I just received a Notice Of Default, now what?
For many people, the prospect of being unable to make their mortgage payment paralyzes them with fear and anxiety. They stop opening the mail, start avoiding phone calls and procrastinate on paying the bills. The fastest way to feel relief if you are falling behind on your mortgage is to do something about it. Whether you gather your bill statements, apply for a new job or call your lender to explain your situation, moving into action will prevent you from waking up to find a Notice of Trustee Sale posted on your front door. By the time that happens, there is not much you can do to save your home.
If you have attempted to do a loan modification and it looks like you will not be able to work out a solution with your lender or refinance your home, you should put it up for sale -- immediately. The faster you get your home sold, the less damage will be done to your credit and your psyche!
Selling your home in today's market requires a real estate agent who has certified training as a Pre Foreclosure Specialist. When attempting to avoid a foreclosure, it's critical to have a trained professional representing your interests. Any Realtor that is specializing in Pre Foreclosure Sales should provide you with references. To ensure you are working with a professional that has experience with short sales, I will put you in contact with homeowners I have recently & successfully represented in a Pre Foreclosure Sale (short sales). Pre Foreclosure short sales are difficult transactions which require a skilled negotiator who knows the foreclosure process inside and out.
Here in Santa Clarita and across California real estate inventory is at an all time low. There are currently 632 active listings on the market in Santa Clarita. Many are getting multiple offers the day they are listed. Homeowners wanting to avoid foreclosure have an opportunity to take advantage of this sellers market.
As Certified Pre Foreclosure Specialist with a Certified Distressed Property Expert designation, I have the training and experience to assist homeowners who are facing foreclosure. Don't let your fear or embarrassment cause you to wake up to a Notice Of Trustee Sale posted on you door. If you have received a Notice of Default you must act quickly.
Please take the time to contact me for a free consultation and a current market analysis of your property. You owe it to yourself to learn what options you can utilize to avoid foreclosure. Due to my Law Enforcement background, all financial information disclosed is confidential and protected.
When your a homeowner facing foreclosure its difficult to manage your emotions during this process. What's important to focus on may be clouded by your attachment to the property. An experienced Realtor will be comforting throughout the process. Homeowners trying to avoid foreclosure need a Realtor who is trained to handle and negotiate these difficult transactions. Being a Certified Pre Foreclosure Specialist with a Certified Distressed Property Expert designation ensures homeowners that we have the training and experience required to handle these transactions. Here's another example of how we help Santa Clarita homeowners avoid foreclosure.
We were contacted by these clients, in Feb 2009 for a consultation. After careful analysis of their situation and their communication with a CPA and Tax advisor, these clients decided a short sale would be the best solution to minimize their financial loss and limit the damage to their credit history. We listed the property at FMV ($455,000) and represented a committed buyer to purchase the property. We educated everyone involved in this transaction on the time frames and pitfalls associated with a short sale transaction.
Jennifer and I showed the buyers what FMV was in this neighborhood and they agreed to make a reasonable offer ($425,000), which we believed the lenders would accept. Jennifer and I negotiated with BofA, who held both the 1st and 2nd liens. BofA accepted the $425,000 offer and gave the buyers a 3% credit towards closing costs. After negotiations were settled, we had a delay due to the buyers bank (Chase) not funding on time. This entire process lasted alittle over 5 months and recently closed, with the homeowner avoiding foreclosure.
Those not educated on this process will say this process is impossible or takes way to long. This is the reality of the current Real Estate Market. As a Realtor in today's market it's critical to have the training, experience and communication skills to manage and facilitate transactions for seller's and buyer's. We all just need to do our part while President Obama's administration and the banks streamline the short sale process.
If your facing foreclosure, we can help you understand your Pre-Foreclosure options. Jennifer and I provide Free Consultations! Don't gamble with your financial future, you need a trusted representative with a proven record. We extend our services to homeowners in the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and Ventura County. For recorded information on Pre-Foreclosure Options Call 1(800)805-2409 ext 2002
If your a buyer in this market you need a Realtor who has received specific training in distressed markets, has experience in representing buyers in today's market and the ability to negotiate on you behalf to get the job done. If your buying in today's market, Jennifer and I would like the opportunity to earn your business. Our buyer consultations are educational.
