So this weekend we had stunning weather at the beach here in Oxnard, CA and I decided it was time to hit the streets, check out a few open houses, and check out the "competition" and how they sit open houses in an area that I live in. This area is dominated by two agents who shall remain nameless as one is an Active Rain member, and the other, is the reason for my blogging this. I walked into agent number 1's listing and was blown away by the model-like quality even though the property was built years ago. Almost every upgrade that we in the industry consider a plus had been featured and it was love at first sight. I wanted it for myself! Drum roll please....Not only was it over-priced by a mere 250k, the listing agent sitting the open house was there with her husband who had just used ... 08/16/2010

If you click this link from February of this year, you'll see what tends to be on the list of the "must haves" in buyer choices when selecting a home. http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/108701/the-10-must-have-features-in-todays-new-homes.html;_ylt=AhdKsJzXvGz9U4lFWkQ0Y8Vfo9IF;_ylu=X3oDMTE1NXZodTExBHBvcwM4BHNlYwNyZV9zZWN0aW9uBHNsawMxMG11c3QtaGF2ZWY-?mod=realestate-homeimprove If you were purchasing a home in Camarillo, Oxnard, or Ventura, California...what would be the single most "must have"? For me it would be the updated kitchen....then, pocketbook willing, I'd have a killer ocean view! Visit me on the web to see what's available in California coast real estate at www.californiacoastpropertygroup.com   08/12/2010

My last blog regarding Chase seems like an eon ago. I've been jumping from asset manager to asset manager as I've got one located in California and one in Texas on the same property. Both purchase money on the same home. The 2nd (Texas) is sending out their collections department big time since they've learned we are negotiating a short sale and are days away from approval. I've had my Seller email me on several occasions idicating that they used her short sale package (pay stubs) to hunt down her work phone number and are now calling her at work. The problem with Chase (and I can name some personal ones as well) is typical in that one department doesn't talk to the other, etc. I'm certain you've heard it all before. But what is so distressing is when you're told you have 1st approval v... 07/30/2010

  If you owe a debt to someone else and they cancel or forgive that debt, the canceled amount may be taxable.The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualifies for the relief.This provision applies to debt forgiven in calendar years 2007 through 2012. Up to $2 million of forgiven debt is eligible for this exclusion ($1 million if married filing separately). The exclusion does not apply if the discharge is due to services performed for the lender or any other reason not directly related to a decline in the home's value or the taxpayer's financial condition. Many homeowners don't ... 07/10/2010

Early Tuesday morning a bewildered California black bear somehow ended up at a fire station on Vineyard Avenue. The authorities were called and once they arrived, the bear ran through the surrounding neighborhood and climbed a eucalyptus tree near a condo complex. Staying in that tree for a while, the luckless bear eventually climbed down and fled to a cemetary, where it climbed 25 feet up another tree, where it decided to stay. It took wardens three tranquilizer darts to subdue the animal which weight around 200 pounds. Oxnard residents were surprised by the wild animal in such an urban area, but state wildlife officials were not as bears are known to travel long distances and have huge amounts of stamina, especially when searching for food. At a little after 9am, firefighters slowly l... 05/05/2010

  I just want to reiterate that these cliffs are serious.  I hope you like to climb stairs.  This is the easiest way up I am sure.  I mean, I'm no Chumash, but jeez, under no circumstances would I try to climb up to the top of this chunk of rock in the middle of the water.  If it weren't for the stairs I would be happy to remain blissfully ignorant of what might be atop the cliffs.  I am afraid of heights.  I get enough cardiovascular exercise from the panic attack I have at the thought of having to scale this.  No thanks.   05/04/2010

  One of the most challenging parts of my Channel Islands trip was getting on and off the boat.  I am a "prepare for the worst" type who decided to bring about 65 pounds of extra gear in my pack.  I had extra everything-food, water, clothes and various survival paraphernalia. You see, the cliffs of Anacapa are so sheer they prevent any kind of normal boat landing.  The very capable captain of this vessel reverses the boat up to a rusted ladder which you must climb up or down to embark or disembark.  This was challenging to do with a heavy pack on.  I can tell you that you do not need to bring that much stuff on this trip.  Sure, if there was an emergency, which there wasn't, I would have been a hero.  Instead I was the guy who decided to lug a huge pack around for some reason.   04/28/2010

