April 2, 2025
Quote of the Day
Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.
– Francis Chan
This Day in History
April 2, 1805: Hans Christian Andersen is born. Hans Christian Andersen, one of the world’s greatest storytellers, is born in Odense, near Copenhagen. During Andersen’s boyhood, his father died, and the child went to work in a factory briefly. However, he showed great talent for languages and entered the University of Copenhagen in 1828. The following year, he published his literary spoof “A Journey on Foot from Holmen’s Canal to the East Point of Amager,” which became his first important work.
Andersen wrote several plays that flopped, but he achieved some success with his novel The Improvisatore (1835). Meanwhile, he entertained himself by writing a series of children’s stories that he published as collections. The first, Fairy Tales Told for Children, (1835) included “The Princess and the Pea.” Andersen released new collections every year or two for decades as he traveled widely in Europe, Africa, and Asia Minor. His stories include “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Mermaid” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” He died in 1875 at age 70.
Ojai Weather
Sunny – High 65 / Low 34
Total rainfall for the season – 9.24 inches
Lake Casitas water capacity – 96.2%
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
12:35 p.m.
There are two new listings on the market:
1982 Country Place – $800,000
518 S. Ventura Avenue – $1,599,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
If you think Ojai prices are high, check out what’s going on in Sunnyvale. The top property was a 3 bed/3 bath, 1,651 sq. ft. home that sold for $2,730,000. The bottom property was a 3 bed/3 bath, 1648 sq. ft. home that sold for $2,980,888. We now have the new definition of insanity. (Let’s throw out the commonly referred-to example, that “insanity” is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. The true definition is, “The condition of being insane; a state of mind that impedes the ability to think, reason, or behave in ways that are considered normal, esp. one caused by mental illness.”)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
11:55 a.m.
There is a new listing on the market:
930 Fairview Road – $2,425,000
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 1169 Tico Road – $1,990,000 (this was previously listed from 1/23/25 to 3/25/25 – when it was then cancelled.)
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Monday, March 31, 2025
12:40 p.m.
Three new listings have come to the market since Friday:
127 Fairway Lane – $2,895,000
1414 Meadowbrook Road – $1,395,000
1320 McAndrew Road – $995,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Friday, March 28, 2025
12:30 p.m.
There are three new listings on the market:
507 Golden West Avenue – $1,299,000
309 Topa Topa Drive – $1,195,000
201 S. Montgomery Street – $995,000
The All Listings and Open House pages have been updated. Have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
Thursday, March 27, 2025
11:50 a.m.
Three new or “coming soon” listings have come to the market:
205 N. Lomita Avenue – $915,000
1009 Grandview Avenue – $1,295,000 (coming soon, 4/1)
0 Grand Avenue – $3,750,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
10:00 a.m.
There are no new listings today, but the All Listings page has been updated.
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
1:30 p.m.
One new listing has come to the market since last Friday:
311 W. Summer Street #F – $1,229,000 (coming soon, 3/27)
The All Listings page has been updated!
A quick comment on what people have been asking me with regard to the housing market and how it’s been affected by the election, fires, insurance, and the like…
From January 1, 2025 through today – 42 residential properties have been sold in Ojai, Upper Ojai, and Oak View. Of those 42 sales, four of them sold at list price, while nine of them sold above list price. These numbers take into account the original asking price of the properties when they first came on the market. (Not doing it this way would skew the numbers to include properties that had price reductions, but then sold at or above list price after the price was reduced.)
That means 31% of the listings sold at or above list price. While I wouldn’t say that 42 closed sales over nearly three months is an overly active market, the market is still healthy. But what I also see is many properties sitting on the market for long periods of time; six to nine months is not uncommon. The average days those previously mentioned 42 properties were on the market before they were sold was 91 days. Here’s what is was over the prior four years:
2024: 62 days
2023: 47 days
2022: 43 days
2021: 49 days
Properties are sitting on the market because they are starting out overpriced. My belief is that it’s sort of a “hangover” from 2020 to 2022, where some homeowners think we’re still in that market. (Note – this almost universally occurs for a couple of years following any “hot” market.) I’ve stated this a few times over the last couple years following the Covid-era insanity – properties priced according to comparable sales are selling quickly and at good prices. Overpriced properties are sitting on the market, hurting their perceived value the longer they sit on the market.
Just food for thought…
Pic of the Day
Friday, March 21, 2025
11:40 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:
302 Bald Street – $920,000
The Open House and and All Listings pages have been updated…have a wonderful weekend!
Pic (video) of the Day:
Here are some wild space-saving and furniture designs. I’m not sure how practical these actually are, but they are interesting!
Thursday, March 20, 2025
9:30 a.m.
There are two new listings on the market:
12617 Koenigstein Road – $2,100,000
(Note: This was recently on the market in December, but didn’t sell at that time)
950 Woodland Avenue #31 – $385,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
9:45 a.m.
A new listing has come to the market:
119 S. Arnaz Street – $830,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
12:45 p.m.
