ventura county: New Appraisal Review Standards - This Will NOT Be The Demise of the Appraiser? - 11/03/11 05:14 AM
 

One of the best things that I have always loved about being a member here in AR is getting to see all the different viewpoints and perspectives of the various members as well as learn about how things are done in the different parts of the country.
Furthermore, we all know that real estate is local and not national even though many of the rules, regs and codes that Realtors and agents operate by are national.  Even industries other than real estate like mortgage lending as well as property appraising can be local even though we too operate under … (28 comments)

ventura county: "I'm the original owner and did everything myself!" - 11/02/11 05:35 AM
I really enjoy many of Russel's post.  As an experienced home inspector here in SoCA, he is really great about sharing his stories and experiences with us.  I really loved this one because if I were a practising Realtor/agent/inspector, I too would be highly suspect of any homeowner who "did all the work" themself. 
If the homeowner is not a licensed contractor, they that typically means that everything they touched was probably done incorrectly and not to code.
ATTENTION HOME BUYERS:  THIS IS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF WHY YOU NEED A HOME INSPECTION BEFORE YOU BUY ANY HOME!!!
Especially if it's an original … (6 comments)

ventura county: HALLOWEEN HAUNTS: Scariest Homes for Sale - 10/31/11 07:01 AM
 
I love lists!  Doesn’t really matter what they are or how trivial or irrelevant the info is, I just love reading about the criteria that was used to create the list.  I especially love lists that have photo galleries. 
So on this hallows eve, I’d like to present some examples of some of the scariest homes for sale here in America.  Some you may recognize because they are famous homes (from horror films) but others are scary simply because of history.



 
First up it the Amityville Horror house.  For anyone who has seen this movie … (11 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 103011 - 10/30/11 05:18 AM


Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them.

Why Is It So Hard to Cut "Bad" Clients Loose? And When Should We Do It? by Patricia Kennedy
Bracing for a low-ball offer by Cynthia Larsen
Are You Glad You Asked What My Buyers Thought? by … (34 comments)

ventura county: Funny Friday: Halloween Humor - 10/28/11 06:07 AM
Ran across this the other day and found it really funny (in kind of a sad a pathetic sort of way).  Hope you find it funny too on this Friday morning.  Have a great day everyone and a fantastic weekend too!



Photo courtesy of The Washington Post
(19 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week 102311 - 10/23/11 05:39 AM


Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them. 

Why do Underwriters feel the need to play GOD? by Ellie McIntire
Pre-Approvals Are Not Contracts . . . Why Spill the Buyers' Beans?!? by Carla Muss-Jacobs
One Data Entry Error Can Skew Neighborhood Market … (51 comments)

ventura county: Buyer's agents going the way of travel agents...I don't think so! - 10/22/11 06:05 AM
As an MLO here in Los Angeles & Ventura counties, I often ask my borrowers if they need a Realtor referral after I have pre-approved them for a loan.  While many will already have a Realtor referral from someone else, I cringe whenever I hear others say something like, "I'm just going to use listing agents to show me properties and that way I'll get a better deal".  AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
 
ATTENTION BUYERS:  THIS COULDN'T BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!!!
 
Whenver I hear stuff like this, I will immediately educate and inform my borrowers why thy NEED their own Realtor/agent.  However, I … (13 comments)

ventura county: Are There Still Loan Programs Where I Don't Have to Put Anything Down? - FAQ #13 - 10/19/11 04:41 AM
 
"I have great credit and can afford to pay more than $2,000 a month in rent but I just don't have any money to put down.  Can you help me?  Are there any loans where I don't have to put anything down?"

To answer the question, yes, there are loan programs that don't require any down payment.  This is a question that I have been asked so often over the years from prospective borrowers who contact me for more info on available loan programs. 
Young prospective buyers who have good jobs, great credit, high rent and little to no … (20 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 101611 - 10/16/11 05:14 AM
 
Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them.

Don't call me. I'll call you. by Marian Goetzinger
Double HUH??!! When Your Sphere Goes With "Another Agent".... by Jennifer Prestwich
Are We Moving Towards a Jetson's Style Home or Could We Be Going Back to the Basics? … (50 comments)

ventura county: Can I Still Get a Loan if I Don’t Have Perfect Credit? – FAQ #12 - 10/12/11 08:35 AM
 
This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions that a lot of consumers have about getting approved for a loan and ultimately the biggest reason why so many potential buyers remain on the fence about jumping off and doing what they need to do in order to buy a home.
 
I talk to people every week who want very much to quit renting and buy their own home but they are so afraid of taking that first step – contacting a lender to see what they qualify for!  They have heard from so many – their friends and family and … (13 comments)

ventura county: ATTENTION VENTURA COUNTY FIRST TIME BUYERS: Oxnard Home Now Available for Down Payment Assistance - 10/11/11 10:50 AM
 
Oxnard is one of the best beach communities in Ventura County.  Much of Oxnard is just minutes from some of the counties best beaches as well as the shopping and entertainment destinations of Channel Islands.


