Debbie Soden's (debbiesodenblog) Blog

What Can You Expect From Your Home Inspection?

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:18:24 -0700

What Is a Home Inspection? It is a general visual and operational examination of the home and property. The general inspection usually takes two to three hours, when the house is examined from the foundation to the chimney cap. The inspection includes observation of structural components like the roof, foundation, basement, exterior and interior walls, chimney, doors and windows and operation of the plumbing, heating and air conditioning as well as electrical systems and appliance functions. In the Conejo Valley a buyer receives a comprehensive report that includes an objective evaluation of the condition of the home, relating existing defects and indicating potential problems. When Should You Schedule An Inspection? Make sure that your offer, make sure that it includes a protective clause that provides you with the right to cancel the contract within a Home Inspection contingency period, so that if you are unsatisfied with the report, you can cancel and receive your full deposit back. Prior To The Inspecton... Prepare a list of questions or concerns about the property and give it to the inspector in advance. This will ensure that your questions are addressed, and that any special arrangements can be made if necessary. Make sure that your Realtor instructs the seller to have all areas accessible to the Inspector and that all utilities are operational. If the attic access is in a closet, for example, make sure that all clothes and belongings have been removed from the closet. During the in inspection.... It is really important that you, the homebuyer, and your Realtor be present during the inspection. By accompanying the inspector, you wil see first hand and have a better understanding of the conditions of each component throughout the house and property. Communicate your concerns to your Realtor and the Inspector, and ask for clarification if you do not fully understand their explainations while they are both present. This will help your Realtor to be more precise in articulating your requests, in writing. How Do I Choose The Right Inspector? Call several candidates, and as the following questions: What will be inspected? A thorough inspection covers approximately 400+ items around the home as detailed earlier. What will I receive with my inspection report? Do you follow industry standards? How much will the service cost? Be sure to ask what factors will affect the price. How much time will the inspection take? Usually 3-4 hours, depending on the size of the property. May I attend the inspection? You have the right to be there and most home inspection companies will encourage your presence. Do you provide and explain the terms of an inspection agreement that defines the scope of the inspection? Do you carry Errors and Omissions Insurance and General Liability Insurance? If not, move on! Do you offer other services? For example, do they provide testing for Radon, septic, Water Quality, Carbon monoxide, Pool and spa, Pest Inspections, etc. Are you willing to supply me with a sample report? Qualified inspection companies will provide a sample report to substantiate that they abide by industry standards. When will the report be ready? Most home inspectors can turn the report around within 48 hours and some have the ability to print on-site. Choosing the right Realtor is the most important part of the puzzle. Your realtor should be able to suggest several competent Home Inspectors for you to interview and decide which one is the best on for you. You will rely on your Realtor for information and suggestions throughout the transaction process, so make sure that you are working with someone who has extensive resources, up-to-date industry knowledge and experience in today's ever changing real estate marketplace. Make sure that you choose a qualified, trained professional home inspector to inspect your home. This is an investment of a lifetime, and you deserve confidence in your financial decisions. Need more information, just give me a call at 805-300-0936 or email me at Debbie@DebbieSoden.com.

What Can You Expect From Your Home Inspection?

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:43:00 -0700

Are you thing about buying? You Need To Be A Good Detective!

