California 101 Real Estate Guide February 2021

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Real Estate & Home Care Guide VENTURA COUNTY • FEBRUARY 2021

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JAN. - FEB., 2020

REAL ESTATE GUIDE VENTURA

COUNTY

UPTOWN COMES TO DOWNTOWN!

Represented by Sharon MaHarry / Stacy Cadenasso – Keller Williams Luxury International CA 101

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

Ventura County, CA – February 2021

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ON THE COVER: Uptown Comes to Downtown!

201 Bald St. Ojai, 93023

Offered at $1,299,999

• 3 Bedrooms • 3.5 Bathrooms • 2,174 Square Feet See page 10 for more information on this spectacular property.

Represented by: Sharon MaHarry DRE#01438966/ Stacy Cadenasso DRE#01761197 Keller Williams Luxury International

California 101 Real Estate Guide

(805) 766-7889 805Properties.com

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 (805) 340-1057 advertising@ca101guide.com Published by Blue Highways Productions CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dennis DeLano ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Mike Dawkins MANAGING EDITOR Misty Hall

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS WEEK February 2021

6 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

Which renovations are worth an investment?

7 - Featured Local Realtors

Connecting buyers and sellers

10 - Featured Property

Uptown Comes to Downtown!

12 - Helpful Tips

Transform bathrooms with technology

14 - Helpful Tips

How to employ staging to impress buyers

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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.

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A Taste of Ojai

Vintage Ojai For Sale – 1010 W Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 Travel back in time at this 1913 landmark on 1.72 acres with 2100 sq. ft. main house, detached garage, and beautifully restored guest house. Keep as a residence or opt for business/professional zoning. Stroll to Topa Mountain Winery, Ojai Rotary Park, and the Ojai Valley Inn. A rare opportunity with tons of potential!

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CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

CA 101

Which renovations are worth an investment?

The cost of remodeling a home is easier to stomach when homeowners can expect to recoup a sizable percentage of the costs of the renovation. While basing renovations on their potential impact on resale value may be unwise, return on investment is something homeowners must consider when mulling renovation projects.

Many homeowners wonder which renovations will resonate most strongly with potential buyers when a home is put up for sale. According to Remodeling magazine, homeowners are less likely to recoup their investment in a major kitchen or bathroom remodel than they would with basic home maintenance, such as new siding. That’s because buyers are most interested in how the bones of the house — or those elements that keep the house protected and can be costly to fix — were maintained.

Each year Remodeling magazine issues its “Cost vs. Value Report,” which highlights the projects that offer the most return on investment. In 2016, the No. 1 project was the installation of fiberglass attic insulation, which could produce 116.9 percent recouped cost and a resale value of $1,482.

Rounding out the top five were manufactured stone veneer for the exterior, a standard new garage door, a steel entry door, and an upscale garage door.

Projects with the least return on investment tended to be more expensive undertakings that offered returns of roughly 57 percent. Such projects included bathroom additions, upscale bathroom additions, upscale master suite additions, upscale bathroom remodels, and deck additions.

For those considering more expensive renovations, keep these figures in mind, courtesy of Forbes.

• A major remodel of a 200-square-foot kitchen can cost around $113,000, with homeowners recouping 60 percent.

Ventura County, CA – February 2021

• Replacing 1,250-square feet of siding with new fiber siding can cost $13,000, but homeowners can expect to recoup 80 percent of Photo submitted

that cost at resale.

• Replacing 10 existing double-hung windows with vinyl low-e glass windows is valued at $14,000, and the return can be between 68 and 73 percent.

There are even renovations that seem like good ideas but can actually hurt the resale value of a home. MSN Money lists these projects as money-wasters for those who want to sell soon.

• Lavish lighting fixtures can look dated in a few years when trends change.

• Wallpaper or textured walls can be notoriously hard to change, and buyers know that.

• Kitschy renovations, such as 1950s diner tiles, may appeal to only a select number of people. Neutral renovations are better if resale is the goal.

• Many real estate experts warn against converting a bedroom into anything other than a bedroom — even for the purposes of a home office. Such conversions can immediately devalue the property. The same can be said about combining two small bedrooms into one larger space.

Homeowners should investigate potential renovations before committing the time and money to something that may offer little value at resale.

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CALIFORNIA 101 Featured Local Realtors

CA 101

CONNECTING BUYERS AND SELLERS

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

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

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

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

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

Nora Davis (805) 207-6177 LIV SOTHEBYS INTERNATIONAL REALTY 727 West Ojai Avenue nora@ojaivalleyestates.com ojaivalleyestates.com Lic. 01046067

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

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

Stacy Cadenasso (805) 217-2676 KELLER WILLIAMS® Luxury Homes International Broker Associate Stacy@805properties.com 805Properties.com Lic. 01761197

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For your breath of fresh air Your home is more than a building or an addres. It’s where you experience life, family, connection, growth. Your home should be as exceptional as you are, and as you are going to be.

