July 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

Could The Indoor Air In Your Home Be Polluted?

Here’s something surprising: The air inside your home may be more polluted than the outdoor air in an industrialized city! In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn some interesting sources of pollutants you may not have thought of and actions you can take to address them. You’ll also learn about the latest vacation trend – wellness travel, the answers to some common questions about smartphone batteries, and how to be safer during high-wind thunderstorms – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. But first… Here is 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

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

March

April May June

24 24 21 44 25 28 24 22 28 28 22 30

102 96 83 112 70 5.89 4.35 4.73 4.19

15 thru 6/19

July

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

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

August

September 18 27 26 29

October

40 25 24 28

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

Coming up in The colony: A Vina del Mar townhome is coming on the market late July and we have a great townhome at HarborWalk coming soon. Buyers are looking. If you are thinking of selling, now may be the time with our low inventory. Call me. 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…” Is Your Indoor Air Polluted? The air inside your home may be more polluted than the outdoor air in an industrialized city, putting your family at risk for health problems. You know about radon gas, mold, and carbon monoxide, but here are other sources of pollutants and some actions you can take to address them. Source: New carpeting. That “new carpet smell” actually consists of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene that can cause headaches and respiratory diseases.  Action: Buy carpeting certified “Green Label Plus.” Before new carpet is installed, ask to have it unrolled and aired-out in a space (like a warehouse) for 72 hours. If that’s not possible, try to stay elsewhere for the first 72 hours after installation. Source: Old carpeting . It’s filled with household dust and particles you track in from outdoors with your body, shoes and clothing.  Action: Invest in a quality HEPA vacuum cleaner. Consider having your home air ducts professionally cleaned. Source: Cleaning products . Products such as chlorine bleach, rug cleaners, ammonia, paraffin, and even dryer sheets also release VOCs.  Action: Use natural products such as hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and baking soda. Look for candles made of beeswax or vegetable oils. And don’t accept dry-cleaned clothes with a strong chemical odor. Source: Gas kitchen stoves. They emit nitrogen dioxide and need proper venting.  Action: Make sure the kitchen – and the rest of the house – is well ventilated.

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Call me right now at 805-701-8410 and ask for my Free Consumer Guide to homeowner profits titled, “Make Your Home Show Like A Model Without Breaking The Bank”…

July 2018 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

Is The Indoor Air In Your Home Polluted?…Page 1

The Latest Vacation Trend: Wellness Travel…Page 2

Your Questions About Smartphone Batteries Answered…Page 2

5 Tips To Stay Safe During Severe Winds…Page 3

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

Can I Stage My Home Myself In Order To Sell It?…Page 4

For more information, go to www.epa.gov and search for the interactive “Tour of the Indoor Air Quality Demo House.”

Save Thousands When Buying A Home… Did you know there’s a free consumer report revealing ways to save time and money when buying a home? It’s called “ 8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding and Buying Your Next Home ,” and it’s great even if you’re not planning to buy soon. Get your free copy by calling me at…805-701-8410

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

Would You Like To Know How Much Your Neighbor’s Home Listed Or Sold For? Wellness Travel For Your Health Are you ready for a vacation that focuses on your health and well being? First, consider your goals: do you want self-improvement, exercise, or service? There’s something for everyone in these options:  A fully planned retreat. Check out a site such as www.pravassa.com , which offers small group tours to exotic destinations.  A fitness vacation. Look at www.fitpacking.com for weight-loss or www.mountaintrek.com , named the top resort in Canada in 2017.  A destination spa . Plan a week at a spa such as Rancho La Puerta, Baja, CA or Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, CA.  A volunteer opportunity . Visit www.gviusa.com to find a program that interests you and your family too. You can choose to work wellness activities into an existing vacation. Consider signing up for a new activity, such as a cooking class or a kayaking lesson. You can do as little or as much as you want to make it the best vacation for you. Get A Charge Out Of This… You hear a lot of myths about smartphone batteries but what should you believe? Here are some facts to set the record straight: Q: Should I let my phone charge overnight? A: PCMag says smartphones are smart enough that they don’t let an overload happen. But energy trickling to the battery when it falls to 99% can heat the phone and eats into its lifespan. Best advice: if you wake up in the night, unplug it. Q: Should I let the charge go down to zero? A: Not the best thing to do with lithium-ion batteries. It wears out the battery even faster. Q: Can just one app use a lot of my phone’s battery? A: Most people don’t close apps, so they’re still working in the background. Close your apps – and try turning off your wi-fi, Bluetooth and GPS during the day if you aren’t using them. And turn your phone off (yes!) and restart it at least once a week to close all those apps completely. Maybe you’re just curious. Or maybe you want to know how much your home is worth. Either way, I can help…with no “sales pitches” or run- arounds. Call me at 805-701-8410 and I’ll give you all the facts.

