Warning Signs To Watch For When Buying Your Home!

by Blake Mashburn | Jul 22, 2019 | News

The old adage “Beauty is only skin deep” should always be in the back of your mind when you Buy! You may think that you found your dream home, but there is always a chance that you

could be blinded by decor and design features that are masking hidden issues. Be a smart consumer and learn what warning signs to look out for as you begin your home search

in Ventura! Looking for these warning signs from the very start will help insure that the

home you fall in love with is truly as wonderful as it seems.

Electrical Issues – Avoid fire hazards by checking for exposed wires, hot outlets, burn markings, and other indications of faulty electrical systems.

Plumbing Issues – No one wants to deal with water issues in a new home so check for leaks, drainage problems, poor water pressure, and stains.

Mold Issues – Mold poses a health risk to you and your family. Use your nose to check for a musty smell and look for peeling paint or rotted wood.

Workmanship Issues – If it is clear that the home has had repairs or renovations completed, check to see the workmanship done. Although it might look nice, cheap materials or mishandling of items could cause you to have to pay to repair the repairs.

Pest Issues – A new homeowner does not want any unwelcome guests. Check for damaged wood that could indicate carpenter ants or termites. Also, look for any openings that could allow easy access for mice and other small critters.

Foundation Issues – Make sure the structure of the home is strong. Foundation issues can mean incredibly costly repairs in the future. Look for crooked floors and doorways within the home. As you walk outside, check for cracks in the driveway and walls and be on the lookout for trees planted close to the home that could have large roots growing near the foundation. While you can’t climb up on the roof to make sure you won’t be surprised by any future leaks, you can check for signs that the roof is damaged. Look to see how wear and tear has been dealt with. You want to see if there are any damaged and missing shingles.

Roof Issues – Avoid raindrops falling on your head by checking the roof. Look for damage signs such as missing or mismatched shingles.

Blake Mashburn is here to help you discover your dream home in Ventura! Give us a call today or visit our website at https://blakemashburn.com/ to get started!

Still Time To Enjoy The 25th Annual Ventura Music Festival!

by Blake Mashburn | Jul 18, 2019 | News

It is your last chance to delight your ears at the 25th annual VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL!!! Spend this weekend in Ventura listening to some of the most incredible live music you have ever heard! There is a fantastic performer to see every day! This is one of the cultural events of the year that you do not want to miss!

Performance Schedule

Thursday, July 18th

• INCENDIO | High Octane Latin Guitar
• Time – 5:30 pm
• Location – Mission Park (185 East Santa Clara Street, Ventura)
• FREE Public Concert

Friday, July 19th  

• JOEY ALEXANDER TRIO | Jazz
• Time – 8:00 pm
• Location – Ventura College Performing Arts Center (4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura)

Saturday, July 20th

• RANKY TANKY | Gullah Culture
• Time – 8:00 pm
• Location – Ventura College Performing Arts Center (4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura)

Sunday, July 21st 

• RASTRELLI CELLO QUARTET | From Brahms To The Beatles
• Time – 3:00 pm
• Location – Ventura College Performing Arts Center (4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura)

Purchase tickets to each of these performances HERE!

Follow Blake Mashburn on Facebook and visit our Website for information on more incredible Ventura County events throughout the year!

Image Credit: Ventura Music Festival

Giddy On Up To Ventura’s Surf Rodeo!

by Blake Mashburn | Jul 11, 2019 | News

Yeehaw!!! It’s time for the 12th annual Surf Rodeo & Surf Music Festival!!! This favorite summertime community event is returning to beautiful Pierpont Beach on Saturday, June 13th, and Sunday, June 14th, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm daily. Do not miss out on any of the fun!

Spend the weekend dancing away to the 30 bands. Ride the waves or watch the Surf Contest. Show off your skills in the “Wimbledon” of Cornhole Tournaments. Check out exciting Rodeo Competitions like barrel racing and greased pig paddle races! Dine on delicious food from your favorite local vendors and cool down with an ice cold beer from the Beer/Wine Gardens. Swing by the Street Fair to find unique items from around 70+ vendors. Take a turn on the mechanical bull, try the beach activities, swing by the Kids Corral….and so much more! Find the full schedule HERE!! This festival is fun for all ages!

Live Music Lineup

Ticket Information
Day Pass: $40 per person
Weekend Pass: $55 per person
Children 10 and under are FREE!

Purchase tickets in advance HERE to avoid the lines! Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.

The Surf Rodeo & Surf Music Festival is just one of the incredible community events taking place throughout the year Ventura! These fantastic events are just one of the many reasons why Ventura is such an incredible place to live! Search Ventura Homes For Sale to join in on all the fun! Give Blake Mashburn a call at (805) 856-9350 and visit his Website to find your dream home today!

Image Credit: Surf Rodeo & Surf Music Festival 

Celebrate Independence Day In Ventura!!

by Blake Mashburn | Jul 2, 2019 | News

Independence Day is almost here! It is time to show off our patriotic pride and celebrate everything we love about our great nation! Luckily for all of us, there is no better place to spend the 4^th of July than in beautiful Ventura! Fill your Thursday with family fun and holiday spirit at these incredible community events!