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:52:33 -0800

WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD LOOK LIKE? In the past, it was pretty easy to decide the kind of neighborhood you wanted to live in and what type of house you wanted buy. Most of us have a mental image of our "Dream Home", but they don't give a lot of thought to Neighborhood. Start by deciding what you really want in your new neighborhood. Do you want to be able to walk to the store, park, movies, etc? Do you want to attend a church in the neighborhood that you live? Would you like an older historical community or a new planned community/ Maybe you prefer a bedroom community where they roll up the streets at night What about a College town with lots of clubs and activities. I'd suggest that you make a list of WANTS and DON'T WANTS so that you have real clarity on what you want, and you will be able to identify it when you find it. WHAT ABOUT THE SCHOOLS? Many communities are cutting back on the public services that they offer. Libraries, Parks, Community Beautification, and Police Services can be affected. Take a drive through the neighborhoods that you are considering, and look carefully for clues that the city is having financial trouble. Are the streets being cleaned regularly? Walk through the Park and take a look around. Does it look well maintained? Are the streets clean? You might even want to stop by the local Library and talk to the Librarian... they could be a wealth of information. WHAT ABOUT THE PUBLIC SERVICES? Even if you don't have any kids in the school system, or plan to enroll them in Private School, it is really important to check out the Public Schools as well. Are they having budget issues? Low scores? Discipline issues? Under staffed? WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE? Having great Neighbors can make or break a neighborhood, so find out how they like living there and what they're like. Remember, you can always make changes to your house not the neighbors who you don't like. Changing your neighbor or your neighborhood is not so easy. So it's worth the time and effort to do some legwork early on - you'll be glad you did! Walk up to neighbors watering the driveway, and introduce yourself Knock on a few doors and introduce yourself to potential neighbors. Ask what they like or don't like about the neighborhood. Where do they send their kids to school? What changes have they seen in the neighborhood? Are they happy in the community? Is it a children friendly neighborhood? What about traffic through the neighborhood? What about noise? YOU NEED TO BE A GOOD DETECTIVE Do you see a lot of For Sale signs? Are there lots of low rent apartments in the area? Do you see a lot of for lease signs in the business community? Are the conveniences that you need like cleaners, beauty parlor, and golf course available to you and do they meet your standards? If you like to ride your bike, does this community have bike lanes? Buying a new home is much more than just finding the house you like. Now, you need to make sure that you know all aspects of the community so that you can make an informed decision about where you want to live. When you are serious about finding that new home, work with an experienced Realtor in your community. If you are thinking about investing in a foreclosure property either for your own occupancy, or as an investment property you need to do your homework. Talk to your real estate tax adviser and a real estate attorney about your specific situation, and make sure that buying a foreclosure property is right for you. Need more information, just give me a call at 805-300-0936.

Debbie Soden Earns NAR Short Sale And Foreclosure (SFR) Certification

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 15:23:29 -0800

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Debbie Soden Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales Westlake Village, Ca. – Debbie Soden with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows. According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. “As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results,” said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.” The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORSÒ are required to take core courses and Webinars. For more information about the SFR certification, visit www.REALTORSFR.org or call 1-877-510-7855. Working with a Realtor who is specifically trained in the current market procedures and policies for Short Sale and Foreclosure transactions is vital to the successful completion of any transaction. Debbie Soden has demonstrated her proficiency in the successful execution and completion of many of these transactions during the past four years. Debbie can be reached at 805-300-0936 or by e-mail at Debbie@DebbieSoden.com , or visit her websites at www.Thousand-Oaks-Properties.com and www.DebbieSoden.com

