April 2021

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

Could You Succeed As Your Own Boss? Being happy and challenged at work is an important part of a fulfilling life for many. Have you wondered whether you’d be happier running your own business, though? In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn helpful tips for running a successful business and how to succeed at being your own boss. You’ll also learn about simple things you do every day that help you to be more productive, how to keep your garden looking fresh, ways to tackle insect bites, and read about the origins of the hashtag – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. Here’s what’s happening in your neighborhood. The Beach Sales Stats, which include Mandalay Shores, Hollywood Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Westport, The Colony, HarborWalk, HarbourWest, CI Waterfront Homes and Harbour Island. Note: Inventory less than 6 months is considered a seller’s market; more than 6 months a buyer’s.

Active Listings

Closed Escrows

Inventory (months)

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 21 21 14 23 20

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 75 70 67 80 22 4.02 2.13 4.49 4.14 1.19 84 53 91 92 23 3.95 2.59 3.37 4.68 1.55 84 63 69 89 17 3.9 2.51 4.5 4.68

January

February 18 12 15 11 13

March

34 28 14 17 18 19 20 17

11 thru 3/17

April May June July

88 60 87 90 107 54 108 93 112 70 128 78 102 97 122 80 103 92 125 62 95 95 126 51 96 81 115 34 61 87 100 41 63 79 93 32

4.72 2.42 5.46 4.9 4.99 2.82 6.98 4.29 4.19 4.2 7.04 4.38 4.26 4.1 6.88 4.05 3.82 4.21 7.04 4.78 3.83 3.67 6.3 1.5 2.4 4.13 5.74 1.8 2.45 3.81 4.71 1.23 2.54 3.32 4.3 0.89

8

20 31 18

44 22 11 22 22 15 24 46 30 32 29 32

August

September 29 23 27 45

October

28 16 15 49

November 23 19 14 19 December 11 12 22 29

As we all know, the real estate market is going crazy. For the first time in my career, I closed 2 escrows in December, 2 more in January and another 2 in March. Traditionally, those are “quiet times”. Thinking of selling? We need to talk. Let me tell you how we market in today’s world. 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 DRE#01040021 RE/MAX Gold Coast

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

Florence’s…

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…

How To Be More Productive

We all know there are certain time-wasters in our everyday lives, like social media. But besides avoiding those, what about real actionable tips that can help you achieve more in less time? Here’s a 5-step plan to be more productive: 1. Engage in a morning routine . Many successful leaders have a morning routine that helps focus their mind for the day, calm racing thoughts, and energize their body for the day ahead. You too can achieve this by setting aside 10-30 minutes each morning to: meditate for at least 5 minutes, journal — make a plan for the day, write a short gratitude list — and stretch or workout. 2. Eat breakfast . Sounds simple, but many of us don’t make time for a nutritious breakfast, often grabbing convenience food to go. Prepare something healthy the night before so that you can grab that on your way out the door. This saves money on eating out and creates more energy by fueling your body effectively. 3. Create boundaries around social media . Those who are productive with their time don’t spend hours on social media. But that doesn’t mean they don’t use apps like Facebook or Instagram. They’re just smart about when they use them. You could designate 15 minutes twice per day for social media by setting a timer. You may soon find that you have a lot more time to get things done. 4. Plan your week every Friday . Taking the time to plan out activities and commitments for the following week will give you a big picture of everything you want to do and help you see if you’re over-extending yourself. 5. Make the best use of your brain . Sounds interesting, but there is logic here! Some people are more productive at certain times of day. For example, if you are a morning person you might feel it is best to tackle challenging projects first thing in the morning and more menial tasks that require less brain power —like returning phone calls, running errands, and checking and responding to emails — a bit later in the day. Take 5-10 minutes to consider when your brain is most creative, active, and has lots of energy. Then plan activities around that knowledge. You might find yourself considerably more productive, especially if you stick to the tasks you’ve designated for certain times. 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

April 2021 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

5 Steps To Be More Productive…Page 1

How To Be Your Own Boss… Page 2

Summer Bug Bite Fixes…Page 3

Lawn Problems?…Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 Gift Card for Lure Restaurant...Page 4 I’m Buying A House. What Can I Do To Make An Offer Before Other Buyers?...Page 4