Only LIV Sotheby’s Internaional Realty offers a lifestyle inspired by your potential.

livsothebysrealtyca.com | Ojai, California | Property ID: J36H77 727 W Ojai Avenue, Ojai • 805.646.7288 Cal DRE 01904034

Ventura County, CA – February 2021

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4424 THACHER ROAD, OJAI

906 FOOTHILL ROAD, OJAI

10 Beds • 11.5 Baths • 6 Acres • $14,000,000

5 Beds • 5 Baths • 3,550 SF • $7,250,000

2871 MARICOPA HIGHWAY, OJAI

11089 ENCINO DRIVE, OAK VIEW

4 Beds • 3 Baths • 4,353 SF • $5,900,000

4 Beds • 4.5 Baths • 4,273 SF • $3,100,000

1119 N SIGNAL STREET, OJAI

1489 FOOTHILL ROAD, OJAI

4 Beds • 3 Baths • 3,911 SF • $2,295,000

5 Beds • 4 Baths • 4,254 SF • $2,150,000

LIV Sothebys International Realty | 727 W. Ojai Avenue Ojai, CA 93023 © 2020 LIV Sotheby’s International Realty. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. LIV Sotheby’s International Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. 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.

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Ventura County, CA – February 2021

CALIFORNIA 101 Featured Property

CA 101

Uptown Comes to Downtown!

201 Bald St Ojai, 93023

This luxurious 2-BR/2-1/2BA Spanish home with guest house has all you need to live the best Ojai village life. A short walk takes you to restaurants, shops and Libbey Park, but you may want to just stay home, light the living room fireplace, and enjoy the gourmet kitchen with custom alder wood cabinetry and chiseled granite countertops. You’ll love the easy maintenance saltillo tile floors and dramatic 10-foot beamed ceilings. Invite guests to party in the spacious covered patio area with built-in BBQ and stone fireplace that’s wired for entertainment. Each upscale bedroom features its own bath and there’s a powder room for guests. Behind the main house, the 1BR/1BA guest house sits above the

Represented Sharon MaHarry DRE#01438966/ Stacy Cadenasso DRE#01761197 Ventura County, CA – February 2021

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CALIFORNIA 101 Featured Property

CA 101

attached triple garage, offering privacy and breathtaking views of the mountains. Live in one, rent the other or rent both for a wise investment. Don’t miss this rare opportunity!

Offered at $1,299,999

Keller Williams Luxury International – (805) 766-7889 – 805properties.com California 101 Real Estate Guide

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Ventura County, CA – February 2021

CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

CA 101

Transform bathrooms with technology Technology is infiltrating every room of the house. Many new home buyers are millennials, and this tech-savvy demographic covets technological innovations.

Photo submitted

• Smarter weight management:

A recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate indicates 77 percent of Generation X and Y home buyers want their homes equipped with the tech capabilities they have grown accustomed to. Many of these involve smart innovations, including those that can transform one of the most private rooms in the house — the bathroom.

Automated home theater rooms and Wi-Fi-enabled home security systems have become the norm, but what tech improvements are available to make the powder room more in touch with today’s digital lifestyle? According to the home improvement resource The Spruce, bathrooms have the most potential of any rooms to be improved with technology. The following are just some of the bathroom gadgets and gizmos no one should resist before giving a try.

Bathroom scales have gone high-tech as well, with various options enabling users to measure weight, BMI and body fat percentage before sending the data wirelessly to a phone, tablet or computer. This can put you in greater control of fitness goals.

• High-tech toilets: Borrowing ideas from bidets and trends around the world, modern toilets do not require hands or paper. These toilets have temperature-controlled water, spritzing wands and air dryers to clean and sanitize. Self-cleaning toilets help busy professionals save time and are ideal for those who always want their bowls as clean as possible. And if you desire extra comfort, toilet seat warmers are available, while LED lights can make nighttime restroom visits easier.

• Automatic faucets:

• Soaking tubs:

Infrared sensors have been helping keep public restrooms more hygienic for years. The same technology can be used in home bathrooms to curtail water waste and keep faucets and sinks from becoming infested with germs. In addition, faucets with built-in timers can be programmed to set tasks for brushing teeth or washing your face.

As fast as stand-alone showers were introduced to the modern bathroom, tubless designs have been replaced with streamlined soaking tubs. Tubs come with different features, including chromatherapy, which employs colored lights to enhance mood. Air baths are controlled electronically and provide different levels of sensation for those who are skipping the hot tub.

• Musical shower: Instead of having to blast the volume on the portable speaker you use in the bathroom, a wireless speaker is built into some showerheads. This enables those who like to sing in the shower or listen to podcasts while washing up to enjoy this luxury effortlessly.

