Santa Barbara

Feb 8th	Voted Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara CA. for 2008
2008	Categories: Random Thoughts & Opinions, Santa Barbara

Every year here in Santa Barbara,  locals from our area come out and vote for their favorite restaurants in town.  It is essentially a casual review if you will on favorite local spots.  Below are the winners for the 2008 competition as well as a few of my own personal favorites.  Most all locals would agree that this year's winners are excellent choices.  ENJOY!!     Best American Restaurant                        Brewhouse Best Bakery                                                 D'Angelo Bread Best Barbecue                                             Woody's BBQ Best Burger                                                 The Habit Best Cajun Restaurant                               The Palace Grill Best Californian Restaurant                      Fresco's Best Chinese Restaurant                           China Pavilion Best Coffee House                                       Daily Grind Best Deli                                                       South Coast Deli Lazy Acres and Panino are also excellent Best French Restaurant                             Bouchon Best... Read more

Tags: 2008, restaurant reviews for santa barbara, review, santa barbara restaurants, voted best restaurants santa barbara

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Feb 5th	Any Great Deals on Homes in Foreclosure in Santa Barbara?
2008	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Foreclosures & Bank Owned, Santa Barbara

This seems to be a common question I get here lately in Santa Barbara and Montecito, mainly from first-time home buyers and investors.  Like many things in life though, it simply depends. The common myth out there seems to universally be that homes in foreclosure must be the best opportunities to buy a cheaper home or get a "great deal".  Here is the big problem with this line of thought, at least in a town such as Santa Barbara or Montecito. First, when you see statistics in the newspapers or online about foreclosures in the Santa Barbara area, it almost always refers to... Read more

Tags: Carpinteria, experienced full-time realtor, First-time Home Buyers, foreclosure in santa barbara, Goleta, homes in foreclosure in santa barbara, Montecito, realtor, Santa Barbara, santa barbara proper

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Feb 4th	Angelina Jolie Receives Prestigious Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
2008	Categories: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Local / Things to Do

The 23rd edition of Santa Barbara International Film Festival came to a close this weekend with some of the biggest Hollywood stars being honored.  Angelina Jolie was the main focus this weekend receiving the event's 'Performance of the Year' award handed out to her by Clint Eastwood.  The award was bestowed to the famous actress for her wonderful portrayal of Mariane Pearl, wife of slain journalist Daniel Pearl, in 'A Mighty Heart'.  After collecting the award, Mrs. Jolie answered a few questions with the audience and candidly spoke about dealing with the insanity of Hollywood.   With her husband Bradd Pitt and their children at her side, Mrs.... Read more

Tags: santa barbara angelina jolie, santa barbara film festival

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Jan 24th	Santa Barbara International Film Festival Kicks Off!!
2008	Categories: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Local / Things to Do

The 23rd installment of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) kicks off tonight and continues through February 3rd, featuring 220 films including 20 World Premieres, located in various venues throughout Santa Barbara.  The festival itself has grown tremendously in the last 5 years under the direction of Roger Durling.  For locals, one of the greatest aspects of the SBIFF is the representation of local directors and film makers from the Santa Barbara, Montecito and surrounding areas.  View the entire schedule of events, films, talks, tributes, panels, directors...you name it. This years honorees for various awards are: Cate Blanchett receiving the esteemed Modern Master Award, moderated... Read more

Tags: Montecito, Santa Barbara, santa barbara film festival

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Jan 24th	Snow in Santa Barbara, CA!!!
2008	Categories: Santa Barbara

         The American Riviera blanketed in snow.  Well...at least the peaks of the Santa Ynez Mountain range.  Usually once a winter we get a cold enough weather front passing through the Santa Barbara area that dusts the tops of the mountains with 1-4 inches of snow.  This weather front saw the snow level drop to between 2000 and 2500 feet.  Whenever this happens, wonderful views abound from wherever you are in the Santa Barbara area. Learn more about Santa Barbara. 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... Read more

