CA 101 Real Estate Guide August 2020

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Real Estate & Home Care Guide VENTURA COUNTY • SEPTEMBER 2020

california 101

JAN. - FEB., 2020

REAL ESTATE GUIDE VENTURA

COUNTY

BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN BUILDING

Represented by Patty Waltcher – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty CA 101

Serving The Ojai Valley, Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Conejo and The Heritage Valley

Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

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ON THE COVER:

BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN BUILDING

205 S. Signal St. Contempo Hair Salon, OJAI, CA 93023

Offered at $1,295,000

The property is zoned mixed use, so it can serve as a business/retail location as well as a residence.

See page 10 for more information on this spectacular property.

Represented by Patty Waltcher – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Lic. 01176473 (805) 340-3774 pattywaltcher.com

California 101 Real Estate Guide

Welcome to the California 101 Real Estate Guide - Ventura County.

We offer a look at Ventura County with a keen eye of why this area is so desirable, and providing Realtors and Homeowner Services.

california101guide.com MAGAZINE INQUIRIES (833) 805-0101 Published by Blue Highways Productions CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dennis DeLano

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK September 2020

4 - Helpful Tips

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Mike Dawkins

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Sandi Diekhuis

MANAGING EDITOR Misty Hall

Here’s who will need your new address when moving

6 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points Fall lawn care tips

7 - Featured Local Realtors

Connecting buyers and sellers

10 - Featured Property

Fabulous and charmingly inviting

12 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

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©2020 All rights reserved

BLUE HIGHWAYS PRODUCTIONS LLC® 1129 Maricopa Hwy. #B-201 Ojai CA 93023

California 101 Real Estate Guide

Why homeowners should add more exterior light to their properties

15 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

Easy ways to clean up leaves

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Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Tips

CA 101

By Dominique Gray

Here's Who Will Need Your New Address When Moving Presented By Domonique Gray, Home Loan Specialist | 805-832-2950

When moving to a new home, you usually make sure to give the new address to friends and family, but it is easy to forget some of the other very important offices, agencies, and groups that need to be informed of your change. While making sure the U.S. Postal Service has your new address is the most important, the USPS will only ensure that mail is forwarded from an old to a new address for one year after you move (60 days for newspapers and periodicals). After that time, anything sent to the old address may have a hard time finding its way to you.

Public Offices and Government Agencies

Unless you are living off the grid, then your life is closely tied to the government whether you realize it or not. There are local municipal agencies, as well as state and federal offices, too. ____Post office ____Federal IRS and state revenue agency ____Social Security (SSA) ____Medicare Administration ____DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) ____Family Support/Child Protection Offices ____Department of Veteran Affairs ____Federal and State Pension Benefits offices ____Unemployment Insurance office ____County tax assessment office ____Voter Registration

Institutions, Organizations, and Clubs

From all the different medical care providers you (and your immediate family may have) to all the social clubs and memberships you maintain, it can seem almost daunting how many people need to know about your address change. ____Employers (past and present) ____Childrens' schools ____Daycare providers ____Attorney ____Medical clinic/doctors ____Optometrist ____Dentist ____Veterinarian ____Professional memberships ____Civic clubs/organizations ____Children's clubs/organizations ____Neighborhood association ____Health clubs ____Country club, social club ____Alumni groups ____Charity organizations ____Cost clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) ____Membership Clubs (AAA, AARP, ACLU, etc.)

Utilities and Services

The moment you know you are moving, you should notify your local utilities. Arrange a shutoff plan so this way you are not paying for services in an unoccupied home. ____Telephone (landline and cell) ____Television provider ____Internet provider ____Electrical utility ____Gas utility ____Water Department ____Water delivery/treatment service ____Garbage/recycling services ____Sewer utility

Financial

Residential Services

Changing your address should not get in the way of your banking. But, if you want to make sure you get your financial statements (if you still get paper statements). Then, you do need to make sure all your financial services have the correct address on file should anything come up.

