EXCELLENT Based on 15 reviews Denise Morris2025-01-13Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have done numerous transactions with Shoket Properties. Each time our expectations have been met resulting in seamless transactions! Their communication is on point which is key when going thru the stress of a real estate transaction. Highly recommend Jeff and Irina Shoket! Enih Phillips2024-03-19Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We were incredibly pleased with the service we received from Shoket Properties, Jeff, and Irina when selling our condo in Westlake Village. We cannot speak highly enough of their exceptional service and expertise throughout the process. We recommend Shoket Properties for anyone trying to buy or sell their home. Mimi Hersh2023-12-28Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Choosing Irina and Jeff as my realtors was one of the best decisions I ever made. They were both supportive, caring and knowledgeable, in helping me sell my home and purchase another. Buying and selling at the same time is a stressful process, and they did everything they could to make things proceed smoothly and alleviate my stress. Irina and Jeff were both very efficient in dealing with the paperwork and meeting all the deadlines in a timely manner so that it was smooth sailing for both transactions. I couldn't have asked for a more dedicated duo and highly recommend them to anyone Buying or Selling. Richard Rome2023-11-08Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had the pleasure of working with Jeff and Irina Shoket when they helped sell my partner's home in Calabasas. From the initial consultation to the final closing, Jeff and Irina displayed a level of professionalism and expertise that left us thoroughly impressed. Their dedication to ensuring a seamless and successful home sale was truly exceptional. Throughout the entire process, Jeff and Irina were highly responsive to our needs and concerns. They took the time to understand our unique situation and provided tailored solutions to meet our goals. Their guidance on preparing the property for listing, from staging to minor renovations, was invaluable in maximizing the home's appeal and market value. What stood out most was their marketing strategy. Jeff and Irina's creative approach set our listing apart from others. They leveraged cutting-edge digital marketing techniques, highlighting the property's best features through high-quality photos and videos, and effectively promoted it on various platforms. The result was a significant increase in the number of interested buyers. Jeff and Irina's negotiation skills were also commendable. They expertly navigated through offers and counteroffers, ensuring that we achieved the best possible sale price. Their professionalism and knowledge of the local real estate market were evident during this critical phase of the transaction. In addition to their professionalism, what truly sets Jeff and Irina apart is their personal touch. They maintained clear communication throughout the process, keeping us well-informed at all times. It felt like we were their top priority, and they were genuinely invested in our success. Selling a home can be a stressful and complex endeavor, but Jeff and Irina Shoket made the experience remarkably smooth and successful. Their dedication, industry knowledge, and personalized approach left a lasting impression on us. I wholeheartedly recommend Jeff and Irina to anyone looking for top-tier real estate professionals in the Calabasas area. Mukund Halthore2023-10-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I have been working with Irina and Jeff for over 15 years. They have helped us to rent initially and Buy our home. Irina very patiently showed many wonderful properties to our liking, in the areas we preferred and within our budget. Helped us through the process from start to finish. I have recommended them to my friends and family and everyone is extremely happy with their services. I will be using them if I need to buy or sell! Suzanna2023-10-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dear Irina and Jeff! We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your exceptional help during our real estate ventures in Thousand Oaks over the past several years. Selling our property there was far from straightforward. However, it was your expert guidance that not only ensured a successful sale but also transformed what seemed like adversity into triumph. Your extensive knowledge and unwavering dedication were truly remarkable. Your commitment to our success didn’t waver, regardless of the obstacles that arose. Having known you both for nearly nine years and having engaged your services for more than one real estate transactions, we can confidently say that you’ve consistently exceeded our expectations. We are delighted to provide this review to support your online presence. For anyone in Thousand Oaks seeking real estate services, your expertise and personalized approach are a cut above the rest. Ira and Jeff, we are eager to endorse your services and contribute to your growing online community. Wishing you continued success and an abundance of satisfied clients in the future. pauline boyle2023-10-30Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I met Irina and Jeff many years ago and they helped me sell a couple properties as well as assisted in leasing my properties. What I have always liked about them is their quick responsiveness, professionalism, and their ability to complete a transaction in a timely manner. I will continue to use them for all my future real estate transactions. Thank you Irina and Jeff! … you both are awesome!! Joel Freedenberg2023-10-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Over the past decade +, I have worked with Shoket Properties (Irina & Jeff) on 6 separate transactions as both a buyer and seller. Every experience has been outstanding. Irina and Jeff work as a husband / wife team. Working with Irina and Jeff is a rare opportunity to truly get two