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 4th 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 44th annual street fair! This year’s theme is “We have liftoff!” to celebrate the 50th 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 25th 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 4th 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 4th 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 4th 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 4th 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Label all boxes and furniture with the room in the new home that they should be placed into.
- Go shopping for nutritious, easy to eat snacks and bottled water for yourself and your movers.
- Get some cash out of your bank account so you have money to tip the movers tomorrow.
- 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.
- 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
- Wake up with plenty of time before the movers arrive in order to make final preparations.
- Take important documents, jewelry, and other small valuables and place them in your car. You should transfer these items yourself to ensure their safety.
- Discard of or pack up final items, such as food or toiletries.
- 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.
- Watch the movers as they work to make sure they handle your items with care.
- 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.
- 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!
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