 








Right now, there are dozens of properties in Oxnard that are eligible for up to $30,000 in down payment assistance.  Many of these properties are not REO's or short sales but actual equity sales with really motivated sellers like this property. 
This wonderful 3bd/2ba OXNARD ESTATES home offers nearly 1,700 sq. ft. … (8 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 100911 - 10/09/11 05:22 AM

 

Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them.
Stepping on Local Toes - A Bad Idea by Dave Roberts
Technology IS "All That" but It is NOT Everything! by Susan Haughton   



These were excellent posts that had some really … (50 comments)

ventura county: 2011 REIGN OF TERROR HAUNTED HOUSE - Ventura County - 10/07/11 05:11 AM
 

 
This will be the 12th year of the Reign of Terror Haunted House and there have been some changes annually to keep guests on the edge of anticipation.  The Haunted House has gained national recognition and now serves as the gateway to all Reign of Terror attractions. The Asylum is a deranged psychiatric institution staffed with mad scientists, nurses and a variety of other highly qualified lunatics.  At Reign of Terror, we provide nothing but the best care for the criminally insane!  Check in if you dare! Something revolting happened in granny's house - the Blood Manor.  This … (0 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 100211 - 10/02/11 05:16 AM
 

Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainer for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on.

I'll Show You Mine. Will You Show Me Yours?  by Broker Bryant Tutas

This was an excellent post that had some really great comments, which is one of the best things I love about great posts.  With … (47 comments)

ventura county: ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE HOME BUYERS: Do Your Due Diligence BEFORE You Close Escrow!!! - Part 2 - 09/30/11 01:20 PM
 
 
In Part 1, I discussed one of the most challenging issues that many buyers have during the escrow transaction – the home inspection.  The home inspection is one of the forms of due diligence where buyers can discover if there are any major property condition issues that they need to be aware of before proceeding with transaction. 
I want to reference Permits? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Permits! by Jay Markanich again because Jay (a VA state home inspector) brings up a very important topic that buyers need to know about – unpermitted construction.  In Part 2, I … (13 comments)

ventura county: ATTENTION PROSPECTIVE HOME BUYERS: Do Your Due Diligence BEFORE You Close Escrow!!! - Part 1 - 09/29/11 07:21 AM
 
First and foremost, I feel compelled to state that this post is strictly my personal opinions based on my own professional experiences with my own borrowers here in Los Angeles & Ventura counties.  As an NMLS licensed Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) as well as a CA DRE licensed agent, it's important that anyone from outside of CA reading this understands that in their area or state, the rules, regulations and codes may differ from the ones here in Los Angeles & Ventura counties.
 
I’ve recently come across a few posts that got me to thinking of my own borrowers here in Los Angeles & Ventura counties and … (28 comments)

ventura county: LOCAL REPORT: Coastal Communities (Ventura County) - 09/28/11 08:57 AM

 
 
In my continuing effort to educate and inform consumers and prospective buyers here in Los Angeles & Ventura counties about our local market, I want to continue with the next series in my local reports: the Coastal Communities in northern Ventura County.
 
The Coastal Communities in northern Ventura County encompasses numerous cities (Channel Islands, El Rio, LaConchita, Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Point Mugo, Port Hueneme, Ventura).  This area is located along the Pacific Coast Hwy and north along the 33 freeway just south of the Los Padres Mountains.
 
Using the same price range … (5 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week! - 09/25/11 06:30 AM

 
Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them. 
 
How Bartending Made Me a Better Realtor by JP Faranda   No Really, An Offer Is Not Binding...Hello!!! by Nathan Tutas   
These were excellent posts that had some really great comments, which is one of the … (44 comments)

ventura county: FUNNY FRIDAY: Static Fur Baby - 09/23/11 06:05 AM
 
 
Every morning, I visit the Animal Rescue Site to click and give to the thousands of abandoned and rescued animals that the site helps. This morning, I came across a really funny video that I wanted to share with everyone.
 

 
 
I hope you all enjoyed that as much as I did.  Also, if you too would like to click and give to help rescued and abandoned animals you sign up here to receive your daily email reminder to click and give.  It only takes a few seconds a day to help save thousands of abandoned … (24 comments)

ventura county: I’M CALLING MY OWN SHOTS! Plus a Few Others that the AR Gods Missed this Week - 09/18/11 07:00 AM
 
 
  Well, this week there were so many really great posts here in the rain by some of my fave bloggers as well as some newbie bloggers that I’ve recently come across.  First and foremost, I just want to give a shout out to my fellow rainers for their gold star features that I was happy to "call the shot" on them. 
 
  Should a Seller disclose EVERYTHING? Not always! by Sally Dunbar.      Tempted By The Fruit Of Another by Cynthia Larsen.    
  These were excellent posts that had some really great comments, which is … (35 comments)

 
Donne Knudsen, CalState Realty Services (Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA)

Donne Knudsen

CalState Realty Services

Simi Valley, CA

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Los Angeles & Ventura Counties in CA

Mobile: (805) 206-9123



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