Oct 10th	Very Nice Referral from Recent Client – Santa Barbara Real Estate, The Mesa
2011	Categories: Random Thoughts & Opinions, Santa Barbara, The Mesa Neighborhood

To whom it may concern : "I, Robert Hay, wish to acknowledge the excellent service I received from Kevin Schmidtchen at Sotheby's Realty.  I have lived in either Montecito or Santa Barbara since 1954 and my family has or has had deep ties in businesses and in charities throughout the town.  I wanted to sell my beautiful house at 104 Vista Del Mar Drive and after giving it a good try in the summer, and fall of 2010 I took it off the market.  I remember years past how Kevin would send me updates on The Mesa real estate and he... Read more

Tags: santa barbara real estate agent, santa barbara realtor, santa barbara referral

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Mar 24th	Are You an Expert Real Estate Agent in Santa Barbara? Know Your Community!!
2011	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Random Thoughts & Opinions, Seller's Resources & Advice

Be a True Real Estate Expert! When looking for a great real estate agent, most buyers and sellers are not looking for someone to simply guide them through the A to Z process of paper work when it comes to real estate.  This is in fact simply a given...but buyers and sellers (especially out of town buyers and sellers) are mostly looking to their agent as a knowledge source of the local schools, the local cultural scene, the "good and great" neighborhoods, information on local events, news and attractions...basically someone who knows Santa Barbara inside out.  At least that is my... Read more

Tags: santa barbara community, santa barbara real estate, santa barbara real estate agent

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Aug 23rd	Why Hire a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Santa Barbara Home?
2010	Categories: Seller's Resources & Advice

Selling your home for most of us means an undertaking of one of the biggest financial moves of your life.  Your home  not only provides shelter and the enjoyment that it brings to you and/or your family, but it is also a major investment. For some, the initial thought of not using and agent is simply to save $$ on commissions and thus the bottom line.  Reality is that most often an agent will end up saving you $$ than if you go about it alone.  Also, using an agent will also provide a much more enjoyable, professional and relaxing experience. I... Read more

Tags: santa barbara real estate agent, sell santa barbara home

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Mar 28th	Is Zillow’s “Zestimate” a Reliable Guide to Your Santa Barbara Home’s True Value?
2009	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Random Thoughts & Opinions, Seller's Resources & Advice

Over the last several years, the prolific amount of real estate information on the Internet has allowed the consumer to gather a lot of valuable information on their own.  Many of these tools have educated both buyers and sellers in whatever stage they might be in with regards to potentially buying or selling a home. One popular tool that I have run into as well and that has been brought to my attention by several clients is "the evaluation tool" which allows homeowners to receive an "estimate" of their property's value.  The best known of these tools is probably the one... Read more

Tags: santa barbara home value, santa barbara real estate agent, zestimates, zillow home value

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Sep 15th	Where is the Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Today?
2008	Categories: Random Thoughts & Opinions

Questions that are asked of me quite often these days are..."How is the market doing right now?...or Where do you think we are with the real estate market here in Santa Barbara?...or Do you think we have reached the bottom with the real estate market in Santa Barbara?" As the Santa Barbara real estate market continued its torrent pace from 1998 through 1996, there were many "experts" along the way that predicted the peak at many various stages.  Some as early as 2001 and all points in between up until 2007.  Obviously none of them were correct until the early months of 2007. Now on the flip-side of... Read more

Tags: real estate in santa barbara, real estate market in santa barbara, santa barbara real estate, santa barbara real estate agent, santa barbara real estate market

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Sep 13th	Looking for a Qualified and Ethical Real Estate Agent in Santa Barbara California?
2008	Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Seller's Resources & Advice

With all the information out there in the online marketplace, finding a well qualified and knowledgeable real estate agent can be difficult.  If you are local to Santa Barbara, a referral from a friend or colleague is a great place to start.  I personally would then research information online about the agent to learn about them, how they work, as well as their online presence which is so important in today's real estate market.  Then you can decide if this person is a good match or if you should look further. If you live out of town and are searching for a home here... Read more

Tags: home in santa barbara ca, real estate agent santa barbara california, santa barbara real estate agent, sotheby's int'l realty realtor

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Jul 4th	Are $5 Gas prices effecting Santa Barbara CA Realtors and/or their clients?
2008	Categories: Random Thoughts & Opinions

Everyone has been talking about the continuing rise in gas prices we have experienced here in the first 6 months of 2008.  If you are not one of us, then you are on a wonderful extended vacation somewhere abroad...hope you are having a great time!!! In California, with our higher taxes on gas and higher costs of producing cleaner fuel, we see some of the highest prices in the entire country.  So where does this put Realtors here in the Santa Barbara area who depend on their vehicles every day as part of their job to look at the inventory and to drive clients around. Additionally, what are... Read more

Tags: realtors in santa barbara, santa barbara ca realtors, santa barbara mls, santa barbara real estate agent, santa barbara realtor cars

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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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