The people who service your home should be given a heads up as much in advance if you plan to leave or move. This way, they can expect the change, plan for finding new clients to fill your spot, and know when their last payment will be coming from you. ____Pool maintenance service ____Lawn/garden service ____Housecleaner ____Pest control service ____Delivery services ____Home security service

____Banks ____All loan institutions ____Credit card companies ____Paypal ____Insurance agencies ____Retail credit accounts ____Pension plans and IRA/401k administrators ____Accountant/ Tax specialist ____Investment brokers/ advisors ____Credit reporting agencies

Periodicals and Online Delivery Merchants

In most cases, an online change of address form is all you need to fill to notify the online services of your new address switch. ____Newspapers ____Magazines ____Online merchants (Amazon, Wayfair, eBay)

(805) 832-2950 | NMLS# 900558 DGray@homebridge.com Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

The early that you start planning and making these changes, the more

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Domonique Gray Local Resident and Home Loan Expert 35 Years of Experience in the Mortgage Industry Immediate Past President Ventura Downtown Lions Club / City of Hope Chair Purchase: Conforming, FHA/VA and Jumbo Loans Refinances: Rate/Term and Cash-out Loans

(805) 832-2950 | NMLS# 900558 DGray@homebridge.com EXPERIENCED DESIGNER AND BUILDER OF QUALITY CUSTOM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS LICENSED AND INSURED GENERAL CONTRACTOR IN CALIFORNIA

DOING IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. CUSTOMER COMMUNICATION FROM THE BEGINNING TO END IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

805-640-0262

KERRY MILLER

P.O. Box 984 Ojai, CA 93024

kerrymillerdesigns.com

DESIGNER/BUILDER, INC.

CA LIC #958625

California 101 Real Estate Guide

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Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

CA 101

Fall Lawn Care Tips Spring and summer may be the seasons most often associated with landscaping and lawn care, but tending to lawns and gardens is a year-round job. If lawn and garden responsibilities dip considerably in winter, then fall is the last significant chance before the new year that homeowners will have to address the landscaping around their homes.

Fall lawn care differs from spring and summer lawn care, even if the warm temperatures of summer linger into autumn. Homeowners who want their lawns to thrive year-round can take advantage of the welcoming weather of fall to address any existing or potential issues.

Photo submitted

• Keep mowing, but adjust how you mow.

homeowners with green thumbs may end up with a lawn filled with bald spots come september. Autumn is a great time to repair these bald spots. Lawn repair mixes like scotts® patchmaster contain mulch, seed and fertilizer to repair bald spots, which can begin to recover in as little as seven days. Before applying such products, remove dead grass and loosen the top few inches of soil. Follow any additional manufacturer instructions as well.

It’s important that homeowners continue to mow their lawns so long as grass is growing. But as fall transitions into winter, lower the blades so the grass is cut shorter while remaining mindful that no blade of grass should ever be trimmed by more than one-third. Lowering the blades will allow more sunlight to reach the grass in the months ahead.

• Remove leaves as they fall.

Much like apple-picking and foliage, raking leaves is synonymous with fall. Some homeowners may wait to pick up a rake until all of the trees on their properties are bare. However, allowing fallen leaves to sit on the ground for extended periods of time can have an adverse effect on grass. Leaves left to sit on the lawn may ultimately suffocate the grass by forming an impenetrable wall that deprives the lawn of sunlight and oxygen. The result is dead grass and possibly even fungal disease. Leaves may not need to be raked every day, but homeowners should periodically rake and remove leaves from their grass, even if there are plenty left to fall still hanging on the trees.

• Aerate the turf.

Aerating reduces soil compacting, facilitating the delivery of fertilizer and water to a lawn’s roots. While many homeowners, and particularly those who take pride in tending to their own lawns, can successfully aerate their own turf, it’s best to first have soil tested so you know which amendments to add after the ground has been aerated.

Gardening centers and home improvement stores sell soil testing kits that measure the ph of soil, but homeowners who want to test for nutrients or heavy metals in their soil may need to send their samples to a lab for further testing.

Fall lawn care provides a great reason to spend some time in the yard before the arrival of winter

• Repair bald spots.

Summer exacts a toll on lawns in various ways, and even Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

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CALIFORNIA 101 Featured Local Realtors

CA 101

CONNECTING BUYERS AND SELLERS

Fred Evans (805) 339-3502 RE/MAX GOLD COAST REALTORS 5720 Ralston Street #100 Ventura, CA 93003 fredevans.com Lic. 00893591

Dennis Guernsey (805) 646-7288 LIV SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Avenue dguernsey@sbcglobal.net dennisguernsey.com Lic. 04992913

Clinton Haugan (805) 760-2092 LIV SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Ave., Ojai clintonhaugan@gmail.com sothebysrealtyca.com Lic. 02019604

Sharon MaHarry (805) 766-7889 KELLER WILLIAMS® Broker Associate 805Properties.com Lic. 01438966

Donna Sallen Realtor® (805) 798-0516 RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors donnasallen.com donna4remax@aol.com Lic. 01488460

