March 2020

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 Want To Make Extra Money In Retirement?

Even if you’re done with one career, you can still bring in some extra cash with part-time and occasional work. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn about some of the ways you can keep earning a paycheck into retirement. You’ll also learn about some surprising food poisoning culprits, how to help teens build life skills through homework, and basic etiquette tips for today (and every day) – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. But first… Here’s are the sales statistics for the Beach/Marina area, which includes Mandalay Shores, Hollywood Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Westporty, 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)

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 17 21 21 14 23

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 62 75 70 67 80 2.7 4.02 2.13 4.49 4.14 63 84 53 91 92 3.03 3.95 2.59 3.37

January

February 14 18 12 15

8 thru 2/17

March

18 34 28 14 17 18 19 20 23 20 31 18 21 44 22 11 24 22 15 24 22 30 32 29

70 84 63 69 80 88 60 87 74 107 54 108 83 112 70 128 102 102 97 122 112 103 92 125 106 95 95 126 107 96 81 115 93 61 87 100 83 63 79 93

3.69 3.9 2.51 4.5 3.58 4.72 2.42 5.46 3.8 4.99 2.82 6.98 4.73 4.19 4.2 7.04 5.27 4.26 4.1 6.88 5.11 3.82 4.21 7.04 5.18 3.83 3.67 6.3 4.52 2.4 4.13 5.74 4.06 2.45 3.81 4.71 3.64 2.54 3.32 4.3

April May June

July

August

September 26 29 23 27

October

24 28 16 15

November 19 23 19 14 December 22 11 12 22

We have a great townhome in the Colony (largest floor plan) available for $999,999. Also, coming up in HarborWalk we have a fantastic Plan D coming up with an ocean view from the upper level deck and a Plan C - end unit that has been beautifully updated. Call me for more information at 805-701-8410. 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 BRE#01040021

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

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…

Retired? You Can Still Make Money!

Just because you stop punching the timeclock, that doesn’t mean you have to give up receiving a paycheck. Even after long and successful careers, many people want to continue working in some capacity. The good news is there are lots of options for part-time and occasional work for people who want to bring in a little extra cash. Here are a few ideas to get you in a money-making mindset. Now is the time to devote more time to the hobbies that took a backseat while you were working. If you practice a craft like knitting, woodworking, or watercolor, you might consider selling your work. You can do this online through e-commerce sites like Etsy ( Etsy.com ). Or find out how you can reserve space at local craft fairs in your community. It’s often inexpensive, and it can be fun to talk with people in-person about your craft, too. Use Your Talents

March 2020 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

Earn Extra Money In Retirement…Page 1

Surprise Food Poisoning Culprits…Page 2

Help Teens With Homework…Page 2

3 Etiquette Guidelines To Live By…Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 gift card for Lure Restaurant…Page 4 What Are The Top Three Things I Need To Do To Sell My Home?…Page 4

Meet People, Make A Profit

Ride-sharing apps are all the rage, and you’re invited to become a driver. Offer up your backseat when you’re out running errands and pick up a few bucks along the way. Lyft ( Lyft.com ) and Uber ( Uber.com ) are the most popular options. If you’d rather not drive people, consider delivering food through UberEats ( UberEats.com ) instead.

Cash In On Your Space

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 If you’ve got a spare room or travel a lot, you can rent out your space through a service like Airbnb ( Airbnb.com ) or Vrbo ( Vrbo.com ). Note that some cities have guidelines regarding using these services so check applicable regulations before listing your property.

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

Avoid Food Poisoning We’ve all heard that raw or undercooked meat and seafood can cause food poisoning. But beyond meat, there are a few problematic foods that might surprise you. Find out what they are — and how to steer clear of food poisoning. Raw cookie dough: It may be tempting to lick that spoon after mixing up cookie dough, but don’t do it! Raw cookie dough contains two problematic ingredients: raw flour and raw eggs. Wait just 15 minutes and you can enjoy a warm — and thoroughly cooked — treat instead. Eggs: Speaking of eggs, there is a chance to pick up salmonella if you eat them uncooked or undercooked. Bypass the sunny-side-up option and choose scrambled, hard boiled, or over-well eggs instead. Produce with thick skin: Bacteria may be hiding on the outside of that thick skin, which contaminates the inside of the fruit when a knife cuts through the produce. Before you cut into that ripe watermelon or mango, thoroughly wash the outside with a produce brush and clean water.

