December 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

Do You Know How To Show People You’re Trustworthy?

Trust has to be earned, and it’s about more than keeping secrets. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn some of the habits that will help your coworkers, neighbors, and friends see that you’re worthy of their trust. You’ll also learn about hints to save time and money at the outlet mall, tricks for reducing the time you spend in front of a screen, and easy ways to organize your bathroom for increased efficiency and calm – 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 4.13 75 75 93 61 87 3.19 2.8 4.06 2.45

March

April May June

July

August

September 18 27 26 29 23

October

40 25 24 28 16

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

11 thru 11/18

66 64 83 63

2.5 2.81 3.64 2.54

We closed escrow on 3225 Harbor, a villa in HarborWalk. Sold in 3 weeks for $695,000. In The Colony we listed 2223 Martinique and put that in escrow in 10 days…closing in December. Asking Price: $539,000 for this adorable Phase I Martinique floor plan. 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

Florence’s…

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



Here’s free advice if you’re buying or re-financing your home. It’s my Free Consumer Guide titled, “7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Home.” Call me at 805-701-8410 to get a copy…or go to the web site.

4 Habits That Demonstrate Your Trustworthiness Whether you want more responsibility at work or you’d like to forge more meaningful friendships, being considered a trustworthy person is critical. By far the best way to be seen as trustworthy is to keep secrets entrusted to you, but here are some other habits you can practice that help foster trust. Skip the Gossip The obvious habit of keeping secrets extends to the water cooler. When you engage in office or neighborhood gossip, you demonstrate that you’re willing to divulge secrets - or, possibly worse, speculate with no firsthand knowledge. Be Punctual While being on time may have nothing to do with why you want to be trusted, punctuality infers respect of someone else’s time, and respect leads to trust. Getting in the habit of reporting on time, every time, is an easy way for people to see that you’re trustworthy. Apologize for Mistakes Being stingy with apologies about your own errors is a good way to give the impression that you don’t think you have any shortcomings. No one is perfect, and owning your mistakes means you’re honest about that. And honesty breeds trust. Be Humble Rather than constantly promoting your own work or good behavior, shine the spotlight on the triumphs of those around you. Acknowledge team efforts. Thank people for praise while mentioning those without whom your success might not have been possible. 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

December 2018 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

What You Can Do To Show People You’re Trustworthy…Page 1

Insider Tips To Get More Out of the Outlet Mall…Page 2

How To Reduce Screen Time At Home And Work…Page 3

Easy Ways To Organize Your Bathroom…Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 Gift Card for Lure Restaurant...Page 4 What Options Besides Refinancing Do I Have if I’m Struggling With House Payments?...Page 4

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

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!)… Bokeh (boe-keh) noun Meaning: the pleasing blurry effect in a photograph's background Sample Sentence: Photographers used to rely on fancy lenses to capture bokeh perfectly without blurring the subject of the picture - today it can be as simple as a setting on a smartphone's camera. How To Un-Shrink Clothing Don’t toss that beloved shirt just yet, even though it shrank in the dryer. Try this un-shrinking trick first! 1. Soak garment in lukewarm water with about a capful of baby shampoo. 2. Squeeze out – but do not wring or rinse. 3. Remove excess moisture by rolling tightly in a clean towel. 4. Reshape garment on another clean towel, stretching gently to its original size. 5. Leave to air dry. The shampoo used shouldn’t be enough to require re-washing immediately, but when you do wash that item again just remember to keep it out of the dryer! Did You Know? If your potted plants have drainage holes in the bottom, you know the annoyance of dirt falling onto your floor or patio. Keep soil where it should be – put a coffee filter in the bottom of the pot before you add potting soil . Water can still escape, but dirt can’t. Quotes To Live By… “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” –William Arthur Ward “Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love can make him wag his tail.” –Kinky Friedman

Outlet Shopping Secrets The phrase “outlet mall” is likely to make any shopaholic salivate, but to get the most out of a trip to the outlet mall - including saving more money - it’s important to do a bit of research ahead of time. Know what kind of “outlet mall” it is - There are a few different types of outlets, and the goods (and deals) differ between them. Genuine outlets offer items from retail stores that are often heavily marked- down. Factory stores typically sell goods made specifically for the outlet, in which case the deals may not be as great as they appear. Some items are made specifically for the outlet store - In cases where a company makes goods specifically to be sold in a factory outlet, they’re often lower-quality goods than you’d find in the retail equivalent. And since these items were never in a regular store, the tags indicating sharp discounts are fake. You can compare retail prices, either researching online beforehand or using a smartphone app like ShopSavvy while you’re shopping. Beware the “sunk cost” fallacy - Outlet malls are usually located far enough from city centers that shoppers make a day of it. But don’t feel like you need to buy something just to make the trip worthwhile.

