Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice

What Questions You Need to Ask Your Santa Barbara Real Estate Agent

kevinschmidtchen — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 04:19:02 +0000

The decision to sell or buy a home here in the Santa Barbara and Montecito area is not a small decision based on the prices of homes that exist in our community. Because of this, if you are not careful in who you choose to represent you, you can be throwing away tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Often people will base their decision on which Realtor to use by whom they feel the most comfortable working with, whom they know personally and/or which Realtor is a great referral from someone they trust. All of these are logical and good criteria. As importantly, you need to look at the following criteria before making your final decision.

How long has your Realtor been selling real estate and are they a full time agent?
How much real estate did your Realtor sell last year?
How many homes has your Realtor sold in your area?
Does your Realtor have a good portfolio of other listings they have sold?
How well does your Realtor know the area?
Does your Realtor have a specific marketing plan in mind?
Does your Realtor have a terrific Internet strategy and how comfortable are they online?

Everyone needs to start somewhere, but now that I am over this hump and have been in the business for 10 years, I can speak realistically about what I knew in my first years. Believe me, experience and being a local is more than huge.

Make sure you are comfortable with quality answers to all the above questions.

One key for anyone in today’s market is to realize that the vast majority of buyers use the internet as an information resource when searching for their next home. Because of this, your agent needs to have comfortably embraced the internet from both a buyer and seller perspective. Ask to see their personal website(s), blogs, auto email listings etc. and truly understand how your Realtor will work for you in your next real estate transaction.

Further Reading:

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

Wonderful San Roque Home Short Term Rental Availabe Summer 2010 – Santa Barbara CA

kevinschmidtchen — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:07:17 +0000

Location: San Roque, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Area, Central Coast, California, USA (2 Miles from Downtown, 10 Miles to Airport, 5 Miles to Ocean)

Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 2.5 Baths (Sleeps 2-6)

Located just off State street in the desirable San Roque neighborhood and within walking distance to the Mission, the Natural History Museum and the City Rose Garden. Our newly built home (2006) offers a complete gourmet kitchen with stainless steel Viking appliances, granite counter tops, purified water system, spa style tub, steam shower, dual shower heads, rain shower, his and her sinks, vaulted ceilings and a combination of tile and wood floors.

A spacious family room complete with a 40” LCD TV and fireplace.

Wonderful backyard for entertaining with outdoor patio that includes comfortable chaise lounges, dining for the whole family, heater, an organic vegetable garden and a master grille and sink.

Roughly 1600 sq. ft. and located very close to great shopping, restaurants, and numerous outdoor activities and entertainment that Santa Barbara offers. All area beaches and downtown State Street are within mere minutes. Bikes available.

Visit Stearns Wharf and Santa Barbara’s famous beaches, Paseo Nuevo, El Paseo and downtown shopping and dining, the County Bowl, Lobrero Theatre, various movie theaters, The Santa Barbara Art Museum, the courthouse complex, multiple city parks and the Botanical Garden.

Rates: $1950/Week (Minimum 1 Week Stay) .. $4750/Month
Available Jul 20, 2010-Sep 06, 2010
Available Oct 15, 2010-Mar 15, 2011
Cleaning Fee, $250.
$500 Refundable Security Deposit.
No Bed Tax.

Amenities

Washer
Dryer
Linens Provided
Off Street Parking
Gas Fireplace
Wood Fireplace


Beds

Queen Bed
Twin/Single Bed


Entertainment

Cable/Satellite TV
DVD
Stereo System
Jetted Tub in Bath


Kitchen

Full Kitchen
Cooking Utensils Provided
Refrigerator
Dishwasher
Microwave
Ice Maker


Outdoor Features

Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
Deck/Patio
Balcony


View/Location

Mountain View


Communications

Broadband Internet
WiFi (Wireless Internet)


Other Amenities

steam shower, spa like bathroom, infinity bath tub
fresh in season organic vegetable garden


