Six acres, two houses, three fireplaces, swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, sunken wet bar, wrap-around porch and great views -- what more could you want?

Stop by this Sunday (March 3) between 1:00 and 4:00pm to tour this turnkey home!

Open House Details:

Date: Sunday, March 3
Time: 1;00 to 4:00pm
Location: 1577 Kenewa Street

OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY!

This is the type of home you have to see in order to take in all that it has to offer.

To begin, a split staircase leads you to the guest wing or master wing where each of 5 bedrooms has an en suite bathroom, and one has a separate entrance and kitchenette for maid's quarters or long-term guests.

In the master wing, the master suite features a jetted tub, dual-sink vanity, walk-in closet, linen closet, separate lav with bidet, balcony with mountain views, and a second bedroom that could be used as an office or nursery.

The unique kitchen has double ovens, island with produce sink and breakfast bar, desk, wine fridge, grilling station and walk-in pantry with a built-in espresso machine.

The main house also has 3 fireplaces, a sunken wet bar, formal dining room and office.

The outdoor living area has a pool, kitchen with bar, bathroom, linen cabinet and a large patio with a pergola.

Additionally, there are on-grid solar panels, horse facilities and a 2-bedroom guest house with a garage.

Features Include:

Approximately 5,332 square feet
Five bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom
Total of eight bathrooms at main house
Office
Great room and family room
Formal dining room
Three gas fireplaces
Large kitchen with island and breakfast bar
Walk-in pantry with built-in espresso machine
Indoor grilling station
Sunken wet bar
Hickory, oak and tile floors
Imperial staircase
Large closets
Approximately 6.01 acres
Separate, two-bedroom, one-bath guest house
Separate horse area
Expansive outdoor living areas
Outdoor kitchen with poolside bar
Swimming pool
Wrap-around porch with pergola
Two-car garage
Porte-cochère-style parking near entry
Large guest parking areas
On-grid solar panel field
Mature landscaping, oaks and fruit tree
Mountain views
Short drive to downtown Ojai village

Open House Details:

Date: Sunday (2/24)
Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm
Location: 1577 Kenewa Street (off Creek Road in Ojai)

If you are a beginner gardener or looking to expand your existing garden, you are going to need seeds. While you could, of course, head to a local nursery or go online and purchase seed packets, there are other options for getting free seeds and cuttings for your vegetable garden or flowerbed.
 
These options also give you the opportunity to learn from local gardeners, build community, and support seed sovereignty.
 
So, let’s get right to it with these 11 ways to get free seeds and cuttings for your garden.
 
1. Save seeds from your garden.
 
If you have a vegetable garden or flowerbeds already in place, you can save seeds from your existing plants to plant for the next growing season.
 
If you are interested in saving seeds, check out this guide to seed saving from The Seed Ambassadors Project and this guide from HowtoSaveSeeds.com. I recommend checking out both of these guides, since The Seed Ambassadors Project guide gives a great overview of seed saving, including a glossary to help you learn the lingo, while the guide on HowtoSaveSeeds.com is great for easily looking up how to save particular types of seeds.

2. Save seeds from produce.
 
You can also save seeds from produce you have purchased. It is best to save seeds from organic, non-GMO foods, since seeds from genetically modified produce may not germinate or may grow unpredictably.
 
Saving seeds from local produce purchased from produce stands or the farmers market is best, since you know these seeds have already proven to thrive where you live. You are also more likely to get organic, non-GMO seeds this way.
 
3. Grow food plants from purchased herbs and produce.
 
Many foods purchased at the store can be regrown from cuttings or by saving the base to replant. Celery, romaine lettuce, parsley, and basil are examples of foods that can be grown from cuttings or saving and planting the base.
 
4. Ask friends for cuttings of ornamental plants.
 
Succulents are particularly easy to grow from cuttings, but you can also grow many houseplants and other ornamental plants for free by asking friends or family for small cuttings.
 
5. Divide your current plants.
 
Perennials can often be divided into multiple plants to plant in your garden. To accomplish this, you can either dig up the entire plant and root system to divide, or you can use a shovel to dig up just part of the plant and root system to relocate.

6. Attend the Annual Ojai Seed & Plant Swap.
 
Going to a local seed swap, such as the Annual Ojai Seed & Plant Swap hosted by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition, is a great way to get free seeds that grow well in your area. Aside from exchanging your surplus seeds for seeds or cuttings for your garden, local seed swaps also provide the opportunity to learn from local gardeners and farmers to take your gardening game to the next level.
 
