Santa Barbara Category

Cash-In Refinancing for your Carpinteria, Goleta or Santa Barbara Area Home

Here is a great article by Tom Royce regarding Cash-In Refinancing.  With interest rates as low as they currently are, this might be an option for a few people here in the Carpinteria, Goleta and Santa Barbara areas. "If you are underwater on your present mortgage you probably think refinancing is insane. But with the low interest rates available for homeowners with good credit it may make sense. What is Cash In Refinancing? Cash in Refinancing is the cousin of cash out refinancing... Continue Reading >

New Santa Barbara Downtown Condo Development Approval Located at the Old Von’s Site

Santa Barbara already has a good mix of downtown condo projects already completed, as well as several in the pipeline.  It is now time to get ready for a new development that was recently approved by Santa Barbara City Planners. 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... Continue Reading >

A Recent History of the Median Sales Price for Santa Barbara Real Estate – West of State

Here is a quick glance over the last 30 years of the median sales price for single family homes for Santa Barbara Real Estate - West of State. Further Reading: Median Sales Price Montecito CA - Last 30 Years Median Sales Price East of State - Last 30 Years The Mesa Neighborhood Hope Ranch CA Real Estate Home Sales Statistics - 2009 Montecito CA Real Estate Home Sales Statistics - 2009 Santa Barbara Market Statistics Santa Barbara Photo Tour Buyer's Resources for the Santa Barbara area Seller's Resources for... Continue Reading >

A Recent History of the Median Price Point for Santa Barbara Real Estate – East of State

Here is a quick glance over the last 30 years of the median price point for single family homes for Santa Barbara Real Estate - East of State. Further Reading: Median Sales Price Montecito CA - Last 30 Years The Upper East Neighborhood - General Description and Information The Upper East Neighborhood Hope Ranch CA Real Estate Home Sales Statistics - 2009 Montecito CA Real Estate Home Sales Statistics - 2009 Santa Barbara Market Statistics Santa Barbara Photo Tour Buyer's Resources for the Santa Barbara area Seller's Resources for... Continue Reading >

Google and Real Estate Search Do Not Quite Get It!!

Google is an amazing tool for so much of seemingly everything on the Internet.  Not many will doubt this in my opinion and therefore for me there is no need here to elaborate too much.  But what about real estate search? Google obviously would like (love) to win the real estate search game.  As far as I can see so far, to their dismay they are far from this goal.  With all the technology out there and a few prominent aggregate... Continue Reading >

CORT Report Sales for Santa Barbara CA. December 2009 & January 2010

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,... Continue Reading >

Pros and Cons of Buying Foreclosures in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Goleta CA.

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... Continue Reading >

25th Santa Barbara Film Festival (Silver Anniversary) February 4 – 14th, 2010

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... Continue Reading >

Looking for a Santa Barbara Vacation Rental?

With the pure beauty of Santa Barbara and the year around temperate climate, our community is high on the list for many people as a vacation destination.  Besides all the wonderful hotels, small inns and B&B's, Santa Barbara also offers numerous options for vacation rentals.  These vacation rentals vary from ocean front property, to 1 bedroom condos, to numerous view homes, to simply "community living" within a "family" neighborhood. The major reason for the availability of vacation rentals seems to simply... Continue Reading >

The American Architect, George Washington Smith and His Life and Work in Santa Barbara and Montecito CA.

George Washington Smith, (February 22, 1876 – 1930), was an American architect that has an extremely prominent name and history here in Santa Barbara and Montecito CA.  Most of his noted work here is most likely for popularizing the Spanish-Colonial Revival style in early 20th Century America. George Washington Smith was born and raised in Pennsylvania.  He studied architecture at Harvard University, but reportedly never graduated due to personal reasons.  In his mid 30's after various jobs making ends meet, he... Continue Reading >

The Top 10 Most Expensive Beachfront Real Estate Sales in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Carpinteria CA.

Year to date, here is a list of the top 5 most expensive beachfront real estate sales for 2009 here in the Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland and Carpinteria CA areas.  Most of the beachfront sales in the last 15 months have been at prices about 30-40% from the peaks in early 2008.  Of all the markets here in the Santa Barbara area, our luxury beach front real estate has most likely taken the hardest hit in values.  4385 Marina Drive, Santa... Continue Reading >

The Top 10 Most Expensive Condo / Townhome Real Estate Sales in Santa Barbara CA in 2009

Year to date, here is a list of the top 10 most expensive condo / townhome real estate sales for 2009 here in the Santa Barbara area.  Most of the sales in the last 15 months have been at prices about 20-25% below the peak in late 2007.  4763 Sandyland Road, Carpinteria CA., 93013.  Sold for $4,000,000.  Classic Santa Barbara CA living in this beautiful, oceanfront - toes in the sand, gated 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath beach home.  Enjoy wonderful unobstructed... Continue Reading >