Carol Lee's Blog for Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake Village CA Real Estate

Newest virus...UPS/FedEx/DHL Delvery Failure...check it out.

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:20:32 -0600

we all need to be careful about viruses. Just a word of caution, here...

Via Nick Pappas (Associate Broker e-Pro REMAX MADISON, ALABAMA):

I received notice of this potential virus and thought I should pass it along. I did go to snopes.com to check it out and apparently it is for real. If anyone finds information to the contrary, please let me know...I just figured better safe than sorry.

Subject: New Virus (NO JOKE)

New Virus (NO JOKE)

This is legitimate. Please pass this along to your friends.

The newest virus circulating is
The UPS/FedEx/DHL Delivery Failure.

You will receive an email from UPS/Fed Ex Service along with a packet number.
It will say that they were unable to deliver
A package sent to you on such-and-such a date.

It then asks you to print out
The invoice copy attached.

DON'T TRY TO PRINT THIS.
IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS!

Pass this warning on to all your PC operators
At work and home.

This virus has caused Millions of dollars
In damage in the past few days.

Snopes confirms that it is real.
http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp

FHA 203K Streamline Renovation/Purchase

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:29:44 -0600

Great information here!!

Via Ken Cook, FHA Home Loans 678-439-8683:

So you or your client have found a home in a great area in the client's price range. Only one problem: it's in bad shape. The HVAC system is 50 years old, the roof is 40 years old and the windows may as well not even be closed. Plus the kitchen has vinyl floors in 3 different patterns and the counters are all laminate with burns and holes and scars.

Not to fear! Meet the FHA 203K Streamlined renovation loan.

Eligible Improvements Virtually any kind of improvement is eligible provided it becomes a permanent part of the real property and adds value.

Additions to the structure

Kitchen or bath remodels

Finished basement or attic

Patios, decks or terraces

Roofing and landscaping

Safety, energy efficiency and electrical upgrades

Handicapped accessibility improvements

Luxuryitems are not eligible

Swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, gazebos, barbecue pits, saunas or alterations to support commercial use

The maximum loan amount must be within the FHA loan amount maximum for the MSA where the home is located and must include the purchase price and the renovation amount. The maximum renovation amount is $35,000 and the minimum is $5,000. Under $5,000 we can do with an escrow of repair funds. A minimum of 10% contingency reserve is required and must also fit into the FHA loan maximums for the area where the property is located. (Any balance remaining on the contingency will be applied to the principal balance and may not be used for additional repairs.)

Yes, it takes a little longer to close an FHA203k Streamline loan than it does to close a standard FHA loan. If you are an agent and you are concerned about that extra couple of weeks just think of it this way: You may make a sale you would not have otherwise made. You may help a buyer get into a home in the area where they wanted to live instead of where they "had" to live. You can be a real hero for someone.

If you are in Georgia I can help you with the necessary paperwork and give you a short class in how to use the FHA 203K Streamline Rehab loan to purchase, sell or represent homes in today's economy. Never hesitate to call me at any time and I'll be happy to answer your questions.

Ken Cook - Georgia - FHA, USDA, VA and Conventional Home Loans (678) 439-8683

HOMEBUYERS- NOW IS YOUR CHANCE- TAX CREDIT EXPANDED & EXTENDED!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:57:31 -0600

The Tax Credit Gets an Extension and Expansion!
Existing Homeowners: Now is Your Chance!!

A good move-up market just got better! Not just for first-time buyers anymore, you can qualify for the new tax credit when you move up to your next home!

The new bill calls for an incentive for existing homeowners who have owned their current homes at least five years, making them eligible for tax credits of up to $6500 when they purchase a new home. First time home buyers- or anyone who hasn't owned a home in the last three years-would still get up to $8000. To qualify, buyers in both groups have to sign a purchase agreement by April 30, 2010 and close by June 30, 2010.*

The credit is available for the purchase of a principal homes costing $800,000 or less. Vacation homes are not eligible. The credit would be phased out for individuals with annual incomes above $125,000 and for joint filers with incomes over $225,000.*

The credit would be extended an additional year, until June 30,2011 for members of the military serving outside the United States for at least 90 days.

The key to returning stability to the economy lies withing the housing market, and this is a meaningful credit that will create a strong foundation for future growth and make a measurable difference in our economy. It is estimated that the current tax credit has contributed approximately $22Billion to the general economy, and approximately 2 million people will take advantage of the tax credit this year.

Furthermore, tax credits like this only work by creating the sense of urgency to take advantage of the. This is said to be the last extension of the homebuyer tax credit, so I urge you- whether you are a first time homebuyer who has always dreamed of having a home of your own, or one who has been gridlocked in the challenges of our move-up market- to take advantage of this fabulous opportunity.

*As always, consult your tax advisor for your own particular situation. I am not an accountant or tax professional.

NOW IS THE TIME! CONTACT ME TO LEARN MORE!

CAROL LEE, Coldwell Banker, Westlake Village CA
Homes for Sale in AGOURA, OAK PARK, WESTLAKE VILLAGE and all of Ventura County

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

3580 MAPLEKNOLL THOUSAND OAKS CA- Just Listed!

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:42:36 -0500

Carol Lee | Coldwell Banker | 818-642-9445

3580 Mapleknoll, Thousand Oaks, CA

FAB Newer Single Story Pool Home in THOUSAND OAKS CA

3BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $799,000

Year Built	1992
Sq Footage	2,418
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	7,587 sqft
HOA/Maint	$145 per month

DESCRIPTION

On a cul-de-sac, with a private rear yard backing open space, this NEWER SINGLE STORY home is move in ready. Beautiful POOL & SPA, built in BBQ, and fire pit surrounded by greenery make the back yard a luscious paradise. The open single story floor plan with skylights and recessed lighting is bathed in light and offers 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths in over 2400 sq. ft. . There is a spacious kitchen, the breakfast nook looks out onto the backyard; there are fireplaces in both the family room and living room. The master suite is generous sized, with a huge walk-in closet, and the master bath has just been remodeled, and has a separate tub and shower, new tile and flooring, and a granite topped vanity. New paint, new sliders in the family room and master bedroom, and hardwood flooring throughout complete this fabulous home. And no banks to deal with!

