Welcome to Bella Riviera. 

Bella Riviera is a brand new community located here in Santa Barbara sandwiched in between The Upper East and The Lower Riviera neighborhoods.  Bella Riviera just opened this past week for sales with a total of 115 residences being offered.  Not all of these wonderful homes will be open to the public, as a portion have been set aside as housing for Cottage Hospital.  The site of Bella Rivera itself sits atop the old grounds of the St. Francis Hospital.  Santa Barbara Cottage hospital bought the land years ago with these exact plans…to offer wonderful housing to the community of Santa Barbara with a portion of the residences set aside for sale exclusively to employees of Cottage Health System.

Santa Barbara Bella Riviera

Most of the units look to have a combination of both good indoor and outdoors spaces.  Square feet varies falling roughly between 750 and 1570 sqft, 1 to 3 bedrooms with 1 to 3 baths.  Some of the homes will overlook the entire community as well as have wonderful panoramic ocean & city views from both living levels.  The residences are being marketed as townhomes, villas, and cottages with two-and three-story designs.  

Bella Riviera Santa Barbara site plan

So far everything looks very nice with the first finished units scheduled to close around May 2012.  Right now there exists 3 finished show homes.  Other units will continue to follow and the entire community should be completed sometime in the Fall of 2012.  Bella Riviera is also a development built to Santa Barbara green standards. 

Prices so far are set around $600,000 to $985,000.

If you have any further questions about the properties, would like to view more pictures, look at design details and/or would like to view the homes in person etc….please feel free to give me a call at # 805-689-6877. 

Additionally, there are 2 other newer smaller complexes (8 units and 15 units) being developed here in Santa Barbara that will be a little more spacious and higher end with prices around the $1.1 to $1.5 million range and sqft around 1500 to 2400.

View: Santa Barbara Condos and Townhomes $300,000 to $750,000

View: Santa Barbara Condos and Townhomes $750,000 to $1.5 million

View: Santa Barbara and Montecito Condos and Townhomes $750,000 to $4 million

Further Reading:

1. Great Opportunity for New Green Condo in Downtown Santa Barbara
2. Taking Sides on The Future Path of Downtown Santa Barbara Projects
3. The Latest Chapala Luxury Townhome Develpment…El Andaluz
4. Is Downtown Santa Barbara Vertically Challenged?
5. Santa Barbara CA Neighborhoods – Downtown
6. Santa Barbara Rated Amongst The Best Mid-sized Downtowns in California
7. The New Expansion of Luxury Townhomes and Condos in Santa Barbara CA.

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 Realty.

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.

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Monroe School Map - Santa Barbara

The Mesa area in Santa Barbara stretches from the Santa Barbara City College on the east and extends two and one-half miles to Arroyo Burro County Beach (or “Hendry’s/The Pit” to locals).  The Mesa is an extremely desirable neighborhood and has often been voted the “Best Neighborhood” in a local paper’s poll.

The Mesa would be considered by most “a family neighborhood” although you get your mix of everyone it seems.  Much of the housing on The Mesa consists of single family homes, but there are definitely numerous condo and apartment complexes as well as some scattered income properties (duplexes / triplexes).

On The Mesa the average price for a single family home tends to be between $700,000 and 1.1 million, but prices can easily go up to $2.5 million.  So far this year (through the first week of December) there have been 33 Closed Sales on The Mesa area (in the Monroe School District) ranging in price from $525,000 to $1.55 million.  Currently as of today there are 6 homes pending sale and 7 Active homes for sale in the Monroe School District on The Mesa.  The active homes for sale range in price from $625,000 to $1,350,000.

The Campanil Hill area is located on the sea-cliff just outside the boundaries of Hope Ranch and is a gorgeous private feeling neighborhood filled with larger homes and estates.  Most of these homes have expansive views of the ocean and Channel Islands and sit on nicely landscaped parcels of .5 acre to 6 acre lots.  The entire area is relatively small and sits on a gently sloped hill.

In the Campanil Hill and Yankee Farm area the average price for a single family home tends to be between $1.1 million and $5 million.  So far this year (through the first week of December) there have been 4 Closed Sales in The Campanil Hill area ranging in price from $1,485,000 to $4.85 million.  Currently as of today there is 1 home pending sale and 3 Active homes for sale in the Monroe School District in The Campanil Hill area.

