August 2019

Florence's...

Service For Life !

Insider Tips for Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Living

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

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early? Do you want to pay off your home mortgage before the term is up? And should you? In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn both the pros and cons to consider before making the decision. You’ll also learn how to set up an ergonomically friendly workspace, tips for flying with the whole family, and how to get started with the de-cluttering process – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. Here’s what’s happening in your neighborhood. Below are the sales statistics for Mandalay Shores, Hollywood Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Westport, The Colony, HarborWalk, HarborsWest, C.I. Waterfront Homes, and Harbour Island . Note: Inventory less than 6 months is considered a seller’s market; more than 6 months, a buyer’s.

Closed Escrows

Active Listings

Inventory (months)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 11 17 21 21 14 16 14 18 12 15 25 18 34 28 14 19 17 18 19 20 29 23 20 31 18 24 21 44 22 11

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 50 62 75 70 67 2.48 2.7 4.02 2.13 4.49 53 63 84 53 91 2.78 3.03 3.95 2.59 3.37 72 70 84 63 69 3.03 3.69 3.9 2.51 4.5 87 80 88 60 87 4.33 3.58 4.72 2.42 5.46 95 74 107 54 108 4.22 3.8 4.99 2.82 6.98 96 83 112 70 128 4.35 4.73 4.19 4.2 7 99 102 102 97 122 4.3 5.27 4.26 4.1

January February

March

April May June

July

28 24 22 15 28 22 30 32

16 thru 7/18

August

95 112 103 92 91 106 95 95 87 107 96 81 75 93 61 87 64 83 63 79

4.13 5.11 3.82 4.21 3.83 5.18 3.83 3.67 3.33 4.52 2.4 4.13 2.8 4.06 2.45 3.81 2.81 3.64 2.54 3.32

September 27 26 29 23

October

25 24 28 16

November 21 19 23 19 December 20 22 11 12

We just closed escrow on 4463 Antigua Way in The Colony for $575,000: we represented both buyers and sellers. We just reduced the price on 2242 Martinique in The Colony, a great single level condo with a back yard. Reduced to $559,000. In HarborWalk: just listed a great upper level with 2 bedrooms 2 baths plus 2 decks. This particular unit has great granite counters, duel pane windows, and marina views – Asking: $629,000. 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, competent, 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

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

Florence’s…

How To Get Top Dollar Selling Your Home... 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 .” This report will be your secret weapon to maximize the net profits from the sale of your home. You can get a free copy by calling me at… 805-701-8410 You might lose a tax break. You might be able to deduct interest paid on your mortgage, which reduces your annual taxable income (review recent tax changes, as more people are now just claiming the standard deduction). Pros And Cons: Paying Your Mortgage Off Early Is it better to pay off the mortgage on your home early so you can live free and clear of home ownership debt? Or is it better to make scheduled payments in full and on time, but not bother rushing through the payment process? Here are a few things to consider when making the decision. Why would you want to pay off the mortgage early? • Large debts can be emotionally draining. • Mortgage lenders are making lots of money at your expense. • There are other costs associated with having a mortgage, like private mortgage insurance, that can add up. • Paying off a mortgage early offers financial security and flexibility to put money toward other expenses. Okay, I’m interested! But how do I do it? • Refinance to a lower interest rate, which can drop interest payments. • Refinance to a shorter loan time frame. Your monthly payment may increase, but if you pay more each month for a shorter period of time, you’ll pay the loan off faster, build equity faster, and save on interest payments. • Make a lump-sum payment toward the principal (such as with a tax refund) — but make sure you won’t be hit with a prepayment penalty before you do. • Pay a little more each month. Consider rounding up your payments so you’re paying a bit extra on the principal. Before paying off your mortgage, focus on other finances. You need a significant emergency fund (6-12 months of living expenses) and should pay into a retirement account. Also, pay down any high-interest debt before getting ahead on the mortgage: credit cards, student loans, and other sizable debt. • Money spent paying down mortgage can’t be spent elsewhere. For example, done intelligently, investing in the stock market is likely to result in a higher financial return than paying off a home mortgage loan. • Hold up! There are a few reasons not to pay your mortgage off early. • Service For Life ! “Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…” 

