The rising costs of basic living expenses has everyone looking to save a buck wherever they can. When it comes to selling your home, you can save money by staging it yourself, repairing some things yourself before you list, or doing some landscaping projects on your own. But for the actual selling process, hire a pro to handle the work.Why DIY is Not the Best Way to Go When Selling Your HomeSellers pay the agent commissions in a real estate transaction. Typically, that costs about 6% of the sale price. For a $750,000 Ventura home, that ends up costing the seller $45,000. This fee gets split between the buyer's agent's brokerage and the seller's.What a REALTOR® Does for YouA REALTOR® conducts every open house and private showing for you. They manage calls from buyers and buyers' represen... 01/16/2023

We hope everyone had a great time celebrating the holidays. We certainly did. Our gray skies seem rather appropriate for this time of year. Why? Well, they match the gray whales migrating through our Pacific Ocean waters right now. In fact, if you want to see these majestic creatures up close, schedule yourself on a winter whale watching cruise at Ventura Harbor.What: Winter Whale WatchingWhere: Ventura HarborWhen: Now through April 15, 2023Cost: $29 to $42Contact: Island Packers Cruises (805) 642-1393Winter Whale Watching CruisesAccording to the Oceanic Society, gray whales migrate from Baja, California northward between January and March. Oftentimes, you see calves alongside their mamas on these trips. In fact, just yesterday (January 2nd), on the Island Packers most recent trip, gues... 01/03/2023

If you plan on financing your Ventura County home purchase, you have a few different choices to make in regards to financing. Conventional? FHA? VA (for the veterans and current military)? Then, there's fixed-rate mortgage vs adjustable. Each one offers its own set of pros and cons. So, how do you decide between the two?Mortgages: Fixed-Rate vs Adjustable-RateFixed-Rate Mortgage (FRM)Fixed-rate mortgage loans (FRM) does exactly what it says. It offers one set interest rate for the life of the loan. However, your property taxes and homeowner's insurance premiums may change. Therefore, your total monthly payment could change from year-to-year. However, your principal and interest payments remains the same. When interest rates hit their lowest point over the past few years, buyers wanted t... 12/19/2022

The holidays are a magical time of year. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Ventura Can-Tree Food Drive last weekend, too. This can be felt particularly in the decorations we see around town and in our homes. Living next to the ocean, Ventura residents enjoy extending that luminescence onto our waterways. Fortunately, residents and visitors get to choose between two different Ventura Parade of Lights events over the next couple of weekends.Ventura Parade of Lights 2022Channel Islands Harbor Parade of LightsFirst up? The Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights. Beginning at 10 am on Saturday, December 10th, organizers prove that it does indeed snow in Southern California. Come play and shop among falling snow at the north end of Harbor View Park (next to Marine Emporium Landin... 12/05/2022

In just three days, many of us will be sitting down to a sumptuous meal with our loved ones. And in just five weeks from now, we celebrate Christmas. That usually entails another huge meal with our friends and family. Unfortunately, the holidays can be a hard time for people without the means or family to celebrate. This year, it might hit folks even harder. But you can help alleviate some of that holiday stress by donating to the Ventura Can-Tree Food Drive.What: Ventura Can-Tree Food Drive 2022Where: Figueroa Plaza (in front of the Mission, Downtown VenturaWhen: December 1st through 4thContact: Food Share of Ventura County (805) 983-7100 or via emailVentura Can-Tree Food Drive 2022Help fill Food Share's pantry with a can-tree. What is that? Exactly what it sounds like...a Christmas tr... 11/21/2022

Our local pumpkin patches stand empty. Halloween is over. Thanksgiving takes place in just over two weeks. Many stores decided to go back to closing their doors on Thanksgiving to allow their employees the chance to celebrate with their families. That means a mad rush for great deals on Black Friday. However, please keep the "little guys" in mind, too. Instead of spending all of your Christmas money at those big box stores, show our mom-and-pop shops some love. Plan on attending Small Business Saturday Ventura and supporting our local entrepreneurs.Small Business Saturday Ventura 2022Over a dozen small shops operate in Ventura Harbor Village. All of them offer wonderful locally-crafted items that offer a one-of-a-kind gift for those special people in your life. Find some home decor piec... 11/08/2022