View:  Current Active Real Estate Listings Monroe School District

Further Reading:

1. Santa Barbara School News and Information Articles
2. Santa Barbara Real Estate Sales – Adams School Area 2011
3. Proven Results to Make Your SB Home Search More Successful and Enjoyable
4. Are Home Inspections Necessary and How to Choose One?
5. Is San Roque a Better Place to Live Than The Mesa?
6. How Much Does an Ocean View Home in Santa Barbara Cost?

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Search: The Santa Barbara Area MLS

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.

For more information on Real Estate here in Santa Barbara, Montecito and/or our surrounding areas, as well as any other aspects of life in the Santa Barbara area, please don’t hesitate to contact Kevin Schmidtchen at Sotheby’s Int’l Realty.

“I made a “cold” email call to Kevin Schmidtchen about buying a property in Santa Barbara.  I received a response within minutes.  My questions were being answered immediatley.

My wife and I did not know much about neighborhoods in Santa Barbara.  We knew we liked being close to downtown so Kevin selected quite a number of condos for us to look at.  His patience with us as we whittled down the choices is appreciated yet today.  We felt no pressure and always did feel that he had our best interests at heart.

Within a couple of visits we had made our choice and Kevin kept a close eye on all the details for us as we live over 1,500 miles away.  He was there for the home inspection and checked the condo on his own as well.  Kevin also put us in contact with caretakers, locksmiths, designers, etc.

Even though the sale is complete I know I can continue to call on Kevin if the need were to arise.  As you can see, I highly recommend Kevin if you are looking for a property in the Santa Barbara area.  We have dealt with realtors in various parts of the country and Kevin ranks as the best.”

–Hal Gershman

View: Further Testimonials

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Search: The Santa Barbara Area MLS

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 Realty.

In total there are 48 units within the East Beach Collection with 8 selling at market rate (no restrictions) and 40 units selling “below market” since they are only available to be purchased by homeowners that are working in the South County of Santa Barbara.  It is not an affordable program and it is not income restricted.  The true caveat is that the buyer has to be a home owner and be working in the South County.  This eliminates any investors, family members buying for their children going to University, second homes etc.

The design of the units are going to be Spanish/Contemporary town homes with 2 car garages, patios, relatively low HOA fees and the project is a LEED Certified Community complete with individual solar panels.  Most units are 2 bed 2.5 bath around 1200-1400 sqft.  Scheduled completion is August and September 2011 for the first 2 phases with 2 more additional phases shortly after this.

For me as a real estate agent, this is one of the better condo buys I have seen in the last several years for the right buyer.

Further Reading:

1. Taking Sides on The Future Path of Downtown Santa Barbara Projects
2. Is Downtown Santa Barbara Vertically Challenged?
3. Santa Barbara CA Neighborhoods – Downtown
4. Santa Barbara Rated Amongst The Best Mid-sized Downtowns in California
5. The New Expansion of Luxury Townhomes and Condos in Santa Barbara CA.

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 Realty.

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.

Subscribe to Receive Personal Listings of Santa Barbara Area Properties

Search the Santa Barbara Area MLS

“The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), presented by lynda.com, 
announces its magical line-up for the 2011 festival. The 26th edition offers a vast array of films representing 49 countries and an astounding number of premieres sure to delight the cinematic tastes of SBIFF audiences. SBIFF is proud to welcome many promising and established filmmakers and honorees to join in its grand tradition of celebrating independent film. The Festival begins Thursday,
January 27 and continues through Sunday, February 6, 2011.”

“SBIFF 2011 will kick off at the historic Arlington Theatre with the U.S. Premiere of “Sarah’s Key” directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner and starring Kristin Scott Thomas.

For all the information and daily updates, visit the SBIFF Official Site.

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 Realty.

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.

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Slated to be a mixed-use condo project located at the site of the old Von’s supermarket behind The Historic Arlington Theater, tentative plans call for 37 condominiums, a market and a commercial space.  The new development is proposed to be approximately 100,000 square feet with the max hight standing at 44-feet high as well as an underground garage with 78 parking spots.  Of the 37 units, 32 are proposed to sell at market rate and 5 will be designated affordable housing.

