Last night – though – well took the cake.  This morning we have kept talking about this house…….

We showed a newly listed short sale property it  typically a “Leave it to Beaver” neighborhood here in Ventura County but the Beav no longer lived here.  The house was a floor plan that we had been in many times but neither one of us recognized it since the listing stated that the property had 2.5 baths.  Very different for the neighborhood.   The house had been literally separated down the middle creating two kitchens, two living rooms, two this, two that — you got it — and a half bath had been added.  There’s the half bath that neither of us recognized. 

Needless to say the house was occupied by at least two families.  This would not have been so bad but the place was disgustingly dirty.  The kids were telling us about rats.  The water  was standing in the sinks and tubs. Beds were everywhere.  Music blarring and televisions on.  Help!   Thank God this is not our listing!!

What a mess — it is truly difficult to describe.  We are having a house hangover!!!  With all of our many years of real estate, neither one of us had ever seen anything like this!   

And only hope that we don’t again…….

A.  Waiting to use the pay telephone.  (Can you see the group of phones on the wall?)

B.  Watching beige paint dry.

C.  Checking their Lotto numbers.

D.  Attending a trustee sale at ‘the courthouse steps.’

If you answered “D” you were right!  (Guess the name of the post gave away the answer)   Good thing we gave you a hint – this picture is not what people picture when they think of a trustee’s sale.

We have sold enough bank-owned homes so we thought it was time that we actually went to see a so-called auction.  When we arrived at the Ventura County Government center, we had no idea where to find the location of the proceedings.  Initially we went to one of the many buildings and asked several people for directions to the sale.  They looked at us with a puzzled look.  Greg and I both wondered if we were at the right place or the wrong date. 

We kept investigating and finally came upon this small group of people gathered outside,  in a corner, next to the pay phones and bicycle racks.  We had arrived.  It was obvious that there were ‘regulars’ and so many of the people knew each other.   It appeared that attending trustee sales what they did on a regular, if not daily, basis.   (See their fold-up chairs?)  These folks knew the program and were ready with their cashier’s checks in hand. 

This day only one property actually sold to an individual.  Why did only one property sell to an individual?  Probably because of the obvious reason – the dollar amount that was owed on the property was more than the property was currently worth.  The remaining properties “went back to the bank.”  We will see those properties soon listed  in our Multiple Listing Service. 

Are you interested in buying a bank-owned property?  Call us (805-340-5811) or email us at info@805Local.com.  We can update you on a regular basis on all Ventura County bank-owned properties.

Here’s the question from a home seller in San Jose, CA –

“After my home was on the market for four months, I suddenly received 3 offers over the holiday weekend. None are quite what I want, so I’d like to counter-offer all three with the same terms. My real estate agent says that’s okay. But, I’m concerned about the legality and risk of this. What happens if more than one accepts our terms? My agent says that we just pick the first one. But, aren’t we forming a contract to sell once the buyer signs the document regardless of the time/order?”

Below is the 805Local Two Thumbs Up answer on Trulia.com:

San Jose Seller,

Lucky you!! Three offers is a great place to be for a seller!

Fortunately you are in California and your agent is using the CAR (California Association of Realtors) counter offer form. This form has a section for Multiple Offers. If this box is checked, the three buyers and their agents are put on alert that they are in a multiple counter offer situation. In addition the three buyers are given a date and time to respond to your counter offer.

Even if all three buyers agree to the terms of the counter offer, it is you that decides which counter offer to put your approval on. You must initail in the appropriate place for your acceptance.

Don’t let it become a ‘foot race’ to get the counter offer back to you. Consider each offer for their individual merits. Have your agent check with each buyer’s lender while you are waiting for the response to the counter offer.

Although Jackson transferred title to the Sycamore Valley Ranch Company in November of 2008, so much media attention has centered around the Neverland ranch.  We thought it would be fun just to take a peek inside. 

We found a short video of pictures inside the infamous Neverland.  Check it out.

There will be demonstrations, music, crafts, food and lots of lavender.  Savor the smell…..

This is the case for both of us.  Greg was born in New Jersey and his family moved to Ventura County (specifically Thousand Oaks – the Conejo Oaks tract before it was a tract) when he was a small child.  So he really did not know what it was like to live any where else.  He did do approximately a five year stint in  Washington, D. C. ‘in another life’ when he worked in the environmental field. 

I, on the other hand, have now officially lived half of my life in Ventura County being transplanted from Louisville, Kentucky. 

