March 2018

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

Do You Have This Important File for Emergencies?

Planning ahead means that if something happened to you, your loved ones wouldn’t be left in the dark about your medical records, bank accounts, insurance policies, and more. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn what to put in your “ICE file” – “in case of emergency” file – and how to store and share it safely. You’ll also learn some great safety tips for your next camping adventure, easy ways to improve your car’s fuel economy, how to choose the right tree for your property – 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

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

15 16 14 18 18 25 18 34 20 19 17 18 19 29 23 20 24 24 21 44 25 28 24 22 28 28 22 30

7 thru 2/19

March

81 72 70 84 74 87 80 88 94 95 74 107 102 96 83 112 112 99 102 102 115 95 112 103 108 91 106 95 93 87 107 96 75 75 93 61 66 64 83 63

3.65 3.03 3.69 3.9 4.7 4.33 3.58 4.72 5.35 4.22 3.8 4.99 5.89 4.35 4.73 4.19 5.63 4.3 5.27 4.26 5.75 4.13 5.11 3.82 4.77 3.83 5.18 3.83 3.33 3.33 4.52 2.4 3.19 2.8 4.06 2.45 2.5 2.81 3.64 2.54

April May June

July

August

September 18 27 26 29

October

40 25 24 28

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

We have started 2018 with an historic low in inventory for the Beach/Marina. If you are considering selling, putting your home on the market now instead of waiting for increased competition in the spring might make a lot of sense . Buyers are looking. Check out the graphic on page 3 of the newsletter showing 2017 inventories. 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 RE/MAX Gold Coast

Florence’s…

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



Buying A Home Soon? Get my Free Consumer Guide, “8 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Buying Your Home.” Call me right now at 805-701-8410 for details…

How to Make an Emergency File

If something happened to you today, would your loved ones know where to find all your important information and documents? Setting up an ICE file – an “in case of emergency” file – gives everyone peace of mind in the event of the unexpected.

March 2018 Oxnard, California

What goes in your ICE file: 

Thinking Of Buying A Home Soon? If you’re planning to buy a home in the next 6 months, you’ll want a copy of my Free consumer guide, “ 7 Secrets For Saving Thousands When Financing Your Next Home .” My report will help you avoid frustrations and costly pitfalls when buying a home. Simply call me to get a free copy: 805-701-8410 with your ICE file, by storing them in a password manager (like 1password.com or LastPass.com ) and giving emergency access to a trusted person. You can also export passwords securely into an encrypted file, which can then be shared safely. Legal and financial documents – Including your will, power of attorney, medical directive, health records, social security card, marriage certificate, military records, home and car titles, mortgage, insurance policies, credit cards and investment records.  Copies of identification documents – Such as your passport, driver’s license, and birth certificate.  Emergency contact information – Including your lawyer, accountant, investment manager, insurance agent, and doctors. A small, fire-proof safe is an inexpensive option for storing all your documents at home. For added security, ask your bank about a safety deposit box. (Remember to make a copy of any keys for your loved ones to access the file.)  Though some information can be stored online for ease of access with solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox, it’s probably best to store less sensitive documents there, such as contact information.  Talk to your loved ones about the ICE file – where it is, what’s in it, and who has access.  Make sure your lawyer, accountant, investment manager, and insurance agent all know to whom they’re allowed to divulge personal information. Storing and sharing your ICE file:  What about passwords? Password security is on everyone’s minds lately. Keep yours safe, even