As a real estate professional I feel it's important to keep up with current events in the mortgage industry. Being a Loan Officer for a period of time has enhanced my skills as a Realtor. In this market Realtors need to have an understanding of real estate financing, it can make or break a deal in today's market. Understanding whats happening in the mortgage industry is critical when consulting first time buyers, move up buyers and investor's. Anyone one can copy & paste the local numbers, IE; DOM, number of properties in escrow or on the market.
When specializing in a distressed market I believe it's critical to tract the number of defaulting mortgages, the unemployment numbers and how the various Housing and Economic Recovery Acts are affecting the situation. I don't think anyone wants to go out on the limb to predict when we will hit the bottom or if we have hit the bottom.
I found this article on one of my favorite websites WWW.housingwire.com and thought I would share it with you.
By AUSTIN KILGORE
August 7, 2009 8:39 AM CST
Government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) Fannie Mae (FNM: 0.66 -16.46%) said it needs a $10.7bn injection of cash from the Treasury Department to stay afloat after losing $14.8bn in Q209.
The Q209 loss, about $2.67 per share, is less than the $23.2bn ($4.09 per share) that Fannie had in Q109.
Fannie had $18.8bn in credit-related expenses, which was down from $20.9bn in Q109. The provision for credit losses was $18.2bn, but only $4.8bn of that was for net charge-offs. The remaining $13.4bn went toward building loss reserves, as Fannie expects continued losses.
It's the third time Fannie has been forced to go to Treasury for funds to stay in business, and brings the total amount of money loaned to the GSE under its preferred stock purchase with the Treasury to $45.9bn. It has requested the funds on or before September 30.
Reportsindicate that the ObamaAdministration may "wind down" Fannie and fellow GSE Freddie Mac (FRE: 0.74 -11.90%), and possibly spin off their bad assets into a federally backed corporation, a so-called "bad bank," and let the two companies keep their performing products. The White House denies this.
Fannie is seeing an across the board increase in delinquencies and defaults, even on loans considered less risky - those with lower loan to value ratios, higher borrower FICO scores and other variables.
"This general deterioration in our guaranty book of business is a result of the stress on a broader segment of borrowers due to the rise in unemployment and the decline in home prices," Fannie said in its quarterly report.
As you can see from this article Fannie Mae is reporting huge losses and an increase in delinquencies. According the Mortgage Bankers Association National Delinquency Survey, the delinquency rate for mortgage loans on one-to-four-unit residential properties was 8.22 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, down 41 basis points from 8.63 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008. Delinquency rates always decline in the first quarter of the year due to a variety of seasonal factors. After accounting for these factors, the seasonally adjusted delinquency rate was 9.12 percent of all loans outstanding as of the end of the first quarter of 2009, up 124 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2008, and up 277 basis points from one year ago.
The seasonally adjusted rate is the highest in the MBA's records going back to 1972 and the unadjusted rate is the highest recorded in the first quarter of any year back to 1972.
The delinquency rate includes loans that are at least one payment past due but does not include loans in the process of foreclosure. The percentage of loans in the foreclosure process at the end of the first quarter was 3.85 percent, an increase of 55 basis points from the fourth quarter of 2008 and up 138 basis points from one year ago. Both the foreclosure inventory percentage and the quarter to quarter increase are record highs.
The combined percentage of loans in foreclosure and at least one payment past due, meaning the percentage of mortgage holders not current on their mortgages, was 12.07 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the highest ever recorded in the MBA delinquency survey.
We are in challenging times. With the foreclosure moratorium being removed in fall, the delinquencies numbers raising and the current unemployment numbers, how could anyone speculate if we have hit the bottom. Stay tuned for the delinquency numbers in Q3 & Q4 2009.
Has your lender filed a Notice Of Default? Don't wait till you receive a Notice Of Trustee Sale, learn your Pre-Foreclosure options from a Certified Pre-foreclosure Specialist now!
Have you missed 3 or more mortgage payments due to a reduction in pay, large medical bills, loss of job or your ARM Loan resetting to a higher payment? Has all the information you've heard in the media confused you? Are you stressed out because your lender is not responding to your loan modification request or your lender is only offering you a Forebearance which increases your principle balance? Do you want honest answers about how to avoid foreclosure? Your not alone, millions of homeowners all across America are facing foreclosure. These homeowners, like you will be making tough decisions throughout the next couple years.
