March 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

Do You Even Know What’s On Your Computer’s Desktop?

Chances are good that your virtual desktop (like your literal desktop) is more cluttered than it should be. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, you’ll learn tips to declutter and streamline your virtual tech, including your computer and your mobile phone. You’ll also learn about the pros and cons of partners having joint bank accounts, how to clean a hair dryer (and why you should be doing it regularly), and easy and healthy snacks to bring on your next road trip – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more. Here’s are the Sales Statistics for the Beach/Marina area , which includes 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

January

February 18 12 15 11

9 thru 2/16

March

34 28 14 17 18 19 20 17

84 63 69 89 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

3.9 2.51 4.5 4.68 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

April May June July

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

Finally, I want you to know, 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…

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 phone entirely, create app groups or folders to sort similar apps (i.e. a “food” group for delivery apps or a “shopping” group for all your favorite stores). Search Google for “how to create folders on my (insert phone model).” Remove any apps you don’t use. Declutter Your Phone  Move photos to the cloud. Free tools like the Google Photos app (for iOS and Android) or low-cost IDrive.com allow you to store all your snapshots to the cloud so they’re not taking up so much space on your phone. Additional storage is available for a fee.  Cull your contacts . Scroll through your phone’s address book and delete any duplicates or former contacts you no longer need. iPhone users can do this all at once by logging into iCloud, while Android users can log into contacts.google.com (if that’s where you back them up).  Clean out your apps. Even if you don’t want to remove them from your Service For Life ! “Insider Tips For Healthy, Wealthy & Happy Living…” Declutter Your Tech, Part 2 It’s time for more decluttering! Last month, we went over tips to better organize (or get rid of) the technology gear in your home. This month, it’s time to tackle virtual tech. This kind of clutter can be especially hard to deal with, since you can’t see it—but more organized and streamlined tech tools make everyday tasks much easier. Use this checklist: Declutter Your Computer  Audit space-hogging files. Use free tools like WinDirStat.net (for PCs) or Disk Inventory X ( www.derlien.com for Mac) to identify file sizes so you can see which ones take up the most room—and decide whether to delete them or move them to an external hard drive.  Clean your desktop. Get rid of or move the files you downloaded to your desktop because you didn’t know where else to put them at the time. Make desktop folders for things that are “in progress” or even separated by simple titles like “work” and “personal.”  Clear unread emails. Sort into folders by year and mark them as read so you won’t panic about trashing them and can find whatever you need later using your email’s search tool. Use tools like Unroll.me going forward to minimize the dead weight in your inbox and easily unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t need.



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…

March 2021 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

How To Declutter Your Virtual Tech…Page 1

Joint Accounts: Pros & Cons…Page 2

Clean A Hair Dryer…Page 2

Easy Healthy Road Trip Snacks…Page 3

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

Can Scents Make My Home More Appealing To Buyers?…Page 4

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

Joint Bank Accounts: Yes Or No?

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!)…

Once upon a time, couples having joint bank accounts was the norm. Today, it’s not a given—and it’s not even always the best choice. Here are a couple of the benefits of having joint accounts with your partner, along with possible downsides to keep in mind.

On the plus side... •

banal (adjective) pronounced bah-NAL (rhymes with “canal”)

Having a joint savings account makes a common savings goal (like a house or big vacation) easy to monitor and contribute towards. • If you agree to tackle individual debts as a couple, joint bank accounts facilitate transparency and can make it easier to pay off loans or credit card balances.

Meaning : unoriginal, trite, clichéd

Sample Sentence: “When the plot of a movie is this banal, it’s not hard to predict the ending.”

On the flip side… •

People who are accustomed to managing their money alone may have trouble letting go of or sharing control of finances. • Lenders will consider both your credit history and your partner’s, which can negatively impact the one with better credit.

B Small Appliances : Wipe down appliance exteriors and clean interiors (like emptying the toaster’s crumb tray and running the coffee maker’s deep clean cycle). Toothbrush Container : Scrub water mineral deposits and toothpaste grime from the bottom of cups or mugs that hold toothbrushes. Remote Controls : Gently wipe down with a damp cloth and use a toothpick to extract crumbs from crevices. Door Knobs : Wipe door knobs and handles throughout the house and oil any sticky hinges. Quotes To Live By… “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman statesman “For the concert of life, no one receives a program.” –Dutch Proverb • • • Don’t-Miss Spring Cleaning The average spring cleaning to-do list is much longer than the kind of cleaning we do on a more frequent basis, but there are likely still things you’ll forget. Here are just a few: • Light Fixtures : Wipe down globes and other glass surfaces to allow more light to shine through. •

IN ESCROW!

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 !