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

- Central A/C	- Central heat	- Fireplace
- High/Vaulted ceiling	- Walk-in closet	- Hardwood floor
- Family room	- Living room	- Dining room
- Breakfast nook	- Dishwasher	- Stove/Oven
- Microwave	- Washer	- Dryer
- Laundry area - inside	- Balcony, Deck, or Patio	- Yard
- Swimming pool	- Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES

- Prime Cul-de Sac location backing open space!

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Aug 15, 2009, 5:28pm PDT

Mortgage Junk Fees - FHA loans are more expensive!!!!!

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:43:46 -0500

Courtesy of my favorite East Coast guy. Good info, especially the points about trust and overshopping!

Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

BEWARE – A very boring topic below, but important to understand.

What first comes to mind when you hear the word junk?

-- Crap?

-- Old?

-- Trash?

What about the term, junk fees? Closing cost junk fees? Answer dot com gives you a definition of this and an example. - Junk Fees - Many people, even realtors and loan officers, assume that fees other than points charged by the lender are junk fees. Back in the day, this might have been partially true. But there is a cost of doing business and in today's market, it's not cheap. It all comes down to how it's explained and how it's shown on your good faith estimate.

So, how does a mortgage work? A mortgage company, the processiing, and it's fees? It really hasn't changed since I got into the mortgage business in 1992. Well, the profit margin and fee structure of a mortgage company hasn't really changed. The cost of doing business has a little.

Your typical fees are generally :

$500 commitment fee

$82 transfer tax fee

Credit report fee

Other fees that you will see :

Processing fee

Warehouse fee

Doc Prep Fee

Attorney Fee

Administration fee

Now, here is what disgusts me when so many realtors or borrowers scream junk closing fees. Until you understand on how a normal mortgage company operates, you won't truly know what is a junk fee or not. And another thing to understand, it also comes down to the rate and points that one is charging. All mortgage companies and banks have fees associated with doing a mortgage. Even your bank down the street or Bank of America or Wells Fargo charge closing costs. It just comes down to where they place these fees. Here are some real examples....

It generally costs about $1,000 for the processing of a mortgage. This is to include fees associated with the lenders warehouse line, underwriting, and closing of the loan. You might say that the lender can get this in the points and or rate. Yes, this can take place and this is how I generally do it. Why? Because you can write of a percentage of your points and interest on the loan. The fees, aka junk fees, can't be deducted on your tax returns. Please consult a CPA or an accountant when talking about this. Overall, it comes down to understanding the process and costs of a mortgage; not what you assume.

My whole point to this is that the fees have to be collected one way or another. Yes, some loan officers or lenders beef up their fees, adding to them, which gives them the name 'junk fees'. I have seen some weird names for some of these fees. But every lender has a profit margin. I have worked for large lenders and small ones, and it usually is close enough. When you borrower money, it costs money. It basically comes down to how large the profit one is willing to make. But keep in mind, it's more than just about the rate and fees. What about service? What about communication? What about timely responses? What about your loan officer educating you about the process? I'll be honest, I would be the cheapest one out there every time, that's if I didn't have to return a phone call or an e-mail or explain anything. And this happens more often once you say yes to a specific lender, in starting the application process. I know this because I hear it from borrowers all of the time. Good news or bad news, that loan officer should be somewhat easy to reach until you are finally closed on your loan.

Important Key Point to remember -

Each borrower is different. Each loan is different. Remember that I said most lenders have a specific profit margin in mind? Let's say it's $4,000 per loan. If I am borrowing $400,000, it would cost me 1 point in fees, points, or in the rate. Meaning that I could charge you no points and no fees, yet charge you a higher rate to still make my profit margin. If I am borrowing $100,000, it will now cost me a total of 4 points, no matter how this is spread out within the fees or the rate.

My whole point is that you can't compare your friends cost of a loan or sometimes the rate. Not if the lender is charging you accordingly. I just had a borrower e-mail me their HUD settlement sheet and yes, they charged $2,083 in fees. But if I look at my profit margin, I was about $2,100 cheaper than this company and a 1/4 percent lower in rate. I agree that you need to shop for your mortgage, but you should not over-shop or shop for the lowest. Just my opinion on this.

Please read : I want the same deal that my friend received on their mortgage.

Pet Peeve -

FHA loans are more expensive!! - No, they are actually cheaper in costs. I just did a cost scenario for a borrower, as I always do, and it was costing him $9,000 less on a FHA loan and the payment was $3.00 more a month. Yes, it was because I had him put 3.5% down instead of 5% down. But it was also because the points for that same rate were actually a 1/2 point less on the FHA loan, which in this case was $1,930 cheaper. Why? Because most investors and major lenders get a larger SRP (service release premium) back from those that buy these on Wall Street. The fact that many say FHA mortgages are more expensive in costs, just don't know what they are talking about in most cases.

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

Copyright © 2009 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc

Oak Park CA Water Restrictions

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:14:11 -0500

California's ongoing drought, as well as court decisions to restrict water flow due to endangered fish are forcing
conservation measures. As a result, businesses and residents of Oak Park, Ca must reduce their water use by 15% between now and June 30, 2010. The consequences for not doing so will be fines and higher monthly bills. (So fish are more important than the local economy? Must be another blog post in there somewhere!)

Janna Orkney, chair of the Triunfo Sanitation district, which owns Oak Park Water Service said, "After one year, if Oak Park Water does not have any reduction in use from the base years (2004-2006) we will be fined over $1 million. If we only reduce 10 per cent, the fine will be almost $650,000." Any fines will likely be passed on to us, the ratepayers.

