Farm Talk with Paul Ward

Farm Talk with Paul Ward – Zoning in Ventura County

Paul Ward educates and enlightens us concerning everything we should know about zoning in Ventura County.

Did you know that there are zoning ‘categories’? Paul explains that there are 2 specific categories to be aware of: AE and OS.

AE refers to ‘Agriculture Exclusive’ which allows for most farming activities and also allows for building a primary residence, building a guest-house, a workshop barn or an equestrian barn on the property.

OS is all about ‘Open Spaces’, which you might think would be the easiest to obtain because it allows for more uses such as: a dog kennel business, Wedding venue, B & B and other businesses. The challenge is that you must have a Conditional Use Permit to obtain these businesses and those are not always that easy to get. Often, the neighboring residents get involved because of the potential increase in traffic and noise.

Paul breaks down the description of each zoning category as well as the Conditional Use Permit.

This is a very interesting episode full of excellent information. Tune in to learn more!

Farm Talk with Paul Ward: Liquid Gold

In today’s episode of Farm Talk, Paul discusses liquid gold (or water, as it’s known in California). Farm properties in California are all about water – not just the availability of water, but also the cost of water.

Here in Southern California, summer is the arid time of year and farming is completely reliant on transporting water long distances. So, how we value farm properties is largely based on the cost of water. Neighboring properties can have drastically different water costs. One property could be low and yet the property across the street could be twice, three times, or even four times as expensive!

So when people are looking for farms, one of the primary questions is “What is the source of water?”. If it is county water, it can be significantly more expensive than well water.

Paul explains in detail how the water costs vary, and he breaks it down so that it is very easy to understand things like “acre feet”, and what the water cost of each acre of your farm may be per year. Water can become so expensive on some properties that it makes certain properties better for equestrian use, rather than farming.

This is a very interesting episode full of excellent information. Tune in to learn more!

Farm Talk With Paul Ward: Virtual Staging vs. Traditional Staging – Cost-Effective, Professional, Beautiful!

Welcome to another edition of Farm Talk! Today Paul talks about staging – both traditional and virtual staging, a newer option.

If you have a house to sell and your furniture is a bit dated or it is an empty house you have two options to attract more buyers:

1 – You can go the traditional way and stage your house with professional stagers who will bring in nicer furniture that will match the style of your home. Traditional staging is pricey but very effective.

2 – Virtual staging: When viewed online, the rooms look amazing-often you can’t tell it is virtual! Of course, in reality, the furniture does not exist so when the people physically arrive at your property, there is no furniture. Virtual staging will get people to your house and give them an idea of how furniture will look there.

Paul has staged houses both ways. He has literally spent thousands with traditional staging and virtually staged houses for two hundred dollars!

Listen to Farm Talk and find out important details and helpful tips. Present your house in the most attractive way and do it cost-effectively!

About Paul:

For the past 17+ years I have specialized in selling country estates and ranches throughout Ventura County CA. This niche stems from my childhood, working long summer days on my grandparent’s citrus and avocado ranch near Santa Paula, just east of Ventura.

I love these types of properties, and it is my desire to help families, individuals and investors from all walks of life achieve their dream of owning a ranch or country estate.

The Paul Ward Home & Ranch Selling Team is committed to the specific needs of every client we serve. We understand that trust is built over time, not instantly.

Providing our clients with the tools they need to make an informed and conscientious decision is an integral component of our mission. We act as trusted advisors while you, the client, are the ultimate decision-maker.

You can contact us at (805) 479-5004 or e-mail: Paul@homeandranchsellingteam.com

Farm Talk with Paul Ward: The Benefits of Using Pods

Paul Ward discusses moving with the use of pods.

FarmTalk: With Paul Ward - Your Dream Home - What To Consider When Planning to Build On Vacant Land

In today’s Farm Talk show, Paul Ward shares valuable facts and on what to consider when planning to build your dream home on vacant land.

He tells a story of a woman, a land owner, who came to him with a problem – she had bought a parcel out in the country four years earlier but had never built on it.

They found, after reviewing the comparable sales in the neighborhood, that she had paid too much for the land and would probably take a loss on the property.

