September 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

Do You Wash Bananas? You Should.

Food safety is about more than simply washing your hands after handling raw meat. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn a few rules that may surprise you about the safe handling and storage of food. You’ll also learn about some of the latest scams on LinkedIn, easy ways to cut your heating bill during cold weather, (believe it or not it is right around the corner) and how to encourage your kids to read more – 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 28 20 19 17 18 19 19 29 23 20 31 24 24 21 44 22 25 28 24 22 15

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 2.51 74 87 80 88 60 4.7 4.33 3.58 4.72 2.42 94 95 74 107 54 5.35 4.22 3.8 4.99 2.82 102 96 83 112 70 5.89 4.35 4.73 4.19 4.2 112 99 102 102 97 5.63 4.3 5.27 4.26 4.1 115 95 112 103 92 5.75 4.13 5.11 3.82

March

April May June

July

August

28 28 22 30

14 thru 8/17

September 18 27 26 29

108 91 106 95 93 87 107 96 75 75 93 61 66 64 83 63

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

October

40 25 24 28

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

I represented the buyer on 2206 Vina del Mar, (closed last month in The Colony) listed 2202 Vina del Mar and it went into escrow in 9 days, and have another buyer who is doing a 1031 exchange and wants that floor plan. So, if you have a townhome and are considering selling, please give me a call. Because he is doing a tax exchange, he is going to have to lease it out…let’s talk. Just listed 2031 Majorca (a really cute Capri) for an asking price of $645,000 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, experienced real estate professional to help in buying or selling. I truly appreciate your friendship and referrals. Enjoy your issue!

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

Florence’s…

Service For Life ! “Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…” 6 Surprising Food Safety Tips You probably learned some basic food safety tips from your parents or in school. But here are some important rules you may not know about.



Buying A Home Soon? Get my Free Consumer Guide, “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Buying Your Home.” Call me right now at 805-701-8410 for details…

September 2018 Oxnard, California

 Food safety starts at the grocery store. Pick up frozen and refrigerated items last before checking out.

Inside This Issue…

 Even fruits and veggies you peel should be washed before eating, since it’s very easy for bacteria to transfer from the peel to the part you’ll eat.

Food Safety Tips You May Not Know…Page 1

How To Keep Your Computer Safe From LinkedIn Scams…Page 2

 Raw flour can carry E. coli, among other things, and should only be consumed after it’s been cooked.

Stay WarmWithout Breaking The Bank On Home Heating Bills…Page 2

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 Find out how to properly store all your perishables to extend their usefulness and keep them safe. Download the USDA’s “FoodKeeper” app for Apple and Android or consult this website: www.foodsafety.gov/keep/foodkeeperapp/  Thaw meat in the fridge when possible, but you can also safely thaw it in cold water or in the microwave. If thawed in water or the microwave, meat should be used immediately.  All marinating should be done in a covered container in the fridge, not on the countertop. Even acidic marinades can allow bacteria growth at room temperature.  Your nose is not a reliable tool for testing food safety. Things that cause food poisoning don’t always make things “smell bad.” Refer to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Safe Storage Times chart instead at: www.foodsafety.gov/keep/charts/storagetimes.html

Create A Reading-Friendly Home For Your Kids…Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win <>...Page 4

Real Estate Question: How Do I Enhance Curb Appeal On A Budget?…Page 4

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

Avoiding LinkedIn Scams

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!)…

Savvy as we may be about online scams these days, scammers are always coming up with new ways to swindle the unsuspecting. Some of the latest are on the job-hunting and networking site, LinkedIn. Scammers want to infect your computer with malware by having you open links or files – including fake job applications. Here are some ways to keep your data safe.  Accept connections carefully. Look over accounts to see if they look real, before simply accepting the connection request. Fake account warning signs include not having a photo and little to no personalization or work history.  Scrutinize email links. Suspicious email that says it’s from LinkedIn? Log in to your account on the actual website and see if the email is there in your LinkedIn inbox. Genuine LinkedIn emails always come from an address that ends in “linkedin.com.” When the sender’s address is anything else, it’s a scam. Hover over links within emails to see if they’re LinkedIn links as well. Anything else, and it’s a scam. If in doubt, don’t click.  Change your privacy settings. LinkedIn allows you to decide who can send you messages through the site, so if you’re concerned, it’s probably a good idea to adjust your privacy settings.

chairdrobe (CHAIR-drobe) noun

Meaning : the chair with all those clothes piled on it

Sample Sentence: I’m finally going to put away my laundry so that chairdrobe can become a cozy reading nook again.

