Thinking about buying, selling or moving within the Santa Clarita Valley? Below are answers to some of the questions I hear most often about living in Santa Clarita and the surrounding communities of Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Canyon Country, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, Acton and Agua Dulce.

I’ve lived in the Santa Clarita area since 1981 and have been helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs since 1996. One thing I’ve learned is that each part of the Santa Clarita Valley has its own personality, housing styles and advantages.

General Santa Clarita Valley Questions

Where is the Santa Clarita Valley?

The Santa Clarita Valley is located in northern Los Angeles County, approximately 30 miles north of Downtown Los Angeles. The area includes the City of Santa Clarita as well as nearby communities such as Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, Acton and Agua Dulce.

Santa Clarita includes the communities of Valencia, Saugus, Newhall and Canyon Country.

What is it like living in the Santa Clarita Valley?

Santa Clarita offers a suburban lifestyle with a wide variety of neighborhoods, parks, trails, shopping, restaurants, community events and recreation.

Housing choices range from condominiums and townhomes to traditional single-family homes, gated communities, newer developments, larger properties and rural homes with acreage.

One of the things that makes the area interesting is that you can drive only a few miles and find a completely different type of neighborhood and lifestyle.

Is Santa Clarita a good place to buy a home?

That depends on your individual needs, budget and long-term plans, but Santa Clarita offers a wide range of housing options.

Buyers can choose from established neighborhoods, newer master-planned communities, condos, townhomes, larger homes, homes with pools, properties with RV parking and even acreage as you move toward Acton and Agua Dulce.

When comparing homes, it is important to look beyond the purchase price and consider HOA fees, Mello Roos or other assessments, property taxes, commute, lot size, future development and the overall monthly cost of ownership.

Are there HOA fees and Mello Roos in Santa Clarita?

Some communities have HOA dues, some have Mello Roos or special assessments, some have both, and many established neighborhoods have neither.

This can vary significantly even between neighborhoods located close to each other.

When helping a buyer compare properties, I like to look at the complete monthly cost rather than simply comparing sales prices.

Is there new construction in Santa Clarita?

Yes. New housing and development continue throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, including areas of Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Plum Canyon, Canyon Country and other portions of the valley.

There are also several larger planned developments that will continue adding housing in the years ahead.

New construction can be a great option, but buyers should compare builder incentives, HOA dues, special assessments, lot sizes, included upgrades and the surrounding future development with existing resale homes.

If you are considering purchasing from a builder, it is a good idea to have your own real estate agent involved before your first visit to the sales office.

Valencia

What is Valencia known for?

Valencia is one of the best-known communities in Santa Clarita and includes a mixture of established neighborhoods and newer development.

Many areas of Valencia feature paseos, parks, shopping, restaurants and neighborhood amenities. Housing ranges from condos and townhomes to larger single-family homes and newer construction.

Valencia is also home to several master-planned communities, and development continues on the western side of the valley.

What types of homes are available in Valencia?

Valencia offers a wide variety of housing, including:

• Condominiums
• Townhomes
• Single-family homes
• Gated communities
• Homes with pools
• Golf course communities
• Age-qualified communities
• New construction

Different Valencia neighborhoods can have dramatically different HOA dues, assessments, lot sizes and amenities, so it is important to compare communities carefully.

Is Valencia still growing?

Yes. The western portion of Valencia continues to see significant residential development, including the larger FivePoint Valencia master-planned area.

That growth is bringing additional housing choices while also creating ongoing conversations about roads, traffic, services, schools and infrastructure.

Saugus

What is it like living in Saugus?

Saugus is one of Santa Clarita’s largest residential areas and offers everything from established neighborhoods built decades ago to newer developments in areas such as Plum Canyon.

Many buyers are drawn to Saugus because of its variety of housing styles and neighborhood options.

What types of homes can I find in Saugus?

Saugus offers:

• Entry-level condos and townhomes
• Traditional single-family homes
• Larger homes with multiple bedrooms
• Pool homes
• Homes with RV parking
• Cul-de-sac properties
• Newer communities with HOA amenities

Some of the more established Saugus neighborhoods may have no HOA or Mello Roos, while newer communities may include both.

Newhall

What makes Newhall different from other parts of Santa Clarita?

Newhall combines some of Santa Clarita’s oldest neighborhoods with newer development and a revitalized downtown area.

Old Town Newhall has restaurants, entertainment, community events and locally owned businesses, while surrounding neighborhoods offer everything from condos to custom homes.

Are there older homes in Newhall?

Yes. Newhall has some of the older residential neighborhoods in the Santa Clarita Valley, which can appeal to buyers looking for character, larger lots or homes without some of the fees associated with newer developments.

As with any older home, buyers should carefully review the property’s condition, systems, permits and inspection reports.

Canyon Country

What is Canyon Country known for?

Canyon Country covers a large portion of the eastern Santa Clarita Valley and offers an extensive range of housing.

You can find condos, townhomes, traditional neighborhoods, newer homes and hillside properties throughout Canyon Country.

Is there new development in Canyon Country?

Yes. Canyon Country continues to experience residential and mixed-use development, particularly around transportation corridors and newer communities.

Vista Canyon and the areas surrounding the Via Princessa Metrolink station are examples of how portions of eastern Santa Clarita are continuing to evolve.

Castaic

What is it like living in Castaic?