In just 3 days 4480 Antigua Way Asking: $749,000

Also

2171 Martinique Lane Asking: $699,000 Sold in 1 week

How To Clean A Hair Dryer When was the last time you cleaned your hair dryer? I bet it hasn’t been recently, if at all! Here’s how to do it, and why it’s really important that you do. A clogged hair dryer filter can be a serious fire hazard. If that’s not enough of a reason to keep it clean, a clean hair dryer performs better. Not only will the air flow be more consistent, the motor is less likely to overheat and fry your hair. How often you need to clean your hair dryer depends on how often you use it, but once every 1–3 weeks is a good range. 1. Make sure the appliance is unplugged and completely cool. 2. Remove the filter cap on the back of the hair dryer. This may be as simple as rotating the filter cap like it’s a pill bottle, but it may be screwed on. 3. Remove the filter itself and rinse it under running water to remove dust, hair, and other debris. 4. Use an old toothbrush (dry) or a toothpick to extract anything that’s caught behind the filter (don’t use water for this, since the motor is nearby). 5. Ensure the removable filter is completely dry and reassemble the hair dryer.

“If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

–Shirley Chisholm, politician

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

Healthy Road Trip Snacks Retro roadside diners may be part of the fun of road trips, and fast food is certainly convenient. With a little planning, though, you can stock a cooler or tote bag with delicious snacks that are easy to eat on-the-go—not to mention healthier and cheaper than burgers and fries. Here are a few road trip-friendly snack ideas to get you started, plus some hints on how to pack them. Fruits & Veggies: Choose ones that travel well (apples, carrots) and prep items that would be hard for a driver to eat one-handed (peel oranges and chop carrot sticks). ✓ Dried foods: Anything in the dehydrated category (dried fruits or jerky) is ideal for road trips, with less mess and longer shelf stability. ✓ Nuts: Protein will make you feel full longer. Bring your favorite mixed nut or trail mix or choose peanut butter pretzels for a protein boost. ✓ Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs are another excellent protein source. Peel them in advance if you’re solo. ✓ Wraps: Put sandwich fixings into a tortilla or pita wrapped in foil for easier on-the-go eating. ✓ Beverages: Make sure you’ve got plenty of water and a selection of other favorite drinks. Packing Tips: ✓ Keep refrigerated items in a cooler within arm’s reach. ✓ If you’re traveling solo, put snacks in containers that fit into your car’s cup holder so it’s easy to eat one-handed. ✓ Put dips like ranch or hummus in small containers that can be resealed easily. ✓ To save space, freeze a couple of bottles of water in advance and use them in your cooler to keep snacks chilled. When you’re ready to drink the water, it’ll likely be starting to defrost a bit. ✓ Make sure you’ve got a trash/recycling bin handy at all times to keep your car from turning into a garbage dump—and pack a roll of paper towels and some wet wipes to clean up messes. Use a plastic cereal container for pop-top easy trash stashing. Road Trip Snacks: ✓

1 Tummy Trivia Maybe you’ve heard that cows have four stomachs? In truth, they only have one—but it has four sections. On the other end of the spectrum, the platypus has no stomach at all. Instead, food goes straight from their esophagus into their intestine. Online Grammar Tools Even if the only writing you do is in the form of emails, it’s important to pay attention to proper grammar. Here are a few handy online tools to help make the work of writing well a bit easier. Grammarly : grammarly.com/ (free & paid versions) Grammarly is among the most popular writing tools, helping with grammar, spelling, and tone. The browser extension makes it work within web-based email and social media, too. WhiteSmoke : whitesmoke.com/ (from $3.47/month) WhiteSmoke checks grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Plus, it’s got a plagiarism checker and a translation component including more than 50 languages. ProWritingAid : prowritingaid.com/ (free & paid versions) ProWritingAid is especially useful for people who write more than just emails, with all the grammar and proofreading capabilities as well as the ability to integrate with software and platforms like MS Word, Google Docs, and WordPress. Brain Teaser… There’s a word that begins and ends with an E, but only contains one letter. What is it? (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!

Have You Checked Out The Online Version? Go to: https://florence.cld.bz/

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Send me an email at florence@BchRealEstate.com

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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 Car 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: Mike Davis of Bakersfield. Tennis champion Serena Williams won which major tournament while pregnant with her first child? a) Australian Open b) Wimbledon c) French Open d) ATP Finals The answer is a) Australian Open. Williams reportedly took a test at the beginning of the tournament to prove a friend wrong but was shocked to discover she was pregnant. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

Brain Teaser Answer: Envelope!