Patty Waltcher (805) 340-3774 LIV SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Avenue pattywaltcher@mac.com pattywaltcher.com Lic. 01176473

Erik Wilde (805) 830-3254 LIV SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Avenue erikw@west.net wilde-wilde.com Lic. 01461074

Larry Wilde (805) 640-5734 LIV SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Avenue lwilde@west.net wilde-wilde.com Lic. 00521627

Christopher Williams (805) 798-1776 LIV SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Avenue chriswilliamshomes@gmail.com livsothebys.com Lic. 01950672

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Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

Wilde

Larry 805.640.5734

Erik 805.830.3254

Impeccable Rancho Matilija Estate | 3+ Acre of Park Setting | $2,950,000

SOLD

East End Ojai Craftsman | $1,800,000 1615McNellRoad.com

Downtown Ojai | 2000SF Village Mixed Use Adjacent to Farmer’s Markets | $950,000

Commercial Lot in Ojai $375,000

Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

Ojai Avenue Lot For Sale $325,000

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Modern Ranch in Downtown Ojai $7,900,000

IN ESCROW

East End | Spectacular Views “Rodney Walker” Pedigree | $2,950,000

Heart of Ojai | Impeccable Substantial Upgrades | $1,149,000

Downtown Ojai Church For Sale Approximately 4000 SF | $1,295,000

IN ESCROW

Los Arboles Condo | massive Upgrades adjacent to Libbey Park

2+ acre Oak Studded lot with water in Rancho Matilija | $549,000

727 W. Ojai Ave. - Ojai - CA 93023 - Larry - 805.640.5734 - Erik - 805.830.3254 wilde-wilde.com - lwilde@west.net - erikw@west.net California 101 Real Estate Guide

Larry Wilde DRE:#15216270 - Erik Wile DRT:#01461074

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Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

CALIFORNIA 101 Featured Property

CA 101

Beautiful Downtown Building 205 S. Signal St., OJAI, CA 93023 – Contempo Hair Salon

This beautiful downtown building is the location of Contempo Hair Salon, which has been in business for over 40 years. The property is zoned mixed use, so it can serve as a business/ retail location as well as a residence. With large windows, high ceilings and an open floor plan, the interior feels light, spacious and elegant. There is an existing kitchen, a separate spa room and a spacious half bath that could easily accommodate a shower. The exterior has beautiful landscaping with mature trees, a patio with a pergola, a covered porch and ample parking. It could be used as a turnkey salon with eight spacious stations or re-imagined as something entirely new. The building is extremely well-designed and well-built which would easily

Represented by Patty Waltcher – LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

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CALIFORNIA 101 Featured Property

CA 101

convert to many types of uses: a family residence, a mixed living/office space, an art studio or gallery, a retail space, a restaurant or a day spa. The possibilities are endless. It is located in a very quiet location across from Libbey Park one block from the Post Office and Arcade on the border of tree-filled residential area. Let your imagination run wild and create something magnificent in Ojai.

205SouthSignalStOjai.com

Offered at $1,295,000

(805) 340-3774 – pattywaltcher.com California 101 Real Estate Guide

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Lic. 01176473 Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

CA 101

Why Homeowners Should Add More Exterior Light To Their Properties

Photo submitted

Homeowners are increasingly realizing the benefits of improving the exteriors of their home, which can be just as valuable as improving the interior spaces. As individuals design picturesque garden beds and cultivate lavish lawns or revamp exteriors with architectural features, they probably want to spotlight these improvements. This is where exterior lighting can be put to great use.

Exterior illumination can cast a glow on various features, but there are many other reasons to increase lighting around the exterior of a home.

• Safety

Setting lights on timers also ensures that the home is illuminated whether residents are home or not.

Trips and falls can occur at night when trying to traverse walkways and landscapes in the dark, as it can be difficult to see rocks, stairs and uneven pavement.

Outdoor lighting can illuminate pathways, entryways and other areas for safer access for homeowners and their guests.

• Create drama Landscape lighting designers can establish focal points around the landscape and highlight the best features of a property. Uplighting in trees, silhouetting techniques to showcase plants and spotlights to show off architectural features are all options for homeowners to consider.

• Extend outdoor entertaining Ample lighting can increase the amount of time one can use outdoor spaces and make them the perfect gathering spot. As autumn arrives, days become shorter. However, patios, porches and more can get extended use with lighting.

• Safeguard security A well-lit home may be less likely to be targeted by burglars than one swathed in darkness and shadows.