The water agency is developing an ordinance that would allow the district to enforce stages of mandatory water rationing in case of emergency, and to fine violators. Stage one would require a 25% reduction in water use, stage 2 a 35% reduction, and stage 3 a 50% reduction. My teenage sons are going to have to figure out how to take shorter showers, that is for sure!

The following restrictions are now in place:

No landscape watering between 8 AM and 5 PM daily, unless using a hand held bucket or hose with self closing shut off device. (How does someone water the lawn with a bucket?)
Irrigation must run for no more than 15 minutes/day per station, with certain exceptions.
No watering during rain or after 24 hours of measurable rain
Water runoff that flows into the street, sidewalk, etc. is prohibited.
Washing down hard or paved surfaces is prohibited, except when necessary to reduce safety or sanitary hazards, with restrictions
Customer leaks must be fixed within five days of discovery. (How will this one be enforced??)
Water fountains or decorative water features that do no use recirculating water are prohibited.
Washing the car, or other vehicle is prohibited, except with a hand held bucket or hose with self closing or shut off device.
Restaurant may only provide drinking water upon request.

Our hopes, of course, are for a wet winter, to ease our drought. But conservation of water and all our resources should be ongoing. We only have one earth!

CAROL LEE, Coldwell Banker Westlake Village CA
Homes for Sale in AGOURA, OAK PARK, WESTLAKE VILLAGE and all of Ventura County

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

The Sins Of A Seller

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 10:43:48 -0500

Well, I resent the comment about the rottweiller, but otherwise, sellers, take heed!

Via Clint Miller (Real Estate Client Referrals, LLC):

Many of you know that I recently bought a home.

And, for those of you that don’t know that I recently bought a home…I recently bought a home. Here’s proof.

Although we are very happy with our home we did purchase, during this process, I happened to notice that as we viewed house after house, I kept seeing the same things happen over and over. And….not good things. Bad things. Bad things that were blatantly obvious to me. Bad things that literally turned me off. Bad things that were keeping this otherwise fine house I was standing in from selling faster.

So, as we went through the homes, I started keeping track of things that I saw that made the average buyer – ME – want to run away screaming. Here is my “Top 10 Seller Sins”:

1. Addition Addiction – Ok…exactly what were these people thinking when they added this addtion to their home?? It isnt level. The door frame isnt square. And, that simulated wood-grain indoor/outdoor burber carpeting is HIDEOUS!! Wasn’t this were the garage should be anyway?? I guess that explains the severely sun-faded paint job on the Sport Family Truckster in the driveway and the Christmas decorations piled floor-to-ceiling in the closet in the spare bedroom. I don’t care what anyone says…Bigger is NOT always better.

2. The “Pet-Owner Moaner” – The over-all assumption that since the seller loves their pets more than chocolate, so does everyone else. Here are a couple of quotes I heard directly from the sellers mouths: “Awwww, my cat must really like you to nestle into your neck like that.”; “I know he looks big, but he is really just a teddy bear.”; “We were able to clean up everything in the house except the cat room.”; “I cant remember if my son put away the ferrets or not, but feel free to look around downstairs.”
a. Ok…first and foremost, Im allergic to cats. I don’t mean that cats make me sneeze. I mean that I quit breathing and require adrenallin shots to keep from dieing. That thing is lucky I didn’t toss it out the open window that was next to me.
b. The “teddy bear” they were referring to…Yeah, that was a 158lb Rotweiller with a googlie eye and a broken tooth on the right side. His chain was tied to a cinder block that he happily drug around and tossed into the air during “playtime”.
c. The “cat room”??? Oh Lord in heaven!!!
d. If you cant figure out if your son left out a pack of rodents in the dark rooms down the creaky stairs without a safety rail and a working light switch, you can be damn sure Im not going to find out for you.

3. Auditory Unawareness – If you cant hear that your refridgerator is making a clicking noise that can be heard from the front yard, Im fairly sure you cant hear the floorboards creaking, the doors squeaking, or the apparent family of raccoons living in the attic. You also only hear what you want to hear. Instead of “Your house is priced too high”, you hear “Your house is of a high value”. Its not the same. Pay attention!

4. Color Blind – Holy Lord!! Who decorated this place?? Its like Andy Worhol threw his color pallet into a Cuisinart and hit ‘liquify’. The fuscia flower print wallpaper needs to go. And, I don’t carew what you say, it doesn’t do any justice to that wall with the fake woodgrain panelling it joins up to by the sunshine yellow couch. Worse yet…the white cabinets, white-washed walls, white countertops, and white tile is just a bit much.

5. “Take it or leave it” – Yup. Heard that come right out of a seller’s own mouth. We were discussing the possiblity of him making a necessary repair to a sliding glass door that lead out to a deck. Between the glass panes was about half an inch of standing water. Obviously, the seals on the window were compromised. When asked if he would spend the money to get the glass replaced and the seales re-done…or just replace the entire door…that was the response I got. Guess what…I left it.

6. Price-itis – The fear that your home wont sell for the price you are asking for it. I put in an offer on a home that was only $5,000 under what was being asked. The counter came back with a reduction of $1,000, but a clause to pay $4,000 in closing costs. Now, I may be bad at math…but, isnt that the same damn thing????

7. Fried Food Funk – You know what Im talking about here. If you can smell it, you won’t sell it. Bottom line here is that fried food smells, kitty litter, a back yard filled with dog crap, a nursery reaking of dirty diapers, etc…all add up to one thing – a very short showing. (Well, it also leads to gagging, shortness of breath, tears streaming down your face, and everyone skrunching up their nose and making that internationally known face that says, “Do you SMELL that???”)

8. Photog Fog – Everyone should take pride in their family photographs. I do. But, Im not trying to sell my house! I went into one home where, I kid you not, the entire living walls…every square inch…was covered in frame pics of family. There must have been 100 pictures in that room. Frames mounted together like a patchwork quilt of memories and bad matting jobs. Love the sentiment…love the family pride. But, I was COMPLETELY distracted from seeing the actual house.

