Area: Newbury Park

(Reposted from previous)

Here is some information on the Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks communities:

Conejo Valley consists primarily of Thousand Oaks proper and the surrounding smaller neighborhoods, of which Newbury Park is one. T.O. “consistently ranks as the first or second safest large city (population between 100,000 and 499,999) in the United States in annual surveys” according to Wikipedia. Per capita income was $34,314 in 2006. The political situation is based on the “historically ‘slow growth’-minded city council” but there is increasing concern over the preserved open spaces in the area and the demand for land. There are three major public middle schools and three public high schools, all part of the Conejo Valley Unified School District. California Lutheran University is also located there. The Civic Arts Plaza of Thousand Oaks is an active live theatre. For Newbury Park, the average house value is listed at $291,000 on ZipCodes.com.

The political situation is based on the “historically ‘slow growth’-minded city council” but there is increasing concern over the preserved open spaces in the area and the demand for land. A notable issue in this department is the Dos Vientos Ranch, an ever-expanding project of large houses within spitting distance of one another. In a 2007 statement, Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks cites other areas that have a history of preserving their land from this kind of excessive development.

The biggest selling point for any horse property in the area in my opinion: Foxfield. This riding club is located in Westlake and they offer lessons (adult and child), a summer camp, and boarding. They are home to the Foxfield Drill Team and they host a number of shows through the year. They are especially known for the Foxfield Medal Finals in October. Los AngelesEquestrian Center, Earl Warren Show Grounds, Seaside Park in Ventura, Hansen Dam Equestrian Center, and Flintridge Riding Club are all within reasonable distance even for single day shows.

“Casa de Kelly” Showcase Follow-up

Official Designations: Hobbyist Friendly; Decent Bang for Your Buck; Excellent Location

The gates are new, one side still unhinged and in need of wiring. Suburban houses line the road, single digit numbers marching neatly above identical yards. Then suddenly it’s two hundred, following directly after two. The change in scenery is abrupt and extreme as well. One and two acre parcels sprawl as best they can, divided by wood post and wire fences. Behind the property, a tiny community church has just let out. Five cars come down the drive to leave; this is the extent of the weekend traffic. Another set of gates wait to be installed here as well. Gravel crunches as the car slips into the deep shade of eucalyptus trees and clumps of elephant ear plants. Welcome to Casa de Kelly.

The property really is quite beautiful. Upon entering, the house is to the immediate left, a tidy yard to the right. Pull in more and the barn is directly ahead. Down from it to the right is a turn-out, large enough to accommodate three horses if need be. There is a narrow walkway separating the turn-out from four pipe corrals, which are also wired for electricity if desired. The corrals are arranged into two single horse enclosures with a larger one on each end. These could hold two horses, but it would be tight. Towering eucalyptus trees give them almost complete shade. The barn is currently configured into two 12 by 12 stalls, a center walkway that connects by a ramp into the turn-out, a storage room and a tack/feed room. It is constructed from removable pieces and could be converted into as many as six stalls with relative ease. Removable flagstones form the floors in the breezeway and the storage room. The RV hookups are on the left hand side. Up a short incline, there is a wide open pad, the rear entrance to the property and, directly behind the house, the arena. This is approximately 70 by 90 feet. The width is more or less fixed, as a rock wall drops down to the house and the fence that encloses the property is opposite of that. You could make a long, narrow ring by extending out onto the nearby pad, but the land would have to be leveled somewhat. The promised “legal size jumping arena” would be an impossibility. A natural spring wells up on the slope leading to the upper pad, currently hidden behind another clump of plants.

The house opens first into a Spanish style patio, with barbeque pit and entrances to both sides of the enclosing house. The living room and kitchen are spacious with their high, exposed beam ceilings. There is a loft library up the stairs in the living room. The bedrooms are both quite small, but not uncomfortable. The bathrooms, however, border on cramped. The master bath is being remodeled and may have the first walk-in closet (there are two) made into a sauna room. The house is a bit like a warren in places, feeling tunnel-like in its closeness and wandering passages. Those 3000 ft. disappear quickly in this design. I personally liked it. It had character; it is no tract home. However, some are going to consider it a total loss if purchasing the property, so be warned. This is a love or hate house and those who hate it will have to factor remodeling or replacing it into the cost of purchase.

