Stevenson Ranch, CA

For those of you who have multiple properties here in Santa Clarita or anywhere in the United States you really need to take the time to read this information. You may get an unexpected Capital Gains Tax Bill in the mail. Please take time to be a wise real estate investor especially with the all the policy changes occurring on Capital Hill. Now more than ever education is key.

A popular tax-saving loophole regarding capital gains taxes on some primary residences has been impacted by the recently signed 2008 Housing and Economic Recovery act. The law places new restrictions on wealthy homeowners who own two or more homes and plan to "house hop" to avoid paying capital gains taxes. Under previous law, those who sell a house for profit after living in it as their primary residence for two of the past five years would not have to pay capital gains taxes on $250,000 of the gain for a single person or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly. Some taxpayers have avoided the capital gains tax by selling their primary residence, claiming the full tax exclusion, then moving to a second or third home that they have owned for some time, making it their primary residence which they then sell and pay little or no capital gains tax. The new law states that the gain may not be excluded for periods of "nonqualified use," basically the period of time when the house was not used as the taxpayer's primary residence. While the change to the law will affect only a small minority of U.S. homeowners, it will cause some tax headaches for a few.

Partial exclusions will still be available in some cases, and there are some special rules for members of the uniformed services and some federal employees. Here are the basics to remember: reasons or "unforeseen circumstances" such as the death of a spouse by the homeowner, spouse or former spouse as a principal residence. and plans to hold it as an investment. On January 1, 2012, they begin using it as their principal residence. They live there two years and sell it on January 1, 2014 for $1.1 million for a profit of $500,000.Under the old law, the couple would have excluded the entire $500,000 gain from their taxable income. Under the new law, they can only exclude $200,000 - two-fifths - since the other $300,000 would be considered nonqualified because of the three years in which the home was not their principle residence.

My husband and I take the time to seek education and information to help our clients in the ever changing market. You need to hire professionals who can guide you in these challenging real estate times, we are that team!

For more further information, consult your tax professional, who may be able to identify any exceptions or other important points for individual situations.

Have some of you have noticed the banners across the paseo overwalks in Valencia or many bridges around Santa Clarita letting our great community know about our outstanding schools and students? If not here is the great news William S. Hart Union High School District receives highest overall API score in the state!!!

In API (Academic Performance Index) test results released this month by the California Department of Education, the William S. Hart Union High School District has received the top ranking in the state for union high school districts with 10,000 or more students. The Hart School District encompasses the majority of the junior high and senior high schools in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Vicki Engbrecht, assistant superintendent of instructional services said in an interview with The Signal, "Of course, we all realize that a good education is much more than high test scores. But the state's API score does offer a simple number to help the public recognize ‘good' schools. Every one of our schools qualifies under those criteria."

I have included the test scores for you to see the single year increase in all the tested schools.

The API is a single number, ranging from 200 to 1000, that reflects a school's (or district's) performance level based on statewide testing. The purpose of the API is to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. As parents, you've likely seen the STAR (Standardized Testing and Reporting) and/or CAHSEE (California High School Exit Examination) test results in your mailbox, which are a part of this program. Areas tested are math, social science (history), science and English.

There is an awful lot going on Here at RE/MAX of Santa Clarita with the Paris911 Team and our high end properties that are for sale. I would ask you to check a post we just put on our iBlog911 site that has a link into our famous ListingBook application where you can search for Real Estate in Stevenson Ranch CA like us Agents do.

Awesome and available. 26 properties that are over 800K about the point where Luxury Begins depending on the amenities - Which I personally checked out for our proposed and current clients.

Don't forget to check out http://SantaClaritaListingBook.com - It's Awesome and you will see that the Subject Matter Experts have been found.

Homes for sale in Stevenson Ranch. As your Santa Clarita Real Estate Specialist I am here to provide you with the most current home and condo sales information in the Stevenson Ranch area which includes Southern Oaks and Sunset Point.

ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF OCTOBER 23:

Currently there are a combination of 90 single family homes and condo's for sale.

