A Chapter Closed with Care: Helping the Galipo Family Transition Home
Some relationships are planted in trust and have grown over the decades.
In the late 1990s, I worked at Great Western Bank, which later became Washington Mutual and eventually Chase. That’s where I first met Ron and his father, two long-time members of the West Hills community. Years later, I had the opportunity to help Ron with a mortgage—an innovative 10-year interest-only loan with a 20-year amortization that offered a lower rate than the 30-year fixed products of the time (which were in the high 6% range). That decision positioned him well to weather the Great Recession and benefit from the low-rate environment that followed in the 2010s.
Fast forward to March 2024—Ron reached out again. This time, not for himself, but to refer me to his longtime neighbor and friend, Mike Galipo.
Mike’s parents had owned their West Hills home since 1973. After five decades in the home, their family was at a difficult crossroads. His father, Charles Anthony Galipo, was in his late 90s—immobile and spending his days between a hospital bed and a recliner in the living room. His mother was navigating the final stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Together, they could no longer care for themselves.
Mike, now living in Idaho, returned to help. His brother, based in Simi Valley, supported him where he could, but full-time care was no longer feasible. With love and strength, the family made the difficult decision to move both parents into assisted living.
That’s when Clear Way Real Estate stepped in.
We helped the Galipo family navigate the complex tax implications of selling a longtime home—especially since both parents were still alive, meaning a full step-up in basis had not yet applied. Together, we reconstructed decades of home improvements to help minimize capital gains exposure, ensuring their financial path was as smooth as possible.
With a clear plan in place, the family moved swiftly. They cleaned out the home, added fresh paint and new carpet, and got it market-ready. In a touching gesture, they donated Charles’s beloved mechanic tools to local schools, honoring his craftsmanship and community spirit.
What I didn’t fully learn until later—after Charles’s passing—was just how profound his story was. He was a proud World War II veteran, serving as a Heavy Mortar Crewman in Germany. Charles was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the European Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. As we continue to lose more of our WWII veterans, it was a profound honor to serve a family who gave so much to this country. You can read more about Charles’s life and legacy in his obituary here.
His son, Mike, told me his dad was a proud, strong man—and I’ll never forget when he showed me photos of Charles in his younger years. He looked like an Adonis—powerful, confident, and full of life—a man who loved cars, gardening, music, and his family.
We listed the home with a strong pricing strategy and received 18 offers. It was ultimately sold to a young family ready to create their chapter in West Hills.
Today, we remain in touch with the Galipo family. Charles has since passed, just shy of 99 years old. His wife continues to do well. We are truly grateful to have been a part of this moment and proud to have helped guide such a meaningful transition. As I write this, a little over a year since meeting Mike and his handing me the keys after returning from a much-needed vacation, I remember thinking how grateful I was for his trust. And now, with his kind review, I know he’s thankful for the help I was able to offer as well. The Clear Way brand and vision have been there and continue growing stronger each time I encounter stories like this one.
At Clear Way Real Estate, we don’t just handle transactions. We help people open and close life chapters with clarity, care, and compassion.
And along the way, we’re often gifted something far more lasting: lifelong friendships.
👉 View the original listing here: 22451 Haynes St, West Hills, CA