Halloween falls on a Monday this year. But several areas around Ventura County offer fun things to do before the big day. In addition to the various pumpkin patches and corn mazes, you might want to participate in some of these Ventura Harbor Halloween events scheduled for the weekend before Halloween. It's a great chance to show off your costumes for at least one extra day this year. Isn't that enough to stop by?Ventura Harbor Halloween Events 2022Seaside Skeleton HuntFrom 11 am to 1 pm on October 29th and 30th, organizers invite you to help them locate a dozen or so skeletons that got loose and are hiding around the Ventura Harbor Village. When you find them, take a selfie with them and post it to social media. Make sure you use #SeasideSkeletons in the description and tag @VenturaHar... 10/17/2022

We are still experiencing a seller's market here in Ventura. Low inventory means that buyers sometimes find themselves fighting with other buyers over a Ventura home they love. That is where an escalation clause could come in handy. What is it and how will it help you? Read on to find out.The Escalation Clause and the Ventura Home BuyerWhat is an Escalation Clause?Basically, an escalation clause states that you promise to increase your offer by a certain amount if another buyer puts in an offer higher than yours. This keeps your bid the highest. Sellers like that. Your offer states an exact amount you want to pay for the property. But it includes a clause stating that you promise to go a specific amount over the highest offer ($5000 for example) up to a certain limit. That may not guara... 09/19/2022

There must be something about the ocean air. It seems to inspire the best in artists of all mediums. If you love art, then you might want to make the Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival 2022 your destination of choice this weekend.What: Ventura Art and Street Painting Festival 2022Where: Ventura Harbor VillageWhen: Sept 10th & 11th, 10 am to 5 pmAdmission: FREEContact: Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival EmailVentura Art and Street Painting Festival 2022Dozens of local artists display their inspired works for you to peruse. Their masterpieces will be on display between Andrea's and Brophy Bros. If you find something you like, show the artist some love. Purchase it and take it home with you. Then, watch as artists use the street as their canvas right in front of you. You are goin... 09/06/2022

Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever we do, our favorites involve getting outdoors and mixing up our landscaping features. Whether it's as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your Ventura home a fresh look as well. Plus, if you want to sell your home, this gets you ready to make a great first impression on buyers. Staging a home helps it sell anywhere from three to 30 times faster than unstaged ones. That includes outdoor "staging". Part of outdoor staging includes your landscaping. Here are our top five easy DIY landscaping projects that even a novice can accomplish by themselves.Easy DIY Landscaping ProjectsCreate a PathwayTo guide you and visitors through your yard and link diffe... 08/15/2022

You’ve found your dream Ventura County home. Now it’s time to cross all your T's and dot all your I's before it’s all your own. One of the first items on your closing checklist is the home appraisal. This also happens to be one of the fees buyers pay that you might not have been aware of before now. So, what exactly is that? What happens during it? What does the lender do with after they receive it?Your Guide to a Ventura County Home AppraisalWhat is It?The home appraisal essentially provides a value assessment of the home and property. A certified third party conducts the appraisal. Your mortgage provider hires them. Lenders use this report to determine whether the home is priced appropriately. If it comes in too low, they may choose to deny the buyer a loan.What Happens During an Appr... 07/18/2022

When purchasing a new Ventura County home, you must do in-depth research on all facets of the homebuying process. You need to understand how to best protect yourself and your investment if anything were to go wrong. Check out the information on homeowners insurance versus home warranty below to educate yourself on your options.The Difference Between Homeowners Insurance and a Home WarrantyHomeowners InsuranceHomeowners insurance pays for any accidental damages and loss that are caused by fire, lightning strikes, windstorms, and hail. This includes damage from wildfires, which is important for California homeowners who face threats from wildfires every year. However, damage from earthquakes and floods is typically not covered. It also covers the replacement of personal property in case o... 07/05/2022

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned veteran, the negotiation part of the transaction can be a little daunting and stressful. However, negotiating is necessary to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal for your money. So, what should you negotiate when buying a Ventura house? Well, we're glad you asked.What to Negotiate When Buying a Ventura HouseClosing CostsIn addition to other "hidden fees" when buying a Ventura house, you need to thing about closing costs. Your closing costs are determined by a variety of factors. According to Harbor View Funding, Ventura home buyers pay between 1% and 3% of the purchase price. For a $750,000 home, that means paying anywhere from $7500 to $22,500. And that in addition to your down payment. Ask the seller to cover some or ... 06/20/2022

