A Five Point Therapy Session on Buying a Home.   Everyone seems to be fixated on the housing market.  Whether it be keeping track of your current homes value or knee deep in a potential home search.  The main question in everyone's mind, written on note pads, or sitting in their Google search history is "Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home?"  I am here to give you a five point therapy session on buying a home which will give you a simple edge over the competition.  The FIRST POINT is to make sure you know what your home is worth.  Go here to get a very accurate and quick valuation of your home. The SECOND POINT is to make sure you see any homes available or that come up immediately without waiting for an agent to call you.  Go here to get immediate, constant, automatic delivery of homes fo... 04/08/2013

  Local Housing Market Information for Agoura Hills CA   Everyone has been to some party where there is always someone spouting out local housing market information, numbers, data, facts - on and on.  If you are like me, you do like to hear it, but always have a small sense of doubt as to its accuracy. We all have this need to find out the facts ourselves so we can trust them completely. This information is extremely important in this day and age as it keeps us up to date on our homes value (typically the most important asset we have) or to keep track of home prices in the area we want to call home. We can provide you with solid, accurate and current data for your local housing market with the simple click of the link below... Instantly. Once you click the link feel free to enter the zi... 03/30/2013

One of the Best Areas to Live in Agoura Hills CA One of the best areas to live in Agoura Hills CA is in the Morrison Ranch subdivision. Why Do People Choose Morrison Ranch in Agoura Hills CA?The Morrison Ranch Subdivision in Agoura Hills is a very special enclave about 45 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.  The subdivision comprises about 1,250 homes, built in the early 1980's, and sits at the epicenter of Agoura Hills just outside its retail corridor.  A large number of people that have chosen Morrison Ranch in Agoura Hills CA drive for work to Downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, and many areas of the Westside of Los Angeles.  The drive can be quite special in its own right.  There is the typical standard highway 101 route or the ... 03/14/2013

  “Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better. Don't wish for less problems, wish for more skills. Don't wish for less challenge, wish for more wisdom” ― Jim Rohn Nothing is impossible, the word itself says,  I'm possible! SEARCH homes in CALIFORNIA KNOW the VALUE of your HOME. I negotiated my client's short sale, got his debt forgiven, $28,000.00 cash in his pocket & I have the check to prove it!!! Dream A little Enter to win HGTV Dream Home giveaway. Enter to Win a $100,00 Home Energy Makeover!!! 03/09/2013

Dealing with the old question pertaining to the glass as half-full or half-empty is a good way of determining one’s level of positive thinking.  An American author once said, “Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you are going to live your life.”  Without a doubt, your state of mind mirrors your viewpoints in life, your thoughts and feelings towards yourself and others, and your overall wellbeing.  As a matter of fact, several studies have shown the physical effects of character attributes such as optimism and pessimism, as your attitude has a direct influence in a number of areas in of an individual’s health and comfort. Thinking More Positively Having a positive mind will undeniably help you cope with the daily glees and stresses that come ... 03/04/2013

Dial-a-Ride in Agoura Hills CA Nothing adds to the small town feel of Agoura Hills CA like a transportation program for people in the area at a very low cost, provided soley for the benefit of the residents.  The Dial-a-Ride program in Agoura Hills CA is operated by the City of Agoura Hills and serves as a very low cost alternative for curb to curb pick up and drop off.  The vans are of a smaller size, very comfortable and clean, and disabled accessible.  It feels like your own private driver!!    Areas Served:  Within the City of Agoura Hills, Oak Park, and some adjacent areas. Operation Hours:  Monday thru Friday - 7:00am to 7:00pm AND Saturday - 9:00am to 4:00pm Cost:  $1.50 each way.  There is also certain designated drop off points out of the immediate area in Westlake Village, Tho... 02/20/2013

How Far Agoura Hills CA Really is From Los Angeles A lot of people hear from friends or family that live in this peaceful community called Agoura Hills CA and wonder how far Agoura Hills CA really is from Los Angeles and other surrounding city centers.  Some people initially believe that Agoura Hills is to far from their work locations.  To be honest with you, I personally had the same concerns when I moved to Agoura Hills. But, a long time ago I looked at Agoura Hills for a possible move for my family and within a couple of hours of being here I was in.  I was fixated.  I was in glorified awe.  Hook line and sinker as they say. What got me was the clean air, gorgeous surrounding green mountains and oak trees all over the place, the down to earth people, the open space, and the distance... 02/15/2013

