by Blake Mashburn | Jun 17, 2019 | News
Pricing your home can be one of the trickiest aspects of selling. Not sure what your Ventura is worth? A good place to start is with comparable sales. Comparable sales (known shorthand as comps) refer to homes that are similar to yours. Looking at similar homes within your neighborhood that have recently sold will help give you a good estimate of your home’s estimated value. Check out these helpful tips to price your own home based on comparable sales!
Close By: Find homes that are as close to you as possible. But, just because they are close, doesn’t mean that you can always price them the same. Find homes in your subdivision, neighborhood, school districts, and similar streets for the best comparisons.
Style Similarities: Look for those homes that match yours in architectural style, construction material, square footage, design features, amounts of bedrooms and bathrooms, and acreage.
Upgrades and amenities: If you have upgraded your Ventura home or if it is filled with amenities, search for homes that have the same upgrades and amenities.
Recently Sold: Since housing prices invariably change over time, it is important that you find homes that sold recently sold. Never use a comparable sale that is over 90 days old since its value no longer reflects the current market.
Insider Knowledge: No one has more insider knowledge of comparable homes and neighborhoods than an Experienced Real Estate Agent. Your realtor will be able to accurately assess the differences between your home and others on the market, will have more details on comparable homes throughout Ventura, and are experts when it comes to pricing homes to sell.
Find out what your Ventura home is worth to start pricing to sell! Follow us on Facebook for other home selling tips and tricks! Search for the perfect home in Ventura!
by Blake Mashburn | Jun 13, 2019 | News
The spectacular weather year-round in the Ventura area allows home owners to utilize outdoor areas as additional living space for their families! Turn you outdoor living spaces into beautiful, cozy retreats that you and your family can enjoy this summer and throughout the year. Whether your home has a porch, patio, loggia, terrace, or backyard, you can create a beautiful space by following these decorating tips!
Decide what you want to utilize the space for. Do you want an additional sitting area for your family gather? Or, maybe you want to be able to host dinner parties during the cooler fall nights? You can turn outdoor areas into a living room complete with fireplace, television, and couches or a dining room with a long table and ample seating. The possibilities for your Ventura home are truly endless!
Get comfortable furniture. Your family will inevitability be spending a lot of time in this outdoor space. The furniture outdoors should be just as comfortable as that inside your house. Consider getting functional cozy pieces, such as porter’s chairs, chaise lounges, sectional sofas, daybeds, etc. All of these are available for outdoor use. Choose furniture with dark wood or metal frames to fit no matter the time of year. Choose cushions in neutral colors that can easily transition from season to season
Add some ambiance. Lighting and heating add instant coziness to any space. Consider what source of lighting you want to use in the space so that it is functional well into the night. Chandeliers and hanging lanterns can add a touch of elegance or a rustic feel depending on the decor you are going for. Add a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to the space. It can become the perfect spot for your family to gather before bed and the perfect spot for romance once the children have gone to sleep.
Focus on the details. The space’s accents are the perfect and easiest way to transition the space from season to season. Use blues and greens during this summer season. Then, add pops of color that reflect the fall’s fiery hues, such as reds and oranges. Put some throw blankets out that you can wrap yourself up in when it gets chillier at night. Place a lovely outdoor rug down to keep your toes comfy.
For more great tips for homeowners, check out our Website and follow us on Facebook!
by Blake Mashburn | Jun 10, 2019 | News
Father’s Day is here! Show your dad how much you appreciate everything he does for you by giving him a Father’s Day experience he will never forget. There are so many unique ways for you to spend the holiday this weekend! Here are our top choices to celebrate your dad in Ventura County!
Father’s Day Golf
Date: Sunday, June 16th
Time: All day
Location: Buenaventura Golf Course (5882 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura)
Hit the green with dad at this award winning golf course. For only $79, your dad’s green fee, cart fee, sleeve of golf balls, and lunch with a drink will be covered! Reserve your tee time HERE!
Father’s Day Brunch Buffet
Date: Sunday, June 16th
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Discovery Ventura (1888 East Thompson Boulevard, Ventura)
Fill your bellies with a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet, complete with omelette station, carving station, oysters, children’s fare, and so much more! There will also be a bloody mary bar and bottomless mimosas. Reserve your family a spot online HERE!
Dad’s Day Out Train
Date: Sunday, June 16th
Time: 11:00 am & 3:00 pm
Location: Foster Park (438 Casitas Vista Road, Ventura)
Take a 2.5 hour train ride through the beautiful Heritage Valley as you enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch. Book online HERE!