You’ve most likely heard this rule: "save for a 20% down payment before you buy a home". The logic behind saving 20% is solid. It shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal (like buying a Ventura home). It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders. But there can actually be financial benefits to putting down a smaller down payment—as low as 3%—rather than parting with so much cash up front, even if you have the money available. How do you decide whether the smaller down payment strategy is the right decision for you or not?Which Down Payment Strategy is Right for You?The DownsideThe downsides of a small down payment are pretty well known. You’ll have to pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) for years. The lower your down payment, the mor... 06/06/2022

Hunting for a new Ventura County home online is a great place to start your search. In fact, the National Association of REALTORS® found that 90% of home buyers used their computers at some point during the home buying process to look at properties for sale. But this should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, However, you need to keep in mind that there may be more than meets the eye. To make the most of your time and efforts and gather a well-rounded picture when house hunting online, keep the following three things in mind.Top Tips for Ventura House Hunting OnlineStay Up to DateWhen you start your search, make sure you find a site that pulls up-to-date listings directly from the multiple listing service (MLS) whe... 05/17/2022

Staging your Ventura home is all about putting its best foot forward for potential buyers. By highlighting its most desirable features, you can draw more interest to your home and leave a lasting impression that is sure to help you sell it more quickly. Here are some staging strategies you should keep in mind as you prepare for your next open house or viewing!Staging Strategies for Your Ventura County HomeHelp Them Visualize it as Their OwnMake it easier for buyers to imagine themselves making your house their home by removing personal memorabilia, knick-knacks, and photos. Instead, replace them with simple décors, such as paintings, nature images, and plants.Think Sleek Instead of ComfyToday's home buyers are leaning toward modern, crisp, clean interiors over comfy, homey looks. When s... 05/02/2022

Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don't forget there will be costs associated with your purchase other than the price of the Ventura home. Here are five hidden fees to keep in mind as you begin to budget.Hidden Fees to Be Aware of When Purchasing a Ventura HomeHome InspectionThis is a crucial step in the home buying process. The findings that come from the inspection can help you negotiate price and repairs. Generally, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500 depending on the home and the location. Manta reports that Ventura home buyers pay between $237 and $535 for a home inspection, depending on the size and location of the property.Title ServicesTitle services encompass the transfer of the ti... 04/18/2022

Easter Sunday takes place on April 17th. But the Easter Bunny plans on making a visit to a few locations around our area to hide eggs beforehand. The fun begins this weekend in Ventura's Plaza Park and ends the day before Easter Sunday in Camarillo. Read on to find out more about this year's Ventura County Easter egg hunts.Ventura County Easter Egg Hunts 2022Camarillo Easter Egg HuntStarting this Friday (April 8th), the search for 24 Easter eggs begins at the Camarillo Community Center. Between the 8th and 16th, make your way around the center to look for 16 giant eggs and eight "challenge" eggs. First, download your bingo card to keep track of every egg you find. Find all the eggs in one row of the card to receive a goody bag. If you find all of the eggs to fill out the entire card, yo... 04/04/2022

According to wedding blog Maroo, California couples pay an average of $39,000 for their wedding. If buying a Ventura home falls next on your list, you need to save up even more money. For an $800,000 home, that means saving anywhere from $24,000 to $160,000 for your down payment alone. Tack on another 3% to 6% of the sale price for closing costs. That may feel a bit overwhelming. Keep these home buying tips in mind before you start looking for your newlywed pad for a smooth, successful transaction.Home Buying Tips for Newlywed Couples in VenturaWhat's the Score?Most lenders look for a credit score of at least 620 from their borrowers. This is the bottom line for a reasonable rate. However, scores of 740 or higher grant you access to the best terms and interest rates. So, you and your si... 03/21/2022

Mermaid Month is back at Ventura Harbor Village. For most folks, March conjures up images of either basketball (Hello, March Madness) or St. Patrick's Day (the parade takes place on March 16th). But for Ventura Harbor Village, March means mermaids! And that includes plenty of mermaid-themed fun all around the village all month long.Mermaid Month 2022Mermaid Meet & GreetLast year, COVID put the kibosh on the Mermaid Meet and Greet. But this year, it's back! From 1 pm to 5 pm this Sunday, March 13th, and the following Sunday (the 20th), come meet our lovely mermaids live and in person. To show your friends that mermaids are real, take a photo with them.Mermaid Chalk ArtOn March 13th, visit with the mermaids and then go see a live chalk demo by local artist Lysa Ashley. She also plans on s... 03/07/2022