Community Spotlight: Oxnard

Check out this video of highlights from the 

beautiful city of Oxnard, California!

To contact a Ventura County Realtor visit www.prucalhomes.com. We can provide community information or help you buy, sell, or rent in Oxnard and the surrounding areas.

Oxnard Real Estate, Oxnard Homes For Sale, Oxnard Real Estate Agent, Oxnard Rentals

Prudential California Realty Is Getting Social!

Prudential California Realty agents have access to some of the finest technology tools available on the market today. Prudential’s broker/owner Bob Majorino says that it is now more important than ever to have an online presence.

“People trust the recommendations of their friends and family, and referrals are the primary source of business for many of our sales professionals. There is a huge opportunity for us to begin engaging with our customers and their online networks through the use of social media,” said Majorino.

According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 35 percent of buyers start their home search online.  Prudential already has a strong presence on top 3 real estate consumer websites Trulia, Zillow, and Realtor.com.

The new push towards social media includes the addition of a new consumer facing blog, offering general home maintenance and real estate tips, and company accounts with Facebook and LinkedIn.  Each page can be directly accessed through the company's website www.prucalhomes.com or through the company’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/prucalhomes

Prudential is also using the SEO power of You- Tube, the world’s second largest search engine. A custom virtual tour video is created for every Prudential California Realty listing and placed on the company’s channel at youtube.com/prucalhomes.

Prudential has recently taken advantage of the hottest new social media trend, Pinterest, which has a primary demographic of women under 40 and is one of the fastest growing websites in history. We are using Pinterest to connect with users about the latest home décor, landscaping, and remodeling trends, while showcasing our luxury properties providing massive online exposure for our agents and their listings at Pinterest.com/prucalhomes

To learn more about Prudential California Realty's digital home marketing system or to contact a Ventura County Realtor, please visit www.prucalhomes.com

Quick and Easy Holiday Decorating Tips

In Southern California, we are lucky enough to have mild weather all year round.  Sometimes, it's hard to feel like "the holidays" when we have sunny 80 degree weather.  Check out these great tips to quickly transform your home into a cozy holiday haven:

Cranberry Vase Filler
You should be able to find packages of cranberries under $5.00 at your local farmer's market, or major grocery store during the fall and winter months.  Clear glass vases in assorted sizes and floating candles can usually be found at a dollar store, or craft store.  Simply fill the vases about 1/3 of the way with fresh cranberries (you can also add some red food coloring for a more festive look), add water to about an inch below the top, and top off with a floating candle.

Natural Leaf Place Card
Set your fall or Thanksgiving table using the beauty of natural fall color.  Find leaves in your yard or at your local park.  Use a silver Sharpie or gel pen to add your guest names or a special message.

Ribbon Stemware Charms
Entertaining on a budget?  If you are hosting a holiday gathering, try using colored ribbon rather than wine charms to add some colorful flair to your stemware.  

Suspended Ornament Chandelier
Create a holiday chandelier for your table, or just hang throughout the house to complete your festive look.  Simply tie a strand of ribbon (size will vary based on ceiling height) to the top of your ornament.  Gather about 5-10 strands of different lengths and tie together with a bow at the top - just hang and enjoy!

Seasonal Photo Frames
This favorite decorating idea can be used all year long.  Take any frame that you have in your home, and print out a color message that matches the season.  Change out the photos all year long!


For more tips on preparing your home for sale during the holiday season, contact one of our highly trained Prudential California Realty Sales Professionals at www.prucalhomes.com.  We are your Ventura County Real Estate Experts.

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Like us on Facebook! Facebook.com/Prucalhomes

Community Spotlight: Thousand Oaks

Check out this great video showcasing the beautiful city of Thousand Oaks.  

Prudential California Realty dominates the Conejo Valley, maintaining the highest average sales price, and highest overall sales volume.

Your local Prudential Real Estate office is located at 2860 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.  For other office locations, please visit www.prucalhomes.com

The California Real Estate Market Is On Fire! 2012 CAR Survey Results

Favorable home prices and record-low interest rates combined with high demand and a severe shortage of available housing have created a highly competitive housing market in California, with nearly six in ten home sales receiving multiple offers, according to the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ (C.A.R.) “2012 Annual Housing Market Survey.”
57% of home sales received multiple offers in 2012, the highest in at least the past 12 years, with each home receiving an average of 4.2 offers, up from 3.5 offers in 2011.  Lower priced homes – typically real estate-owned (REO) or short sales – attracted more multiple offers than equity sales.  Seven of 10 REO sales and short sales received multiple offers, while only half of equity sales received more than one offer.
“Well-qualified buyers are recognizing the once-in-a-generation opportunity to purchase a home in California and are jumping into the market,” said C.A.R. President LeFrancis Arnold.  “However, the fierce market conditions have forced many buyers to compete with all-cash offers and investors, setting off multiple offers and bidding wars, making it even more difficult for first-time buyers to become homeowners.”
The competitive housing environment led to more properties being sold at or above the list price, with 41 percent of homes selling without a markdown from the asking price, the highest since 2005 and up from a long-run average of 32 percent.  Additionally, homes sold faster in 2012, with equity sales selling in 32 days compared with 67 days in 2011.  REOs took 30 days to sell compared with 50 days in 2011, and short sales took 90 days compared with 141 days in 2011, reflecting the still-difficult process.
Other key findings from C.A.R.’s “2012 Annual Housing Market Survey” include:
• Nearly one-third (30 percent) of all home buyers paid with all cash in 2012, more than triple what it was in 2001, when nearly 9 percent of buyers paid all cash.
• Demand for investment properties and second homes remained strong in 2012.  Sixteen percent of sales were to investors, and 7 percent were to buyers who purchased a second or vacation home.  The remaining 77 percent purchased the home as a primary residence.
• International buyers made up 5.8 percent of sales in 2012, relatively unchanged from 5.7 percent in 2011.  Buyers from China, Canada, India, and Mexico made up the vast majority of international buyers at 39.1 percent, 13 percent, 8.7 percent, and 8.7 percent, respectively. 
• While still below the long-run average of 39 percent, the share of first-time buyers rose from 34.2 percent in 2011 to 35.8 percent in 2012, thanks to improved housing affordability resulting from low interest rates and affordable home prices.
• First-time buyers were attracted to distressed properties because of their lower price point.  Forty percent of all first-time buyers bought either an REO or short sale in 2012, down from 44.3 in 2011.  The decrease was primarily due to a shortage of inventory of distressed properties.
• Reflecting tighter lending standards, very few home buyers have a second mortgage.  The share of home sales with a second mortgage has fallen dramatically from a high of 43.4 percent in 2006 to 1.8 percent in 2012. 

If you want to take advantage of today's great market and are interested in buying or selling a home with a top real estate company in Ventura County, please visit www.prucalhomes.com or call 888-352-1652.