From Tree to the Sea: Father’s Day Wooden Boat Show and Classic Cars
Date: Sunday, June 16th
Time: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Channel Islands Maritime Museum (3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard)
Check out spectacular classic wooden boats and cars on display at this 3rd annual show. There will also be a variety of family-friendly, maritime activities to enjoy.
Blake Mashburn wishes all the dads in the Ventura County a very Happy Father’s Day!
by Blake Mashburn | Jun 6, 2019 | News
Ventura County’s longest running wine festival returns this Sunday, June 9th, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm! Head to scenic Lake Casitas Recreation Area (11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura) for the 33rd Annual Ojai Wine Festival!!!
This favorite annual festival allows you to try the most delectable wines and libations you have ever tasted! Enjoy over 250 different selections of wine from 60 award-winning Wineries! Not a wine drinker? Your favorite Breweries will also be offering a wide variety of craft beers and microbrews at the event.
While the main feature of this festival is the beverages, there are plenty of other reasons you why you do not want to miss this event. Dance to fantastic live music from Area 51. Relax on a scenic lake cruise aboard the Rotary Boat. Explore the Art & Craft Vendors to find unique items for yourself and your home. Win an incredible prize in the silent auction. Dine on delicious cuisine from your favorite local Dining Vendors. Soak up the summer time sun and incredible scenery with your family and friends.
Ticket Information
- General Admission (Early Bird Pre-Sale) | $60 per person
- GA Non-Drink Admission (Day Of) | $25 per person
- VIP Admission | $130 per person
- VIP Non-Drink Admission | $75 per person
- Parking Pass | $10 per car
- Children 12 & Under are FREE with paid adult.
- Purchase tickets in advance HERE.
The 33rd Annual Ojai Wine Festival is just one of the many fun community events occurring in beautiful Ojai throughout the year. If you are interested in Buying your dream home in this vibrant, close-knit community, search our Homes for Sale. Give Blake Mashburn a call today or visit our website at https://blakemashburn.com/.
Image Credit: Ojai Wine Festival
by Blake Mashburn | Jun 3, 2019 | News
Looking to buy your dream Ventura County home? With size, design features, amenities, outdoor living spaces, and more, there are plenty of factors to consider as you begin your search.
If you have children, however, one of the most important factors is location near a highly ranked school. There are several benefits to buying a home near a top rated school. #1 it provides your child access to the best education around. #2 it increases the value of your home. That’s a win for the whole family!
Now that the 2018-2019 school year has come to a close, it is the perfect time to evaluate what district you want your child to attend so that you can relocate before this upcoming fall.
Start your search in one of these excellent local school districts:
Fillmore Unified School District | Homes for Sale
Ojai Unified School District | Homes for Sale
Oxnard Union High School District | Homes for Sale
Pleasant Valley School District | Homes for Sale
Ventura Unified School District | Homes for Sale
Once you know the school district, you can begin to narrow your search down to find the best schools within it. This is where your school work and research comes in! Use independent websites such as GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, and U.S. News & World Report, to find unbiased rankings and data. Check out school websites to find out about awards and recognitions. Ask the schools you are interested in if you can visit. This is the best way for you to find out if it is the right fit for your child. Find out about the facilities, learn about class sizes and extracurricular offerings, meet teachers and administrators, and more.
Found the school you want your child to attend? Now, Blake Mashburn can help you find your dream home within that school’s boundaries. Give us a call today or visit our website at https://blakemashburn.com/.
by Blake Mashburn | May 30, 2019 | News
Do not miss the “Best Food & Drink Festival” of Ventura County……the Casa Pacifica Wine, Food & Brew Festival!!! Now in its 26th year, this fest is the premier food and wine event for the county. Head to California State University – Channel Islands (One University Drive) in beautiful Camarillo this Sunday, June 2nd, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, for an afternoon of tasty delights! With delicious food, refreshing wine, cold beer, and incredible live entertainment, this is one annual event you do not want to skip out on! Check out the full list of 2019 Exhibitors HERE!
Not only will you have a great time, BUT you will be helping support a worthy cause! All proceeds from this event benefit the work of Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families, which helps vulnerable youth and families in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties overcome life’s hardest challenges.
Yummie Culinary Competition
Be sure to check out the Yummie Culinary Competition! This action-packed cooking showdown features chefs from Ventura County’s top restaurants. See whose food is the very best in flavor, presentation, innovation, and quality as they are judged by a panel of celebrity chefs, food columnists, and other culinary experts.
Main Stage Entertainment
Dance the afternoon away to fantastic live performances by Benise’s Band of Gypsies and N’Demand. Ventura County’s favorite DJ Bruce Barrios will be emceeing.
Ticket Information
General Admission: $150 per person
Includes: All-Inclusive Wine, Food, Beer, & Beverages | Festival Bag, Tray, & Glass | Live Entertainment | Complimentary Parking
Purchase tickets HERE!
