Buyer’s Resources & Advice Category

Montecito Real Estate – 93108 Zip Code Once Again Among The Richest in America at #3

High end sales are nothing new for Santa Barbara and our surrounding communities.  Within Hope Ranch, Montecito and along the coastline, we see some very exclusive high end real estate sales each and every year.  Many of these sales are topping out above the $10 million mark.  I just read a recent article by CNBC, that once again ranks Montecito and 93108 as the 3rd rated zip code in America when it comes to the number of homes that are... Continue Reading >

What Kind of Real Estate Does $1 Million and $2 Million Buy You In Santa Barbara and Montecito?

A few times a year I like to give updates on what you can expect for various price points in Santa Barbara and Montecito.  Over the last few years this has changed quite drastically as the market first went down and now has come back up at such a strong pace. Most homes today for example are worth on average about 20% more than they were just a year ago and so this leads to generally a decently different home.  In Santa Barbara, if... Continue Reading >

March 2013 – Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Statistics

Here is a summary of the latest statistics for the Santa Barbara real estate market for March 2013.  Over the last several weeks we have seen a definite increase in inventory, especially in the Goleta area.  Much of the new inventory has been in the $600,000 to $900,000 range.  Buyers are still very active and almost all the inventory is selling off within days to only a few weeks.  Prices in general still are on the climb, although it feels... Continue Reading >

Benefits of Pocket Listings Here in Santa Barbara and Montecito

What exactly is a Pocket Listing and why are they used? For various reasons, property owners will discuss with their agents the pros and cons of keeping their home for sale as a pocket listing.  Not every pocket listing is treated the same and here in Santa Barbara and Montecito it really depends on the price point and activity of the market. First...what is a pocket listing?  A "pocket listing" is a loose term given to a home that is listed with a broker... Continue Reading >

Santa Barbara Real Estate – February 2013 Sales Inventory and New Listings Report

Here are the latest February 2013 statistics for Inventory, Listings and Sales here in Santa Barbara proper. The number of new listings for February 2013 was 174, down 9.4% from the 192 listed in January, but up a little from the 165 listings in February of last year. Overall, we are still dealing with lack of inventory, although we do seem to have improved here in certain segments of the market over the last several weeks. As you look at the top graph... Continue Reading >

New Listing – Wonderful Downtown Santa Barbara Town Home

Just Listed 527 West Pueblo I am please to offer a wonderful new downtown town home located just 1 block from Cottage Hospital.  This spacious and well cared for Spanish style 3 bed, 3 bath downtown condo has an attached extra large 1 car garage with lots of built in storage, quiet and small association, high ceilings and skylights, 3 patios/decks, open kitchen.  Great location centrally located close to all that Santa Barbara downtown offers.  Easy on and off the freeway.  One bedroom... Continue Reading >

2 New Downtown Pocket Listings Available Now

I have 2 new pocket listings just signed.  Both will be going in the MLS in a few weeks (mid March), but can be shown already. The first is located at 2110 De La Vina and is a 2 bed 2.5 bath town home with an attached garage.  Smaller complex, close to downtown, good condition.  Price will be right around $575,000. The second is located 1 block from Cottage Hospital.  Very clean condition, 3 bed 3 bath, high ceilings, attached garage, laundry, nice... Continue Reading >

2012 Santa Barbara Real Estate Year in Review

A little late to be doing a recap of the 2012 real estate market here in the Santa Barbara area, but with the last 5 weeks filled with a combination of my family getting sick, being extremely busy with work and the lack of sleep because of our new little baby...that is what unfortunately happens. So what happened in 2012? In hindsight it is now very clear to see that anyone who had the foresight to buy property from around October 2011 - April 2012... Continue Reading >

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update January 2013

No real change from the end of last year.  As we "seemingly roll" here into 2013, the Santa Barbara real estate market continues to be very very strong with the overriding theme being the lack of inventory.  Across the bulk (heart) of our market from $300,000 to $2,000,000, the lack of inventory is keeping prices strong and rising and buyers very ready as they know they have to sometimes write offers in as little as 1-3 days of a new listing coming... Continue Reading >

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update for November 2012

Here are the latest statistical numbers for monthly inventory of Santa Barbara properties for sale, combined with new listings and closed sales.  The constant is simply that new listings are down and our inventory continues to lag behind the demand of buyers.  Even as we now approach the X-mas holidays, there are numerous buyers out there looking and waiting.  After roughly 5 years of the Santa Barbara real estate market being a predominantly buyers market, we have completely switched here in... Continue Reading >

5 Year Average Selling Price For Santa Barbara Real Estate

Here is a great simple graph that looks at the overall average selling prices for homes here in the Santa Barbara area.  The graph breaks down the prices into the main neighborhoods of Santa Barbara...Montecito, Santa Barbara proper, Carpinteria / Summerland, Hope Ranch and Goleta. One of the first obvious looks shows that our high end properties are really starting to see a big increase in demand.  Both Hope Ranch and Montecito have seen prices increase a good amount in the last... Continue Reading >

Carpinteria CA Real Estate Market Update Sales Comparison 3rd Quarter 2012

After looking at all the MLS listings that are currently Active here in Carpinteria, the same story is being told as our overall Santa Barbara real estate market.  There is simply not that much available inventory and the homes / condos that are on the market tend to be either too high priced or are just in the higher end market ($1.5 million or above) where there are simply a few less buyers. The least expensive single family home on the... Continue Reading >