WARNING: Don’t even 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…

August 2019 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

Should You Pay Your Mortgage Off Early?…Page 1

Ergonomic Workspace Setup …Page 2

Family-Friendly Flying Tips…Page 3

De-cluttering Primer…Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 Gift Card for Lure Restaurant...Page 4 I’m Seeking Financing to Purchase a Home. What Questions Should I Ask a Mortgage Lender?...Page 4

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

A Heartfelt Message To My Special Clients and Friends… I want to share a little secret with you. I don’t spend my time cold calling or pestering people for business. Instead, I focus 110% of my efforts on giving such outstanding service that people naturally think of me when a friend, neighbor or family member needs a caring, experienced REALTOR®. I would like to take a moment to thank the special people in my life who’ve helped build my business with their enduring support and referrals. I couldn’t do it without you! Appropriate width and depth. Make sure you can sit comfortably with your back against the backrest and 2-4 inches between the backs of the knees and seat of the chair. □ Comfortable, padded, breathable material. □ Lumbar support for the lower back. □ Adjustable armrests. Get An Ergonomic Workspace A sedentary lifestyle is bad for our health. Unfortunately, office jobs require we spend many of our waking hours sitting. Do the next best thing to a stand-up desk and support your body by creating an ergonomically friendly workspace. At your workspace:  Support your back. Adjust the back of your chair so it fits your body shape. Add extra lower back support if needed so your back rests comfortably against the chair.  Properly position the keyboard. Elbows should be at the sides of the body when sitting properly in your chair and typing on the keyboard. Avoid leaning forward to reach the keyboard.  Place the computer screen at eye level. Avoid strain on the neck by placing the top of the computer screen right at the level of your eyes. If you work on a laptop, this means you’ll need to boost the height of the laptop and get an external keyboard to type on.  Rest your elbows at 90 degrees. The office chair should have arm supports so your elbows rest at a 90-degree angle. Without arm supports, you’ll likely end up hunching your shoulders. If you have the ability to choose your own office chair, look for these ergonomic features: □ An adjustable seat. When sitting in the chair, feet should be flat on the floor. Thighs should be horizontal, and arms even with the desk height. □

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!)… Digital detox (Di-ji-tal dee-tox) noun Meaning: a period of time when a person chooses to refrain from using digital devices Sample Sentence: She decided to take a digital detox while on vacation and not check her social media accounts. Chil-i Out Do you know the difference between chile powder and chili powder? Chile powder is made of dried chile peppers, ground with no other additions. Chili powder blends chile peppers with other spices like cumin and oregano (for making chili). Smart Clothes Shopping How many clothing items in your closet do you actually wear? Avoid falling into fast fashion trends with these tips: -Invest in high-quality clothing with better materials and production. -Buy clothing that fits or have it tailored properly so you actually wear it. -Buy clothes that you’ll realistically wear and that look good on your body type now (not the one you wish you had or used to have). -Care for clothing with proper washing, ironing, and storage. Quotes To Live By… “I have lost friends, some by death, others through sheer inability to cross the street.” –Virginia Woolf “You may catch more flies with honey than vinegar, but you’ll get them to work harder if you use a flyswatter.” –Jerry Lewis “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” A Sad Show Q: Why did the theater cry? A: Because it had tiers.

–Eleanor Roosevelt

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

Here’s A Free, Valuable Resource… Stress-Free Family Flying Traveling is a great way to build memories with your family — if done thoughtfully. Last month we offered general family travel tips. This month we take to the skies. Buckle up! • Board early. Most airlines invite families to board first, so take advantage to get settled in. • Avoid busy airports and peak travel times. Mid-week, early and mid-mornings, and late at night are good options. • Come prepared with entertainment. Pack coloring books, games, crayons, stuffed animals, movies on a portable DVD player, and anything else that might keep your kids busy. • Pack your carry-on bag with an assumed 48-hour delay. This means you’ve got a change of clothes, diapers, and enough to entertain the whole family should your original travel plans be thrown off track. Bring your own snacks as well. • Avoid unnecessary stops. If possible, fly straight to your destination. • Choose seats that let you keep a bag within arm’s reach. This means avoiding the bulkhead seats, even if they have extra room. Get Ready To De-Clutter! Part 1 Who said spring cleaning should only happen once a year? Any time is a good time to declutter … but where to start and how to do it well? This month, get in the right frame of mind. Next month, we’ll tackle the bedroom! Before you begin: □ Set aside time to focus on decluttering. □ Avoid buying anything new for your home during the decluttering process. □ Think about what you want the space to look like after decluttering. Throughout the process, revisit this vision. Next: □ Choose an area that causes the most stress or an area that impacts your daily life. □ Start with visible surfaces like desktops and tables, then tackle hidden places like drawers and cabinets. □ Re-evaluate and reorganize large items like furniture. □ Deal with each item, and make sure there is a proper place for everything. 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

Brain Teaser… Feed me and it gives me life. Give me a drink of water and I will die.

