Pablo Santibanez

Current statistics for the California real estate market are as follows:

The number of sales for March throughout the state for both condos and homes totaled 36,216 up 23.9 percent from the same period last year. That's the good news, however of those sales 57% were foreclosed properties compared to 35% the year before. The good news is this inventory is being absorbed. The bad news is it is artificially dropping prices of homes. The good news is that this increases home affordability thus more people qualify to buy a home. The bad news is if your a homeseller trying to sell your home competing with real estate owned (REO) or foreclosed homes which in many cases are lower in price compared to the typical arms length transaction.

Some additional local stats

Los Angeles county for the month of March sold 5,793 properties in March at a year to year average price difference of -35%

Santa Clarita dropped -24%

Stevenson Ranch -47%

So the bottom line is the news can be good or bad depending on where your at in the real estate equation. If I were thinking of buying I would stop thinking and start acting, this is the time to sieze a good bargain when people are more apt to negotiate and work with you. As the market begins to shore up you will lose the psychological advantage of gloom and doom in the market so buy now when the bargains prevail.

If you would like to know what is going on in your specific neighborhood in terms of statistics and real estate related activity contact our office at 661.713.1749 or e-mail me at pablo@fastappraisals4u.com

FastAppraisals4u.com is a local Real Estate Appraisal firm working throughout the Los Angeles County area. We specialize in the Appraisal of single family homes and can be found on the web at www.fastappraisals4u.com

Source: Dataquick

Copyright 2009 Pablo Santibanez All Rights Reserved

Traveling with Mr Johnson Our first adventure Pisgah Crater California

Well for those of you who were not aware of my first post I wrote about how I regretted not taking advantage of the opportunities throughout the year to travel with Mr Johnson with my oldest daughter. I won't bore you with all the gory details, but if you want to know what it's like to be a parent and not go on these adventures read the following Traveling with Mr Johnson

For those of you who plan to travel with Mr Johnson take a lesson from me.

One of my personal goals this year was to spend more time with my family. Now I talk a good talk about what I should be doing , but am I walking the walk?. I knew exactly what I needed to do this year and that was to make better choices with how I spend my time, especially when it comes to my daughters.

Well that opportunity came up this year as my middle daughter came up to me and mentioned she had Mr Johnson as her history teacher! And that he was planning a trip to the local lava tubes. Lava Tubes? Thank God for second chances there is no way I am missing out on this trip. What day is it? Let me check my calendar, That date falls on the third day of a three day How to achieve rock star status in your business seminar I am attending

I had a decision to make do I attend the last day of the seminar or spend the day with my daughter and Mr Johnson. Well as you will soon learn I made the right decision this time around. I understand from those I later spoke with in attendance at the seminar that the last day was great but not as great as spending time with my daughter!

Our first adventure this year took us to Pisgah Crater just past Barstow off of Interstate 40. I often thought that this stretch was always going through some sort of burned brush clearing but a closer look exposes that this area is covered with black lava. Unfortunately the original crater is being mined and is losing it's original form for various related products such as the lava rocks you use in your barbeques, and other similar uses.

Just a rock throw below from the crater lies the lava tubes, these are crawl spaces and underground caves created from the lava that once poured from this crater some estimated 2000 years ago a milisecond in this arena. It's pretty cool to be crawling through these tunnels and rock formations created out of lava thousands of years ago. If you haven't been to this location I recommend it. Just make sure you wear a miners type headpiece or bikers light some old clothes gloves and a bikers helmet and your good to go. I was amazed at the number of participants that joined us on this trip literally a hundred or more parents and there kids combined.

I have to admit I was not dissapointed this being my maiden trip and a great start for the year!. Looking forward to the next adventure with my daughter, her classmates, and of course Mr Johnston

Excerpts from "When I look back at my child's first year at Rancho Pico Jr High, My biggest regret was not traveling w/ mr Johnson.

"Sure I attended all of the open houses and other similar activities, but I missed out on all of those after school adventures "traveling with Mr Johnson" which I could have attended had I planned things better. These are missed opportunities to spend "Quality" time with my child doing something I absolutely love. That is exploring, and in addition to that, exploring with a teacher who shares the love of the outdoors and it's history. Something I have all but abandoned in my "Pursuit of happiness"

We live in a valley full of it's own rich history (Santa Clarita Historical Society), we need to dig deeper to appreciate what is right here in our own backyard here in Santa Clarita, California. Make it a point to visit Mr Johnson's personal website http://www.mrjohnson.org/ whether you have a student or not. It is a wealth of local historical information and activities. If you do have a student that is enrolling in 7^th grade this coming year be sure to get involved and take advantage of "traveling with Mr Johnson". Plan and make the time to share these learning experiences with your child and learn more about the person who is helping shape your children's views of history. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Note to Mr Johnson, You have rekindle the adventurer I once was as a child and young adult, and I hope to pass this on to my children. Thank you, for reminding me of this, may you continue to be an adventurer and never lose sight of that voyage....

