June 2023

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 DRE#01040021 (805) 701 - 8410 E - mail: Florence@BchRealEstate.com

Have You Considered Buying A Foreclosed Home?

Buying a foreclosed home can be an investment, if you know what you’re doing. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn the pros and cons of buying a foreclosed home, and tips for a smooth buying process.

You’ll also learn tips to help you pay off medical debt, how to detect early signs of skin cancer, and some Amazon scams to watch out for – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more!

CLOSED ESCROWS

ACTIVE LISTINGS

LISTING INVENTORY (months)

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

January February

14 23 20 13 14 15 11 13 13 20 14 17 20 27 16 20 17 18 23 10

67 80 22 21 22 4.49 4.14 1.19 0.92 1.48 91 92 23 21 26 3.37 4.68 1.55 0.53 1.54

March

69 89 17 12 28

4.5 4.68 0.53 0.92 1.83

April May June

87 90 14 22 30 5.46 4.9 0.86 0.88 2.1 108 93 29 21 34 6.98 4.29 1 1.27

18 8 22 20 11 22 34 26 24 46 30 17 29 32 28 19 27 45 27 14 15 49 26 16 14 19 25 7 22 29 18 15

7 thru 5/28

128 78 28 30 122 80 18 47 125 62 34 37 126 51 20 35 115 34 16 37 100 41 20 39 93 32 21 33

7.04 4.38 0.62 1.86 6.88 4.05 1.23 1.69 7.04 4.78 0.73 1.65 6.3 1.5 0.62 1.85 5.74 1.8 0.9 2.03 4.71 1.23 0.875 2.19 4.3 0.89 0.897 1.26

July

August

September

October

November December

Just closed escrow on 4475 Antigua Way in The Colony. Sold for $799,000. Also have 3604 Sunset at HarborWalk in escrow. Asking: $899,000. Thinking of selling? Call me today to strategize . Now is a great time to sell. 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 #010140021 RE/MAX Gold Coast

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

Florenc e’s…

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



Buying A Home Soon-for the first time? Get my Free Consumer Guide, “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to

Say Goodbye To Medical Debt When you or someone on your family experiences a medical event, the last thing you want to do is worry about any debt incurred. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation Health Debt Survey published in June 2022, 41% of American adults have debt due to medical or dental care. Rather than expending energy on figuring out how to pay off that debt, that energy is better spent on recovery and looking ahead at your future. Here, we take a look at different ways to say goodbye to medical debt, regardless of your income. • Doublecheck The Charges: As soon as you receive a statement, double check the medical charges that are billed to you. Billing mistakes do happen, and you don’t want to end up paying more than what you actually owe. • Ask For A Discount: It may seem odd to ask for a discount from your medical provider, but it can’t hurt . If you can afford to pay off your debt in a lump sum, let your provider know the timeframe in which you can pay and they may offer a discount. • Seek Out Financial Assistance: A number of organizations offer financial assistance when it comes to paying medical bills. Start with Benefits.gov to find federal and state-sponsored medical assistance programs for which you may be eligible. Another organization to look into is The Assistance Fund, which can help with co-payments, prescriptions and insurance premiums. • Apply For A Medical Credit Card: If you’re confident you can pay off your medical debt in the near future, a medical credit card may be right for you. Medical credit cards are often interest-free for 6 to 12 months, but keep in mind that if you can’t pay in full during that timeframe, you may be hit with a deferred interest rate that can increase your debt quickly. • Find An Advocate: Medical bill advocates can negotiate on your behalf, for a fee. Just be sure that the money you save will more than cover the advocate’s fee; otherwise, it’s money wasted. 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

Avoid.” Call me right now at … 805-701-8410 for details…

June 2023 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

Dealing With Medical Debt … Page 1

Have You Considered Buying A Foreclosed Home? …Page 2

Detecting Skin Cancer Early …Page 3

Watch For These Amazon Scams …Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question And You Could Win $75 gift card for Lure Restaurant...Page 4