There is a new listing on the market:
1225 Shippee Lane – $17,950,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Monday, March 17, 2025
9:20 a.m.
Two new listings have come to the market since Friday:
10945 Alto Court – $16,500,000
0 Bryant Street – $575,000 (land parcel)
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Friday, March 14, 2025
1:05 p.m.
There are two new listings on the market:
10542 Almond Avenue – $875,000
3541 Thacher Road – $2,650,000
The Open House and All Listings pages have been updated. Have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
Thursday, March 13, 2025
10:55 a.m.
There is a new listing on the market:
456 N. Rice Road – $1,295,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
11:40 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:
1121 Sunnyglenn Avenue – $1,325,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
We all know what a challenge it has been to find fire insurance. Here are some tips for obtaining insurance, as presented by the Commissioner for the California Department of Insurance:
Top Ten Tips for Finding Residential Insurance
We are aware there has been an increase in non-renewals and understand that residential insurance is getting harder to find in any area that insurers identify as having a higher than average risk of wildfire. While the Department of Insurance doesn’t have the legal authority to tell insurers what level of risk they must write or where they must write insurance, we can monitor that they are consistent in their decisions and that their decisions are based on considerations of risk, not other biases. We are here to help you and have a number of tips to help you through this process.
~ If you get a nonrenewal notice, contact your insurer and ask if there are any specific actions you could take to mitigate your risk and retain your coverage.
~ If you think your nonrenewal was unfair, you may file a complaint with us.
~ Don’t let these actions delay starting your search for a new insurer. Make sure you have done everything you can do at your property to mitigate fire risk then start shopping for coverage.
~ In addition to contacting local agents or brokers in the vicinity of your home, you may wish to use our Residential Insurance Company Contact List that provides toll free numbers for over 50 insurers that are licensed to sell homeowners insurance. You can contact each of them to find the closest agent or broker or, in some cases, get a quote from them directly.
~ If you need help from an agent that speaks a specific language, you can use our Find an Agent or Broker tool to find one near you.
~ You can also utilize our Homeowner Premium Comparison Tool and Homeowner Coverage Comparison Tool to compare premiums and coverages.
~ If your agent cannot help you find coverage with an insurer other than the FAIR Plan, you or your agent should contact other agents and brokers who represent other insurers. Our Home Insurance Finder tool can help you find other agents in your region or beyond and tells you which insurers they represent.
~ Understand that the California FAIR Plan is available to every homeowner as a last option for coverage. The maximum limit written by the FAIR Plan on a residential property for all coverages combined is $3,000,000. Because the coverage provided by a FAIR Plan policy is limited to losses caused by Fire or Lightning, Internal Explosion and Smoke, it is recommended that you supplement the FAIR Plan policy with a Difference in Conditions policy to obtain protection from other perils not covered under the FAIR Plan policy.
~ If none of these options work for you, you may try obtaining coverage in the non-admitted/surplus lines market. Ask your retail agent or broker if they are able to obtain coverage with a surplus lines insurer. If you need help finding a licensed insurance agent or broker, you can use our Find an Agent or Broker tool to find one near you.
~ If you prefer to speak live with our staff, you are always welcome to call the Department of Insurance toll free at 1-800-927-4357.
Insurance.ca.gov / 800-927-4357
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
12:35 p.m.
Four new listings have come to the market since last Friday:
1452 Orchard Drive – $989,000 (coming soon, 3/13)
1202 Loma Drive #54 – $329,000
1420 La Paz Drive – $1,224,000
165 Burnham Road – $1,325,000
(This listing was recently on the market in December)
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Friday, March 7, 2025
12:30 p.m.
There are four new listings on the market:
508 W. Eucalyptus Street – $3,795,000
425 Montana Circle – $2,450,000
66 Taormina Lane – $1,500,000
414 Buena Vista Drive – $1,950,000
- The Open House and All Listings pages have been updated.
- Note that you may need to refresh the home page when you visit to get the latest update. I’m working on fixing this issue behind the scenes.
- Certain listings from the Ojai MLS won’t allow me to provide a link (not sure why). In the meantime, I’m using Redfin as a filler (508 W. Eucalyptus above is case in point.)
Have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
Thursday, March 6, 2025
11:00 a.m.
There are no new listings as of yet for today, but the All Listings page has been updated. On another note, I happened upon this cool video (10 mins) that describes 10 home styles that are rarely built these days. (The link will take you to YouTube.)
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
11:05 a.m.
There are two (sorta) new listings on the market:
0-2 Burnham Road – $663,000
4771 Thacher Road – $3,000,000
(No link available: This property sold for $3,000,000 before it was listed in the MLS)
The All Listings page has been updated! I also realized that I didn’t tally the rainfall totals over the last few days, but I’ll get that to you on Friday after this current rain event passes.
Here’s a quick check in on mortgage rates:
30 yr fixed: 6.72%
15 yr fixed: 6.18%
30 yr Jumbo: 6.98%
30 yr FHA: 6.14%
30 yr VA: 6.15%
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
9:15 a.m.
