Madera Hills is a charming neighborhood in West Simi Valley, California, located along Madera Road.The subdivision provides family-friendly living settings, a well-established residential neighborhood that caters to families in the local area. Buyers looking for a house in the heart of the city yet only a short drive away will be pleased with the selection available at Madera Hills. If you're interested in learning more about the neighborhood, feel free to keep reading or send me a message! IDEAL LOCATION: The town of Madera Hills is situated in a prime location, close to everything you could possibly need. Local strip malls, business districts, schools, and other places of interest are all within driving distance of the neighborhood. There are numerous schools in the area, so it's an e... 10/24/2021

Bridle Path is a charming neighborhood in Simi Valley, California's southwestern portion.Buyers looking for a move-in-ready property in this part of the city will be pleased to know that the neighborhood is one of many to choose from. Contact me right away if you have any concerns about the neighborhood or would want to arrange a home tour. COMFORTABLE HOMES: Bridle Path provides a range of classic 1970s ranch-style single-family home designs. Buyers who don't want to bother with climbing up and down stairs on a daily basis will appreciate these houses because they often have a single-story layout. Most houses have only one level, but even so, they offer ample living space, with a typical floor area of about 2,000 square feet.IDYLLIC SUBURBAN SETTING: As you drive through the neighborho... 10/24/2021

Grey Stone is a charming neighborhood in Simi Valley, California, located just west of Central Simi Valley.Simi Valley single-family homebuyers seeking a mid-range price point would appreciate the excellent houses available in the Grey Stone neighborhood. Contact me if you're interested in learning more about the subdivision or would want to see what properties are currently available for sale. BEAUTIFUL MEDITERRANEAN HOMES: A collection of well-built single-family homes with magnificent Mediterranean architecture may be found at Grey Stone. The consistency of home architecture and well-kept lawns all contribute to a visually appealing residential area. Large home lots and open floor plans are two other features of the residences, giving occupants plenty of space to spread out and relax... 10/24/2021

A prestigious golf community located in the hills southwest of Simi Valley, Wood Ranch is home to some of the country's top golf courses.There is an excellent range of single-family homes in the brilliantly built luxury development, suitable for those looking for a move-in-ready property nearby. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the neighborhood or want to read more about it on our neighborhood page. MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY: Wood Ranch has been thoughtfully constructed to create a lovely and comfortable home for its residents. The area is filled with well-located recreational activities, and a nearby commercial space can be used for your everyday shopping and dining needs. WOOD RANCH GOLF CLUB AND RANCHO MADERA COMMUNITY PARK: A wide range of amenities are av... 10/24/2021

Underwood Family Farms is one of the best gems that Ventura County has to offer. Between their two farm locations: one in Moorpark and the other in Somis, Underwood Family Farms has seen hundreds of thousands of guests come thru their doors over the years, and they have produced fruits and vegetables that have been consumed by people all over the country. Photo courtesy of localharvest.orgUnderwood Family Farms allows the public to come to their locations on a regular basis.According to the Underwood Family Farms website, they have these events going on in October:“October 9 & 10 - Farm Country WeekendGeneral Admission - $22.00October 16 & 17 - Antique Tractor WeekendGeneral Admission - $22.00October 23 & 24 - Wild West WeekendGeneral Admission - $22.00October 30 & 31 - All About Pumpki... 10/07/2021

Here are some great quotes for Labor Day: "No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence." - Martin Luther King "Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius "Don't wish it were easier. Wish you were better." - Jim Rohn "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will." - Vince Lombardi "I learned the value of hard work by working hard." - Margaret Mead Wishing everyone a Happy Labor Day! Serving Simi Valley and surrounding communities in all prices ranges. If you are thinking about buying or selling a property in Simi Valley, give yourself the edge you deserve by part... 09/06/2021

The Nancy Reagan Breast CenterNancy Reagan was among the greatest First Ladies America has ever had. From her dedication to President Reagan to her caring and kind ways towards people; she truly was committed to making the world a better place. After President Reagan left office and he began to focus his attention on the construction of his Presidential Library in Simi Valley, both he and Nancy wanted to invest even more into the community after the Library was built. That led them to become ingratiated with Adventist Health Simi Valley which resulted in the construction and the implementation of the Nancy Reagan Breast Center.According to the Adventist Health Simi Valley website:“Premier prevention, detection, and treatment of breast diseaseWelcome to the Nancy Reagan Breast Center of ... 09/02/2021