9. “I collect them” – No kidding, really??? Nothing would have made me realize you collect dolls were it not for the fact that Im now suddenly very aware of the fact that 226 eyes are now following me through your house like Chucky with an ax to grind. Yeah, I couldn’t tell that you collect Vegas casino ash trays since they are on every flat surface in your entire house including 4 separate 6-ft tall bookshelves, your coffee table, the top of your TV, the end-tables, and the extra two shelves that you put up encircling the entire living room. But, worse than that, you have them on your toilet tank, your dresser…and in an amazing twist, you have drilled holes in them and replaced half of the doorknobs in your house with them. In case your agent hasn’t told you this….PACK THIS CRAP UP!

10. Livin in the past – I don’t care what you think, the pea soup green shag carpeting is not coming back in style. And, regardless of how many memories are associated with it, the nine-foot long, hunter orange, faux-leather couch on the wooden legs with the sleigh-style arms on the each end is FREAKING UGLY!! Regardless of whether or not they still work, the matching avocado green stove, fridge, and counter tops are ugly…and they are ugly 24/7/365. If you want to move this house…replace this ferocious eyesore. Better yet…HIRE A HOME STAGER!

Yeah, selling a house is hard. Selling a house in the market is harder. Selling one of THESE houses with a seller that sins like this…nearly impossible. Sellers, if you are reading this…listen to your agents. Agents, if you are reading this…make sure your sellers understand that buyers – like me – will look at these like neither of you know what you are doing and act accordingly. Probably by running away quick.

If you would like more information about Real Estate Client Referrals and how we can send you more clients to work with, please contact Clint Miller at 800-977-7058. Or, follow me on twitter www.twitter.com/TheRealClint.

North Ranch CA Open House- Sunday June 28, 2009, 2-5 PM

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:41:58 -0500

Carol Lee | Coldwell Banker | 818-642-9445

5720 Ingram, Westlake Village, CA

Beautiful North Ranch Townhome

3BR/2.5BA Townhouse

offered at $729,000

Year Built	1992
Sq Footage	2,382
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	1 sqft
HOA/Maint	$390 per month

DESCRIPTION

Reduced $56K from original list price! Lowest price per square foot of current listings in tract. Pride of ownership reflected througout this meticulously maintained end unit townhome in a gated community on private cul-de-sac. Inviting living room with brick fireplace. Artfully updated gourmet kitchen is highlighted with granite counters. Spacious Master Suite features vaulted ceiling with ample natural light. Master bath has tile floors and counters, dual sinks and separate shower and tub. Per past owner square footage was added to dining room area and upstairs family room/loft. Buyer to verify square footage. Plantation shutters, wood flooring, canned lights, upgraded light fixtures and decorator paint colors. Covered and enclosed exterior patio is perfectly manicured and accessible thru two sliding glass doors off dining area and kitchen nook. Unit is near ample guest parking. Come see and you will be impressed!
Listing courtesy of Dick and Terry Goodrich, Coldwell Banker

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Hardwood floor	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Granite countertop

COMMUNITY FEATURES

Guest parking

Sauna/Spa

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

End unit by guest parking	Gourmet kitchen w/granite
Dining rm opens to patio	Upstairs family rm/loft
Master bedrm-lots of lite

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 27, 2009, 9:41am PDT

OAK PARK CA Open House, Sunday May 16 2009

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:16:39 -0500

Carol Lee | Coldwell Banker | 818-642-9445

5882 Sunny Vista Ave, Oak Park, CA

Highly Sought After Oak Park Five Bedroom.

5BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $669,000

Year Built	1977
Sq Footage	2,399
Bedrooms	5
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	3 Car garage
Lot Size	6,514 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Pride of ownership does not even begin to describe this lovely open bright home located on a tree lined street in Oak Park. Some of the numerous upgrades include new carpet, new paint inside, custom tile flooring and recessed lighting. Step inside to an open and airy living room with soaring ceilings and a fireplace. The kitchen features updated appliances, and a view of the backyard. Guest will enjoy the downstairs bedroom and bathroom. Head upstairs to four spacious bedrooms including master bedroom. Step outside to a very private backyard with a built-in spa and large grassy area. Walking distance to Parks, hiking trails, and award winning Oak Park schools. It's a perfect 10. Welcome home.
Listing Courtesy of B. Kolb, Coldwell Banker

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Tile floor
Family room	Living room	Dining room
Breakfast nook	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Laundry area - garage	Balcony, Deck, or Patio	Yard
Jacuzzi/Whirlpool

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Tree lined street	Large open living room
Formal Dining Room	Huge Family Room
Kitchen-updated appliance	Private Backyard

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Jun 14, 2009, 10:05am PDT

$8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit - Approved by FHA/HUD 5-29-09 - But buyer BEWARE !!!

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:19:35 -0500

Jeff Belonger continues to be a wealth of information!

Via Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- FHA Loans -- FHA mortgages - USDA loans (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc):

BUYER BEWARE of Tax Credit

The first time homebuyers tax credit of $8,000 has been approved by HUD for all FHA loans. But don't get too excited too quickly. If you get a chance to read the mortgagee letter, ML 2009-15, it states that you can't use this tax credit for the required down payment of 3.5%.

HUD originally put out mortgagee letter 2009-15 on May 12th, but was rescinded the next day. Please read about that here : $8,000 tax credit rescinded by HUD. For some reason, it was prematurely placed on HUD's web site, but apparently wasn't finalized. Now we have a new version and if not read correctly, you could be putting misinformation out there. So what does the new mortgagee letter state?