Suitability

No Pets Allowed
Kid Friendly
Minimum Age Limit for Renters
Smoking Not Allowed


Activities (nearby)

Golf
Tennis
Zoo/Wildlife Park
Shopping
Sightseeing
Restaurants
Kayaking
Sailing
Boating
Jet Skiing
Swimming
Surfing
Windsurfing
Biking
Mountain Biking
Hiking
Fishing
Rock Climbing
Fitness Center/Gym
Health/Beauty Spa
Cinemas/Movie Theaters
Museums
Horseshoes


Other Activities

kite surfing, nature walks

What is a Pre-approval Letter and Why do I Need It?

kevinschmidtchen — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:47:58 +0000

In today’s real estate market here in the Santa Barbara area, one item that you will almost certainly need upon submitting any offer on a home is a pre-approval letter from a lender….especially if there are multiple offers.

What is Pre-approval Letter?

In real estate lingo, a pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender simply means that you have a commitment in writing from a lender to lend you a specific amount of Money to buy a home under certain conditions (e.g., length of the loan and interest rate).
Why is This Important?

For you as a buyer, it is important to have a pre-approval letter for several reasons:
1. It will inform you, your realtor and the seller about how much you can afford to spend on a home…thus the size of a mortgage you’ll be able to obtain.
2. If there are multiple offers on a property, you will need this to just keep on a level playing field. If you have this pre-approval, you are at least as strong as other buyers on this issue. If you do not have this, it looks poorly on your “readiness” to purchase.
3. A seller’s main objective outside of price when looking at offers is to analyze the buyer and to make a judgment on whether the buyer will perform and thus close escrow. Again, having a letter shows confidence to most.
How do I Get a Pre-approval Letter?

If you need help with any recommendations for a lender, please give me a call. I would be happy to provide you with this information.

Further Reading:

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

Are you an Ideal Candidate for a Short Sale here in Goleta CA?

kevinschmidtchen — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:57:50 +0000

Tips to Avoiding Foreclosure: Who is the Ideal Candidate for a Short Sale?

The reality for people that are unfortunately facing foreclosure is not something that is taken lightly. The prospect of not just losing your home, but dealing with all the emotional and financial realities that come with it can be more more than overwhelming.

Fortunately, certain people may be in a position to avoid this legal, financial, and emotional turmoil by going the route of a short sale.

Do you qualify to obtain relief through a short sale of your home?

Here are some of the qualifications a bank is looking for when determining whether you might be able to go the short sale route and get relief from your loan obligations.

Keys to what the banks are looking for are people who:

Have lost their job and are unable to obtain comparable employment.
Have serious long-term medical conditions that impact their current financial and future financial situation.
Have experienced a true family hardship.
Are required to care for a relative that has moved into their home.
Have not refinanced their original purchase loan.

Before you go the route of foreclosure and hobble your credit, find out if you are a candidate for a short sale by contacting the bank and asking the above questions.

If you have further questions and are looking for more concrete answers, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to assist you in guiding you through the best course to take for your personal situation.

Further Reading:

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

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

kevinschmidtchen — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:06:54 +0000

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:

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

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

kevinschmidtchen — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:06:45 +0000

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:

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

A Recent History of the Median Price Point for Montecito Real Estate

kevinschmidtchen — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:46:22 +0000

Here is a quick glance over the last 30 years of the median price point for single family homes in the Montecito area.

Further Reading:

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

Basics of a Short Sale with Regards to Real Estate in Santa Barbara CA.

kevinschmidtchen — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:56:34 +0000

If you are in a financial position that you are behind on your mortgage payments or are simply considering not making these payments because the value of your home has dropped below the open market value, then you are most likely considering the potential option of a short sale of your home. If so, then most likely you are also wondering how the whole process exactly works and how it will unfold. There is no need to feel confused as most of the steps are very basic.