Don't be mislead, as a homeowner you only have 9 options to choose from when trying to avoid foreclosure. A true financial hardship and missed mortgage payments in most cases is required to qualify for President Obama's Making Homes Affordable Program. Financial hardships limit the use of these 9 options. Here are the only options available for homeowners to utilize to avoid foreclosure.
Nine options when facing Foreclosure
1. Do Nothing - If a homeowner does nothing, they will lose their home at foreclosure auction. Loan applications generally ask if the applicant has ever been foreclosed upon. Credit reports also disclose this damaging information. Not the best option.
2. Payoff/Refinance - Completely paying off the entire loan amount plus any default amount and fees. Usually this is accomplished through a refinance of the debt. New debt is at a normally higher interest rate and there may be a prepayment penalty because of the recent default. With this option, there should be equity in the home. This option may change your non-recourse loan to a recourse loan, enabling the lender to pursue a deficiency judgment. http://banking.about.com/od/loans/a/recourseloan.htm
3. Reinstatement - Paying the entire default amount plus interest, attorney fees, late fees, taxes, missed payments and fees.
4. Loan Modification - Utilizing the existing mortgage company to refinance the debt or extend the terms of the loan. This may allow the homeowner to catch up at a more affordable level. To qualify, you must prove to the lender you have fixed the problem that caused the late payment.
5. Forbearance - Lender may be able to arrange a repayment plan based on the homeowner's financial situation. The lender may even be able to provide a temporary payment reduction or suspension of payments. Information will be required from the lender to show that you are able to meet the new payment plan requirements.
6. Partial Claim - A loan from the lender for a 2nd loan to include back payments, costs and fees.
7. Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure - Give the property back to the bank instead of the bank foreclosing. Banks generally require the home be well maintained, all mortgage payment and taxes must be current. Most loan applications ask if this has ever happened.
8. Bankruptcy - This option can liquidate debt and/or allow more time. I can refer you to a qualified bankruptcy attorney.
--Chapter 7 (Liquidation) To completely settle personal debt.
--Chapter 13 (Wage Earner Plan) Payments are made toward a plan to pay off debts in 3-5 years.
--Chapter 11 (Business Reorganization) A business debt solution.
9. Sale - If the property has equity (money left over after all loans and monetary encumbrances are paid). The homeowner may sell the home without lender approval through a conventional home sale. In this case, the homeowner will get cash from the sale. On the other hand, a Short Sale, also known as a pre-foreclosure sale, can be negotiated with your lender by your Real Estate Professional if what is owed is MORE than the property's value.
Jennifer & Gary Ricco of Keller Williams VIP Properties have sought out the best training in the Real Estate Industry to provide homeowners with honest answeres about avoiding foreclosure. Both my wife and I have earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert designation www.cdpenow.com and the Pre-Foreclosure Specialists Certification www.partnerfirst.org .
Don't gamble with your financial future, Jennifer and Gary Ricco are Realtors who are specializing in this Pre-Foreclosure Real Estate Market. Whats critical to understand about avoiding foreclosure is which option will minimize your financial loss and limit the damage to your credit history. Avoiding Foreclosure will have negative ramifications, Jennifer and I have to verify your financial hardship in order to see what programs you qualify for and what options apply to you. Whether you agree with your lender to do a forebearance or choose a short sale their are ramifications that homeowners have to understand and consider when utilizing these options.
If your about to miss payments or are in default, contact Jennifer and Gary Ricco to set up a consultation, its free, educational and will provide solutions for the difficult decisions you have to make. We extend our services to the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley and Ventura County.
FOR 24 HOUR RECORDED INFORMATION ON PRE-FORECLOSURE OPTIONS CALL 1(800)805-2409 ext 2002
By utilizing the internet and our unique 201 point marketing plan, we have the skills and technology that are necessary to sell your home in today's market, whether it's a traditional sale or short sale. As members of Keller Williams VIP Properties, The Distressed Property Institute, PartnerFirst Nationwide Short Sale Network, The Women's Council of Realtors and The Santa Clarita Advisory Network, we are committed to networking with dedicated real estate professionals who know how to work in today's market.
Our Advisory Group decided that we would invite agents in town from different companies to a bi-monthly network meeting where we would put our buyers and sellers together. Focusing our networks on our listings can mean the difference between selling and not selling in a tough market.
In today's market it means our advisory group's buyers hear about great homes before they hit the market. Is this fair to other agents who have listings that may be as competitively priced as ours but aren't networking the way we do? Not really, it's our job to position our clients, whether selling our buying, to get the job done.