I’m Buying My First Home – What Mistakes Should I Avoid?...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!)… Meaning: an animal with a large following on social media due to their engaging photos and videos. Sample Sentence: Our recently adopted miniature schnauzer’s expressive face and funny antics have led him to becoming a petfluencer. Have A Laugh … What did one ocean say to the other ocean? Nothing, they just waved. Keep Your Yard Green The heat of summer can wreak havoc on your yard. Here are a few tips to keep it green and ready to enjoy night and day. Keep It Watered. Aim for one inch of water per week. Timing Is Everything. Avoid evaporation — water in the morning, ideally between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Clean Up. If your pets do their business in the yard, be sure to clean up after them to avoid yellow spots. Rinse the area with a garden hose right after your dog urinates, too. • • afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James, author “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.” – Confucius, philosopher Petfluencer (pet-floo- uh n-ser) noun • Quotes To Live By… “ Summer afternoon — summer

Foreclosed Homes — What To Consider Before Buying When scanning homes for sale, it’s easy to be enticed by homes in foreclosure — for the most part prices are lower, and there may be waived or reduced appraisal fees and closing costs. Foreclosures happen when an owner can’t make payments, and the lender takes over the home and sells it. While a lower price is tempting , it’s important to consider that there may be some downfalls. Here are a few things to consider before buying a foreclosed home , and how to be successful if it’s the route you decide to take. • Beware Of “As Is:” F oreclosed homes are sold “as is”– the specifics of which can vary as much as homes’ locations and floorplans and tenancy if it is occupied. If a home falls into foreclosure and people are still living in it, they may not be keeping up with routine maintenance or major repairs. If that’s the case, a n FHA 203(k) loan can finance up to $35,000 in repairs. • Secure Pre-Approval: Unless you are planning to come to the table with a cash offer, secure pre-approval from a mortgage lender before making an offer on a foreclosed home. Having that pre approval letter in- hand will show that you’re serious. • Consider The Comps: Take a look at other homes available in the area and their asking prices to ensure you’re making a competitive offer on the foreclosed home of interest. • Work With A Realtor: If you have questions, reach out to a Realtor who specializes in foreclosures . I’m always happy to help and can provide information about the pros and cons of buying a home in foreclosure (as well as what’s going on currently in the market).

“ I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.”

– Groucho Marx, comedian

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

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 Second, make an annual appointment with your dermatologist for a full-bod y exam. Your doctor will be able to see spots that you can’t quite reach, and if something is diagnosed, can start treatment immediately. Skin Cancer & Early Detection Self-care has made its way into our daily lives, from unplugging to focusing on positivity to making sure we get our 10,000 steps a day. Another way we can practice self-care is by paying attention to our bodies and noting any new marks or bumps that pop up. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S . That said, it’s also one of the most curable if diagnosed and treated early enough. And there are two ways we can be on the offense when it comes to our bodies. First, take time to exam your body once a month. Don’t give it a quick glance, either, but really take a good look. Stand in front of a full length mirror in a well-lit room and use a hand mirror to see spots out of your sightline. Notice any changes in size or shape of spots or moles. If it helps, take photos for reference next month. If you see something that looks peculiar, make an appointment to have it checked out. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Amazon scams increased by 500% between June 2020 and June 2021, costing scam victims more than $27 million. Amazon itself found that more than 50% of Amazon impersonation scams reported by its customers came by way of fake order confirmations. The latest Amazon scams to be aware of and avoid include being asked to make a payment away from the website or the app, or via Amazon gift cards; phone calls and text messages requesting personal information; claiming yo u’re owed a refund; and fake invoices for Amazon purchases that you didn’t make. If you do receive what you feel is a suspicious phone call, text, or email from Amazon, your best bet is to visit Amazon.com for direct contact information (don’t click on any links from a text or email) and call, email, or chat with a representative to verify the communication in question. Not only will doing so keep you safe , you’ll also alert Amazon to the suspected fraud so that they can investigate. Spot Amazon Scams