Inside This Issue…

How to Make an “In Case of Emergency” File…Page 1

Camping Safety Tips…Page 2

7 Easy Ways to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy…Page 2

Choosing the Right Tree for Your Yard…Page 3

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

How Do I Set the Right Price to Sell My Home?...Page 4

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

Camping Tips: Safety First

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!)…

There’s nothing like a camping trip to truly get away from it all. Make your next camping adventure more calm than calamitous with these important safety tips. • Know the weather forecast, current fire danger level, and how to handle local insects and wildlife you might encounter. • Ask for tips, information, and any current warnings from park staff. • Prepare for the elements with sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat in hot weather and warm layers in cold weather. • Bring a first-aid kit and insect repellent and be prepared for emergencies. • Pack plenty of water (or a way to purify water) and stay hydrated. • Allow at least two hours of daylight to scout a safe spot and set up camp. • Practice fire safety. Never cook in an enclosed space (carbon monoxide is odorless) or leave a fire unattended. • Learn how to store food overnight to keep wildlife at bay. • Know how to properly strike your camp, leaving no trash behind. • Notify someone of where you’ll be and when you plan to return, especially if you’re camping solo or will be out of cell phone range.

Plandid (PLAN-did) noun, portmanteau of “planned” and “candid”

B A plastic cereal storage container with a pop-up lid makes a perfect car trash can.  Try a cheap foam paintbrush to clean dust from AC vents. Quotes To Live By… “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” –John Muir “The problem with having a sense of humor is often that people you use it on aren’t in a very good mood.” –Lou Holtz “This is the precept by which I have lived: Prepare for the worst; expect the best; and take what comes.” –Hannah Arendt Bring toilet paper in a large coffee can or a 2-liter bottle to keep it dry. Store matches in a canning jar with a sandpaper lid for striking. Use a hanging shoe organizer to store camp cooking supplies. Wrap duct tape around your flashlight handle instead of bringing an entire roll of tape. A pop-up laundry hamper makes an instant trash can. Car Cleaning Made Easy  Dryer sheets remove dead bugs from the front of your car.  You can use toothpaste and water to shine a car’s headlights.  2. 3. 4. 5. Meaning : A photo, often on Instagram, which is meant to look candid but is actually carefully planned. Sample Sentence: Perfect makeup, hair, and lighting in that supposedly casual celebrity photo are dead giveaways it’s a plandid. 5 Clever Camping Hacks 1.

FREE Consumer Help Is Just A Phone Call Away

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!

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

Improve Fuel Economy Easily No matter how much you drive, improving fuel economy saves money and the environment. Here are some easy ways to make a tank of gas go further.  Keep Tires Properly Inflated – Check your tires weekly and inflate to recommended levels.  Slow Down – Going the speed limit uses less fuel (a highway speed of 65 instead of 75 mph can use up to 15% less fuel).  Change Speed Gradually – Sudden braking or acceleration uses much more fuel than increasing or decreasing speed in a gradual way.  Don’t Let the Engine Idle – If you’ll be stopped for more than a minute, shut your car off rather than letting it idle.  Combine Trips – Map out a sensible route for errands and do them in succession rather than going back and forth across town.  Reduce Drag – When you’re not using the roof rack to haul camping gear or a bicycle, taking it off makes your car more aerodynamic.  Perform Regular Maintenance – Regular oil changes, new air filters, and spark plugs all help your car run more efficiently.

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

What Tree is Right for Your Yard?

Brain Teaser… What asks but never answers?

(See page 4 for the answer.)

1 Plants as Mosquito Repellents Help keep annoying mosquitoes away from your backyard activities by planting the following fragrant species around your yard:  Rosemary  Lavender  Citronella  Catnip  Marigold  Lemon Thyme  Lemon Balm Free Book Websites Add free eBooks or audio books to your virtual library from these excellent online resources. www.gutenberg.org – Choose from more than 54,000 free eBooks on Project Gutenberg, including famous and classic works of literature. Download books or read them online. www.manybooks.net – Browse through Many Books’ listings of more than 33,000 eBooks. The site includes both popular new titles and classics. Many are available for free, others are offered at a steep discount. www.librivox.org – If you prefer listening to books, check out LibriVox for a wide selection of audiobooks. Titles are read by volunteers – and, yes, you can volunteer to become a reader, too. 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 of 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. If you have a question, tip or idea, call me at 805-701-8410 . I’m here to help!