Here is the positive part about the tax credit. You can receive the first time homebuyers tax credit upfront, but not through the IRS. This would be illegal. Please read : It's illegal to receive your tax credit before you close on your home. Buyers - BEWARE, please read that, because too many people are saying that you can get the money directly from the IRS prior to closing. The IRS & HUD both say no!!!

So how can you receive this upfront? It can be given to you as a second or a silent second from any Federal, State, or local agencies, and any FHA mortgagee or any FHA approved non-profit organization. People, in layman's terms, this is already acceptable by HUD's standards, except for the lender that is now able to give the monies upfront in a form of a 2nd mortgage. Another terminology is that this can be an advance loan from any of the entities mentioned above.

Summary : Essentially, this means that the entities mentioned above, are purchasing this tax credit on your behalf and giving it back to you. The short version of this is that you can use some of the money from the $8,000 Tax Credit as your down payment, but after you put down the first 3.5% of that down payment. Meaning, you have to come up with 3.5% of your own money still. With FHA loans, it can still be a gift from a relative/family member. It also can come from non-profit or government agencies to be used as your initial down payment, but not used through the tax credit. Overall, the tax credit that is advanced, can be used for all closing costs. But you can't receive monies back at closing.

And again, keeping in mind, it's illegal to receive this tax credit upfront directly from the IRS. There is more verbiage in the mortgagee letter 2009-15 , but the main point is that you have to have 3.5% of the downpayment yourself, before you can use the tax credit that would be 'loaned' to you.

THOUGHTS??? - Well, in all honesty, how does this truly help? What is the gov't thinking here? As a buyer, I would still need the initial 3.5% of my monies for the down payment. Again, needing money to buy. I know some of you are for this fact, that buyers should have skin in the game. But keep in mind, this was not the true demise to our foreclosure mess. We need to sell houses to keep this economy going. Just my opinions and food for thought. thanks

My Series on the First time homebuyers $8,000 tax credit - Everything you need to now, from start to finish - What's allowed and what's not allowed :

The $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers - The basics - What to know about it - Understanding what the tax credit is all about.

Use a 6 month gift from a relative to buy a home, thanks to the Tax Credit - How to get creative in using the tax credit and some FHA mortgage guidelines in helping you use this tax credit to your advantage.

Using First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits for the Downpayment - It's GONE !!!! - The story of the $8,000 tax credit - The bottom line, you can't use the actual tax credit as your downpayment.. for your downpayment, unless you get it from other sources prior to buying the house and receiving the tax credit.

FRAUD ALERT - Advice on the $8,000 first time homebuyers Tax Credit - Do you chance it??? - This explains to you that it's fraud if you directly obtain the money from the IRS before you actually purchase the house. Even HUD and many lenders/investors acknowledge this also.

The $8,000 tax credit for First Time Homebuyers - How & when to get it legally - So how can the tax credit be received legally for your downpayment? Just be careful of those that promise other ways not mentioned. I talk about what is illegal in the previous blog above. Please click the link.

The First time homebuyer $8,000 tax credit has been amended - May 29th, 2009 - Buyer, beware !!! You still need 3.5% of your own money for the down payment. It can't come way of an upfront loan through the tax credit.

- FHA Loans - USDA Loans - VA Loans -

- Energy Efficient Mortgages -

- Conventional Loans - 203 k loans -

- Mortgages -

Experience & Knowledge at its BEST !!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert

For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit

For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags !!!!

Copyright © 2009 by Jeff Belonger

61 Dandelion Ct, Newbury Park- Single Story Home for Rent

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:16:09 -0500

61 Dandelion Ct, Newbury Park, CA

Adorable single story with huge backyard!

3BR/2BA Single Family Home

$2,500/month

Delightful single story home on quiet cul-de-sac in a fabulous Newbury Park neighborhood. Kitchen features stainless steel appliances and refinished cabinets. Newly painted and carpeted. Backyard is huge, with patio cover the length of the house- great for summer entertaining!! No smokers, submit on pets.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Inviting Exterior	Cozy eating area
Family room, now used as dining room	Living room
Master Bedroom	Large backyard

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

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

440 Knollwood Drive, Newbury Park CA Open House Sunday May 31,2009

Sun, 31 May 2009 13:38:51 -0500

Carol Lee | Coldwell Banker | 818-642-9445

440 Knollwood Dr, Newbury Park, CA

Newer Newbury Park Single Story Beauty!

4BR/2.5BA Single Family House

offered at $759,900

Year Built	1998
Sq Footage	2,262
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	2 full, 1 partial
Floors	1
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	6,801 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Awesome single story home with 4 bedrooms and a separate office! Built in 1998! Beautifully remodeled. Upgraded maple & chiseled stone floors. Elegant living room with plantation shutters, formal dining area. Center island kitchen with granite counters, upgraded appliances, family eating area & walk-in pantry. Family room with stone fireplace adjoins the kitchen. Master bedroom with organized walk-in closet. Lavish master bath with granite counter, stone floor, two sinks, separate tub & shower. 3 other spacious bedrooms with organized closets. Guest bath with granite counter & dual sinks. Indoor laundry room with built-in cabinets. Builder option for 3 car garage, or 2 car garage and finished office. Original owner selected 2 car garage & office. Central vacuum. Large private yard with covered patio, Large grass area. No HOA fees! Award winning Conejo Valley Schools. Easy access to shopping, schools, hiking & shopping. Hurry on this one!
Listing courtesy of P. Helton, Coldwell Banker

see additional photos below

PROPERTY FEATURES

Central A/C	Central heat	Fireplace
High/Vaulted ceiling	Walk-in closet	Hardwood floor
Tile floor	Family room	Living room
Office/Den	Dishwasher	Stove/Oven
Microwave	Granite countertop	Laundry area - inside
Yard

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: May 31, 2009, 9:32am PDT

CAROL LEE, Coldwell Banker Westlake Village CA, Homes for Sale in AGOURA, OAK PARK, WESTLAKE VILLAGE and all of Ventura County

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

Oak Park CA Has its First Farmer's Market ( or WHAT THE HECK IS A JUJUBE??) By Carol Lee Coldwell Banker Westlake

Mon, 11 May 2009 01:45:55 -0500

Saturday, May 9, 2009 was the beginning of something exciting here in OAK PARK, CA. It was our first Farmer's Market, and the community response was awesome. The market will be open every Saturday, and will feature organic and fresh local produce and fruit, fresh baked goods and plants, as well as a live soloist musician entertainment with seating for customers to “come and stay a while.”