Deciding that it is best for you to sell your home and get “out from under your payments”
Getting in touch with a Santa Barbara Real Estate agent such as Kevin Schmidtchen that has true knowledge of the short sale process
Put your home on the market at a low enough price to encourage buyers to make an offer on your home
Once an offer is accepted by you the seller, it will then be sent to the bank for consideration
Bank will then assign a negotiator to your “file”
Bank obtains Broker Price Opinion (BPO)
Approval process takes place
Bank determines if they are going to sell the property at the offered price
Once a short sale receives approval by the bank, the property is in a normal escrow that will close in roughly 30 to 60 days

Note…This entire process can require anywhere from three to six months on average. During this time, feel confident that as a short sale specialist, I will communicate with you and walk you through every step of the process. The goal is to make the process for you the least stressful and hectic as possible and to help you avoid foreclosure.

Further Reading:

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

Recent Client Testimonial for a Home on The Mesa here in Santa Barbara CA.

kevinschmidtchen — Mon, 17 May 2010 17:47:58 +0000

I just received a very nice recent testimonial here from a client that just purchased a home here on The Mesa in Santa Barbara.

“We recently had the pleasure of working with Kevin Schmidtchen to purchase our home in Santa Barbara. Kevin is extremely knowledgeable, helpful, professional and fun to work with through every step of the home buying process. His service standards, personalized communication style, attention to detail and follow up, are outstanding and exceeded our expectations on every level. His in depth knowledge of the area, market, history, and trends, are outstanding. Without hesitation or reservation, we would wholeheartedly recommend Kevin as a first rate professional. One of the best in the business anywhere, world class.”

–Alan and Jennifer

Further Reading:

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

Tips to Avoiding Foreclosure Here in The Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta and Carpinteria Areas

kevinschmidtchen — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:22:56 +0000

As a Santa Barbara real estate agent, one of my main focuses is to keep people first. As I have grown in this business the last 9 years and the community as a whole, I have become more dedicated to my clients than ever before. A great example of this is my desire to help clients who have found themselves in a financially distressed situation with the possible loss of a home that they have worked so hard to earn.

In order to help, I have tried to learn as much as I can about the foreclosure and short sale process over the last 3 years. Through all my research, study and hands-on experience, I have obtained a vast amount of tools and knowledge regarding the overall process and programs offered by lenders to help homeowners (you) keep possession of their homes.

If you find yourself in a position where you are struggling to keep your home, please feel free to give me a call if you would like to talk about the processes and introduce you to various options you may have. I will help however I can.

If you unfortunately do end up in a situation where a short sale or foreclosure seems the likely course, I can also guide you through the lengthy and complex processes so that you will not find yourself in a place that is potentially worse off than the one in which you are currently in now.

The possibility of losing your home is a huge deal, especially to you. If you would like to work with a Santa Barbara real estate agent like myself who has the knowledge and compassion to be of help, please feel free to reach me at anytime.

Trying to Avoid Foreclosure?
Contact Kevin Schmidtchen Today (805) 689-6877 or kevinschmidtchen@yahoo.com

Further Reading:

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

Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice

What Questions You Need to Ask Your Santa Barbara Real Estate Agent

How long has your Realtor been selling real estate and are they a full time agent?

How much real estate did your Realtor sell last year?

How many homes has your Realtor sold in your area?

Does your Realtor have a good portfolio of other listings they have sold?

How well does your Realtor know the area?

Does your Realtor have a specific marketing plan in mind?

Does your Realtor have a terrific Internet strategy and how comfortable are they online?

Wonderful San Roque Home Short Term Rental Availabe Summer 2010 – Santa Barbara CA

What is a Pre-approval Letter and Why do I Need It?

What is Pre-approval Letter?

Why is This Important?

How do I Get a Pre-approval Letter?

Are you an Ideal Candidate for a Short Sale here in Goleta CA?

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

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

A Recent History of the Median Price Point for Montecito Real Estate

Basics of a Short Sale with Regards to Real Estate in Santa Barbara CA.

Recent Client Testimonial for a Home on The Mesa here in Santa Barbara CA.

Tips to Avoiding Foreclosure Here in The Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta and Carpinteria Areas