7. Start your own seed swap group.
 
If you have friends, family members or co-workers who also like to garden, consider starting your own seed swapping group to exchange seeds, cuttings and plants. If you don’t know any gardeners, this is a great opportunity to expand your social circle and connect with local gardeners in your area.
 
8. Join an online seed swapping group.
 
If you missed your local seed swapping event or just prefer to do things online, look for an online seed swapping group where you can exchange seeds with other members. Your best bests are the groups available on GardenWeb and Facebook.
 
9. Borrow seeds from a seed library.
 
Seed libraries are a good solution for new gardeners who do not yet have seeds to swap with other gardeners. This option allows you to get free seeds for your garden, and then save seeds when you harvest the crop so that you can return an equal or greater amount of seeds to the library to share with others.
 
I believe the closest seed library is at the Camarillo Library, but please add a comment below if you are aware of one closer to Ojai.
 
10. Check the free section of websites like Craigslist.
 
You can find all sorts of treasures in the free section on Craigslist and this sometimes includes seeds, cuttings or plants.
 
11. Request seeds from The Free Seed Project.
 
Each year, The Free Seed Project sends thousands of free seed packets to folks who register on their website. To request free seeds from this non-profit organization, the group asks that you fit one of these criteria:

• Would not be able to otherwise afford seeds
• Will be growing the food to give to others who do not have access to home-grown foods
• Will be a first-time gardener and will commit to sharing some of your harvest with others

 
 
If you know of other ways to get free seeds for backyard gardens in Ojai and the surrounding area, please share them with us in the comments!

All of us in The Davis Group are cat parents and cat lovers, so we understand the important place your furry family members hold in your heart and in your home. We also know that sharing your home with cats can present particular challenges when preparing your home to sell.
 
We have seen the reactions when potential buyers are greeted with litter box odors as they tour a home and have done our fair share of herding cats to keep them from getting outside during a showing. While we are certainly happy to do all that we can to keep your cats safe and comfortable during showings and open houses, this can be a stressful experience for your furry friends and can scare off some buyers.
 
Unfortunately, not all potential buyers are cat lovers -- and even those who are often do not respond favorably when they see evidence of cats in a home for sale. Some people are afraid of cats, some are allergic to cats, some think pets should be kept outside, and some immediately start to wonder what kind of damage they are going to find under rugs and behind furniture.
 
There is also the issue of wanting potential buyers to see themselves living in your house. Part of preparing your home to put on the market is depersonalizing it enough for buyers to imagine it as their future home. When these buyers see pets or evidence of pets, it is a constant reminder that this is your home and makes it more difficult for them to see it as their potential home.
 
So, to keep you sane, keep your cats safe and keep buyers from being distracted, let’s go over some tips for sellers to help you prepare your home for open houses and showings.

Most folks don’t mind keeping doors closed to keep cats inside while they are looking at a house. If it is a private showing with just a realtor and one or two people, this might work out just fine. However, there is always the chance that they will forget or that your cat will slip outside unnoticed.
 
This is even more of a possibility with open houses, since your real estate agent may not be able to keep their eyes on all of the visitors and all of the doors to make sure someone does not let your cats out.
 
Plus, even if the doors are successfully kept closed and your cats remain safely inside, having strangers wandering around the house may be stressful for them.
 
It doesn’t really work to lock your cats in a particular room, since people looking at your house are going to want to see every bedroom, bathroom, walk-in closet, laundry room, and anywhere else that might be big enough to comfortably house your cats during showings.
 
The best option is to arrange for your cats to be away from home during showings or open houses. If you are able to leave them with a friend or family member, take them to work with you, hire a pet sitter, or take them to a pet day care, that is usually best. This allows your cats to be comfortable and keeps them safe.
 
If this is not an option and your cats need to stay at home, you might consider keeping them in a carrier during showings or open houses to make sure they do not get outside or that children do not chase them under the bed.

Litter boxes are an unavoidable necessity for folks who share their homes with cats. Unfortunately, they are usually unsightly additions to your décor and often give off unpleasant odors.
 
The first tip for sellers while their home is on the market is to clean your cat box multiple times a day. This will help keep odors to a minimum and help you be more prepared for surprise showings.
 