The community definitely celebrated the opening of their new Farmers Market and came in droves to be a part of it. The amount of customer support was not anticipated at all and the number of certified farmers will increase sooner than planned next week to meet the communities demand for fresh, local and certified food directly from the farmers themselves.

Some of the comments by the farmers were that this was the best first day of any Farmers Market they have ever done. The farmers said that the customers comments were of excitement and very thankful that they were there.

The Oak Park Plaza merchants were heavily involved as well with the Farmer Market; with the Dahn Yoga Center walking around the Farmers Market handing out flyers celebrating their Farmers Market with Free Yoga Classes to be offered on Saturdays' May 16 through the 30th. A staff member at Starbucks Coffee said that today was the busiest day that he had ever worked at Starbucks.

Overall everybody was happy, festive, grateful and excited with the Oak Park Certified Farmers Market. Everybody hopes for its continued success like today. Coastal Pacific Farmers’ Markets can be reached by calling (805) 643-6458.

Come enjoy the fun and excitement of a safe and relaxed morning of food, coffee, fun and families every Saturday at the Oak Park Plaza, corner of Lindero and Kanan.

(PS. Does anyone know what a jujube is??)

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

Homebuyer Tips to Sip From.

Fri, 08 May 2009 20:44:55 -0500

Some great information from Jason Sardi!

Via Jason Sardi, Mortgage Banker (FHA-VA-USDA-Conventional-Pennsylvania Loans):

Perhaps you've been throwing around the idea of entering into the wonderful world of buying a home. Maybe you've even came across a house that not only tickled your fancy, but left that euphoric taste of bliss running through your bones. Either way, probably the most important thing you can do is to become educated. From there, there's one place to start... Behold, The Basics:

Cash isn't necessarily King. If you are paying rent, pay it on time and do so by check. That's a documented housing history. Any applicable down payment you have has to be sourced from the banking institution with whom holds your depositories. Documentation is one of the important things lenders look for these days. So, if you are slinging crack in the alleys in your spare time, instead of putting that money in a jar beside your bed... put it in the bank. Of note, I don't endorse slinging crack. I just endorse documenting your rental history and funds that you have to come to the table with to close.

Before even traveling down the road of tangibly looking to buy a home, know what your credit score is before making any decisions. In the current lending atmosphere, your credit score has never been more important. Here's a link to help you get a grasp on the importance of credit in borrowing money in general, let alone to buy a home.

Don't be Mortgage Poor. Many times you are pre-approved for X amount of dollars because on paper, that is what the lender deems "affordable" in your world. There's one small problem with that, the lender doesn't live in your world... You Do! Sit down and go over your monthly expenses (utilities, credit cards, student loans, car payments, insurance, groceries, any vices you like to partake in, etc) and come to an understanding of what type of payment is comfortable for you. And don't forget to figure in the taxes, home owner's insurance, and PMI/MIP (if applicable) along the way. Your Mortgage Professional can help you with that. By the way, I'm a Mortgage Professional and enjoy helping:)

A Tax Advisor can be your friend. While I realize that the words 'tax' and 'friend' are strange bedfellows in the same sentence, read on. A lot of you folks may have heard about the tax credit for home buyers and for those who haven't, remove the rock and continue reading. First-time home buyers (includes folks who have not owned a property for at least three years) qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,000 if purchasing a home before December 1st, 2009. As long as it's owner-occupied for at least three years, that credit does not have to repaid. If that doesn't give you enough incentive, all homeowners qualify for tax credits for various home energy efficiency improvements throughout 2009!

Hire a Buyer's Agent. They represent you and you alone. It doesn't cost you a dime and you can be relatively certain that your best interests will be at the forefront of your Agent's heart. Buying a home doesn't have to be complex, a Buyer's Agent can make your life and the transaction so much easier.

Get a Home Inspection. A lot of lenders don't require it (whereas they require an appraisal) but a Home Inspection could very well save you a bundle of money down the road. Imagine for a second you just bought a home and the boiler breaks down, the roof starts to leak, the electrical system takes a dump, etc... all could have been avoided with an initial Home Inspection. Consult your Buyer's Agent to see if getting a Home Inspection is the right thing to do for you.

With the large amount of inventory on the market, you may find a lot of homes that need some work. The condition of some of these properties may be such that Conventional Financing of any sort is just not possible. No worries, though. A great product to utilize in these cases is the FHA 203(K) Loan.

Once you are pre-approved and have a signed sales agreement, don't apply for any additional credit at all. While I'm aware that many folks want plush and extravagant furniture to accentuate the decor of their home, do not start buying anything on credit until after your loan closes. Applying for credit of any kind in the thralls of the transaction could adversely affect your credit scores, disrupt your debt ratio, and even flat-line the transaction all together.

If you have questions, ask them. I don't care how mundane you think they are, ask. The only stupid question is silence when one is on the tip of your tongue.

There are many ways to save money when buying a home. You can look for the best interest rate, lowest fees, have your Cousin Al become a Loan Officer so you can get a Family Discount, etc. Yet, the one way you can save maybe the most money is to become as educated as you can going forward. Seek out quality education, don't count on it to always seek out you.

Jason Sardi

"Your Friendly Neighborhood" Mortgage Consultant

610-653-0317

jsardi@ihmci.com

OXNARD CA ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL- Community news brought to you by CAROL LEE COLDWELL BANKER WESTLAKE VILLAGE CA

Fri, 08 May 2009 20:12:49 -0500

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY,
MAY 16 & 17, 2009

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.

