January 2020

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 You Missing Opportunities to Get Ahead With Your Finances?

Getting ahead with your finances is easier than you might think. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn tips to improve your relationship with money, how to utilize apps that take the stress out of the budgeting process and find ways to save money that you might not have considered.

You’ll also learn about how to spot health scams, driving laws that are commonly forgotten, and how to complete jobs around your home like a pro – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. Bur first…

Here are the sales statistics for the Beach/Marina area, which includes 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 28 24 22 15 24 28 22 30 32 29

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 7.04 99 102 102 97 122 4.3 5.27 4.26 4.1 6.88 95 112 103 92 125 4.13 5.11 3.82 4.21 7.04 91 106 95 95 126 3.83 5.18 3.83 3.67 6.3 87 107 96 81 115 3.33 4.52 2.4 4.13 5.74 75 93 61 87 100 2.8 4.06 2.45 3.81 4.71 64 83 63 79 93 2.81 3.64 2.54 3.32

January February

March

April May June

July

August

September 27 26 29 23 27

October

25 24 28 16 15

November 21 19 23 19 14 December 20 22 11 12

15 thru 12/17

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, CRS, ePRO CA BRE#01040021 RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors

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

Florence’s…

Service For Life ! “Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…” Budgeting Without Stress Budgeting seems like a great idea in theory, but the reality of putting it into practice can be stressful. Here’s how to tackle budgeting in a stress-free way that also helps you achieve your financial goals. 1. Commit to a date . The first thing to do is set a “money date” with yourself (and your partner if you budget together). Pick an hour on the weekend — or a time when you know you’ll be relaxed — and commit to sitting down to review your budget. 2. Expenses . Make a list of categories of regular expenses, like rent or mortgage, utilities, phone, car payments, insurance, food, and gas. Next, list one-off or irregular expenses, like clothing, travel, haircare, and gifts. 3. Habits . Now that you have a list of expenses, it’s time to look at spending habits. Rather than treating this as a punitive exercise, think of it as a learning experience instead. Use your money date to review your bank account each week, and log how much you actually spend and on what category of item. Look for any trends: how much are you spending at Starbucks that you hadn’t listed on your initial expenses? Are you getting takeout more regularly than you thought? 4. Consider your financial goals . Do you want to save money, or pay down a credit card? Visualize how you’ll feel when you’ve paid off that high interest card or imagine sitting on the beach during the vacation you saved for. That goal can help make it easier to save. 5. Cut back . Once you have real-life goals in mind, you’re more likely to be motivated to save. Consider if you really need a latte every day, or would you rather have one a week and save the rest of the money? 6. Stay on track . There are a number of great apps available ( Mint.com , or YouNeedABudget.com ) that can take the hassle out of updating a spending log. They can help keep track of your goals easily and automatically.  Warning Before You Sell Your Home... Don’t put your home on the market without my Free Consumer Guide titled, “ How To Avoid 7 Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home .” My exclusive report will give you all the facts for a fast, top dollar sale. Get your free copy by calling me at…805-701-8410

Buying A Home Soon-for the first time? Get my Free Consumer Guide, “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid.” Call me right now at 805-701-8410 for details…