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

Succeed As Your Own Boss Whether you are thinking about quitting your job to start your own business, or you’re a budding entrepreneur, there are lots of tips at tricks to succeed at running your own business. Grow as a business owner by: • Getting clear on your business. Running a business might seem straightforward, but don’t forget business owners have to wear a lot of hats: business manager, strategist, sales and marketing, finance, and more! When you’re clear about your business goals, it can help streamline the systems and structures you need in place to support that outcome. • Asking for help. Many successful business owners have help. That might mean taking an online business course, learning the essentials of successful marketing, or simply seeking a business coach. Don’t be afraid of learning from those who have walked your path. • Networking. One of the best ways to become successful is to get yourself out there among other business owners. Look online for business groups, networking breakfasts, and online social media groups in your area of expertise and geographic location. When people see a face regularly in their peer network, and have a clear understanding of your business, they are more likely to recommend your services, especially if you refer someone to them first. • Thinking about where you can add value. You may have heard of the marketing term “lead magnets.” These are simply free gifts that you give to prospective customers. That might be a free downloadable eBook or 15–20-minute consultation. You provide the gift in exchange for the person’s email address. These gifts typically answer common questions that customers come to professionals for, like how to lose weight in 5 easy steps. The great thing about lead magnets is that they grow your email list of people to market to, and help develop a rapport with prospective clients so when they are ready for your product or service, they’ll know who to call. Consider your area of expertise and the most common questions people ask you, then develop your “gift” from there. • Hiring experts. Just like customers come to you for expertise, it’s worth entrusting certain parts of your business to legal or financial experts, freeing your time to do what you do best.

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!)… Meaning: a friendly, harmonious relationship Sample Sentence: Most sales people try to establish a rapport with customers before trying to sell them a product or service. Did You Know? M&M’s chocolates date back to 1941! Their inventor saw volunteers eating similar candies during the Spanish Civil War. M&Ms are named as such to denote the last names of their inventors, Mars and Murrie. Hashtags # Not many people know this, but according to Merriam-Webster, the hashtag symbol is actually called an octothorpe, referring to the 8 points (octo) on the symbol. It isn’t known for certain what the second part of the word, “Thorpe” refers to. One school of thought is that it is an Old English word for village. The hashtag therefore may represent a diagram of a village surrounded by 8 fields. Quotes To Live By… “You can find inspiration in everything. If you can’t, then you’re not looking properly.” –Paul Smith, designer “Plant seeds every single day that you know who you are, you know what you’re about, and you know what goals you’ve set for yourself.” –Stephen Curry, basketball player “The way I look at it, every day that I’m moving forward is a day I’m not moving backward.” –Bobby Bones, radio personality Rapport (ra-‘por) Noun Have A Laugh Why don’t koalas count as a bear? They lack sufficient koalafications.

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 and competent REALTOR®.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!

I really appreciate it!

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

Soothe Summer Bug Bites One of the best things about sunny summer weather is getting to spend more time outside. The downside, though, is outside is where all those biting bugs hang out. While it’s hard to avoid the bugs entirely, there are some measures you can take to keep insects further away from you—and a few things to have on hand to treat the bites you do get. • Homemade bug repellents: Most DIY insect repellents rely on scent, including citrus, garlic, lavender, cinnamon, and peppermint. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) even lists oil of lemon eucalyptus as an effective insect repellent. • Diluting essential oils in a carrier oil typically makes them safe for application on skin but be sure to use recipes for the appropriate measurements of each ingredient. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has four such recipes to try: https://www.almanac.com/news/gardening/gardening-advice/homemade-bug-spray- recipes • Home remedies for bug bites: One of the best things to put on a bug bite to alleviate the pain and itching (and to keep you from scratching) is good old hydrocortisone cream. If you don’t have any on hand, however, not to worry. Try mixing baking soda with a little water until it’s a paste and apply that to the bite— this works in a similar way to calamine lotion. Aloe vera gel can also minimize itching, and an ice pack can help numb a painful sting and relieve swelling. Home remedies are great, but it’s also important to know when to get a professional’s opinion. If you’re allergic to certain insects’ bites or you know you were bitten by a poisonous bug, there’s no question that you should seek medical help immediately.