Blake Mashburn wishes everyone a deliciously good time at the 26th Annual Casa Pacifica Wine, Food & Brew Festival! Check out our Website and follow us on Facebook for more fantastic community events throughout the year!
Image Credit: CASA PACIFICA
by Blake Mashburn | May 23, 2019 | News
The long Memorial Day Weekend is filled with fun family activities as you kick off the unofficial start of summer. While you enjoy the weekend festivities, it is also important to remember the reason we celebrate Memorial Day……to Honor and remember our nation’s heroes for their enduring sacrifice for our freedom.
Below are some great Memorial Day events taking place throughout Ventura County!
Third Annual Memorial Day Celebration
Date: Monday, May 27th
Time: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Location: Port Hueneme City Hall (250 North Ventura Road, Port Hueneme)
Join the City of Port Hueneme, Port Hueneme Historical Society Museum, Sea Cadet Corp Ben Moreell Battalion, Navy League, and Hueneme High NROTC for their 2019 Memorial Day Celebration. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker Captain Dave McAlister, Commander Naval Construction Group ONE, the Pacific Fleet Seabees.
Memorial Day Services
Date: Monday, May 27th
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Ivy Lawn Memorial Park (5400 Valentine Road, Ventura)
The Memorial Day Services will include the National Anthem, an invocation, honor guard rifle salute, Gold Coast Pipe Band, pledge of allegiance, an address by Captain Jeff Chism from Naval Base Ventura County), and a flyover.
54th Annual “Lest We Forget” Memorial Day Service
Date: Monday, May 27th
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Conejo Mountain (2052 Howard Road, Camarillo)
This year’s service will include a keynote address by City of Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Jeff Gorell, music by the Camarillo Community Band and Gold Coast Pipe Band, the American Legion Riders, the display of a Vietnam War Era “Huey” 205 Bell Helicopter, a white dove release, and much more.
Blake Mashburn extends a sincere THANK YOU to all veterans and active service members! We wish everyone a Happy & Safe Memorial Day!
by Blake Mashburn | May 16, 2019 | News
Fill your bowl with the most deliciously sweet strawberries this weekend at the 36th Anniversary California Strawberry Festival! Head to the Strawberry Meadows of College Park (3250 South Rose Avenue) in beautiful Oxnard on Saturday, May 18th, and Sunday, May 19th, from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm for the most tastiest festival in California.
You will find Eats & Treats you never could have imagined……and all that honor the delectable strawberry! But the food is not all! There is so much to do at the California Strawberry Festival! Participate in exciting Contests, such as the Strawberry Shortcake Eating Contest! Discover unique handmade items for sale from the 200+ Artists and Crafters! Bring the little ones over to the Strawberryland for Kids for carnival rides, inflatables, face painting, and more! Watch live musical performances on the 3 different stages! Be sure to swing by Stage 3 throughout the fest to see fantastic performances from Camarillo’s Rock City Studios’ Build-A-Band program’s student musicians.
Festival Stage Schedule
| Saturday, May 18th | Sunday, May 19th |
| 10:00 am – 10:30 am | DJ Spencer Fischer | 10:00 am – 11:15 am | DJ Spencer Fischer |
| 10:30 am – 11:15 am | Togen Diako | 11:15 am – 12:00 pm | Oscar Rivera y Amigos |
| 11:15 am – 12:00 pm | Conner Cherland | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Celebrity Chef Junior Maria Dakis |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Celebrity Chef Julia San Bartolome | 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Strawberry Smackdown |
| 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Berry Blast Off | 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm | Peter Blackwelder |
| 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm | Road Brothers | 4:10 pm – 5:00 pm | B&V |
| 4:10 pm – 5:00 pm | Angelo Arce | 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm | Phil Medina and Friends Comedy Hour |
| 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm | Phil Medina and Friends Comedy Hour | | |
Dr. Kato Stage Schedule
| Saturday, May 18th | Sunday, May 19th |
| 10:00 am – 11:00 am | DJ Travis Holcombe | 10:00 am – 11:00 am | DJ Travis Holcombe |
| 11:00 am – 11:40 am | Big Mike & The Reckonin | 11:00 am – 11:45 am | Shaky Feelin’ |
| 12:00 pm – 12:45 pm | Professional Americans | 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm | Smith the Band |
| 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm | Ocho Ojos | 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm | One Drop Redemption |
| 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm | Past Action Heroes | 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm | Metalachi |
| 5:00 pm – 6:15 pm | L.A.vation | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Uptown Funk |
Ticket Information
Adults: $12
Seniors (ages 62+) & Active Military with ID: $8
Children (ages 5 – 12): $5
Children (ages 4 and under): FREE
Purchase tickets HERE!!!
