oak park: IS THE HOUSING MARKET RECOVERING? (Does a bear...well, you know!) - 07/19/12 07:32 AM
The housing market in the Conejo Valley, the areas of Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake, Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks, is as hot as our summer temperatures.  The reason is supply and demand.  Inventory is down, while sales are up. 
 
 On July 1, the inventory of homes for sale in the entire Conejo Valley was only 486 versus 837 last year, a precipitous drop of 42%.  Five or six years ago, there were about 1200 homes on the market.  Significantly, the inventory of homes priced below $750,000 represents only about one month of current sales, compared to the normal inventory of about six months.
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oak park: Oak Park Measure C- Information from CAROL LEE, Realtor, Oak Park, Agoura, Westlake Village, CA - 04/29/08 07:01 AM
 OAK PARK MEASURE C- INFORMATION FROM CAROL LEE, REALTOR, OAK PARK, AGOURA, WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALots of buzz and media attention lately about Measure C.  What is it all about? Basically, it is about funding for our local OAK PARK Schools.
Oak Park is known for its schools.  Student achievement is among the best statewide.  All of the Oak Park Schools are in the top ten percent of the State's Academic Performance Index.  And our schools have received numerous National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School honors.The reputation of our schools help maintain high property values.  Great School help develop good citizens, and preserve … (0 comments)

oak park: 2008 Conejo Valley Days are Here Again! The news from Carol Lee, Realtor, Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake Village, CA and all of the Conejo Valley - 04/27/08 05:47 AM
2008 CONEJO VALLEY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!  THE NEWS FROM CAROL LEE, REALTOR, AGOURA, OAK PARK, WESTLAKE VILLAGE AND ALL OF THE CONEJO VALLEY
The 52 annual Conejo Valley Days Festivities started this weekend, in record breaking heat.  The event is the largest all-volunteer festival on the West Coast.  Proceeds benefit more than 25 local nonprofit organizations that provide services for those less fortunate.The Chili Cook-Off is today, Sunday, April 27 at 10 AM at Conejo Creek Park South, just East of the 23 Freeway on Janns Road in Thousand Oaks. Sure looks good!!The parade, which includes local bands, horseback riders, clowns, … (0 comments)

oak park: Oak Park, CA :Recreation and District News, From Carol Lee, Realtor, Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake, and all of Ventura County - 02/26/08 10:47 AM
Oak Park, CA Recreation and District News
No Smoking In Parks:  Hurray!!  In its January 2008 board meeting, the Parks Distrct Board of Directors voted to make all district parks in Oak Park smoke free. One exception was made, and that is that a smoking permit for the patio adjacent to the Oak Park Community Center may be requested when renting the facility for a special event.
Oak Park Dog Park:  A publice hearing will be held by the Oak Park Recreation and Park Planning Committee to further consider the possiblity of constructing a dog park in Oak Park.   Two location choices at … (2 comments)

oak park: Schools or Yachts-Which Is More Important?- The View From Oak Park, CA - 02/22/08 03:45 PM
Schools or Yachts-Which Is More Important?- The View From Oak Park, CA
Everyone knows that schools and education are important.  Apparently so are yachts, at least in this economy.  California is facing a budget crunch.  Again.  There is a deficit of about $7 Billion.  Not a small amount by any means.
Yesterday's headlines in the Los Angeles Times shouted, "California's Schools Gird for Steep Cuts".  I understand that in tough times, we all need to do our share.   I think we all agree how important our schools are.  Skimp too much on schooling, and we all pay in the long run.  Here in  Oak Park, … (0 comments)

oak park: Title Insurance- What Is It and How To Shop It. Real Estate Information For Oak Park, Agoura, and Westlake Village, CA - 02/12/08 03:55 AM
Title Insurance- What Is It and How To Shop It.Real Estate Information For Oak Park, Agoura, and Westlake  Village, CA
As a realtor, my fiduciary duty is to my clients, whether I am representing the buyer or the seller. I take this responsibility very seriously.  I am not just a company person, pushing company affiliates. I want to make sure my  clients get all the information they need to make informed decisions that are right for them, including what service providers to use.  Though not usually a deal breaker, Title Insurance is one of the details of real estate that is necessary, but often not understood.
Title insurance covers … (2 comments)

