Camarillo Life & Real Estate

That's right, I don't have to sell every home in Ventura County.

Since the Federal Government's announcement of a raise in the conforming loan limits, home buyers in my area, Ventura County, seem to have come out of their shelter. Open houses are packed again with prospective home buyers and inquiries from interested home buyers in Ventura County are pouring in.  Whereas 8 months ago my open houses would have 1-2 groups of interested home buyers, recently I have been giving out 15-20 flyers per open house to the many viewers.

As I start talking to home buyers during my open houses, I have come to realize that a majority of home buyers prefer to preview homes without the pressure of a Realtor® or their own Realtor®. It is only after they have found a home they like that they call their Realtor® or a referred Realtor®.

When my open house is not to the liking of visitors, I ask them for a description of their dream home. As I listen we walk over to my laptop. In my head I already know which house would be perfect for this home buyer. I punch in their requirements into our local MLS and direct them to the house(s) which I believe meets their needs and requirements.

In cases where the prospective home buyer/viewer is working with another Realtor®, I suggest that they call their Realtor® and preview the house(s) with him/her. In some cases the other house(s) is also being held open, in which case I direct the home buyers to go and view the other open house(s).

The look of astonishment and appreciation on these home buyers' faces is priceless.

A few weeks ago I received a call from one of these home viewers. They informed me that they have been going to many open houses for the past 4 months and they really liked my sincerity and approach. They asked if I would be willing to become their Realtor®!!!!! WOW.

I am a Realtor® who loves helping people achieve their real estate dreams. I don't have to sell everyone in Ventura County a home, but as long as I know that I helped the ones that met me, then I have done my job as a human and as a Realtor®.

It never fails, you are away from your laptop or your desk when business calls start pouring in. Yesterday was such a day. After a day of hard work I was wrapping up my day by purchasing a few necessity items from our local Target when my cell phone started ringing non stop, one call after another and they were all business related calls. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining, but it was the last call I received that you all need to be aware of.

The number on my cell appeared as a 1-800 number. Strange!!!

Me: Hello, this is Mana.

 On the other end I hear a faint voice of a lady who sounded either deaf or had a speech impediment.

Her: Hi Mana. This is Kim.

Me: Kim?

Her: You don't remember me do you?

Me: I'm sorry. Kim?

Her: It's Kim. You showed me a house awhile ago.

Me: Okay.... I'm sorry, but I don't. Which house did I show you?

Her: Mana, it's me Kim.

Me: I'm sorry Kim. Could you refresh my memory? Which house did I show you?

Dead air.

Me: Kim? Kim? If you can hear me, I can't hear you.

 Finally I hung up. The whole conversation lasted over 5 minutes.

As a Realtor I was trying to be courteous to an individual who had re-contacted me, and as an individual I was trying to be polite to someone who sounded handicapped.

After I took care of my personal business in Target, I opened up my phone and pushed send to reconnect to "Kim".

Over the air waves I hear a soft music and a seductive voice of a young woman: "Are you lonely tonight? Are you ready to have some fun and.... time?"

I hung up and dialed Verizon Customer Service, *611, immediately.

According to Darrel at Verizon Customer Service, there have been a few reports of such activities. The victims, YOU and I, the owners of cell numbers that are dialed by such call services. The cost, you may ask? Whatever amount that calling company normally charges for such calls.

Our information is all over the internet. "Kim" knew exactly what I do for a living and probably the location of my listings.

It's scary how available and vulnerable we have made ourselves in the age of technology.

Be careful out there my friends.

If you wish to receive a daily update of all the real estate market activity in any area of Camarillo you may simply sign up for a daily report here.

Note: The SOLD PRICE in the reports below does not reflect the sold price of the homes listed. The report below shows the homes that are currently listed in Mission Oaks and the homes that have sold in the month of March.

Mission Oaks Single Family Homes:

Mission Oaks Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Mission Oaks Short Sale Report for Single Family Homes:

Mission Oaks Short Sale Report for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Mission Oaks Bank Owned Report for Single Family Homes:

Mission Oaks Bank Owned Reports for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Source: Ventura County Regional Data Share. 

Santa Rosa Valley is one of the most beautiful and desirable places to leave in Ventura County.

