April 2018

Florence's...

Service For Life !

Insider Tips for Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Living

If you're not already a subscriber to my free e–newsletter e-mail me at Florence@bchrealestate.com to sign up

Florence Gadbois, Realtor CA BRE#01040021 (805) 701-8410 E-mail: Florence@BchRealEstate.com

Are Your Business Emails Getting Read?

Billions of business emails are sent every day worldwide, but recipients hit the “delete” key on many of them. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, we offer tips to make sure your emails get read. You’ll also learn the signs you should look for that might suggest aging parents need extra help at home, four of the latest ways to save money on online shopping, and some easy ways to boost your home’s curb appeal – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. But first… Here’s what’s happening in your neighborhood. Sales statistics for Mandalay Shores, Hollywood Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Westport, The Colony, HarborWalk, Harbour Island and C.I. Waterfront Homes. Note: An inventory of less than 6 months is considered a seller’s market; more than 6 months, a buyer’s.

Closed Escrows

Active Listings

Inventory (months)

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 15 11 17 21 21 15 16 14 18 12 18 25 18 34 7 thru 3/20

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

January February

66 50 62 75 70 3.41 2.48 2.7 4.02 2.13 73 53 63 84 53 4.32 2.78 3.03 3.95 2.59 81 72 70 84 63 3.65 3.03 3.69 3.9

March

April May June

20 19 17 18 19 29 23 20 24 24 21 44 25 28 24 22 28 28 22 30

74 87 80 88 94 95 74 107 102 96 83 112 112 99 102 102 115 95 112 103 108 91 106 95 93 87 107 96 75 75 93 61 66 64 83 63

4.7 4.33 3.58 4.72 5.35 4.22 3.8 4.99 5.89 4.35 4.73 4.19 5.63 4.3 5.27 4.26 5.75 4.13 5.11 3.82 4.77 3.83 5.18 3.83 3.33 3.33 4.52 2.4 3.19 2.8 4.06 2.45 2.5 2.81 3.64 2.54

July

August

September 18 27 26 29

October

40 25 24 28

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

We have four escrows open…one in Las Palomas, two in The Colony and I represent the buyer on a great house at Hollywood Beach. With our inventory at a historic low, if you are considering selling, now may be the time. I have buyers looking…give me a call. Finally, I want you to know, that you may call me for any reason. And please let me know if a friend, family member or neighbor needs a caring, competent, experienced real estate professional to help in buying or selling. I truly appreciate your friendship and referrals.

Warmest regards, Florence Florence Gadbois DRE #01040021 RE/MAX Gold Coast

Florence’s…

Service For Life ! “Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…”



Re-read your message befo WARNING: Don’t ev n think of selling your home without my Free Consumer Guide titled, “How To Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home.” Call me right now at 805-701-8410 to learn more…

How To Make Your Emails More Effective

Estimates are that 269 billion emails are sent every day worldwide, many by professionals in a working environment. While you may know proper email etiquette, follow these tips to make sure your business emails aren’t deleted.  Use a concise, compelling subject line. “More information” and “new program” only ask the recipient to say “about what?” Better to say “Action Items On Project XYZ.” Say “urgent” if necessary.  Don’t use long lists of email addresses if the subject only pertains to some of them. Type the relevant addresses into the address line ("To" line) and use the BCC line for the others.  Keep your message to the point. Say why you’re writing within the first two lines and try to limit yourself to one topic. Using bullet points helps you organize your thoughts. Re-read or print your email out (if you have time) before you send it.  Be careful with humor and irony. Emails aren’t good at conveying emotions, and humor, inside jokes or over-used phrases don’t really build a dynamic business relationship. Avoid phrases like “can I pick your brain” (what are you offering in return?); or “please advise” (better to say “can we discuss this further?”).

April 2018 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

How To Write More Effective Business Emails …Page 1

Signs Your Parents May Need Help At Home…Page 2

4 Ways To Save $$ Online…Page 3

Easy Ways To Boost Your Curb Appeal …Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 Gift Card for Lure Restaurant...Page 4

What Does It Mean When A Seller Offers To Finance Me?...Page 4

 Respect confidentiality. Should everyone read this?

 As a recipient, do not “reply all” unless everyone needs to know. You know this but people still do it, sometimes accidentally.  Respond promptly. Don’t leave people hanging. Include your signature and phone number for follow-up.

