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November 10, 2026

 

 

 

 

Quote of the Day

 

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times.

 

~ Aeschylus

 

 

 

This Day in History

 

November 10, 1973:  Copies of ‘Slaughterhouse-Five’ burned in North Dakota.  On this day in 1973, newspapers report the burning of 32 copies of Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.  Vonnegut’s book was a combination of real events and science fiction.  His hero, Billy Pilgrim, was a World War II soldier who witnessed the firebombing of Dresden, as had Vonnegut himself.  Pilgrim becomes “unstuck in time” and thereafter lives a double existence.  One life is on an alien planet where a resigned acceptance of inevitable doom expresses itself philosophically in the hopeless locution “And so it goes.”  In his life on Earth, Pilgrim preaches the same philosophy.

Some found the book’s pessimistic outlook and black humor unsuitable for school children.  In Drake, North Dakota, an English teacher assigned the book to a class of sophomores.  However, the local school board decided the novel was “profane” and unsuitable for students.  They ordered a school custodian to destroy the books, which she did by tossing them into a furnace beneath the school gym.

Vonnegut’s other novels, including Cat’s Cradle (1963), Breakfast of Champions (1973), Galapagos (1985), and others, did not generate as much controversy as Slaughterhouse-Five.  His experimental writing style, combining the real, the absurd, the satiric and the fanciful, attracted attention and made his books popular.  He died in 2007.

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Ojai Weather

Sunny  –  High 86 / Low 46

Total rainfall for the season  –  2.79 inches

Lake Casitas water capacity  –  94.5%

 

Tuesday, November 10, 2026
12:30 p.m.
No new listings have come to the market since Friday, but there are a couple of properties that have come back on the market as “new:”

 

Pic of the Day
Nothing says “relax” like a bath with Stalin

 

Friday, November 6, 2026
10:50 a.m.
There are two new listings on the market:

 

12412 Linda Flora Drive – $4,000,000

 

 

1124 Golden West Avenue – $1,695,000

 

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Pic of the Day
Enough said

 

Thursday, November 5, 2026
10:45 a.m.
There are four new listings on the market:

 

1114 Mercer Avenue – $1,335,000

 

 

928 Devereux Street – $1,350,000

 

 

11755 Mirror Lake Avenue – $839,000

 

 

1738 Orchard Drive – $699,500

 

Pic of the Day
Never let Mr. Freeze use your restroom (who apparently has the bladder of an elephant).

 

Wednesday, November 4, 2026
9:20 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:

 

818 N. Signal Street – $2,100,000

 

 

Pic of the Day

(And in accordance with today’s “This Day in History…”)

 

There was a bit of controversy involving this cartoon.  In this 1987 depiction, Gary Larson (of “The Far Side” fame) referred to Jane Goodall as a ‘tramp’ – but all in good fun – and while Goodall’s institution took offense, she went ahead and made friends with the artist:

“The controversy between Goodall and Larson garnered a national response.  The cartoon depicted a chimpanzee couple, and while they were grooming each other, the female found a single blonde strand of hair on the male and probed, ‘Conducting a little more ‘research’ with that Jane Goodall tramp?’”

“Larson, however, had never meant for it to express any malice towards Goodall.  With Goodall out of the country, the Jane Goodall Institute let Gary know that it was not amused.  In his ‘The Prehistory of The Far Side:  A 10th Anniversary Collection’, Larson wrote:  ‘I was horrified. Not so much from a fear of being sued… but because of my deep respect for Jane Goodall and her well-known contributions to primatology.  The last thing in the world I would have intentionally done was offend Dr Goodall in any way.’  When Jane finally saw the cartoon, she loved it. Gary was relieved.  And that was ‘the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’  A friendship that saw the cartoon printed for the benefit of The Institute.”

 

Tuesday, November 3, 2026
11:05 a.m.
One new listing has come to the market since Friday:

 

640 Lark Street – $1,395,000

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”

 

Pic of the Day
Where Clark Kent becomes Supermackerel

 

Friday, October 30, 2026
9:45 a.m.
There are five new or “coming soon” listings on the market:

 

2030 Sumac Drive – $1,095,000

 

 

1008 Creekside Way #D – $829,000

 

 

1273 S. Rice Road #85 – $320,000

 

 

138 Christopher Lane – $1,350,000

 

 

11951 Mustang Court – $869,000 (coming soon, 11/4)

 

 

Have a good weekend, and enjoy the rain!

 

Pic of the Day
So, technically – “Berry Loaf” is accurate

 

Thursday, October 29, 2026
10:45 a.m.
There are two new listings on the market:

 

908 Tico Road – $1,395,000

 

 

410 Church Road #23 – $920,000

 

 

Pic of the Day
I’m quite certain this warning is unnecessary

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2026
11:05 a.m.
There is a new listing on the market:

 

159 La Plaza Way – $215,000

 

Pic of the Day
(Thanks to Blaise B. for the submission!)

 

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

9:45 a.m.

One new listing has come to the market since Saturday:

 

12271 Sisar Road – $1,095,000

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”

 

Pic of the Day
Big butts parking only

 

Saturday, October 24, 2026
8:25 a.m.
There are four new listings on the market:

 

190 Fairway Lane – $1,550,000

 

 

189 Grapevine Road – $1,200,000

 

 

166 Feliz Drive – $1,125,000

 

 

309 Grand Avenue – $850,000

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Pic of the Day
The first rule of Fight Club is – you do not talk about Fight Club

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
11:25 a.m.
There are no new listings for today.