  The small blobs you can see down on the rocks are actually Sea Lions.  This is as close as I could get.  I have included this picture to give you an idea of just how steep and high these cliffs are.  There are no water sources on the island so it was never a permanent home to the Chumash Indians, the first settlers of the Channel Islands.   However, there is evidence on the island of human activity, which would suggest that the Chumash would come here to hunt and forage.  That means they would have to paddle here from one of the other islands or the mainland, and then climb up the sheer cliffs.  In an earlier post I mentioned that I just started rock climbing.  Rock climbing is hard.  There is no way I would try to climb this.  The fact that a group of people could do this on a semi-... 04/26/2010

4020 Galapagos Way, Oxnard, CA                                                                                                Offered at  $615,000      SEABRIDGE PORT MERIDIAN COLLECTION PLAN 1  Stunning attention to detail and design come together to create an inviting living environment. This 3 bedroom 2.5 bath 2,619 sq. ft. single family home has hardwood floors, built-in cabinets in the niche area and a gorgeous fireplace surround. The master bedroom and retreat are separated by a fireplace that adds warmth throughout the suite. A french door leads to a charming balcony off the master retreat. The flowing floor-plan wraps around a private interior courtyard that invites evening dinners alfresco. French doors open from the formal dining room onto the courtyard allowing ocean breezes ... 04/21/2010

  Anacapa Island is full of blooming wildflowers this time of year.  Seeing them is definitely worth the price of admission.  You can walk from one end of the island to the other in about 20 or 30 minutes.  We went on a guided tour, which stretched the walk out to about an hour.  The island is full of spots like this.  Ooh, pretty colors.   04/20/2010

  Being on Anacapa Island during this time of year reminds me of that Hitchcock classic, "The Birds," which I realize is not the most ringing endorsement of the place.   The Western Gulls come here to breed and nest.  This was early in the season but they were already setting up shop all over the island.  Apparently they will be crammed beak to cheek in a few weeks.  They nest just about anywhere, including right on the trail.  If you come too close to their nest they have no problem letting you know.  They can get real aggressive, real quick.  Hey, it's their island as far as I'm concerned.  I was just visiting.   Here is some general information about the Western Gull: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Gull/lifehistory  04/19/2010

  I can't believe I got this shot too.  These birds come right in along the edge of the cliffs almost at arms length.  They are a magnificent sight.  These are Brown Pelicans by the way.  They come to Anacapa Island to breed and nest.  I would like to have gotten a picture of one of these animals taking a sharp nose dive into the ocean to hunt, but I will take what I can get.   Lots of these birds were dying due to exposure to DDT, but I was happy to learn they are making a comeback.  Here is some more info on that: http://www.pelicanlife.org/success/recovery.html  Here is some general information about the bird: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Brown_Pelican/id 04/17/2010

  Dolphin!  I love this little guy, or girl, I am in no way qualified to tell the difference.  This is one of the added perks on the boat ride to Anacapa Island, a Dolphin escort.  They come up along the side and jump up out of the water,  I presume to get a better look at us.  Let me tell you they are fast.  I am surprised I got this shot.       04/15/2010

  This picture was taken on Anacapa Island. This is one of the islands in a chain that make up the Channel Islands National Park.  http://www.nps.gov/chis/index.htm You are looking at one of the oldest lighthouses on the West Coast.  I recently went on a day trip with some friends to this wonderful place.  It took about an hour to drive from LA to Oxnard, then about another hour boat ride to the landing on the island.  I had a great time and took a lot of pictures.  I also want to mention that we stopped for breakfast in Oxnard at a place called Mrs. Olson's Coffee Hut.  http://www.yelp.com/biz/mrs-olsons-coffee-hut-oxnard  I had Eggs Benedict, which can be easily turned from delicious into mediocre.  I must say that I was quite satisfied.  The ham was tender, the eggs expertly poached... 04/12/2010