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 come down around 25-35% from the peak depending on the individual property.

Outside of lower end condos and the luxury market, the overall Santa Barbara market has felt pretty stable here with prices and activity in the last 5 months.

If you would like a more complete update on The Downtown Neighborhood, specific information about the general area or other areas within Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Goleta, Hope Ranch, Summerland, and/or The Santa Ynez Valley, please feel free to contact me.

Further Reading:

1. The Riviera Neighborhood
2. The Upper East Neighborhood
3. Santa Barbara Market Statistics
   
4. Santa Barbara Photo Tour
5. Buyer’s Resources for the Santa Barbara area
6. 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 Realty.

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.

Subscribe to Receive Personal Listings of Santa Barbara Real Estate

Search The Santa Barbara Area MLS

407 West Pedregosa # 8, Santa Barbara, CA., 93101

Bright and spacious 2 bed 2 bath, downtown town home with vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, in-unit laundry, patio and attached 1-car garage. This well cared for home is in move-in condition with newer paint and carpeting. Natural, wooded setting with convenient and easy access to shopping, dining and all downtown amenities.

Asking Price: $495,000

View: Map of Property

If you would like more information, more pictures or to schedule a showing, Click Here.

El Andaluz, located at 531 Chapala Street is a 3-story, Moroccan influenced condominium project designed around an open-air courtyard.  A total of seven very high quality residential homes with luxurious finishes are now for sale.  According to the website, full construction of the complex will be completed by the end of 2009, 3 of the 7 have sold and one is currently pending sale (under contract).

Based on the results of last few major projects that are lining this corridor, El Andaluz is doing fairly well and meeting buyers needs on both the product and price point.

The units asking prices are mostly around the $2.4 million price point and list the following as features:

• ranging from approximately 2100 – 3500 sqft. of living space
• ranging from approximately 300-400 sqft. of open deck/patio space
• private garages and elevators
• 10 – 12 ft. high ceilings
• 2-3 bedrooms with 2-3.5 baths

Further Reading:

1. Taking Sides on The Future Path of Downtown Santa Barbara Projects
2. Is Downtown Santa Barbara Vertically Challenged?
3. Santa Barbara CA Neighborhoods – Downtown
4. Santa Barbara Rated Amongst The Best Mid-sized Downtowns in California
5. The New Expansion of Luxury Townhomes and Condos in Santa Barbara CA.
6. The Secret of Santa Barbara and Montecito Oceanfront Property and Estates
7. The Luxury of Santa Barbara and Montecito Oceanfront

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 Realty.

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.

Subscribe to Receive Personal Listings of Santa Barbara Area Properties

Search the Santa Barbara Area MLS

For the first 6 months of 2009, there were 29 closed sales of single family homes and condos in the Downtown area here in Santa Barbara CA.  As of July 1st, 2009, there were 5 properties that were pending sale (under contract).

The lowest sale in the Downtown area was single family home (short sale) in need of work located directly in the manufacturing area of Santa Barbara located at 636 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara CA., 93103.  The sales price was $330,000.

The highest sale in the Downtown area was a fabulously remodeled home and duplex in the heart of Downtown located at 222 West Islay Street, Santa Barbara CA., 93101. The sales price was $1,500,000.

Overall this is a tough market to say whether it was a normal first 6 months or not.  The Downtown can be broken into several different areas and encompasses a wide variety of price points and buyers.  Most knowledgeable people in the business feel that the first 6 months though were a decent amount slower than average.  If you are looking at the newer developments downtown then it was a lot slower and overall a tough first 6 months of 2009.  If you would like a more complete update on the Campanil Hill / Yankee Farm area market and/or any other areas within Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria, Goleta, Hope Ranch, Summerland, and/or The Santa Ynez Valley, please feel free to contact me.

Further Reading:

1. Downtown – General Description and Information
2. Santa Barbara Market Statistics
   
3. Santa Barbara Photo Tour
4. Buyer’s Resources for the Santa Barbara area
5. 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 Realty.

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.

Subscribe to Receive Personal Listings of Santa Barbara Real Estate

Search The Santa Barbara Area MLS