REAL ESTATE NEWS AND HOMEOWNERS TIPS
JUNE 2007
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News from the Financial Front


Since the Rock Report is a newsletter, this month we thought we’d provide you with some valuable up-to-date information from the mortgage professionals at Unitek Financial, one of our Prudential Partners.

Finding a Home
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) at least half of all home sales involve a Listing Agent and a Buyer’s Agent. Most house sales originate through the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS). About 70 percent of today’s homebuyers start their search for a home on the internet. The NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers also shows that in 2006, 24% of homeowners actually found their home on the Internet first while only 2% did so in 1997. The Internet is clearly gaining popularity among homebuyers.

Basics of Estate Planning
An estate plan is a technique through which a person conserves assets and transfers them to heirs at the least tax cost. There are many elements to estate planning. It begins with a will and can include trusts, a power of attorney and insurance. Whatever the structure, keep it up-to-date, review at least every two to three years, keep family members aware of the details including the location of all the significant financial papers and how to reach the key advisor(s). Also, consult heirs before putting the plan into effect so there are no surprises in the arrangements.

Mortgage Rates at a Glance
For the most part, rates are at the same level they were a year ago. There was a slight raise in rates in November and December where a 30-year Fixed Rate Mortgage was estimated at 6.5%. Now the same loan can be found for an estimation of 6.125%. Mortgage consultants are telling us that rates should continue to stay at a low level for a while.

Routine Home Inspections
According to American Home Shield, a company that offers home warranties through real estate Brokers®, the likelihood that one of a home’s major appliances or systems will fail in a given year is 68 percent. Also, homeowners spend an average of $900 a year on repairs. More and more homeowners are making a home inspection part of their own routine and ongoing maintenance program, whether they plan to sell their home or not.


This newsletter is not a solicitation for already-listed properties. Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
From the desk of...

The M & M TEAM
Hello Family and Friends,

Well, it’s June – the month of all things monumental packed into 30 short days! It seems highly unfair to dads that their kids will be graduating from our various local institutions on June 15. It sort of takes away some of the spotlight from June 17, when Dad is king for a day. That might not be the case if your child is recovering from a weekend of grad parties and is focused on summer freedom.

June is also the month of moves. Those who need to relocate by the end of August when school begins anew will be in a flurry of packing, garage sales, and preparation for life in a new home, and/or neighborhood, city or state. Remember to make your new neighbors feel welcome.

Then there are the weddings. Ryan went before the crowd and got married in the middle of May! Our congratulations to all the June brides out there! And a happy summer to all.

Warmly,
Ryan and Linda

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Activity


JUST LISTED
1654 Sweetleaf Lane $515,900
5361 Plata Rosa Court $1,699,000
 
JUST SOLD
5411 Honeyman Street $470,000
1366 Vista Court $600,000
1787 Woodscent Lane $500,000
885 Fowler Avenue $629,999
640 San Telmo Circle $729,000
5261 Vanalden Avenue $1,275,000

The Speedy Gourmet
Great Recipes for Busy People

Rumaki with a Twist



Rumaki is a traditional Japanese appetizer, usually made with chicken livers, water chestnuts and bacon. Many years ago, I swapped out the livers and chestnuts for something (in my opinion) much tastier – watermelon rind pickle. This sweet, wonderful pickle is available in the bottle (made by Reese®). I found some at Ralphs, but it’s pretty readily available. You can make your own if you have a spare month or two.

To make this version of Rumaki, cut the pieces of watermelon rind pickle in half (except the small pieces). Cut the slices of bacon in half. Starting with the square cut end, wrap each piece of pickle in ½ slice of bacon and skewer with a toothpick at the loose end, on a downward slant, all the way through the pickle. The angle of the toothpick makes the Rumaki easy to turn (instructions below). If your bacon is really long, you may want to cut it into thirds. I actually use turkey bacon because there’s a lot less grease.

Place on foil-lined baking sheet and put on upper shelf of the oven, about 6 inches away from the heat. Broil for about 5 minutes, then turn once. Cook until bacon is crisp, about another 2 minutes. Careful – this goes very quickly and you don’t want to burn the bacon. Serve hot.

In case you’re skeptical, I can never make enough of this for parties. People go nuts over the amazing taste combination of the sweet/sour flavor of the pickle combined with the salty crispness of the bacon. You’ll be a huge success. Guaranteed.

Recipe courtesy of Victoria Wood,Publicist, Prudential California Realty
Median Sale Prices

Here are the median sales prices recorded in April for single family homes, condos and new construction in the following communities:
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Agoura Hills $646,000
Source: Data Quick
Calabasas $1,375,000
Camarillo $521,500
Fillmore $452,500
Moorpark $753,000
Newbury Park $722,000
Oak Park $587,000
Oxnard $542,500
Santa Paula $460,000
Simi Valley $548,250
Thousand Oaks $715,000
Ventura $580,000
Westlake Village $780,000
Woodland Hills $670,000
ARCHIVES
May '07
April '07
March '07
February '07
January '07
December '06
November '06
October '06
September '06
August '06
July '06
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Please click your neighborhood below to view the recent activity in your neighborhood. ***Be sure to click the "SAVED" tab on each new page.***
 
The Pinnacle, Camarillo
Carriage Square, Thousand Oaks
Copperwood, Thousand Oaks
North Ranch Meadows, Westlake Village
Parklane, Simi Valley
Stoneybrook, Westlake Village
More
 
Would you like to add your neighborhood? Just email us and we will include it in the next Community Report. Check out our website from time to time for new updated neighborhoods.
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The M & M TEAM
2860 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362

Ryan Mills and Linda Mills

Ryan: Cell (818) 917-7782 | Linda: Cell (805) 402-2277
Ryan@TheMMTeam.com | Linda@TheMMTeam.com

www.TheMMTeam.com

A big part of our business is referrals. In appreciation of your confidence in us, we have a unique gift for you should your friend or relative choose to buy or sell with us. Thank you for your support!
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