The Gould House Greene & Greene Ventura California

With the real estate market pacing off, as reported in the Star on July 26th, house dressing (where a home on the market is decorated in order for buyers to see its potential) has become increasingly popular. However, the Gould House is not the average home. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, it is the only Greene & Greene on the list that is recognized by scholars as a rare specimen of Henry Mather Greene?s artistic talent. Currently listed with Remax Gold Coast Realtors in Ventura County and Mossler & Doe, Inc. in Los Angeles, the house has been on the market for the last several months, with interest being constant but without commitments. So the San Buenaventura Conservancy approached the Gould family and the listing agents about exploring some historically creative ideas to increase its exposure beyond traditional methods of multiple listings and advertising.

"People, lots of people, who qualify financially, need to actually see the house and they need to see it through the eyes of its greatest potential", says Cynthia Thompson, SBC President. Most of the original furniture has gone to individual Gould family members. Thompson approached For Your Home, who had loaned period correct reproduction furniture to the home during Ventura Architecture Weekend in 2004, to see if they would be willing to do so again for the duration of the selling period. It is good for us and its good for the Gould House was the response from Kevin Seelof, General Manager and Greg Bouffard, Sales Manager. A unique feature of this partnership is that all of the furniture from the store in the house will be for sale as buyers come through, with replacement pieces available to the home.

Partnering with Select Non-Profits

Another historic approach to broadening exposure is that the house will be offered free of charge to select non-profits for fund raising purposes during the sale period. We're starting with Ventura first, of course, said Thompson. ?As an example, the Ventura County Museum of History & Art has capital campaign needs for the construction of the new museum and the Farm Implements Museum. "This is a way to reach out to a financially qualified demographic while serving the needs of our cultural community" she explained. The Conservancy will also be exploring similar arrangements with the Gamble House in Pasadena and other select non-profits in Santa Barbara and Montecito.

Pasadena Comes Calling

Pasadena Heritage, who is also host to the internationally attended Craftsman Weekend, annually presented in October, holds the conservation easement on the Gould House. In an unusual move for the event, they will be offering a bus tour, 60 plus miles outside Pasadena, called The Arts and Crafts Movement In Ventura featuring the Gould House with stops at 71 Palm restaurant, The Hartman House, the Valentine-Siodmak House, and the Pierpont Inn on Friday, October 20th from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at $100 per ticket.

?The SBC is very excited about Pasadena?s interest in San Buenaventura?s architectural legacy. This is confirmation that Ventura's historic built environment is not just a sentimental enthusiasm of a few, but also, an actual engine for economic development through cultural tourism. If our authenticity can encourage people to spend $100 to see our town, it is an opportunity we need to capitalize on. Pasadena's international identity is based upon its architecture. "This partnership and recognition with Pasadena is something that should be nurtured," concludes Cynthia Thompson.

For further information about the Gould House, contact Jerry Brener/Remax Gold Coast Realtors at 805.794.7323 (in Ventura County), Crosby Doe of Mossler & Doe, Inc. at 310. 275. 2222 (Los Angeles County) or visit the Gould website at www.gouldresidence.com. Information about Pasadena Heritage's Craftsman Weekend is available at www.pasadenaheritage.org or by contacting Teri Geis at 626.441.6333. For Your Home can be reached at 805.641.1919. For any additional information about this press release, contact Authentic Resources Team at 805.815.8969

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