Castaic is located just north of Santa Clarita and offers a slightly different feel from the more densely developed portions of the valley.

The community includes established neighborhoods, newer homes, larger properties and areas with hillside or mountain views.

Castaic Lake is one of the area’s major recreational attractions.

Are homes in Castaic different from homes in Santa Clarita?

Castaic offers many traditional single-family neighborhoods, but buyers may also find homes with larger floor plans, RV parking, larger lots and properties with views.

Some neighborhoods have HOA dues and Mello Roos, while others do not.

Its location near Interstate 5 also makes Castaic an area buyers sometimes consider when commuting north or south.

Stevenson Ranch

What is Stevenson Ranch known for?

Stevenson Ranch is located west of Interstate 5 and immediately adjacent to Santa Clarita.

It includes a variety of established neighborhoods as well as newer luxury residential development.

Many homes feature hillside locations, views, larger floor plans and planned-community amenities.

Is there new construction in Stevenson Ranch?

Yes. New residential development continues in the Stevenson Ranch area, including newer communities offering larger contemporary homes.

Buyers comparing new construction with established Stevenson Ranch neighborhoods should consider differences in lot size, HOA dues, assessments, upgrades and overall monthly costs.

Acton

What is it like living in Acton?

Acton offers a more rural lifestyle than most of Santa Clarita.

Properties may include larger lots, acreage, equestrian features and more space between homes.

Buyers who want a quieter setting or additional land sometimes consider Acton as an alternative to traditional suburban neighborhoods.

What should buyers know before purchasing in Acton?

Purchasing a rural property may involve additional considerations that you might not encounter with a typical suburban home.

Depending on the property, buyers may need to investigate:

• Septic systems
• Wells or water providers
• Propane
• Private roads
• Fire insurance
• Zoning
• Equestrian facilities
• Outbuildings
• Easements
• Property boundaries

A thorough inspection and investigation period is especially important when purchasing acreage or rural property.

Agua Dulce

What is Agua Dulce known for?

Agua Dulce is known for its rural setting, larger properties and open landscapes.

It offers a very different lifestyle from Valencia or central Santa Clarita and may appeal to buyers looking for acreage, privacy, equestrian property or additional space.

Are there horse properties in Agua Dulce?

Yes, Agua Dulce includes many properties with acreage and equestrian features.

However, buyers should never assume that a property can accommodate a particular use simply because neighboring properties do.

Zoning, permits, water availability, septic systems, easements and other property-specific conditions should always be investigated.

Buying a Home in the Santa Clarita Valley

Which Santa Clarita neighborhood is best for me?

There really isn’t one “best” neighborhood.

The right community depends on what is important to you.

Some buyers want newer construction. Others prefer established neighborhoods without additional assessments.

Some want a large yard or pool. Others would rather have community amenities with less exterior maintenance.

Your commute, budget, desired home size and monthly housing costs can also make certain neighborhoods a better fit than others.

I often encourage buyers to compare several communities before deciding where they want to concentrate their search.

Should I buy new construction or a resale home?

Both can be good choices.

New construction may offer newer floor plans, modern finishes and energy-efficient features.

Resale homes may offer larger lots, established landscaping, existing upgrades and potentially lower HOA dues or special assessments.

The best choice depends on the specific homes you are comparing.

Do I need a real estate agent when buying new construction?

You can have your own real estate agent represent you when purchasing new construction.

The builder’s sales team represents the builder.

Having your own agent gives you someone who can help you compare the new home with resale properties, review neighborhood considerations and guide you through the purchase process.

It is usually best to involve your agent before your first visit or registration with the builder.

Selling a Home in Santa Clarita

How do I know what my Santa Clarita home is worth?

Online estimates can provide a starting point, but they cannot see your home.

Your property’s condition, upgrades, location within the neighborhood, lot, view, floor plan, pool, HOA, assessments and current competition can all affect its market value.

I prefer to look at recent comparable sales along with the homes buyers would currently be comparing against yours.

Does new construction affect the value of my existing home?

It can affect buyer choices, but new construction does not automatically decrease the value of existing homes.

Established homes often offer features that may be difficult or expensive to duplicate in newer communities, including larger lots, mature landscaping, pools, RV parking or lower special assessments.

The key is making sure buyers understand what makes your property different.

How important is pricing when selling in Santa Clarita?

Pricing is extremely important.

Buyers have access to more information than ever and can quickly compare your home with other listings and new construction.

A home that enters the market at an appropriate price and presents well generally has a much better opportunity to attract serious buyers than one that begins substantially above current market value.

When is the best time to sell a home in Santa Clarita?

There is no single month that works for every seller.

Homes sell throughout the year.

The better question is whether the timing makes sense for your particular situation and what the competition looks like when you are ready to sell.

Sometimes having fewer competing homes on the market can be more important than waiting for a traditionally popular selling season.

Have More Questions About Santa Clarita Real Estate?

Every neighborhood in the Santa Clarita Valley is a little different, and that is one of the things I enjoy most about helping people here.

Whether you’re researching Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Canyon Country, Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, Acton or Agua Dulce, I’m happy to help you compare neighborhoods, understand current home values and determine which options make the most sense for you.

Wendy Gundry
RE/MAX of Santa Clarita
Local Since 1981
Helping Buyers & Sellers Since 1996
Serving Your Real Estate Needs at a Higher Level
DRE #01250162
WendyGundry.com