First Time Home Buyers                            ????? TIRED OF RENTING ????                   Now is the best time to OWN your Own home                                                                                                                              1.     Would you like to enjoy the privacy of your own home ? 2.     Would you like affordable home payments? 3.     Would you like home equity rather than rent receipts? 4.     Your own garage 5.      Your own backyard with space for pets    6.     And the most important thing,   (To pay your own mortgage-not your Landlord’s mortgage)    Low prices Low interest rates FHA 3 ½ down payment     When home prices rise in value the winner is …. THE LANDLORD          With rising prices comes rising RENT and the... 10/11/2011

West Hills CA - Homes For Sale / Do You Really Need a Buyer's Agent?    Do You Really Need a Buyer's Agent?                    Why hire a buyer’s agent? For the simple reason that it will make your life easier and your home search time shorter.               In my last letter I explained my method of narrowing down the choices, so you only spend time looking at homes that are suitable. You’ll also know about every new listing as soon as it hits the market, because I get that information every morning. When I see a home that fits your “must have” list, I’ll alert you immediately. You won’t miss out on the perfect home because you didn’t notice it until it was under contract to someone else.               The second reason to have a buyer’s agent is to have someone who is working for you ... 10/10/2011

  West Hills Real Estate /Are you Considering Relocation in Your Retirement?   Unlike earlier generations of retirees who paid off their mortgages and retired in their family home, today's Baby Boomers are looking to capitalize on home equity to enhance their retirement savings.   If you’re considering a “relocation retirement,” below are a few points that may inform your decision.  Here are some discussions you should have before making any decisions about relocating, downsizing, or trading up:   1.Speak with your spouse or partner first, even if you think you're both of the same mind. Don't just assume that you're in agreement.   2.Consider the cost-of-living in a different part of the country. There's a pretty big swing between rural Florida and urban San Francisco, for example.   3.... 10/10/2011

West Hills Real Estate/ Finishes Wood Inerior Design tips   Finishes Wood Interior Design tips       Home Buyer Beginnings My West Hills home buyers guide contains useful information written exclusively for home buyers, designed to assist you make an informed decision about your home purchase. I'll use my West Hills real estate expert knowledge of the area to find you the perfect West Hills home, one that’s comfortable for your life style as well as your budget.   Home Seller Solutions West Hills Home Value West Hills Home Sellers Guide If you are considering listing and selling your West Hills home, you’ve come to the right place! As a West Hills resident, I combine area knowledge with the latest internet home sales technology to market and get your home SOLD! If you'd like to know the... 10/01/2011

 West Hills Real Estate / Looking for a Home – Should You Consider a Bank Owned Home?                 Bank owned homes, also known as REO’s, are generally the lowest priced homes in the market – probably because they do present some problems.               The bank’s asset managers are not as slow to respond as the short sale negotiators, but they don’t honor response deadlines like homeowners do. In addition, they do all the negotiating before they put a signature to anything. That can be nerve-wracking for buyers and for the agents involved.               Next is the fact that because the bank is the owner, there is no “homeowner” who has occupied the home, so there is no property condition disclosure and no one to explain how to work any of the systems. Sometimes REO’s present myster... 09/30/2011

West Hills Ca , Woodland Hills,San Fernando Valley Real Estate / California Trends Homebuying and Selling This article looks at home sales volume, and discusses California trends in homebuying and selling.   Chart Last Updated 8/20/11   July 2011 June 2011 July 2010 Southern CA 18,090 20,532 18,946 Northern CA 16,605 18,443 16,256 CA Total 34,695 38,975 35,202 Chart Last Updated 8/7/11   2012* 2011* 2010 2009 2008 2005 NorCal 190,000 189,330 192,979 219,460 191,809 398,174 SoCal 217,000 216,851 228,655 245,331 201,894 355,698 Total 407,000 406,181 421,634 465,654 404,820 753,876 Data courtesy of MDA Dataquick All forecasts are made by first tuesday based on current data, influential factors and market trends. For a recent analysis of the current month’s sales numbers, click here! The ab... 09/06/2011

West Hills Ca. Real Estate - Looking for a Home – Should You Consider a Short Sale Listing?   Dear Buyer!               What is a short sale? It’s a transaction in which the bank allows a homeowner to sell for less than the mortgage balance owing on the house. Because the bank is releasing the homeowner from their debt, and is therefore taking a loss, the bank negotiators have the final say regarding the price and terms of the sale.             There’s no doubt that short sale listings are priced a bit lower than non-distressed listings, but if you’re in a hurry to own a home, there’s no sense in wasting your time with them.               Remember that buying a short sale listing involves gaining acceptance from two parties, and the second party has no incentive to move quickly.   First... 09/02/2011

