May 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 Know A College Grad Who Could Use Financial Guidance Many recent graduates are grappling with debt when they leave college. In today’s Service For Life ! ® Free consumer newsletter, I have several suggestions on how to get a handle on personal finances for those just getting started in the professional world. If you don’t have college graduates in your life, perhaps you could pass these helpful tips along to someone else who does. You’ll also learn about surprising cold symptoms, car seat safety tips, and the best plants for every room of the house – 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

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

March

April May June

20 19 17 18 17 thru 4/20

19 29 23 20 24 24 21 44 25 28 24 22 28 28 22 30

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

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

July

August

September 18 27 26 29

October

40 25 24 28

November 17 21 19 23 December 21 20 22 11

We closed escrow at 2601 Captains in Las Palomas…a great 2 bedroom single level with attached garage. Sold for $430,000. Also closed on 2133 Martinique in The Colony…Sold for $575,000. New Listing at HarborWalk…we opened escrow 3 days after putting it on the market. Asking: $549,000 and a New Listing in The Colony…Ambassador Series Capri floorplan. Asking: $799,000. With our inventory at a historic low, if you are considering selling, now may be the time. I have buyers looking…give me a call. 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, competent 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…”



If you’re thinking about selling your home soon, request my Free Consumer Guide, “7 Insider Tips To Net More Money Selling Your Own Home.” Call me right now at 805-701-8410 for details…

Financial Tips For Grads

As the price tag on a college degree continues to skyrocket, it’s become increasingly important that recent college grads are financially savvy. Instead of gifting an inspirational book to the young adults in your life this graduation season, pass these tips on instead.  Don’t ignore debt. Get a plan in place as soon as possible to pay off credit cards and loans. Pay AT LEAST the minimum due every month, and make extra payments when possible. Put extra money toward those debts that carry the highest interest rates first.  Start saving. Even as you pay off debt, it’s important to save money from every paycheck. Tuck some away for retirement, and establish a savings account covering at least three months’ worth of living expenses. A steady, more generous paycheck is a nice addition to a new, professional lifestyle, but it is still essential to be financially prepared for any changes in the future.  Take advantage of employer matching retirement plans. Many corporate employers will match a certain percentage of retirement contributions deducted automatically from your paycheck. If at all possible, invest the maximum amount that your employer will match.  Reassess accounts and credit cards. Do a bit of research and make sure the checking account you have makes the most sense for your financial situation. Is there a bank or account with more flexibility and better benefits? The same is true for credit cards: Make sure you’re getting the lowest interest rate possible and any earned rewards match your lifestyle and interests.  Find a side gig. Whether you walk dogs on the weekend or put creative skills to use with a freelance contract, a little extra money can go a long way to cushion the bank account fresh out of college.

May 2018 Oxnard, California

Inside This Issue…

Financial Planning For College Grads…Page 1

Surprising Cold Symptoms…Page 2

Car Seat Safety…Page 2

Best Plants For Each Room …Page 3

Answer This Trivia Question and You Could Win $75 Gift Certificate for Lure Restaurant...Page 4 My House Isn’t Selling. What Should I Change About The Marketing?…Page 4

You can suggest to new graduates that they sign up for a free budgeting app like Mint or You Need A Budget . They’ll thank you!

Thinking Of Selling Your Home Soon? Don’t attempt to sell your home without my Free Consumer Guide, “ 6 Steps For Selling Your Home For Top Dollar .” My exclusive report will give you all the facts for a fast, top dollar sale. Just call 805-701-8410 anytime, 24 hours, and I’ll rush a copy out to you for free.

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

Could It Be A Cold?

