Santa Barbara CA Real Estate – Montecito CA Area Sales Statistics Year End 2008

Montecito CA Real Estate - Year End Sales Statistics for 2008 I have summarized below an easy to look at brief outline of the overall Santa Barbara MLS statistics for both single family homes and condos in the Montecito CA. area for the year 2008.  The comparisons are drawn against the previous year's statistics (2007) for Montecito CA Real Estate. SINGLE FAMILY HOMES: Single family home listings were up 21% from 336 listings to 408 listings compared to 2007 Single family homes sold were... Continue Reading >

Sotheby’s International Realty – Santa Barbara and Montecito CA.

Sotheby's International Realty in Santa Barbara CA. is the areas largest real estate company and has been selling prestigious homes in our area for over 4 decades, first as the largest locally owned company Pitts & Bachmann Realtors, and now as Sotheby's Int'l Realty.  Placing client needs at the center of our business philosophy, Sotheby's Int'l Realty in Santa Barbara and Montecito CA. is committed to providing superior service with the highest ethical and professional standards. Why do people locally in Santa Barbara... Continue Reading >

Things to Do in Santa Barbara, California – Montecito and Shopping

Whether you are a local, in town visiting family and/or friends, or here on vacation in Santa Barbara, California, there is never a lack of activities and things to do in our wonderful seaside resort community.  Here below is the fourth installment in a series of articles that point out some of Santa Barbara's most prominent local attractions.  Some of these will be cultural, some dining, some active pursuits and some I am still deciding on.  This fourth installment will be focusing on... The... Continue Reading >

The Premier Gated Golfing Community of Birnam Wood Country Club, Montecito CA.

Birnam Wood is located in the heart of Montecito CA., and is considered the premier gated golfing community within Santa Barbara.  Birnam Wood first started development in the early 1970's and is made up of only single family homes and estates and consists of a total of 142 unique homes with currently 2-3 vacant lots left to build on.   Most of the homes in Birnam Wood are very private feeling and line the golf course.  All homes primarily sit on 1 acre parcels... Continue Reading >

Montecito in the Top 10 Most Expensive Real Estate Zip Codes in the United States

People in general will always be attracted to beautiful areas within the United States when it comes down to real estate.  For many, these places are also a great place to invest in when times are as uncertain as they have been in the last 18 months.  One reality about the real estate market in the more exclusive and expensive areas in our country that seems to hold true is this -- values tend to rise the fastest when times are good and these areas... Continue Reading >

Any Decision on The Miramar Project in Montecito CA? Update August 4, 2008

Despite a marathon meeting last week, no decision has been made on the hottest topic in Montecito Real Estate...Will Mr. Caruso have his proposed plan for The Miramar project be approved.   For a complete story, Chris Meagher from The Independent, has the latest update and information on where the project stands. Further Reading: Real Estate Market Update for Montecito CA - First 6 Months 2008, Concerns Rise Again About the Proposed Development of the Miramar Hotel in Montecito CA., The Secret of Santa Barbara and... Continue Reading >

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update for the Montecito Area – First 6 Months 2008

I have summarized below an easy to look at brief outline of the overall MLS statistics for the Montecito CA area through the first 6 months of 2008.  The total number of single family homes sold in Montecito was 93.  The number of current pending sales for single family homes is 18.  The number of current active listings for single family homes is 135. The total number of condos / townhomes sold in Montecito was 9.  The number of current pending sales for condos / townhomes  is 2.  The... Continue Reading >

Concerns Arise Again About The Proposed Development of The Miramar Hotel in Montecito CA.

First it was Ian Schrager, the big city boutique hotelier... Next it was local billionaire Ty Warner, the famous toy maker and hotelier... And now developer Rick Caruso is learning first hand about the long path it will take to please all sides for a proposed development to "revamp" The Miramar Hotel located on the beach in Montecito CA. From the start in 2006 when Mr. Caruso purchased the property from Ty Warner, he has pleased many residents and the city by holding open... Continue Reading >

Who Else Wants to Buy Into Montecito CA Real Estate?

I was not real surprised when I saw this latest chart of real estate values here in Montecito CA., but sometimes you do have to just sit back and be in awe.  The Pacific coastal gem that we know as Montecito CA continues to impress with ever increasing real estate values.  Framed by coastal mountains and gorgeous beaches, the lifestyle here in Montecito offers its residents wonderful cultural entertainment, plenty of outdoor recreational activities, fine dining, warm weather, ocean breezes, sunsets... Continue Reading >

Montecito CA Real Estate Market Update – First Quarter 2008

I have summarized below an easy to look at brief outline of the overall statistics for the Montecito CA area through the first quarter of 2008. The total number of single family homes sold in Montecito was 44.  The number of current pending sales for single family homes is 14.  The number of current active listings for single family homes is 88. The total number of condos / townhomes sold in Montecito was 3.  The number of current pending sales for condos / townhomes  is 2.  The... Continue Reading >

Montecito CA Homes For Sale – Market Update March 2008

I have summarized below an easy to look at brief outline of the overall statistics for the Montecito Real Estate market through Mid- March 2008.  These statistics are for the Montecito area only. The total number of single family homes sold was 27.  The number of current pending sales for single family homes is 16.  The number of current active listings for single family homes listed this year is 71. The total number of condos / townhomes sold was 2.  The number of current pending sales for... Continue Reading >

Montecito CA Beach Property in High Demand

The demand for beach property and beach estates along the Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito CA coastline in the last several years has been extremely strong.  We have seen some amazing price points established in the very high end market, with the highest reported sale in the last year being $35 Million for a 9 bedroom, 6 bath newly built home on the bluff on Padaro Lane.  Conversely, the lowest reported sale was $895,000 for a 1 bedroom condo in the desirable Bonnymede complex... Continue Reading >