Oxnard, CA

It's back! The 26th annual California Strawberry Festival will take place form 10 AM to 6:30 PM Saturday and Sunday, May 16 and 17 2009 at Strawberry Meadows of College Park, 3250 Rose Ave, Oxnard.

Anything, and everything strawberry that you can think of, and probably several you would never think of, will be there. The event features vendors selling strawberry based food and drink, cooking, and berry decorating demonstrations, as well as fine arts and crafts booths.

There will be a children "Jest in Time" tent, with puppet shows, comedy, juggling, magic, and the Star Berry Hunt. Musical groups will be performing all day on two stages.

Free park and ride express shuttles will be available, check the website below for more info. Amtrak offers a special festival weekend "kids ride free" discount promotion. There is limited on site parking available for $5.

General admission is $12, seniors 62 and up $6, and kids aged 5-12 are $5. Children under 5 are free. Active military and Dependants with ID are $8.

The event provides funds for local nonprofit organizations, scholarships, and philanthropic grants. Plus, it is FUN!

For more info and advance tix, call 888-288-9242, or go to www.strawberry-fest.org.

Click here to SEARCH FOR HOMES IN OAK PARK, AGOURA, WESTLAKE, AND ALL OF VENTURA COUNTY.

The City of Oxnard updated its 100-year Flood Maps in March. Here is what you need to know:

* The new flood maps impact 1,761 homes.
* All FHA financed homes must carry flood insurance in addition to homeowner insurance.
* Homeowners insurance does not protect you in case of a flood.

Portions of the following areas are affected:

* Sierra Linda
* South Bank
* River Ridge
* Windsor North
* Most of the homes affected lie in the South Bank and River Ridge neighborhoods

Save money and purchase your flood insurance now:

* Flood insurance costs about $1,700 annually.
* Purchasing flood insurance early can save you thousands of dollars.

Homeowners who purchase flood insurance within six months of the final map approval date will only pay about $300 for the first year and about $880 each year thereafter.

For more information, contact:
Oxnard Public Works Department
(805) 385-8280/8281

Dave & Patricia Zumbrun, The Z Team, your experts in Ventura County real estate

Have you been thinking about buying a home but are waiting to see if real estate values go down some more? You haven't saved enough money or maybe your credit is not where you would like for it to be to qualify for the best rates, terms and conditions.

If you have thought about making a purchase right now is the time to really start considering it. If you felt you have not saved money for a down payment, it is okay. There are different ways of obtaining the money for the down payment and closing costs. For example, you can borrow against your retirement plan to come up with the down payment. You may also borrow against the equity of your car to come up with a down payment. Or you can sell things of value such as baseball cards, jewlary, collection items, etc.

If you have money for down payment but feel like are short on the closing costs, relax the seller can help. The seller can contribute up to 3% for Agency programs or 6% for FHA financing. Seller contributions can really help you keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum. The only thing that needs to be done is making sure your Realtor negotiates the closing costs on your behalf.

During these difficult times, one must be greatful for still having their employment. With the unemployment way over 7% and times getting worst there is no telling who is next that may loose their job. Therefore, if you are employed you must act now before the worst comes if it comes. Besides paying a mortgage is less expensive than paying rent now a days.

Also you must not forget the incetives this market offers. The $8,000 tax credit. Low mortgage interest rates. Low real estate prices. New higher FHA and Agency Loan Limits.

If you have been waiting, now is the time to act. If you are never going to buy, then don't worry about.

Buyers are wanting bargains and are even limiting their search to REO's and short sale listings. BUT....as a consumer and purchaser it is extremely important to hire an agent who can analyze and interpret the listing price on these properties. Just because they are bank owned or short does not make them a good deal!!

Yes there is absolutely the opportunity to buy a home or condo at a great price. The pricing on these homes, however, seems to be dependent partially on the prior transfer and the existing loan situation. If the prior owner way overpaid for the property to begin with, then the current price could also be suspect. Especially if it is a short sale. Also, even though it is not right to do so, there are homes being listed for ridiculously low prices that the bank will not accept. This is done just to entice an offer and get a purchaser mentally committed to wanting that particular property.

Please be sure that when you are purchasing a bank owned or short sale property, you are dealing with a reputable agent and one that can analyze and produce a current market analysis. Also, be open minded about the fact that there are job transfers, retirements, downsizing, and other factors forcing home sales. These homes can also be offered at great prices and the sellers are knowledgeable about the history of the home and can produce reliable disclosures, they often might agree to do repair work or lower their price if the inspection produces a health or safety concern, and they are also motivated to sell! Some of the best deals in the market today are not bank owned or short sale!!

Choose an agent with over 35 years in real estate. One with appraisal and sales background! For more information on Ventura County real estate and homes for sale check out my website at:

http://www.Venturahomesforsale.org

For foreclosure and bank owned property searches visit:

http://www.JanisCalkins.com

Thursday February 12, 4:30 p.m.
Library Board Meeting
Oxnard Public Library, Meeting Room A.
There is a Library Board Meeting on Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. For more information contact (805) 385-7527.

Friday February 13, noon to 2 p.m.
Community health screening
Villarta Supermarkets, 1050 South A St.
There will be a community health screening at Villarta Supermarket on Friday from noon to 2 p.m. For more information contact (805) 677-5252 or (805) 240-1400.

Saturday February 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday February 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club demonstration
Murphy Auto Museum, 2230 Statham Blvd.
The Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club demonstrates its model HO scale railroad to the public. For more information contact Jerry Mittelholtz at (805) 525-5136 or David Minkin at (805) 484-2974. Also on the web at http://www.gcmrc.com.

Saturday February 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Maritime Museum's 18th anniversary
2731 S. Victoria Ave.
Ventura County Maritime Museum's 18th anniversary celebration, including demonstrations on model-ship building, woodcarving and children's activities. For more information contact (805) 984-6260 or on the web at http://www.vcmm.org

Search the MLS for Ventura Real Estate Listings at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org