January, 2020 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

No-Stress Budgeting…Page 1

How To Spot Health Fraud Scams…Page 2

Traffic Rules That Are Often Forgotten…Page 2

3 Tips For DIY Home Fixes…Page 3

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

What Landscaping Will Help Attract Buyers To My Home?…Page 4

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

Spot Health Fraud Scams You see ads everywhere about miracle cures — like a cure for cancer and weight loss— that seem too good to be true. Here’s how to identify a scam and where you can check the legitimacy of misleading claims. The Food and Drug Administration has a page dedicated to Health Fraud Scams ( https://www.fda.gov/consumers/protecting- yourself/health-fraud-scams ). Here you’ll find the latest health fraud news, information, and resources to help you determine if a product that claims to prevent, treat, or cure health conditions really does what it says. An example scam might be a marketing company that claims their unapproved cannabidiol product will treat cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, among other misleading promises. The FDA warns to be wary of products marketed as a “one product does it all,” quick fixes, and personal testimonials. They caution to look out for words and phrases like natural, satisfaction guaranteed, time-tested, and new-found treatment. When something feels too good to be true, it usually is. Conserve your precious time and money and put it toward those money goals instead! Forgotten Traffic Rules Even if you have been driving for years, it is still possible that you may have forgotten some traffic rules (maybe that makes it MORE likely!). Here’s a quick recap of some common rules we often forget: 1. Going just 5 miles above the speed limit is illegal. 2. If two or more cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time, the driver to the right has the right of way. 3. Stop means a complete stop, and you can get a ticket for not stopping. 4. It is illegal almost everywhere to text or hold your phone behind the wheel. 5. Failure to signal is against the law. 6. In dry conditions you should be a minimum of 2 seconds away from other cars — longer when it’s raining or icy. 7. In some states it is illegal to cut through a parking lot to avoid traffic. 8. 34 states in the U.S. allow police officers to pull a driver over and cite them only for not using a seatbelt (no need for another violation). Would You Like To Know How Much Your Neighbor’s Home Listed Or Sold For? 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!)…

Crowdsource (krowd-sors) verb

Meaning : accomplishing a task with the help of a group of people, often via the Internet, paid or unpaid Sample Sentence : A big snack company crowdsources its yearly Super Bowl ads, awarding prize money to winners and airing their creative ads. Watch Out for This Weed Italian Arum is a noxious weed that looks like ivy, but with larger leaves and deep white veins on a dark green leaf. While it appears to be a beautiful ornamental plant that blooms in spring with white flowers and red berries, it spreads quickly and is highly toxic to touch. If ingested by babies and young children, it can be fatal. The only way to remove the plant and prevent spreading is by acting quickly. While wearing gloves, carefully dig up the tuber to the bulb and place in a sealed bag, in the normal garbage (do not compost).

Baking And Baseball

B Q: Why is a baseball team similar to a muffin? A: They both depend on the batter!

Quotes To Live By…

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” –Willie Nelson

“Keep looking up…that’s the secret of life.” .. –Charlie Brown

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.”

–Stephen King

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

Top 3 Tips for DIY Home Fixes

1 If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at 805-701-8410 . I’m here to help. Brain Teaser… Dave left home running. He ran for a while and then turned left, ran the same distance and turned left again, ran the same distance and turned left again. When he got home, there were two masked men. Who were they? (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 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. Inexpensive Ways to Decorate Your Home  Use the Nextdoor app or website ( Nextdoor.com ) to ask neighbors for free cuttings or plants they no longer want.  Check out your local Buy Nothing Sell Nothing Groups on Facebook for any  Check out your local charity store for cheap furniture, lamps, plant pots, and a whole host of other bargains. Websites For Better Web-life Communicating online is now a way of life, but are you doing it smartly? These websites help you to ensure your web-life is safe, protected, and running efficiently. archive.is – This site allows you to plug in a URL, and take a picture of the website that you can save to your own computer (even if the site disappears later). fast.com – Fast.com is a quick and easy- to-understand Internet speed test, powered by Netflix. Just visit and the test begins. www.virustotal.com – This site will scan a single file for you, or a URL to detect malware. Just upload the file from your computer, or enter a URL. decorative items, knickknacks, curtains, and cushions for free.

