Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Lenders, Business Brokers, Title Reps, and Escrow Agents at Troop Real Estate were given a very special opportunity last Wednesday to taste some delicious food from Fiamme Restaurant. You should have seen the array of pastas, bread and Fiamme's special "fire sauce" for dipping. It tasted just like it came straight from Italy. Fresh, authentic and scrumptious! The special "fire sauce" that serves as a dipping sauce for the fresh bread was a HUGE hit! It was Italian with a KICK!
Fiamme Restaurant is located in the Paseo MarketPlace at 3731 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. Their menu consists of Italian dishes that are delicious. They have an array of traditional dishes such as meatloaf, barbecued baby back ribs and sirloin steak also. They serve fish, shrimp, chicken *** and panini specials as well.
Fiamme Restaurant & Bar, formerly Alessio's, is owned by Elizabeth Beddow and Jerry White Jr. The restaurant features a quiet, yet elegant environment ideal for personal or business dining. Small rooms off the main dining area provide an intimate setting for parties and club meetings.
Troop Real Estate is a FAN of Fiamme Restaurant! You can become one too! Visit their page on FACEBOOK. Fiamme Restaurant offers live entertainment at Fiamme's "Club Inferno." Check it out on Facebook. For more information or to make reservations, call 805-497-9444.
The April 2009 Market Update Report from the California Association of Realtors indicates that listed homes in California priced at $1,000,000 and over are staying on the market much longer than the lower priced homes. In my personal experience I know that these higher priced home buyers are having a difficult time getting approved by the banks for mortgages. While we are seeing multiple offers in the $500,000 and below priced listings, it seems that the availability of mortgage products for buyers in the higher end range is inhibiting activity. In the past few weeks as interest rates have climbed I have had buyers put their viewings on hold to see what is going to happen. AndI have buyers who are now trying to get more creative with their offers by asking sellers to pay the closing costs and to buy down their rate. Have we hit the bottom? No one knows. However, if you can jump into the market while interest rates are still at historical lows you will have a better chance at qualifying for a really terrific property.
Preliminary Title Report...
Soon after escrow is opened, you should receive a very important document - the preliminary title report (or prelim) from your title company.
This report shows who currently owns the property that you want to buy, as well as any money claims (such as mortgage liens, income tax liens, judgments and property tax assessments) that affect the property.
The report also shows third party restrictions and interests, such as condominium CC&Rs and utility company or private easements, that limit your use of the property.
Your contract or purchase agreement will be contingent upon your review and approval of the preliminary title report. Look it over carefully, and simply ask your title company representative to explain anything in the report that you don't understand.
It was announced last week that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will allow the Obama Administration's $8,000 first-time buyer's tax credit to be used toward the downpayment on a first-time home purchase. Originally, the tax credit could only be received after filing tax returns the year after the first-time home purchase. Now, home buyers using FHA approved lenders can apply the tax credit to their down payment in excess of 3.5 percent of appraised value or their closng costs, which can help achieve a lower interest rate. To read more about this program visit: http://www.cherylclayton.com/FHA_Buyers_Assistance/page_2238520.html
I recently visited Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks. It is located right across from the Civic Arts Plaza and The Lakes.
Gardens of the World is a beautiful and generous contribution to our community from the Hogan Family. You may walk through or take a sack lunch and sit at one of the picnic tables at the top. There are benches situated around the grounds. Take a book and read for a while.
If you would like to take a virutal walk through Gardens of the World to see what I saw, click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6lrul3vQJw
I am available for your real estate questions. If you don't know whether you can qualify to buy a home, connect with me and I will be happy to help you find out. You can email me at cclayton@troop.com.
Thousand Oaks is in full bloom! This picture depicts the beautifully colored blooming array along Erbes Road at Sunset Hills Blvd. Just down the street at the corner of Sunset Hills and Erbes is the Sunset Hills Park where you will find a basketball court, children's playground, picnic tables and baseball diamond. The Sunset Hills area is located in the most Eastern part of Thousand Oaks. It is known for the lovely sunsets that can be seen in the sky from there. And let's not forget Sunset Hills Country Club and Golf Course which will be hosting the Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks Chamber mixer this Wednesday evening, May 20th at 5:30 p.m. If you would like more information about the Chamber mixer call 805-370-0035.
The Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce offers a vast array of networking opportunities to local business owners. From networking clubs to mixers, business owners working to improve their connections in the community are welcome to join the Chamber.
