The 42nd Annual Great Auction fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Ventura will be held at the Marriott Ventura Beach on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 4:30pm. The theme of this year's fundraiser is "Step Up for Kids - Our Stars of Tomorrow". Attendees will be able to participate in live and silent auctions of great items that have been graciously donated by some great companies. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the five Boys and Girls Clubs in Ventura, Saticoy and Oak View. You can reserve an individual seat for $150 each or get a whole table for $125 per seat. Donations for the live and silent auctions as well as sponsorships for the event are still being accepted. For more information on tickets, answers about the event or donations, please contact Amanda at 805-641-5585 or visit the Boys and Girls Club of Ventura's website.

Dave and Pat Zumbrun, the Z Team for Ventura real estate

Congress has recently passed new legislation extending the First Time Home Buyer Credit of up to $8000 first time home buyers until April 30, 2010. It also expands the credit to grant up to $6500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010. If you are already a current homeowner you will have had to use the home being sold or vacated as a principal residence for five consecutive years within the last eight. Also, to qualify for the first time home buyer credit of $8000 the purchaser or his/her spouse may not have owned a residence during the 3 years prior to the purchase. This applies to condo's, townhomes, as well as single family homes....as long as it will be your principal residence. These amounts are the maximum amounts that can be claimed. Each home buyer's tax credit is determined by two additional factors including the price of the home and the buyer's income. Single buyers with an income up to $125000 and married couples with income up to $225000 may receive the maximum credit. The credit decreases if your income is greater than these parameters. And one last important thing to remember is that you must occupy the purchased home for three years or more or the the full amount of the credit will be recouped upon the sale.

In Ventura, we are seeing a surge in first time homebuyers looking to purchase. In fact, due to the competitiveness of the market for homes in the $250000-$500000 range, many first time homebuyers are finding it hard to have their offer accepted over others. Many investors see the coast as the perfect place to invest and are seizing the moment with offers that are predominantly cash or with large down payments. Unfortunately, the banks tend to accept the offers that carry the most cash leverage and still are price competitive. First time homebuyers can be a bit cautious in wanting to overbid a piece of property. However, currently it appears to be the only way many properties in this price range are being acquired.

Mid-town Ventura is especially a hot market right now, fueled by the lack of inventory in this region. However, almost all properties in the under $500000 range will have multiple offers unless they are overpriced. So, be ready, be fast, hire an agent who is on top of notifying you quickly, be aggressive in your offer, and you will most likely be able to purchase a nice home in Ventura!!

For listing information and information on Ventura homes for sale and Ventura real estate, please take a look at:

http://www.Venturahomesforsale.org

Here Are 10 Good Reasons to Sell Your Home During the Holidays:

1. People who look for a home during the holidays are more serious buyers.

    

2. Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays, so you have less competition.

    

3. Houses "show better" when decorated for the holidays.

    

4. Buyers are more emotional during the holidays.

    

5. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the holidays.

    

6. Many people want to buy before the end of the year for tax reasons ($8,000.00 Tax Credit).

    

7. January is traditionally the month for transfers. Transferees can't wait until spring to buy. You must be on the market to capture that market.

    

8. You may still restrict showings during your personal family events.

    

9. You can always sell now, but specify a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year if you so desire.

    

10. By selling now you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when many houses are on the market.

Help For Selling Your Home During the Holidays

Bottom line about selling your home? By listing now, you may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated buyers.

The Reason. You have less competition, resulting in a quicker sale and a better price for you! Call me today and we'll get started.

In our busy world it's so easy to get caught up in the details and forget what's really important. When I feel that happening to me, I pull out this story to remind me to stop - think - and remember what the "rocks" are in my life.

Here's a quick story for you; A philosophy professor stood quietly in front of the class, waiting for students to take their seats. When they were ready, he silently took an empty mayonnaise jar from his desk and filled it to the top with rocks, about two inches in diameter. When he was done he asked the students whether the jar was full. They replied that, sure, it was full.

Next the professor took a box of small pebbles and poured them into the jar, shaking the jar so that the pebbles fell into the open areas between the larger rocks. His students were amused. When he asked the students again if the jar was full, they agreed that it was.

Then the professor poured in a box of sand, which naturally filled up all the spaces in the jar between the rocks and the pebbles. Then he explained the purpose of the exercise... Holding up the jar, he said "This is your life. The rocks represent all the important things - like family, relationships, your health, the things that are so important, that if you lost them, you would be devastated." Next he said, "The pebbles represent the other things that matter, but are less important - like your job, a car or a house. They are less meaningful to you, compared to your family, relationships and your health." Finally he said, "The sand represents everything else. If you put the sand in the jar first, there would be no room at all for the rocks! It is the same thing with your life. If you spend all your energy and your time on the unimportant things, you won't have room for things in life that really matter!

His advice was, "So, set your priorities. Be mindful of what your 'rocks' are. And remember that the rest is just sand and pebbles."

I hope you like this story. I keep it handy for whenever I need a refresher on what's most important!

God Bless You!

Temple

Hi there,

Here's some information about my experience choosing a new Broker, that you may find helpful. I've been selling homes for almost 6 years now, and due to my Broker electing not to Broker anymore - I had to find a new Broker to work under. I sat with two different Brokers in person, and spoke with 2 others on the phone. In the end, my husband and I were very enthusiastic to work with ERA Cusick Realty. (By the way, I didn't know this before, but "ERA" is a National real estate franchise, and is gaining popularity here in California...)

Here's the scoop. ERA is a company that gives it's agents LOTS of extra tools, free education online and bonus market advantages, that the other Brokers could not compete with (in our eyes). The one program that really hooked us on ERA was this one: The "Seller Security Plan." This program is basically a GUARANTEE to sell your clients home... OR ERA WILL BUY IT THEMSELVES. When Brandon and I heard this, we pretty much whipped out our own pens to sign. Honestly, how can you go wrong? When you're at a listing appointment, and you tell your potential Seller that you can GUARANTEE that their home will be sold in 180 days or less - how can they refuse?? Done. Where do I sign?

Of course, we did totally fall in love with the nurturing "Momma Bear & Papa Bear," 30 year Realtor Veteran's - the Cusick's - who are the Brokers. They are a really fantastic, dynamic and lovable couple. High school Sweethearts at that!! Man, the fact that Deb & Alan dedicate themselves purely to "mentor" and "supervise" their Agents - as opposed to selling real estate alongside you as another competitor- was a huge advantage to us. What more could we ask for? These two amazing "Oracle's" of Ventura County Real Estate, were just there to mentor and guide us through the trials and tribulations via Life In Real Estate?? To provide us with all their knowledge, their wisdom and their experience...?? Yet, not also compete with us for the same listings - like all the other Brokers we spoke with?? Wow. We were just in awe - and so grateful for their genuine Agent-Growing philosophy! We are actually thinking about asking their kids for permission to adopt them...

If you have the chance to sit down with these amazing people - do it. You will be very happy that you did.

Alan & Deborah Cusick ... ERA Cusick Realty

4732-A Telephone Road

Ventura, Ca. 93003

Office: 805-650-1885