Marketing
Understanding that most of today's buyer's utilize the internet to research property values, communities and to view photos of homes, Jennifer and I have created a user friendly online marketing system. Our website www.santaclaritavalleyhomesonline.comallows buyer's to educate themselves on the services we provide, search and view properties in a variety of ways. We can feature our listings utilizing virtual tours, which links our featured properties to other website's like Realtor.com, Trulia.com, Youtube.com and maney more. 
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I am a Certified Pre-Foreclosure Specialist with a Certified Distressed Property Expert designation serving North Los Angeles County, Santa Clarita Valley and Ventura County.
I'm originally from New Jersey, I have lived in Southern California for over 20 years, making the Santa Clarita Valley home for the past 14 plus years. I am an active member of this community, I am a original committee member for our local Boy Scout Troop #499 out of Stevenson Ranch. I have also coached AYSO Soccer and have taught Karate within our community. I have devoted my life to serving others through leadership in my profession and in my community.
I served in the United States Marine Corps, which afforded me the opportunity to travel all over Southeast Asia and I'm a veteran of the first Gulf War. Upon seperating from the military, I enjoyed a 14 year career in law enforcement. The experience of living and working within multi cultural communities has expanded my understanding of life.
I specialize in residential real estate, single family homes, condominiums and investment properties. I am pleased to provide my professional guidance to assist you in evaluating you real estate needs. I listen to my clients and formulate a plan that is tailored to their specific needs whether your buying or selling. As this market changes I change with it by continuing education, I am staying on top of latest real estate trends whether the market is up or down. I will provide my clients an opportunity to fill out a survey, upon completion of any transaction, that will rate my service at the end of every transaction, it is my goal to earn 100% satisfaction. I believe in, "quality consulting through continuous improvement."
With both my wife and I having worn the badge and my service in the United States Marine Corp (Semper Fi), one of my focuses is to help law enforcement and military families. While our men and women are serving our local communities or our country, I am here to help those families with the largest and most important investment of their lives. I do this with honesty and integrity.
Dealing with a hardship thats leading to a foreclosure? I'm a Certified Distressed Property Expert with a Pre-Foreclosure Specialist Certification. Are you unfamiliar with the Pre-Foreclosure process. Is a forebearance, loan modification, deed-in-lieu or a short sale an option? Do you have extra money to pay expansive hourly attorney's fees to handle this transaction, when a trained Realtor who gets paid by the lender can do it? Most individuals enter this process without any visible intervention. Homeowners who are in the pre-foreclosure process need to speak with a Certified Pre-Foreclosure Specialist as quickly as possible. For many homeowners foreclosure is not the only option however most don't have trusted professionals to explore solutions with. By dealing with a Realtor who has earned the Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE) and Pre-Foreclosure Specialist Certification (PSC), homeowners ensure that they are working with a real estate professional that is equipped to handle their specific needs.
The Distressed Property Institute & PartnerFirst trains agents to understand the foreclosure process that all together too many agents do not understand. CDPE & PSC agents have an arsenal of foreclosure solutions available to make certain they are doing everything they can to help a distressed homeowner out of their situation. I will analyze which options best suit the client and move towards resolving this financial difficulty. One very important thing to remember: no matter where your at in the foreclosure process Time is of the essence. A trained Realtor can provide you with options so you can take quick action in order to allow enough time to complete the chosen process.
People continue to flock to the Santa Clarita Valley in record numbers, and for good reason. As one of the fastest-growing communities in both California and the nation, the Santa Clarita Valley is a destination of choice for people seeking both a family-oriented atmosphere and a business-friendly environment. Many say this valley is the brightest discovery in the Golden State. In fact, USA Today named Santa Clarita one of the nation's 100 best communities in 2007. Spend some time in this thriving community and you'll discover why so many families and businesses call it home.
City of Santa Clarita
Population: 177,418
Elevation 1,200 to 1,400 feet
Santa Clarita is a city that reflects all the best of the Golden State - past, present and future. Located in a picturesque valley south of the Sierra Pelona Mountains and north of the Santa Susanna and San Gabriel mountains, Santa Clarita is big, bold and confident in its growing role as a first-choice community for raising families and building businesses. Within 35 miles of downtown Los Angeles, it is a bustling urban area with a variety of industries, affordable housing, abundant jobs and easy access to the Los Angeles basin.