Hidden Canyon 2+2 End Unit
• 1,254 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story - 
MLS® $370,000 - Motivated Sellers!
Hidden Canyon, Westlake Village - Absolutely terrific location for this upper-level, end unit in Hidden Canyon. The entry is on the street level. When you open the door, you step up to the lovely upper living level. The owners have chosen a rich, wheat wall color with white, scraped ceilings. The rich, cherry hardwood flooring flows throughout the entire unit. The energy in this unit says clean, upbeat, light, peaceful. Speaking of light, at every turn in the unit you can look out to a beautiful tree-lined view of the complex. From the balcony off the Family Room you can even see the tops of the mountains facing west with a peek of sunset views. The Master Suite offers rich built-ins in the walk-in closet. Owners will leave the refrigerator and stackable washer and dryer. At the back of the kitchen area there is a stairway going down to the attached one-car garage. The unit also has a covered parking space directly across from the garage. This property has a truly remarkable location and energy. Must see!
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According to the National Association of Realtors, first-time buyers accounted for 50% of March home sales. Deflated home values along with the $8,000 federal tax incentive are getting first-time buyers off the fence. Not to mention the fed has announced it will be keeping its key short-term interest rate near zero. This will allow mortgage rates to stay at all-time record low rates... affordable and enticing for any buyer who is ready to buy.
Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, Lawrence Yun, reported that California is on the recovery road according to current statistics from March: Watch the video.
Cheryl Clayton is a full-time, experienced Real Estate Professional serving the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. You can reach her by email at cclayton@troop.com or by phone at 805-750-8896.
The Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks Chamber of Commerce held their monthly Mixer yesterday evening which was graciously hosted by Piatti Ristorante in Westlake Village at 101 South Westlake Blvd. There was a fabulous turnout of business professionals taking time out of their Wednesday to network and enjoy delicious drinks and hors d'oeurves. Some of the "tasties" such as deep fried risotto, chicken meatballs, bruschetta and eggplant wrapped greens in balsamic drizzle, were created under the direction of Chef Ismael Ortiz, whom I had the pleasure of meeting. In speaking with Chef Ismael Ortiz and General Manager, Brian Strasburger, it is very clear that they are eager to please their clients and their new management style and menu selection will make Piatti Ristorante in Westlake Village a consumer favorite for family dining, business lunches and party events.
Attendees of the Chamber Mixer were entertained by the TrekforTroops a cappella trio. Paul Rosen, Matt Walker and Scott Williams are three amazing young men on a mission to raise awareness for veterans of the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts returning home with a need for healing and housing. Many of these veterans are unable to have their own homes due to their injuries and finances. Paul, Matt and Scott will soon be starting a hike beginning at the southern border of California and ending in Canada. They will be holding concerts along their path to bring awareness of the housing needs of veterans across the nation.
Among the business professionals I networked with at the mixer were Steve Weiss with Kirk Jewelers, Robert Crusoe with Nu Skin Enterprises, Marisa Gonzalez, President of Exlcusive Business Concierge, Lee Lubrano with Tupperware, Michael Landolfi with CityLights Financial, Wendy Bjurstrom, Co-Founder of CareNow Foundation, Nathan Rhoads, Studio 513, Roger Sands, Vice President and Manager of First Federal Bank, Abe Breene with Breene Graphics, and Fred Gallegos, owner of Conejo Closet Designs.
If you would like information about the Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Chamber don't hesitate to call me at 805-750-8896.
Recently the Ambassadors of the Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting to help new owners, Jerry White and Liz Beddow, of Fiamme Restaurant celebrate their Grand Opening. Fiamme's is located in the Paseo Market Place at 3731 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. The Ambassadors and guests were served champagne and scrumptious hors d'oerves during the event. The atmosphere is similar to the previous establishment (Alessio's). A relaxing and cushy bar area and extremely comfortable seating in the dining room. You can reach Fiamme's by phone by dialing 805-497-9444 or 805-497-9443.
Fiamme's will be opened for Easter Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join them for lunch or dinner on Easter Suday. In addition to their regular menu we are offering a special Easter Menu for $41 per person (excludes tip, tax and beverages). When selecting the Easter menu kids eat free. Especially for the kids, Dine with them and sign up for the Worlds largest Easter Basket Giveaway. Win a 6 foot tall Easter Basket filled with Toys.