Minimum List Price: $239,000 Days on Market: 1

Average List Price: $590,719 Days on Market: 79

Maximum List Price: $1,395,000 Days on Market: 428

OF THE 90 LISTINGS 11 ARE BANK OWNED PROPERTIES (REO'S)

OF THE 90 LISTINGS 32 ARE SHORT SALE LISTINGS

47 ARE REGULAR LISTINGS

ACTIVE LISTINGS AS OF OCTOBER 16:

There were a combination of 86 single family homes and condo's for sale.

Minimum List Price: $224,000 Days on Market: New Listing

Average List Price: $597,625 Days on Market: 81

Maximum List Price: $1,395,000 Days on Market: 421

BACK UP OFFERS AS OF OCTOBER 23:

Currently there are 15 listings on the market.

Minimum List Price: $ 299,000 Days on Market: 1

Average List Price: $ 542,577 Days on Market: 50

Maximum List Price: $925,000 Days on Market: 129

OF THE 15 IN BACK UP STATUS 10 ARE SHORT SALE LISTINGS

5 ARE REGULAR SALES

BACK UP OFFERS AS OF OCTOBER 16:

There were 18 listings on the market.

Minimum List Price: $ 250,000 Days on Market: 1

Average List Price: $ 563,469 Days on Market: 73

Maximum List Price: $989,000 Days on Market: 495

PENDING AS OF OCTOBER 23:

Currently there are 34 listings pending.

Minimum List Price: $269,900 Days on Market: 4

Average List Price: $544,497 Days on Market: 96

Maximum List Price: $989,000 Days on Market: 495

OF THE 34 LISTED 12 ARE SHORT SALE LISTINGS

OF THE 34 LISTED 11 ARE BANK OWNED PROPERTIES (REO'S)

11 ARE REGULAR SALES

PENDING AS OF OCTOBER 16:

There were 31 listings pending.

Minimum List Price: $239,990 Days on Market: 4

Average List Price: $540,203 Days on Market: 81

Maximum List Price: $989,000 Days on Market: 375

HOMES/CONDO'S SOLD IN THE PAST 30 DAYS:

21 listings SOLD in Stevenson Ranch.

Minimum Sale Price: $250,000 Days on Market:6

Average Sale Price: $534,757 Days on Market: 118

Maximum Sale Price: $980,000 Days on Market: 389

OF THE 21 SOLD 8 WERE BANK OWNED PROPERTIES (REO'S)

OF THE 21 SOLD 6 WERE SHORT SALE LISTINGS

7 WERE REGULAR SALES

With the constantly changing market we are in my goal is to keep you up to date with the most current home sales statistics in the Stevenson Ranch Area. As a potential seller it helps to give you an idea of what the market performance is doing and what you may anticipate. All properties are different and an in depth comparative market analysis consisting of location, sqft, and upgrades are needed to give you an exact list price. As a buyer these numbers help you to understand what the price ranges are in Stevenson Ranch, there are many different homes for sale. Whether your buying or selling I would like the opportunity to interview with you for the job. I have an extensive marketing plan to put your property in front of buyers to get your property sold.

To see the lastest market activity report go to Jennifer's Blog button and click on Stevenson Ranch Home Sales.

My husband and I specialize in short sale/foreclosure properties. Many of you have heard these terms on the news lately or see these type of homes in your communities. Would like to know what these terms mean? Go to: http://www.santaclaritavalleyhomesonline.com/shortsale.htm. If you or someone you know are in a difficult situation with your property consider us. We are Santa Clarita Short Sale Specialists and would like opportunity to sit down with you and give you a free, no obligation, consultation on this process.

Do you know of anyone who is thinking about moving to the Santa Clarita Valley? Let me show them this beautiful community among others here in the Southern California area.

If you would like to search specifically for Stevenson Ranch homes for sale, or any other areas of Southern California go to: www.riccosellshomes.com

*All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed, information directly from SOCAL MLS

THIS IS A QUESTION THAT WE ARE ALL ASKING OURSELVES ABOUT THE BAILOUT "HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ME AND MY SITUATION"?

As Santa Clarita's Real Estate Specialists, my husband and I have many different approaches to help buyers and homeowners in today's market here in Santa Clarita. We can help you in the following ways:

- Loan Modifications

- Short Sale Consultations/Short Sale Purchases

- Home Rentals/Leasing

- Traditional Home Sales/Purchases

- Bank Owned Purchases (REO's)

For further information on our services go to: www.santaclaritavalleyhomesonline.com