PUSHEM PULLEM PARADE & 4TH OF JULY STREET FAIR

Head on down to beautiful downtown Ventura for the 44^th annual street fair! This year’s theme is “We have liftoff!” to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo space program. This FREE street fair has so much for the whole family to enjoy! Start your day with your little ones by participating in the Pushem Pullem Parade. Help your child decorate their bicycle or little read wagon, get dressed up, and meet at Cemetery Park at 9:00 am to strut your stuff down Main Street. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun and all participants will receive a commemorative button (while supplies last).

Then from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, stroll down Main Street (between Chestnut Street & Mission Park) to find incredible handmade arts and crafts created by the 200+ participating vendors. Dine on delicious food from your favorite local businesses and organizations. Swing by the Kids Zone for fun inflatables and to check out a Ventura Fire Department fire engine. Dance the day away to incredible live music. And, so much more!

   Live Entertainment Schedule

California Street

10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Colette Lovejoy Band

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Bring Me the Hits

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Rhythm 805

Oak Street

11:00 am – 11:30 am | Barranca Vista Dancers

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Channel Aire Chorus

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Rubicon Theater

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Got Rhythm

Palm Street

10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Johnny & The Love Handles

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Jukebox Rockers

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Vendo 81

Mission Park

11:00 am – 3:00 pm | Leif Engeswick

2019 VENTURA FIREWORKS & FAMILY PICNIC

Celebrate our nation’s independence at this 25^th annual community event. Come on down to the Ventura College Athletic Fields (4667 Telegraph Road) at 5:00 pm for an evening filled with patriotic fun. Enjoy delicious food, fantastic live music by Soul Infusion, fun games and children’s activities, and so much more. Bring a blanket to find the perfect spot for the fireworks display at 9:00 pm. Tickets bought at the gate cost $8 per adult, $6 per child (ages 4 to 12 years). Children 3 and under are free! All proceeds from this great 4^th of July tradition support charitable organizations within our own community.

ELECTRIC BOAT PARADE & FIREWORKS BY THE SEA

Head on down to Channel Islands Harbor for some seaside patriotic fun all day long. Find the perfect spot along Harbor Boulevard (between Albacore Way & Cabezone Circle) to watch the 4^th of July Children’s Parade at 10:30 am. After the parade, head to Marine Emporium Landing for some family fun activities from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm. There will be a great crafters market, delicious food booths, a rock-climbing wall, inflatable fun zone, and so much more.

Do not miss the 4^th annual Electric Boat Parade at 4:30 pm. This spectacular event features 50 patriotic-themed electric boats in the harbor. Finish the day’s celebration with one of Ventura county’s most beautiful fireworks displays over the water at 9:00 pm.

Blake Mashburn wishes everyone in Ventura County a Happy & Safe 4^th of July!! Check out our Website and follow us on Facebook for more fantastic community events throughout the year!

Image Credits: City of Ventura and Channel Islands Harbor

A Handy Guide To Moving!

by Blake Mashburn | Jun 20, 2019 | News

You Bought a new home in Ventura! Congrats! Before you can begin life in your new home though, you need to pack up the life you had in your old one! Packing and moving is always stressful and unpredictable. But, planning ahead of time can truly help eliminate some of the anxiety during the process! Make your move more manageable by using our Moving Day Cheat Sheet!

A FEW WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE

1. The best movers are going to book up fast so allow yourself plenty of time to schedule a mover. Find the best ones by asking friends and looking at online reviews.
2. Unless you prefer to handle the clean up yourself, schedule a cleaning service to come to your current home the day after you move out.
3. Transfer all utilities or schedule the disconnect of utilities (if moving to a different city). Schedule the installation of your cable and internet for the day after you are scheduled to move into your new home so it is ready to go.
4. Get rid of items that you truly do not need. Hold a garage sale or post items online. Do donation runs with unwanted clothing, toys, and furniture.
5. Stock up on boxes, tapes, bubble wrap, and all other packing essentials. Ask friends for boxes and swing by local stores that might be looking to get some off of their hands for free.
6. Start packing non-essential items, such as books or winter clothing. Spread out the packing over the weeks leading up to your move date so you are not overwhelmed at the end.

THE DAY BEFORE YOU MOVE

1. Label all boxes and furniture with the room in the new home that they should be placed into.
2. Go shopping for nutritious, easy to eat snacks and bottled water for yourself and your movers.
3. Get some cash out of your bank account so you have money to tip the movers tomorrow.
4. Bring your pet over to a friend or family member the night before you move to reduce stress for your furry friend and keep them out of the way during moving day.
5. Put together an overnight bag that has those necessities you will need the first night in your new home. This will keep you from having to rummage through boxes to find toiletries, medicine, and clothing.

THE DAY OF THE MOVE

1. Wake up with plenty of time before the movers arrive in order to make final preparations.
2. Take important documents, jewelry, and other small valuables and place them in your car. You should transfer these items yourself to ensure their safety.
3. Discard of or pack up final items, such as food or toiletries.
4. Give your home a thorough walk through at the end to make sure that you get everything out of drawers, cabinets, and any else it could be hiding.
5. Watch the movers as they work to make sure they handle your items with care.
6. Go through your new home before the movers arrive to label rooms that might not be obvious what they are, such as bedrooms. This will help the movers place your labeled boxes in the correct rooms.
7. Take a moment to breathe when the movers leave and get some much deserved rest before you tackle unpacking!

Find your dream home today! Search Ventura Homes For Sale! Give Blake Mashburn a call at (805) 856-9350 and visit his Website to get started!