12 Tips - Selling Your Home During The Holidays

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 15:20:04 -0800

Well, here come the Holidays, and you’re trying to sell your house. Should you take it off the market during the Holidays? I say No. LESS COMPETITION: During the Holidays you’ll have fewer homes on the market, which means less competition for the attention of a serious Buyer. And, only serious Buyers are looking at houses during the Holidays. They have a need to find a house , or they would wait until after the Holidays to resume their search. Who’s looking during the Holidays? Relocation Buyers who are from out of state and living in temporary housing Buyers who have their own home in escrow and are now in a position to make a non-contingent offer on a new house. Family members visiting relatives in the community who are considering relocating Buyers who want to close escrow before the end of the year for tax purposes 12 Holiday Home Selling Tips: 1) Minimize the holiday decorations. You don’t want Buyers to be distracted by all of your extra “stuff” in the house; you want them to focus on the house. You also want to make sure that the house will appeal to a wide spectrum of buyers. 2) Colorful doormats at both inside and outside of the house ad color and reduce having dirt traced through the house. 3) Pre-pack all unnecessary items and store them in a storage facility or in the garage. 4) Keep fresh-cut flowers in the kitchen to add some color and a fresh fragrance. 5) Don’t keep gifts, empty boxes or holiday wrapping out in the open during showings. While everybody is watching their money, you don’t want to appear excessive. 6) Don’t burn a fire in your fireplace, if it won’t be attended to consistently. While fires smell great, they are dangerous, especially while unattended. The same goes for burning candles. Use fresh flowers or air fresheners. 7) Keep all blinds open and lights on. A light, bright house sells. 8) Fresh paint is the best investment you can make in your home. Remember, keep it neutral and remove ALL wallpaper. Wallpaper is one of the biggest decorating faux pas you can make since most Buyers will want to remove it immediately, and they know how costly that can be as well as time consuming. 9) Play soft “easy listing” music during showings. Tune your radio to an easy-listening station and keep the volume low. 10) Fresh paint on the front door, and polished the hardware. You know what they say about first impressions 11) Be smart. Huge trash cans at the curb with empty boxes and holiday wrapping bulging out is both unsightly, and it draws unwanted attention to your property. Make sure the trash cans close. 12) Finally, Holiday cookies or a bowl of candies at Open Houses either in your entry, or in the kitchen, will go a long way. Buyers will remember your house. So there you are, and I hope some of these ideas will be useful to you. For more Selling tips, visit my website at www.DebbieSoden.com or give me a call at 805-300-0936. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Who's Gonna Buy Your House During The Holidays?

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 15:17:26 -0800

In Westlake Village Ca, many Sellers mistakenly think that the Holiday Season is the worst time of the year to sell a home. With busy schedules, time off for family gatherings, and fewer Buyers looking to purchase, there are a lot of things to consider. In reality the Holiday Season may be one of the best times to sell, and here are fourteen good reasons to showcase your home during this time of the year. There is less competition for Buyers, since many Sellers delay listing their homes until the Spring. 1. Winter prospects are generally more serious Buyers. 2. Buyers have more time to look at homes during the holidays, especially during vacations. It’s a great time to take dual-purpose trips to include both house hunting and family visits, without extra costs. 3. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay the Sellers price. 4. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a regular work week. 5. You may receive more money for your home now because you have less competition from other sellers. 6. You may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated prospects. 7. One of the highest percentages of the “listing sold” to “listing taken” occurs during this time of the year. 8. Your home looks better during the holidays. Even if you haven’t decorated your home, most people do clean up for visits from family and friends. 9. Throughout the holiday season, buyers will understand if you restrict showings during your personal family events. 10. January is traditionally the biggest transfer month, and you must have your home listed to capture that activity. 11. By selling now you can have a delayed closing or extended occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you want it. 12. When you sell during the winter you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when more homes are on the market. 13. Corporate transfers, who need to buy a home now, can’t wait until Spring to find a home. Many relocating employees start their new jobs in January. 14. Moving during the Holidays is so much easier on the children, since they’re in touch with new friends as soon as school starts in January instead of being alone during the summer months.

Westlake Village Ca - There are risks in purchasing a foreclosure property!