highly experienced and very capable real estate professionals for the price of one (if anyone else makes this claim, ask what role each plays to determine if they are both engaged. Ask if one or both have another full-time job. In this case, they are both 100% dedicated to the client). Irina is most often the agent who will show you properties or show your property. Jeff is most often the one who is doing the footwork behind the scenes (although both are very good at either set of responsibilities). When we were selling properties, Jeff spent hours thoughtfully taking professional photos/processing and creating compelling listings and email marketing. When we were sellers, we were beyond happy with the results. As a seller, they always worked hard to find us the best deal. They were not pushy about accepting offers that didn’t make sense. In fact, we were always impressed at their confidence in selling the property. When they are the listing agent, they are very hard workers. They will get a property listed quickly and run open houses over and over again to drive traffic. They are very good at selling homes. As a buyer, we were always impressed with their patience. This is not the kind of real estate group that tries to push you into making a purchase simply to close a transaction. Irina and Jeff are big picture professionals who want their clients to be happy for the long term. They take the time to really understand the wants and needs of the buyer and work hard to find a match. Another area that sets them apart from most real estate agents is that they have a broker’s license. This means that they are more knowledgeable than most real estate agents. This is a huge advantage to you as a client. Whether buying or selling, we also have found them to be outstanding strategists. I never want to pay too much or sell for too little. Irina & Jeff are adept at figuring out the best approach to negotiating offers. Finally, Irina and Jeff are great people. They are incredibly honest and operate with ethics beyond reproach. I couldn’t be more satisfied from my experiences with Shoket Properties and I highly recommend. Czr C2023-10-29Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Attention to detail. Great patience and valuable professional insight. Sincerely dedicated to helping you find the property you are looking for. Second time we go with this team and will do it a third time if and when that point arrives. Andrei Nikitin2023-10-22Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been a client of Jeff and Irina Shoket for over 15 years. They represented me on purchase and sale of both of my houses – in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard. I can describe their service as impeccable and their dedication to their clients as extraordinary. I felt their help every step of the way through the entire process of buying a house. They listened carefully to my needs and helped me define my desired house parameters, area and price range. Jeff then searched the listings and arranged houses for us to see in the geographic area from Pasadena in the East to Oxnard in the West. Irina showed me available listings and took the time needed to discuss all the pros and cons of each. When we narrowed down the list, she suggested (well, insisted) that I take a second look at one house in Thousand Oaks that was not my first choice (actually, it was my third). I did, and the three of us discussed this property at length. The more we talked the more I saw its advantages that I had failed to see at our first visit. Long story short, this was the house I chose. Every year I lived in it I became more convinced it was the best option for me – location, commute, space, quality, price, appreciation value, everything. And I was forever grateful to Jeff and Irina for the patience and wisdom in letting me see its value. I wouldn’t have had that house without them. I wouldn’t have bought my second house in Oxnard without them, either. My needs changed at that time because of a new job location, and they helped me pinpoint the area pretty quickly. Locating a suitable option proved harder, as the area was pricey. All listing I liked were out of my range. After Irina showed me another listing we disqualified, she suggested we take a look at the new development across the street. They had one last house available within my price range -- with a waiting list. Irina begged them to put my name on it - I was third. Irina expertly managed the relationship with the sales staff, and soon I was at the top of the list. She and Jeff held my hand through the whirlwind of events and paperwork, as we had to act fast to submit all the documents. I felt I had a team of master negotiators at my side, especially after Irina negotiated a price drop because of a construction delay. I wholeheartedly recommend Shoket Properties Real Estate Services to you. Their ability to find the best option for their client comes from their intimate knowledge of the market, and the personal relationships they build with their clients. I can’t think of going to anyone else for my future real estate needs.
Home improvements can add value to your home, but returns vary. Kitchen and bathroom remodels often offer the highest return, sometimes over 100% in strong markets, while adding a second bathroom is also highly beneficial. Room additions, attic conversions, and decks can improve resale value, depending on the project. Basic maintenance, like a new roof or updated plumbing, is crucial to adding home value. Curb appeal, such as exterior repainting and siding replacement, is key to attracting interest. Contact us today for a free home valuation at (805) 267-9171..!
Photography by: Jeff Shoket
Cost includes new cabinets, countertops, rewiring, structural changes, relocated plumbing, custom cabinetry, and top-of-the-line appliances.
Cost covers new fixtures, fittings, tile floors, walls, structural changes, and relocated plumbing. High-end materials increase costs. Note: A second bathroom can yield over 100% resale value.