The majority of the population is concentrated in the City of Santa Clarita, which contains most of the communities of Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus and Valencia. The City of Santa Clarita encompasses 46.7 square miles of the approximately 200-square-mile Santa Clarita Valley, which was named for the Spanish Saint Clare by the early padres and explorers.
A movement to establish greater local control over the valley's destiny began in 1969, when an editorial written in The Signal newspaper urged readers to unite. It took years to convince residents that becoming its own municipality would bring more political clout within Los Angeles County, meaning more tax dollars could be spent on providing much-needed infrastructure improvements in the booming valley. The independence movement took several forms, including a failed attempt at creating a new county. Critics of independence argued they would have to pay more taxes if the community became incorporated, but a citizens' committee successfully demonstrated that the proposed city's area was actually generating more money than Los Angeles County was spending in it and that if the city formed, taxes could be better spent right here at home.
Voters approved the formation of the new city on November 3, 1987. The City of Santa Clarita was officially created on Dec. 15, 1987, becoming the 85th city in Los Angeles County and the largest area incorporated in California's history.
The City of Santa Clarita is the fourth-largest city in Los Angeles County based on the 2000 Census, and it is the 25th largest city in the state. Based on 2001 statistics, Santa Clarita was the fourth fastest-growing city in Los Angeles County and the 14th fastest-growing city in California.
More business leaders are taking a close look at how the city has accomplished so much in so little time. The city has earned numerous accolades. Among them, California Business magazine named Santa Clarita the second best mid-sized city in the state in which to do business, and City & State magazine named Santa Clarita one of the top five "up and coming" cities in the nation. The city has consistently placed in the Top-10 safest U.S. cities with populations over 150,000 and within Los Angeles County, according to FBI statistics. The Ladies Home Journal rated the city as having the best government benefiting women. The special report ranked the largest 200 cities across the country in several categories, including: low crime, health care, child-care, lifestyles, jobs, education, government and overall best cities.
The Santa Clarita Valley is, in fact, Southern California's best-kept secret with its low crime, sunny climate and family-friendly environment. It's a great place to live, work, play and stay. Its unique blend of rural, old west heritage and urban sophistication has contributed to this fast-growing community's enviable balance of high-quality living and growth. That balance is carefully maintained through long-term planning and fiscal responsibility, community involvement, respect for the environment, and strong public and private support for business development. Santa Clarita's successes are evident in its residential neighborhoods and recreational attractions, in its business parks and its cultural, commercial, educational and health-care centers.
Canyon Country
Canyon Country has carved a unique identity apart from its neighbors to the west. It is the largest of the four primary bedroom communities that make up the City of Santa Clarita: Saugus, Newhall, Valencia and Canyon Country. The area started as a collection of rural homes nestled into canyons and smaller communities - Mint Canyon, Tick Canyon, Iron Canyon, Sand Canyon, Whites Canyon, Vasquez Canyon, Soledad Canyon, Honby, Pinetree, Forrest Park, Sulphur Springs and Solemint Junction. The area south and north of the Santa Clara River was renamed Canyon Country in 1968 by a residents' ballot.
Geographically, Friendly Valley and Serena Park are part of Canyon Country, as is prestigious Sand Canyon with its large estate homes, equestrian ranches and the new Robinson Ranch golf course community. Soledad Canyon Road, which runs through Canyon Country, is a primary retail boulevard surrounded by a diversity of residential neighborhoods, a Metrolink train depot and shopping centers. Some of the newer attractions along Soledad include an Regal-Edwards 10-screen multiplex and entertainment center, as well as the new Jo Anne Darcy Canyon Country Library, named after the councilwoman who retired from public office in 2002 after having served the city since its creation in 1987. College of the Canyons maintains an educational center in the library complex, bringing much-needed classrooms and a computer center into the valley's most populous community.
Pioneer Col. Thomas F. Mitchell started the first school in the valley in Sulphur Springs in 1872, while John Lang used the springs for his health resort and hotel. He has the distinction of shooting the largest grizzly bear on record, weighing in at a decidedly hefty 2,340 pounds.
Newhall
After several years of planning, Old Town Newhall is emerging as a thriving venue of unique shops, live theaters and unique restaurants. The most visible early redevelopment of the area occurred in the late 1990s when Railroad Avenue was renovated with period light fixtures and landscaping, followed closely by nearly a block of retail renovation to the structure that now holds the Repertory East Playhouse and El Trocadero Steakhouse. That same block south of Market is also the new home of the Canyon Theatre Guild, whose playhouse hosts some of the finest community theater found anywhere. Across Railroad Avenue is the third Metrolink station to open in Santa Clarita, the Jan Heidt Metrolink Station, named after one of the city's first council members.