Brain Teaser… What runs all around your yard but never moves? (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 . Make The Best Lemonade There’s nothing better on a hot summer day than cooling off with a tall, cold glass of lemonade. Here are some tips on how to make the best lemonade, right at home. • Use fresh lemons, if you can. Otherwise, bottled lemon juice works just fine. Make a simple syrup instead of sugar to avoid sugar falling to the bottom (mix hot water with sugar, in a 1:1 ratio). Add ice right before serving so you don’t dilute the drink. Store in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for five to seven days, if it lasts that long! • • • Did You Know? In the summertime, the sun never sets in “the land of the midnight sun” in the northernmost parts of Alaska, Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. Car Rental Alternative Websites Browse these websites to find alternative ways to get around in your vacation destination. www.turo.com – Considered the Airbnb for cars, rent directly from the car owner. www.zipcar.com – Choose to rent by the hour or by the day, knowing that gas is included in the cost. ride.lyft.com/rentals.com – Rent a car through the popular rideshare app and get free extras like upgrades, unlimited miles, additional driver and more.

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 quiz. And the winner is …drum roll please: Michelle Swofford of Sherman Oaks.

Brain Teaser Answer:

A fence

What is the smallest country in the world?

Be Road-Trip Ready For many, summertime means getting out of town and hitting the open road. Here are a few ideas to make sure your car is road-trip ready. Check your tires. In addition to tire pressure, make sure there’s enough tread on each tire for a smooth ride. Stay charged. Avoid a dead battery en- route by checking that it’s not corroded and that all connections are tight before setting out. Clean up. Take some time to clean your car inside and out. Empty the trunk to make room for your luggage, not to mention any souvenirs you may want to bring home. • • 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. •

a) Ireland b) Vatican City c) The Maldives d) Saint Kitts and Nevis

The answer is a) Vatican City. Measuring just over 100 acres, Vatican City is an independent city-state within Rome and is governed by the Pope.

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

Which of these sports will make its debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris?

a) Breaking b) Skateboarding c) Sport Climbing d) Surfing

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 should I know when buying my first home?

A. Buying your first home is a big step, and making mistakes can cost you thousands of dollars. Here are three mistakes you should avoid:

• Not having a professional home inspection. Review the report carefully so you don’t buy a home with serious issues, such as pests, mold, or water damage. • Not doing a “walk - through” before closing. Visit the property after all the furnishings have been removed so you won’t have any surprises later. • Not understanding the contract. A REALTOR® who serves as your “Buyer’s Representative” will help you understand your responsibilities and guide you through the process.

Want to learn more? Ask for my Free Consumer Report called “Top 10 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid.”

Do you have a real estate question you want answered? Feel free to call me at 805701-8410 . Perhaps I’ll feature your question in my next issue!

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

Florence’s…. Colony 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

San Sebastian Vina del Mar

2 3

2

1627 2059

Capri (Ambassador)

$1,399,888 $1,429,000 $1,414,444

2.5

San Tropez

Market Average

Properties Accepting Back Up Offers … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Martinique Cannes Sq.

2 3

2 3

1113 2059

Martinique (Phase I)

$695,000 $1,349,888 $1,022,444

San Tropez

Market Average

Sold Propert ies… (5/01/22 Thru 5/28/23) Address List $

Sale $

Sq.Ft.

$/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

2223 Martinique

$699,000

$664,050** 1113

$596.10

Martinique (Phase I)

02/17/23

2200 Martinique

$769,000

$700,000

1617

$432.90

Capri

01/06/23

2143 Martinique

$730,000

$720,000

1113

$646.90

Martinique (Phase I)

12/12/22 01/27/23 05/23/23 10/21/22 08/23/22 08/03/22 06/17/22 05/25/23 09/02/22 06/24/22 08/31/22 05/25/22 03/22/23 12/02/22 02/16/23 04/26/23 05/12/23 05/10/22

1965 Majorca 1905 Majorca

$729,888 $749,000 $739,888 $780,000 $799,000 $795,000 $799,000 $815,000 $819,888 $849,888 $845,000 $839,888 $875,000 $949,888 $999,900 $839,000 $899,000 $940,000