There are many jobs around the home that people normally hire experts for, but some of them you can actually do yourself. Here are our top 3 DIY home fixes that will look like a pro did the job. 1. How to paint like a painter . The key to painting well is in the preparation: remove fixtures and fittings, clean walls with a damp sponge, fill any holes or gouges with spackle (don’t forget to sand filled holes once dried), and add tape to any areas that can’t be removed, like permanent fixtures and trim. Then lay down drop cloths to ensure you don’t get paint on the floor. Next, apply a primer (unless your paint contains primer). Once dry, start painting. Use long strokes and try not to go over the same spot more than twice. Wait until it is dry to add a second coat. Tip: do not paint when the weather is very warm, otherwise the paint will bubble or dry unevenly. 2. Fix a shut-off valve without a plumber . Turn off the main water valve, remove the packing nut, and unscrew the stem (if you need images, you can search online for images of what those are). Take the stem to the hardware store to replace the washer. Clean out the valve removing any grit, replace the washer, and screw back in. Don’t forget to turn the water back on! 3. How to caulk around the bath like a pro . Step 1: remove the old caulking with either a plastic putty knife/scraper or a caulk removal solution. Remember, old caulk will not stick to new caulk, so you need to remove it all. Next, clean the surface with a damp cloth and rubbing alcohol, and wait until completely dry. Once dry, prepare a damp cloth/paper towel to clean up any messes. Before caulking, apply painters’ tape a few millimeters from the tile so that you avoid having to remove caulking once dried — this is particularly difficult with silicone caulking. Caulk around the tub and wait until it is dry. Then remove the tape and you should have a neat line of caulking.

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 Bill Reno of The Colony won the drawing for my quiz question. Correctly answer this month’s quiz to enter the drawing. Last month’s quiz: Which singer became one of the two new judges for the 10 th season of the television show American Idol?

Brain Teaser Answer: The catcher and the umpire.

Did You Know? Researchers studying the happiness and mortality of people have found that one of the best ways to live longer is to have a sense of purpose. They found that elderly participants who felt their life had purpose and meaning had better survival rates. Two Homemade Cleaners That Work Save money on household cleaners by making your own:  All-purpose cleaner : one-part white vinegar, one-part water, lemon rind, and rosemary sprigs. Combine in a spray bottle and use to clean around the house and lift stubborn stains.  Glass cleaner : 2 cups of water, ½ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, 1 or 2 drops of orange essential oil. Combine in a spray bottle and use to clean windows with a paper towel or soft cloth. 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 BRE#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.

a) Ryan Seacrest b) Steven Tyler c) Gwen Stefani d) Adam Levine

The answer is b) Steven Tyler. Jennifer Lopez also joined as a judge in 2011, season 10.

So, let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

Which real-life shipwreck inspired Herman Melville’s “Moby Dick?” a) The Two Brothers b) The Essex c) The Charles Carroll d) The Mary Rose

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: What landscaping will attract buyers to my home? A: Here are some ideas to get more offers on your property.

 Consider a low-maintenance landscaping concept . Having little or no natural grass and rock gardens is perfect for busy professionals and retirees looking at your home. Also, consider using native plants because they are colorful, require little fertilizer, and need no additional water or special attention.  Keep your foundation plants pruned . Make sure plants are low enough against the windows and railings. This keeps a well- maintained appearance and makes your home look more secure.  If you are short on time, hire a professional . A professional landscaper can rid your yard of weeds and dead spots. This ensures a healthy-looking yard. Learn more about selling your home in my Free Consumer Report called “4 Steps To Stage Your Home For A Fast Sale.” Call me and I’ll send a copy right over 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 Antigua

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique

Asking Price

2 2

2 2

1217 1368

$539,888

2206 Martinique

Madeira (upper level)

$649,000 $594,444

Market Average

Active Taking Back Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2103 Martinique

2 2

2 2

1368 1217

Madeira

$539,000 $579,888 $559,444

San Sebastian

Martinique (Ambassador)

Market Average

Pending Properties…

Address Majorca

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique

Asking Price

2 2 3

2 2 3

1217 1368 2360

$535,888 $599,888

Martinique

Madeira

Vina del Mar

Vina del Mar

$1,125,888

$753,888

Market Average

Sold Properties… (01/01/19 Thru 12/17/19) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

2382 Vina del Mar

$499,000 $569,888 $539,000

$504,000 $525,000 $535,000

1113 1549 1113

$452.83 Martinique (Phase I)

10/31/19 08/06/19

4431 Antigua

$338.93 Antigua

2223 Martinique

$480.68 Martinique (Phase I)

02/28/19

2305 Martinique

$539,000

$535,000

1113

$480.68 Martinique (Phase I)

