About Valencia's The Summit

With several types of homes available for sale currently, the Summits in Valencia CA would be a great place to live. 

• Have a look at this link to view all of the Current listings that are for sale in the Summit of Valencia CA.
• Click Here to see how much homes have been selling for in the Summits of Valencia.
• IF you are wanting to search the rest of Valencia, Santa Clarita or CA - Click Here
• Foreclosures and Bank owned homes can be viewed here.

They Want Me to Buy The House "As Is", Now What?

Bank owned properties, investment properties, most flips, and sometimes regular sellers want you to buy a home "as is". Well for starters there is no such thing as "as is" in California. You have a right to do a home inspection and back out if you don't like the results. Banks put "as is" because they don't want to deal with any repairs. It doesn't necessary mean the home has major things wrong with it or that it's not a good deal depending on the comps in the area and the price you pay for it.

Most banks have their separate addendum that includes an incredible amount of verbiage that they make you sign before they sign off on your purchase contract. It pretty much sounds like our way or the highway. Usually banks are not from California and it's very important that the top of the addendum reads "Made Part of" and not "Supersedes" to the California Purchase Agreement. This is very important because if it reads "Supersedes" it can change all your rights in the California purchase agreement all together.

Bank owned sellers usually get upset if you ask for things that are seen with the naked eye before you write an offer.

Example: There is a broken window in the home.
If you know there is a broken window in the home you need to take that into consideration when you send the offer, not on the request for repairs. If it bothers you, offer less what you think it will cost to fix it. If you are going FHA it's very important your Realtor knows the items that will get called out in a FHA appraisal. You need to handle that in the beginning with your offer because usually a broken window has to be fixed before the close of escrow to qualify for your FHA loan. You can run into loan issues if it's not negotiated up front.

Let's say you get a home inspection done and the roof needs repair. Most people when looking for property don't climb on the roof to see if it needs to be fixed before they write an offer. If the roof has damage you can send the home inspection report along with a request for repairs asking the seller the items you would like to see fixed. At that point a few things can happen.

First the seller can refuse to fix anything, they can offer a credit instead, they can offer to fix some things but not all, they can offer to fix everything. You have to remember in the beginning that the seller does not have to do anything but then you have the right to back out and get your deposit back if you are in your contract contingency time frames. Some banks refuse to fix anything all the time. Most banks will fix habitable items that were discovered in the home inspection that weren't known before.

If all parties agree on getting items fixed I always recommend that it is done by the proper licensed professional and they provide a receipt. This is very important so you know it was done by a qualified professional and not the seller. Plus you have proof for records especially if you might need it for the home warranty so it doesn't have the possibility of being void.

If Sellers are unwilling to get things fixed try getting a credit. That way you can get it fixed how and by who you prefer. The request for repairs is always another negotiating time. Make sure you have received the termite report and all disclosures from the seller before you put in for a request for repairs. In California most banks are exempt from a lot a disclosures that a "normal" seller has to fill out. That's why I always recommend getting a home inspection.

Sometimes it runs smoothly and sometimes it doesn't. Both the buyer and seller have rights and options. Hopefully at the end of the day it works out for everyone. The point of this post though is to let buyers know they don't have to be afraid of buying a house that says "AS IS" right off the bat.

Sometimes "As is" can mean getting a great deal.

Snow In Valencia, Ca.

It's snowing today in Valencia Ca.
I know people in other areas of the world would think so what, but this is big news here. I have lived in Valencia since 1997 and have never seen it snow here before.

There are reports that it snowed in 1994 and 1989 but I will be honest with you,
those came from my people on Facebook. To think I traveled last weekend to Big Bear to have a White Christmas and now it's snowing in town. Snow is so unique for Valencia!
I knew this was going to be great year!
YEEHAA 2011!

Why Should you Choose a CDPE agent to Sell Your Home When Doing a Short Sale?

Today, 1 out of every 10 homeowners in America is behind on mortgage payments. These are tough and frustrating times. Now more than ever, it's important to identify your options. Foreclosure can be avoided and your financial future can be salvaged. In a short sale transaction, homeowners sell their property for less than the mortgage amount, but avoid the foreclosure process.

The Distressed Property Institute trains real estate professionals to engage and assist homeowners facing hardships. The Institute has developed a course to provide the tools and knowledge to handle distressed properties, including short sales, deeds-in-lieu, mortgage modifications, forbearance, refinances, reinstatements and, if that fails, how to help homeowners through the foreclosure process. After completing a comprehensive on-site or online course, graduates are awarded the Certified Distressed Property Expert® (CDPE) Designation.

Please understand though, you also have to interview agents to not only have the CDPE Designation but they have to be a full time professional Realtor® skilled with cutting edge marketing skills to get your home sold in the first place as well. Many key factors go into selling a home as a short sale. Choose your Realtor® wisely, now more than ever you need an experienced, qualified, trained Realtor® to handle your distressed property needs.

Nationally, only 12 percent of short sales are approved. Among CDPE designated Realtors®, more than 80 percent of short sales are approved, that's a huge difference. It's important you choose a agent that has the expertise and knowledge to get your home sold in this changeling market. Next you have to make sure they can protect you, guide you and get your short sale approved. Now more than ever homeowners should interview at least three Realtors® before choosing the best one to sell their home.

As an agent with the CDPE® Designation, I have a strong and unique appreciation of the factors affecting the market, and know that there are options available to you.

Please visit www.SCVDistressedPropertyHelp.com to answer any distressed property questions you may have and receive FREE reports.

Great Holiday Gifts that Support the National Autism Association!

Looking for gift ideas for colleagues, friends, or neighbors? Maybe even something for yourself? Feel great about these holiday purchases by knowing that a portion of the proceeds is donated to support the National Autism Association.

NAA's Shop of Hope

Featuring hope ornaments: http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/products.php?cat=58

Christie Cookies - 20% donated to NAA!

http://christiecookies.com

Enter code 25K17

Whitney Wreaths - 20% donated to NAA!

http://www.whitneywreath.com/

Enter code NAA at check out!

Wines for Autism - 1/3 of proceeds donated to NAA!

Featuring Uva Negra with a special autism label

http://www.winesforautism.com

Happy Holidays from Think Autism!