The oldest and most historic community in Santa Clarita also features the Walk of Western Stars, a Hollywood Boulevard-style sidewalk that honors western stars and other noteworthy individuals; the Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival at the nearby historic Melody Ranch, a working movie ranch once owned by western legend and California Angels owner Gene Autry; William S. Hart Park, a county-run facility that also includes the home-turned-museum of silent western star William S. Hart, a petting zoo and expansive grounds; Placerita Nature Center; historic Heritage Junction and the historic Pioneer Oil Refinery.
Newhall was founded in 1876. Railroad tycoon Henry Mayo Newhall had a major influence on this valley's destiny, recognizing the impact railroads would have on the area. He bought the old del Valle rancho and sold the railroad right-of-way to the Southern Pacific railroad for $1 and a town site for another dollar. Southern Pacific named the little town after him.
Newhall was the setting for filming of the earliest western movies, and this heritage was maintained by silent western star William S. Hart, who bequeathed his famous home and property to the county. His home is maintained as he left it, and it is open to the public for tours. Originally an oil, mining and farming community, Newhall now holds a generous portion of the still-visible history of this valley.
Saugus
Until the late 1940s, when people moved west after World War II, Saugus was a sleepy little town surrounded by several large ranches. Today, the community caters to family living, with much of its development built along Bouquet Canyon Road, which extends through the picturesque hills all the way to the Antelope Valley, Seco Canyon Road and Copper Hill Drive. A recent residents' survey revealed that 70 percent of the homeowners want to maintain Saugus as a bedroom community and not a business-oriented area. The community is the home of the Saugus Speedway and Swap Meet, one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in Southern California; Castaic Lake Water Agency's new filtration plant and education center, and a large Metrolink Station adjacent to the speedway.
One of the newest additions to the community is the 40-acre Central Park, which includes many amenities such as lighted sports fields and some 500 trees. Phase 2 of the park opened in January 2003, boasting four additional sports fields, a new restroom facility, walkways and shade trees.
Parks have been a priority since the city was created. The city opened another park in 2001, in the Circle J Ranch area of Saugus. The 5-acre Circle J Ranch Park at 22651 Via Princessa includes a picnic area, walkways, trails and children's play area. Another neighborhood park, the 5-acre Pamplico Park, opened next to James Foster Elementary School.
Saugus also is home to the Mountasia Family Fun Center, a year-round entertainment complex that celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2005. The center is home to the only laser-tag arena in the valley. It also features video and redemption games, a rock-climbing wall, bumper boats, roller-skating and blading, go-kart racing and miniature golf. The complex also features a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour & Restaurant, which offers a full menu as well as a variety of ice cream desserts. Mountasia also is a popular spot for birthday parties and corporate events.
The Santa Clarita Sports Complex, renamed the George A. Caravalho Sports Complex after the longtime city manager who recently left, features basketball, volleyball and raquetball courts, as well as a specially designed outdoor skate park. The complex recently underwent an expansion that introduced a teen center, arcade, arts and crafts room, dance room, computer room and various community and multipurpose rooms. The newest addition to the complex is an aquatics center, boasting three pools, including a 50-meter competition pool with a professional timing system, a 25-meter dive pool, and an activity pool complete with water play equipment and a 160-foot water slide. The recently completed $9 million facility also provides concession facilities and locker/changing rooms on its landscaped, lighted grounds. With plenty of parking and ample deck space for lounging, the Aquatic Center is sure to be a popular summer destination.
Saugus also has a connection to the man after which Newhall was named. In 1887 the Southern Pacific railroad established a second train stop at Saugus, which was named for Henry Mayo Newhall's Massachusetts birthplace. The term Saugus is Narragansut Indian, meaning "sandy spit of land."
