November 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

Should You Use A Credit Union Or A Bank?

There are a lot of differences between credit unions and banks, and choosing one over the other is a matter of personal needs and desires. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn about pros and cons of both, helping you make the decision that is right for you. You’ll also learn how to stay healthy whether you’re a night owl or early bird, how to keep rodents out of your vehicle, and best practices for bedroom organization – 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 28 28 22 30 32

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 4.21 108 91 106 95 95 4.77 3.83 5.18 3.83 3.67 93 87 107 96 81 3.33 3.33 4.52 2.4

March

April May June

July

August

September 18 27 26 29 23

October

40 25 24 28

9 thru 10/19

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

75 75 93 61 66 64 83 63

3.19 2.8 4.06 2.45 2.5 2.81 3.64 2.54

As of the printing of this newsletter, we are about to close escrow (end of the month) on 3225 Harbor in HarborWalk. This 3 bedroom villa went into escrow within 3 weeks of listing. 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

P.S. When you notice people talking about real estate in the next few weeks, can you tell them about the free consumer information I provide? Go to BchRealEstate.com and click on either For Buyers or For Sellers

Florence’s…

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



If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, request my Free Consumer Guide, “7 Insider Tips To Net More Money Selling Your Own Home.” Call me right now at 805-701-8410 for details…

Credit Union Or Bank: Which Is Best For You?

Thinking Of Selling Your Home Soon? Don’t attempt to sell your home without my Free Consumer Guide, “ 6 Steps For Selling Your Home For Top Dollar .” My exclusive report will give you all the facts for a fast, top dollar sale. Just call 805-701-8410 anytime, 24 hours, and I’ll rush a copy out to you for free or go to the web site: click on For Sellers Financial and other benefits: Credit unions often pass on the savings from their non-profit status to customers. This means customers generally get higher rates on savings accounts and lower rates on loans and credit cards. However, banks tend to have credit card affiliations with sign-up bonuses and rewards programs for responsible card holders. There are essentially two options when it comes to storing your money: credit unions and banks. Credit unions are non-profit organizations that exist to serve a certain community whereas banks are for-profit enterprises that are generally more physically accessible. Both have pros and cons, and it’s important to consider your specific situation when deciding which to use. Customer service: Credit unions are owned by their members, and personal engagement is emphasized. As non-profit organizations, credit unions tend to be more focused on their community members versus banks. However, banks may be more likely to have 24/7/365 phone support. Convenience: The localized nature of credit unions means there are fewer branches. However, a CO-OP network among credit unions offers almost 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the United States, but your credit union needs to be a part of this network in order to take advantage of it. In general, national banks have a wide network of branches and ATMs, though regional banks may not have as many branches. Eligibility: Just about anyone can walk into a bank and open an account. Not so with credit unions, which cater to specific demographics or affiliations such as certain geographic areas, employee groups, or social groups. However, banks also typically have higher minimum balance requirements, making them less accessible for some people.

November 2018 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

Should You Use A Credit Union Or Bank?…Page 1

Night Owl Vs. Early Bird…Page 2

Keep Rodents Out Of Your Car…Page 2

Bedroom Organization: A Checklist…Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 Gift Certificate for Lure Restaurant...Page 4 Note: you have until the 10 th of the month to submit your answer Will I Net More Money If I Sell My Home Myself or Should I Hire a REALTOR® to Do It?…Page 4

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

Healthy Living, Day Or Night

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!)…

Here’s A Free, Valuable Resource… The early bird gets the worm, but the night owl can also be happy and healthy. Whether you rise before the sun or drop into bed long after the sun sets, make the most of your waking hours. If you are a morning person:  Set a regular bedtime. Going to bed at the same time every night ensures you’ve received enough rest when the alarm goes off.  Maximize the morning. Write in a journal, go to the gym, do a few chores, and give yourself some creative time before anyone else wakes up.  Avoid alcohol and caffeine at night. To feel fully refreshed early in the morning, sip caffeine-free herbal tea instead.  Make a to-do list before bed. Don’t let tomorrow’s tasks rattle around in your head all night long. If you are a night person:  Do chores in the evening. Pre-prep breakfast, pack lunches for the kids, take a shower, and lay out your clothes for the next day.  Ask for flex time at work. This allows you to do your best work later in the day.  Don’t oversleep. Set a regular wake-up time and stick to it.  Get sunshine early in the day. Welcome in the natural light to maximize your daytime hours. Minimize electronic usage and artificial light at night. Rodent-Free Vehicles Forget snakes on a plane … you’re more likely to find mice in your car! Even if you park in a garage, pesky rodents can chew up wiring, cause fluid leaks, and cause serious damage to vehicles. Here’s how to keep them out.  Avoid parking in places where rodents live such as wooded areas and tall grass.  When parked in a garage, open the car’s hood. This gets rid of the warm, dark area rodents are attracted to. Also, place a bucket of mothballs beneath the vehicle.  Don’t keep food in your vehicle.  Set mouse traps in the vehicle to catch any critters that get inside. Look into using other rodent deterrents in the vehicle as well, including trying peppermint oil and cedar wood.  Sprinkle fox urine powder around the outside perimeter of the car. You can find this product at most home improvement stores. Now You Can Search The Home Market, Get Helpful Community Information, AND Receive Important Resources For Saving Time And Money When Buying Or Selling At BchRealEstate.com

