Feb 17th	How Do You Choose a Realtor in Santa Barbara CA?
2010	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Seller's Resources & Advice

When most people are ready to start seriously looking at real estate, how do they go about the process of choosing an agent to work with?  For most people, the agent they work with ends up simply being a recommendation from a family member, friends, colleagues or researching online.  Here are some basic suggestions to help you in finding an agent that works the best for you personally. Get Recommendations Family, friends and colleagues are people you trust and therefore an obvious source of referrals of quality real estate agents.  They will tell you honestly what is was like working with a... Read more

Tags: santa barbara realtor

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Feb 8th	CORT Report Sales for Santa Barbara CA. December 2009 & January 2010
2010	Categories: Hope Ranch, Market Statistics / Updates, Montecito, Santa Barbara

View: Detailed list of each home that has sold including price for January 2010 Further Reading: The Mesa Neighborhood 2009 Sale Statistics The Riviera Neighborhood 2009 Sales Statistics Hope Ranch CA Real Estate Home Sales Statistics - 2009 Montecito CA Real Estate Home Sales Statistics - 2009 The Riviera Neighborhood The Upper East Neighborhood Santa Barbara Market Statistics Santa Barbara Photo Tour Buyer's Resources for the Santa Barbara area Seller's Resources for the Santa Barbara area For information on Real Estate here in Santa Barbara, Montecito and/or our surrounding areas, as well as any other aspects of life in our area, please don’t hesitate to contact Kevin Schmidtchen at Sotheby’s Int’l... Read more

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Feb 7th	New Luxury Bank Owned Opportunity – Montecito Foreclosure with Great Views $3.5 Million
2010	Categories: Foreclosures & Bank Owned, Luxury Real Estate, Montecito

One of the few luxury banked owned homes to come onto the market happened this last week.  The bank will be taking a look at offers early this coming week.  Wonderful ocean, harbor and city views on roughly 1.3+/-acres.  Currently under construction although much of the home is complete.  3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with a guest home, 3 car garage which is still under construction and in the beginning stage of being converted into a 2 bedroom guest home.  Can be converted back to garage or will need to submit permits to continue work.  This is a true opportunity. View Listing Further... Read more

Tags: montecito foreclosure, montecito luxury foreclosures

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Feb 7th	Pros and Cons of Buying Foreclosures in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Goleta CA.
2010	Categories: Carpinteria, Foreclosures & Bank Owned, Goleta, Santa Barbara

As a home buyer in today's market here in Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria, you may be able to get "deals" on foreclosures, but buying foreclosures can be risky as well.  If you are looking at foreclosures as an option for a home purchase, it is crucial to understand the many potential cons associated with the one obvious "pro" of buying a foreclosure. First, there are a few definitions of properties that are generally thrown around and become universally known as "foreclosures." A "pre-foreclosure" for example is a home which is in danger of falling into foreclosure, but is still owned... Read more

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Feb 4th	The Top 10 Most Expensive Real Estate Sales in Montecito CA. in 2009.
2010	Categories: Luxury Real Estate, Montecito

The coastal paradise of Montecito CA. seems to always find its place in the top 10 most expensive neighborhoods in the United States.  It is not hard to argue with this based on the quality of life that it offers with the small village feel, gorgeous scenery, ocean views and coastal beaches, access to Santa Barbara etc. In 2009, after a slower start to the year, there continued to be the buyer demand we have been used to for quality properties in Montecito and Santa Barbara in general.  Although prices have dropped 20-35% from the peak a few years back, the... Read more

Tags: montecito top 10 most expensive real estate sales 2009

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Feb 2nd	25th Santa Barbara Film Festival (Silver Anniversary) February 4 – 14th, 2010
2010	Categories: Lifestyle / Things to Do, Santa Barbara

Welcome once again to...Santa Barbara, CA.  Celebrating its Silver Anniversary, The Santa Barbara International Film Festival presents a wonderful line-up for 2010 featuring 200 films that include World Premieres, U.S. Premieres and numerous films representing countries around the world. The Festival chosen motto for this year is '11 Amazing Days, 10 Starry Nights.' The excitement starts this Thursday, February 4th. Thank you for reading.  I hope you find Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice informative.  Please feel free to contact me or comment below with any thoughts. Read more

Tags: santa barbara film festival 2010

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Feb 2nd	Santa Barbara Real Estate Home Sales Statistics – The Mission Canyon Neighborhood Year End 2009
2010	Categories: Market Statistics / Updates, Mission Canyon Neighborhood