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:54:41 -0800

If a homeowner defaults on a mortgage, the lender can take possession of the property through a process called a foreclosure. The lender puts the property on the market for sale in order to recover as much as of the value of the loan as possible Lending institutions are not in the real estate business, making them a motivated seller; so generally, foreclosures sell for less than comparable properties. Often, foreclosures are sold at auction, where they are able to unload multiple properties at the same time. Prices are often lower to compensate buyers for some of the risks involved in purchasing a foreclosure property. RISKS INVOLVED IN PURCHASING A FORECLOSURE PROPERTY! As you can imagine, when someone is loosing their home, they have very little motivation to maintain the property. In fact, they may even damage the property. Most lenders are willing to do some repairs to their foreclosure properties, although some do not. And, in many cases, lenders don’t allow bidders to attend the foreclosure auction so there is no opportunity to inspect the property prior to bidding, so it’s hard to assess the condition of the property. There are legal risks involved in purchasing a foreclosure property. While the owner still has possession (occupancy), and before the lender has taken clear title to the property, the legal damages could be serious. You could be responsible for handling the eviction, or liable for back taxes on the property because they were never paid. Generally, foreclosures typically are distressed properties – they need work! If you are looking for “turn key” condition, this might not be for you. Generally, when you are only looking at foreclosure properties, you won’t have the luxury of being as selective about the location and characteristics of the property. For example, in the Conejo Valley Ca. less than 18% of the single family houses listed in October 2010 were foreclosures. That means that if you had set your sights set on exclusively foreclosures, you didn’t see 82% of the listed properties on the market, and your options were limited to only 18% of the inventory. You need to have a Realtor, who is also an experienced (SFR) Short Sale & Foreclosure Specialist, who will negotiate aggressively, and empower you relevant information to maximize your investment, and minimize your risks. If you are thinking about investing in a foreclosure property either for your own occupancy, or as an investment property you need to do your homework. Talk to your real estate tax adviser and a real estate attorney about your specific situation, and make sure that buying a foreclosure property is right for you. Need more information, just give me a call at 805-300-0936. I can Help!

Who's gonna' buy your house during the Holidays?

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 04:27:00 -0800

In Westlake Village Ca, many Sellers mistakenly think that the Holiday Season is the worst time of the year to sell a home. With busy schedules, time off for family gatherings, and fewer Buyers looking to purchase, there are a lot of things to consider. In reality the Holiday Season may be one of the best times to sell, and here are fourteen good reasons to showcase your home during this time of the year. There is less competition for Buyers, since many Sellers delay listing their homes until the Spring. Winter prospects are generally more serious Buyers. Buyers have more time to look at homes during the holidays, especially during vacations. It's a great time to take dual-purpose trips to include both house hunting and family visits, without extra costs. Buyers are more emotional during the Holidays, so they are more likely to pay the Sellers price. Buyers have more time to look for a home during the Holidays than they do during a regular work week. You may receive more money for your home now because you have less competition from other sellers. You may have fewer actual showings, but more qualified and motivated prospects. One of the highest percentages of the "listing sold" to "listing taken" occurs during this time of the year. Your home looks better during the holidays. Even if you haven't decorated your home, most people do clean up for visits from family and friends. Throughout the holiday season, buyers will understand if you restrict showings during your personal family events. January is traditionally the biggest transfer month, and you must have your home listed to capture that activity. By selling now you can have a delayed closing or extended occupancy until the beginning of the following year if you want it. When you sell during the winter you have an opportunity to buy during the spring, when more homes are on the market. Corporate transfers, who need to buy a home now, can't wait until Spring to find a home. Many relocating employees start their new jobs in January. Moving during the Holidays is so much easier on the children, since they're in touch with new friends as soon as school starts in January instead of being alone during the summer months.

40% Decline in Foreclosures on Single Family Homes throughout the Conejo Valley - October 2008 to October 2010

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 10:53:23 -0800

Great news! That a look at the attached graphic illustration of the dramatic decline in Foreclosures on single family houses under contract throughout the Conejo Valley Ca in October 2010 compared to October 2008, just two years ago. Conejo Valley consists of Westlake Village Ca, Thousand Oaks Ca, Newbury Park Ca and Agoura Ca. Interesting! Public perception is that the market is flooded with Bank Owned Foreclosures. Not true. In October of 2010, only 16.5% of all of the single family homes for sale in the Conejo Valley Ca were in Foreclosures. What that means to potential Buyers is that if they are only focusing exclusively on Foreclosures (16.5%), they are going to miss 83.5% of the properties on the market. Don't narrow your opportunities. Consider: Price, Location, Condition, Terms, Amenities, Conveniences, Safety and Lifestyle! If you need any information about Bank Owned Foreclosures, Short Sales and Conventional real estate transactions throughout the Conejo Valley Ca, please give me a call or send me an email.

