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Ventura, CA Real Estate News

By Janis Calkins
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
A one day food drive will be held Saturday at 23 Vons stores in Ventura County to meet increasing need for assistance. Please buy extra non perishable food when you shop at Vons this Saturday. Groceries collected will be donated to FOOD SHARE, the county's regional food bank in Oxnard. "It's a good example of 'Let's take care of our neighbors right here'" Bonnie Weigel, chief executive officer at FOOD SHARE, said Thursday. The drive will be conducted at 293 Vons stores in Southern California and Nevada. Contributors are being asked for canned meat and tuna, soups and stews, canned fruits and vegetables, beans, rice, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese,plastic bottles and boxes of fruit juice. Let's help each other in this struggling economy....Support your local FOOD SHARE!! Visit: htt...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
Come and feast on Crab! Ventura Police Activities League & Downtown Lions Club Presents It's First Annual Crab Feast!   Benefiting Ventura Police Activities League and Downtown Lions Club CharitiesWhere:  Ventura County Fair Grounds, Santa Rosa HallWhen:  March 20, 2009,  Social Hour: 6:30pm - 7:30pm,  Dinner: 7:30Come and feast on ALL YOU CAN EAT Crab   For tickets, reservations and sponsorships call: Jeff Roundy • 805-701-0653 or e-mail: jeff@homesbyjeff.com Linda Mendelsohn • 805-658-2139 or e-mail: customawards@sbcglobal.net Tickets: $40.00 per person in advance; $45.00 at the door;  reserve a table for 8 for $350.00 Pasta by Watermark Salad by Aloha Steak House Grilled Bread Enjoy DJ, dancing, no host bar, silent & live auction! www.VenturaRealEstate.org  
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By Lynn Kenton, Ventura Real Estate
(Troop Real Estate Ventura)
THIS WEEK...(Wednesday, February 25th)There will be a Mardi Gras celebration at the Ventura Harbor Village for the grand arrival of the 1812 Privateer Lynx tall ship. Dockside tours are available as well as live music. From 3-6 PM (Free beads too!)
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By Janis Calkins
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
I don't know about you, but I have found that posting to Localism has made me a better realtor already! I am so much more aware of my surroundings and things going on in my community. I now look for organized activities in the county and volunteer opportunities. I am looking for beautiful settings to photograph and enjoying everyone else's so much. Wow! I am an agent released from my work cage. You know, I was actually forgetting to enjoy my work. If I don't take the time to appreciate and know the community how can I sell it to everyone else? Ventura County California is so beautiful from mountains to the Ocean. I ran out and took pictures of Topa Topa in Ojai this weekend. Then our annual crane was visiting. This beautiful bird comes to our yard every year. We call him "Cronie". If I ...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful."  Herman Cain Find the little things that you do each day that bring you joy, success will follow!  What's not to enjoy about showing a home with a view like this to a buyer?  www.HopeGoss.com
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
Here's an update of community events this week in Ventura: Saturday February 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Sunday February 15, noon to 4 p.m.Used book SaleE. P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St.Used book sale, sponsored by the San Buenaventura Friends of the Library will be on Saturday and Sunday.  For more information contact Will Thompson at (805) 642-4358 or Wily1@earthlink.net .Saturday February 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Main Street Mini FairMini-park in the 300 block of Main StreetMain Street Mini Fair, volunteer artists and musicians offer live music, arts and crafts, and children's activities.  For more information contact (805) 648-1902 or email mainstreetfair@yahoo.com .Saturday February 14, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Sunday February 15, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Ventura College Foundation Marketplace4667 Telegrap...
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By Donne Knudsen, CalState Realty Services
(Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA)
    The City of Ventura offers the Home Buyers Assistance Program to qualified individuals and residents whose income does not exceed the maximum income limit guidelines for their family size.      What is Required to Participate?  Your income must be within the program income limits. The applicant must not have had an ownership interest in a principal residence in the last three years preceding the date of application. The Homebuyer must occupy the home as a principal residence. You must be able to contribute a minimum of 3% of the purchase price, which may be in the form of a gift. You must participate in an approved homebuyer education course. You must qualify for a mortgage through one of the programs participating lenders. The City will not accept the following loan types for use ...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
A new 60 bed veteran's home is set to be complete by April and the first elderly veterans could move in as early as June.  The new facility has been under construction since June of 2007 and is located in Saticoy on Telephone Road near Wells Road.  A veterans adult day healthcare center at the facility won't open until 2010, because of budget constraints. Ventura County is home to one of the largest concentrations of veterans in the nation, 60,000 to 65,000, with an average age of 65, according to the county Veterans Services Office. There are two ways to get information on applying to become a resident of the Ventura home, which is for veterans who need special medical care. During construction, a letter of interest can be submitted online at http://www.cdva.ca.gov.  Interested parties...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
PAQUITO D'RIVERA AND FUNK TANGO TRIO PERFORM SWEET JAZZ & SPICY TANGO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14!   Ventura High School Theater ~~ 8 pm BRING YOUR VALENTINE FOR A SPECIAL ONE-NIGHT-ONLY CONCERT IN VENTURA! To purchase tickets, go online to http://www.venturamusicfestival.org/, or call 805-648-3146.  Now entering its 15th Season, the VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL is celebrating by bringing 9-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER PAQUITO D'RIVERA and his Funk Tango Trio to spice up Valentine's Day! Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at: www.VenturaRealEstate.org   
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The budget deficit in California has been mounting and tensions are increasing as cities and counties try to balance their budgets this year. According to today's Ventura County Star newspaper,the local City Council is debating currently about whether or not to place a half-cent sales tax measure before the voters, but first wants to hold a public meeting. That should be interesting. There will be a special town hall meeting February 17 to discuss the tax proposal and get public feedback. A meeting time has not yet been set. I, for one, am very proud of our city. Voters in Oxnard and Port Hueneme have already approved similar tax measures last year. Although recognizing the hardship on some, it seems to me to be only logical to support this approach. We all must pull together to support...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