April 25th is "Spend Day." Spend Day is an entirely grassroots movement intended to infuse $1B into the economy in a single day. It is simple, spend $5 cash on Spend Day and if two thirds of the population participates we will make our goal. For more details about Spend Day please visit http://www.spendday.info. Fiamme Restaurant is offering two Spend Day $5 cash promotions. A $5 race around the virtual track on the Simcraft Apex SC830 Racing Simulator (www.simcraft.com) A $5 Fiamme Snack Fiamme Fire! Sauce, bread, cup of soup and angel hair with pink sauce. This is designed to be a snack not a full meal. For reservations please call 805-497-9444, seating is limited. $5 per person portion or race.
Thousand Oaks Philharmonic Opus 24 - Taste Every Note Pre-Concert Dinner Feast. A Three Course Dinner and Wine Tasting at Fiamme Italian Restaurant and wine tasting hosted by the Santa Maria Wine Association. 4:00 - 6 p.m prior to concert. $40.00 per person, wine tasting included. For Ticket Information contact: Cynthia Rivetti, Phone: (805) 878-6551, Email: cyn459@aol.com, Ticket Info: $40 per person, Website: http://www.tophil.org .
The Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors celebrated a Ribbon Cutting of one of the Chamber's newest members, "The Cat Doctor." The Cat Doctor is a full service veterinary clinic limited strictly to the care and treatment of all cats big & small. Friends and clients were in attendance and we heard several testimonials about the excellent care they give their feline patients. The Cat Doctor is located at 760 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. You can reach them by phone at 805-626-2190. For more information visit The Cat Doctor
This step-by-step mortgage application guide offered by Bankrate.com has some valuable information for buyers who have applied for a loan and have been rejected for some reason. Nothing is easy in this economy and it might just take some determination to get what you want. Here is the link: Tips for Buyers
Interest rates are the lowest they have been since 1971 at this time. It is a great time to lock in a loan. Call me if you have questions regarding real estate in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. I am a friendly and personable agent who is in touch with the community and with much experience in today's challenging market. 805-750-8896.
The changes keep on coming. Once Governor Schwarzenegger signs the new California budget, home buyers that purchase a “New Home” between March 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010 will receive a California income tax credit of up to $10,000. In addition there will be a 90 day moratorium on all foreclosures in the state. This will be a great time to put your house on the market because you won't be competing againes foreclosure sales.
We have a steal of a deal ready for a buyer who can give us a fast escrow. All cash buyers and pre-approved buyers welcome. Call for an immedicate showing 805-750-8896 or 805-990-9940.
Here is the Virtual Tour link: http://www.cherylclayton.com/Listing/ViewListingDetailsAuthenticated.aspx?ListingID=1970710&Preview=false&TabID=1489773
Great neighborhood on cul-de-sac
• 2,967 sq. ft., 3 bath, 4 bdrm 2 story - MLS® $549,000 - 4+3 w/large Bonus Room
Oak Ridge Estates, Newbury Park - This is an APPROVED SHORT SALE. Ready to go. We need a fast escrow... we have inspection reports available for review. Terrific home in family neighborhood in OakRidge Estates, Newbury Park. Spacious floor plans with big bedrooms and a large bonus room upstairs which has a built-in wet bar, built-in book cases, wine storage closet and brick fireplace. Master, two bedrooms and bonus room upstairs. Downstiars there is one bedroom and bath, family room, kitchen with breakfast bar and an indoor brick hearth grill. Another brick fireplace in the family room, large formal dining and living rooms. In the backyard there is a covered patio with concrete slab and grassy area. This home has good bones but needs work. Short sale. Subject to lender approval.
Downstairs:
Tiled Entry: Approx. 11 x 15
Bedroom with double doors and closet: 12 x 12
Living room: Approx 28 x 14
Kitchen 13 x 13 with a pizza OVEN broiler, built in 4 burner gas range and double oven.
Family/Dining room with fire place, wet bar, plantation shutters, slider onto back yard deck. Approx 21 x 14
Laundry Room off of 3 car garage
Down stairs bathroom with stall shower.
Upstairs:
Top landing with linen closets: 8 x 8
Master Bedroom approx 14 x 21 with large 8 x 8 walk in closet
Master Bathroom, double sink and step up tub/shower
2 Bedrooms upstairs 12 x 12 standard size w/closets
Full Bathroom
Bonus Room with Bar, Wine Cellar, Fire Place and built in bookcases. 28 x 17 w/small closet. Can double as a second master suite. Wow….
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