B Home Heating Hacks Keeping warm in winter doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Try these inexpensive fixes to stay warmer in cold weather.  Use a layer of bubble wrap to insulate windows.  Make draft stoppers with pool noodles for the gap beneath doors.  Leave the exhaust off during your shower to keep the air warmer. Thoughtful Job Interview Questions Landing a job interview is cause for celebration. But are you prepared for the dreaded, “Do you have any questions for us?” With this list, you will be.  What is a typical day like for the person in this position?  What metrics will be used to measure performance?  What are some of the short-term and long-term goals for the growth of the company?  What are advancement paths for someone in this position? What is the corporate culture like?  Quotes To Live By… “Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” –George Burns “If we lose love and self-respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” –Maya Angelou “You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” –Ray Bradbury  Bake something delicious and utilize your oven!

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE. Ask about my “ Insider’s Free Resources ” by calling me at: 805-701-8410

DID YOU KNOW …

Unlike most real estate agents, I DON’T spend my time pestering people with phone calls or bothersome interruptions to find good clients. Instead, I dedicate 110% of my time and energies to providing such outstanding service, people naturally think of me when a friend or family member needs help buying or selling a home. THANKS for your referrals!

Lowering Home Heating Bills

As temperatures drop, the heating bill rises. Before the shock of your first higher-than-average bill, here are some things you can do to your house to make sure you’re not wasting money.  Keep Heat Inside – Close the fireplace flue or damper tightly when you’re not using it. Replace worn weather stripping around windows and doors. Add caulk or foam sealants around your electric outlet boxes. These small measures can add up.  Adjust Temperatures – Lowering the thermostat by only 2-3 degrees can make a big difference. Having a programmable thermostat is even better since you can set it to 10-15 degrees cooler when you’re not home or awake. Turn down the water heater to the “warm” setting – it’s still 120 F, plenty warm for a hot shower.  Give Your Furnace a Check-Up – Make sure your furnace is running as efficiently as possible and you’ll be getting the most bang for your buck. Electric and oil heaters should be serviced every year, while gas heaters should get a check-up every two years.

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

Encouraging Young Readers A lifelong love of reading starts early. Fostering that love means creating a home environment that encourages affection for the written word. There are some simple things parents can do to make sure reading is fun, easy, and enjoyable for children. Read aloud to your kids. Even if they can read on their own, reading aloud means kids hear language at a more advanced level than their own. Get older kids to read aloud to younger siblings. And yes, audio books count! Play audio books the whole family can enjoy on your next road trip. Mix up the media. Not only do audio books count as reading material, there are lots of other ways to incorporate reading into every day. Magazines, recipes, and game instructions are just a few of them. Put reading material where kids spend time. Having a well-stocked library in the den is great, but keeping a few books and magazines in the bathroom, car, or at the dinner table (when the kids are a captive audience!) ensures reading material is accessible whenever the mood strikes. Create cozy reading spaces. Kids love hidey holes, whether that’s an actual nook under the stairs or a simple blanket fort under the dining table. Make sure there’s good lighting, comfy pillows, and plenty of books. Read in front of your kids. Modeling your own love of reading is one of the best ways to get kids to love it, too. Instead of movie night, try a reading night when everyone lounges together to read for an hour or two.