B Sample Sentence: The increase in cyberslacking and resulting loss of productivity forces some companies to block certain websites during working hours. Mind Over Mold Food looking a bit moldy? Time to toss out the cooked foods, yogurt, soft fruits, lunch meats, bread, or anything in a jar. Salvage hard cheeses, salamis, and vegetables with harder exteriors like carrots and bell peppers by cutting the mold out with a clean knife with an inch buffer. Smart Amazon Shopping Scammers have left some Amazon.com shoppers high and dry. Though many third-party vendors are legitimate, know how to spot those that might not be. • See a major discount? If it seems too good to be true, trust your gut and walk away. • Sellers should not ask you to email them directly or tell you to pay in gift cards. • Fake reviews use lots of verbs, adverbs, and first-person singular language. Use a tool like Fakespot.com to analyze fishy reviews. Meaning : Using an employer’s internet and/or email for personal (generally time-wasting) purposes 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!)… Cyberslacking (sigh-ber-slak-ing) verb

Beyond common cold symptoms, the body is excellent at communicating when something’s not quite right. Here are several surprise symptoms that could indicate you might have a cold – and a few signs you may have something else. It could be a cold if:  Your senses of smell and taste aren’t up to par.  You are thirstier than usual.  You feel muscle aches and pains in unusual places, such as the scalp.  You have particularly vivid or unusual dreams.  You find it hard to focus on a task or aren’t interested in socializing.  Your eyes are more sensitive to light than normal.

It might be more than just a cold if:  You suffer from severe headaches.

 You just returned from a trip, especially if you were abroad.  You continue to experience many symptoms after four days.  You experience a low-grade fever for several days.  Your symptoms are in one location, such as the throat or an ear.

Here’s A Free, Valuable Resource…

Now You Can Search The Home Market, Get Helpful Community Information, AND Receive Important Resources For Saving Time And Money When Buying Or Selling At BchRealEstate.com

Properly Use Car Seats It is in your kids’ best interest (and the law!) to properly use car seats. Even if you’re taking a quick drive down the street, here’s what you need to know: • Choose a car seat that best fits a child’s weight, size, and age as well as your vehicle’s design. Learn how to use the seat you purchase. • Look for a car seat label that notes the seat meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. • Don’t use a car seat that is more than six years old, shows signs of wear, or has been involved in a car accident. • Upgrade car seats as the child grows. Infant-only seats should always face the rear of the car. Kids two years or older, or those who outgrow the height/weight requirements for rear-facing car seats, should use a forward-facing car seat as long as possible. • Check installation with the help of a certified child passenger safety technician at a child car seat inspection station. These are often hosted by local health departments, fire departments, and hospitals.

Quotes To Live By… “I’ve got nothing to do today but smile.”

–Paul Simon

“Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.”

–Dodinsky

“A man who correctly guesses a woman’s age may be smart, but he’s not very bright.” –Lucille Ball

Please note: Laws vary by state. Check out your local regulations at http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/tag/child-passenger-safety/

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

House Plants For Every Room House plants can do far more than simply spruce up the way a home looks. Certain plants wield certain benefits – and many thrive better in some rooms than in others. Put your green thumb to work and get these plants growing where they serve you best! The peace lily removes mold spores in the air and is relatively low maintenance. Though it can adapt to low light, placing it in a well- lit area will keep it flowering almost nonstop.  Colorful or striking-looking plants like cacti or bird of paradise can add a fun touch to this lively space. In the living room: 

Brain Teaser… What travels faster: hot or cold? (See page 4 for the answer.)

1 meter footrace called the stade. The next two events – a foot race comparable to the 400-meter race and a longer running event – were added about 50 years later. The pentathlon (a combination of a foot race, long jump, discus, javelin throws, and a wrestling match) was added in 708 B.C. This was followed by boxing (688 B.C.), chariot racing (680 B.C.), and pankration (a boxing/wrestling hybrid, 648 B.C.). Puppy Or Pup? “Puppy” refers to baby canines like wolves, coyotes, and hyenas. “Pups” are baby anteaters, armadillos, moles, porcupines, dolphins, sharks, seals, sea lions, and rats. Monthly Surprises! These themed subscription boxes arrive monthly, filled with fun items. www.TryTheWorld.com – Cooking ingredients, drinks, and snacks from a new country every month. www.BarkBox.com – One for Fido! Every month includes at least two toys, two all-natural bags of treats, and a chew. www.CauseBox.com – Filled with products from socially conscious brands. 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! First Olympic Events At the first recorded Olympic Games in 776 B.C., the only event was a 192-

In the bedroom: 

Weeping figs remove airborne toxins and increase oxygen levels, allowing for better sleeping conditions.  French lavender promotes calm and serenity.  If you have ample sunlight, add aloe , which purifies the air.

