Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice
| Apr 7th |
Where Are Those “Jumbo Conforming” Loans with Lower Interest Rates? |
|
2008
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Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice |
Here is a quick fact in the life within the lending business that no one can refute...
The larger the mortgage, the riskier the loan and therefore the tougher it is for a home-buyer to get a mortgage approved.
Now weeks after the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 changed the maximum amount on a conventional conforming loan from $417,000 to about $729,500 in high valued areas such as Santa Barbara CA, substantially lower interest rates on these larger loans are not being doled out to consumers as many thought they would be.
This new adjustment and the conforming loan was in theory supposed to reduce...
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| Mar 19th |
Santa Barbara Leads the Way in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Study |
|
2008
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Categories: Green Housing & Living |
I just viewed an interesting video posted on YouTube about Santa Barbara and the initiatives our city is taking towards energy use and climate change. Santa Barbara Council-member, Das Williams, speaks about what Santa Barbara can do as a city with regards to energy and climate initiatives.
He mentions that Santa Barbara and San Francisco are the only 2 current cities in the State of California that are completing hard science surveys on the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The main topics that the study covers are looking at transportation, building requirements and use of energy within our city buildings.
Some of the potential changes outlined are:
1) Adding Solar Panels...
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| Mar 17th |
Santa Barbara CA Neighborhoods – Campanil Hill and Yankee Farm |
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2008
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Categories: Campanil Hill Neighborhood |
Campanil Hill and Yankee Farm
Located on the sea-cliff just outside the boundaries of Hope Ranch, Campanil Hill and Yankee Farm is a gorgeous private feeling neighborhood filled with larger homes and estates. Most of these homes have expansive views of the ocean and Channel Islands and sit on nicely landscaped parcels of .5 acre to 6 acre lots. The entire area is relatively small and sits on a gently sloped hill just outside the gates of Hope Ranch.
The Campanil Hill and Yankee Farm Real Estate values average around $ 1.7 million to $ 6 million.
Further Reading:
Santa Barbara CA Neighborhoods - The...
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| Mar 6th |
Santa Barbara Real Estate Gets Wish Granted from the FHA |
|
2008
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Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice |
After a fair amount of backlash and letter writing, the government this week raised the mortgage limits for loans guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration in several high cost California counties, including Santa Barbara. The maximum amount of $729,750 will now be allowed for the Santa Barbara area and only time will tell what effect this will have on the housing market here. For many residents here in the Santa Barbara area where the average price of a single family home is over $ 1 Million, this will allow homeowners with high-rate sub-prime mortgages to refinance into federally insured loans. Additionally, it...
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| Feb 20th |
Tour of California comes to Santa Barbara Again |
|
2008
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Categories: Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Local / Things to Do |
Once again the Amgen Tour of California will make its way to the Santa Barbara area, with the individual time trial this Friday the 22nd of February in Solvang and the beginning of stage six starting in Santa Barbara the following day.
Many locals are extatic each year to see the race come through our neighborhoods. Over the last many years with the fame of Lance Armstrong, the Santa Barbara area has become a biking destination and training area for many professional riders. I myself have viewed the race twice and was overly impressed. One year we lined oursleves on the...
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| Feb 20th |
The Secret of the Santa Barbara Channel Islands |
|
2008
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Categories: Santa Barbara Local / Things to Do |
Hop aboard Santa Barbara's The Condor Express, schedule a trip with Santa Barbara Adventure Company or hitch a ride on a local fishing boat...Good Luck!! However you manage, schedule a trip out into the Santa Barbara Channel and the Channel Islands.
One of the most scenic and enjoyable natural features of the Santa Barbara coastline is the local Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Located approximately 25 miles from Santa Barbara, the islands provide you with a great experience each and every visit. Unless you have your own boat though, you are pretty much sequestered to the 3 main Islands of Santa Cruz (the largest),...
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| Feb 19th |
Your Santa Barbara Weekend Home Getaway |
|
2008
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Categories: Goleta, Santa Barbara Local / Things to Do |
For those longing for the feeling of getting away from Santa Barbara for a few days, a favorite weekend away for many has been El Capitan Canyon. This “luxury campground” is located only about a 25 minutes north of Santa Barbara CA and 15 minutes north of Goleta. The picturesque and semi rustic location in a seaside pocket on 300 plus acres on the Pacific coast, the nature lodging experience at El Capitan Canyon was created for those needing a few days to unwind, relax and touch base with nature.
The combination of many traditional resort amenities with the minimalism of the overall experience, El...
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| Feb 18th |
Plan for your Santa Barbara Remodel Now, so that you don’t go Crazy Later |
|
2008
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Categories: Buyer's Resources & Advice, Seller's Resources & Advice |
Many of us have heard our share of drama stories and even read articles about the drama involved with many Santa Barbara home remodels. Whether it is a simple kitchen make-over or a complete addition to your Santa Barbara home, here is a quick planning strategy to hopefully save you wasted time, energy and money.
Start with a wish list, even if this will have to be dwindled down in the future. This is surely one of the most fun activities in the entire remodelling process, so have a great time and get creative. Keep all of your notes, drawings and cut-outs...
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| Feb 5th |
Any Great Deals on Homes in Foreclosure in Santa Barbara? |
|
2008
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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...
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| Jan 31st |
Santa Barbara CA Neighborhoods – The Upper East |
|
2008
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Categories: The Upper East Neighborhood |
The Upper East - Santa Barbara
It is generally believed the Upper East is one of Santa Barbara’s most prestigious neighborhoods. The “Upper East” is defined by its location east of State Street and above Valerio Street, and then eventually merges into the Mission Canyon neighborhood and the Riviera foothills.
The Upper East is a wonderful walking neighborhood, though residents often do not get too far for the frequency with which they run into friends to chat with along their way. Because the topography is relatively flat to gently sloping, a healthy walk to downtown is very doable, as is a stroll through...
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| Jan 24th |
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Kicks Off!! |
|
2008
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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...
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| Jan 24th |
Snow in Santa Barbara, CA!!! |
|
2008
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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...
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Kevin Schmidtchen
Realtor - Sotheby's International Realty
1436 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone # 805-689-6877
[email protected]
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