Since there are no attached homes or condominium units in Santa Rosa area of Camarillo, the real estate market report below only exhibit activities for single family homes for March of 2008.

If you wish to receive a daily update of all the real estate market activity in any area of Camarillo you may simply sign up for a daily report here.

Note: The SOLD PRICE in the reports below does not reflect the sold price of the homes listed. The report below shows the homes that are currently listed in Santa Rosa Valley and the homes that have sold in the month of March.

Santa Rosa Single Family Homes:

Santa Rosa Short Sale Report for Single Family Homes:

Santa Rosa Bank Owned Report for Single Family Homes:

None were Found.

Source: Ventura County Regional Data Share. 

The report below shows detailed Real Estate activity for Camarillo's Las Posas Estates area in the month of March, 2008. This report shows activities on single family homes and condominiums for sale by owners, short sale, and lenders (also referred to as bank owned or REO).

If you wish to receive a daily update of all the real estate market activity in any area of Camarillo you may simply sign up for a daily report here.

Note: The SOLD PRICE in the reports below does not reflect the sold price of the homes listed. The report below shows the homes that are currently listed in Las Posas Estates and the homes that have sold in the month of March.

Las Posas Estates Single Family Homes:

Las Posas Estates Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Las Posas Estates Short Sale Report for Single Family Homes:

Las Posas Estates Short Sale Report for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Las Posas Estates Bank Owned Report for Single Family Homes:

Las Posas Estates Bank Owned Reports for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

None were Found.

Source: Ventura County Regional Data Share.

The report below shows detailed Real Estate activity for the Camarillo Heights area in the month of March, 2008. This report shows activities on single family homes and condominiums for sale by owners, short sale, and lenders (also referred to as bank owned or REO).

If you wish to receive a daily update of all the real estate market activity in any area of Camarillo you may simply sign up for a daily report here.

Note: The SOLD PRICE in the reports below does not reflect the sold price of the homes listed. The report below shows the homes that are currently listed in Camarillo Heights and the houses that have sold in the month of March.

Camarillo Heights Single Family Homes:

Camarillo Heights Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Camarillo Heights Short Sale Report for Single Family Homes:

Camarillo Heights Short Sale Report for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Camarillo Heights Bank Owned Report for Single Family Homes:

Camarillo Heights Bank Owned Reports for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

None were  Found.

Source: Ventura County Regional Data Share. 

This month Camarillo's real estate market report has a different look. Instead of our monthly real estate report for the whole city, this month's report concentrates on each area of Camarillo and the real estate activity of single family homes and condominiums in each of these areas. In this report you'll also find activities on short sales and bank owned homes in the city of Camarillo.

If you wish to receive a daily update of all the real estate market activity in any area of Camarillo you may simply sign up for a daily report here.

Note: The SOLD PRICE in the reports below does not reflect the sold price of the homes listed. The report below shows the homes that are currently listed in Central Camarillo and the homes that have sold in the month of March.

Central Camarillo Single Family Homes:

Central Camarillo Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Central Camarillo Short Sale Report for Single Family Homes:

Central Camarillo Short Sale Report for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Central Camarillo Bank Owned Report for Single Family Homes:

Central Camarillo Bank Owned Reports for Attached Homes- Condominiums:

Source: Ventura County Regional Data Share

Local Happenings

April Events

Scandinavian Festival 

Dates: April 19-20

Day and Time: Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am-5:00pm.

Annual Scandinavian Festival with Scandinavian and Baltic dancers, musicians, arts and crafts, food booths and Tivoli Gardens. A colorful weekend of flags, anthems, traditional costumes and music, (and smorgasbord from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.)

Admission: Tickets $5 Adults. Teens from 6 to 18 - $3. Children 6 and under, free. (Please leave your pets at home)

Location: California Lutheran University, 60 West Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

For further information please call: (805) 493-3151.

108^thOjai Tennis Tournament

Dates: April 24 thru April 27, 2008.

Day and Time: Thursday-Sunday from 8:00am-5:00pm.

This special four day tennis tournament is the oldest amateur tournament in the USA held at the same location. More than 1,800 players compete in 34 divisions including the Big West and Pac 10 championships. For more information please visit: www.ojaitourney.org

Admission: At some Courts $8.