In the bathroom: 

Chinese evergreen is durable and the soil should be kept moist – perfect for a humid room!  Ferns thrive in environments with low light and high humidity.

In the kitchen and dining room: 

Golden pothos are good hanging plants, so they don’t take up precious counter space.  Bamboo is simple to care for and makes for an interesting table centerpiece.  From rosemary to mint, any sort of herb is welcome in the kitchen.

Thank You Thank You Thank You! To our good friends and clients…

Mark & Louise Proto purchased 3420 Ocean…$1,740,000

Penny Myers sold 2133 Martinique (The Colony) ….$575,000 And 2601 Captains (las Palomas) sold…….$430,000 Estee Roll Listed 1992 San Tropez (The Colony) ….$799,000 And 3554 Sunset (HarborWalk) is in Escrow …..$549,000 asking price

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 Certificate 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: Joan Holland of Oxnard was the winner of the drawing. In 1999 Time Magazine named Albert Einstein as “Person of the Century.” Who did they say was one of the two runners-up? a) Franklin D. Roosevelt b) Winston Churchill c) Sigmund Freud d) Pope John Paul II

Brain Teaser Answer: Hot. You can catch a cold.

Don’t Lose Your Car! Keep track of where you parked your car with these tips:  Take a video as you walk away from the car. This will help you retrace your steps back. Add something to your car to make it more noticeable, such as a colorful antenna topper. Always park in the same type of area, such as always on the top deck of a parking garage or by an intersection of two streets. If you carry a smartphone, pin the location of the car in a map before you leave it. Write Where You Left It No matter how much you push the envelope, it will always be stationery. 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 a) Franklin D. Roosevelt. The other runner-up was Mahatma Gandhi. So let’s move on to this month’s trivia question.

The “Strongest Girl in the World” (a fictional character) has a pet monkey named what? a) Bananas b) George c) Abu d) Mr. Nilsson

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. My home isn’t selling. What should I change about my marketing tactics? A. If you’ve taken your home off the market and are looking to try again, choose a REALTOR ® who shares your goals and stands out as a Home Marketing Expert. A Home Marketing Expert should provide you with a dynamic new marketing plan that goes beyond holding open houses and sending out flyers. Here are some things to look for in the plan:  Offering updated ideas about your home’s condition, staging and asking price.  Using all advertising avenues, including the Internet. Did you post compelling pictures of your home the first time you tried to sell it? Did you include a virtual home tour? A drone video of the area?  Posting on social media. Does this person use Facebook to showcase properties (in an appropriate manner)?  Getting the attention of other REALTORS ® . Does this person have contacts with REALTORS ® who are already working with out-of-town buyers who may be moving to the area? To learn more about how to sell your home the second time, call and ask for my Free Consumer Report called “4 Tips To Guarantee Your Home Sells The Second Time.” I’ll send a copy right over to you.

Do you have a question you want answered? Just 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

1992 San Tropez

2 3 2

3 3 2

1800 2360 1550

Capri (Ambassador Series) $799,000

Vina del Mar 2001 Majorca

Vina del Mar

$839,888 $1,195,000 $944,629

Antigua

Market Average

Homes Accepting Back-Up Offers… Address

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Martinique

2

2

1368

Madeira

$640,000 $640,000

Market Average

Homes Pending…

Address Antigua

Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

2

2

1549

Antigua

$639,888 $639,888

Market Average

Sold Properties… (04/01/17 Thru 04/22/18) 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 04/22/18 07/24/17 05/15/17 06/05/17 06/23/17