Ventura County, CA – February 2021

Round out these innovations with automated lights, chilled medicine cabinets and aromatherapy, and your bathroom will indeed become a technological spa.

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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 $2,995,000

520 Buckboard Ln, OJAI, CA 93023

Sitting on over three acres in the prestigious Persimmon Hill area of downtown Ojai. This five bedroom, three and a half bathroom sprawling ranch style home showcases open beamed vaulted ceilings, a stunning great room with a massive brick fireplace, formal dining room, hardwood floors and a large master suite. The french doors and large windows bring a perfect mix of indoor/outdoor living and stunning mountain views to every window. This slice of Country living offers a prime location all within walking distance to Libby Park, shops, restaurants, and the Ojai Bike/Hike Trail. Horses welcome.

Offered at $2,950,000

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

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

California 101 Real Estate Guide

donnasallen.com · donna4remax@aol.com · 13

Ventura County, CA – February 2021

CALIFORNIA 101 - Helpful Selling and Buying Points

CA 101

How to employ staging to impress buyers Homeowners must consider a variety of factors when putting their homes on the market. One of the more important things to remember is the benefits of making a strong first impression on prospective buyers. That’s why many homeowners rely on staging when selling their homes.

Staging requires more than just clearing out clutter or baking a batch of cookies to create a welcoming aroma. Staging helps potential buyers visualize the potential of a home and see themselves owning and living in the property.

While homeowners can effectively stage their own homes, sometimes it is well worth the investment to call in a professional designer or stager. Stagers often work their magic on vacant properties or those that have been sitting on the market awhile. A stager conducts careful research into the market of a particular area and learns about the neighborhood before deciding how to appeal to likely buyers. For example, when staging a coastal home, a stager may go with nautical themes and create the impression of a relaxing and laid-back property for entertaining by the beach.

Certain rules should be followed when staging a home. Furniture, decor and other amenities in the home should not detract from the house itself. Instead, such items should complement the architecture and feel of the space. Here are some additional staging suggestions.

• Remove personal effects. Homeowners are urged to replace personal photographs with neutral artwork and remove other

decorative items that reflect their personalities. As an example, an avid outdoorsman probably will want to remove hunting trophies. The goal is to help buyers see themselves in the home, and that can be difficult if existing residents’ personal effects are everywhere.

• Put away nonessential items. Staging helps homeowners create dream spaces. Coffeemakers, backpacks hanging on the wall and dishes in the drainboard may be part of daily living, but they can make it hard for buyers to see a home’s potential. Store such items before holding an open house.

• Maximize lighting. Whenever possible, take down or open window treatments to display architectural moldings and let in as much natural light as possible.

• Opt for neutral colors and furnishings. Use neutral taupe and gray paint to keep homes prime for buyers. Homeowners who have more eclectic or colorful tastes can put their items in storage and rent neutral furnishings until the home sells.

Staging can improve the chances that a house sells quickly.

Staging helps potential buyers see themselves in the space without distractions from the previous owners’ decorating or belongings.

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2020 Remodel on 17 acres with gated entry, lighted tennis court, approximately 15 acres of avocado orchards, multiple outdoor living areas, outdoor kitchen, 3,000-square-foot shop, two fireplaces, multi-room master suite, amazing views, and much more. $5,900,000

Rancho Tranquilo is located on 5+ acres in Upper Ojai with five bedrooms, flex rooms, two fireplaces, pool, tennis court, caretaker’s quarters, horse facilities, solar, RV garage, views and more. www.12605HighwindsRoad.com $3,375,000

Country living close to town with four bedrooms, two offices, gated entry, arena, covered corrals, turnout area, on-grid solar, separate workshop, oversized garage, and mountain views. $1,595,000

Nora Davis (805) 207-6177 CA BRE#01046067

2016 Realtor® of the year!

ojaivalleyestates.com

California 101 Real Estate Guide

We Know Ojai. We’re Lifelong Residents.

The Davis Group nora@ojaivalleyestates.com LIV Sotheby’s International Realty 15

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Patty Waltcher 25 ye a r s o f e x p e r i e n ce m a tc h i n g

p e o p l e a n d p ro p e r t y i n t h e O j a i Va l l e y

E A S T E N D S PAC I O U S N E S S

On 40 acres, this magnificent East End estate has panoramic views of the Ojai Valley. The main structure features a great room with vaulted ceilings, a huge family room and a large eat-in farmhouse kitchen. The property includes a sauna, a wine room, a 75 ft infinity pool, a 4-car garage, a guest suite, an EV charging station, horse corrals, solar and a well.

Beautifully landscaped and built with green materials, this is a truly unique property 2661LaderaRdOjai.com Price Upon Request

I will help you discover the home that brings peace to your mind and heart ( 8 0 5 ) 3 4 0 -3 7 7 4 ~ pattyw al tch er.com Ventura County, CA – February 2021

Lic. 01176473 16

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