05/15/19

4463 Antigua

$589,000 $579,000 $605,000 $615,000 $665,000 $678,000 $729,000 $835,000 $999,000 $959,000 $1,175,888 $1,299,000

$575,000 $579,000 $580,000 $605,000 $625,000 $670,000 $709,000 $812,500 $939,000 $949,000

1368 1450 1627 1459 1627 1780 1550 1550 2360 2360

420.32

Madeira

07/08/19 05/17/19 05/03/19 03/30/19 10/29/19 11/20/19 04/15/19 12/11/19 05/10/19 08/26/19 11/06/19

4446 Antigua 2031 Majorca 2351 Martinique 2361 Martiique

$373.79 Antigua $356.48 Capri $398.81 Antigua $384.14 Capri $376.40 Capri

4421 Antigua

4711 San Sebastian 4674 San Sebastian 2222 Cannes Square 2353 Vina del Mar 2127 Vina del Mar 2315 Vina del Mar

$457.42 Antigua (Ambassador) $524.19 Antigua (Ambassador)

$397.88 Vina del Mar $402.12 Vina del Mar

$1,100,000 2149 $1,300,000 2139

$511.87 Cannes

$607.76 San Tropez

06/07/19

$731,525

$711,909

$428.62

Market Average

Florence represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of December 17, 2019 and may not be listed by RE/MAX. Information herein has not been verified, is not guaranteed, and is subject to change

TO SEE COLONY FLOOR PLANS Check out my Colony Web Site: http://THECOLONYATMANDALAY.COM

Florence’s

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

Homes Currently Active …

None

Properties Accepting Back Up Offers …

None

Pending Properties …

None

Sold Properties (01/01/19 Thru 12/17/19) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3132 Sunset 3043 Harbor 3130 Sunset 3111 Harbor 3061 Harbor 3304 Sunset 2949 Harbor 3634 Sunset 3450 Sunset 3444 Sunset 3136 Sunset 3135 Harbor 3131 Harbor 3201 Harbor 3380 Sunset

$415,000 $425,000 $479,000 $499,000 $525,000 $549,900 $575,000 $595,000 $610,000 $639,000 $627,000 $729,000 $699,000 $779,000 $795,000 $596,060

$405,000 $445,000 $440,000 $489,000 $495,000 $549,000 $560,000 $565,000 $595,000 $611,000 $615,000 $700,000 $701,000 $779,000 $785,000 $582,800

925

$437.84 $394.50 $484.32 $433.51 $438.83 $372.20 $467.45 $428.35 $451.10 $414.52 $513.36 $499.29 $466.71 $524.57 $532.20 $452.44

Plan C Plan B Plan C Plan B Plan B

12/13/19 07/03/19 09/30/19 12/05/19 07/11/19 05/22/19 12/13/19 07/26/19 09/27/19 09/09/19 08/26/19 03/25/19 07/18/19 08/12/19 07/08/19

1128

925

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

Villa

Plan D

T-2 T-2

Villa

Plan D

Villa (end unit)

Villa 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 Dec. 17, 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.

To See HarborWalk floor plans go to my HarborWalk web site: http://HarborWalkCondos.com

Florence’s

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

Homes Currently Active … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

1747 Emerald Isle

2 3 2

2 2 2

1937 2164 1937

Plan A Plan B Plan A

$779,000 $865,000 $899,000

Emerald Isle Harbour Island

$847,666

Market Average

Homes Accepting Back Up Offers … Address Bdrms Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Emerald Isle

2

2

2164

Plan B

$850,000 $850,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/19 Thru 12/17/19) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

1717 Pearl

$899,000

$880,000

2164

$406.65 $506.95 $373.32

Plan B Plan C Plan D

04/25/19 09/09/19 08/29/19

1953 Emerald Isle

$1,369,000 $1,350,000 2663

4254 Harbour Island $1,800,000 $1,600,000 4018

Market Average $459.16 Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both $1,356,000 $1,243,333

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of Dec 17, 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.

To see Harbour Island Floor Plans go to my Harbour Island web site: HarbourIslandCondos.com