Brain Teaser… A sundial is a timepiece with the least moving parts. What kind of timepiece has the most? (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 . Get Rid of Water Marks Did you know that you can use mayonnaise to remove a ring mark on your furniture? Simply: • Wipe the area with a cloth • Liberally apply mayonnaise to the area and let it sit for a few hours (test in a non-visible area first) 3 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) 1. All-purpose cleaner: mix 1 cup of water with half a cup of ACV. 2. Facial toner: mix 1 part ACV with two parts water and apply to skin with a cotton pad. 3. Trap fruit flies: add ACV to a few drops of dish soap and keep it in an open dish or glass and it’s ready to work! Interesting Websites Five minutes to spare? Check out these websites to learn interesting facts and information. www.mentalfloss.com – A cool website that explains the stories behind happenings around the world, from pop culture to technology. www.vsauce.com – This site makes learning fun and interesting. The channels they host on Youtube.com focus on videos about science and education. • Wipe off and buff, and your stain should have disappeared! www.mubi.com – This is for people who struggle to choose a movie and feel overwhelmed by the choices. MUBI makes it easy for you by only hosting 30 handpicked movies at a time, with news ones every day. ($10.99/mo)

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.

Got Lawn Problems?

Got a lawn? You probably have or have had these problems. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.

 Mushrooms : are beneficial to your lawn and provide nutrients. Try using grass clippings as mulch if they bother you, otherwise, know they are a good sign of a healthy lawn!  Snow mold : is a fungal lawn disease that happens in spring, after the snow melts. It looks like small patches of cobweb-like grass. You can solve the problem by mowing regularly, rake up visible mold patches, and holding off putting chemicals on the lawn.  Patchy lawn : may be a sign of compacted soil. Simply loosen soil using a core aerator, which can be rented at most hardware stores .  Brown/dead areas : this can be caused by dogs making a potty stop. It might be tough, but the way to prevent this is to keep the doggies in their own areas. Soak with a hose to help the grass grow back.

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?” 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: Tom Veal of The colony. What goatish animal is a national animal of an Asian country? a) Addax b) Mouflon c) Markhor d) Gazelle The answer is c) Markhor. The national animal of Pakistan, the markhor is a particular species of wild goat with impressive screw-shaped horns.

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:

An hourglass – it contains one thousand or more grains of sand!

Essential Items for a Power Outage • AAA & AA batteries. • At least 1 flashlight. • Battery or gas operated lamps. • Non-perishable food items: cereal bars, crackers, nut butters, canned meats and fish. A camping stove and fuel. A backup generator (if you can afford it). Ground coffee and long shelf-life milk. To keep warm: blankets, gloves, hand warmers, hats, and sleeping bags. To keep cool: lots of water, bandanas to dampen and wear, battery powered fan. Battery operated phone chargers. Long extension cords, so you can use multiple appliances via the generator. 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 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. • •

So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question. Answer this month’s trivia question to enter the drawing.

The first game of American football played in the UK was in 1910 between Navy sailors on what two ships? a) USS Idaho and USS Michigan b) USS Vermont and USS Wisconsin c) USS Arizona and USS Michigan d) USS Idaho and USS Vermont

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 want to buy a home but the ones I look at keep selling before I can put in an offer. What can I do to make an offer before other buyers?

A. When a home is priced well it can go on and off the market very quickly. That is why it’s important to have the tools to compete with other buyers.

First, learn about new listings first. If you are aware of the new listings immediately, you can move quickly to make an offer and get a great bargain. You could check third-party websites daily and still not get the most accurate information about new listings. Or, you can enroll in my exclusive “Preferred Buyer Program” where I’ll set you up with daily email notifications directly from the official MLS at no charge. Second, get pre-approved. This will give you an advantage over other buyers when a bargain comes on to the market. Sellers usually take offers from someone with a proven ability to purchase more seriously. You may get an offer in later than another buyer but the seller may go with your offer if it’s more likely to close. To learn more about my “Preferred Buyer Program” ask about my Free Consumer Report called “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Finding, Buying and Financing Your Next Home.” Just call me at 805-701-8410.

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

Florence’s…. Colony MarketWatch ™

Homes Currently Active …

Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan San Tropez

Asking Price

Vina del Mar San Sebastian San Sebastian

3 2 2

3 2 2

2059 1550 1766

$1,257,888 $1,299,000 $1,550,888 $1,389,258

Antigua (Ambassador) Capri (Ambassador)

Market Average

Pending…

Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Vina del Mar

2 2 3 3

2 2 3 3

1627 1747 2059 2360

Capri Capri

$789,888 $925,000 $1,150,888 $1,599,888 $1,116,416

Martinique

Vina del Mar Vina del Mar

San Tropez Vina del Mar

Market Average

Sold Properties… (07/01/20 Thru 03/17/21) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft.