West Hills Ca- Real Estate / Homes for Sale / Finding Your New Home – What Features are “Must Have’s?”       Dear Mr. Mrs. Buyer                   One of the most important things you can do to streamline your home search is to make two lists: One that lists the features you must have and one that lists the features it would be nice to have.               Please use the attached “buyer checklist” to get yourself thinking about what is or isn’t important in your new home. If there are features you really need or want that aren’t listed, write them in.               Using your “must have” list I can eliminate homes that clearly won’t fit your needs. For instance, if you need 4 bedrooms and a home has only 2, it will be eliminated from the list. If your life will be sour without room for a... 08/25/2011

Buyer Checklist: West Hills Ca / Real Estate / Woodland Hills Ca       FEATURES LIKE to HAVE Not Important Notes     Number of Bedrooms   Number of Bathrooms   House style   Number of stories   Basement   Square footage       Exercise Room   Home Office   Workshop   Hobby Room   Mud Room   Enclosed Porch   Fireplace           Security System   Smoke Alarm   Intercom   Air Filter System   Central Vacuum   Garage Door Opener   Blinds/Shades/Drapes   Appliances Included   Solar Power   Skylight   Ceiling Fan   Other   Garage: Attached   Garage Detached   Garage Capacity (# cars)   Garage Storage   Garage Workspace       Exterior Features:   Lot size   Landscaping   Patio/Deck   Covered Patio/Deck   Hot Tub   Screen Porch   Outside Kitchen   Sprinkler System   Satellite Dish   Fruit/Vegetab... 08/25/2011

West Hills Real Estate / Homes for Sale / Finding Your New Home – Focusing on What’s Most Important         Dear  Mr. Mrs. Buyer               Now that you have your pre-approval letter in hand and know the price range that suits you, it’s time to get serious about finding your new home. You have two things to consider:   ·        The benefits and features of the home ·        The location.               While the benefits and features are definitely important to your future happiness, it might be best to settle on the location first.               Again, there are two considerations. The first is the neighborhood makeup. You want to feel comfortable in your surroundings.   The second is the distance to work, school, shopping, friends, relatives, and recreation. Settling too far from th... 08/14/2011

West Hills-Neighborhood Boundary Map West Hills is a nice quiet area in the West San Fernando Valley. West Hills real estate includes many entry level homes with tree lined streets and well kept yards. Parks, shopping and restaurants are all close by or just a walk away. There are some newer communities in West hills with Luxury Homes and West Hills Condos. West Hills is bordered by the Chatsworth and Chatsworth Reservoir to the north, Canoga Park to the east, Woodland Hills to the south, Hidden Hills to the southwest, and the Simi Hills with the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve and Bell Canyon to the west. The community's postal codes are 91307 and 91304.   Click the plus+  or  the  minus-  to zoom in or out  and see the neighborhood boundaries  View West Hills (WEH) in a ... 08/11/2011

West Hills, CA. / Real Estate / Homes for Sale / Why Mortgage Loan Pre-Approval is Vital to Your Home Search                                                      Why Mortgage Loan Pre-Approval is Vital to Your Home Search     Dear Mr.& Mrs. Buyer,               Not too many years ago, becoming pre-approved before searching for a home was unimportant. Now, it’s almost mandatory.               That’s because a few years ago almost anyone could get a mortgage loan. Now that the banks have tightened up on their regulations, it isn’t so easy.   In addition, thousands of consumers who had high credit scores lost that status when the credit card companies suddenly slashed credit lines. Since 30% of a credit score is based on how much credit you use compared to how much you have, credit scores ... 08/10/2011

West Hills Ca Real Estate / Homes for Sale / The first step toward ownership       Dear Mr. Mrs. Buyer,                 Whether you’re buying for the first time or the tenth, if you‘ve decided the time is right to become a homeowner, the first step should be to visit a mortgage lender and get pre-approved for your mortgage loan.               Choose a lender you’ve been happy with in the past, choose based on a referral from a friend or family member, or call me. I’ll be happy to give you a list of mortgage loan officers who have done well by my clients.   There is a difference between lenders and loan programs, so it pays to take a little time making your choice.                                         You want a lender who will: Give you answers in writing about what they can or can’t... 08/03/2011