Blogosphere (blog-o-sfeer) noun

Meaning : A slang term for all of the blogs on the internet, collectively

B Two novels written in palindrome are Satire: Veritas by David Stephens (58,795 words) and Dr Awkward & Olson in Oslo by Lawrence Levine (31,954 words). Quotes To Live By… “Be less curious about people and more curious about ideas.” –Marie Curie “Siblings are the people who teach us about fairness, cooperation, and kindness, quite often the hard way.” –Pamela Dugdale “I always knew I was a star, and now the rest of the world seems to agree with me.” –Freddie Mercury envelope, and secure them in a safe so they are opened only upon death. Create family sharing accounts on movie- and music-sharing services. Enlist a power of attorney to make accessing accounts easier. Book-Length Palindromes Palindromes are sentences or words read the same forward and backward, like “mom” or “racecar.” Some authors have even written entire books this way!   Sample Sentence: Starting a blog about cats connected me to the large community of cat-bloggers in the blogosphere. Digital Estate Planning With today’s digital footprint, it’s not enough to make plans for your material possessions when estate planning. Make things easier for loved ones by preparing your digital assets as well.  Write down usernames and passwords, seal them in an

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

Keep Your Bedroom Organized You spend almost one-third of your life in the bedroom. This should be a place of rest and relaxation, so it’s worth investing time to make it as stress-free and easy to navigate as possible. (Watch for next month’s checklist: your bathroom!) □ Hang artwork on the walls. Avoid cluttering up dressers and nightstands with clunky items. Instead choose decorative pieces that can be hung. □ Use storage space under the bed wisely. Buy clear, flat plastic bins and strategically tuck away out-of-season clothing and shoes you don’t wear on a regular basis. Depending on a bed’s height, you might also be able to hide luggage. □ Invest in proper linen storage. If the bed is exploding with pillows and blankets, invest in a blanket rack and baskets so these extra items have a storage space other than the floor. □ Maintain a minimal nightstand. The only things on your nightstand should be what you use every night before going to sleep and anything you use as soon as you wake up. Everything else should be stored somewhere more appropriate. Using a nightstand with drawers can help alleviate the clutter problem. □ Buy a hamper. Put it near the closet to keep clothes contained to one area of the room. □ Contain garbage. A small, attractive trash bin in a convenient location keeps dirty tissues and paper scraps off of nightstands and dressers. □ Wrangle your closet. Your closet is not the same thing as your bedroom, so it shouldn’t spill out into the room. Do a full-closet organization sweep at least once a season, but maintain daily order by: o Keeping a donation bin or bag in your closet so you can drop things in as needed. o Spending 10-15 minutes once a week rehanging and refolding clothes that have fallen out of place. o Utilizing the closet door to hang belts, hats, scarves, and jewelry at eye level. Try a special door rack made for this purpose.

1 Maintain Kids’ Messes Buy a big, cheap, dishwasher-safe serving tray and use it to help corral your kids’ potentially messy art projects. Let kids unleash their inner artists with finger paints, Play-Doh, and other art supplies, then clean everything up with an easy wash or wet towel. Packing Hacks Make the most of your suitcase space!  Stuff underwear and socks in shoes.  Roll clothes like t-shirts instead of folding them.  For items that don’t roll easily, fold and file them from front to back instead of stacking.  Use packing cubes to organize by size, style, or type of clothing.  Use compression bags for bulky items and dirty laundry.  Manage and maintain small items with clear, zip-top baggies. Brain Teaser… What do these words have in common: polish, job, herb? (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!

Bookmarking Websites Use these sites to save online content that you want to revisit later.

www.getpocket.com – Save written content to read offline.

www.instapaper.com – A newspaper- like reading experience.

www.flipboard.com – A visually oriented reading experience grouped by topic.

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. Brain Teaser Answer: All three words are pronounced differently when the first letter is capitalized. Positive Thinking Adopting a positive mindset is good for your health, enhances creativity, and has residual effects on other people. Be kind to yourself. We say terrible things to ourselves that we wouldn’t say to others. Treat yourself with care, even if you make a mistake. Celebrate the little things. Notice the flowers when you walk the dog. Appreciate dinner with your family. Pay it forward. Do something kind for someone else without asking.   Jail-Time Funny The semi-colon that broke the law was given two consecutive sentences. 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. 

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

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: Joel Hyatt of Tarzana was the lucky winner of the drawing for my quiz.