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!)…

Gig Economy (gig ee-kon-oh-mee) noun

B headquarters in Vermont gets three free pints of ice cream for every day they work. Work Perks Every employee at Ben & Jerry’s Quotes To Live By… “Spring is the time of the year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade.” –Charles Dickens “My way of joking is to tell the truth. That’s the funniest joke in the world.” –Muhammad Ali “The advantage of growing up with siblings is that you become very good at fractions.” –Robert Brault Meaning : a labor market made up of a sizeable number of short-term jobs and freelance work instead of long-term jobs Sample Sentence: She made her living in the gig economy by working on freelance writing contracts during the week and driving for a rideshare company on the weekends. How to Avoid Defaulting On Your Car Loan Struggling to pay back a car loan? Don’t fall behind on payments. Do this first:  Talk to the lender and discuss your options. Can they extend the length of the loan? Is there an option for a different interest rate? Look into a peer-to-peer lease on an exchange site like SwapALease.com or LeaseTrader.com . Sell your car or trade it in. You may be able to get a lower payment or use any equity you’ve built to find a cheaper car you can pay off sooner.  

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!

Homework Help For Teens When kids become teens, they will probably be balancing homework with a more active social life and new hobbies. While school subjects are important, it’s the skill sets teens learn along the way that will serve them throughout life. Skill: Organization. Help by: Making sure your teen has tools to keep his or her work in order, including a file box to store graded papers and notes. Also buy a paper planner so you can both get an overview of all obligations (school and beyond) several weeks out. Skill: Time management. Help by: Using that paper planner to help your teen plan everything in a busy schedule. Don’t save a major assignment until the last minute; use the calendar together to plot out smaller deadlines and goals. Skill: Asking for help. Help by: Encouraging your teen to ask for help when needed. If you’re unable to assist, suggest a check-in with a teacher during office hours or a visit to the school’s tutoring center. Be mindful not to do your teen’s homework, even if it doesn’t get done in time. Dealing with and learning to move forward from failure is a life skill, too!

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

Top Etiquette Tips For Today (And Every Day) Society is always changing, and along with that comes new and different societal expectations. Regardless of the situation, keep a few overriding guidelines in mind to gracefully get through any situation. Respect others. Nearly every social situation can be smoother just by showing respect for other people. Think about how your actions affect others around you. With technology, that means not having conversations on speaker phone in public and focusing on the people right in front of you, in real life, instead of scrolling through social media. At the gym, be open to others working in with your sets, instead of claiming a machine all to yourself. Ask the person sitting behind you on the plane if you can recline your seat. Be on time, and don’t be a no-show when you commit to being somewhere. Honor diversity. People deserve to be treated equally. That means there’s no reason to only hold the door open for certain people or exclude people from conversations or activities because of their gender, race, ableness, or age. But it also means being aware that everyone is an individual. Avoid making judgments without fully knowing someone’s story or situation. Safety first. In our fast-paced world, we feel the need to do everything and be everywhere, but stop for a moment for safety. Before responding to that text while you’re driving, tuning out the world because you’re plugged into music, and balancing all those cups of coffee for the office staff so you only have to make one trip from the break room, take a moment before you act. Your safety and the safety of others matters above all else.

1 Tipping The Scales In a single day, a cow can vary in weight by 75 pounds! Have Allergy, Will Travel Yes, you can travel safely with a food allergy. Here’s how:  Keep a food allergy card detailing your allergy in the local language(s) with you at all times. Carry a back-up supply of safe meal options and snacks. Pack extra allergy medicine in your carry-on, even for minor allergies. Bad Math Q: Why did the geometry teacher take a day off school? A: Because she sprained her angle!  Brain Teaser… I have 13 hearts that never pump. What am I? (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 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! 

Online Greeting Card Websites Never miss another birthday, anniversary, or special occasion.

www.HallmarkEcards.com – A subscription site with hundreds of cards for every occasion from the classic card maker. www.BlueMountain.com – Brighten someone’s day with greetings from one of the first e-card providers. www.PaperlessPost.com – Customize cards and invitations with photographs and event details.

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: Joel Hyatt of The Colony was the winner of the drawing. To enter the drawing, answer this month’s quiz question: What was a 1962 Nobel Prize winner the first to do in 2014? a) Win the Nobel Prize for the same thing b) Compete in the Olympics c) Deny his scientific findings d) Sell his medal Which of these cities were destroyed by a volcano in 79 AD? a) Pompeii and Atlantis b) Micenum and Mt. Vesuvius c) Pompeii and Herculaneum d) Micenum and Atlantis The answer is c) Pompeii and Herculaneum. Mt. Vesuvius erupted and destroyed those two cities along with a few other settlements. Call Me At 805-701-8410 OR Email Me At Florence@BchRealEstate.com And You Could Be My Next Winner! Last month’s question:

Brain Teaser Answer: A deck of cards.

All About Butterflies 

Butterflies have four wings.