This past week I travelled back east to the Washington, D. C. area where my son and his family lives.  

Did I ever forget what it is like to live back there in the summer! 

• Humidity -  yuck is the best word to describe
• Air conditioning – blasts of cold air
• Thunderstorms – nearly every day
• Lighting – my son’s house was hit by lighting
• Mosquitoes – don’t forget to spray Off
• Traffic – you think the 101 is bad – nope.

We always inform new ‘transplants’ to Ventura County that we might pay alot for our blue skies here but it is so worth it. 

It’s good to travel.  In my case it was great seeing my son and his family.  Traveling also makes you aware of the little things that many of us take for granted at home. 

We are happy to call Ventura County home.  There’s no place like home….especially a Ventura County home.

Are you ready to purchase a Ventura County home?  Let us help you make Ventura County your home, too.  Email us at info@805Local.com or call us at (805) 340-5811. 

One year ago, May 2008, closed sales of detached homes in the Conejo Valley totaled 112 with a median sales price of $677,450.

Currently the Conejo Valley had 525 detached homes listed for sale with a median list price of $1,080,000. 

May 2009 closed sales of attached homesin the Conejo Valley totaled 46 units with a median sales price of $300,000.  The previous month, April 2009, had 35 units close escrow with a median sales price of $337,000.

One year ago, May 2008, closed sales of attached homesin the Conejo Valley totaled 45 with a median sales price of $410,000.

Currently in the Conejo Valley there are 137 attached homes listed for sale with a median list price of $424,900.

The median price is the point where half of the units sold (or listed) for more and half for less.  This information is formulated from the Ventura County Regional Data Share.  All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed.

The most active price range tier this month in the Conejo Valley is tied between homes that sold $550,000 thru $599,999 and homes that sold  $750,000 thru $799,999.  Each of those price tiers accounted for approximately 10% of the closed sales in May 2009.

Check out the following:

• Camarillo Housing Market report May 2009
• $8,000 Tax Credit explained
• Multiple offer are back….
• FHA/VA appraisals

One year ago, May 2008, closed sales of detached homes in Camarillo totaled 40 with a median sales price of $511,000.

Currently Camarillo has 151 detached homes listed for sale with a median list price of $1,079,000. Last month Camarillo had 168 active listings of detached homes.

May 2009 closed sales of attached homes in Camarillo totaled 25 with a median sales price of $285,000.  The previous month, April 2009, had 22 attached homes close escrow with a median sales price of $263,750.

One year ago, May 2008, closed sales of attached Camarillo properties totaled 24 with a median sales price of $332,500.

Currently in Camarillo there are 48 attached homes listed for sale with a median list price of $324,900.  Last month there were 50 attached homes for sale in Camarillo.

The median price is the point where half of the units sold (or listed) for more and half for less.  This information is formulated with date from the Ventura County Regional Data Share.  All information is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. 

The most active price range in Camarillo for May 2009 was $400,000 thru $449,999.  Nearly 25% of the closed sales happened in this price tier.

Check out other posts:

• Conejo Valley Housing Market Report May 2009
• $8,000 tax credit explained

Last week in Camarillo there was a total of one property on caravan.  Most Realtors probably think it’s not worth going just to see one property.  Years ago it was common to have 20 maybe even 30 properties on caravan and caravan became sort of a ’social event’ for many Realtors.  It was a chance to meet and greet other Realtors.  Caravan helped to build relationships and network among the Realtors.  Plus caravan helped the Realtors know the inventory of properties. 

So what has happened?  Are agents checking out all of the pictures on a new listing, placing the property on a map and seeing  a street view on an overhead map?  Have the  Realtors seen enough of a plan 2 Mission del Montes or whatever tract home and really don’t want to go another one unless they have a client for the house?  Has the internet with a 24 hour update of the Multiple Listing Service diluted the need for caravan?  Are the agents just lazy? Is ‘time money’ and the Realtors don’t have the time to see the new listings?  Is the new listing inventory so low that there are no homes for caravan?  Do listing agents not see the advantage of having a property on caravan? 

Just checked for tomorrow’s caravan — there’s one property on caravan.

This is one of the largest festival in Ventura County and showcases food from 75 area restaurants and caterers, wine from 150 wineries, and beer from 25 micro-breweries. There will also be a silent auction and live entertainment.  Proceeds benefit Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families. 

For tickets and information, call (805) 484-7144.  Check out their website for the full list of all the yummy wine and food available. 

Check it out — you will have a good time!!