Learn How To Maximize The Value Of Your Home Did you know there’s a free consumer report showing what to fix to net the most value for your home? It’s called “ Make Your Home Show Like A Model Without Breaking The Bank ” and it’s an essential guide to homeowner profits. You can get a free copy by calling me at… 805-701-8410

Get Free money-saving home tips at my web site: BchRealEstate.com

Word of the Month… Studies have shown your income and wealth are directly related to the size and depth of your vocabulary. Here is this month’s word, so you can impress your friends (and maybe even fatten your wallet!)… Meaning: A pricing model is which the basic product or service is free, but extra features must be paid for. Sample Sentence: I downloaded a game that was a freemium. It was free to download but required a fee to access advanced features. You have been online for 1 year. Do you want to Log Off and Get a Life?  Windows cannot find the file. Would you like some wine instead?  Random Error just to annoy you.  Your mouse has stopped working. Click OK to continue. At Last: A Good Reason To Exercise After age 40, human brains shrink by about 5% every 10 years. A study reported in ScienceDaily.com suggests you can slow this deterioration with aerobic exercise, which appears to “dramatically increase the size of the left region of the hippocampus.” This part of the brain plays an important role in storing memories and connecting them to our emotions. Quotes To Live By… “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” –Henry Ford “Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.” –Clint Eastwood “I looked up my family tree and found out that I was the sap.” –Rodney Dangerfield Computer Error Messages  Freemium (FREE-mi-uhm) noun

Signs Your Parents Need Help The elderly population is expected to double by 2025. It’s a fact of life we have to face sooner or later: At some point, one or both of your parents, as independent as they seem to be, are going to need extra help at home. Approach the situation carefully, but keep an eye out for these early signs you may notice when you visit them.  Difficulty getting around. Are they having trouble with the stairs or getting in the shower or bathtub? There are adjustments you can make to their home to make it safer, such as removing small area rugs, installing grab bars in the shower and using nightlights to light the path to the bathroom.  Physical health issues. Are they making their doctor appointments? They may be limiting their social activities because they can’t hear or see as well as they should. Do they keep a list of their medications? Some older people are, in fact, over-medicated. Offer to go with them on one of their next appointments.  Forgetfulness. Do they remember things you talked about? Do you see unpaid bills on the table? Is the house clean and is the dirty laundry under control? Is there food in the refrigerator? Work with them on solutions, such as hiring a cleaning service or considering a meal delivery option. There are many resources available to help you help them. Check out sites such as the National Council on Aging ( www.ncoa.org ), www.care.com and www.agingcare.com . To engage their minds and keep them (or anyone over 50) up-to-date on aging issues, take a look at www.aarp.org .

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! I truly appreciate your business

In Escrow: Asking

2601 Captains Ave – Las Palomas $439,000 2133 Martinique - The Colony $595,000 1992 San Tropez - The Colony $799,000 3420 Ocean - Hollywood Bch $1,750,000

Coming Soon:

T-3 in HarborWalk - 2 bedrooms 2 baths

Great Location – Steps to the sand

Get Free money-saving home tips at my web site: BchRealEstate.com

4 Ways To Save Online Does anyone pay full price for an online purchase anymore? You know how to search for coupon codes, but here are four more clever ways to save money on your purchases. 1. Use a cash-back app . Ebates offers up to 40 percent cash back when you buy through its app (or site), which links to 2,000+ retailers. Similar options are BeFrugal and Paribus . The sites get a commission from the stores and then share it with you. 2. Apply for a rewards credit card. You see the commercials: There’s every kind of rewards credit card out there that could save you from 1-5 percent on your purchase. Do your research, and make sure you can pay your bill off every month. 3. Sign up for your favorite retailer’s mailing list. You’ll get lots of emails, but you’ll also get sales announcements and discount codes. 4. Leave an item in your online shopping cart. The retailer may offer a discounted price if they see you haven’t hit the “Buy” button over a period of time. NOTE: Trivia Challenge Rule Change In an effort to make it more equitable… You have until the 10 th of the month to submit your answer for the Trivia Challenge. (page 4). The winner is drawn from all names submitted Give it a try…

Brain Teaser… In a year, there are 12 months. Seven months have 31 days. How many have 28 days? (See page 4 for the answer.) What’s My Home Worth? If you want to know your home’s current value, I will gladly conduct a Maximum Value Home Audit . Request this “no charge” in-depth home value analysis by calling me at: 805-701-8410 Add a dry towel in with light- colored wet clothes for 15 minutes. The towel absorbs moisture. To remove wrinkles from a shirt, throw it in the dryer with an ice cube and a dryer sheet for 10 minutes.  Get fluffy towels by adding a couple  It is limited but these businesses (and others) may check your credit report, depending on the circumstances and your state laws:  Banks , if you’re opening an account.  Creditors , such as credit card issuers, auto and mortgage lenders.  Insurance companies , to determine your rates.  Employers , but not without your written consent. Great Websites For Fun You’re probably familiar with theonion.com , but consider these other sites for interesting tidbits and laughs: www.mentalfloss.com – Articles cover unusual topics from “performing the Star Wars theme on a calculator” to “how to kill bed bugs.” www.howstuffworks.com – Do you wonder how airbags really work? Find out here. www.maps.google.com – Click on the “Pegman” in the right-hand corner and browse Street View images. Search locations around the world and you’ll see amazing things. Dryer Hacks  of balls of aluminum foil to the dryer instead of a dryer sheet. Who Can Access Your Credit Report?