$725,000 $739,00 $739,888 $750,000 $790,000 $795,000 $799,000 $807,000 $805,000 $820,000 $836,000 $840,000 $875,000 $875,888 $884,000 $892,000 $907,000 $940,000

1217 1217 1113 1114 1113 1368 1217 1368 1368 1627 1368 1459 1114 1550 2692 1627 1557 1217

$599.74 $607.23 $664.77 $673.25 $709.79 $580.72 $655.99 $589.48 $661.46 $504.00 $611.11 $575.74 $785.46 $565.09 $328.38 $548.25 $585.54 $771.76

Martinique Martinique

2355 Martinique 2125 Martinique 2305 Martinique 2327 Martinique 4475 Antigua

Martinique (Phase I) Martinique (Phase I)

Martinique (Phase I)

Madeira

Martinique

4481 Antigua 2005 Majorca 2017 Majorca

Madeira Madeira

Capri

1990 San Tropez 2227 Martinique 2175 Martinique

Madeira Antigua

Martinique (Phase I)

1931 Majorca

Antigua

2360 Vina del Mar 2151 Martinique

Costa de Oro

Capri

1910 Majorca

Antigua

4726 San Sebastian

Martinique (Ambassador) 10/06/22

2003 San Tropez

$875,000

$955,000

1369

$697.55

Madeira (Ambassador)

05/04/22 10/21/22

1954 San Tropez 2214 Cannes Sq

$987,000

$1,002,000 1628

$615.48 $602.23

Capri (Ambassador)

$1,200,000 $1,240,000 2059

San Tropez

08/30/22

2337 Vina del Mar

$1,450,000 $1,300,000 2360

$550.85

Vina del Mar

04/26/23 08/11/22

2303 Vina del Mar 2315 Vina del Mar

$1,989,888 $1,900,000 2360 $1,999,000 $1,900,000 2139

$805,08 $888.27

Vina del Mar San Tropez

07/20/22

$ 951,658 $ 929,185

$620.44

Market Average

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both.

Florence represented buyer, seller or both

**Does not include buyer agent commission Properties as of May 28, 2023 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 Listings… Address

List $

Sq.Ft Floor Plan

Sunset Lane Sunset Lane

$749,000 $1,250,000 $999,500

1294 1559

Plan D

Villa (end unit)

Market Average

Accepting Back Up offers … Address List $

Sq.Ft Floor Plan

$899,000

1319

3604 Sunset

T-2

Market Average

$899,000

Sold Properties (01/01/2022 – 05/28/2023 Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

2957 Harbor 3046 Sunset 3134 Sunset 4534 LaBrea 2957 Harbor 3204 Sunset 2943 Harbor 3540 Sunset 3224 Sunset

$565,000 $595,000 $649,500 $699,000 $699,000 $850,000 $797,000 $900,000 $865,000

$572,000 $595,000 $620,000 $725,000 $690,000 $810000 $817,000 $850,000 $865,000

925 925 925

$618.38 $643.24 $670.27 $638.77 $745.95 $606.71 $681.96 $576.66 $617.42

Plan C Plan C

03/25/22 10/07/22 02/25/22 08/08/22 02/02/23 10/12/22 03/30/22 06/14/22 02/25/22 08/25/22

Plan C (end unit)

1135

T-3

925

Plan C

1401 1198 1474 1401

Villa

Plan D (end unit)

T-1

Villa

3131 Harbor

$975,000

$925,000

1502

$615.85

Villa

3544 Sunset

$995,000

$997,000

1474

$676.39

T-1

03/21/23

3145 Harbor

$999,997

$999,997

1489

$671.14

Villa

06/09/22

3125 Harbor Blvd $999,000

$1,000,000

1489

$671.59

Villa

03/11/22 05/05/23

3241 Harbor

$1.049,000

$1.040,000

1518

$685.11

Villa

Market Average $651,56 Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both $759,785 $750,500

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of May 28, 2023. 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