Ventura, CA

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!)

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 ever sell my home he is a wonderful disclosure.

Okay, I think I am beginning to understand this business better. It is the community, the other agents, the friendships, the relationships that make us good realtors.....AND THEN we should sell it to others. This way we really are an integral part of our community.

Today's Interesting Community Activity: Children's Heart Group forming a Chapter. "Mended Little Hearts", a nonprofit organization that provides support to families with children who have heart defects and heart disease. It is affiliated with the American Heart Association. For information contact Jo Peterson at peterson_josan@yahoo.com. You can go online too. Check out http://www.mendedlittlehearts.org

http://www.Venturahomesforsale.org

"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

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 Sale
E. 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 Fair
Mini-park in the 300 block of Main Street
Main 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 Marketplace
4667 Telegraph Road in the East lot
The 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

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 in conjunction with it HBAP loan: stated income, mortgage with a balloon payment, negative amortization, interest only.
• Your total debt to income ratio cannot exceed 48%.
• The homes may be either single-family, or condominium/townhouse.
• The homes must be free from any health and safety defects to meet the Federal Housing Quality Standards.
• The program target area is the incorporated limits of the City of Ventura.
• Homes built prior to 1978 must have a paint condition visual assessment performed by a certified home inspector or property appraiser.
• Prior to closing you will need to provide a certificate of completion from an approved homeowner education program, which are free to the homebuyer:

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Ventura County

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation

• If all program and lender requirements are met, your purchase will be finalized.
• The City's ability to finance Homebuyer Assistance Loans is dependent on program funding availability.

The appraised value of the home must not exceed $600,875 for a single family dwelling unit or $384,875 for a condominium or townhouse.