Paul helps people analyze the pros and cons and crunch the numbers on buying property.

What To Consider When Buying Vacant Land:

• Land costs money and building costs money. Add that together and the cost may exceed other houses in the neighborhood.
• What is the cost per sq foot? It varies on the materials used. (It could range from $300 to $600.)
• Multiply that number by the number of square feet you are building.
• Permits cost money – you need a permit for everything you do.
• Utilities – how far is your parcel from a city or county road? If you are way out in the backwoods, water, electricity, natural gas, or propane needs to be routed to the house.
• There may be sewage issues. Properties out in county don’t have sewage – you will need a septic tank.
• Earthquake requirements – you might need caissons.
• Fire access: You will need a 20 foot wide driveway. Fire engines also need a large turn around.
• You need a water source – a 5,000 gal tank or a swimming pool.

Building a house on vacant land could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars before you even put up a wall!

It may be good to do a cost comparison between building and buying a fixer upper out in the country. Depending on how long you plan to be in your house, you may be upside down when the house is first completed.

Listen to Paul’s show for more important details that will save you work and save you money when planning to build your dream home!

You can contact us at (805) 479-5004 or e-mail: Paul@homeandranchsellingteam.com

 

FarmTalk: With Paul Ward - Making Country Living Dream a Reality

Maybe since you were a child, you have had a dream of living in the country. Somehow, you wound up living in the suburbs or the city.

Still – you have not let go of the dream; the dream has not let go of you

Paul Ward is here to help you figure out how to make your dream of living in the country come true by overcoming obstacles and building creative solutions!

He analyzes your hypothetical situation below. Please keep reading!

Why You Want To Live In The Country:

• The air quality is better.
• You love the magic of nature – the stars, the wild life, the crickets at night.
• You want to grow your own food.
• You want more animals of your own.
• You want to host friends and family in the country.

Some Obstacles You May Experience To Living In The Country:

• Spouse is an urbanite or a suburbanite – a common situation.
• Distance to work – Is it practical?
• Starbucks addiction (Yes, this is a real thing.)
• Kids will be without friends.
• Grocery store at a distance – where is it anyway?

Solution: Rent A Property Temporarily!

In Ventura County there are always properties for rent. Though landlords want to rent to people who plan to stay, you can approach the landlord with a proposal. You can offer them more money per month for 6 months. If the rent is $3,000, you offer $3, 200.

Rather than paying for a year’s lease, you may offer them all the money for 6 months up front or increase the security deposit so that they can use it to allay expenses after you leave.

After living in your country house for 3 months or so, your spouse may be able to wrap their mind around a longer or permanent stay.

Paul has great tips for overcoming obstacles to living your dream – Many properties in Ventura County are 3-5 minutes from town!

Listen to his show today for fixes for grocery store worries, Starbucks addiction, your kids and their friends, and more!

You may also contact Paul and his team at (805) 479-5004 or e-mail: paul@homeandranchsellingteam.com

FarmTalk: With Paul Ward - An Important Story About Safety

FarmTalk: With Paul Ward - An Important Story About Safety. Wearing seatbelts is a necessity, even when out in the countryside.

FarmTalk: With Paul Ward - Ventura County 4H Scholarships for 2019

Ventura County 4H Scholarships for 2019 - An aspect of agriculture and farming that benefits students.

Paul Ward Introduces his New Show – Farm Talk!

Paul tells us about all the great plans he has for Farm Talk, and let’s us know what fun shows he has in store.  Whether he’s interviewing people in the farming industry, folks who take care of a few acres, or farmer’s market participants, there are lots of great shows ahead.

On this week’s show, Paul talks about a scholarship he has started, involving the agriculture industry. For several years Paul has received correspondence from local middle school and high school students that are involved in 4-H.  Paul makes what is called an “add-on contribution” towards their college fund.  Add-on contributions are a great way to support the 4-H participants, and help offset the cost of raising the animal.

If you’re a 4-H student, or know a 4-H student, who would be interested an add-on scholarship, contact Paul at (805) 479-5004 to learn!