Debbie Soden Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:53:45 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Debbie Soden Earns NAR Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Buyers and Sellers Benefit from REALTOR® Expertise in Distressed Sales Westlake Village, Ca. - Debbie Soden with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification. The National Association of REALTORS® offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows. According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new "traditional" transaction. REALTORS® who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. "As leading advocates for homeownership, REALTORS® believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale results," said 2009 NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. "Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it's extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a REALTOR® who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases." The certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help REALTORS® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves. To earn the SFR certification, REALTORSÒ are required to take core courses and Webinars. For more information about the SFR certification, visit www.REALTORSFR.org or call 1-877-510-7855. Working with a Realtor who is specifically trained in the current market procedures and policies for Short Sale and Foreclosure transactions is vital to the successful completion of any transaction. Debbie Soden has demonstrated her proficiency in the successful execution and completion of many of these transactions during the past four years. Debbie can be reached at 805-300-0936 or by e-mail at Debbie@DebbieSoden.com , or visit her websites at www.Thousand-Oaks-Properties.com and www.DebbieSoden.com . # # #

Up to $8,000 Home Buyer Tax Credit Extended for Military Personnel

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 15:45:56 -0700

Good news for service members! Military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. may qualify for a one-year extension on the tax credit, up to $8,000. The tax credit applies to homes purchased after November 6, 2009 for $800,000 or less. A binding sales contract for a principal residence in the U.S. must be signed on or before April 30, 2011 and close by June 30, 2011. For complete eligibility details, visit the IRS's section on Home Buyer Credits for Members of the Military at www.IRS.com The Conejo Valley and surrounding areas include Thousand Oaks Ca, Westlake Village Ca, Newbury Park Ca and Agoura Ca, and Oak Park. For information on Schools, Community Amenities etc., here are a few very informative sites http://www.conejochamber.org/ http://ci.thousand-oaks.ca.us/ http://www.wlv.org/

The New Thosand Oaks Ca Landlords Checklist

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:46:23 -0700

You have probably noticed that inexperienced investors and first time buyers are snapping up those low priced short sale and foreclosure properties throughout the communities of Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oak Park and Agoura, and then putting them back on the market for lease and/or lease to buy. While there are risks involved in being a Landlord, there are some simple steps that you don't want to miss. Things to consider: The Lease Agreement is the most important aspect of maintaining good tenants, who will treat your property with the care and respect, and pay that rent on time. Don't cheat yourself by using a "cookie cutter" template that you can buy at the drug store. And don't get a copy of your friends lease and copy it. Either work with a Realtor who can advise you, or review your agreement with an attorney who knows the local laws. The Lease Application will give you all of the information that you need to make an informed decision. You will want basic information from each person who will live in the property like address, drivers license, date of birth, employment info, social security number and other basic background facts so that you can do a credit and background check. Do they have pets, children, irregular work hour, or criminal background, are also fact that will help you to decide if you want to lease to this person. Your Leasing Criteria is as important as the applicant's qualifications. You need to determine exactly what your expectations will be. For example my criteria would be no smokers; no pets; no foreclosures; no bankruptcies; FICO score over 650; two good references; two years on the job and an employment personal referral. It's not perfect, but it is a place to start. Now, it's your responsibility to do your due diligence and make those calls to check the references and employment to make sure that it is accurate. Credit and Background Checks are a must. Don't wait until you are ready to select an applicant before you select your screening service. If you are working with a Realtor they can most likely refer you to a service, or provide the service in house. In any case, you want to make sure that it is a complete credit report and that it is current 30 days. Maintaining "Arms Length" Communications with your Tenant is going to make your life as a Landlord, easier and more manageable. You don't want to position yourself as the owner, but rather the Property Manager. Get a separate telephone number with an answer machine/ service You will also want to set up a separate email address You will want to have a dedicated Post Office Box to collect rents You want to allow your Tenant to feel as if they have some control, and that they can get your attention at any time. It will allow you to "manage" your response time and to respond with solutions to their concerns. Professional Council is a must. Don't wait until there is a problem or issue concerning taxes, your legal position or your legal options. Select a good CPA and Real Estate Attorney before you purchase your investment property to make sure that you don't make costly mistakes. Maintain those relationships because you will need to call on them for straight talk and good advice. Advertising and Marketingyour property through signs, flyers ,local newspaper ads or on-line ads, Craig's List, etc., the most important thing is to decide on your marketing strategy, and be ready to execute it as soon as the house is ready to go on the market. Buying an investment property has its risks, but it can have tremendous long term rewards. Put in place systems that will allow you to protect yourself, your privacy and the good maintain of your property at the inception of your investment.