oak park: Baseball and Real Estate- The View from the Conejo Valley, CA - 02/06/08 06:33 PM
Baseball and Real Estate- The View from the Conejo Valley, CA
At first glance, Baseball and real estate seem quite different.  But are they really?  Baseball is known as the all American Pastime.  Real estate is the all American Dream- a home for every family.
Both involve memories from childhood.  Growing up in Boston, I have memories of my mother watching her beloved Red Sox on TV.  Maybe one year, they would win the World Series.  Well, they finally did, but not in her lifetime.  As a teenager, I would take the MTA, (the T) with some friends to Fenway Park, pay a buck, and … (6 comments)

oak park: Is It The Right Time To Sell My Home? - 02/02/08 02:41 PM
Is It The Right Time To Sell My Home? Real Estate Information- Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake, And All Of The Conejo Valley
Sellers are starting to ask if now is the right time to put their homes on the market, or if they should wait until later in the Spring.  Why wait?  If the house is fixed and ready to be sold, put it on now.  Selling a home in the Conejo, or anywhere, is similar to sales of other commodities, in that prices are a function  of supply and demand.  Inventory typically goes up in the spring, so you will have more competition … (0 comments)

oak park: Real Estate In Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake & The Conejo- Is It Worthwhile To Fix A Property Before Selling? - 01/30/08 05:00 PM
Real Estate In Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake & The Conejo- Is It Worthwhile To Fix A Property Before Selling?
Sellers often ask me if they should fix up a property before they put it on the market.  To a certain extent, that depends on the house and the area.  Many buyers want a home that is in move in condition.  Because of that, sellers may put it a lot of time and money in getting their homes "market ready".  But is it worthwhile to fix a property htat is in very poor condition?
If a property is in a good location (and here in … (0 comments)

oak park: Oak Park, CA: A Fabulous Community in Southern Cal, Brought to You by Carol Lee, Coldwell Banker - 01/27/08 01:57 PM
INFORMATION FOR HOME BUYERS AND OTHERS ABOUT OAK PARK, CA
General Oak Park Info.  Oak Park is a wonderful  community of approximately 15,000, located in southeastern Ventura County.  It covers an area of roughly 4 sq.miles, half of which is comprised of open space and parks. The climate is "California Mediteranean", with warm dry summers, and cool, rainy winters. The beautiful scenery of the hills and open space, the 20 minute drive to the famous beaches of Malibu, the accessability to shopping, dining, entertainment and downtown Los Angeles, and the award winning Oak Park Unified School District all make Oak Park a fabulous place to live.
Oak Park offers a … (5 comments)

oak park: Loan Proposal Should Be Great for Buyers and Sellers in Oak Park, and ALL of the Conejo Valley, CA! - 01/25/08 08:05 AM
Buyers and sellers in Oak Park, CA and all of the Conejo Valley should be helped by the agreement reached yesterday by the White House and Congressional leaders on a proposal to increase conforming loan limits.  This agreement is part of a larger economic stimilus package.  While all the details are not firm, this should be GREAT for buyers and sellers in much of Southern California!
The proposal increases the maximum loan amount that government sponsored enterprises such as Fannie Mae, may purchase or guarantee on the secondary market.  The current amount of $417,000 doesn't buy a lot of house in this area!  The … (0 comments)

oak park: How Much Should A Buyer Offer? - 01/22/08 05:36 PM
How Much Should A Buyer Offer For A Home?
Clients are always asking how much should they offer  for the home they have decided they would like to buy.  The goal, of course, is to get the property at the best possible price, and with the best terms.  Should they offer a certain per cent below asking?  How low can they go without "insulting" the sellers?  The answer, of course, is neither formulaic nor simple.  Home buyers, whether in Agoura, Westlake, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, or other areas, have much more negotiating power than they did a few years ago.  Part of the … (3 comments)