On Saturday, February 20, 2010, there will be a fundraiser for Oxnard animal shelters through Operation Blankets of Love.  This non-profit organization gathers recycled as well as new pet-related products, such as blankets, toys, etc., and gives them to local animal shelters to help comfort stray, sick and abused animals.  Sponsored by the Oxnard Police and Fire Department's Communications Center, the event will be held from 10am-2pm at 360 West Second Street (behind the Oxnard Fire Administration Building, across the street from the Oxnard Police Department.  There will be a fun doggie costume contest (including prizes), pet adoptions, K9 demonstrations, a bake sale (proceeds go to Operation Blankets of Love) and free rabies vaccination vouchers.  The doggie costume contest requires a ... 02/18/2010

When I was a kid, there was a street not too far from my parents home where I grew up and there were these huge trees that were all along the median down the middle of the street.  It wasn't your standard run of the mill median but rather a really wide, grassy, median that ran about five or six blocks long.  Every year at this time, that street turned into our little community's own Christmas Tree Lane.  They were really nice looking tree that were really full and at Christmas time, the community would decorate the trees with lights and ornaments and in between the trees would be a variety of religious scenes as well as some more popular and contemporary (at least what was considered popular and contemporary for the late 60's early 70's) Christmas scenes.  Furthermore, many of the homeo... 12/11/2009

Back on the market and move in ready!  2 bedroom 2.5 bathroom 1425 sqft tri level  corner unit condo located in the Seabridge community, Ventura County, Ca. The bedrooms are on the 3rd floor. On the second floor is the kitchen with newer stainless steel appliances, family room with fireplace and balcony, laundry area.  Sale includes washer, dryer and refrigerator. 2 car direct access garage on ground level. Coastal living and very affordable, the current list price is $320,000. The previous buyer has walked, the BPO came in at $330,000, this is a short sale. We are looking for another offer to present to the lender. Walk to tennis courts, boat docks and the new Seabridge Village restaurants and shopping center. You as a buyer need an agent who truly understands this market and can help... 12/08/2009

Good Morning!  It's Sunday October 11th... Brandon's (my husband) birthday today!!  Happy Day!! I had an "ahh ha" moment recently and I thought I'd share it with you!  I was reading about a famous mountain climbing resort over in the Swiss Alps. They have this one "beginner mountain," and several times a month, different companies bring their employees as a group to climb up the mountain together. It's a special exercise that is meant to build camaraderie and teach teamwork.  It's about an eight-hour hike to the top of the mountain so the group normally gathers at the base about eight in the morning. At the beginning of the morning, they are really fired up and enthusiastic.  Everyone can't wait to make it to the top and have their picture taken together to celebrate their accomplishmen... 10/11/2009

What next?  That's the question Dr. Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics was attempting to answer for the audience attending the Oxnard Economic Outlook put on by the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce I attended this morning. Dr. Thornberg explained that the biggest issue is the national economy-a lot of uncertainty out there for a lot of reasons.  Basic economic indicators are not that hard to read, but to figure out what Fed Chairman, Ben Bernanke, President Obama and Congress will do and how that will impact the recovery, well, that's hard.  Clearly, he says, we're at the bottom, the question is how strong will the recovery be?  He says according to the "Public Opinion Meter" the recession is over.  Dr. Thornberg is not so sure.  The economy today is 4% smaller than a year ago.  Across the ... 10/08/2009

Remember this house?  Appropriately dubbed the "House of Doors", doors, and more doors! Yes, the same house that also had a bath tub immediately adjacent to the master BED (not room, BED) Yes, the very same house with oddities such THIS ?!?! Well, nay-sayers of Home Staging,  I am here to state that even though the average days on the market for this BEACH community is 146 days - this one is under escrow in just 48 days AFTER Staging! HA! ************************************************************************************         Platinum Home Staging, Inc.   Home Staging Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Canoga Park, Van Nuys, West Hills, Northridge, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Wood Ranch, Thousand Oaks, Calabasas, Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Westlake Villag... 09/28/2009