4442 Antigua

$499,888 $499,999 $517,000 $525,000 $549,000 $529,000 $595,000 $599,000 $599,000 $625,000 $599,900 $559,000 $635,000 $635,000 $649,000 $629,000 $649,900 $749,000 $899,888 $939,000 $1,295,000 $653,184 $599,000 $610,000 $614,888 $590,000

$466.000 $490,000 $510,000 $520,000 $520,000 $529,000 $575,000 $565,000 $570,000 $580,000 $590,000 $543,000

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

$382.91 Martinique $358.19 Madeira

2365 Martinique 2210 Martinique 2244 Martinique 2013 Majorca 1902 Majorca 2133 Martinique 2251 Martinique 2001 Majorca 2157 Martinique 2363 Martinique 2227 Martinique 2313 Martinique 1990 San Tropez 2287 Martinique 2231 Martinique 2017 San Sebastian 2123 Vina del Mar 2350 Vina del Mar 1965 San Sebastian Market Average 2185 Martinique 1967 Majorca 4467 Antigua 2301 Martinique 4425 Antigua

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

$380.12 Madeira $386.70 Madeira

$487.43 Martinique (phase I)

$420.32 Madeira $344.19 Antigua $367.98 Antigua

$356.48 Capri

$431.29 Madeira

10/18/17

$595,000

1550

$384.12 Antigua

08/25/17

$595,000

1627

$365.70 Capri

08/31/17

$600,000

1459

$411.24 Antigua (phase I)

10/13/17

$605,000

1368

$442.25 Madeira

10/04/17 02/26/18 03/27/18 03/30/18 06/19/17 04/05/17 09/01/17 08/25/17 12/11/17

$625,000 $625,000 $625,000 $629,000 $649,900 $695,000 $840,000 $935,000

1459 1368 1369 1627 1800 1218 2360 2692

$428.38 Antigua

$456.87 Madeira

$456.54 Madeira (Ambassador)

$386.60 Capri $359.66 Capri

$570.61 Martinique (Ambassador)

$355.93 Vina del Mar $347.33 Costa de Oro

$1,215,000 1550

$783.87 Antigua (Ambassador)

04/11/2018

$634,647

$423.72

RE/MAX represented buyer, seller or both . Properties as of Apr. 22, 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 Sunset

1 2 2 3

1 1 2 3

781 925

Plan A Plan C

$365,000 $469,000 $605,000 $789,500

3674 Sunset

1474 1485

T-2

Harbor

Villa

$557,125

Market Average

Homes Taking Back Up Offers … Address Bdrms

Baths

Sq. Ft.

Floor Plan

Asking Price

Harbor

2 2

2 2

1128 1135

Plan D

$499,000 $549,000

3554 Sunset

T-3

$524,000

Market Average

Sold Properties (01/01/17 Thru 04/21/18) Address List $ Sale $

Sq.Ft. $/sq.ft

Floor Plan

Date Sold

3024 Sunset

$480,000 $517,000 $499,000 $550,000 $519,000 $535,000 $529,000 $539,000 $569,000 $575,000 $599,000 $650,000 $785,000 $569,083

$485,000 $500,000 $504,000 $505,000 $517,000 $517,000 $517,500 $539,000 $545,000 $575,000 $588,000 $635,000 $750,000 $556,458

925

$406.46 $417.36 $389.49 $444.93 $455.51 $391.96 $458.78 $477.84 $413.19 $479.97 $445.79 $481.43 $505.05 $458.33

Plan C Plan D Plan D

09/22/17 07/28/17 03/10/17 09/28/17 06/14/17 06/14/17 10/31/17 03/14/18 10/06/17 02/28/18 11/06/17 04/13/18 04/28/17

3045 Harbor 3140 Sunset 3684 Sunset 4522 LaBrea 3650 Sunset 3009 Harbor 3013 Harbor 3634 Sunset 3120 Sunset 3480 Sunset 4526 LaBrea 4501LaBrea

1198 1294 1135 1135 1319 1128 1128 1319 1198 1319 1319 1485

T-3 T-3 T-2

Plan B Plan B

T-2

Plan D

T-2 T-2

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 Apr. 21, 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.