One of the largest diamonds ever found in North America was found in what U.S. state, which also names diamonds as its official state gem?

a) Georgia b) Iowa c) Alabama d) Arkansas

The answer is d) Arkansas. The Uncle Sam diamond, found in 1924, weighed 40.23 carats. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

The name for PEZ candy was derived from a word in what language?

a) French b) Portuguese c) German d) Japanese

Call Me At 805-701-8410 OR Email Me At Florence@BchRealEstate.com And You Could Be One Of My Next Winners! Note: you have until the 10 th of the month to submit your answer

Real Estate Corner…

Q. Will I net more money if I sell my home myself or should I hire a REALTOR ® to do it? A. It depends on your situation, time, and motivation. You can sell your home yourself by staging it, setting the right price, creating a marketing plan, and fulfilling all legal requirements. Or you may hire a “Home Marketing Expert,” who will charge a commission but help you with pricing, provide you exposure by marketing your property to other real estate agents, show your home and coordinate the closing process. You might consider these facts:  According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors , sellers who sold their own homes sold at a median of $190,000, significantly lower than the median of agent-assisted homes at $249,000. About 8% of homes sold were sold without an agent.  Sellers who sold their own homes sold more quickly because the homes were typically sold to someone the seller knew.  The most difficult part for those who sold their own home was: setting the right price. To learn more about how to sell your own home, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “7 Insider Tips To Net More Money Selling Your Own Home.” I’ll send a copy right to you.

Do you have a question related to real estate? 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

Asking Price

4446 Antigua Way

2

2

1549

Antigua

$595,000 $615,000 $619,888 $625,000 $639,000 $829,000

Martinique

2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2

1517 1549 1800 1627

Antigua (Phase I)

Antigua

Antigua

Martinique

Capri Capri

2031 Majorca

4711 San Sebastian

2

2

1550

Antigua (Ambassador)

$653,815

Market Average

Homes Taking Back Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Majorca

2

2

1549

Antigua

$643,900 $643,900

Market Average

Homes Pending…

Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Martinique

3

2

1765

Capri

$669,000 $669,000

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 07/25/18 04/22/18 05/11/18 06/07/18 08/14/18 02/26/18 03/27/18 03/30/18 06/11/18 04/27/18 05/23/18 10/18/18 05/25/18 08/24/18 07/06/18 05/31/18 04/11/18

4442 Antigua

$499,888 $499,999 $549,888 $595,000 $589,000 $624,888 $638,888 $635,000 $635,000 $649,000 $655,000 $639,888 $640,000 $679,500 $799,000 $845,000 $839,888 $1,050,000 $1,295,000 $709,539

$466.000 $490,000 $525,000 $575,000 $575,000 $615,000 $625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $627,500 $628,000 $640,000 $648,000 $785,000 $820,000 $830,000

1217 1368 1217 1368 1550 1459 1549 1459 1368 1369 1627 1550 1369 1800 1628 2360 2360

$382.91 Martinique $358.19 Madeira

2365 Martinique 1955 Majorca 2133 Martinique 2051 Majorca 2386 Martinique 2227 Martinique 2313 Martinique 1990 San Tropez 2317 Martinique 2345 Martinique 1900 Majorca 1992 San Tropez 2202 Vina del Mar 2206 Vina del Mar 2333 Vina del Mar 1965 San Sebastian Market Average 4451 Antigua 4440 Antigua

431.39

Martinique

$420.32 Madeira $370.97 Antigua

$421.52 Antigua (Phase I)

$403.49 Antigua

$428.38 Antigua (phase I)

$456.87 Madeira

$456.54 Madeira (Ambassador)

$385.68 Capri $405.42 Antigua $467.49 Madeira $359.80 Capri

$482.19 Capri (Ambassador)

$347.46 Vina del Mar $351.69 Vina del Mar $434.32 Vina del Mar

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

$783.87 Antigua (Ambassador)

$688,306

$432.09

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of October 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

2 2

1 3

925

Plan C

$435,000 $725,000 $580,000

1502

Villa

Market Average

Homes Pending … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Harbor Blvd 3225 Harbor

2 3

2 3

1128 1485

Plan D

$524,500

Villa

$710,000 $617,250

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/18 Thru 10/20/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3039 Harbor 2949 Harbor 3031 Harbor 3554 Sunset 3013 Harbor 3120 Sunset 3424 Sunset 3420 Sunset 3674 Sunset

$365,000 $495,000 $549,000 $549,000 $539,000 $575,000 $595,000 $$595,000 $605,000 $619,999 $650,000 $563,500

$370,000 $490,000 $500,000 $520,000 $539,000 $575,000 $580,000 $583,000 $590,000 $610,000 $635,000 $555,583

781

$473.75 $409.02 $443.26 $458.15 $477.84 $479.97 $511.01 $413.18 $400.27 $462.47 $481.43 $457.68

Plan A Plan D Plan B

06/20/18

1198 1128 1135 1128 1198 1135 1411 1474 1319 1319

08/31/18 05/11/18 07/13/18 03/14/18 02/28/18 06/25/18 08/07/18 05/21/18 09/19/18 04/13/18

T-3

Plan B Plan D

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

3650 Sunset

4526 LaBrea

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 Oct. 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.