Category Archives: Real Estate

Sign of the times

Posted on August 10, 2011 by Jeff

You know things are bad in the SCV when you see creepy job ads like the one below: Do you like to drive and are good with GPS and maps? We are hiring 1 field inspector in the Santa Clarita … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Real Estate | 10 Comments

On the proliferation of short sale experts

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Jeff

I get emails now and then from real estate agents around town. Usually the agents email and tell me they’ve read my blog for awhile, they like what they see, they like the audience and the comments, and hey! Wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Real Estate | 26 Comments

Foreclosure Gate : “A Pervasive Scheme”

Posted on October 20, 2010 by Jeff

If you thought the subprime/prime mortgage meltdown of 2008 was scary, with all the related crap –collateralized debt obligations, mortgage-backed securities, NINA loans and derivatives trading- that we were forced to learn about about back then, have I got a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Real Estate | 7 Comments

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam

Posted on July 21, 2010 by Jeff

The oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it. -Aldo Leopold I’m conflicted on Newhall Ranch. On the one hand, I probably wouldn’t have an affordable home in this nice community if it … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Economy, Environment, Opinion, Real Estate | 19 Comments

Coming out of the closet

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Jeff

Dear SCVTalk Readers: I must admit, I was a bit surprised at all the blowback I received for my piece about the Placerita Canyon Property Owners Association last week. At first I thought maybe I was a little hard on … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Opinion, Politics, Real Estate | 45 Comments

Awesometime?

Posted on April 20, 2010 by Venturan

The sometimes cringe-inducing “Awesometown” adverts are in full effect, with the morning drive traffic reports sponsored by the now pervasive push by Newhall Land to snatch up stucco boxes before the Federal and State tax credit money is gone.  NL … Continue reading →

Posted in Opinion, Real Estate | 20 Comments

Do you know anyone who has strategically defaulted?

Posted on February 2, 2010 by Jeff

The NPR Planet Money team discusses the phenomenon of “Strategic Default” in which an underwater homeowner chooses to default on his mortgage because it is fiscally advantageous. In one particular case, a homeowner bought at the top and owed $400,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Real Estate | 36 Comments

Developing Valencia: The End of an Era—”The West Creek Saga”

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Venturan

Part Two of a Seven-Part SCVTalk Series, chronicling Valencia’s Final Residential Developments. The story of the greater West Creek development is one of starts and stops.  For perspective, the West Creek project was scoped and submitted to LACo around the … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, History, Real Estate | 13 Comments

Lennar Consolidates Valencia Sales Offices

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Venturan

Eschewing the traditional “sales office and model homes on the first street” cliché in tract homes, Lennar is geared to consolidate West Hills, West Creek, and RiverVillage sales offices into one free standing building adjacent Terry Miller Memorial Park, across from … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Real Estate | 1 Comment

Developing Valencia: The End of an Era

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Venturan

The original plan for Valencia centered on a high density concept, but was realized in the cul-de-sac suburban form we know and love (or love to hate). The final three housing developments carrying the Valencia brand are West Creek, West … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Real Estate | 10 Comments