Thosuand Oaks Ca Candidate Forum hosted by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 07:55:32 -0700

I Hope you can join me tonight , Tuesday, October 5th from 7-9:00pm, when the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce will be holding the "Thousand Oaks Candidate Forum" at the Los Robles Greens Banquet Center (229 South Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks). The best part is that it's free and open to the public. It's a great opportunity to see and hear what all of the Candidates have to say, and hopefully have some of my questions answered. Each candidate will be asked to respond to a series questions prepared by the Chamber. Each Candidate will have time for a two minute introduction and three minute closing statement. On November 2, 2010 elections will be held to elect three members of the City Council for the full term of four years as City Council for the City of Thousand Oaks. Council candidates are Michael Wurtzel, Dennis C. Gillette, Geoffrey Bride, Deborah B. Birenbaum, Claudia Bill-de la Pena, Ernest J. LeGault, Andy Fox, Todd Press, Brandon Millan, Billy Martin, Frank Akrey, Al Adam and Thomas Scott Adams. When you come, please look for me or any one of our Chamber Ambassadors, who are all wearing navy blue blazers. We'll be there to greet and assit you. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions about this forum, just call the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce at 805-370-0035.

Westlake Village Ca Farmer's Market - The Perfect Saturday Morning!

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 09:25:18 -0700

One of my favorite things to do on Saturday morning is to pick up my Starbuck's and visit my neighborhood Farmer's Markets. I love to stroll through isle after isle of fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, dried fruits, nuts and all kinds of hand made and home made things that I don't see anywhere else. The prices are great, the produce is fresh from the garden, and everything smells wonderful. Best of all, it's great knowing that I'm supporting our local farmers and small businesses. Looking for a local Farmers Market in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Oak Park or throughout the Ventura County? http://www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/farmers-markets-and-farm-fresh-produce-around-ventura-county.html

Join me at the "Taste Of Conejo" at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:25:37 -0700

I am looking forward to attending the Taste of Conejo on Tuesday, October 12th, from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village! Have you heard about this event yet? I hope you will consider joining me and more than 800 local residents and professionals at this exciting event to enjoy a true taste of what the Conejo Valley has to offer! Hosted by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, this event is uniquely designed to bring the local business community together to showcase exceptional food and wine tastings, music and entertainment, raffles and giveaways. The Chamber is featuring unbeatable all-inclusive prices to attend, especially if you pre-register by Friday, October 8th. With no additional costs required for tastings beyond your admission ticket, you will want to bring your appetite and your friends! (Complimentary self-parking included.) Whether you are new to the area, or a long time resident, this is a perfect opportunity to get a taste of the food, a taste of the wine, and a taste of the community. As a long time resident with four generations right here in our beautiful Valley, I guarantee this will be one of your most memorable evenings of the season. Look for me and other Chamber Ambassadors (we're the ones in the blue blazer jackets) and we will be happy to introduce you to some new friends! For more information, to see the more than 40 restaurants and other businesses participating, or to register online to attend, please visit http://www.conejochamber.org/Events-Calendar-Detail.aspx?eid=26.