1 Brain Teaser… What can you keep as long as you don’t share it, and once you share it can no longer keep? (See page 4 for the answer.) Real Estate Question? Maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Or maybe you just need a recommendation for a handyman, carpet cleaner or plumber… Either way, I love hearing from all of my good friends and clients. And I’m happy to help answer questions you might have about anything relating to real estate or home-ownership. If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at 805-701-8410 . I’m here to help! “assignments” on a bingo card and offer rewards for completing it. Here are a few ideas for the boxes:  Read something written the year you were born.  Read a poem.  Read every article in one magazine.  Read a few pages to your parents from your favorite book.  Read while wearing a swimsuit.  Read on the floor of your local library.  Read something a favorite teacher read when he/she was your age. Reading Bingo For Kids Create a checklist of fun reading Make the journey even more fun with these handy planning tools for your next road trip adventure. www.rome2rio.com – Rome2Rio calculates the driving distance between two places, including a rough fuel cost. www.meetways.com – MeetWays lets you find the ideal halfway point between you and a friend to meet for lunch, or a hotel at the midway point of a drive. Road Trip Planning Websites

www.roadtrippers.com – Roadtrippers shows you points of interest along your

route, including quirky roadside attractions. There’s also an app.

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

“Who Else Wants To Win $75 Gift Certificate 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: Fran Hafelfinger of Thousand Oaks won the drawing for the $75 Gift Card. What city was renamed in 1950 from Hot Springs to its current name as part of a publicity stunt for a radio game show? a) Truth or Consequences, New Mexico b) Embarrass, Minnesota c) Money, Mississippi d) Rough and Ready, California The answer is a) Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Residents voted on the proposition and it passed 1,294 to 295! So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

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.

Brain Teaser Answer: A secret!

Plants That Help You Sleep All indoor plants are helpful in that they produce oxygen, but some plants will also help you relax more at night so you can sleep better. Try these plants in your bedroom for more restful nights. Lavender – This soothing scent helps reduce blood pressure. Jasmine – Not only does jasmine smell good, the scent is a sedative. Snake Plant – The spiky leaves are excellent air purifiers. Aloe Vera – Another top-rated air purifier, Aloe Vera can also be used to treat many skin ailments. Gardenia – Gardenias are especially powerful sleep aids. Valerian – This plant has been known to help people sleep since the ancient Roman era. 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 CA 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. 

Ernest Evans, who still performs at age 76, is the real name of what singer?

a) Bob Dylan b) Chubby Checker c) Eden Kane d) Engelbert Humperdinck

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. How can I improve the curb appeal of the home I’m selling without spending too much money? A. First impressions are important! A well-groomed exterior tells a buyer that the inside of your home is also well-maintained. Here are some easy ways to make your home look more inviting.  Spruce up your landscaping . Mow the lawn, trim the trees and bushes, and add some new plants and flowers.  Inspect your exterior paint. Paint the front door and do some touching up. If touching up isn’t enough, consider spending some money for a complete paint job.  Wash wood, aluminum and vinyl sided homes. A pressure wash can do a world of good.  Make sure the garage door works; while you’re at it, clean out the inside of the garage.  Check out your roof and gutters. Your roof will be subject to inspection but at least make sure it looks good from the curb. Don’t forget your back yard! It’s part of your overall curb appeal and can be a key selling point for potential buyers. To get a checklist of items to help you show your home, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “Make Your Home Show Like A Model Without Breaking The Bank.” Call and I’ll send a copy right to you. Do you have a question related to real estate or home ownership? Please call me at 805-71-8410. 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

Asking Price

4446 Antigua Way

2 2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2 2

1549 1549 1627 1800 1800

Antigua

$639,000 $643,900 $645,000 $665,000 $695,000

Majorca

Antigua

2031 Majorca

Capri Capri Capri

Martinique

Majorca

$657,580

Market Average

Homes Pending…

Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2202 Vina del Mar

3

2.5

2360

Vina del Mar

$845,000 $845,000

Market Average

Sold Properties… (7/01/17 Thru 08/20/18) Address List $

Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold 01/31/18 02/05/18 11/01/17 12/12/17 07/25/18 10/31/17 04/22/18 05/11/18 07/24/17 06/23/17 10/04/17 08/14/18 02/26/18 03/27/18 03/30/18 04/27/18 05/23/18 09/01/17 05/25/18 07/06/18 08/25/17 12/11/17 05/31/18 04/11/18 10/18/17 08/25/17 08/31/17 10/13/17

4442 Antigua

$499,888 $499,999 $517,000 $525,000 $549,888 $529,000 $595,000 $589,000 $599,000 $599,900 $590,000 $638,888 $635,000 $635,000 $649,000 $639,888 $640,000 $749,000 $799,000 $839,888 $899,888 $939,000 $1,050,000 $1,295,000 $686,103 $559,000 $599,000 $610,000 $614,888