West Hills California Real Estate / Homes for Sale/Golden State Population Trends  This article reviews the shifts in California’s population during the past decade, and examines the potential impact of current migration trends on residential rentals and sales. Chart last updated 6/24/11   2011 2010 2009 CA Population 37,510,766 37,266,600 36,887,615   Chart last updated 6/24/11   Los Angeles San Diego Orange Riverside San Bernardino 2000 9,519,338 2,813,833 2,846,289 1,545,387 1,709,434 2010 9,818,605 3,095,313 3,010,232 2,189,641 2,035,210   Chart last updated 6/24/11   Santa Clara Alameda Sacramento Contra Costa Fresno 2000 1,682,585 1,443,741 1,223,499 948,816 799,407 2010 1,781,642 1,510,271 1,418,788 1,049,025 930,450 Population change: the last thirty years The first of the above... 08/02/2011

 West Hills Ca/Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley/Carmageddon 405 Freeway Closure   **Don't forget that this weekend is the closure of the 405 Freeway, please plan accordingly.** 405 Closure updates and more     Giving everyone a heads up!  Have you heard anything about this?  Depending on if you are in town or out town July 15th -17th this may make you want to change your plans.In what may go down as "a midsummer weekend's nightmare," one of the three freeways connecting the two halves of Los Angeles will be closed for an entire weekend - 53 hours - in mid-July, it was announced Saturday.The entire San Diego (405) Freeway will be shut down between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside beginning just after midnight on Saturday morning July 16. It will not reopen until 5 a.m. the fol... 07/15/2011

Stewart Penn | Penn Properties | stewart@stewartpenn.com | (310) 844-6515 7638 Vicky Ave, West Hills, CA "SHORT SALE OPPORTUNITY" 4BR/3BA Single Family House offered at $439,000 Year Built 1965 Sq Footage 1,639 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking Unspecified Lot Size 7,405 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Great opportunity to buy this "Short Sale" immaculate 4-Bed 3-Bath with solar-heated pool. Located on a beautiful tree-mined street, this desirable home features a spacious floor plan, high ceilings, living room fireplace and direct access to large double garage. Bonus room in attic accessible via pull-down stairs. Glass sliders open to large covered patio and pool. Highly recommended. see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES - Central A/C - Central hea... 06/12/2011

Earthquake Checklist /West Hills Ca./Woodland Hills/San Fernando Valley Real Estate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  This month marks the 17th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake, a dramatic time that is still etched in the memories of all of us who experienced it. While there is no way to prevent the next big quake, we must be prepared.   BOB BLUMENFIELDAssemblymember, 40th District Invites you to a Free 4 week Workshop (Community Emergency Response) ....   Emergency preparedness means that a community or family is prepared to react promptly when an emergency happens.  This re... 06/07/2011

West Hills Short Sale Are you behind on your mortgage payments and have already tapped your credit cards, friends and family? Getting out from the weight on your shoulders can seem impossible, but moving on is exactly what you are going to need to do. If you are considering a short sale then call Simon Mills of Mills Realty who will guide you through your West Hills Short Sale. Mills Realty will show you how you can relieve yourself from the debt of your home without any out of pocket expenses. Your lender will pay our fees, so our program will truly cost you nothing out of pocket. It makes no difference who your lender is or how many loans you have on your property Simon Mills of Mills Realty will guide you through your West Hills Short Sale. Our goal is to make the process as stress-f... 05/13/2011

REO Resales in CA   Chart last updated 4/28/11 Total REO Resales Quarterly* 1st Quarter 2011 4th Quarter 2010 1st Quarter 2010 1st Quarter 2009 36,496 36,468 38,324 51,957 Total REO Resales Annually* Total REOs 2010 Total REOs 2009 Total REOs 2008 Total REOs 2005 155,357 202,054 158,010 2,422 REO Resales as a Percentage of Total CA Home Sales* 1st Quarter 2011 4th Quarter 2010 1st Quarter 2010 1st Quarter 2009 40% 37.5% 39.6% 53.9% Tracking REOs as the economy recovers The above chart tracks the number of California residential properties resold quarterly by lenders who acquire ownership by foreclosure. These properties are also commonly called real estate owned (REO) properties. REO resales rise and fall as a function of economic well-being based on multiple factors, including the empl... 05/06/2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day /West Hills Ca /Woodland Hills/ San Fernando Valley Real Estate ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~     My Website For Sellers For Buyers Monthly Newsletter Call me! eMail me! Canoga Park-Winnetka SF Valley Face Book Listing Book West Hills LA Gas Prices Rentals Housing Trends You Tube    Serving the San Fernando Valley and in particular West Hills,Woodland Hills,Winnetka, Canoga Park, Northridge, Chatsworth, Granada Hills and More If you are planning to Buy or Sell a home or land in West Hills, Woodland Hills or in the San Fernando Valley, I'd be happy to assist you.  ";Oh, by the way, if you know of someone who may need my Real Estate services , please call me with their name and number.  I will be... 03/16/2011