Shop out of season - For the biggest savings, shop for winter items in summer and summer items in winter.

Shop early - Outlet malls are busiest from about lunchtime through the mid-afternoon. Early birds not only avoid the crowds, they get to comb through the best selection.

Work from back to front - Even outlets have sale racks, which are usually at the back of the store.

In Escrow in 3 Weeks

3225 Harbor Blvd – 3 bedroom villa in HarborWalk SOLD for $695,000

In Escrow in 10 Days 2223 Martinique – 2 bedroom 2 baths

No Stairs at The Colony Asking Price: $539,000 Closes in December

“If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.”

–George Bernard Shaw

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

How To Reduce Screen Time Parents know the unique challenge of reducing their kids’ screen time, but too many hours in front of screens are bad for grown-ups, too. Here are some ways you can begin to limit your own digital day.  Track phone usage - Testing different ways to change your behavior is only a valuable exercise when there’s a baseline. An app like Moment tracks your smartphone use, allowing you to see exactly how much time you could regain in a day.  Turn off notifications - When your phone is constantly beeping or lighting up, you’re much more compelled to see what tweets, status updates, or photos prompted the alert. The truth is that those updates rarely require your immediate attention, so turn off notifications to reduce the temptation.  Eat without electronics - There are multiple benefits to eating lunch away from your desk, including getting away from your computer screen. Take the added step of leaving your phone at your desk, too. Sit down at the dining room or kitchen table and have a conversation with family or friends over dinner, making sure all screens are in another room.

Brain Teaser…

I have space, but I have no rooms. You can enter, but you can’t go out. 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 . What To Do With Used Dryer Sheets Don’t throw them away! They’re handy in other rooms of the house, too. 1. Dusting: The static-prevention stuff makes dryer sheets brilliant for dusting. 2. Pet Hair Removal: Brush dryer sheets over clothing to pull off stubborn pet fur. 3. Odor Absorption: Even used dryer sheets still have some scent. Stick them in gym bags, kitchen trash cans, cars, etc. Microfinance Websites Thanks to the power of the internet, anyone can lend money directly to people who need it. Choose a place, population, or subject you particularly care about and help fund things like starting a business or getting an education. And when you’re paid back, you can re-lend to someone else. www.kiva.org – Kiva lenders can loan as little as $25 to a loan application – crowdfunding style – which encourages greater participation. There’s a 97% repayment rate. www.opportunity.org – Opportunity International connects people with microfinance loans as well as financial education and services like savings accounts and “microinsurance.” www.finca.org – The Foundation for International Community Assistance provides microfinance loans with donations, if you’d rather let an expert in the field decide where your money is needed most.

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away Learn valuable secrets for saving thousands and avoiding costly mistakes when buying, selling or refinancing a home. Best of all, it’s FREE. Ask about my “ Insider’s Free Resources ” by calling me at: 805-701-8410

DID YOU KNOW …

Unlike most real estate agents, I DON’T spend my time pestering people with phone calls or bothersome interruptions to find good clients. Instead, I dedicate 110% of my time and energies to providing such outstanding service, people naturally think of me when a friend or family member needs help buying or selling a home. THANKS for your referrals!

Easy Bathroom Organization A well-organized home means less time looking for things – and with the amount of time we spend in the bathroom, it’s the perfect place to organize for greater efficiency. Next month - watch for the checklist for your garage!  Declutter your countertops - Cluttered countertops cause stress and make it harder to find what you need. Keep only the things you use daily on the countertop, relegating everything else to shelves or under-counter storage.  Add shelving - If the cabinet under your sink doesn’t already have shelving, get a shelving kit that’s designed to fit around pipes. Add decorative shelves to otherwise unused wall space, including behind the toilet and next to the bathtub.  Compartmentalize - Drawer organizers aren’t just for kitchen use. They’ll keep your bathroom drawers from being catch-all messes, too. A lazy susan offers easier access to the stuff at the back of deeper bathroom cabinets. (Be sure to check for expired medication back there every few months or so.)  Shower curtain rod caddies - Those shower caddies designed to hang on the curtain rod to keep your shampoo and conditioner handy work on the outside of the shower curtain, too. They’re especially great for small bathrooms where storage space is at a premium.