Homes for Sale in Agoura Hills CA Between $600,000 and $800,000   Looking for your perfect dream home for sale in Agoura Hills CA between $600,000 and $800,000? Going on the internet and trying to get real time information on these types of specific home searches may seem like you are getting the whole picture but you are not.  A lot of sites are not updated regularly or contain incomplete data. We can provide you and keep you notified instantly (the same time our agents get notified) if and when a home in Agoura Hills CA in this price range comes on the market, goes under contract, or is sold. We make it incredibly easy with just a touch of a button.       CLICK THE IMAGE above for immediate access to homes for sale in Agoura Hills CA between $600,000 and $800,000   Homes for Sale in A... 01/27/2013

Agoura High School Girls Basketball One of my favorite local sporting events in the Agoura Hills CA area is watching the Agoura High School Girls Basketball games, league games and tournaments. This probably stems from the fact that my daughter plays for the high school team.  But I always continue to have a soft spot in my heart for all youth sports organizations and try to remain involved through volunteering and such, regardless if my kids are in those leagues or not. The Agoura High School Girls Basketball program was fortunate to attract a new varsity and overall program coach this year in addition to the incredible coaches already present.  From the outset, during the summer high school games and tournaments, the coaching staff has really made a mark as overall leaders for competi... 01/17/2013

Homes for Sale in Agoura Hills CA with 2500 to 3000 Square Feet Looking for that perfect home for sale in Agoura Hills CA with 2500 to 3500 square feet?  Just enough room for you and your family to live a comfortable dream in the clean air? It is normally difficult to search just for that perfect size home you desire but we make that extremely easy with the click of one button!   CLICK THE IMAGE above for immediate access to homes for sale in agoura hills CA in this perfect family size range.   Homes for Sale in Agoura Hills CA with 2500 to 3000 Square Feet 01/11/2013

  The New Single-Family REO Rental Asset Class By Amilda Dymi Institutional investors of all sizes are reportedly amassing billions of dollars in capital they plan to invest in renting unsold real estate owned inventory, which according to analysts, is building up demand for larger-scale investments. By some accounts, according to Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst Jade Rahmani, roughly $6 billion to $9 billion “has been raised or committed” by investors suggesting potential acquisitions of anywhere from 40,000 to 90,000 properties. Nonetheless, this inventory amounts to only around 15% of the nation’s REO inventory. In other words, Rahmani argues, more financial leverage is necessary. Furthermore, since the single-family rental market “has historically been fragmented, funded with capital... 01/09/2013

Short Sale Homes In Agoura Hills CA Under $500,000The short sale market is expected to start drying up during 2013 as many lenders in California are showing signs that they would rather work out a loan modification with an existing borrower than sell the property at a loss to their loan.However, there are some short sale homes in Agoura Hills CA under $500,000 that are still available.  Being able to grab a short sale home in the affluent area of Agoura Hills CA is quite a rarity which won't last much longer.These properties really go fast as short sale buyers know the value and actually can witness the discount they are getting on a short sale home purchase.I recently had a client that purchased a home in short sale with a current loan balance of $568,000.  The bank was willing to acce... 01/03/2013

The Best Holiday Decorations In Agoura Hills CA I always take an hour or so after the first week of December to drive the various neighborhoods in search of The Best Holiday Decorations In Agoura Hills CA.  This year it was hard for me to create my top 5 as there were so many homes that blew my mind, and my pupils! Then, at my daughter's insistence, I was forced to narrow all of those homes down to just 2.  How was I going to do that? What took the cake and brought the 2 homes pictured below to the top of the list was not just the lights and blow up Santa Clause.  This year The Best Holiday Decorations in Agoura Hills CA home winners brought it to a whole new level.  These homes have a suttle backgroup humming of Christmas carols along with actual working trains on the front lawn blowin... 12/23/2012

Agoura Hills CA During the Holidays In most places in California it is hard to appreciate what real seasons are.  We are lucky to get the feeling of Summer, Winter and Spring, which all seem to merge together in a blob of general California weather. Some people here love it and others tell stories about what seasons really are, those that are transplants from other states. Well, Agoura Hills and the surrounding areas have the closest thing to seasons I have felt.  Agoura Hills CA during the holidays has weather that turns the leaves this unbelievable color throughout the neighborhood, which lasts a couple weeks until the leaves fall to the ground.  Then the temperature drops..drops...drops.  Coming off 85-110 degree summers, over a few weeks time, just past Halloween, the temperature dr... 12/20/2012