Next, you need to decide if it is feasible for you to hide your cat litter box during open houses and showings. If you have a typical, plastic litter box with no cover, there really is no choice here. Potential buyers are not going to want to see an uncovered cat box while they are touring your home. It doesn’t matter how clean it is; this is not a good look.
 
So, if this is the type of litter box you have, find a spot where you can hide it completely out of sight before potential buyers arrive. This might be in a cabinet in the garage, a backyard storage shed or some other spot where buyers likely will not look. Closets are not a good option, since potential buyers will likely look inside closets to check out the storage situation.
 
Covered cat boxes are better options when selling your home. While you should still hide a covered litter box before open houses, this option is at least a little more acceptable if you do not have time to run home and move your cat box before an impromptu showing. Keep it in an out-of-the-way area that is accessible for your cats but is inconspicuous enough to avoid distracting home buyers looking at your house. And, of course, if at all possible, hide it before showings.
 
The best option for convenience and visual appeal is to invest in a litter box that masquerades as furniture. Options include side tables, console tables, benches, potted plants, and more. Cat boxes that look like furniture still need to be cleaned regularly to keep odors at bay, but they do not need to be moved every time someone wants to see your house. This keeps your cats happy, makes your life easier and helps keep your house ready to show on short notice.
 
Now, let’s talk about cat litter box odors.

This can be a huge issue when preparing to sell your home. In the realm of unpleasant odors in homes we have toured, nothing beats cat urine and litter boxes. It is a distinct smell that permeates the air and can have buyers turning on their heels to get out of your home as quickly as possible. This, of course, is not conducive to selling your home, so let’s go over some options to reduce litter box smells.
 
As mentioned above, the first and most important step is to clean it regularly. This removes solid and liquid waste before the odor takes hold.
 
The next step is adding washing the cat box and changing out the litter to your weekly to-do list. This means discarding the old litter, washing the box with dish soap or vinegar and baking soda, drying the box completely, and refilling it with a few inches of fresh litter. For added odor control, sprinkle the bottom of your cat box with baking soda before adding litter.
 
If your cat box is old and scratched up, it might be time to replace it, since those scratches can be difficult to clean and allow the box to hold odors.
 
Once you have made these daily and weekly tasks part of your routine, it is time to find the best cat litter to reduce litter box smells, make scooping easy and keep your cats happy. Just like people, cats have different preferences. This means that some cats will immediately take to recycled newspaper cat litters and others refuse to use anything but clay. So, it might take a bit of trial and error to find the right cat litter that works for both you and your cats.
 
You will see plenty of advertisements for cat litters that promise to reduce litter box smells. Some of these litters have strong perfumes to mask the odor. This can be effective in some cases, but cats tend to not like these strong fragrances, which could worsen the problem if your cats avoid their box and relieve themselves elsewhere.
 
Some of these fragranced litters have smells that are so strong you will want to hold your breath while cleaning them, which clearly shows that these are not good options when selling your home, since potential buyers may be sensitive to strong smells or, at minimum, may recognize these distinct aromas as a coverup for litter box odors.
 
You are better off choosing an unscented litter and keeping up on your cleaning routine.
 
You will also need to choose between clumping litters and non-clumping litters. Clumping litters make scooping liquid and solid waste much easier. Since keeping your litter box clean is an ongoing task when preparing to sell your home, you will likely find that clumping litters are a more convenient option.
 
Clumping clay litters are the most common, the least expensive and the easiest to find; however, there are environmental and social justice implications that make clay litters a less-than-ideal choice. For example, the bentonite clay used in cat litter is often strip mined on Native American land. Some veterinarians have also expressed concern that using clay litters can cause intestinal blockages, particularly in kittens.
 
For these reasons, you might instead consider clumping litters made from corn, walnut or wheat.
 
If possible, place your cat box in a well-ventilated area to avoid concentrating odors in the spot surrounding the box.  

Using a combination of the right litter, baking soda and regular cleaning forms the foundation of odor control when selling a home with cats. Of course, even sticking to this regimen religiously may not be enough to completely remove litter box smells and related odors.
 
So, here are a few more tips that may help:
 

• Don’t overdo it with air fresheners. Some potential buyers might be sensitive to the fragrance.
  
• Set out bowls of distilled white vinegar or coffee grounds to absorb odors in the rooms where you have cat boxes. Be sure to place them where your cats cannot tip them over.
  