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

Thanks For Thinking of Me!

“Who Else Wants To Win $75 Gift Certificate 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 drawing. And the winner is…drum roll please: Jerry Meller was the winner to correctly answer my quiz question.

Brain Teaser Answer:

I’m a computer keyboard.

PEZ candy was derived from a word in what language?

Don’t Forget To Do These Things Before You Move  Fill all your prescriptions and get them transferred to a pharmacy near your new home. Hire a carpet cleaning company to deep-clean in your new home before you’ve moved all your furniture in (if it isn’t brand-new). Schedule your utilities to shut off the day after you move out of your old home, and to turn on a couple days before you arrive at your new home. Color-code packing boxes by room so it’s easy for movers to put things in the right places. Pack a “first night” box with everything you’ll need so you don’t have to dig through several boxes to find toothbrushes, pajamas, or pillows. 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.

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

The answer is c) German. The first PEZ were mints bearing the word “pfefferminz” – German for “peppermint .” So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question. Which one of the following does NOT have to do with honey bees?

a) Krill b) Melittology c) The genus Apis d) Royal jelly

Call Me At 805-701-8410 OR Email Me At Florence@BchRealEstate.com And Your name will be added to the hat for the drawing for this month’s winner.

Real Estate Corner…

Q. What other options do I have besides refinancing my home loan if I’m struggling to make payments? A. If you’re “underwater” on payments, you may decide to move out of your home. Here are some options to consider:  Rent the property. This will help you make your monthly mortgage payments but you’ll still pay for maintenance on your property.  Do a short sale. This involves selling your home for less than you owe on the loan. The bank may forgive the difference between what you owe and the final sales price the buyer pays.  Do a Deed-in-lieu of Foreclosure. You give your home back to the lender in exchange for forgiveness of the mortgage. You may still have to pay the difference between what the bank sells the home for and what you still owe, plus legal fees. Many banks won’t consider this until a short sale has been attempted. Before you do anything, talk to an expert about your problem, including a REALTOR ® , a foreclosure counselor, a tax expert, a credit counselor and/or an attorney. To learn about more options for struggling homeowners, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “10 Options To Avoid Foreclosure.” I’ll send a copy right to you.

Do you have a question related to real estate or home ownership? 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 Majorca

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique

Asking Price

2 2 2 2 2 2

2 2 2 2 2 2

1217 1549 1800 1517 1549 1627

$579,888

4446 Antigua Way

Antigua

$595,000 $605,000 $615,000 $619,888 $634,000 $799,000

Martinique Martinique

Capri

Antigua (Phase I)

Antigua

Antigua

2031 Majorca

Capri

4711 San Sebastian

2

2

1550

Antigua (Ambassador)

$636,459

Market Average

Homes Taking Back Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique

Asking Price

2223 Martinique

2

2

1113

$539,000 $539,000

Market Average

Sold Properties… (01/01/18 Thru 11/19/18) 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 10/23/18 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 $669,000 $799,000 $845,000 $839,888 $1,050,000 $1,295,000 $707,406

$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 $669,000 $785,000 $820,000 $830,000

1217 1368 1217 1368 1550 1459 1549 1459 1368 1369 1627 1550 1369 1800 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 2325 Martinique 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

$379.04 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)

$687,289

$429.29

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of November 19, 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

Harbor

2

3

1502

Villa

$725,000 $725,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/18 Thru 11/19/18) 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 $710,000 $571,180

$370,000 $490,000 $500,000 $520,000 $539,000 $575,000 $580,000 $583,000 $590,000 $610,000 $635,000 $695,000 $562,643

781

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

Plan A Plan D Plan B

06/20/18

1198 1128 1135 1128 1198 1135 1411 1474 1319 1319 1485

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 10/29/18

T-3

Plan B Plan D

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

3650 Sunset

4526 LaBrea 3225 Harbor

$468.01

Villa

Market Average

$458.34

Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of Nov. 19, 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.