BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 321 Quiz Show

Match the city with the price per sq. foot. What city has the highest? Data from March 2012 Simi Valley 93063, Oak Park 91377, Westlake Village 91361, Agoura Hills 91301, Thousand Oaks 91360, Newbury Park 91320, Moorpark 93021, Simi Valley 93065, Thousand Oaks 91362 $317,$267,$235,$278,$206,$251,$204,$197,$273 And the answer is: Westlake Village-$317, Oak Park-$278, Agoura Hills-$273, TO 91362-$265, Newbury Park-$251, TO 91360-$237, Moorpark-$206, SV 93065-$204, SV 93063-$197 This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 320 Storybook

Last night I was with realtor friends celebrating a couple birthdays and the stories began. When you get a group of realtors together, it truly is a time for stories. There were some good ones, funny ones and even a sad one. The storybook could go on all night long because as a group of professionals, we are truly entrenched in people's lives and we see the best and the worst. Here is a picture of all of us last night telling our stories. This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 319 Multiple Offers

After almost 3 years of slow to moderate activity on homes, you now almost have panic buying in some price ranges. We have been in multiple offers and I am talking about 3 or more on a number of transactions lately. I wonder with the lack of inventory if this will be the norm through the summer or if inventory will pick up and calm things down a bit. I have to admit, there's a bit more excitement out there, but when you are representing a buyer in one of these, it's excruciating for them. Is this the beginning of a turn around? Only time will reveal the answer so I will revisit this in 6 to 8 weeks to see if the dust is still stirred or if it has settled. This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 318 Feel the Heat!

I can't recall what group sang that song but after the siesta last night, coupled with the heat today and showing properties all day long...I am feeling the heat. Great weekend, 2 houses sold so far but hoping for one more this weekend. I guess we could call it a hat trick, we will wait and see, no actually, we will work and make it happen..Nothing is achieved by the wait and see attitude. Did i mention what a great time we had last night, I tell you this 39 year old body is feeling it. This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN - day 317 Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Dave! Two tips on your birthday: 1) Forget the past, you can't change it. 2) Forget the present, we didn't get you one. Your team wishes you the best 39th ever! This is your team, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 316 Staying Power

This business is an emotional one. I tell you, losing a listing hurts. You win, lose, win and lose again but you have to keep going with the eyes focused on your end goal. Just yesterday a listing came up that struck me in the gut, and you process, analyze and then you make a choice: move forward, work harder and smarter, or give up and play the blame game.

This is Dave, moving forward with The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 315 Single Story w/Forever Views

Gated community over 3300 square feet, incredible privacy, unreal master suite, beautiful appointments, putting green and chipping tees along w/sandtrap, 3 car garage, and forever, forever views. Live today at $1,149,000.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 314 Wildlife Disclosure

So you know how all the companies have their generic wildlife verbiage in all their addendums. My question is: When a neighbor of one of the properties that you have for sale, tells you that a mountain lion killed two of their goats, does the verbiage in the addendum cover you? My guess is no. After all, would a mountain lion that roams freely materially affect someone's decision to purchase a home? Maybe. I know I would love to have one around but I would not be considered your average buyer. Oh well, I will note it on the agent visual disclosure, not that I have seen one, only that I heard one was around looking for some different menu options.

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 313 Blinds are WIDE OPEN

Hello there! Spring is in the air and it is obvious by this couple's PDA (public display of affection). While walking by this house we noticed the BLINDS were really WIDE OPEN. For some strange reason, I feel like this duo maybe found their new Green Home without a realtor but if they had used The McLaughlin Group, we would have bought window treatments for their new pad.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 312 Field of Dreams

Nothing better than a silk wrapped toddler wandering in a field of herbs and fruit with her Easter basket in hand on an 82 degree Easter Sunday. A little sun, a lotta family; simple pleasures.

This is Laurie, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 311 Box Score for the Group

Year to date stats and figures for the Group

7 Closed transactions to date
14 Transaction sides in escrow
21 Active current listings

We just completed the first lap of the mile and we are so close to the pace we need to maintain...Have to keep running, don't look back, look forward and keep on truckin.


This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 310 Entrepreneur Tie In

Here is a quick note about family members of The McLaughlin Group and the businesses that they run and have just started in the past 5 years.