Insurability is a big consideration when purchasing a home here in Ventura County.  In our current climate of foreclosure properties, getting disclosure about the home you are buying just isn't an option.  You don't know if there was water intrusion or how it was fixed.  Can the home be insured? How much will it cost? Are there past claims?  Checking with your insurance agent early on in the transaction is always a good idea. In addition, you can ask the seller to provide you with a C.L.U.E. Report that will give you information about any claims on the property over the past 5 years. Ask your Realtor about this report when you go to buy your next home, especially if it's bank owned  or a foreclosure property! Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at www.VenturaRealEstate.org  
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By Janis Calkins
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
 Ready for Spring? Right now in Ventura County investors are becoming active again. The sought after price range seems to be between $250,000 and $350,000. Investors as well as home buyers are back in the game. With interest rates so low and real estate at prices that haven't been seen in years, Ventura County has many buyers feeling that now is the time to jump into the market. Bank owned homes are plentiful right now and that will only last for a few years. It does appear to be an optimal time to take advantage of a dip in  values and a dip in the interest rates.....can't remember when the two together have been so inviting. So, consider owning a second place here on the coast. Warm weather, beaches, palm trees, quaint downtown strolls....what other place has it all! Ventura County h...
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By Lynn Kenton, Ventura Real Estate
(Troop Real Estate Ventura)
Last week, our City Council finally discarded their heavily contested idea of mandating inspections on all rental properties in the city of Ventura. Besides the mind boggling logistics of impementing this system, can you imagine the headaches involved with trying to close an escrow as there was a point of sale inspection being considered as well. As if it's not hard enough to get a closing these days! There would, of course, have been a "fee" charged for the honor of their attentions which would ultimately get passed on to tenants. Property owners, landlords and Ventura Realtors banded together in a show of opposition and packed the city council chambers. We owe  thanks to those who kept everyone in the loop via email and were there to voice their opinions of the idea as I'm clear we'd ...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
We've seen the pricing strategy of pricing a home undermarket to solicit multiple offers gain steam over the past 6 months.  The bank owned properties really got this strategy moving about the middle of last year.  Since then , we've seen property owners using this same strategy with success.  Not only are these properties selling quickly, in some cases, they are selling for more than list price.  Buyers need to be aware of the strategy, and be sure to fully investigate market value before making an offer. Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at: www.VenturaRealEstate.org  
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By Lynn Kenton, Ventura Real Estate
(Troop Real Estate Ventura)
 A few months ago I was asked to do a short presentation to a networking group I belong to. My partner and I are the lone Realtors in a group that consists mainly of event planners, caterers, assorted food industry and hotel people, etc. It's been an effective way to increase our data base and make friends and contacts with a great group of people. (Couples get married, they usually have plans to buy a house...you get the picture). I highly recommend it.  I asked a few of the members what they'd like to hear from me and the comment that stuck was "That there's hope".  With the plethora of negative crud we read, see, hear everyday in the media, There needs to be some balance occasionally so as not to lose our minds. We know that good news doesn't sell as well as bad news, but hey, we're ...
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By Dave and Patricia Zumbrun
(The "Z" Team 4 RE, Inc.)
The Ventura College Promise program was recently recognized by the Campaign for College Opportunity for its innovation in encouraging high school graduates to attend college. The VC Promise program does not have economic limits nor does it require academic achievements in order for students to participate. The Ventura College Promise program is open to any student who has recently graduated, completed high school course work (even if they were unable to pass the high school exit exam) and students who have completed their GED courses. The Ventura College Promise program will pay class fees as well as enrollment fees for a students' first year while attending Ventura College . Students who apply must be residents of Ventura County . They must attend Ventura College within one year of hig...
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By Mark Thorngren
(Movewest Realty, Inc.)
Pier View Townhomes Mark Dragonchuck is a genius. He has done what very few other local developers have achieved. He got it right. Mr Dragonchuck has managed to place a group of townhomes where they ought to be, at a price that is very competitive and with a quality of workmanship and superb styling that we seldom see. This is very cutting edge stuff. This is Pier View Townhomes. Nine units only, no pool or recreation center and hardly anything else that a buyer can be charged for in addition to their home. These are just small, really, really nice homes. Very energy efficient and very tech friendly. Wow, what a concept! There are only four units left, but they represent some very comfortable offerings. The basic home layout is a 2 car garage with built-in laundry on the first floor and...
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By Hope Goss, Ventura Real Estate
(Ventura Property Shoppe)
Saturday January 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Main Street Mini FairMini-park in the 300 block of Main StreetMain Street Mini Fair, volunteer artists and musicians offer live music, arts and crafts, and children's activities.  For more information contact (805) 648-1902 or email mainstreetfair@yahoo.com .Saturday January 10, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Sunday January 11, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Ventura College Foundation Marketplace4667 Telegraph Road in the East lotThe Ventura College Foundation marketplace features antiques, collectibles, arts and crafts, new and used clothing, school and office supplies and more.  For more information contact (805) 648-8962. Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at www.VenturaRealEstate.org  
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