OAK PARK CA Beautification Day- Community information from CAROL LEE Coldwell Banker Westlake Village

Mon, 04 May 2009 13:05:31 -0500

OAK PARK BEAUTIFICATION DAY
SATURDAY, MAY 16,2009
8:30 am TO 1:30 pm
OAK PARK HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT
(889 N. KANAN RD)

Ready to do your spring cleaning? Now is your chance! Come take advantage of this FREE opportunity to recycle the following:

Residential yard waste. (leaves, brush, tree trimmings, and UNTREATED wood)
Palm fronds, yucca, succulents, stumps, and painted wood will be handled as trash. PLEASE KEEP SEPARATE FROM CLEAN YARD WASTE.
Cardboard,plastic, metal, and paper items
residential refuse and bulky items (furniture, appliances, etc)
Electronic waste (computers, printers, monitors, televisions, VCR's, fax machines, cellphones, etc)

NO HAZARDOUS WASTE OR TIRES WILL BE ACCEPTED!

You may also bring hard to handle items to the event for disposal. However, refrigerators, propane tanks, or hazardous waste cannot be accepted.

Waste Management/GI Industries offers its customers one free pickup of no more than two bulky items at your home. This could include couches, bikes, toilets, etc. If you haven't used your annual bulky item collection, call GI Industries at 815-782-2474 to schedule an appointment for pick up.

Oak Park residents can dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) at City of Thousand Oaks HHW collection events. These are held the first Saturday of every month. Call 805-449-7283 or go to www.toaks.org to schedule an appointment.

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

THOUSAND OAKS BANK OWNED OPEN HOUSE-Sat, May 2, 2009, 2-5 PM, Brought to you by CAROL LEE COLDWELL BANKER WESTLAKE

Sat, 02 May 2009 12:24:27 -0500

278 VIRGO COURT

THOUSAND OAKS BANK OWNED OPEN HOUSE

SATURDAY MAY 2, 2009
2-5 PM

This bank owned home, built in 1995 is just waiting for its new owner to give it a little more love. Located on a private cul-de sac, in the western part of Thousand Oaks, it features a beautiful kitchen with slab counters and stainless steel appliances. With four bedrooms and three baths, and almost 1900 square feet, it has ample room. It has a patio/balcony, and firepit in the large backyard. Come make Thousand Oaks your new home!

Listing courtesy of Erin and Bob, Coldwell Banker

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

Westlake Trails Open House, Sunday April 5, 2009 2-5 PM, offered by Carol Lee, Coldwell Banker Westlake

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 17:11:04 -0500

Carol Lee | Coldwell Banker | 818-642-9445

31841 Saddletree, Westlake Village, CA,

Listing courtesy of K. Heisser, Coldwell Banker

WESTLAKE TRAILS BEAUTY

3BR/4BA Single Family House

offered at $1,750,000

Year Built	1990
Sq Footage	3,356
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	4 full, 0 partial
Floors	1
Parking	Unspecified
Lot Size	15,341 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Beautiful one story in sensational Westlake Trails. The gracious entryway welcomes you to this lightfilled beauty. Prepare delicious meals in the granite kitchen, and enjoy them while looking out onto your peaceful backyard with waterfall. Also available for lease $5,500 Mo.

Listing courtesy of K. Heisser, Coldwell Banker

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Welcoming entry	Formal Living Room
Family room	Peaceful eating nook
Backyard with waterfall	Gracious Exterior

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Apr 4, 2009, 1:55pm PDT

OAK PARK CA SALES- 2009 FIRST QUARTER- Brought to you by CAROL LEE COLDWELL BANKER WESTLAKE

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:03:59 -0500

OAK PARK
NEWS YOU CAN USE

Brought to you by Carol Lee, Oak Park Neighborhood Specialist

SALES IN OAK PARK, CA JANUARY THROUGH MARCH, 2009

The above list is all the sales reported on the MLS from January 2009 through March 31,02009 in Oak Park. The chart below compares that information to the same time period last year. While the number of sales has dropped for the time period, changes in prices are negligible. If I were to guestimate what we will see in the future, is that the median and average price in the area may drop. I say this because of the lower sales prices in the Regency and Chambord tracts, two of the higher priced tracts in Oak Park.

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

919 Tupelo Wood Ct, Thousand Oaks, CA- Open House Sat, March 28-, 2009 Brought to you by Carol Lee Coldwell Banker Westlake

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 11:28:55 -0500

Carol Lee | Coldwell Banker | 818-642-9445

919 Tupelo Wood Ct,, Thousand Oaks, CA

Pre- Foreclosure Beauty!

4BR/3BA Single Family House

offered at $599,000

Year Built	1978
Sq Footage	2,067
Bedrooms	4
Bathrooms	3 full, 0 partial
Floors	2
Parking	2 Car garage
Lot Size	8,535 sqft
HOA/Maint	$0 per month

DESCRIPTION

Charming home with vaulted ceilings in the living and dining room. Sliding glass doors lead to a private patio off the dining room. Kitchen is remodeled with oak cabinets and tile. Breakfast room is off the kitchen and overlooks the back yard. The family room has a brick fireplace with sliding glass doors out to the back yard. Rear yard has an enormous oak tree, fruit trees and does not back the road.

Listing courtesy of Erin and Bob, Coldwell Banker

see additional photos below

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

Photo 1	Photo 2
Photo 3	Photo 4
Photo 5	Photo 6

Contact info:

Carol Lee

Coldwell Banker

818-642-9445

For sale by agent/broker

Equal Opportunity Housing

Posted: Mar 28, 2009, 8:12am PDT

Listing courtesy of Erin and Bob, Coldwell Banker Westlake

Let's Send Brad Andersohn to Tahiti!