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The female Queen Alexandra’s birdwing, the world’s largest butterfly, has a wingspan of nearly 10 inches. Butterflies use their feet to taste. And moths have a stronger sense of smell than butterflies. Monarch butterflies migrate an average of 2,500 miles to find a warmer climate. No Chicken? No Problem! In 1981, McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets were so popular, there was a shortage throughout the restaurant chain. It introduced the McRib to add a new, interesting item to the menu. Today, the McRib is offered year-round only in Germany and Luxembourg. 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.  

Real Estate Corner…

Q. What are the top three things I need to do to sell my home?

A. Here’s a list of important things you’ll need to do:

 Set a realistic price. Homes that are over-priced can linger on the market for months, while homes that are priced correctly usually sell faster and for the most money possible. Look at recent listings in your area and their actual sales prices, and visit homes for sale in the neighborhood before deciding on a price.  Get your home ready to show. Clear out clutter, freshen paint, and clean up landscaping. Remember buyers notice everything!  Review the promotional plan of a Home Marketing Expert. An experienced REALTOR ® can help you sell quickly by advertising your home in more ways than simply creating an MLS

description. Plus, they can help you avoid costly mistakes on contracts and disclosures required by law to sell real estate.

Want to learn more? Ask for my Free Consumer Report called “7 Insider Tips to Net More Money Selling Your Home.” 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 it 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

2202 Martinique

2

2

1368

Madeira

$599,000

2206 Martinique

2

2

1368

Madeira (upper level)

$649,000

4742 San Sebastian

2

2

1368

Madeira (Ambassador)

$975,000

2345 Vina del Mar

3 2 3

3 2 3

2692 1766 2360

Costa de Oro

$999,999 $1,550,888 $1,149,888 $987,296

San Sebastian Vina del Mar

Capri

Vina del Mar

Market Average

Active Taking Back Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan Martinique

Asking Price

Antigua

2

2

1217

$539,888 $539,888

Market Average

Sold Properties… (01/01/19 Thru 02/17/20) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

2382 Vina del Mar

$499,000

$504,000

1113

$452.83 Martinique (Phase I)

10/31/19 02/05/20 01/03/20 08/06/19

2067 San Sebastian

$579,888 $535,888 $569,888 $539,000

$515,000 $518,000 $525,000 $525,000

1218 1217 1549 1368

$422.82 Martinique (Ambassador

2055 Majorca 4431 Antigua

$425.64 Martinique $338.93 Antigua $383.77 Madeira

2103 Martinique

01/28/20

2223 Martinique

$539,000

$535,000

1113

$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 $599,888 $615,000 $665,000 $678,000 $729,000 $835,000 $999,000 $959,000 $1,125,888 $1,175,888 $1,299,000

$575,000 $579,000 $580,000 $590,000 $605,000 $625,000 $670,000 $709,000 $812,500 $939,000 $949,000

1368 1450 1627 1368 1459 1627 1780 1550 1550 2360 2360

420.32

Madeira

07/08/19 05/17/19 05/03/19 01/03/20 03/30/19 10/29/19 11/20/19 04/15/19 12/11/19 05/10/19 08/26/19 01/03/20 11/06/19

4446 Antigua 2031 Majorca 2204 Martinique 2351 Martinique 2361 Martiique

$373.79 Antigua $356.48 Capri $431.29 Madeira $398.81 Antigua $384.14 Capri $376.40 Capri

4421 Antigua

4711 San Sebastian 4674 San Sebastian 2222 Cannes Square 2353 Vina del Mar 2123 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 $444.92 Vina del Mar

$1,050,000 2360 $1,100,000 2149 $1,300,000 2139

$511.87 Cannes

$607.76 San Tropez

06/07/19

$720,873

$695,568

$426.59

Market Average

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of February 17, 2020 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 … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Sunset

3

3

1485

Villa (end unit)

$729,000 $729,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/19 Thru 02/17/20) 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 Feb 17, 2020. 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 2 2

2 2 2

1937 1937 2164

Plan A Plan A Plan B

$779,000 $899,000 $975,000

Harbour Island Harbour Island

$884,333

Market Average

Homes Pending … Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Emerald Isle

3

2

2164

Plan B

$865,000 $865,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/19 Thru 02/17/20) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

1748 Emerald Isle

$850,000 $899,000

$850,000 $880,000

2164 2164

$392.79 $406.65 $506.95 $373.32

Plan B Plan B Plan C Plan D

01/13/20 04/25/19 09/09/19 08/29/19

1717 Pearl

1953 Emerald Isle

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

4254 Harbour Island $1,800,000 $1,500,000 4018

Market Average $419.93 Bold: REMAX Represented Buyers, Sellers or Both $1,229,500 $1,145,000

The information referenced has been provided by the Ventura County MLS Corporation’s MLS as of Feb 17, 2020. 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