Casey, my older brother: Owns and operates Superior Fluid. High pressure valves, fittings and tubings sold all over North America. Oil Companies, Amgen and many other companies with sales of nearly 4 million last year. sales@superloknorthamerica.com

Nicole, daughter of Laurie of our group: Owner and creator of "Teddy Needs a Bath." Marketed as the best way to clean stuffed toys and available at numerous stores and locations including: Babiesrus & Drugstore.com. and at Teddyneedsabath.com

Craig, husband of Shawn of our group; Recently opened up 2 chiropractor and sports medicine offices with locations in Agoura Hills and Simi Valley. Boostathletics.net

Dlyan in our group and his brother-in-law Tim: Creators of "The Pro Post." This service allows for consumers to post a job, like a home repair and multiple professional contractors reach out to the consumer to provide bids for that job.
Thepropost.com

I'm feeling like a need to start something up here to compete with all these entrepreneurs. I think this creative spirit and drive to succeed is what makes our country great and makes our group and our families pretty darn cool.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 309 Life is a Highway

Country rock group Rascal Flatts song "Life is a Highway" was on the radio on the way in. I think it relates to life and real estate and since this is a blog about both, I thought I would just drop the chorus on you and see if we agree that there is a correlation. "Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long, if your going my way I want to drive it all night long."

Life: We have no choice but to stay on the highway of life unless you choose to jump and jumping is not really an option. The chorus pounds the point about wanting to ride the highway which is an affirmative or positive outlook on the ride of life. And when you have a spouse, friend or family that's going the same way, it appears that driving all night long (life) could be pretty cool if not down right enjoyable.

Consequences: Now merge onto the highway going the opposite direction and you have a major ugly pile up. Choose not to ride the highway everyday and life is missed.

Real Estate: Sellers if you find a buyer that's on your house and heading your way, my advice, open the door, turn the music up and offer to let them ride all night long or at least until escrow closes. Realtors, let us do most of the driving and our clients can sit back and enjoy the ride. A quick reminder to keep the lights on so we know where we are heading.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, Sunday morning, merging in (I hope in the correct lane) and keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 308 Colleges Where You Are More Likely To Fall In Love

As a parent of a college bound young lady, this headline from AOL grabbed my attention. The first sentence of the article: "The good people at Inside College perused their user recommendations to compile the ultimate list of colleges that are the best for finding true love." For some peculiar reason, we did not do the research on this and am quite concerned that my daughter may not have selected the right school. We took into consideration; Academics, possible majors, alumni network, distance, athletics and finances but I cannot believe I missed this study. I will have to forward it on and see if all of us still feel comfortable with Kelsey's school of choice. I can hear it now....Dad! Why didn't you tell me about this study? ;)

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 307 Oh oh Sometimes I Get A Good Feeling

Just like the lyrics from Flo Rida, I have that feeling today. I don't know why but I have it. And you know what I was doing today? A well, home and septic inspections, so why would I feel "Oh Oh sometimes I get a good feeling?" Well, maybe I got great news on an appraisal, maybe I realize that we will solve these inspection issues, maybe it's the e-mails saying I have offers coming in or maybe just hearing that song..makes me feel good. Regardless of the why, "oh oh, I got a good feeling about tomorrow as well."

This is Flo, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 306 Where's The Oak Tree Count?

Who wouldn't want to live here?

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 305 Conejo Valley Inventory

554 residential units or homes for sale in the Conejo Valley
584 residential units in escrow in the Conejo Valley
418 residential units sold since January 1, 2012 in the Conejo Valley
$48,000,000 most expensive active listing in the Conejo Valley
194 residential units priced over $1,000,0000 in the Conejo Valley available now

Stats are from the Ventura County Regional Data Share as of March 26, 2012.

Conejo Valley cities include: Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 304 Saturday, In the Park

Wasn't that a fantastic song? Saturday, in the park....I believe Chicago belted this classic out. Saturday started in the park today with the conclusion of the "Great Race," the 1/2 marathon in Agoura and I was amazed at the crowd and the number of people I knew who ran in this race. I was stunned and their willingness to punish their bodies, my wife included in this bunch. I felt kind of bad as I walked around eating the free pizza and sampling all the magnificent protein drinks and carb samplers. I got over the feeling rather quickly with the 2nd piece of pizza. These marathon events are quite the party; Bands, food, bouncy bounces but mostly small celebrations of accomplishment. It wasn't the 4th of July as Chicago sang so I changed the lyrics to "Saturday, in the park, I think it was a Saturday in March, People aching, people collapsing, a realtor eating ice cream, can you dig it, yes I can, I've been waiting such a long time, for Saturday." As I show houses today, that tune will play all day in my head...Can you dig it, yes I can.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 303 California Dreaming

Laurie’s mom again, hoping I don’t become a pest, but it’s hard not to want to join in on the McLaughlin blog. I was looking at the photos of the homes on Malibou Lake that Dave posted recently, and decided I want that new one, all glass and wood, right on the water. I wonder if the owners would consider swapping with my cute little condo in Westlake Bay. Probably not, but that’s okay. March is the month for dreaming and as soon as my Lotto ticket pans out, I’m making a bid!!

This is Sandy, Laurie's mom, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 302 The Appraiser Cometh

Well here we go again. 4 offers on a property in Thousand Oaks. So, you think that would be good enough to determine the real value of the property? Sounds logical yet how did we get to the place where an appraiser from some far away town determines the outcome of a deal struck between two willing parties? I will start holding my breath today and wait 3-4 days for the outcome. He rides in on his Toyota Prius, holding his laser measuring device and in his pen he holds the power of life or death (as it pertains to this transaction).....the appraiser cometh.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 301 Dream On

Dylan said he was busy working all day yesterday on the Ventura coast with this client......and then he woke up and got to work.