Copyright © 2009 Pablo Santibanez International All Rights Reserved

I was reading the "The Signal" our local community newspaper this last Friday Nov 28, 2008 and came across an article entitled "Giving, and giving thanks"

The article was about a local business owner (Roger Hasper) and his wife (Shannon) and how they transformed the back parking lot of there bicycle shop into a Thanksgiving feast for hundreds (Approximately 300).

Here is a local business man called to give back to his community. Why? he's asked, because "Matthew 25:35 tells you what to do" Here is an example of Faith in action, qouting scripture, an extraordinary act of kindness one man's way of giving back to his community.

I don't know about you but next time I think of buying a bike or biking accessory I won't be thinking of some large national chain. I'll be visiting our local heroes Roger and Shannon at their bicycle shop here in Newhall. God Bless you guys!!!

May the source be with you.

All Rights Reserved Pablo Santibanez Copyright 2008

Does this sound familar? You just bought a home it's days before closing and you get that last minute call, it's the lender!. They tell you, the underwriter reviewed your loan and everything looks O.K. But ... your home insurance policy you just bought is noit enough coverage. You respond back in panic "But that's what the insurance agent said it would cost to replace my home! " "You need to have at least the same amount of insurance coverage as your loan amount in order to close on time" your lender warns. You don't want to lose your rate lock due to a delay and you certainly don't want to delay escrow! Remember theres the movers, etc... So you call your insurance agent, and they do as you say. What's wrong with this picture?

PLENTY!!!! IT IS ILLEGAL to require your client get coverage to cover the loan amount in CALIFORNIA !!! and in most states!. What is illegal about it? Making you get insurance above and beyond the cost to replace your home in the event of fire or other catastrophic event that is covered by your policy. Irregardless of what your home is worth the cost to replace it has no connection to your loan amount. Let me repeat this the cost to replace your home has no connection to your loan amount. As I review clients policies I run into this practice more often than I like. A few (small minority) of insurance agents intentionally pull a "sargeant shultz" I know nothing and turn away as it is in their financial interest to overinsure their clients. Most don't and I have made it a personal crusade to educate my clients on how to address this with their lender to get reimbursed for the overpayment of premiums. That alone has saved my clients from hundred's to thousands of dollars they overpaid before I even discuss my new insurance proposal and what we can do for them .

A warning to consumers, if your agent simply does what you tell him/her, and only focuses on the price of your insurance premium. Run! You are getting what you paid for NADA, Zippo.

Your Insurance agent should be an advocate on your behalf and educate you on these types of issues.

Do you love your Insurance agent?

When you get that reimbursement check you will.

May the source be with you

All comments, opinions, expressed are simply my own and do not reflect those of the entities I represent as an Independent Agent.

All Rights Reserved Pablo Santibanez Copyright 2008

Thinking of moving to Frisco? No, not that Frisco, I'm talking about the lone star state of Texas! This is where you can get more cattle under your hat. Take a look at this home in the exclusive executive Starwood Estates at 5378 Elm Spring Frisco Texas. I remember the first time visiting my brother in law Nick Gianis and driving down the highway in Frisco Texas asking myself when they were going to update or take down these roadside signs for homes for sale at those old prices. To my surprise those signs were not old those prices were current asking prices!! Incredible what you can get in Frisco Texas for the same price you can get in California. There is no comparison! Texas is by far the better value!! All these homes have all the upgrades too that are far too many to mention.

My brother in law is selling his home in Frisco Texas. and have since moved back to California. He gave up his "corporate job" in Texas to pursue a dream. He hates the fact that he had to leave the lone star state and this community but it made more sense to move back to California. Nick got together with a group of childhood friends here in California who partnered to create there own company "Life's Building Blocks". The company he helped found is dedicated to providing, books, games, and products geared towards teaching children in their formidable years about values without "preaching to them" If you are interested in this for your child or If you know of anyone who has a small retail business who would like to sell his products in their store, now is the time to act. No establishment for the time being is "Too small", so don't be intimidated to call Nick. Click here for more details on Life's Building Blocks.

Anyone looking for an incredible value, for a beautiful home, in a gated community with a pool. Did I mention in the exclusive "Starwood" executive estates area of Frisco Texas. Click here to learn more.

May the source be with you

All views, opinions, observations are strictly my own, unless stated otherwise, and do not reflect the views of the entities I represent as an Independent Agent

Santa Clarita Real Estate Some Rights Reserved Pablo Santibanez Copyright 2008 Join the network