Trees are a major landscaping feature for your home, and a major investment as well. Choosing the right tree for your yard is about much more than just what looks pretty in the garden center. Consider these factors before you start planting. What is the tree’s job? You might want property border definition, a privacy screen, shade, brilliant fall colors, or fruit growing in your yard. Narrow your search to trees that fulfill your needs. What trees are best suited to your location? Don’t invest in a beautiful tree if it won’t thrive in your climate or the soil in your yard. Also keep in mind how much extra watering a tree will need, and when. Trees generally need more water in the first two years before they’re established. What kind of maintenance is involved? Leaves that turn bright colors every fall may be a vibrant focal point for your garden, but those leaves will also need to be raked up. Find out what a tree will need in each season, including any pruning and disease prevention. How much space can the tree occupy? Be aware of how large a tree will get when it’s mature, and plant accordingly. Even if you won’t be in your house 20 or 50 years in the future, careful planting today means future occupants won’t need to uproot the tree. The Arbor Day Foundation has a helpful “Tree Wizard,” where you answer some questions to find out what types of trees are right for you. ( https://www.arborday.org/shopping/trees/treeWizard/intro.cfm )

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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: Lana Berry of Corsicana Texas was the winner of the drawing for my quiz question. A set of twins named Amy and Katie, born in 2013, set a world record. Why? a) Conjoined at the feet b) Longest amount of time between births c) Most amount of hair d) Born on different continents

Brain Teaser Answer: An owl!

DIY Homemade Ice Packs Mix one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water inside a sturdy zip-top bag and store in the freezer. The mixture will get very cold but not freeze completely, making it easy to mold over any aching joint. You can also fill an old (clean!) sock with dry rice. Storing it in the freezer makes it an “ice” pack. Microwaving it carefully for a minute or two means it gives off soothing warmth. I Just Hear Desserts… He : “The weather is just wonderful. Shall we go for a jog?” She : “Oh, dear, I’ve always liked how you pronounce, ‘Shall we go for dessert?’ ” 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.

The answer is b) longest amount of time between births. Katie was born 87 days after Amy! So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

What is the geographical term for a relatively shallow body of water separated from the open sea by a barrier? a) Lake b) Loch c) Lagoon d) Lacrosse

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. How do I set the right price to sell my home? A. Like many home sellers, you might have a price in mind that is too high. You need the knowledge of a REALTOR ® to give you a more realistic opinion. Here’s what you should do:

 Ask your REALTOR ® for a “total market overview.” What’s happening in general in the economy and the real estate market?

 Get the facts for your neighborhood. What homes have or haven’t sold in the last 6-12 months, and did the sales include short sales or foreclosures?  Work with your REALTOR ® to set the right price from the start. If you start too high, you may keep buyers away. If you lower your price in increments, it may be too late. Timing is key and buyers may already have purchased another home. Would you like more information on selling your home? Call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “6 Steps For Selling Your Home For TOP DOLLAR.” 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

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2133 Martinique San Tropez Vina del Mar San Sebastian Market Average

2 2 3 2

2 2 3 2

1369 1369 2360 1550

Madeira

$595,000 $649,000 $849,888 $1,295,888 $948,258

Madeira (Ambassador)

Vina del Mar

Antigua (Ambassador)

Homes Accepting Back-Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Antigua

2

2

1549

Antigua

$639,888 $639,888

Market Average

Homes Pending…

Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2227 Martinique

2

2

1459

Antigua

$635,000 $635,000

Market Average

Sold Properties… (02/01/17 Thru 02/19/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold 01/31/18 02/05/18 11/01/17 12/12/17 06/26/17 10/31/17 03/29/17 07/24/17 05/15/17 02/03/17 06/05/17 06/23/17