Blake Mashburn wishes everyone a deliciously good time at the 36th Annual California Strawberry Festival! Check out our Website and follow us on Facebook for more fantastic community events throughout the year!
Image Credit: California Strawberry Festival
by Blake Mashburn | May 9, 2019 | News
Celebrate everything you love about living in Fillmore during the 107th Annual May Festival!!!! Head on down to Central Park (250 Central Avenue) on Thursday, May 9th through Sunday, May 12th for 4 days of fun with your family, friends, neighbors!
There is something for everyone at this favorite community event! Watch incredible live entertainment on the Main Stage. Dine on your favorite food from local vendors. Refresh yourself with a cool beverage in the beer garden. Find unique, handmade goods at the craft fair. Take the little ones to the “kiddie” area. Play exciting games and take a spin on the carnival rides. And, SO MUCH MORE!!!
Festival Hours
Thursday, May 9th – 5:00 to 11:00 pm
Friday, May 10th – 5:00 to 11:00 pm
Saturday, May 11th – 12:00 to 11:00 pm
**Parade at 10:00 am on Central Avenue from 2nd Street to Main Street**
Sunday, May 12th – 12:00 to 9:00 pm
Admission & Carnival Prices
Thursday – $1 Everyone!
Friday & Saturday – $5 Adults | $3 Kids (ages 5-11) | $3 Seniors + Military w/ ID
Sunday – $3 Everyone!
—————————————————————–
$35 – Wristbands
$20 – 24 Ticket Ride Sheet
Live Entertainment Schedule
Thursday, May 9th
- 6:15 – 7:00 pm | Mariachi Los Rayos de Fillmore High School
- 7:15 – 9:15 pm | DJ Rage
Friday, May 10th
- 5:00 – 7:00 pm | Daniel Torres and the Piru River Band
- 7:30 – 10:45 pm | Adelaide
Saturday, May 11th
- 12:15 – 12:45 pm | FMS Symphonic Band
- 1:00 – 1:30 pm | Perce’s Kenpo Karate Demo
- 2:30 – 6:30 pm | The Daves
- 7:00 – 10:45 pm | Juano & Friends
Sunday, May 12th
- 1:00 – 4:00 pm | Banda Santa Elena
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm | Mariachi Aguilas De Oxnard
- 6:00 – 8:30 pm | Instone
Blake Mashburn wishes everyone a fun and safe time at this year’s Fillmore May Festival! Check out our Website and follow us on Facebook for more fantastic community events throughout the year!
Image Credit: Fillmore Chamber of Commerce
by Blake Mashburn | May 2, 2019 | News
Celebrate the most special woman in your life this Sunday…….your Mom!! Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12th! Want to make sure it is a day that she will never forget? There are so many options available in Ventura! Whether you want to treat her to a special meal or find something unique to do, you and your mom will certainly have a great time this Sunday. Here are our recommendations for ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Ventura!
Honor that time honored tradition of Mother’s Day brunch at one of these fantastic local spots:
Discovery Ventura | 1888 East Thompson Boulevard
Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: $34.95 per adult | $15.95 per child
Reservations: (805) 856-2695
Poinsettia Pavilion | 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cost: $55 per adult | $35 per child (ages 3-10)
Reservations: Online HERE
Cafe Fiore | 66 California Street
Time: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Cost: $42 per adult | $15 per child (ages 10 & under) | $32 per senior (ages 62 & over)
Reservations: (805) 653-1266
Treat mom to a special day with one of these fun activities:
Mom’s Day Run
Time: 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Location: San BuenaVentura State Beach | 901 San Pedro Street
Cost: $35 per person – 5K | $40 per person – 10K | Register HERE
Get active this Mother’s Day with mom for the 9th Annual Mom’s Day Run. Run, jog, or walk in the 5K or 10K races. There will be live music by Emily B and delicious food at the finish line. All proceeds from this event benefit The VHL Alliance, which helps fund cancer research and services.
Mother’s Day Seaside
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: Ventura Harbor Village | 1583 Spinnaker Drive
Cost: FREE!
Listen Castillo Trio at the Promenade Stage before treating mom to a shopping spree at her favorite stores and/or a tasty treat at a lovely waterfront restaurant.
Denise Carter’s Mother Day Show
Time: 7:00 pm (Doors open at 6)
Location: Ventura Harbor Comedy Club | 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 205
Cost: $15 per person | Purchase tickets HERE
Make mom laugh the evening away with Ventura County’s favorite female comedian.
The Blake Mashburn Group wishes all the mothers in Ventura a very happy Mother’s Day!
