Real Estate in Oxnard, Short Sale Report The status of real estate in Oxnard, California Short Sales, as of today (7/27/11), comprise 42% of the Active Listings. If you include Oxnard, California REOs, this means that 61% of our market place is either underwater or has  been foreclosed. This is a very sobering statistic and it is one worth noting if you are about to make an important real estate decision.As you can see from the report below, Oxnard, California short sales are getting offers and going into escrow. This is a good sign in that the market is not paralyzed. There are excellent buys to be had.           The Real Estate at the Beach in Oxnard Short Sales Report includes the Oxnard Beach Area. Although the Oxnard Beach has been affected by Short Sales to a lesser degree, it is ... 07/27/2011

North Oxnard  Market Report - Condominiums- June 2011The North Oxnard, CA Real Estate Market consists of many communities and neighborhoods.The data secured below has included but was not limited to the condominium communities in North Oxnard. If you would like to receive a market report for any specific community, please contact me and I will gladly follow up.   I have included the market report for June 2010 for easy comparison. However, we must remember that the market  then had a lot of people taking advantage of the federal credit programs, which do not exist today. Need information on another community in Ventura County? Just contact me with the name of the community or neighborhood and I will supply it to you.Here is a link to the Single Family Residence for June 2011.If you are... 07/18/2011

North Oxnard  Market Report - Single Family Residences- June 2011 The North Oxnard, CA Real Estate Market consists of many communities and neighborhoods. The data secured below has included but was not limited to the single family residential communities of: Victoria Estates, Cypress Point, PetersRidge, RiverRidge, San Tropez,Sea Ridge, Strawberry Fields, Summerfield, The Vineyards- Greystone, and many others. If you would like to receive a market report for any one of these communities, please contact me and I will gladly follow up.North Oxnard June 2011 Market ReportThere were 14 Active:High 575,000 Low 250,000 Median 372,450There were 14 Back-up Contingent:High 650,000 Low 201,000 Median 384,500There were 10 Pendings High 649,990 Low 250,000 Median 402,450There were 16 SoldHigh 619,... 07/18/2011

Out and About in Oxnard, CA.- Fun Things To Do and Enjoy The Heritage Square Summer Concert series is a much anticipated performance located in Oxnard, CA., at the Heritage Square. These are live performances and suit every musical preference, from reggae to swing and country to rock.         The summer concert series begins in June and lasts through August 26, 2011.Table seating is available by reservation at $40 to $60 per table (seats 6). General admission plaza seats are available for $5, and limited lawn seating is free         Enjoy! The schedule is as follows: June 17        Nuestro                                               Latin Jazz June 24        Soul City Survivors                             Hot Buttered Soul July 1           Ed LaFata & The Unforgettables         Big Ba... 06/21/2011

North Oxnard, Ventura County, CA Real Estate Market Report ending May 2011The North Oxnard Real Estate Market consists of several prominent communities. The Market Report today will focus on the PetersRidge, Cypress Point, Victoria Estates, RiverRidge and covers the six month period from December 2010 to May 31, 2011. Please keep in mind that this is a snapshot of the community. If you desire an in-depth report with detailed information, I will happily provide that for you. All you have to do is contact me.The pie chart on the right shows the breakdown of those detached homes that are Active, Pending, or Sold for all of North Oxnard. These communities include RiverRidge, Peter's Ridge, Cypress Point and Victoria Estates.           PetersRidge RiverRidge         Cypress Pointe       Vict... 06/20/2011

Local Golf Courses Enhance the Real Estate Market of Oxnard, California. One hallmark of a desirable community is the sports attraction of a good golf course. The RiverRidge Golf course is a great municipal course located in the north-western section of the Oxnard, California community. One very important consideration in this determination is the climate of the area. Onshore breezes keep the community of Oxnard cooler in summer and warmer in winter than those further inland. Oxnard's Mediterranean climate zone is comfortable in winter and cool and dry during the summer. The average rainfall is 15.62 inches. Average annual temperature is 59.4 degrees and average July temperature is 73 degrees. RiverRidge Golf Course is located within 5 miles of the Pacific Ocean. The 18-hole The Vineyar... 05/29/2011