Air Force One at the Ronald Reagan Presidential LibraryThe Air Force One Pavilion, located inside of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, is truly a monument to history. The Pavilion, which houses the formerly operational Air Force One aircraft, was used by every president from 1973-2001 – this list includes presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton, and George W. Bush. To say that the Boeing 707 that acted as Air Force One transported some of the most powerful men that have ever existed is not an understatement. According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute:Air Force One, currently on display at the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. Image courtesy of the Reagan Foundation website.“Ronald Reagan ... 08/30/2021

The 118 Freeway is one of the most important components of the lifeblood of Simi Valley. Without it, drivers would be forced to take the Santa Susana Pass into the San Fernando Valley, and backroads to get into Thousand Oaks and Moorpark. The 118, although so pivotal to the transportation of drivers from and thru Simi Valley, is relatively young. The 118 Freeway didn’t exist in its entirety (with the 8 exits that it has now) until 1980, and it didn’t extend all the way to Moorpark until 1993. Although the 118 Freeway, in Simi Valley, is only a little over 40 years old, the history of the 118 itself goes back further than that. According to CA Highways: “In 1954, route studies were conducted for the Simi Valley Freeway (Route 118) from Desoto Avenue to the proposed Foothill Freeway (publ... 08/23/2021

Simi Valley is home to a variety of unique and interesting things. Here is a list of 10 things about Simi Valley that a lot of people might not know: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is the most trafficked presidential library in the entire United States. The Reagan Presidential Library has seen a number of historical exhibits visit, presidential primary debates are regularly held at it, and the normal exhibits they house attract people from all over the world. Corriganville has been the filming location for over 3,500 movies, TV programs, and commercials. With Simi Valley being so close to Los Angeles, it makes sense that so much filming would take place there. What’s also interesting is that filming, especially lower-budgeted family dramas, TV productions, and commercials are st... 08/19/2021

Simi Valley has a long history of famous people coming to visit.Here is a partial list of 5 famous people who have come to Simi Valley:   Steven SpielbergWhen Steven Spielberg was looking for a place to film his horror classic, Poltergeist in 81-82, he needed a house that perfectly conveyed the feeling and vibe that he was looking for. After scouting for homes throughout the Greater LA Area, he settled on a home in Simi Valley. The house that served as the home for the Freeling family needed to have a very middle-class/suburban feel, and he found that. The home is still standing to this day (with it being known as the Poltergeist House).  Wayne GretzkyOften referred to as “The Great One,” the Canadian-born Gretzky is one of the most famous athletes of all time. The greatest hockey playe... 04/07/2021

Since the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library opened, there have been four presidential debates that the Library has hosted. All four of these debates occurred during the Republican Primary. The four debates that have taken place at the Library include two that happened during the 2008 primary, one during the 2012 primary, and the last one was during the 2016 primary. More likely than not, if the 2020 Republican Primary had been competitive, there would have been a debate hosted during that campaign as well.The reason why any debates have happened at the Library is due to President Reagan’s vision.According to the Ronald Reagan Library’s website:“When Ronald Reagan opened the doors to his presidential library in 1991, he stated that he wanted the Library to be more than just a place for ... 03/10/2021

Some people think that Simi Valley didn’t have much in it before the City incorporated in the late 60s, and while it’s true that the vast majority of people who live here now came here in the 80s or were born here after that time; Simi does, in fact, have a history that stretches back quite some time. One of the nearly forgotten gems in Simi Valley history is the Santa Susana Airport.According to Airfields-Freeman:“Santa Susana Airport, Simi Valley, CA 34.27, -118.71 (Northwest of Los Angeles, CA).The earliest photo which has been located at Santa Susana Airport was a 1940 aerial view by looking southeast (courtesy of Jeffrey Niven). It depicted the field as having a single unpaved east/west runway, with a small building & a few light planes parked along the northwest side of the field.... 03/03/2021

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center has been a staple of the community for over 27 years. During this time, they’ve hosted hundreds of plays, they’ve had thousands of patrons come to attend shows, and they’ve provided the city with some of the highest forms of art and entertainment in this part of Ventura County. With that said, what is the history of the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center?According to Today Tix:“Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, a Ventura County Historical Landmark, was originally established as the Simi Community Methodist Episcopal Church in 1924. With a long history involving several earthquakes and various building owners, the building was acquired by the City in 1994 and re-opened as Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center in 1995. Since then, the now-refurbished Cultural... 02/22/2021