The current owner has been using it as a horse rescue facility and it seems well suited to that, provided it is a small operation. The sixteen horse occupancy was only possible when additional pipe corrals were set on the upper pad. I would estimate a ten horse maximum for the current configuration. The arena will never, in my opinion, be able to meet the needs of a professional trainer or competitor. There simply isn’t enough room. The landscaping is a bit strange, consisting of a couple isolated patches of shade plants. While the corrals are well-shaded, the turn-out could stand better cover.

And that is about all I can say to criticize Casa de Kelly. This is no home for a serious horse owner, it’s true, but this is ideal for a hobbyist, especially one with children or pets. There are speed bumps along the road and traffic is both rare and slow. The lawn could be ripped out to make room for more corrals, but it would also be very nice for family and dog use. If you have a child that has or wants a horse, this will be a lovely location. The ring is kid-sized and safe, the neighborhood is quiet and, according to the current owner, very accepting of the presence of horses, and there is Sequoia Middle School directly across Borchard Road from the entrance gates. If you want to offset the cost and have the time and energy to care for multiple horses, take on boarders to occupy some of the enclosures. There is one other possibility. According to the current owner, her neighbor would be willing to sell half an acre of his own land to be added to this one, since he cannot otherwise subdivide his lot. This would open up more potential for this lot but, of course, it means greater cost and it is not a guarantee. The owner would be able to explain this in greater detail and put you into contact with this neighbor.

Please be aware that the price has in fact dropped to $1,599,000 and the owner has expressed willingness to negotiate for a lower price if someone expresses strong interest. Everything I have described on the property comes attached to that price tag. Anyone who would like to keep the pipe corrals and other structures will be welcome to do so. If you have no use for them, the owner said she will be happy to transport them to her new location. If you think Casa de Kelly is your dream location, and I firmly believe that it could support an active horse lover who just wants a small, personal use setup, please visit http://150WKelly.sawitonline.com to contact the owner. There are other horse owners in the area and the prevailing sentiment is that it would be a shame to see this property used for anything but horses. I fully agree.

"Casa de Kelly"

Our first property comes in the form of a flyer offering a weekly open house. Here are the basic stats:

Lot size: 1.42 acres

House: ~3000 Sq. Ft; 4 bed, 3 bath, and 2 car garage

Price: $1,669,000*

This “gated equestrian estate” is located in Newbury Park, CA, but describes itself as near Malibu. A bit of a stretch, but I could accept that as close enough. Perhaps they are referring to the Conejo Trail network, which is apparently connected to the property. This does give you access all the way to the beach.

Most of the flyer is dedicated to the house; I sense trouble. The pictures provided do show a roomy, stylish house with “high beam ceilings” and promise “beautiful views.” There is a new kitchen and as of today, a bathroom is being remodeled as well. There is a 1200 sq. ft. barn as well. The flyer suggests that this could be converted to a guest house “for your caretaker or inlaws.” Or you could just leave it as is, if you would like your in-laws to only stay one night. There is also space to park a trailer or RV, complete with utility hookups. It all sounds very human-friendly. But what about for the horses?

The flyer assures me that they have “comfortably” kept sixteen horses there. The “BRAND New” barn may or may not have housed any horses yet. There is also a “huge turnout” and an arena. The arena size given is no more specific than “large” but they also recommend converting it to a “legal size jumping arena.” Let me remind you, this is all on less than one and a half acres. I am skeptical about the promises. I hope these sixteen horses will still be on the property so that I can get a better sense of just how much space they are allotted.

I also checked the website provided on the flyer, http://150WKelly.sawitonline.com. Now, this lists the price as $1,599,000, so I will have to check which is the real deal. Leasing is offered at $5,995.

Here is what I consider a critical line of both flyer and site: they promise that “this place is […] ready for you.” So what about all the talk of converting and expanding? It sounds like there is a lot of work to be done for the new owner with horses. This may be a strictly-as-hobby horse facility. We will see if it has the potential for a more serious rider as well.