A Treat tonight for Military Personnel~ Military Appreciation NightIn Ventura County, all active military personnel and those who have served honorably are invited with their immediate family to a local Chick-fil-A restaurant for a free meal on Wednesday, 5/25/11.There will be family-friendly activities and entertainment for guests to enjoy.The Military Appreciation Night is presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation and United Services Automobile Association, in conjunction with the VFW Foundation's Return the Favor campaign. The offer is only valid with a military ID or proof of service in-restaurant.The offer includes the Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich Meal, Chick-fil-A Spicy Chicken Sandwich Meal or Chick-fil-A Nuggets Kid's Meal (four-count).The Chick-fil-A in Vent... 05/24/2011

Advertise the Office If you Have One According to several different surveys, future homeowners will be looking to buy homes that are either closer to work or they want to work from home. The high cost of gasoline and long commute times are two reasons fueling this change. The 'closer to work' group are not averse to urban living where the 'live/work' communities are gaining a strong foothold. These are comprised of living areas located above a 'store' type unit that exists below. It may also include communities where a retail center is located within walking distance of the home/living community. Having restaurants, movie theaters and shopping within walking distatnce is also very appealing to these future buyers. The other preference articulated by the future homeowners is the ability ... 05/23/2011

Worms are OK!Really they are. If you have worms in your soil ~ that is a good thing. It means your soil (don't say dirt) is getting aerated and enhanced by worm poop (only they call it worm castings).Yeah so, if you buy soil amendments and it says on the package that it contains worm castings ~ well you have worm poop in it. But why buy soil amendments, when you can make your own and it will be a lot better for your soil and your wallet (no don't put your wallet in)?Making compost or mulch or worm castings is really easy. You can take it to any degree of intensity, where you toss it in and forget it, or you measure the heat and turn it every day.So it turns out that the City of Oxnard will be having a free workshop on composting on Saturday, June 4 at 9:30 AM at Wilson Park, 350 N. “C” ... 05/21/2011

Are you a Bucket Filler? Or a Bucket Dipper? As I was perusing the website of our local elementary school, Thurgood Marchall Elementary, I came across an idea that I had not been aware of prior to this. The idea of Bucket Fillers is based on Dr. Donald O. Clifton's metaphor of the bucket and the dipper. The first person to bring this idea to a school setting was "The Bucket Man", Merrill Lundgren. At the age of 92, The Bucket Man is still speaking and presenting about Bucket Fillers. Several books have been written about bucket fillers. Carol McCloud wrote a book called "Have You Filled A Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids)." We all carry an invisible bucket and it has our feelings inside. When it is full ~ we feel good. When you say and do nice things for others, you fi... 05/19/2011

When in Doubt, Throw It Out! As we head into the Summer months and the plentiful bounty of the season's great fruits and vegetables, we want to make sure consumers do not take unnecessary chances with the possible outbreak of E.coli or salmonella. Washing produce is always important and should always be done. Here are the recommendations by the Food and Drug Administration: 1. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparation. 2. Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating. Produce that looks rotten should be discarded. 3. All produce should be thoroughly washed before eating. This includes produce grown conventionally or organically at home, or produce that is purchased from a grocery store or fa... 05/18/2011

It's a Berry Strawberry World in Oxnard, CA. This city, with its unusual name, is home to a Strawberry Festival that every year draws thousands to our fair city. It ranks as one of the top festivals in the nation and draws visitors from all over the country. From music concerts to pie throwing, from arts and crafts vendors to food vendors, and from kiddie rides to the best tasting strawberries you'll ever taste, the festival invites you. There are two stages that host a variety of musical tastes from Reggae, to Latin pop, to big band swing. There will be over 200 Arts and crafts booths for your shopping pleasure. There are recipe contests, involving strawberries, of course and a Celebrity Chef cooking demonstration. How about learning to grow your own strawberry garden and produce by FO... 05/14/2011

What Really Goes on at My Book Club Meeting I belong to two book clubs because I love reading books. It is as simple as that. I'm the fiction novel type, but have been known to read the occasional autobiography, or a sci-fi best seller. For Mother's day, I received Steven Tyler's new book, "Does the Noise In My Head Bother You?" I can't wait to get started. Every month the book club gets together at one of the member's home and that host is responsible for the book selection, coffee and a munchie. The host also has prepared the reading guide questions (these are downloadable online) or some outline of the discussion. If this sounds intimidating, it really isn't. We have a lot of fun because our discussions not only center on the book, but also on happenings in the neighborhood. You see ... 05/13/2011

