Valencia is the classic San Fernando Valley step-up: newer master-planned homes, the Hart District schools, and paseo-connected neighborhoods - often for less per square foot than Encino.
What you gain
Families moving from Encino to Valencia typically trade older SFV housing stock for newer, larger, master-planned homes (Westridge, Tesoro, the TPC-adjacent areas), the William S. Hart Union High School District, and Valencia's signature paseo trail network - a short drive up the 405/5 corridor.
Prop 19 for in-state movers
California's Proposition 19 can let eligible homeowners - those who are 55 or older, severely and permanently disabled, or victims of a wildfire or natural disaster - transfer the taxable (base-year) value of their primary home to a replacement primary home anywhere in California (the 55+/disabled categories may use it up to three times). Confirm eligibility with the California Board of Equalization and a tax professional.
Taxes on your sale
Federal law lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) on the sale of a main home if you meet the ownership and use tests (IRS Publication 523). Gains above the exclusion are taxable, so a long-held, highly-appreciated California home can still carry a sizable taxable gain - consult a CPA.
The Valencia market
Valencia closed too few single-family sales in June 2026 (11) to publish a community median; ZIP 91354 ran $1,050,000 on 7 sales (Chicago Title Market Trend Report, June 2026 full-value sales compiled from MLS and public recorded data, pulled 2026-08-15; data.json). I help SFV step-up buyers compare Valencia neighborhoods and confirm Hart District attendance by address. See also: Santa Clarita / Valencia · Valencia High zone.