Just north of the hills of Santa Clarita, between the Angeles National Forest and the Los Padres National Forest, is the community of Castaic.
The roots of the city lie in the opening of the original Ridge Route in 1915, which was the first paved highway, directly linking the Los Angeles Basin with the San Joaquin Valley over the Tejon Pass and the rugged ridge south of Gorman.
The Ridge Route was particularly used to travel from the city of Los Angeles and to and beyond Bakersfield. Most of the road was bypassed and has since been upgraded to the CA Interstate 5 freeway. The portion of the old road within the Angeles National Forest was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Today, Castaic is a growing and affordable community near the San Fernando Valley in the greater Los Angeles County and is attracting many new residents and businesses with its convenient SoCal local, mild weather and diverse outdoor recreational opportunities.
Castaic has quite a few amenities including Castaic Lake as well as Pyramid Lake where boating, swimming, fishing and camping are favorite pastimes for residents and visitors. Only a few miles from town is the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park, which is a favorite destination for kids and families.
One of the best features of Castaic is that it is an eligible area for the USDA Guaranteed Loan program. The USDA Rural Guaranteed program extends 100% financing opportunities to help low-medium income residents purchase homes with no down payment required and no monthly mortgage insurance.
This program is only available in designated USDA eligible areas. The USDA eligible areas for Los Angeles County are as follows:
Los Angeles County: The areas surrounding Highway 126 west of Interstate 5 as well as the areas north of Highway 118 west of Interstate 5. Other areas include the areas surrounding Highway 14 in the Antelope Valley, areas north of Interstate 210 in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys as well as the areas surrounding Angeles Crest Highway.
Eligible Cities Include: Acton, Castaic, Frazier Park, Lake Los Angeles, Littlerock, Val Verde, and some parts of Santa Clarita, Newhall, Valencia, Canyon Country, Palmdale, Quartz Hill, Lancaster as well as parts of San Fernando & San Gabriel valleys that are north of Interstate 210.
There are income limit guidelines that applicants must qualify for to be eligible to apply. These income limits are based on 115% of the median income for that county as well as family size. In Los Angeles County the income limits range from 66k to 125k a year depending on the size of your household.
Right now, there are more than 50 properties in Los Angeles county that are eligible for a USDA Rural Guarantee home loan. Some of these properties are not REO's or short sales but actual equity sales with really motivated sellers and are NOT like all the other run-down, dilapidated dumps you've been seeing. Some have been remodeled and/or upgraded like these properties.
A beautiful 3bd/2ba home that more than 1500 sq.ft. and new paint and new granite counters in the kitchen and master bathroom, newer windows, beautiful tile and flooring downstairs, remodeled guest bath, copper plumbing and a sweeping corner lot with a large yard and covered patio on a lot of nearly 8000 sq. ft.
This home sits up high on the lot allowing a beautiful view of the hills and surrounding valley! Easy freeway access and shopping is close by. This property is simply a must see!
An absolute showplace! This fantastic newly-built 4bd/3ba pool home has nearly 2000 sq. ft. of living space. There is a fully updated and upgraded throughout! The home offers a fabulous family room and a cook's kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite counters. It also has a huge yard with a wonderful pool for the family. This home sells itself with its move in condition!
You have got to see this beautiful well kept and model ready 3bd/2.5 ba home near Castaic Lake with more than 1700 sq. ft. and mountain views. The fantastic features of this great family home include new paint in and out, and newly planted landscaping. This home has newer tile floors, window blinds and kitchen appliances.
There's a new A/C and forced air heating system and newer water heater and carpet were installed in 2008, and there's also the newly installed electrical and modern accent bathroom fixtures. These top quality upgrades with true pride of ownership, make this a wonderful home for the right family.
This spacious 3bd/3ba home with more than 2600 sq. ft. is nestled in the outskirts of Santa Clarita among the Castaic hills. The eat-in kitchen has lots of custom cabinets and stainless steel appliances and the open living and dining room featuring hardwood flooring. There is also a step-down family room great for entertaining.
The home has two staircases leading to the third floor; one directly to the master suite and the other leads into a wonderful loft. All of the bathrooms have beautiful tumbled marble. This home is great for the family who wants that quiet place to live and raise the kids.
For more information on the USDA Rural program guidelines and eligibility, contact me, Donne Knudsen, today at 805.5278554 or donne4loans@earthlink.net. Getting pre-approved is an absolute must and is relatively simple so get pre-approved for this incredible program and make one of these great homes yours.
Today's real estate market can be really scary, which is why it's important to get as much information as possible before starting your search. Finding out more about affordable home loan options and getting pre-approved is an absolute must. 