$/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

2365 Martinique 2206 Martinique 4442 Antigua Way 1936 San Tropez 2242 Martinique 1947 San Tropez 2375 Martinique 2007 San Tropez 4492 Antigua Way

$545,000 $595,000 $624,888 $619,888 $619,000 $624,888 $639,888 $639,888 $650,000 $648,888 $679,888 $655,000

$547,500 $595,000 $620,000 $605,000 $605,000 $624,888 $625,500 $635,000 $635,000 $650,000 $650,000 $655,000

1368 1368 1217 1368 1113 1218 1113 1218 1368 1368 1217 1368

$400.22 $434.94 $509.45 $441.93 $556.15 $513.04 $561.99 $521.35 $464.18 $475.15 $558.20 $478.80 $472.93 $506.94 $511.70 $515.35 $515.35 $529.97 $467.74 $502.46 $639.15 $509.96 $444.92 $471.96 $493.22 $414.87 $465.68 $421.02

Madeira

07/02/20

Madeira (upper level)

07/10/20 11/20/20 07/29/20

Martinique

Madeira (Ambassador) Martinique (Phase I)

01/14/21

Martinique (Ambassador) 10/06/20

Martinique

02/04/21

Martinique (Ambassador) 09/18/20

Madeira

07/22/20 08/17/20

4415 Antigua

Madeira

2067 San Sebastian 2363 Martinique

Martinique (Ambassador) 07/10/20

Madeira

10/28/20

2241 Martinique

$690,000

$675,000

1627

Capri

12/23/20

2177 Martinique

$679,888

$679,888

1450

Antigua

07/23/20

2317 Martinique

$699,000

$685,000

1627

Capri

01/20/21 10/30/20 12/03/20 12/01/20 12/08/20 03/02/21 01/28/21 03/10/21 01/26/21 07/16/20 01/20/21 09/17/20 08/17/20

2386 Martinique 2121 Martinique

$689,888 $689,000 $699,999 $687,000 $699,000 $725,000 $710,000

$690,000 $694,000 $700,000 $705,000 $705,000 $725,000 $725,000

1459 1368 1368 1368 1368 1368 1550

Antigua Madeira Madeira Madeira Madeira Madeira Antigua

2133 Martinique

4423 Antigua

2171 Martinique

4464 Antigua 4477 Antigua

4480 Antigua

$749,000

$764,000

1550

Antigua

1984 San Tropez

$829,888 $889,000

$818,000 $875,000

1628 1368

Capri (Ambassador)

4742 San Sebastian

Madeira (Ambassador)

2234 Cannes

$1,060,000 $1,050,000 2059 $1,149,888 $1,050,000 2360

San Tropez Vina del Mar

2323 Vina del Mar Market Average

$688,052

$677,718

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of March 17, 2021 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. ”

Active Properties…None

Properties Accepting Back Up Offers Address List $

Sq.Ft. Floor Plan

Harbor

$495,000 $639,000 $495,000

925

Plan C

4534 LaBrea

1139

T-3

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/2020 – 03/17/2021 Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3110 Harbor

$456,800 $465,000

925

$502.70

Plan C (end unit)

08/17/20 07/07/20 05/13/20 09/03/20

2935 Harbor 3142 Sunset 3644 Sunset

$474,900 $474,900 $599,000 $580,000 $639,500 $625,000

925

$513.41 $448.22 $424.02

Plan C Plan D

1294 1474

T-2

3120 Sunset

$642,000 $625,550

1198

$522.16

Plan D

11/18/20

3034 Sunset

$649,000 $630,000 $675,000 $635,000 $649,000 $642,000 $669,000 $660,000 $749,900 $725,000 $729,000 $729,000 $850,000 $850,000 $648,666 $636,787

1198 1474 1198 1319 1485 1485 1489

$525,88 $430.80 $535.89 $500.38 $488.22 $490.91 $570.85

Plan D

06/16/20

4506 LaBrea

T-2

07/20/20 07/31/20 10/08/20 11/16/20 02/28/20 10/20/20

2967 Harbor 3480 Sunset 3320 Sunset

Plan D (end unit)

T-2

Villa (end unit)

3340 Sunset

Villa (end unit) Villa (end unit)

3125 Harbor

Market Average $496.12 Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of March 17, 2021. 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.

See HarborWalk floor plans at:

HarborWalkCondos.com