JILL KIP Coastal Oxnard/Ventura Realtor

08/10/2026

🏡 3 Things I Wish Every Buyer Knew Before Starting Their Home Search

After years of helping buyers, there are a few things I wish everyone understood before we ever start looking at houses.

1️⃣ Know ALL of your numbers.
A pre-approval is only the beginning. Understand what you can comfortably afford once you include your payment, property taxes, insurance, down payment and closing costs. And understand your buyer-agent agreement—including any compensation you could be responsible for if a seller's contribution doesn't cover the full amount.

Know your numbers before you fall in love with a house.

2️⃣ Until the seller says YES, it's still a maybe. ❤️
This one is hard! Most buyers walk into a house they love and immediately start picturing their furniture, their holidays, their life there.

Then we write the offer and emotionally...they've already moved in.

But depending on the market, you might write several offers before one comes together. It could be the first—or the third, fifth or seventh.

Be excited. Hope you get it. But try to hold back just a little piece of your heart until we're actually in escrow.

And if we're making an aggressive offer? Understand the strategy. Sometimes a low offer starts a great negotiation. Sometimes it ends one.

3️⃣ Home inspections are supposed to find things. Don't panic. 🔎
A 40-page inspection report can make a house suddenly look terrifying.

Read it. Ask questions. Research what concerns you. Bring in a contractor or specialist and get a bid when necessary.

Some findings really are serious. Others just sound serious.

Our job isn't to convince you to buy the house. It's to help you understand what you're buying so you can make a decision you feel confident about.

Choose an agent you trust to tell you the truth, advocate for you and protect your interests—even when that means having a difficult conversation.

Be excited. Be informed. And know that we're in your corner. 💙

Jill Kip
— The Real Estate Besties

08/07/2026

Hyatt House Planned for Channel Islands Harbor
A New Waterfront Destination is Taking Shape

If you've driven along Peninsula Road in Channel Islands Harbor, you've probably noticed activity on the former Casa Sirena Hotel and Lobster Trap Restaurant property. What was once a familiar waterfront landmark is being transformed into a new chapter for the Harbor.

Brighton Management is planning a 210-suite Hyatt House Hotel at 3605 Peninsula Road, bringing new lodging, dining, meeting space, and public gathering areas to one of Oxnard's most recognizable waterfront locations. The four-story hotel is designed to offer spectacular 270-degree ocean and harbor views while creating a vibrant destination for visitors and locals alike.

A Look Back-
The original Casa Sirena Hotel, built in 1972, featured 197 guest rooms and meeting facilities. Adjacent to the hotel was the longtime favorite Lobster Trap Restaurant, a place many locals remember fondly.

Demolition of both buildings began in December 2021 and was completed in June 2022, making way for future redevelopment.

Preparing the Site-
Before construction of the hotel could begin, an important infrastructure project had to be completed.

From January through May 2023, the Harbor replaced the aging rock revetment surrounding the peninsula. A revetment is the protective shoreline structure that helps defend waterfront property against erosion, waves, and storm activity. Completing this work was a critical step before the hotel site could move forward.

Once the shoreline improvements were finished, the property was returned to Brighton Management so work on the Hyatt House project could begin.

What We Know About the Hyatt House

Current plans include:
210 guest suites
Four-story, 55-foot-tall building
Approximately 202,150–203,000 square feet
270-degree harbor and ocean views
Waterfront outdoor pool
Lobby, lounge, and gathering areas
More than 6,000 square feet of meeting space
Signature second-floor rooftop bar and outdoor lounge
Approximately 5,400-square-foot specialty restaurant
A new public plaza overlooking the waterfront
Construction Progress
Work has continued in phases over the past several years.
December 2024: Site grading began.
January 2025: Crews started installing concrete foundation pilings, which support the building's foundation.
Current Status: According to the Ventura County Harbor Department, the developer is updating building plans while securing project funding before moving into the next stage of construction.

Why This Matters-
The Hyatt House represents one of the most significant hospitality investments currently planned for Channel Islands Harbor.
Beyond adding new accommodations, the project is expected to bring:
-Expanded waterfront dining
-Additional meeting and event space
Increased tourism
-More activity for nearby businesses
-A new public gathering space along the harbor

For residents, visitors, and those considering making Coastal Oxnard home, projects like this continue to enhance the Harbor while preserving its role as one of Ventura County's premier waterfront destinations.

We'll Continue Following This Project

As local REALTORS® who live and work along the Ventura County coast, we're excited to watch this project evolve. We'll continue updating this page as construction progresses and new information becomes available.
Whether you're interested in Channel Islands Harbor, Mandalay Bay, Seabridge, Silver Strand, Hollywood Beach, or Oxnard Shores, we love sharing the developments shaping our coastal communities.

Jill Kip
The Real Estate Besties

04/04/2026

🌸 Spring has officially arrived on the Gold Coast — and with it comes one of the best times of year to make a move! Whether you've been thinking about buying your first home, upsizing, downsizing, or finding that perfect little beach bungalow, the market is active and the opportunities are real. There's something about this time of year that just makes everything feel possible.
If you or someone you love has been on the fence, let's talk. I'm here to make the process feel easy, honest, and even a little fun. From Oxnard to Hollywood Beach, I know this coastal market inside and out — and I'd love nothing more than to help you find your own little piece of sunshine. 🏡☀️

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

A New Look In Real Estate…

10/03/2025

Open Sunday Oct 5th 1-4
Andrea and I would love to see you!!
This stunning home is waiting for its forever family!!!
Come check it out and say hello