Easy Ways To Add Curb Appeal

The first impression of your house is from the street. If you want to sell or just add some new style, try these ideas: Focus on your front door with a new color, updated light fixtures and easy-to-read house numbers.

For more charm, add window flower boxes or shutters around the windows. Learn to build a window box on YouTube.com .

Clean out the clutter, and trim the overgrown bushes and trees (this also makes your home safer) . For quick color, add container gardens. You can buy them pre-planted.

Add lighting accents to trees or to illuminate the pathway (another safety feature). You can go solar to eliminate wires.

Pressure-wash the exterior. If it doesn’t look better, consider new paint or siding. Don’t forget the garage door. Repair it, paint it or replace it to make your house look like new.

Get Free money-saving home tips at my web site: BchRealEstate.com

Thanks For Thinking of Me! Did you know I can help you or any of your friends or family save time and money when buying or selling a home? Thanks for keeping me in mind with your referrals…and spreading the word about my services.

“Who Else Wants To Win $75 Gift Card for Lure Restaurant?”

Guess who won last month’s Trivia Question? I’m pleased to announce the lucky winner of last month’s quiz. And the winner is…drum roll please: Janet Ball of The Colony was the winner of the drawing for my quiz question What is the geographical term for a relatively shallow body of water separated from the open sea by a barrier? a) Lake b) Loch c) Lagoon d) Lacrosse

Brain Teaser Answer: They all do!

Say No To Robocalls  Don’t answer if you don’t recognize the number. A new trick is “neighbor spoofing” or calls from your own area code and prefix so you think it’s local. It’s not! List your number with DoNotCall.gov . Spammers may call you anyway. If they do, report them.  Get a screening app such as Truecaller or Nomorobo (subscribe to have it block telemarketers from your phone).  Some pre-recorded calls are allowed, including calls about a flight delay, reminders about an appointment or prescription etc. But they can’t try to sell you something. THANK YOU for reading my Service For Life ! ® personal newsletter. I wanted to produce a newsletter that has great content and is fun and valuable to you. Your constructive feedback is always welcome. AND… whether you’re thinking of buying, selling or financing real estate, or just want to stop by and say “Hi,” I’d love to hear from you… Florence Gadbois DRE #01040021 RE/MAX Gold Coast 805-701-8410 florence@BchRealEstate.com BchRealEstate.com Disclaimer: The information contained in this letter is intended for informational purposes. It should not substitute as legal, accounting, investment, medical or other professional services advice. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. This letter is not intended to solicit real estate properties currently for sale.  Have A Laugh… Q. Why don’t scientists trust atoms? A. Because they make up everything.

The answer is c) Lagoon. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

In 1999 Time Magazine named Albert Einstein as “Person of the Century.” Who did they say was one of the two runners-up? a) Franklin D. Roosevelt b) Winston Churchill c) Sigmund Freud d) Pope John Paul II

Call Me at 805-701-8410 OR Email Me at Florence@BchRealEstate.com And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners!

Real Estate Corner…

Q . A seller offered to finance me. What does that mean to me?

A. This is one of the options you might consider if you want to buy a home but can’t afford a significant down payment. In a “seller take- back,” the seller holds a second mortgage for you and becomes your lender. You would make your monthly mortgage payments to the seller. Other ways to buy a home with little down include using local or federal government programs, using a tax refund, and asking a relative or friend for a financial gift. Before you do any of the above, consult a professional REALTOR ® about your options. A REALTOR ® also will provide you with direction and connections to a lender and help you avoid costly traps and pitfalls in the home-buying process. For more information on down-payment options, ask for my Free Consumer Report “4 Quick Ways To Buy A Home With Little Down.” I’ll send a copy right to you. Do you have a question related to real estate or home ownership? Please call me at 805-701-8410. Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!