Year to date, there were a total of 24 closed sales of single family homes in The Mission Canyon Neighborhood here in Santa Barbara CA. The lowest sale in Mission Canyon was a bank-owned home located at 2668 Montrose Place, Santa Barbara CA., 93105.  The sales price was $515,000. The highest sale in Mission Canyon was a gorgeous view home on almost 9 acres located at 2931 Holly Road, Santa Barbara CA., 93105.  The sales price was $1,960,000. Overall, the market in Mission Canyon was fairly normal as far as activity the entire year.  Prices now have fallen about 25-30% from the peak... Read more

Tags: 2009 real estate sales santa barbara mission canyon, 2009 sales mission canyon santa barbara

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Feb 1st	Santa Barbara CA. Real Estate Home Sales Statistics – The Downtown Area Year End 2009
2010	Categories: Downtown Neighborhood, Market Statistics / Updates

In 2009, there were a total of 47 closed sales of single family homes and condos in The Downtown area here in Santa Barbara CA. The lowest sale in The Downtown area was a basic 1 bed 1 bath condo located at 1600 Garden Street #1, Santa Barbara CA., 93101.  The sales price was $300,000. The highest sale in The Downtown area was a luxury Penthouse loft located at 531 Chapala Street #G, Santa Barbara CA., 93101.  The sales price was $4,175,000. Overall, the market in The Downtown area was fairly normal as far as activity the entire year.  Prices on average have... Read more

Tags: 2009 santa barbara sales real estate, santa barbara 2009 downtown sales statistics

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Jan 28th	Santa Barbara CA. Real Estate Home Sales Statistics – Samarkand Area Year End 2009
2010	Categories: Market Statistics / Updates, Samarkand Neighborhood

In 2009, there were a total of 9 closed sales of single family homes and condos in The Samarkand Neighborhood. The lowest sale in The Samarkand Neighborhood was a 2 bed 1 bath cottage located at 2708 Vernon Road, Santa Barbara CA., 93105.  The sales price was $570,000.  This was probably one of the "better deal" we have seen in the last several months. The highest sale in The Samarkand Neighborhood was a gorgeous estate located at 437 Wyola Road, Santa Barbara CA., 93105.  The sales price was $1,100,000. Overall, the market in Samarkand was a little slower than normal as far as... Read more

Tags: samarkand sales statistics, samarkand sales stats 2009, samarkand santa barbara real estate

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Jan 27th	Santa Barbara Real Estate Home Sales Statistics – The Westside Neighborhood Year End 2009
2010	Categories: Market Statistics / Updates, The Westside Neighborhood

In 2009, there were a total of 52 closed sales of single family homes and condos on The Westside here in Santa Barbara CA. The lowest sale on The Westside was a bank-owned complete fixer/tear down located at 1721 Chino Street, Santa Barbara CA., 93101.  The sales price was $230,000. The highest sale on The Westside was a multi-family investment opportunity located at 716 San Pascual, Santa Barbara CA., 93101.  The sales price was $860,000. Overall, the market on The Westside was pretty normal as far as activity the entire year.  With the reality of the market, there seemed to be a lot... Read more

Tags: the westside real estate sales, the westside sale statistics 2009

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Jan 26th	Santa Barbara CA. Real Estate Home Sales Statistics – The Campanil Hill / Yankee Farm Area Year End 2009
2010	Categories: Campanil Hill Neighborhood, Market Statistics / Updates

In 2009, there were a total of 4 closed sales of single family homes in The Campanil Hill / Yankee Farm area here in Santa Barbara CA. The lowest sale in The Campanil Hill area was a wonderful opportunity on just less than 2 acres located at 3354 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara CA., 93109.  The sales price was $1,247,000. The highest sale in The Campanil Hill area was an expansive ocean view semi fixer located at 526 Sea Ranch Road, Santa Barbara CA., 93109.  The sales price was $2,125,000. Overall, the market in The Campanil Hill / Yankee Farm area was fairly normal... Read more

Tags: campanil hill santa barbara real estate 2009, yankee farm real estate sales 2009

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Jan 25th	Repeat Buyer Tax Credit Clearly Explained – Finally
2010	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice

Looking for clear guidance on the new $6,500 federal tax credit for repeat home purchases...here you go. The Internal Revenue Service finally has published the exact rules for the repeat purchase credit that was signed into legislation in November.  The revised Form 5405 can apparently be found on the IRS website as of this last week.  The repeat buyer credit is an addition to the well know and popular $8,000 credit for first-time buyers.  "Homeowners who have occupied the same property as a principal residence for any five consecutive years during the previous eight years may now be able to... Read more

Tags: repeat home purchases tax credit

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