Easy Neck Stretch As if it wasn’t bad enough that we look down at our phones all the time, hours of sitting at a desk on Zoom calls can cause some seriously stiff neck muscles. The good news is that there are some easy stretches you can do at home to help relieve the ache. Sit (with properly aligned posture) on the floor or a chair. Move your hands to the back of your neck, palms facing your head and hands together. Press your head gently toward your lap. 2. 3. 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. Start with this one: 1. 4. Hold for 30 seconds. Have a Laugh… What do you call a boomerang that doesn’t come back? A stick!

What goatish animal is a national animal of a south Asian country?

a) Addax b) Mouflon c) Markhor d) Gazelle

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 natural scents can make my home appealing to buyers?

A. This is a common question asked of real estate agents and it is a little surprising how easily mistakes can be made that turn buyers off. Generally, fragrant candles and aerosol room fresheners are too strong to be used just before your guests arrive. Few things can make a buyer more suspicious than an overly strong smell. They may think you have something to hide if a pleasant odor is overwhelming. If you want to freshen up the smell of your home with these products, use them at least 4 hours ahead of time. Most people will feel comfortable in a home that smells clean and welcoming with the scent of coffee, tea or cookies . If you are not preparing these foods, you can simulate the smell with a few drops of cinnamon oil with water in a pie plate placed in a warm (not hot) oven. Also, herbs like rosemary, lavender and mint offer a pleasant natural fragrance whether you place them in vases or simmer them in a saucepan. You can also use an aromatherapy diffuser. They’re inexpensive and available on sites like Amazon. If you’re thinking of selling soon, ask about my Free Consumer Report “ 44 Moneymaking Tips To Sell Your Home Fast , ” which includes an easy checklist of inexpensive ways to make buyers instantly attracted to your home. Just give me a call 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

Asking Price

Martinique

2 3 3 2 2

2 3 3 2 2

1459 2059 2059 1550 1766

Martinique (Phase I)

$620,000 $1,150,888 $1,257,888 $1,299,000 $1,550,888 $1,175,732

Vina del Mar Vina del Mar San Sebastian San Sebastian

San Tropez San Tropez

Antigua (Ambassador) Capri (Ambassador)

Market Average

Homes Accepting Back Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2171 Martinique

2

2

1368

Madeira (garage attch’d)

$699,000

4480 Antigua

2

2

1549

Antigua

$749,000 $724,000

Market Average

Sold Properties… (07/01/20 Thru 02/17/21) 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 2007 San Tropez 4492 Antigua Way

$545,000 $595,000 $624,888 $619,888 $619,000 $624,888 $639,888 $650,000 $648,888 $679,888 $655,000 $689,888 $689,000 $699,999 $687,000 $725,000 $710,000 $829,888 $889,000 $690,000 $679,888 $699,000

$547,500 $595,000 $620,000 $605,000 $605,000 $624,888 $635,000 $635,000 $650,000 $650,000 $655,000 $690,000 $694,000 $700,000 $705,000 $725,000 $725,000 $818,000 $875,000 $675,000 $679,888 $685,000

1368 1368 1217 1368 1113 1218 1218 1368 1368 1217 1368 1459 1368 1368 1368 1368 1550 1628 1368 1627 1450 1627

$400.22 $434.94 $509.45 $441.93 $556.15 $513.04 $521.35 $464.18 $475.15 $558.20 $478.80 $472.93 $506.94 $511.70 $515.35 $529.97 $467.74 $502.46 $639.15 $509.96 $444.92 $466.35 $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 (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

Capri

12/23/20

2177 Martinique

Antigua

07/23/20

2317 Martinique

Capri

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

2386 Martinique 2121 Martinique 2133 Martinique 4423 Antigua 4464 Antigua 4477 Antigua

Antigua Madeira Madeira Madeira Madeira Antigua

1984 San Tropez

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

$685,946

$677,611

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

List $

Sq.Ft. Floor Plan

Harbor

$495,000 $495,000

925

Plan C

Market Average

Properties Accepting Back Up Offers…None

Sold Properties (01/01/2020 – 02/17/2021 Address List $ Sale $ Sq.F t.

$/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 $474,900 925 $599,000 $580,000 1294 $639,500 $625,000 1474

$513.41 Plan C $448.22 Plan D

$424.02 T-2

3120 Sunset

$642,000 $625,550 1198

$522.16 Plan D

11/18/20

3034 Sunset

$649,000 $630,000 1198 $675,000 $635,000 1474 $649,000 $642,000 1198 $669,000 $660,000 1319 $749,900 $725,000 1485 $729,000 $729,000 1485 $850,000 $850,000 1489

$525,88 Plan D

06/16/20

4506 LaBrea

$430.80 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

$535.89 Plan D (end unit)

$500.38 T-2

$488.22 Villa (end unit)

3340 Sunset

$490.91 Villa (end unit) $570.85 Villa (end unit)

3125 Harbor

Market Average

$648,66 6

$636,78 7

$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 February 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