Seller’s Resources & Advice Category

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 >

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 >

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 >

Hope Ranch Real Estate Market Statistics Santa Barbara CA – 3rd quarter 2012

Hope Ranch real estate has seen a good amount of activity so far in 2012.  All across the board from the entry level homes (for the area) up to $20 million estates, properties are selling. The highest sale year to date was a magical 14 acre "Trophy Estate" set along the bluff top that closed for just over $18 million.  Outside of this, 25 other properties have closed sale this year with many "fixers" and entry level homes priced in the... Continue Reading >

Goleta CA Real Estate Market Update 3rd Quarter 2012 – Extremely Strong Market

This market update is redundant, but the overall real estate market here in the Santa Barbara area continues to be very strong.  Goleta real estate is no exception and could be as strong as any market we have over the last several months. It seems that every listing in the entry level market (from around $450,000 to $700,000) is seeing multiple offers without exception.  Clients need to be ready day one on simply every listing that comes up. Here below are some recent market... Continue Reading >

Yearly Sales Price Comparison for The Montecito CA Real Estate Market

How are overall prices and number of homes sold compared to the last 4-5 years? Here below is a quick look at the overall comparisons in both prices of single family home sold in Montecito CA. from 2008 to the present, as well as the number of homes actually sold.  As you will see, overall sales since the downturn in 2008 have really picked up in the Montecito area, especially over the last 12 months.  In addition, the average price of homes... Continue Reading >

Why are Short Sales Here in Santa Barbara and Goleta Selling with Ease?

Are Short Sales No Longer a Pain to Close? A lot has changed with the pulse of real estate market here in Santa Barbara and Goleta over the last 12 months.  After having a pretty steady / good market from Fall 2011 until about June 2012, the real estate market has really taken off over the last 3-5 months.  Seemingly everything that is priced "simply normal" is selling and often with multiple offers.  We have also seen a jump in prices across... Continue Reading >

Great News For Santa Barbara Condo Buyers – FHA Eases Tough Condo Financing Rules

In our overall extremely tight real estate market here in Santa Barbara, here is some needed and encouraging news for all of the condominium buyers out there. The biggest source of funding for buyers with 5-20% down payments, the Federal Housing Administration, has revamped controversial rules that caused thousands of condo complexes across the country to lose their eligibility for FHA financing....and a few here in the Santa Barbara area. The new and revised guidelines issued last week take effect immediately.  This will for... Continue Reading >

A Few Popular Expensive Home Remodels That Will Not Pay You Back When You Sell Your Home

Are looking to do a few nice upgrades on your home, but potentially plan to sell in the coming few years?  If so, pay attention to how much and where you invest your $$.  Don't get bitten by the magic phrase..."We'll for sure get it back when we sell." Many studies come out each year in various publications about good and bad remodels, what percentage you might get back from dollars invested etc.  These also vary depending on what part of the country you live... Continue Reading >