My niece is teaching her children not to use the name of the Lord in vain.  As a result her six year old son was  alarmed to hear another child she cares for say "Oh My God!"  He ran to his mother and said "Mom" he just said Orange, Mouse, Gorilla!  His mother, not hearing the child and not knowing what her son was talking about replied and asked, "What's wrong with saying orange, mouse, gorilla  He responded..."the first letters, mom, he said the first letters."  Even in reporting this incident he refused to use the name of the Lord in vain.  Orange, Mouse, Gorilla!  I'm going to start using that one! 05/11/2011

Dog Park and Play in Oxnard For those of you in this readership who have a forest for your back and side yards, you need not read on as you will find our excitement over a dog park quite questionable. Remember this is SoCal.The City of Oxnard has a fairly new (almost two years new) Dog Park located within College Park at 3250 S Rose Avenue. This is near Raider Way and the freeway.   The park is about an acre, and includes separate areas for large and small dogs. This is great because you won't have big bully type dogs unknowingly trampling their smaller friends.                                             It has agility apparatus, drinking fountains for both people and pooches, and shade areas.                 There is a token-operated dog wash station, which was paid for by a private c... 05/11/2011

Calling all strawberry lovers, family outing coordinators, people watchers, Oxnardians, Californians, Out of Area-dians (Okay, so I'm making words up)!  You’re invited to the Oxnard, California Annual Strawberry Festival and you can bring as many guests as you would like.  Bring your family, friends, camera, diaper wipes, hand sanitizer, appetite and expect a berry-licious time!  Don’t forget to check the Oxnard weather forecast AND bring your wallet for the admissions fee, parking fee, and other food, beverage and fun purchases.   Strawberry pizza anyone?  With over 70,000 visitors and counting this annual festival offers an eclectic assortment of strawberry concoctions as well as live entertainment, arts and crafts booths, rides for children and sticky, gooey contests.  Located at St... 05/10/2011

Constina M. Baylor Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales  Oxnard, CA, May 10, 2011 — Constina M. Baylor with RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.   According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures.  For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction.  REALTORS® who have earn... 05/10/2011

It's Never Too Late For Spring CleaningWhere have the days gone? Looking at the calendar reminds me that I have missed my usual Spring Cleaning Reminder. It is almost summer! So here goes...During this renewal season, sparked by the bloom of flowers and the gift of longer days, many real estate markets enjoy the boost of consumers looking to relocate the nest.That is why maintenance now will make  getting your home into selling shape an easier process.1. Check and clean gutters, window frames and missing roof shingles.2. Clear away any and all debris left by recent storms and weird weather.3. Check and repair your sprinkler systems and replace damaged sprinkler heads.4. Do you have a deck that needs conditioning, re-staining or repair? Consider a power washer, then an all-weather sealer... 05/07/2011

Out and About  in Oxnard, CA - Cinco De Mayo One thing to note about Cinco de Mayo Celebrations is important. While many in the U.S. think Cinco de Mayo (May 5) celebrates Mexican Independence Day, it does not! The event actually honors the day a group of Mexican patriots, led by Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza, defeated a well-equipped French invasion force in the city of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It is  not even as big a holiday in Mexico as it is in the U.S. Oxnard College will kick off the events this week with a pre-Cinco de Mayo celebration from noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 4. The event features live entertainment and an exhibition of work by artist Agustin Bravo. For more information, call John A. Garcia at  805.204.6520 El Comite Cultural Mexicano will present a Celebration of Cinco de M... 05/04/2011

     Today I decided that a size two is for the toddler section; that there's no such thing as a good hair day; that my husband should limit his vocabulary to “I’m sorry, and you were right;” that I should charge the personalities that moved inside of me rent; that they should have told me about Lorazepam when my kids were young; that napping is important even after 50; that cellulite must be good for something and when they figure out what it’s good for I’m going to sell mine.      Today I also decided that I really don’t care, and then I do, and then I don’t and then I do….I’m confused about it too; that I should get paid to be a case study because surely this isn’t normal; that I understand if you don’t remember my name, I don’t remember yours either; that I shouldn’t be held respons... 04/23/2011