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:57:42 -0500

I DARE you, Brad, to really go to Tahiti!!

Via Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection:

Ok, so he claimed to go to Tahiti, but the man has no intention of taking a vacation.

Brad, we love you! You are the Grand Master of our Active Rain Universe. You have always been there for us. Now we want to be there for you!

BRAD, STAY AWAY FROM THE INTERNET! YOU ARE GOING TO TAHITI!!!

Let's send Brad to Tahiti! I propose that we all donate to the:

"Let's Send Brad To Tahiti!" Cause.

Let's re-blog this and keep it circulating! Will someone put together some kind of donation site we can all go to and make good on our promise? I propose that we all pitch in to send Brad to Tahiti. I will start the ball rolling with the first $100! Care to join me?

Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection Join The Optimist Group!

WOW! WHAT A FIND ON FACEBOOK! Brought to you by CAROL LEE COLDWELL BANKER WESTLAKE

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:47:37 -0500

Facebook seems to be growing exponentially. Sometimes I talk to my husband upstairs via FB. I don't necessarily consider this a good thing, or great marital communication, but it is easier than shouting up the stairs through closed doors.

But having had a cousin whom I haven't seen in about 40 years find me on FB got me thinking. I wonder if I could find more family?? So I did a search on Facebook for my maiden name, Silin. My grandfather, Arnold, emigrated from Baku, Russia (now Azerbaijan) in the very early 1900's to Boston, where I grew up. That is he on the left. He was a sign painter in Russia, and joined his brother Louis, in the family business in Boston I am guessing in 1904 or 1910 or thereabouts.

I always thought Silin was an unusual name. When I was growing up, any Silin I ran into was always a cousin. As far as I know, it was never shortened from another name when the family emigrated.

So just for fun, I thought I would do a search on Facebook for any long lost cousins. Imagine my surprise when there were 25 pages of Silins! Wow! Yes, I did find several cousins that I have been out of touch with for many years. I found my Nantucket, Mass, cousins. I found cousins in New York, and Santa Cruz, CA. There were also Silins in Russia, Turkey, Finland, United Arab Emirates, Syria, China, Singapore, Puerto Rico, France, Canada, Austria, and all over the US! There were Asian Silins, Black Silins, Hispanic Silins! OMG, we are everywhere!

It could be that if we went back enough generations, many of us would be related. I guess if we go back far enough in the history of the world, we are ALL related.

Okay, so how does this all relate to real estate? Many of our clients find us online, through our websites, or search engines. They certainly look at homes online, often telling us what they want to see. So be aware of skeleton in your closet, and your online presence- you never know who may be looking for you!!

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

AGOURA/OAK PARK SALES DATA- Jan-Feb 2009, brought to you by CAROL LEE, COLDWELL BANKER WESTLAKE

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:16:15 -0500

AGOURA/OAK PARK SALES DATA for DETACHED HOMES

JANUARY & FEBRUARY, 2009

Compare these numbers to the same time period last year, when the median sales price was $725,000. So, this year's median sales price is down $70,000 or just under 10% this year. Average sales price for the same time period last year was $826,323. which is about$56,000, or 15% higher than this year. (Feel free to check my math, that was never my strong point!)

The numbers pretty much confirms our thoughts out here- lower end is selling more than the higher end. But Agoura and Oak Park are still great places to live!!

If you are thinking of buying or selling in Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake or any of Ventura County, Call CAROL LEE NOW!

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

Thousand Oaks CA open house- Sunday Feb 22, 2009- Brought to you by CAROL LEE, Coldwell Banker WESTLAKE

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:05:18 -0600

OPEN HOUSE- SUNDAY FEB. 22, 2009, 1-4 PM

3263 PEMBRIDGE, THOUSAND OAKS

OFFERED AT $519,900

Lovely Thousand Oaks Home with price reduced!! This is a lovely remodeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath, Single Story Pool Home. Light & open floorplan. with a remodeled kitchen. The home features a remodeled kitchen, elegant living room with fireplace & formal dining area. The family room adjoins the kitchen. Totally remodeled master bath with custom tile, separate spa tub. Guest bath has also been upgraded. Many Windows & Slider Replaced, Interior Doors Replaced, Recently Painted Interior & Exterior, and new carpets. Laminate Floor, Smooth Ceilings. Central AC & Ducting Replaced, Copper Plumbing And Sewer Pipes Replaced. Hot Water Heater Replaced. Lawn Regraded & Drains Installed. Two Car Attached Garage. The backyard is spacious and private and has a large pool, spa, and large grassy area. Roof Replaced In 2000 With 40 Yr Warranty. Easy Access To Schools, Shopping & Parks. Sellers Are Serious & Motivated To Sell. They Will Consider All Offers! This Is A Great Value!
(Listing courtesy of Pat H. Coldwell Banker)

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

OAK PARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NAMES NEW BOARD TRUSTEE- Brought to you by CAROL LEE Coldwell Banker Westlake

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:40:53 -0600

OAK PARK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NAMES NEW BOARD TRUSTEE

The board of trustees of the Community Foundation for Oak Park appointed Jay Kapitz as a new trustee on Feb 10. Jay is very active in the community of Oak Park, and is also on the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council.

"He has contributed significantly to our community, and we are confident that he will be a superb trustee of our foundation," said foundation president Eva Larson.

The Community Foundation of Oak Park was established in 1979. It is a nonprofit organization which oversees a varitey of Oak Park organizations, organizes volunteers, and provides grants. Over half of the funds raised by the Foundation and its committees are spent in support of the students of the Oak Park Unified School District. The foundation also supports other programs serving Oak Park, such as conducting non-partisan forums for candidates before elections, and maintaining a CERT Fund, to suport the Community Emergency Responce Team, made up of volunteers trained to aid in the event of earthquake or other local disasters.

We in OAK PARK are fortunate to have such dedicated, civic minded residents working for our benefit. Thank you Jay.

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