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library is one of the most unique things that exist in all of Ventura County. In fact, this Presidential Library is the most visited presidential library in the entire United States (pre COVID).One question that people might ask is, why was the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library specifically built in Simi Valley?According to an LA Times article from 1987: “President Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan are familiar with the locale and have been kept apprised of the site-selection process, Jones added.The property, located on a mesa in an unincorporated area between the cities of Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, is being donated by developers Donald E. Swartz and Gerald W. Blakeley. Their partnership, Blakeley Swartz, owns the land, which is part of a 640-acre ... 02/01/2021

Over the past 90 years, Simi Valley has been the location for thousands of movie productions, commercials, and television productions. One of the larger film productions that have taken place in Simi Valley happened back in 2002/2003 with The Cat in the Hat movie.According to an article from the Independent Record:“Between Moorpark and Simi — in a house pink and blue — the Cat will come soon with Thing One and Thing Two.The houses are ready, the neighbors don’t know, but the scene is now set to start filming theshow. Mike Myers will be there, in costume at that. But this time around, he’s the Cat in the Hat.Production on the movie version of Dr. Seuss’ classic ‘The Cat in the Hat,’ the ultimate mom’s-gonna-kill-us children’s fantasy, is due to start Monday at Butler Ranch near Moorpark.... 01/26/2021

 PINNACLE ESTATE PROPERTIES 22nd ANNUAL TURKEY DRIVE DATE: MONDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2020 TIME: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM WHERE: TWO LOCATIONS: WESTLAKE VILLAGE - Calvary Church Parking Lot 5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village SIMI VALLEY - Pinnacle Estate Properties 1855 Cochran Street, Simi Valley What once started out as an idea to donate Thanksgiving meal groceries to just 10 families on Thanksgiving has flourished into an amazing charity benefitting over 225,000 people since its inception by realtor Alex Gandel in 2000. Through the generosity and support of fellow neighbors and realtors, we are able to provide food to thousands of families that would otherwise go without a meal on Thanksgiving. Each $25 that was donated will provide enough groceries for a family of 10 to cook a complete Thanksgivin... 11/18/2020

Recently, I celebrated 40 years in business as a Realtor. To say that a lot has changed since my career began would be an understatement.  In 1980, personal answering machines had just become popular, and I had just met the first person who owned an automatic garage door opener. Since then, technology has advanced tremendously, and the real estate industry has become much more complex. For example, when I first started, a purchase contract was only one page and deals were sealed with a handshake. Now buyers are signing 40 pages just to make an offer and often signing digitally. Although we tend to look at the past with nostalgia, there were significant hurdles in the industry at the beginning of my career. There was the economic downturn in the early ’80s when interest rates were at 18%... 06/16/2020

A Personal Story by Alex GandelA big key to success in any aspect of life is having positive mentorship. From Aristotle, who was famously influenced by his mentor, Plato, to Oprah Winfrey, who was mentored by Maya Angelou, many who have made an impact on this world have often been impacted by a mentor figure. I know for myself, mentors have played a significant role in my life, and their impact on me is still felt to this day.There have been five mentors who have profoundly affected me – these five mentors vary in terms of their backgrounds and the type of success they’ve achieved, but all five share a common thread – they taught me something or imparted wisdom that I’ve been able to incorporate into my daily life.One of the most impactful people that I’ve ever known was an incredibly g... 03/11/2020

Alquilar o ser propietario, ¿Qué es mejor para usted?En un mercado de bienes raíces donde los precios de las casas están subiendo, muchos han comenzado a reexaminar la idea de comprar una casa, eligiendo a cambio, alquilar por un tiempo. Pero a menudo, hay un dilema: ¿Debería continuar pagando por un alquiler? sabiendo que las rentas están también subiendo o ¿debería asegurar su costo de la vivienda y comprar una casa? Veamos ambos escenarios y analicemos los pros y los contras de cada uno:AlquilarCon el desplome del mercado de la vivienda de 2008, muchos propietarios de vivienda perdieron sus casas y se convirtieron en inquilinos. Según Iproperty Management, “El número de hogares alquilando su casa… aumento del 31.2 % en 2006 a 36.6 % en 2016”.Algunos eligen alquilar porque es más conv... 06/23/2019