Luxury Real Estate

Hope Ranch – Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update 1st Quarter 2013

Our 2013 Santa Barbara real estate market has started off exactly where 2012 ended...strong in pretty much every area and in most every price point.  One of our stronger areas is the Hope Ranch area, especially in the entry / lower level price point of around $1.3 to $2.75 million.  Most everything is selling right away in this price point and the reality is that most any listing that is staying on the market in this price point is simply believed to be too high priced. "Everything" priced at market is seeing... Continue Reading >

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 selling at $10 million or more.  Over the last year,... 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 and for sale, yet it is not submitted into the... Continue Reading >

What Are Home Prices in The Montecito Union School District Here in Montecito?

Unless you are sending your child to private school, the exact school district you purchase a home in is a major part of most families decision when buying real estate.  Here in Montecito CA., the biggest public school is Montecito Union and for most families they consider this a wonderful school.  Parents are very passionate about schools, so it is hard to compare exact pros and cons so I am not going to really talk about this here.  But if you are looking to buy a home in the Montecito... Continue Reading >

What Does $3 Million Buy You Today in The Montecito Real Estate Market?

Every few months I try and give an update and snapshot of what $1 Million can buy you in Santa Barbara.  With the ups and downs of the market over the past 10 years, this has definitely varied each year and it is interesting to look at the comparisons. This week I am going to start doing the same, but specifically in Montecito.  Since Montecito tends to always be one of the top 10 real estate zip codes in the country, I am going to make the benchmark price point be $3... Continue Reading >

Santa Barbara Real Estate Seriously Rebounding – Recent Forbes.com article

Here is a new article just published this last week online at forbes.com by Ken Harney. "It’s probably no surprise that roller-coaster real estate markets like Phoenix and Miami are in roaring rebound mode this year, but Santa Barbara? Who knew? Sometimes called the “American Riviera” for its red tile-roofed estates overlooking the Pacific, year-round great climate, active cultural life and its movie star residents, Santa Barbara took a significant though little publicized hit during the real estate bust, with median home list prices plunging from $1,667,500 in September 2007 to $649,000... Continue Reading >

High End Luxury Montecito Real Estate Sales Continue Their Strong Pace

The very high end luxury real estate market here in Montecito is seeing a great deal of activity and sales here in the first part of the year.  This is in pretty stark comparison to the sales here in the last year(s). 2009 - 10 Total sales over $7.5 million 2010 - 14 Total sales over $7.5 million 2011 - 4 Total sales over $7.5 million In 2012, we have already seen 8 total closed sales over the first 5 months of the year, 5 of which have been over $15 million. Right now in our very high... Continue Reading >

Montecito Real Estate – Luxury Market Update First 10 weeks in 2012

After a relatively slower luxury high end real estate market here in 2011 in the Santa Barbara area, 2012 has started out with a fair amount of activity in our luxury high end market.  For purposes of this post, I will be referring to the luxury high end real estate market as home values of $7,500,000 and above. In the Santa Barbara area, the areas in which we find these higher values tend to be pretty much centralized in Montecito, Hope Ranch, along the coastline / beach front or on a larger Ranch.  Additionally, most... Continue Reading >

New High End Mesa Townhome Development with Impressive Ocean Views – Mira Las Olas

Looking for a new higher end construction home with style and ocean/island views? Mira Las Olas is a wonderful, brand new, smaller development of town homes located here on The Mesa in Santa Barbara.  Construction is scheduled to be finished sometime in May - July 2012, although pre sales are already taking place. The look so far of the town homes is impressive, with beautiful "Santa Barbara-style" architecture that includes a nice blend of Spanish, Mediterranean, and Moorish influences.  Rich finishes, warm colors and panoramic ocean and island views from many of the units. Other amenities are the... Continue Reading >

Santa Barbara Real Estate – Carpinteria Real Estate Market Update June – October 2011

Here is an easy to view summary of the real estate market in the Carpinteria area from the summer months through until the end of October 2011.  Normally this time of year sees a lot of activity in June and July, then slowing a little in August as many people are on vacation, sending kids off to school, paying bills from all the summer activities etc.  Then in mid September through until about Thanksgiving we have a relatively strong real estate market on average.  Overall, the Carpinteria market has been... Continue Reading >

Montecito CA. Real Estate Once Again Finds Itself in Top 10 Wealthiest Zip Codes in the U.S.

Once again, America's most expensive zip codes includes Montecito CA.  Coming in this year at #9, statistics show that the median home price here in Montecito to be at $3,099,000.  So far this year, the most expensive sale in Montecito was a dated, but clean ocean front home located at 1473 Edgecliff Lane that closed for $10,750,000.  Other significant sales were a brand new Mediterranean Estate with privacy and panoramic ocean views located at 1379 Oak Creek Canyon Road.  This wonderful Estate closed for $9,000,000.  Another gorgeous Italian Villa located... Continue Reading >

What Are Considered the Higher End Neighborhoods in Santa Barbara?

When talking about Santa Barbara proper, the high end real estate market is usually referred to as home prices $2 million and above, although this is obviously pretty subjective.  For example, within Montecito proper, most people would consider the high end there to start at around $ 5 million. So what are the highest priced neighborhoods in Santa Barbara? Number 1 on the list is Montecito with Hope Ranch not being too far behind.  Montecito continuously finds itself within the top 10 zip codes nationally with the "average priced home" selling somewhere... Continue Reading >