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!)…

Hangry (hang-re) adj.

Meaning : Bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger

Sample Sentence: When we had to wait an hour for our food at the restaurant we were definitely hangry.

B  Breaking up grease. Add a couple of bags to warm water and let your dishes soak in the liquid. Know Your Scams Wow. There’s a lot of scamming going on. Stay up-to-date on the latest ones by visiting the Federal Trade Commission’s Scam Alert page at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/feature s/scam-alerts. Have A Laugh… Q. Who was the roundest knight on King Arthur’s Roundtable? A . Sir Cumference! Don’t Toss The Tea Bags Used tea bags are great for:  Comforting your skin. Refrigerate moist bags and use them to place over tired eyes for soothing relief. They also work to ease the pain of sunburned skin!  Protecting your plants. Sprinkle used leaves around your garden plants to keep out pests like mice. Quotes To Live By… “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” –William Bruce Cameron “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” –J. K Rowling “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There’s no point in being a fool about it.” –W.C. Fields

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

1 Uh Oh, You May Have One Of These  Selfie elbow . Caused by holding arms up and bent, which applies pressure to the ulnar nerve. Straighten out those arms!  Smartphone thumb . Constantly using thumbs to text causes thumb tendons to get inflamed. Give thumbs a rest.  Tech neck or mouse shoulder . Brain Teaser… What starts with a P and ends with an E and has a thousand letters in it? (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! Hunching over devices causes neck and back tightness. Sit up straight with good posture. Staring at the screen too long can cause headaches and blurred vision. Look away! Best advice? Adjust your habits and avoid repetitive strain. Websites To Beat Boredom If you ever get bored, check out these sites to stimulate your mind: www.boredpanda.com – Filled with boredom-busting articles on every subject under the sun. www.designswan.com – Showcases creative articles and images about art, design and photography. www.cracked.com – Packed with interesting articles and videos guaranteed to get your attention and make you smile.  Computer vision syndrome .

5 Tips To Be Safe During High Winds

You don’t have to be in a tornado to have high-wind damage. Thunderstorm winds exceeding 50-60 mph (and even up to 100 mph) are more common, and can cause destruction across a larger area. Follow these five tips to protect yourself and your family.  Prepare in advance. Remove trees or branches that could fall on your home or on power lines. Replace gravel in your driveway with cement or asphalt. Invest in pressure-rated windows that are labeled DP40 or higher. Since you may lose electricity, plug your electronics into a surge protector. If a storm is coming, secure objects in your yard such as outdoor furniture, garbage cans, grills, and planters.  Review your home insurance to make sure you have appropriate coverage. Learn the difference between “replacement cost,” or how much it would cost to rebuild your home, versus “market value,” or how much someone is willing to pay for your home.  During a wind storm , stay in a room that puts as many walls and floors as possible between you and the storm. If you don’t have a basement, go to the room with the fewest windows. Tune in to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (NOAA) Weather Radio (or check online) or local TV and radio stations.  If you’re driving , keep both hands on the wheel and slow down. Stay a safe distance from other cars, especially high-profile vehicles. If it’s severe, pull over, stay in the car and turn on hazard lights.  Have a go-to emergency kit, with flashlights, batteries (avoid candles), radio, laptop, food and water. Keep cell phones charged.

Do You Have a Trust?

If you do not, you may want to ask your attorney or CPA about the advantages of putting your properties in a Trust.

If you do have a trust, you may want to be sure that your properties listed in your trust have the trust recorded in the county records as the owner of record. In a recent sale, this problem came up and we needed to get the court to approve the trust as the owner of record, causing a delay in the close of escrow. (Thankfully we did not lose the buyer)

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 drawing. And the winner is…drum roll please: Michele Swafford of The Colony What Major League Baseball player currently holds 5 th place on the career home runs record list, behind Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and Alex Rodriguez? a) Albert Pujols b) Willie Mays c) Ken Griffey Jr. d) Jim Thome The answer is b) Willie Mays. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question. What building was the world’s tallest UNTIL it was upstaged by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai?

Brain Teaser Answer: A Post Office!