Costs vary by room type. Family rooms or master suites add more value than private offices or fourth bedrooms.
Costs depend on the project. Value varies by house size (smaller homes gain more) and space type (family rooms or bedrooms add more than game rooms).
Warmer climates increase value. Deck size, design complexity, and amenities (spa, trellis) affect costs.
Assumes a worn exterior was repainted before listing. Fresh paint boosts profit for older homes.
Cost assumes a 16′ x 32′ rectangular pool. Note: Pools often aren’t factored into mortgage appraisals.
by Kathy Mcleary
My husband and I spent $20,000 on home improvements in our first year. We hoped for granite counters and steam showers but instead replaced the furnace, installed new gutters, added a drainage system, landscaped, and painted. At year’s end, I cleaned my old Formica countertops and bathed in a 1950s seafoam green tub, wondering if our spending was wise. Would buyers value a dry basement and reliable furnace?
Realtors, contractors, and architects agree: basic maintenance matters. “A leaking roof stops buyers cold,” says Ron Phipps of Phipps Realty in Warwick, R.I. “Even a stunning kitchen won’t matter.”
Per Remodeling Magazine, basic maintenance like new siding (92.8% cost recouped) outperforms major remodels. A minor kitchen remodel ($15,000) returns 92.9% at resale. Roof and window replacements also yield over 80% returns.
“Buyers expect functional systems,” says Sal Alfano, Remodeling’s editorial director. “They assume the roof, air conditioning, and plumbing work. Maintenance costs add up fast, and buyers fear surprises.”
Kitchen and bath remodels remain top investments. “They’re always high on the list,” Alfano notes. “New home builders splurge on these rooms, and buyers expect the same in existing homes.”
Consider your home’s value, neighborhood, market, sale timeline, and project quality. A $10,000 stove in a $200,000 house doesn’t add up, says Phipps. Adding a second bathroom doubles the resale value of a bedroom.
In hot markets, kitchen and bath remodels yield strong returns. A $9,400 bathroom remodel in Baltimore recouped 182% in 2004, per Remodeling. Cities like Washington, D.C., and San Diego saw triple-digit returns. Minor kitchen remodels ($15,273 average) returned over 100% in Providence, Miami, and San Diego.
“Kitchens and baths show where money was spent,” says architect Steve Straughan of KAA Design Group. “They’re costly to build and where people spend time.”
For kitchen or bath remodels, choose timeless features: all-wood cabinets, commercial appliances, wood or stone floors, and stone countertops. Walk-in showers are now preferred over whirlpool tubs. “Most people don’t use tubs,” Straughan says. “A big shower saves space.”
Don’t remodel your only bathroom; add a second one instead. A National Association of Realtors study found a new bathroom increases sale price by 8.7%, far more than a bedroom.
If not selling soon, remodel for your enjoyment. Phipps recalls a house with a two-year-old kitchen remodel where the Viking range was unused. “The owners weren’t cooks,” he says.
New kitchens lose appeal if the basement leaks, says Alfano. “Keep the structure sound,” advises contractor Don Sever. “I’ve seen homes with $40,000 kitchens but water in the basement. Fix foundations first.”
Buyers prioritize functional systems. A 30-year-old roof is a bigger concern than an outdated bathroom, Phipps notes. Over 70% of buyers plan remodels after purchase, per a 2002 HanleyWood study.
“Curb appeal draws buyers in,” says realtor Dick Gaylord. A strong exterior, like a front porch, creates a welcoming feel, says Phipps. Siding replacement is low-maintenance and recoups 92.8% of costs.
Room additions shine in hot markets. “We see demand for sunrooms and larger homes,” says contractor Don Sever. Adding 1,000 square feet boosts sale price by over 30%, per a 2005 study. Bathroom additions return 86.4%, while attic bedrooms and sunrooms return 70–80%.
Don’t overbuild for your neighborhood, warns Phipps. Stay within the upper range of local values.
Some improvements are about dreams, not resale. Architect Straughan built a $250,000 home theater with a 12-foot screen. “Home theaters are common and appeal broadly,” he says. Wine cellars and yoga rooms are also popular in high-end markets.
Contact: (805) 796-6482
CA BRE License #01246477
info@shoketgroup.com
Contact: (805) 551-7341
California BRE License #01899853
info@shoketgroup.com
Stunning home staging meets expert real estate photography! Irina’s design vision and Jeff’s marketing expertise ensure your home stands out and sells faster. Contact us today for a free home valuation at (805) 267-9171..!
Photography by: Jeff Shoket