Canyon Road, San Francisquito Canyon Road or Lake Hughes Road will bring you to the I-5 freeway for an easy commute to the city....and back again! Just about 20 minutes to the east will take you to the shopping, entertainment and restaurants of Palmdale and Lancaster and the Highway 14 freeway. Just a few minutes northeast of Santa Clarita along the Highway 14 freeway are two rustic and rural communities of exclusively larger parcels for the ranch and equestrian set. The country flavor has been maintained for decades here and the unspoiled landscape reflects that. Agua Dulce, Spanish for "sweet water", surrounds the Aqua Dulce Air Park and Vasquez Rocks County Park, where many westerns and the movie The Flintstones were filmed. Largely consisting of the Crown Valley, so named for the surrounding mountain formations, Acton is a bit further northeast and nearing 3,000 feet elevation. Ranches and estates with acreage dominate the housing market in these two towns, priced from the mid $500,000s. Several custom homes on acreage dot the landscape priced from the high $700,000s. Custom home sites from an acre or more vary from those close to town with all utilities to several in outlying areas ready for development. Can you picture an easier, calmer lifestyle in a pristine setting? Our team of professionals can show you how you can leave behind the traffic, smog, crime and fast pace of life in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area.....even if it's just each evening as you easily commute home to one of the last affordable areas of Southern California. Imagine starlit skies, fresh and crisp mountain air and a slower pace of life in each of these tranquil communities. Come discover that country living is just a short commute away! You've simply got to come up and see for yourself! Call or e-mail now for an appointment to see those many homes that meet your needs and just how affordable they can be. |
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