Morrison Ranch Agoura Hills CA A lot of our clients tell us how they are getting old and out-dated information when they previously searched for homes or home values in Morrison Ranch Agoura Hills CA on the internet.  We hope to clear that up here and provide you all with a MUCH BETTER SOLUTION. Do you ever feel bogged down trying to search for homes or see your home's value? Do you ever wonder if the large real estate search sites such as Zillow or Realtor.com are showing you exactly and accurately what is on the market or what has sold? Did you know that there is sometimes a large lag period in the time something happens in your market and when it gets posted on those sites? Don't you think you deserve up to date, accurate and real time information on homes available, pending or sold ... 12/10/2012

Agoura High School Silent Auction is Here The annual Agoura High School Silent Auction will take place Friday December 7, 2012 between the hours of 6:30pm-9:00pm in the "G" building on the Agoura High School campus. Tickets only cost $5.00 and include refreshments and entry into the auction. All money raised at the auction will support the many Agoura High School clubs, campus activities, events and athletics programs.  I have never seen a high school with so many clubs and events going on.  There is truly something for everyone and that is made possible mainly by fundraising events like the auction. This year the Agoura High School auction features tickets to "The Who" concert, a 2 night stay in a condo in Mammoth Lakes CA, 2 Dodger dugout tickets with all food and drinks included, of ... 12/03/2012

JAY & MICHELLE REAL ESTATE TRIVIA - 11/30/12 It's that time of the week for another REAL ESTATE TRIVIA QUIZ from Jay & Michelle, Broker Associates at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Westlake Village CA TODAY'S REAL ESTATE TRIVIA FUN FACT Did you know that Agoura Hills is known for its genesis of many music rock groups, some of which remain hit bands today?  In the past, as kids have grown up in stages over the many years of the development of Agoura Hills, music seems to have been a large focus for them.  The City has attempted to promote these kids in music and the arts. CAN YOU NAME 2 BANDS THAT ARE STILL AT THE TOP OF THE CHARTS WITH THEIR ROOTS IN AGOURA HILLS? Click Here and Scroll Down for the Answer! JAY & MICHELLE REAL ESTATE TRIVIA - 11/30/12 11/30/2012

Agoura Hills Local Park Closures        BE AWARE... The City of Agoura Hills CA will be intermittently closing certain areas of Chumash Park, Old Agoura Park Ball Fields, and Morrison Park during the time period of the first week of December 2012 through the end of February 2013. The closures are due to annual grass seeding and other park maintenance. If you are planning a party, a day out in the sun (or rain like today), a pick-up game, or a practice for one of your local youth sports teams, be aware of the closures. The City of Agoura Hills says they will try and keep everyone updated and you can find such updates at the following links to the Agoura Hills Recreation Department: www.agourahillsrec.org www.facebook.com/agourahillsrec Agoura Hills Local Park Closures   11/29/2012

AGOURA HILLS AND CONEJO VALLEY INVENTORY RECORD LOW   I may sound like a broken record here, as I have posted a lot on the extremely low inventory of homes for sale in Agoura Hills CA and the Conejo Valley as a whole. But, I think a visual of the inventory level will really be striking. Below is a graph of the inventory by time period from May 2005 through November 27, 2012.  As you can see, we are at the lowest point in over 7 1/2 years! IF YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING AND CONSIDERING SELLING, WE ARE IN A PERFECT STORM FOR HIGHER PRICES AND MULTIPLE OFFERS.  ESPECIALLY AS PEOPLE NEED TO BUY A HOME FOR A MOVE JUST AFTER THE FIRST.   11/28/2012

3.8% New Tax Not So Scary. You may have heard bits and pieces of the new 3.8% tax that could be applied to the sale of a principal residence beginning January 1 2013 .  There have been many rumors and mischaracterizations of this new tax, which has caused some fear and reservations in our clients decision to sell their homes.  I feel I should attempt to clear up the new 3.8% tax as simple as possible so you all can understand it and take a hopeful sigh of relief. A quick note:  the National Association of Realtors stated that they believe this new tax will only apply to 2-3% of home sellers and the tax, if due by these very few, will be paid starting with your 2014 tax return and not collected in escrow. To back up a step, the design of the new 3.8% tax was to create an estimated $210 b... 11/27/2012