• Use an enzymatic cleaner to clean up accidents that happen outside of the box as quickly as possible after they occur.
• Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs to absorb odors. If possible, leave the baking soda on textiles for at least a couple of hours before vacuuming.
• Place an air purifier near cat boxes to filter the air and reduce litter box odors.
• Ask a friend or your real estate agent to assess the smell in your home. You may have grown used to some odors and not even notice them anymore.  

When preparing for a showing or an open house, you need to balance the needs of your cats with your need to prepare your home to sell. They will, of course, need access to their food and water bowls, scratching posts, beds, and toys whenever they are home. This means that you need a plan that will allow you to quickly and easily remove or hide these items when a showing is scheduled or when your real estate agent is hosting an open house.
 
If you have a storage ottoman or bench that is currently filled with throw blankets or magazines, this might be your best solution. Relocate the throw blankets to a closet so that you can use this conveniently located storage space to quickly stow beds and toys before showings.
 
If this is not an option, grab a laundry basket and make a trip around the house gathering cat beds and toys to stow in a cabinet, storage shed or garage. The garage is also a good spot for larger items, like scratching posts and cat trees.
 
Food and water bowls can be placed inside a cabinet to quickly hide them when potential buyers are on their way.

If you share your home with cats, preparing your home to put on the market might come with a few additional tasks. You might also have to add a few chores to your to-do list when prepping for open houses and showings.
 
If it is in your budget, you will want to start by repairing any damage. This might include scratch marks on walls or trim, stains on rugs or carpets, scratched or stained furniture, warped baseboards or laminate flooring damaged from urine, or scratch marks on windowsills that happen to be your cat’s favorite spot to lounge in the sun.
 
The next step is giving your home a thorough cleaning to seek out urine spots, remove cat hair from furnishings, and clean stains on rugs, carpet and furniture. Thoroughly vacuum, sweep and mop all floors to remove as much cat hair and dander as possible.
 
Once you have accomplished this, it is time to move on to your maintenance plan to help keep your home ready to show to potential buyers on short notice.

Here’s a handy checklist to keep on hand when prepping your home for a showing or open house:
 
1. Use a lint brush, damp towel or rubber glove to remove cat hair from furniture, curtains and other textiles.

2. Dust all surfaces to remove cat hair and dander.

3. Vacuum carpets and rugs and sweep and mop hard-surface floors to remove hair, dander and tracked litter.

4. Check for fur balls under beds and sofas and in corners and closets.

5. Hide cat bowls, beds, toys, and scratching posts.

6. Clean corners of walls and door jambs where your cats rub.

7. Check for hairballs and vomit hidden around the house.

8. Make sure your cats are safe and comfortable before the buyers arrive.

Side note: If you have heavy shedders, you might want to brush them more often to reduce the amount of hair you have to clean up before showing your home to buyers.
 
The more accessible your home is for potential buyers to see at a moment’s notice, the better chance you have of selling your home. But you must balance this with the time you need to make sure that your cats are safe and comfortable and that your home is ready to show. Therefore, you may need to let your realtor know that you need time to prepare and cannot accommodate last-minute showings.
 
To limit prep time and accommodate potential buyers as much as possible, stay on top of your cleaning routine, have a plan in place for your cat’s comfort, and create a convenient storage spot where you can quickly stow your cat’s belongings.  

Dates: Saturday, February 9 & Sunday, February 10

Time: 1:00 to 4:00pm

Location: 1577 Kenewa Street (off Creek Road)

Features include:

Approximately 5,332 square feet
Five bedrooms, each with en suite bathroom
Total of eight bathrooms at main house
Office
Great room and family room
Formal dining room
Three gas fireplaces
Large kitchen with island and breakfast bar
Walk-in pantry with built-in espresso machine
Indoor grilling station
Sunken wet bar
Hickory, oak and tile floors
Imperial staircase
Large closets
Approximately 6.01 acres
Separate, two-bedroom, one-bath guest house
Separate horse area
Expansive outdoor living areas
Outdoor kitchen with poolside bar
Swimming pool
Wrap-around porch with pergola
Two-car garage
Porte-cochère-style parking near entry
Large guest parking areas
On-grid solar panel field
Mature landscaping, oaks and fruit tree
Mountain views
Short drive to downtown Ojai village