For Ojai realtor Steven Sharp, hometown roots run deep

OJAI, California – Name any street, business, school or landmark in the Ojai Valley, and chances are good that Steven Sharp can tell you about it.

The local father of two grew up in the picturesque valley, attending public schools, playing on the Nordhoff High School football team, working the snack bar at the Oak View baseball fields and as a lifeguard at Lake Casitas water park. After graduating and settling in the valley with his high-school sweetheart, Sharp worked for several years at a local bank and then at area water companies, driving to project sites across the region to assist with – and later oversee - maintenance and repairs.

A realtor since 2021, Sharp now uses his hard-earned insights about the place he grew up to help clients find the perfect home and to assist local homeowners in getting the best price for their properties. He recently joined the independently owned real estate agency Village Properties, becoming the Santa Barbara-based brokerage’s first representative in Ojai.

“I’ve driven almost every street in this town multiple times, I know the ins and outs,” Sharp said. “I can tell people about different neighborhoods, the pros and cons of specific areas, or where homes are most likely going to appreciate more. I have a lot of embedded knowledge because I grew up here.”

Sharp said he didn’t always appreciate his hometown when he was growing up. In fact, after he and his now-wife, Molly, had their first child just months after finishing high school, they worried they might not be able to make a living in the small town. But the couple worked hard and pushed through the challenges to stay in Ojai and raise their young daughter, now 16, and later their son, age 9. Both kids go to local schools and Sharp’s wife is a Speech Language Pathologist Assistant.

“We have a lot of family, so that kept us in the area initially,” Sharp said. “Now, as I get older and especially selling to people from different areas, I realize how special Ojai is. It holds a special energy. It’s a relaxing place with a ton to offer. It’s so close to the beach and yet in the valley with hiking trails and rivers, and great restaurants.”

Sharp sees himself as a real estate advisor, not just a salesperson. He spends time talking in depth with each client to really understand their goals and to find them a place they and their family will love. He can even give clients the scoop on each area’s water resources, connect them to a local mortgage broker, discuss school options, and recommend restaurants, coffee shops and recreational opportunities.

For home sellers, Sharp uses his knowledge of the Ojai area along with in-depth market analyses to determine the most competitive pricing strategy and marketing approach. He provides personalized guidance to each client, helps them stage and prepare their homes to attract potential buyers, and leverages a wide range of marketing channels - including online listings, social media and regional media outlets - to ensure maximum exposure for each property. As a realtor for Village Properties, Sharp said he is now also able to tap into the brokerage’s resources for marketing high-end properties, increasingly important as Ojai’s reputation for luxury grows.

The numbers speak to the success of Sharp’s approach. Since becoming a realtor in 2021, he’s closed over 44 transactions and over $47 million in sales.

One property Sharp is particularly excited about right now is 12 acres of buildable, agricultural land located just minutes from downtown Ojai, with views of Chief Peak and the Topa Topa Mountains. The property has been owned by the same family since the late 1920s and has served as the backdrop for numerous creative projects including music videos, artwork and family photos.

When not working with clients and hosting open houses, Sharp enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, and giving back to the community. He volunteers for Ojai’s 4th of July Committee and donates supplies to local schools and to Help of Ojai.

For anyone interested in purchasing property in Ojai, Sharp has these recommendations:

“Try to work with someone local that has knowledge of the area,” he said. “And secondly, I tell everyone, Ojai is extremely unique, and every property is different. So look at as many properties as you can.

---To contact Steven Sharp, email steven@villagesite.com or call 805-223-5315

---For information about Village Properties visit https://www.villagesite.com/ or email info@villagesite.com