$466.000 $490,000 $510,000 $520,000 $525,000 $529,000 $575,000 $575,000 $565,000 $590,000 $605,000 $625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $628,000 $640,000 $695,000 $785,000 $830,000 $840,000 $935,000 $543,000 $595,000 $595,000 $600,000

1217 1368 1113 1113 1217 1368 1368 1550 1459 1368 1368 1549 1459 1368 1369 1550 1369 1218 1628 2360 2360 2692 1113 1550 1627 1459

$382.91 Martinique $358.19 Madeira

2365 Martinique 2210 Martinique 2244 Martinique 2155 Majorca 1902 Majorca 2133 Martinique 2051 Majorca 2251 Martinique 2363 Martinique 2185 Martinique

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

431.39

Martinique

$386.70 Madeira

$487.43 Martinique (phase I)

$420.32 Madeira $370.97 Antigua

$344.19 Antigua (phase I)

$431.29 Madeira

1967 Majorca

$384.12 Antigua

4467 Antigua

$365.70 Capri

2301 Martinique

$411.24 Antigua (phase I)

4425 Antigua

$442.25 Madeira

4451 Antigua

$403.49 Antigua

2227 Martinique 2313 Martinique 1990 San Tropez

$428.38 Antigua (phase I)

$456.87 Madeira

$456.54 Madeira (Ambassador)

4440 Antigua

$405.42 Antigua $467.49 Madeira

2345 Martinique 2017 San Sebastian 1992 San Tropez 2206 Vina del Mar 2123 Vina del Mar 2350 Vina del Mar 2333 Vina del Mar 1965 San Sebastian Market Average

$570.61 Martinique (Ambassador) $482.19 Capri (Ambassador)

$351.69 Vina del Mar $355.93 Vina del Mar $347.33 Costa de Oro $434.32 Vina del Mar

$1,025,000 2360 $1,215,000 1550

$783.87 Antigua (Ambassador)

$666,463

$421.52

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both .

Properties as of August 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 3 3

925

Plan C

$459,000 $765,000 $789,500 $661,333

1502 1485

Villa Villa

Market Average

Homes Taking Back Up Offers … Address Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2949 Harbor

2 2

2 2

1149 1319

Plan D

$495,000

3650 Sunset

T-2

$629,999

$557,499

Market Average

Sold Properties (06/01/17 Thru 08/20/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3039 Harbor 3024 Sunset 3045 Harbor 3031 Harbor 3684 Sunset 4522 LaBrea 3650 Sunset 3009 Harbor 3554 Sunset 3013 Harbor 3634 Sunset 3120 Sunset 3424 Sunset 3420 Sunset 3480 Sunset 3674 Sunset 4526 LaBrea

$365,000 $480,000 $517,000 $549,000 $550,000 $519,000 $535,000 $529,000 $549,000 $539,000 $569,000 $575,000 $595,000 $$595,000 $599,000 $605,000

$370,000 $485,000 $500,000 $500,000 $505,000 $517,000 $517,000 $517,500 $520,000 $539,000 $545,000 $575,000 $580,000 $583,000 $588,000 $590,000 $635,000 $533.321

781 925

$473.75 $406.46 $417.36 $443.26 $444.93 $455.51 $391.96 $458.78 $458.15 $477.84 $413.19 $479.97 $511.01 $413.18 $445.79 $400.27 $481.43 $462.01

Plan A Plan C Plan D Plan B

06/20/18

09/22/17 07/28/17 05/11/18 09/28/17 06/14/17 06/14/17 10/31/17 07/13/18 03/14/18 10/06/17 02/28/18 06/25/18 08/07/18 11/06/17 05/21/18 04/13/18

1198 1128 1135 1135 1319 1128 1135 1128 1319 1198 1135 1411 1319 1474 1319

T-3 T-3 T-2

Plan B

T-3

Plan B

T-2

Plan D

T-3 T-3 T-2 T-1 T-2

$650,000

Market Average

$544,500

Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of August 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.