Get Free money-saving home tips at my web site: BchRealEstate.com

Florence’s…. MarketWatch ™ “ Here’s Neighborhood Home Information For The Colony To Help You Evaluate The Value Of Your Investment. ”

Homes Currently Active … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique Vina del Mar

Asking Price

Martinique

2 3

2 3

1459 2360

$614,888 $849,888

Vina del Mar

$732,388

Market Average

Homes Accepting Back-Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2133 Martinique 1992 San Tropez

2 2 2

2 2 2

1368 1800 1550

Madeira

$595,000 $799,000 $1,295,888 $896,666

Capri

San Sebastian

Antigua

Market Average

Homes Pending…

Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

San Tropez Martinique

2 2 2

2 2 2

1369 1368 1549

Madeira Madeira Antigua

$649,000

$635,000 $639,888 $641,296

Antigua

Market Average

Sold Properties… (04/01/17 Thru 03/20/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold 01/31/18 02/05/18 11/01/17 12/12/17 06/26/17 10/31/17 07/24/17 05/15/17 06/05/17 06/23/17

4442 Antigua

$499,888 $499,999 $517,000 $525,000 $549,000 $529,000 $559,000 $599,000 $599,000 $625,000 $599,900

$466.000 $490,000 $510,000 $520,000 $520,000 $529,000 $543,000 $565,000 $570,000 $580,000 $590,000

1217 1368 1113 1113 1368 1368 1113 1459 1550 1627 1368

$382.91 Martinique $358.19 Madeira

2365 Martinique 2210 Martinique 2244 Martinique 2013 Majorca 1902 Majorca 2251 Martinique 2001 Majorca 2157 Martinique 2363 Martinique 2185 Martinique

$458.22 Martinique (phase I) $467.20 Martinique (phase I)

$380.12 Madeira $386.70 Madeira

$487.43 Martinique (phase I)

$344.19 Antigua $367.98 Antigua

$356.48 Capri

$431.29 Madeira

10/18/17

1967 Majorca

$599,000

$595,000

1550

$384.12 Antigua

08/25/17

4467 Antigua

$610,000

$595,000

1627

$365.70 Capri

08/31/17

2301 Martinique

$614,888

$600,000

1459

$411.24 Antigua (phase I)

10/13/17

4425 Antigua

$590,000

$605,000

1368

$442.25 Madeira

10/04/17 02/26/18 06/19/17 04/05/17 09/01/17 08/25/17 12/11/17

2227 Martinique 2287 Martinique 2231 Martinique 2017 San Sebastian 2123 Vina del Mar 2350 Vina del Mar Market Average

$635,000 $629,000 $649,900 $749,000 $899,888 $939,000 $622,168

$625,000 $629,000 $649,900 $695,000 $840,000 $935,000 $606,595

1459 1627 1800 1218 2360 2692

$428.38 Antigua $386.60 Capri $359.66 Capri

$570.61 Martinique (Ambassador)

$355.93 Vina del Mar $347.33 Costa de Oro

$347.33

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of Mar 20, 2018 and may not be listed by RE/MAX. Information herein has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change.

Florence’s

MarketWatch ™ “ Here’s Neighborhood Home Information For HarborWalk To Help You Evaluate The Value Of Your Investment. ”

Homes Currently Active … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Sunset Harbor Harbor

2 2 3

1 2 3

925

Plan C Plan B

$479,000 $524,000 $799,000 $600,666

1128 1485

Villa

Market Average

Homes Pending … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

4526 LaBrea

2

2

1319

T-2

$650,000

$650,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/17 Thru 03/20/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3024 Sunset

$480,000 $517,000 $499,000 $550,000 $519,000 $535,000 $529,000 $539,000 $569,000 $575,000 $599,000 $785,000 $561,727

$485,000 $500,000 $504,000 $505,000 $517,000 $517,000 $517,500 $539,000 $545,000 $575,000 $588,000 $750,000 $549,318

925

$406.46 $417.36 $389.49 $444.93 $455.51 $391.96 $458.78 $477.84 $413.19 $479.97 $445.79 $505.05 $453.35

Plan C Plan D Plan D

09/22/17 07/28/17 03/10/17 09/28/17 06/14/17 06/14/17 10/31/17 03/14/18 10/06/17 02/28/18 11/06/17 04/28/17

3045 Harbor 3140 Sunset 3684 Sunset 4522 LaBrea 3650 Sunset 3009 Harbor 3013 Harbor 3634 Sunset 3120 Sunset 3480 Sunset 4501LaBrea

1198 1294 1135 1135 1319 1128 1128 1319 1198 1319 1485

T-3 T-3 T-2

Plan B Plan B

T-2

Plan D

T-2

Villa

Market Average

Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of Mar. 20, 2018. The listings and sales are not exclusive to RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors and may have been represented by others. Display of the MLS data is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed by the MLS and prices are subject to change.