What am I?

(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 . To Refrigerate… Or Not? Many condiments state “refrigerate after opening” on their labels. But what actually needs to be refrigerated? YES: -Mayonnaise – Anything with egg as an ingredient goes to the fridge! -Ketchup – Quality suffers if it’s kept unrefrigerated. -Maple syrup -Salad dressings (if they contain any vegetable matter) NO: -Anything high in acids or salt like hot sauces, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and mustard. However, store them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. -Honey -Nut butters News Feed Websites Instead of visiting dozens of websites every day, use an online news feed to curate, sort, and read your favorite sites all in one place. You can select your favorite topics- and usually can add sites or stories from your browser to read later. These three have apps you can use on your phone, too! www.feedly.com – Sort and manage up to 100 different news sources in the free version. www.newsblur.com – Curate up to 64 sites in the free version and share content with friends. www.inoreader.com – Offers an uncluttered, easy way to view all your news sources.

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

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

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

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.

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 was the lucky winner of this month’s drawing.

Brain Teaser Answer: Fire

The famous Brownie Box Camera from Eastman Kodak sold for how much when it first hit store shelves in 1900?

College Visits 101 Class is in session! How to get that almost-collegiate ready for college visits: □ Visit during the school year. That way you can get a feel for the actual vibe of campus life. Make a visitation plan. Before hitting campus, check to see if there are tours at certain times, and make appointments with professors, coaches, or student club officers in advance instead of just dropping in. Grab the student newspaper. What are the hot topics on campus? Are students’ concerns being addressed? Explore the facilities. Don’t forget to stop by the student union building, gym, and cafeteria. Ask if you can tour a dorm. 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. □ □ □ □ Don’t feel pressured to go. Visiting in advance is not a requirement!

a) $2.50 b) $1.00 c) $10.00 d) $5.00

The answer is b) $1.00. This is the rough equivalent of $30.00 in today’s dollars. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question. The oldest ice skates found so far date back to 2000 BC. In what country were they found? a) Canada b) Sweden c) Finland d) Russia

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. I’m seeking financing to purchase a home. What questions should I ask a mortgage lender to get the best deal on a home loan?

A. Before you meet with the lender, learn important financing terms such as origination fee, discount points, and lock period. This way you’ll be prepared to ask relevant questions. Here are some examples:  Will I be charged an origination fee? If so, how much?  Will I be charged separate discount points? If so, how much?  Will I be charged any of these separate fees: processing, document preparation, underwriting, tax service, or flood certification?  Will there be additional fees at closing?  Is there a lock period with this loan? If so, how long?  Are there any penalties if I pay off the note early?  What is the interest rate I’ll be charged, and is it fixed or variable?  What term (length) of loan provides the best payment for my budget? For definitions of these terms and more financing tips, ask for my Free Consumer Report called “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Home.” I’ll send a copy right to you.

Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to 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

2242 Martinique

2

2

1113

Martinique (Phase I)

$559,000 $569,888 $588,900 $939,000 $959,000

Majorca Antigua

2 2 2 3

2 2 2 3

1217 1368 1550 2360

Martinique

Madeira

San Sebastian Vina del Mar

Antigua (Ambassador)

Vina del Mar

$717,157

Market Average

Homes Pending…

Address Antigua

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2

2

1549

Antigua

$569,888 $569,888

Market Average

Sold Properties… (03/01/18 Thru 07/18/19) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

2223 Martinique

$539,000

$535,000

1113

$480.68 Martinique (Phase I)

02/28/19

2305 Martinique

$539,000

$535,000

1113

$480.68 Martinique (Phase I)

05/15/19 07/25/18 07/08/19 04/22/18 05/11/18 05/17/19 05/03/19 03/30/19 06/07/18 08/14/18 03/27/18 03/30/18 06/11/18 04/27/18 05/23/18 10/18/18 10/23/18 04/15/19 05/25/18 08/24/18 07/06/18 05/10/19 05/31/18 04/11/18