This is Dylan taking a nap, with The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 300 Dreams of Glass

Here is a picture of the original McLaughlin Group..actually it is a shot of my grandfather's employees at his glass factory in Los Angeles which he operated form 1920-1935 and it is also the front cover of the book about his glass factory. So when my Dad wants to tell stories about working in the glass factory, hot glass splinters and how easy we had it growing up compared to him, I might have to agree after looking at the photos. The book is entitled "Dreams of Glass" The story of William McLaughlin and his Glass Company. It is a fun read and pictorial memory of my grandfather's glass factory. I do swell with some pride as I glance through the book and think about his accomplishments and struggles as he worked for his American Dream. "Pop" as we called him lived to be 90 years old. Hopefully, I grabbed a bag of those genes from his pool.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 299 Assuage

The synonyms for this word include: soothe, appease, allay, pacify, mitigate, calm.

The definition is to make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense.

We have all had many occasions where we try to mitigate or assuage the concerns of a client or friend. It's never easy but the only thing to do is try. Often times the feeling that one had is far worse than the event that caused the unpleasantries. My mind and all minds can go crazy with reflection and wonder. I had a recent event with a client that appeared way worse because of how the event transpired and actions I took. Even though I knew the facts and they were clear to me, my actions caused doubt. I was confident in the facts and my client's concerns were mitigated. For sure, questions were raised and ultimately, my client and I, knew the truth. Sometimes the clients you have some struggles with become the best clients. In this particular case, the very best!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 298 On the Hunt

You take a look at this title and you're thinking that I am going to talk about house hunting and the struggles of the modern day buyer....nope, i will save that for another day. Today the blog will be about Dylan and my brother Drew taking off for a few days to a remote ranch to bag some bacon. This is not store bought bacon but wild Feral bacon. So for two days they struggled to bag the elusive, crafty and tough swine but late on the second day Dylan was able to put down a couple hundred pounder. These swine can put a hurt on you so in the back of my mind, knowing they are both a bit timorous, I will always wonder if they just found it on the side of the road. Oh well, it does not matter how, for it is now, ribs, chops and sausage for the entire group. Coupled with our salmon, venison and our McLaughlin Group vino, I question if you will ever see any more skinny girls in our group photos.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 297 Less is More...Gettysburg

Lincoln was preceded by famed orator Edward Everett who spoke for roughly two hours at the dedication but it was Lincoln's two minutes that changed the course and destiny of our country. Lincoln's speech reminds us all that many times less is so much more and in real estate isn't that the truth?

Here are the amazing 273 words that changed America forever.

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 296 Saturday in Huntington

Took a day off yesterday to hang in Huntington.Started with a 2 year old birthday party and ended with a meal and drink at the pier. Super relaxing day with family and friends and amazed at the crowds and the weather..Wow, Sunny, warm, packed and for a guy that likes to people watch...it was target rich. There is something calming about the ocean and the people that enjoy it. I think they they dance to a different drum beat and I have to admit, for at least a short while yesterday, I could hear their drums.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 295 Foreclosure Agents

Talk about the Wild Wild West..There are a few agents out there practicing real estate right now that are shady at best. Hiding behind the bank and whatever else they want to claim, they operate like weasels in a chicken coop, killing but not eating, only out to satisfy themselves. I firmly believe they don't care about the assets that they sell or the people they sell to. For them, it is about lining their own pockets. I would mention names and companies but I hesitate, for I may unfortunately, need to cross paths again. They are unaccountable, unseen, disrespectful, and one can only dream of the day these foreclosures disappear and the market returns to a place where people skills matter. Like the Weasel, once this foreclosure market disappears, they will slink back into their holes, rarely to be seen, and afraid to venture out, for they are unable to compete when competing matters.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 294 Proxio

As a new member of The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, just one of the benefits for our sellers is the appearance their listings in Proxio, a world wide MLS system. Let's see if we can match some of those international buyers with our great listings.

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 293 The Most Affordable Time in History

Paste this link into your browser and see what you think...Amazing times considering a very sluggish economy and yet with interest rates as low as they are...it just might be the most affordable time in history to buy a home.


http://www.dailywealth.com/1615/The-Best-Time-in-History-to-Buy-a-House


This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!

BLINDS WIDE OPEN -day 292 10 Acre Oasis

This one is unreal..10 acre private retreat at the back of Lobo Canyon..Peaceful, private, serene..feels like your in another state but only 5 minutes to the 101. Single level, pool/spa almost 4000 sq. ft. Truly a one of a kind property!

This is Dave, from The McLaughlin Group, keeping it real in real estate!