You Knew This, Right? What’s the difference between the United Kingdom and Great Britain? The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Great Britain is specifically the island that consists of England, Scotland and Wales. Too True! A well-known psychologist is selling a video that teaches you how to test your dog’s IQ. Here’s how it works: If you spend $12.99 for the video, your dog is smarter than you. Grate Idea Need softened butter when yours isn’t? Don’t microwave. Instead, grate the cold butter onto wax or parchment paper and it will soften quickly. 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 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.

a) One World Trade Center b) Shanghai Tower c) Taipei 101 d) Trump International Hotel and Tower

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. Do I have to hire a professional stager or can I stage my home myself in order to sell it? A. Staging your home creates a great first impression, makes pictures pop on the Internet, and will boost your sales price. First, consult your REALTOR ® . You can do the staging yourself if you have the time. Here’s how:  Clean the inside and outside from top to bottom. You may just want to hire professional cleaners to do this part.  Remove clutter, extra furniture and personal items so your potential buyers will “see themselves” living in your home.  Paint the walls a neutral color to appeal to a broad base of buyers. Hiring a professional stager is an excellent alternative. Stagers can bring in furniture/decor that will make your home stand out from others on the market. Ask your REALTOR ® for recommendations. For more staging tips, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “ 4 Steps To Stage Your Home For A Fast Sale. ” I’ll send a copy right to you. Do you have a real estate question you want answered? 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 Majorca Antigua

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique

Asking Price

2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2

1217 1549 1549 1800

$549,888 $638,888 $639,000 $675,000

Antigua Antigua

4446 Antigua Way

Martinique

Capri

$625,694

Market Average

Homes Active Under Contract… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Vina del Mar

3

2.5

2364

Vina del Mar

$839,888 $839,888

Market Average

Sold Properties… (6/01/17 Thru 06/20/18) 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 04/22/18 05/11/18 07/24/17 06/05/17 06/23/17 10/04/17 02/26/18 03/27/18 03/30/18 04/27/18 06/19/17 05/23/18 09/01/17 05/25/18 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 $549,000 $529,000 $595,000 $589,000 $599,000 $625,000 $599,900 $635,000 $635,000 $649,000 $639,888 $629,000 $640,000 $749,000 $799,000 $899,888 $939,000 $0,050,000 $1,295,000 $670,646 $559,000 $599,000 $610,000 $614,888 $590,000

$466.000 $490,000 $510,000 $520,000 $520,000 $529,000 $575,000 $575,000 $565,000 $580,000 $590,000 $625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $628,000 $629,000 $640,000 $695,000 $785,000 $840,000 $935,000 $543,000 $595,000 $595,000 $600,000 $605,000

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

$382.91 Martinique $358.19 Madeira

2365 Martinique 2210 Martinique 2244 Martinique 2013 Majorca 1902 Majorca 2133 Martinique 2051 Majorca 2251 Martinique 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)

$420.32 Madeira $370.97 Antigua

$344.19 Antigua (phase I)

$356.48 Capri

$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

2227 Martinique 2313 Martinique 1990 San Tropez

$428.38 Antigua (phase I)

$456.87 Madeira

$456.54 Madeira (Ambassador)

4440 Antigua

$405.42 Antigua $386.60 Capri $467.49 Madeira

2287 Martinique 2345 Martinique 2017 San Sebastian 1992 San Tropez 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)

$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)

$652,589

$429.82

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

2 2 2 2 2 3

1 2 2 2 3 3

925

Plan C Plan D

$459,000

2949 Harbor

1198 1411 1319 1502 1485

$495,000 $595,000 $645,000 $775,000 $789,500 $626,417

Sunset

T-2 T-2

3650 Sunset

Harbor Harbor

Villa Villa

Market Average

Homes Taking Back Up Offers … Address Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

3554 Sunset

2

2

1135

T-3

$549,000

$549,000

Market Average

Homes Pending … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Sunset

2

2

1135

T-3

$595,000 $595,000

Market Average

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

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3039 Harbor 3024 Sunset 3045 Harbor 3031 Harbor 3140 Sunset 3684 Sunset 4522 LaBrea 3650 Sunset 3009 Harbor 3013 Harbor 3634 Sunset 3120 Sunset 3480 Sunset 3674 Sunset 4526 LaBrea 4501LaBrea

$365,000 $480,000 $517,000 $549,000 $499,000 $550,000 $519,000 $535,000 $529,000 $539,000 $569,000 $575,000 $599,000 $605,000 $650,000 $785,000 $566,642

$370,000 $485,000 $500,000 $500,000 $504,000 $505,000 $517,000 $517,000 $517,500 $539,000 $545,000 $575,000 $588,000 $590,000 $635,000 $750,000 $554,821

781 925

$473.75 $406.46 $417.36 $443.26 $389.49 $444.93 $455.51 $391.96 $458.78 $477.84 $413.19 $479.97 $445.79 $400.27 $481.43 $505.05 $450.84

Plan A Plan C Plan D Plan B Plan D

06/20/18

09/22/17 07/28/17 05/11/18 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 05/21/18 04/13/18 04/28/17

1198 1128 1294 1135 1135 1319 1128 1128 1319 1198 1319 1474 1319 1485

T-3 T-3 T-2

Plan B Plan B

T-2

Plan D

T-2 T-1 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 June 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.