Ojai Real Estate

True, the real estate market in Ojai has changed a bit over the past 10,000 years. The earliest, primitive dwellers of Ojai were part of race commonly labeled by archaeologists as "Oak Grove People." They nurtured a simple but self-sustaining society built on farming. Since their reign, societies have shifted more than slightly in Southern California. But despite cultural developments, Ojai's natural beauty and its citizens' respect for it remains steadfast.

The name "Ojai" comes from the Chumash Indian word A'hwai, which literally means "moon." The Chumash Indians, who replaced the "Oak Grove People" roughly 3,000 years ago, lived in Ojai before the arrival of the Spanish missionaries. It was settled in the 1880s and named as a city on August 5, 1921. Today, the city of Ojai has a population of 8,000. The Ojai Valley as a whole shelters nearly 32,000 people.

Ojai and its Real Estate Market

Not surprisingly, Ojai is the smallest city in Ventura County. It functions as a hub for other areas in the Ojai Valley and as a societal focal point alongside Los Padres National Forest. The city of Ojai and the Ojai Valley have been built upon the values of community, health, and a love for nature. Though just ninety minutes north of Los Angeles and 35 miles from Santa Barbara, the big cities feel light years away.

The Ojai real estate market has been growing steadily, especially over past five years. Whether you are looking to lease, buy or sell a home in the area, most analysts maintain the solidity of the market in general. Since 1998, the median home selling price of Ojai and Ojai Valley homes has been on a sharp incline. This type of growth gives real estate investors hope and a sense of security.

Purchasing or Selling Real Estate in Ojai

Purchasing a piece of real estate represents a significant investment of one's time and money. It's important to know that you, as a buyer or seller, will have underlying support from REALTORS® and the community. The Ojai real estate market benefits by way of an intimately connected community of artists, teachers, farmers and business people. Word spreads fast in Ojai. The need to attract potential residents and businesses is also important; but it's a process that must be carried out diligently and Ojai's city planners maintain the area's architectural and social heritage.

Ojai's citizens value the area's integrity and overall sense of community. They stress the importance of keeping the city and valley pristine and free of significant traffic (visitors marvel at the city's lack of traffic lights). For these reasons, potential real estate buyers come to value the area's "green" attitude.

The shopping mall mentality does not exist in Ojai and area real estate is a reflection of that. Spanish Colonial, Tudor, and Norman style homes are a more accurate representation of the area's feel. New real estate in Ojai reflects a passion for the history of Spanish architecture.