Welcome! Don and Leslie have been full time Realtors in Ventura County for over 30 years. It's been fun watching as "little" Victoria Avenue (and many other streets) have morphed into what they are today.

Just as our local communities have evolved, we've seriously considered for the past several years how we could someday "give back" and "finish well" - expressions that can mean a lot of things to different people.

As part of our research into opportunities for service, in early 2013 we contacted a Peace Corps recruiter who helped us start our journey. But our new path wasn't going to be as straight and easy as we thought! And so we began a transition into something completely different from the routines we've known for the past 30 years - and have begun a path that's leading into the exciting unknown. This will be our story!

July 17!! First time home buyer workshop in Ventura

A 2 hour, fast-paced, informative and fun workshop covering stuff you wanted to know and were afraid to ask! Call Leslie at 659-2000 for more details!

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July 19th!! “Speed dating” 9 REO’s (in 90 minutes) in Ventura

Come see 9 bank owned, foreclosure homes in Ventura in 90 minutes! Call Leslie at 659-2000 for more details!

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Report on home buyer workshop and REO caravan in N. Oxnard in June

On Thursday evening, June 26th, about 18 of us met for a meat and potatoes first time home buyer workshop! Those attending responded that it was really helpful and informative learning about the loan, knowing value and the purchase offer.

On Saturday morning, June 28th, there were 6 cars in the REO caravan of bank foreclosed homes in North Oxnard. We saw over 9 newer homes with great value in the $300k range, but Don was the task master at each home! We only had 5 minutes in each home and he’d call out, “Time to go people, everybody out – gotta move on!” And on to the next home we went!

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Senate bogs down on housing crisis bill

The Senate’s version of a bill to address multi-faced aspects of the housing crisis came to a halt late last week. The reason – Senator Ensign (R – Nevada) is attempting to add an unrelated energy bill to this legislation. However, after the July 4th weekend, they’re going to try again. Stay tuned!

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Buy a home – but only when ready.

Yesterday’s LA Times real estate section had a good Q&A question: As a first time home buyer, is this a good time to buy? Home values have plunged and home prices may fall further, so is this the best time to buy?

Columnist Liz Weston wrote some good thoughts. She said the best time to buy is when:

  1. You have a strong desire to be a homeowner.
  2. You are financially prepared and can afford the costs of a home, and
  3. You are ready to stay put for several years.

Read the rest of this article »

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Don's building a replica of a 1930s era biplane at Camarillo airport. Over the past several years, he's had numerous students help in building the plane. Track the Tiger Moth progress here!