Many home buyers think the first step in buying a home is touring houses. In reality, narrowing in on the right neighborhoods is a more important first step. Especially in the Conejo Valley.

Unlike many communities, almost every neighborhood in the Conejo Valley has a name locals actually use like Morrison in Agoura Hills or Village Homes in Westlake Village. With that comes lifestyle choices and nuances that only a local would know.

Small differences between neighborhoods can completely change your day-to-day lifestyle. From school district, demographics, and walkability, to the types of homes themselves: older vs newer, modern vs traditional, the list goes on and on.

That’s why I start with what I call anArea Tour.

Before we ever step inside a house, we’ll spend a few hours touring neighborhoods and our local amenities. This is your opportunity to get to know the Conejo Valley and your feedback helps me get a better feel for what neighborhoods may be a good fit for you.

By the end of the tour, you’ll have a list of neighborhoods that you’ll feel confident would make a good place to call home while also eliminating some neighborhoods that aren’t for you.

How the Area Tour Fits Into My 3-Step Buying Process

Step 1: Zoom Meeting

After our initial phone call, we’ll schedule a Zoom meeting. In the meeting, we’ll review a map of the Conejo Valley, go over the five towns and their differences, talk through my Buying Guide, and discuss what you’re looking for. At the end of the meeting, we’ll set up a day and time for an Area Tour.

Step 2: Area Tour

The day before our tour, I’ll put together a plan that I’ll send to you.

Every Area Tour is unique. It’s not a random selection of neighborhoods or a standardized list that I show every buyer. This is a customized list specifically curated for you based on what you’re looking for.

I take that list and create a PDF for you to follow along that includes a chronological list of the neighborhoods we’ll be visiting. Each neighborhood on the list links back to the neighborhood profile on my website so you’ll always be able to refer back, compare, and talk it through.

I’ll also include a sample listing that is either currently for sale or recently sold that’s close to your criteria. We’ll take a drive by that home so you can see a real-world example and view the interior pics on your phone. This really helps you get some context about what the neighborhood offers and if it fits with what you’re looking for. (view sample pdf)

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My goal is for you to end the tour with some clarity, confidence, and excitement as you continue to plan your next move.

Once the Area Tour is complete, we can start planning the most exciting part: Visiting and finding a home. Ultimately leading to Step 3: Making an offer and getting the keys to your next home!

You can learn more about the full process here: Helping You Buy Your Next Conejo Valley Home

Why We Don’t Tour Houses on the First Day?

The Area Tour is an opportunity to get a solid overview of not just the neighborhoods, but the Conejo Valley itself. In addition to the 12-15 neighborhoods we’ll be touring, I’ll also take you by some of our most popular centers and amenities like the Westlake Promenade and Stonehaus Winery plus some of our local parks.

By separating area discovery from home tours, it helps you make clearer decisions and feel far more confident when you narrow in on a home. Without context, you could end up in a great home, but in the wrong neighborhood.

The Area Tour and my guidance helps you avoid making that mistake.

Who an Area Tour Is Best For

An Area Tour is ideal if:

• You’re new to the Conejo Valley
• You’re deciding between multiple towns or neighborhoods
• You want to know the nuances of the neighborhoods before touring homes
• You prefer a structured buying process with clear guidance and local knowledge

Even if you’ve lived in the area for a long time and are just making a local move, you may still benefit from a refresher.

Chances are, you know where all the amenities are, but you may not know the minor differences between a neighborhood in Oak Park vs. something similar in Westlake Village. That’s where an Area Tour will help.

Choosing the Right Neighborhood Comes First

Buying a home isn’t just about finding the right house, it’s about choosing the right place to live your everyday life.

If you’re early in the process, or even just starting to explore the Conejo Valley, an Area Tour can be one of the most valuable first steps you take.

It gives you local context, eliminates guesswork, and helps ensure that when you do start touring homes, you’re doing so with clarity knowing you’re focusing on the neighborhoods that truly fit you.

You can learn more about how the Area Tour fits into my full buying process here:

👉 Helping You Buy Your Next Conejo Valley Home