Tags: american riviera, Santa Barbara, snow

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Jan 24th	Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update for East of State Area – Overall Yearly Sales Statistics for 2007
2008	Categories: Market Statistics / Updates, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Real Estate for East of State for January 1, 2007 - December 31st, 2007 I have summarized below an easy to look at brief outline of the overall statistics for the Santa Barbara Real Estate market for East of State: The total number of single family homes sold was 246.  Overall the average sales price in 2007 was at $1,405,816.  The average days on the market were 81 in 2007. The total number of condos / townhomes sold was 93.  Overall the average sales price in 2007 was at $951,526.  The average days on the market were 98 in 2007. The total number... Read more

Tags: condos, east of state, Real Estate News, single family homes, townhomes

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Jan 18th	The 2 Major First Steps in Buying a Home in Santa Barbara, CA.
2008	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Santa Barbara

The path a buyer takes to home ownership in Santa Barbara should always start with these two major steps. 1 - Hire a Full-time Santa Barbara Real Estate Agent that Works Often or Exclusively with Buyers. A CA real estate agent has a fiduciary responsibility to look out for the best interest of their client.  This duty is clearly spelled out in the Disclosure Regarding Real Estate Agency Relationship as: (a) Diligent exercise or reasonable skill and care in performance of the agent's duties (b) A duty of honesty and fair dealing and good faith (c) A duty to disclose all facts know to the agent materially affecting the... Read more

Tags: buying a home in santa barbarara, home, real estate, Santa Barbara, santa barbara real estate agent

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Jan 17th	Looking for Luxury Accommodation on your next Visit to Santa Barbara CA.
2008	Categories: Luxury Real Estate, Santa Barbara

If your looking for a top luxury accommodation on your next visit to Santa Barbara, you might think about The Simpson House Inn, named one of California's top luxury accommodations.  Recently the Simpson House was named California's best bed and breakfast by the Los Angeles Times and was honored with the 2008 AAA Five- Diamond Award for its eleventh consecutive year.  The Simpson House Inn is the only accommodations here in Santa Barbara to receive the award and the only bed and breakfast to receive the award in North America. Located at 121 East Arrellaga Street, The Simpson House Inn is located close... Read more

Tags: luxury, luxury accommodations santa barbara, luxury resort montecito, luxury resort santa barbara, Santa Barbara, simpson house

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Jan 16th	Santa Barbara Races Ahead on Energy Efficient Real Estate Construction Guidelines.
2008	Categories: Green Housing & Living, Santa Barbara

I recently read this article in The Independent (An excellent free local paper in Santa Barbara providing well written weekly updated information on local News, Events, People, Arts, Real Estate etc.) that should excite anyone that is concerned for our future generations.  The guts of the article are about: 1) Santa Barbara City Council being a leader in energy efficient standards 2) The commitment in Santa Barbara to reduce energy use and greenhouse emissions for all new residential real estate construction as well as retrofits 3) Architecture 2030 Challenge "Some say governments move too slowly and that bureaucracies can impede progress, but just recently the Santa... Read more

Tags: energy efficient, real estate, Real Estate News, Santa Barbara

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Dec 27th	5 Crucial Tips to have your Santa Barbara Home Ready for Sale in a Slow Market
2007	Categories: Santa Barbara, Seller's Resources & Advice

When times are good, getting top dollar is not a problem for most Santa Barbara sellers. In fact, many buyers prefer the home to look more on the shabby side since they feel this appearance will be represented in a lower asking price. Now with many sellers having an extremely difficult time getting top dollar, owners can take some critical steps in improving their chances of getting a good offer. 1) Curb Appeal for your Santa Barbara Home: Just like that special someone you meet for the first time, first impressions are extremely important. If you want to sell your home for as... Read more

Tags: homes, Santa Barbara, santa barbara home, sellers

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