Location: Different locations in the City of Ojai.

For further information please call: (805) 646-7241.

Spring ArtWalk

Dates: April 26 2008.

Day and Time: Saturday from 3:00pm-9:00pm.

Twice a year, galleries, businesses and sidewalks come to life with art exhibits that highlight Ventura's unique visual and performing arts community. With over 80 participating sites and 150 or more artists at each event, the ArtWalk attracts up to 20,000 per event. Activities abound for children and adults, including art and architectural tours, children's murals, educational talks and an opportunity to meet local artists. Live music and performances at various locations in the Downtown Cultural District will have you dancing down the sidewalk while you're looking at art.

Location: Ventura's Downtown Cultural District.

For further information please call: (805) 658-4760.

Conejo Valley Days

Dates: April 30 thru May 4, 2008
Day and time: Wednesday & Thursday: 5:00pm-10:00pm. Friday: 5:00pm.-12pm. Saturday: 12:00pm-12:00am. Sunday: 12:00pm-10:00pm.

Admission: Adults (13+) $10. Youth (6-12) $5. Children under 6 are free.

Location: Conejo Creek Park South, 23 Freeway and Janss Road

For further information please call: (805) 371-8730.

Source: www.venturatoday.net

I have been their friend for over ten years, but now I was entering their home as their Realtor®.  As I explained the listing agreement to her parents, I could see her from the corner of my eyes.  She looked worried and frustrated.  The look on her face made it obvious that I was not welcome.

My suspicion was confirmed as I toured her house with her parents. In her room next to her door I saw it. "I don't want to move" was written on a dry-erase board for every eye to see.  We all stood there and looked at her innocent, yet bold statement. Her parents looked at each other, "We need to talk to her."

After all the papers were signed, the parents wanted to take the children to the house they had picked to now call home.  The older children were enthusiastic about the idea, but she just stood in one corner and looked at me with her big eyes that said, "How could you?"

All of a sudden I felt the hands of times push me back 8 years. It was a lovely spring evening in Camarillo and my family of six was sitting around our dinner table finishing up our supper. My husband looks at me and gives me the confirming head nod. I turn to the kids and announce that Dad and I have decided to buy the house we all looked at and liked so much the other day. Our 12 year old drops his fork and looks up. The tears start coming down his beautiful face. "But I don't want to move. I love this house. This is our home. You guys never asked us if we wanted to move."

Now here I am standing in someone else's home, looking at a face of a 10 year old who feels that I am the source of her moving, her pain.

I showed the whole family the house they had in mind. All the children were running from room to room and claiming their area. The pool was a big advantage and a hit.  I walked up to her and asked her gently, "so which room did you choose?" She took my hand and took me into "her" room. We started using our imagination. We picked paints and decorated "her" room and by the time her parents caught up to us we were putting together our finishing touches. She ran up to her parents, hugged them, and said: "I like this house".

Last week I held their home open and as I was walking through the house to turn on lights, I noticed the note on her board gone!!

Changes, especially for children, are hard. A Realtor® or anyone you hire who will have a direct impact on your children's life needs to be a person who is sensitive to all of you and your family's needs.

Best of luck in your next move.

Currently there are 485 Homes and condos for sale in Camarillo. This number was at 481 in February and in the month before that, January, it was at 460. From all these Homes for sale in Camarillo, 45 were sold in February, a huge increase from last month. The number of homes pending in Camarillo changed dramatically, from 7 homes pending in January to 44 homes pending in February. This positive change indicates that Home Buyers in Camarillo are recognizing the extent and the importance of the current Real Estate Market in Camarillo.

Below you will find a more detailed real estate market break down for the month of February based on different neighborhoods in Camarillo.

Real Estate Market Activity for Camarillo Heights Area:

Real Estate Market Activity for Central Camarillo Area:

Real Estate Market Activity for Mission Oaks Area:

Real Estate Market Activity for Las Posas Estates Area:

Real Estate Market Activity for Santa Rosa valley Area:

Real Estate Market Activity for Somis Area:

Source: Ventura County Regional Data Share.