Harley Ramsey Chatsworth, CA Real Estate

This last Sunday, I went to my first live real estate auction. I have been to fundraising live auctions before for my kids' schools, but this was a new experience! A cute puppy or front row seats at graduation might fetch a handsome sum, but this was a whole different level!

On the auction block were twelve newly built townhomes in a desirable Chatsworth neighborhood. The units had been open for previewing for a few weeks prior to the auction: I had gone twice, with two different buyers one of whom accompanied me to the auction with the intent of making a bid and hopefully walking away a first time homebuyer. The units ranged in starting bid prices from $140,000 to $170,000. All units featured upgraded materials, high ceilings, and large open kitchens with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. The square footage ranged from a bit over 1500 to a bit over 2500.

Those were the only numbers my client and I knew going in--what we didn't know was how high the bidding would go. The auctioneer began with the published starting bid and went up quickly in $10,000 increments; as the bidding escalated and there were fewer bidders he went up by $5,000 increments. Eventually, he went up in $1,000 increments, often between just a few bidders. It was interesting to see how the smaller increment bidding played out: if the price were, say, $320,000 and nobody bid up to $325,000 the auctioneer would ask for $321,000 then $322,000 and so on. Guess what? The price would eventually exceed the earlier stopping threshold of $325,000. Perhaps buyers felt they were so close--what's another thousand dollars?

Ultimately, the sales prices ("subject to seller's acceptance," which the auctioneer said every time after booming "sold!") for the units ranged from just over $300,000 to $400,000--well over double the starting bids! And my buyer? He is still waiting to be a first-time homeowner, but his day will come!

If you would like more information on new construction in the San Fernando Valley, or Chatsworth properties in general, let me know and I will be happy to tell you more.

Chatsworth Houses Sold 9/01/08- 9/30/08

In my monthly print newsletter, I give the previous month's home sales in Chatsworth. For the past few months, 21 homes closed each month but September pushed the volume higher to 24 closed sales! I knew it was busy, both from personal experience and from talking with fellow North Valley agents. Alas, the average sales price was lower and the average days on market rose.

For more information on these homes or any other property, call or email Harley.

The information on these properties was provided from the SoCalMLS and represents the sales of all companies. Information deemed to be accurate but not guaranteed and provided for the sole purpose of keeping you updated in your area. This is not intended as a solicitation if you currently have a broker.

Wow, what an amazing and inspiring response to the recent Keller Williams food drive! I picked up 53 bags (and one box) of non-perishable items, and my car was packed tighter than a car when a new grad drives away to college. I was truly touched by the outpouring of generosity from my Chatsworth neighbors.

Many agents in my Keller Williams Northridge office participated in Food Drive '08, and I am proud to be a part of a company that cares! The Valley Food Bank came to our Keller Williams Northridge office and delivered the entire haul to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, a very appreciative recipient.

Thank you to everyone who donated and to everyone who encouraged me as I was stopping by door-to-door with the empty bags during our record heat wave-hopefully next year the weather will be cooler!

If you or someone you knows is looking for a neighborhood with heart, call me and I would be happy to show you some lovely homes in Chatsworth, CA.

Okay, that may be an overstatement...and it certainly isn't a warm and fuzzy Reason #1 for loving Chatsworth, but just about every day I'm driving all over the San Fernando Valley and I literally say to myself outloud in my car, "I love the 118 freeway!"

For those of you who don't live in the Valley or the Los Angeles area or a similar metropolitan jungle or its suburb, you might not know what bad traffic is like and my euphoric outburst may seem extreme. Forget about the mocassins, don't judge me until you've driven a mile on the 101 in rush hour. Gridlock traffic drove Michael Douglas crazy in one of his movies (I don't recall whether it was LA traffic, but the bumper to bumper visual is the same). You're just sitting in your car, watching the clock tick forward and the gas gauge tick downward.

I lived for 15 years in Sherman Oaks, near the intersection of the 405 and 101 freeways. I loved Sherman Oaks, my home, and my neighbors, but this particular freeway intersection should have been awarded the dubious distinction of the "most congested intersection in the world"--I swear I heard this once, and if it isn't true the intersection would have been a close runner up.

In contrast, the 118 is typically smooth sailing. The 118 runs along the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley, westwards to Chatsworth, Simi Valley, and connecting with the 23 South in Moorpark; it runs eastwards through Northridge, Granada Hills, and ultimately to the 210 freeway, connecting with the 405 and I5 along the way.

Here is a recent mid-day traffic snapshot showing the San Fernando Valley traffic patterns--love that green along the 118!

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a home, and lifestyle is one of them. Your lifestyle includes your daily commute and traffic tolerance. It also includes neighborhood information, shopping, parks and recreation, and a host of other issues. My website www.HarleyRamsey.com offers neighborhood and community reports, and I would be happy to talk with you about San Fernando Valley living and homes for sale.

If you (or somebody you know) are looking for a real estate agent who will make the process of buying or selling a home feel like an easy drive with green lights all the way, email me at Harley@KW.com.