Increasing Prices?

The median price of an existing single-family home in California increased 4.8 percent in May and sales decreased 25 percent compared with the same period a year ago, C.A.R. reported this week. "The decline in sales continues to be driven by both tighter underwriting standards since the start of the year and the adverse psychological impact of news regarding foreclosures and the subprime situation," said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. "In particular, the lower end of the market " which is the part of the market that is most affected by the subprime situation " has seen greater declines in sales and weaker prices than the higher end of the market. This will likely be a recurring theme in the coming months."

Search the MLS for Ventura County Real Estate at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

Identity Theft

Here are some helpful tips for making sure you protect yourself against identity theft!

• Be Careful With Your Mail. Although it seems most convenient to drop mail in your home mailbox, it is best to go ahead and take it to the post office to drop it in a safe place. Most homeowners don't consider that identity thieves might steal your personal information right out of your mailbox, especially bills being sent in for payment. These usually have a check attached, along with all your personal information!


• No Personal Information Over the Phone. This seems obvious, but many consumers will inadvertently give out personal information to a caller who identifies themselves as your financial institution or credit card company. Remember that they will never call you and ask for information. They will only ask if you call them!


• Don't Carry Your Social Security Card. There is rarely an occasion where you will need your social security card, yet many people carry theirs in plain sight in a wallet or purse. An identity theft can easily have a driver's license or other personal information ordered in your name is they have your SS card.


• Never Carry or Write Down Passwords. We have all begun to feel safe, and even complacent, about our financial information because they are now password protected. Writing down those passwords takes away that safety though. Only uses passwords that you can remember by memory, otherwise this takes away the point of the password. Don't use obvious passwords that a thief could figure out from reviewing your personal records.
• Lock Up Your Personal Affects. Whether you are at work or a gym don't trust that just because you seem friendly, familiar faces your personal information is safe. Unfortunately, many employees have had their entire wallet stolen from a co-worker while they were at lunch.
  

Hopefully you can make use of these tips to keep your personal information protected and your financial assets in place!

Search the MLS for Ventura County Real Estate at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org

Mobile home in family park on East End for sale

Hi all! I know of a mobile home for sale in Star Dust Mobile Estates off of Wells and Telegraph Roads in Ventura. It's a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, extra room off kitchen, lots of windows - but it's an older home. The asking price is currently $110,000. The people who are selling are despirate - they have sick parents out of town and they need to sell. Does anyone need a real nice older mobile home?

Lorraine

(805) 901-8805

What is Title Insurance?

A title policy protects a real estate owner or lender against any loss or damage they might experience because of liens, encumbrances, or defects in the title to a property, or the incorrectness of the related title search.
How does title insurance differ from casualty insurance? Casualty insurers (car, life, health, etc) assume risk for future events, collecting monthly or annual premiums. A title policy insures the past of the real property and the people who owned it, for a one-time premium pad at the close of escrow.
What does title insurance cover? Title insurance protects against claims from various defects such as another person claiming an ownership interest, improperly recorded, fraud, forgery, liens, encroachments, easements and other items that are specified in the actual policy.
Who needs it? Purchasers and lenders need title insurance to know the property they are involved with is insured against various possible title defects. Whether it's a sale, refinance, construction loan...the seller, buyer and lender all benefit.

Courtesy of: Lisa Anglin at Fidelity National Title

Search the MLS for Ventura County Real Estate at:
http://www.venturarealestate.org/

"The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned."

-Maya Angelou

Key to Getting Your Home Sold Fast!

The key to selling your home fast, and for the best price, is to attract as many buyers as possible. Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Price your home correctly. Homes that are priced correctly sell for the most money in the shortest amount of time. It's critical to thorougly research what a prospective buyer is willing to pay for a similar properties and price your home accordingly. If you make a mistake here, your home will be overpriced. Overpriced homes usually sell for less in the long run, or worse yet, they don't sell at all.


• Advertise on the internet. Times have changed. Most buyers don't have the time and patience to go through pages and pages of homes that don't fit their criteria. They want to sign on and go straight to homes that interest them. Make sure your home is as many places on the internet as possible. Lot's of pictures is a plus.


• Make your home emotional. Homebuyers purchase a home based on emotional appeal more than any other factor. Work with your agent to make needed changes. Small changes can help a homebuyer picture themselves enjoying your home. Make them feel good the minute they walk through the door!

Search the MLS for Ventura County Real Estate at:

www.VenturaRealEstate.org