 

Pic of the Day
Once again, a meddling bureaucracy destroys one of life’s simple pleasures

 

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
10:15 a.m.
Two new listings have come to the market since Friday:

 

190 Fairway Lane – $1,550,000

 

 

1 Barbara Street (land parcel) – $249,900

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”

 

 

Pic of the Day
Mushy and arid customers dare not enter!

 

Friday, October 16, 2026
8:10 a.m.
There are two new listings on the market:

 

1420 Arundale Access – $2,999,000

 

 

205 Verde Oak Drive – $850,000

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Pic of the Day

♫ She’s got Betty Davis vibes… ♫

 

Thursday, October 15, 2026
9:30 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:

 

1303 Sunset Place – $1,325,000

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
Pic of the Day
After he failed to capture Butch and Sundance, Lord Baltimore turned his talents towards easier prey

 

Wednesday, October 14, 2026
9:55 a.m.
There is one new listing on the market:

 

11195 N. Ventura Avenue #24 – $339,000

 

Pic of the Day
Your local church – totally bringing it

 

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
11:15 a.m.
Six new or “coming soon” listings have come to the market since last Friday:

 

1303 Cruzero Street – $949,000

 

 

950 Woodland Avenue #38 – $299,000

 

 

0 Barbara Street (land) – $300,000

 

 

1273 S. Rice Road #11 – $330,000

 

 

412 N. Fulton Street – $1,398,000 (coming soon, 10/31)

 

 

610 W. Eucalyptus Street – $3,300,000 (coming soon, 10/15)

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”
Pic of the Day
David Blaine’s trash can

 

Friday, October 9, 2026
10:20 a.m.
There are seven new or “coming soon” listings on the market:

 

402 S. Montgomery Street – $3,100,000

 

 

242 Prospect Street – $995,000

 

 

484 S. Rice Road – $1,695,000

 

 

1202 Loma Drive #107 – $250,000

 

 

1125 Spring Street – $2,295,000

 

 

950 Woodland Avenue #34 – $322,000

 

 

309 Grand Avenue – $850,000 (coming soon, 10/10)

 

 

 

I’d like to take a moment to recognize one of my most respected “go-to” people in this industry.  At times, Brokers and Realtors – in addition to the duties involved in helping people buy or sell homes – also dabble in other professions while in the course of a sale:  Marriage counselor, referee, landscaper, septic location service, escrow officer, loan consultant, interior decorator, stager, koi pond maintenance, document delivery service, security service, all are amongst the many “services” I’ve rendered in my 20 years in business.

Obviously, we can’t be all things to all people.  When the time comes that we need to lean on someone who possesses skills that we aren’t experts in (that is, something we do 40-50 hours a week) – these people help people on my side of the business shine.

I can think of no other person who deserves more accolades than Emily Wilson with Heritage Financial – right here in Ojai.  I’ve often reached out to Emily for assistance, and she’s always been there for me.  In the middle of a recent escrow where we had some loan issues, specifically with lender requirements which made the parties in the contract extremely nervous – Emily took the time to spend a half-hour on the phone with my clients – even though she isn’t procuring the loan for the buyers herself (the buyers went with their own lender).  She patiently explained their options, as well as the thought-process behind why and what their lender was asking for.

In her authoritative, knowledgeable, yet calm and gentle way – she walked my clients through the issues they were experiencing. She eased their fears and concerns in a way that only a true knowledgeable professional – and more importantly – someone who absolutely cares about the people they service AND the people they work with in the real estate industry – can accomplish.  Thank you, Em – you are a true gem!

 

Emily Wilson – Heritage Financial

 

 

Enjoy the cooler weekend – looks like rain’s a comin’!

 

Pic of the Day
Always have your contractor submit an LSD drug test before beginning a project.

 

Wednesday, October 7, 2026
10:00 a.m.
One new listing has come to the market since last Friday:

 

501 N. Montgomery Street – $1,300,000

 

Pic of the Day
Aaghh…my eyes, my eyes!  GZZZZT, aaghh my heart, my heart!

 

Friday, October 2, 2026
11:00 a.m.
There are three new listings on the market:

 

1108 McNell Road – $4,250,000

 

 

1708 Orchard Drive – $1,479,000

 

 

11020 Rodeo Road – $4,300,000

 

 

Recently cancelled, withdrawn, or expired listings – back on the market as “new:”

 

 

Have a great weekend!

Pic of the Day
Van Camp’s Clock and Beans.  (I may have added the logo.)

 

Thursday, October 1, 2026
10:55 a.m.
There are no new listings for today.  Here are a couple of market updates, one of which is depressing:

 

MORTGAGE RATES

30-yr fixed:  7.54%

15-yr fixed:  7.18%

30-yr Jumbo:  7.66%

30-yr FHA:  7.15%

30-yr VA:  7.17%

 

We’ve seen interest rates increase more than 1% since this time last year.  On the other hand, the Ojai housing market has been decent and still seems to be a level playing field between seller and buyers:

 

 

 

Pic of the Day
Another testy business owner

 

 

Click here for archived September, 2026 posts

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