Ventura, CA

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 homes for sale, Ventura condo's and townhomes are perched on a hillside overlooking the ocean. Ahhh.....what a peaceful, fun place to live! Check out the real estate here at Ventura Homes For Sale.

Janis Calkins

Ventura Property Shoppe on Main

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 have a new burden on our pocketbooks had they not. Way to go!

THANK YOU!!!

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

www.HopeGoss.com

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 not employed by CNN so let's take the bull____ by the horns and let our clients and friends know that all is not lost. So you don't think I'm a total Pollyanna, we'll go with the not so good stuff first: (The following is reprinted with permission from a blog by Brian Buffini, November, 2007)

On a sobering note:

* More than 1000 banks closed in 1930 - only 14 U.S. banks have been taken over in 2008

* There are 76 million households in the U.S. that own their home -

* 24 million of these homes are free and clear

* There are 52 million homes with mortgages - 97.2% of these are not in foreclosure, 93.8% of

these homes are current on their payments

Sources: Wall Street Journal / Moody's Economy.com / RealtyTrac / NAR / Forbes

NBC, are you listening????????????