Westlake Village Ca Real Estate - What is a Short Sale?

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:00:32 -0700

Say you need to sell your home, but the balance on your mortgage is greater than the amount that the home will sell for in today's marketplace. As an example: If your mortgage is $500,000, but your home is worth $450,000, you are $50,000 short. You will need to get find ready, willing and able buyer to make an offer on the property, and then get the lender to accept the offer. Before you do anything, I'd suggest that you contact an experienced Real Estate Lawyer, and Accountant to discuss your situation, review your finances and to be sure that you fully understand the pros and cons of Short Selling your home. Your Realtor is not qualified to give you advice regarding legal or tax issues, neither is your best friend, nor is your neighbor. You need professional advice. Here's the process: You hire a Realtor who Specializes in Short Sales to sell the property. Your Realtor lists the property and makes it known publicly that you can accept an offer on the property, but the Lender has final approval. If the lender agrees to the price, the house is sold. If the lender disagrees to the price, no sale. You will need to demonstrate to your Lender that you made every effort to advertise, market, and price the property to get the "highest and best" price in today's marketplace. You get an offer from a qualified Buyer, and you accept the offer. Your Realtor sends the offer to the Lender along with all of their required documentation. Your Lender reviews the offer and determines that they can accept the offer, (or not) If the offer is accepted, the transaction closes escrow and the new buyer receives title to the property. Of course, it's not that simple, but basically, that's how it goes. Everybody doesn't qualify for a Short Sale. You'll need to submit a letter to your Lender that explains that you are experiencing a "Hardship" that prohibits you from meeting their obligations. Hardships would include: Medical Emergency, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Loss of Employment, Relocation of Employment or Death. Your lender is going to ask you to provide tax returns, bank statements and financial reports to prove your financial situation. Once your Realtor has submitted the offer to the Lender, along with all of the required documentation, you need to be patient, because it could take some time before you get a response. If you are lucky, your Lender responds quickly and the sale goes through. If the Lender takes too long, your Buyer may buy something else or just change their mind. In which case, you need to get another offer from another ready, willing and able buyer and start again. In my opinion, the biggest mistakes that many Sellers make when they are selling a Short Sale property that they forget that if they don't make every effort to get the best price for their home, the bank may not approve it, and the next step could be foreclosure. GET THE HOUSE READY TO SELL! You need to box up your personal belongings, declutter closets and cabinets, remove unnecessary furniture, and manicure the grounds.. clean, clean, clean! You may not want to,or need to spend any money, but you do need to do everything in your power to get a bank approval for your Short Sale with the first offer. PRICE THE HOUSE TO SELL! Price it to high and it will just sit on the market and you won't get offers. Price it to low and Buyers will drive the price down because they will assume something is wrong with the property. Even though you won't participate in the proceeds from the sale, you want to price your home to sell at a price that your Lender will accept. If you have any questions about the short sale process or would like to know how much your home would sell for in today's marketplace, just give me a call at 805-3000936 or visit my website www.DebbieSoden.com

Thousand Oaks CA Real Estate and Homes for Sale - Conejo Valley Properties

Debbie Soden, Debbie Soden & Team (Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:13:18 -0800

Welcome to Thousand-Oaks-Properties.com the best real estate resource serving Southern California's Conejo Valley, San Fernando Valley and the surrounding areas. We are a full service real estate company who offers solutions for locating, purchasing and selling homes. The first step to reaching your real estate goal is to put Debbie Soden and her team to work for you.

Specializing in Thousand Oaks Real Estate, Westlake Village, and the Conejo Valley.

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