We are, in fact, your local Santa Clarita home inspector.
For many people, Santa Clarita isn’t just a place where they work. It’s where they grew up, went to school, rode bikes through neighborhoods, took buses across town, and made memories that still stick decades later.
That’s true for a large part of our inspection team.
Living in Santa Clarita
One of our inspectors, Matt Estey, still lives in Santa Clarita today. He grew up here, attending Mitchell Elementary, Sierra Vista Junior High, and Canyon High School. Like a lot of kids who grew up in the area, some of his favorite memories were at Mountasia, especially the go-karts and mini golf. When it comes to eating locally, one of his longtime favorites remains Piccola Trattoria, an Italian restaurant off Sierra Highway.
Matt’s story isn’t unique within our team.
Growing Up Santa Clarita
Matt Sterkel’s family moved to Santa Clarita when he was just three years old. He went on to attend Sierra Vista Junior High and Canyon High School, where he met Juan Morales in fifth grade. They became best friends then — and that friendship continues today.
As a kid, Matt spent his time riding bikes around town and hopping on buses to explore Santa Clarita. He remembers regularly visiting the swap meet on Soledad Canyon Road, a longtime local staple that only recently closed, something many people in the SCV still feel the loss of. Halloween also stands out in his memory, especially the massive trick-or-treat gatherings on Alta Drive in Valencia behind the Albertsons and Ralphs, where thousands of people still show up year after year.
Juan Morales shares that same Santa Clarita upbringing, having gone through the same school system and growing up alongside Matt, as they lived just blocks from each other. Both of their parents still live in the area today, which means Santa Clarita has never really left their lives.
Matt Estey’s parents also still live locally.
Matthew Bano spent part of his childhood in Santa Clarita as well, staying with his grandmother in Newhall. Today, his dad, siblings, and other relatives continue to live in and around Newhall, keeping those family ties firmly rooted in the community.
These aren’t surface-level connections. These are lifelong ones.
Inspecting Homes Here Isn’t New to Us
The personal history matters — but it’s only part of the story.
Professionally, Santa Clarita has been a significant part of our work for many years. We’ve completed more than 670 inspections across SCV and surrounding communities, including Valencia, Stevenson Ranch, Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus, and Castaic. That represents roughly 7.5% of all inspections our company has ever performed — about one out of every thirteen homes we’ve inspected.
That kind of volume builds familiarity you can’t fake.
We’ve also completed hundreds of inspections in Friendly Valley Retirement Community alone. Anyone who has worked extensively in Friendly Valley knows that it develops its own construction patterns over time — aging systems, recurring issues, and common layouts that only become second nature after you’ve inspected there again and again.
This is the kind of experience that comes from being embedded in a community, not just driving into it for appointments.
Still Part of Everyday Santa Clarita Life
Even outside of inspections, Santa Clarita remains part of everyday life for many of us, whether it’s growing up here, still having family here, or simply spending time in SCV. Vice President Heather Mayer is originally from the South, but when she wants BBQ that reminds her of home, her favorite place is Smokehouse on Main. I’m also fond of the jalapeno turkey burger from the Salt Creek Grille in Valencia. And a special shout out to the Wolf Creek Restaurant and Brewing Co if you want a high-quality beer in Valencia.
This isn’t an area our team simply passes through.
For us, being “local” isn’t about what city appears on a business card. It’s about lived experience, long-standing relationships, and deep familiarity with the homes and neighborhoods we inspect.
Santa Clarita isn’t new to us.
It’s part of who we are.
Book your home inspection by calling 818-298-3405 or book online here.