The Newhall-Saugus area became Hollywood's back lot for filming westerns. Actors William S. Hart, Tom Mix and Gene Autry took advantage of the rugged and varied topography to create the visual traditions that would define the classic western. In fact, Saugus was the scene for one of the West's last train robberies - and it was not a fictional movie tale. In 1929 "Buffalo" Tom Vernon derailed Engine No. 59 and separated passengers from their valuables. The famous Saugus Cafe opened in 1887 inside the Saugus Train Station, and in 1905 it moved across the railroad tracks to where it stands today. Among the celebrities who have dined in the cafe were President Theodore Roosevelt, President Benjamin Harrison, the King of Spain, Clark Gable, John Wayne and California Governor Gage.
Valencia
Abiding by its slogan "Built as Promised," Valencia has been carefully planned, designed and built over the last 40 years and has become one of the most popular areas in Southern California for people to raise their families. Valencia is regarded as one of the nation's leading master-planned communities and was named one of the 50 best places in the U.S. to live in the publication "Fifty Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family."
Newhall Land has developed Valencia in accordance with a master plan created by legendary planner Victor Gruen in 1965. Rather than focusing solely on residential development, the community's master plan includes every aspect of modern life - diverse residential neighborhoods that are balanced by thriving work centers, top-quality schools, abundant recreation, dynamic shopping, dining and entertainment, and public services such as medical care, government centers, a library and more.
Partly located in the heart of the City of Santa Clarita, the community occupies a portion of the original 48,000-acre Newhall Ranch. It encompasses more than 15,000 homes, tens of thousands of jobs, and distinguished institutions such as College of the Canyons and the Disney-endowed California Institute of the Arts. These two institutions will soon be joined by the future campus of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Film and Television Preservation Center on 60 acres at McBean Parkway and Rockwell Canyon Road, between CalArts and College of the Canyons.
Also unique to the community is its extensive paseo system, a series of scenic walkways and bike paths that connect homes to shops, parks and schools. There are currently about 30 miles of these innovative paseos, which are featured within each residential neighborhood Newhall Land plans. The company has partnered with the City of Santa Clarita to build miles of trails along the Santa Clara River and its tributaries.
Valencia is renowned for its open space and abundant recreation. There are currently 11 parks, all built by Newhall Land, within the community, dozens of private neighborhood recreation centers and acres of natural areas and oak woodlands that the company has set aside as permanent open space.
Valencia is home to government, health care, dining and entertainment, as well. The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clarita City Hall, Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, the county's civic center, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, Westfield Valencia Town Center, Valencia Marketplace, Valencia Country Club and TPC at Valencia, California's first and only Tournament Players Club course, are all located here
Westfield Valencia Town Center, an enclosed regional shopping center, and Town Center Drive, a half-mile pedestrian-oriented retail destination, create the hub of shopping, dining and entertainment for the valley. In addition to three major department stores, Town Center is home to a mix of quaint boutiques, leading national retailers, great restaurants, the Hyatt Valencia and Santa Clarita Conference Center, a Spectrum Health Club, and major employers including Princess Cruises and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. The mall recently unveiled plans to undergo a major expansion, which would include a larger Macy's department store.
Newhall Land has also developed Valencia Gateway, a series of planned business and technology centers that currently provide more than 55,000 jobs. As the major employment center for the Santa Clarita Valley, Valencia Gateway is home to numerous light industrial and manufacturing businesses, and is an established center for entertainment, production, and biotechnology-related industries.
Also in Valencia are numerous state and nationally distinguished elementary, junior and senior high schools, private child-care centers and Legacy Academy, a private elementary school.
Stevenson Ranch
Stevenson Ranch, set in the foothills of the Santa Susanna Mountains in the Santa Clarita Valley, offers wide-open spaces, breathtaking views, and a variety of home choices to suit a wide variety of family needs. An ideal community bringing families together to grow and experience the small-town spirit shared among neighbors, Stevenson Ranch fosters close-knit neighborhoods and family-oriented community-wide activities such as festivals and holiday celebrations. The 4,000-acre community of more than 8,000 homes features an estimated 1,000 acres of designated open spaces and parklands, and is close to various work centers and recreation.
Stevenson Ranch Elementary School, has been honored as one of the select few "California Distinguished Schools." One of community's newest schools is Pico Canyon Elementary School, which opened in 2003 at 25255 Pico Canyon Road. Education is a major concern of the community, and Stevenson Ranch provides unequaled education opportunities to its residents. Projected at the build-out of the community, a full spectrum of new educational facilities will be operational, including a middle school and a high school. Additionally, the new Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial County Park includes soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball, two children's play areas and an outdoor amphitheater.
Information courtesy of the Santa Clarita Resource Guide 2007-2008
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