There is a new “coming soon” listing on the market:
95 Taormina Lane – $850,000 (coming soon, 3/24)
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Monday, March 3, 2025
11:05 a.m.
Two new “coming soon” listings have come to the market since Friday:
1450 S. La Luna Avenue – $1,900,000 (coming soon, 3/5)
40 Almond Avenue – $969,000 (coming soon, 3/11)
The All Listings page has been updated! Additionally, here’s a quick check in on market conditions:
Pic of the Day
Friday, February 28, 2025
11:35 a.m.
Two new listings have come to the market:
1579 Orchard Drive – $1,325,000
2259 Maricopa Highway – $250,000
The Open House and All Listings pages have been updated! On another note – the local Ojai MLS went through a change, so the links for properties in that system will look different than you’re used to seeing. Just an FYI. Have a good weekend!
Pic of the Day
Thursday, February 27, 2025
10:55 a.m.
Four new listings have come to the market:
1285 Fierro Drive – $1,199,000
1113 Del Nido Court – $1,250,000
1906 Country Place – $825,000
1090 Cuyama Road – $825,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
9:55 a.m.
One new listing has come to the market:
1273 S. Rice Road #54 – $262,500
The All Listings page has been updated.
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
10:10 a.m.
There is a new listing on the market:
35 Kunkle Street – $992,500
The All Listings page has been updated as well…
Pic of the Day
Monday, February 24, 2025
1:45 p.m.
There is a new listing, but it’s already been sold – off market before it was listed in the MLS:
1102 Sunset Place – $1,275,000 (sold)
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Friday, February 21, 2025
10:15 a.m.
Four new listings have come to the market:
920 E. Matilija Street – $1,350,000
11144 Ojai Santa Paula Road – $2,795,000
848 Woodland Avenue #24 – $595,000
502 W. Ojai Avenue – $1,995,000
The Open House and All Listings pages have been updated. Enjoy the weekend!
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
12:30 p.m.
Eight new or “coming soon” listings have come to the market since last Friday:
164 N. Alvarado Street – $885,000 (coming soon, 2/28)
10525 Ojai Santa Paula Road – $4,250,000 (coming soon, 2/21)
418 Montana Circle – $1,995,000
529 White Oak Circle – $1,795,000
310-312 Prospect Street – $1,000,000
334 E. Ojai Avenue – $250,000
1225 S. Rice Road #6 – $189,500
1990 Valley Meadow Drive – $1,850,000 (coming soon, 2/19)
Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
- 741 Saddle Lane – $8,230,000 (expired on 12/5/24).
- 509 N. Blanche Street – $1,498,000 (expired on 1/9/25).
Pic of the Day
Friday, February 14, 2025
1:50 p.m.
There are two new listings on the market:
828 Fordyce Road – $11,400,000
1280 Avila Drive – $1,350,000
The All Listings and Open House pages have been updated. Happy Valentine’s Day, and have a great weekend!
Pic of the Day
Thursday, February 13, 2025
11:35 a.m.
There are three new listings on the market:
885 Oakwood Street – $1,295,000
12710 Ojai Road – $2,360,000
375 N. Ventura Avenue – $875,000
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
11:40 a.m.
There are no new listings for today, but the All Listings page has been updated.
Pic of the Day
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
12:20 p.m.
There are four new or “coming soon” listings on the market:
1273 S. Rice Road #39 – $315,000
690 N. Ventura Avenue – $2,750,000
690 N. Ventura Avenue – $800,000
(This is a business opportunity related to the property listed above at $2,750,000)
130 Oak Drive – $1,350,000 (coming soon, 2/14)
The All Listings page has been updated!
Pic of the Day
Friday, February 7, 2025
11:30 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:
11208 Sulphur Mountain Road – $1,950,000
The Open House and All Listings pages have been updated! Have a wonderful weekend…
Pic of the Day
Thursday, February 6, 2025
11:35 a.m.
Apologies…the back end of the website has been giving me trouble for the last 3 days, leaving the public site accessible and visible, but not allowing me to publish the updates. I think I have it fixed now.
There are four new listings on the market:
1204 S. Rice Road – $2,890,000
12507 MacDonald Drive – $999,000
608 E. Ojai Avenue – $750,000
153 N. Poli Avenue – $750,000
Numerous changes have been made to the All Listings page!
Pic of the Day
Monday, February 3, 2025
11:35 a.m.
There are six new listings on the market:
310 E. Matilija Street – $4,200,000
1400 Maricopa Highway – $1,500,000
58 Minuet Place – $890,000
1119 Paseo Del Robles Ct. – $1,575,000
966 Shippee Lane – $6,375,000
(This property sold and closed before it was listed in the MLS.)
1 Highwinds Road – $895,000
(This was recently listed but cancelled on 11/19 as “12661 Highwinds Road.”)
Tons o’ changes have been made to the All Listings page!
Pic of the Day