1955 Majorca 4463 Antigua

$549,888 $589,000 $595,000 $589,000 $579,000 $605,000 $615,000 $624,888 $638,888 $635,000 $649,000 $655,000 $639,888 $640,000 $679,500 $669,000 $729,000 $799,000 $845,000 $839,888 $999,000 $1,050,000 $1,295,000 $1,299,000

$525,000 $575,000 $575,000 $575,000 $579,000 $580,000 $605,000 $615,000 $625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $627,500 $628,000 $640,000 $648,000 $669,000 $709,000 $785,000 $820,000 $830,000 $939,000

1217 1368 1368 1550 1450 1627 1459 1459 1549 1368 1369 1627 1550 1369 1800 1800 1550 1628 2360 2360 2360

431.39 420.32

Martinique

Madeira

2133 Martinique 2051 Majorca 4446 Antigua 2031 Majorca 2351 Martinique 2386 Martinique 2313 Martinique 1990 San Tropez 2317 Martinique 4451 Antigua

$420.32 Madeira $370.97 Antigua $373.79 Antigua $356.48 Capri $398.81 Antigua

$421.52 Antigua (Phase I)

$403.49 Antigua $456.87 Madeira

$456.54 Madeira (Ambassador)

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

4440 Antigua

2345 Martinique 1900 Majorca 2325 Martinique

$379.04 Capri

4711 San Sebastian

$457.42 Antigua (Ambassador)

1992 San Tropez

$482.19 Capri (Ambassador)

2202 Vina del Mar 2206 Vina del Mar 2222 Cannes Square 2333 Vina del Mar 1965 San Sebastian 2315 Vina del Mar

$347.46 Vina del Mar $351.69 Vina del Mar $397.88 Vina del Mar $434.32 Vina del Mar

$1,025,000 2360 $1,215,000 1550 $1,300,000 2139

$783.87 Antigua (Ambassador)

$607.76 San Tropez

06/07/19

$732,949

$713,380

$438.44

Market Average

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of July 21, 2019 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 Sunset

2 2 2 2 2 3

1 2 2 2 2 3

925

Plan C Plan B Plan C

$429,000 $460,000 $479,000 $629,000 $639,000 $785,000 $570,166

1128

925

3450 Sunset

1319 1474 1485

T-2 T-1

Sunset Sunset

Villa

Market Average

Homes Accepting Back Up Offers … Address Bdrms Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

3634 Sunset 3136 Sunset

2 2 3

2 2 3

1319 1198 1475

T-2

$595,000 $627,000 $779,000 $667,000

Plan D

Harbor

Villa

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/18 Thru 07/18/19) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3039 Harbor 3043 Harbor 2949 Harbor 3061 Harbor 3031 Harbor 3057 Harbor 3554 Sunset 3013 Harbor 3304 Sunset 3120 Sunset 3424 Sunset 3420 Sunset 3674 Sunset 4526 LaBrea 3225 Harbor 3135 Harbor 3131 Harbor 3380 Sunset 3650 Sunset

$365,000 $425,000 $495,000 $525,000 $549,000 $524,500 $549,000 $539,000 $549,900 $575,000 $595,000 $$595,000 $605,000 $619,999 $650,000 $710,000 $729,000 $699,000 $795,000 $581,284

$370,000 $445,000 $490,000 $495,000 $500,000 $515,000 $520,000 $539,000 $549,000 $575,000 $580,000 $583,000 $590,000 $610,000 $635,000 $695,000 $700,000 $701,000 $785,000 $572,474

781

$473.75 $394.50 $409.02 $438.83 $443.26 $456.56 $458.15 $477.84 $372.20 $479.97 $511.01 $413.18 $400.27 $462.47 $481.43 $499.29 $466.71 $532.20 $454.67 $468.01

Plan A Plan B Plan D Plan B Plan B Plan B

06/20/18 07/03/19 08/31/18 07/11/19 05/11/18 10/22/18 07/13/18 03/14/18 05/22/19 02/28/18 06/25/18 08/07/18 05/21/18 09/19/18 04/13/18 10/30/18 03/25/19 07/18/19 07/08/19

1128 1198 1128 1128 1128 1135 1128 1475 1198 1135 1411 1474 1319 1319 1485 1402 1501 1485

T-3

Plan B

Villa

Plan D

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

Villa (end unit) Villa (end unit)

Villa 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 July 19, 2019. 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.