But hurry because the program expires at year end.

If you are in the process of buying a first home in California, ask your REALTOR® about this offer by the California Association of REALTORS® (CAR). 

According to CAR’s website, first time buyers may be eligible for up to $1,500 per month and a co-borrower an additional $750 per month in the event of job loss.  These benefits last for 6 months.

Qualifications include;

• First time homebuyer – i. e. no property ownership for 3 years – including the co-borrower.
• Close escrow before 12/31/09
• Use a California REALTOR®
• Property must be located in California
• W-2 employee – self-employed individuals do not qualify.

REALTORS® will pre-qualify buyers prior to the close of escrow. 

Best of all, this program is offered at NO COST to the borrower.  Rather the CAR’s Housing Affordability Fund pays the entire cost.

The following links to CAR’s website for more detailed information. http://www.car.org/tools/smart/resources/carhaf/?version=2

On Friday, November 20, 2009 I attended the SoCAL MLS Caravan meeting and was fortunate to listen to a briefing from Dan McBearty, Senior Development Manager, for Disney|ABC Studios pertaining to its recently announced plans to construct a sound stage facility in the Santa Clarita Valley.

For over 50 years, Disney has used its Golden Oak Ranch, an 890 tract for filming outdoor scenes.  This tract is located south of SR 14 and north of Placerita Canyon Road. Some of the notable productions shot on this location include The Adventures of Spin and Marty from the Mickey Mouse Club, Pirates of the Caribbean At World’s End and Dead Man’s Chest, Old Yeller, The Shaggy Dog, The Santa Clause, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and Pearl Harbor.

The soundstage facility will be constructed on a parcel consisting 56 acres of the Golden Oak Ranch directly adjacent to SR 14 and Placerita Canyon Road.  It will be called Disney | ABC Studios at The Ranch.

This facility will contain up to 12 sound stages, production offices, talent bungalows, commissary, administration offices, production shops, storage and support facilities.

Disney has designed the site with a focus on the environment including solar power, storm water treatment, and draught tolerant landscaping. 

This will be a working film production facility generating 2,854 jobs (3,152 during construction) ad more than $500 million in direct economic activity. 

Planning and approvals are expected to take about 18 to 24 months and construction through the first phase another 18 to 24 months.

More information on this important project can be found at http://www.studiosattheranch.com/ .  Also you can voice your support and receive periodic updates by going to  http://www.studiosattheranch.com/support. 

Disney’s commitment to this development should be another point of civic pride for all of us living in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The facility