4442 Antigua

$499,888 $499,999 $517,000 $525,000 $549,000 $529,000 $559,000 $550,000 $599,000 $599,000 $570,000 $625,000 $599,900 $590,000 $629,000 $649,900 $749,000 $899,888 $939,000 $999,888 $633,101 $599,000 $610,000 $614,888

$466.000 $490,000 $510,000 $520,000 $520,000 $529,000 $543,000 $545,000 $565,000 $570,000 $575,000 $580,000 $590,000 $605,000 $629,000 $649,900 $695,000 $840,000 $935,000 $999,888 $619,399 $595,000 $595,000 $600,000

1217 1368 1113 1113 1368 1368 1113 1369 1459 1550 1369 1627 1368

$382.91 Martinique $358.19 Madeira

2365 Martinique 2210 Martinique 2244 Martinique 2013 Majorca 1902 Majorca

$458.22 Martinique (phase I) $467.20 Martinique (phase I)

$380.12 Madeira $386.70 Madeira

2185 Martinique

$487.43 Martinique (phase I)

4445 Antigua

$398.10 Madeira $344.19 Antigua $367.98 Antigua

2251 Martinique 2001 Majorca 1990 San Tropez 2157 Martinique 2363 Martinique

$427.01 Madeira (Ambassador)

$356.48 Capri

$431.29 Madeira

10/18/17

1967 Majorca

1550

$384.12 Antigua

08/25/17

4467 Antigua

1627

$365.70 Capri

08/31/17

2301 Martinique

1459

$411.24 Antigua (phase I)

10/13/17

4425 Antigua

1368 1627 1800 1218 2360 2692 1628

$442.25 Madeira $386.60 Capri $359.66 Capri

10/04/17 06/19/17 04/05/17 09/01/17 08/25/17 12/11/17 03/30/17

2287 Martinique 2231 Martinique 2017 San Sebastian 2123 Vina del Mar 2350 Vina del Mar 1981 San Sebastian Market Average

$570.61 Martinique (Ambassador)

$355.93 Vina del Mar $347.33 Costa de Oro

$614.18 Capri (Ambassador)

$411.47

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

Sunset Harbor Harbor

2 2 3

1 2 3

925

Plan C Plan B

$479,000 $539,000 $799,000 $605,666

1128 1485

Villa

Market Average

Homes Accepting Back-Up Offers … Address Bdrms Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Harbor

2 3

2 2

1128 1198

Plan B Plan D

$539,000

3120 Sunset

$575,000

$557,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (09/01/16 Thru 02/19/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3024 Sunset 3024 Sunset 3674 Sunset 3045 Harbor 3121 Harbor 3140 Sunset 3684 Sunset 4522 LaBrea 3650 Sunset 3009 Harbor 4506 La Brea 3634 Sunset 3480 Sunset 3550 Sunset 3380 Sunset 4501LaBrea

$459,900 $480,000 $509,000 $517,000 $509,000 $499,000 $550,000 $519,000 $535,000 $529,000 $549,000 $569,000 $599,000 $669,000 $729,000 $785,000 $565,326

$452,500 $485,000 $495,000 $500,000 $500,000 $504,000 $505,000 $517,000 $517,000 $517,500 $539,000 $545,000 $588,000 $655,000 $719,000 $750,000 $552,600

925

$489.19 $406.46 $335.82 $417.36 $356.63 $389.49 $444.93 $455.51 $391.96 $458.78 $365.67 $413.19 $445.79 $496.59 $487.46 $505.05 $437.36

Plan C Plan C

09/23/16 09/22/17 09/09/16 07/28/17 12/30/16 03/10/17 09/28/17 06/14/17 06/14/17 10/31/17 12/27/16 10/06/17 11/06/17 12/21/16 12/20/16 04/28/17

925

1474 1198 1402 1294 1135 1135 1319 1128 1474 1319 1319 1319 1475 1485

Villa

Plan D

Villa

Plan D

T-3 T-3 T-2

Plan B

T-1

T-2 T-2 T-2

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 Feb. 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.