Lights can remain on all evening or be motion-triggered.

Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

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• Add value The experts at Parker Homescape, a landscape design service, say that exterior lighting can add roughly 30 percent to the value of a home. They also indicate that 50 percent of all home buyers say that outdoor lighting is important when buying a home. If current residents are thinking about selling, now may be the time to invest in exterior lighting.

Improving a home’s exterior may be as simple as adding more lighting to improve functionality and beauty. california101guide.com

Hike a lot?

Clinton Haugan

Give a little!

If you hike in Ojai, you’ve probably hiked our trails.

OVLC has permanently protected 2,300 acres of open space and maintains 27 miles of trail for all to enjoy.

This is all done with donations from you—our community.

Only one realty brand holds the keys to your most exceptional home and life.

“I’ll work just as hard for you and your family, as I do for my own” 805.760.2092 | livsothebysrealtyca.com | DRE# 02019604

LEARN MORE AND JOIN US: OVLC.ORG

OJAI’S ARCHITECTURAL GEM. Classic MidCentury Modern home designed by Chalfant Head & Assoc. with studio, pool, spa, outdoor kitchen in the spectacular East End.

Sharon MaHarry | Broker Associate (805) 766-7889 805Properties.com California 101 Real Estate Guide

DRE # 01438966

Great Rates Award-Winning Service 13

Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

E Sulphur Mountain | Ojai

Offered for $1,195,000

Looking to get off the grid? 160 Acres in Upper Ojai awaits. This is it! Views from St Thomas Aquinas College to the ocean. Has two water wells - one shared, one private, electricity and phone available. There are two access roads: from Hwy 150 via Topa Vista Rd and from Sulphur Mountain Rd through electric gate by oil company. Several potential building sites.

Come explore this open space with must see views.

Dennis Guernsey

805.798.1998 DRE 04992913 dguernsey@livsothebysrealty.com © 2020 LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved. All data, including all measurements and calculations are obtained from various sources and has not and will not be verified by Broker. All information shall be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. LIV Sotheby’s International Realty is independently owned and operated and supports the principals of the Fair Housing Act.

Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

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CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

CA 101

Easy Ways To Clean Up Leaves

Photo submitted

Autumn is marked by colorful foliage and plummeting temperatures. Once those leaves reach peak color, they fall from the branches and collect on lawns, necessitating cleanup projects. For homeowners with big yards, such a project can be tiring and time-consuming. However, there are ways to make leaf cleanup easier.

One of the easiest ways to clean up leaves is to reach for a lawn mower rather than a rake. The mower will cut leaves down to smaller sizes, creating an effective mulch that can add nutrients back into the lawn. Davey, a lawn and landscape solutions service, says that mowed leaves also can be collected in a mower bag and added to garden beds or compost piles.

For those who prefer manual raking, select a rake with tines that will not skewer the leaves in the process. Big rakes also can make faster work of gathering leaves into piles.

The home improvement resource The Family Handyman advocates for the use of a lawn sweeper. This is a manual device that has a rotating sweeping brush that gathers up lawn debris and leaves into an attached

California 101 Real Estate Guide

hopper bag. Like mowed leaves, the bag can be emptied into a compost pile or distributed where needed.

Raking leaves onto a large tarp is another option. Once it’s full, the tarp can be taken to the curb where many towns will collect the leaves seasonally. Otherwise, the tarp can be used as a funnel to put leaves into a gardening bag or another appropriate receptacle.

Leaf blowers remain a fast option for cleaning up yards, but they require electricity or gas and can be noisy. Still, they are a popular choice for large landscapes or when quick work needs to be made of leaf clean-up.

Leaves will fall in autumn, but luckily homeowners have various methods at their disposal to tame the mess.

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Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

Donna Sallen lic.#01488460

3860 Grand Ave. Ojai, CA 93023

Fabulous and charmingly inviting, this two-story Victorian estate is nestled in the magical east end of Ojai. Surrounded by organic orchards and meticulous landscaping, this home is filled with Southern Charm. The wrap around porch looks out to the gardens, as the country kitchen and breakfast nook looks out to the pool and tennis court. Perfectly situated nearby are the spacious guesthouse, separate cottages, and a writer’s studio creating plenty of living space for friends and family.

This relaxing and inviting estate is truly elegant.

Offered at $3,620,000

“There’s no place like home – Let me find yours.”

RE / MAX Gold Coast Realtors® (805) 798-0516

Ventura County, CA – September, 2020

donnasallen.com · donna4remax@aol.com · 16

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