One of the most asked questions I get is, So how’s the real estate market?

I won’t bore you with all the numbers, I’ll just mention some of the highlights…

So, for the month of November

Total sales were:
83 homes and 40 condos, for a total of 123 properties sold.

The median price for a home was $1,275,000 which is a 19% increase over 2018 and the median price for condos was $665,000 which is 2% more than in 2018.

The average days a property was on the market were 79 for homes and 62 for condos.

Current inventory level is at 3.77 months, which indicates its still a seller’s market

We continue to see’s strong sales across all price points from Goleta to Carpinteria and are still experiencing multiple offers over asking in some cases, which can be the challenge for most homebuyers.

There’s more detailed information regarding November’s report in the link below if you’re interested.

November 2019 Market Report

As we head into the cooler months there is one thing we cannot escape, the sun setting much sooner than some of us would like. Does this mean that you should move any evening entertaining you’re planning on doing inside? Not necessarily! With a few simple light fixtures, string lights, or even a fire pit that not only provides light but warmth for that cool evening air you can keep yourself and guests enjoying your outdoor space even after the sun sets.

These outdoor string lights are built to withstand outdoor conditions and not only are they aesthetically pleasing but also electricity bill friendly, as they are powered by a solar panel that charges during the day so you can enjoy the beautiful warm glow they offer at night. Need some more ideas on how to light up your outdoor area?

Check out this page on Houzz to browse different ideas and even shop for the items you want to light up your space!

Fall in Santa Barbara is certainly a beautiful season and one of my favorite times of the year.
Real Estate sales typically slow during the fall, however sellers who are realistic, understand the market and how to price and prepare their homes for sale, will have no trouble selling their homes.

The numbers don’t lie, which is a good thing according to the most recent stats.

Some will say the market is slowing, others would agree its better than it appears as it continues to exceed last year’s numbers.

Sales of Single-family home are up 8% over last year with a total of 987
More Condo’s sold with a total of 495 which is 9% over last year at the same time.
Overall, 1,482 residences have sold through the 3rd quarter of 2019 showing an increase of approximately 8% over 2018.

Inventory levels are the challenge as it continues to show increased demand for housing with more home buyers than properties available to purchase.

From Goleta, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, and Carpinteria where would your dream home be?

For a look at the full report click the link below.

September 2019 Marketing Report

October is a month full of different events here in Santa Barbara but one that is sure not to disappoint is the annual Harbor & Seafood Festival.

This local event is held every second Saturday of October and celebrates Santa Barbara’s fishermen with all the hard work that happens in our harbor year-round. There is a wide array of booths all lined up for you to explore; from specialty foods, demonstrations, art and jewelry, and my personal favorite – paella!

This mouth-watering dish is prepared right in front of you and the best part is, you get to enjoy a sample. Also, If you’re a foodie who enjoys pairing delicious seafood dishes with wine, you can check out the
Santa Barbara Maritimes Wine & Seafood Pairing event held that same day.

Whether you’re a Santa Barbara local or just visiting from out of the area this is something you surely do not want to miss!

For more details on this event and what it is about, you can take a peek here.

The real estate market in the Santa Barbara area is alive and well.

We continue to see brisk activity in all price ranges from Carpinteria to Goleta and everything in between, including Montecito and Santa Barbara.

In the month of August, there were a total of 176 single-family homes and condos sold with a year to date (YTD) total of 1326 combined properties.

Also, the median sales price is up approximately 7% over last year from $1,205,000 to $1,292,500.

With that, the number of single-family home sales compared to last year was 827 in 2018 and 883 through August of this year, that’s also a 7% increase.

Now that interest rates are favorable there is always an opportunity to own property.

What does your next home look like?

For a look at the full report click the link below.

August 2019 – SB Village Marketing Report

A healthy lifestyle is important, a big part of that is a healthy home.

Houzz released a Healthy Home Study outlining what is important to homeowners and how they rated there homes safety.

• Over 60% of homeowners rate their homes as healthy, yet more than a quarter are uncertain of major health hazards indoors or outside
• Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are more critical of their homes’ health than Millennials
• Homes are perceived to be healthier if built more recently, have no allergens or mold, limited instances of insects and rodents, and more light
• Moisture, air quality, and cleanliness top the list of indoor concerns while air quality, grounds safety and soil quality worry homeowners outside
• Prevalence of health-promoting and safety systems like carbon monoxide detectors are limited in all homes
• Preventing health problems remains a motivation for renovations for over 40% of homeowners

More than 70% of those surveyed expressed minimizing exposure to chemicals and germs is very important for supporting overall home health. Comfort rated the highest with security and wholesome food/diet round out the top five health factors.

Here is a list of potential risk factors to keep in mind

1. Dust mites Mold/mildew/rot
2. Contaminants in drinking water
3. Formaldehyde
4. Exhaust from gas-burning appliances
5. Asbestos
6. Lead
7. Excessive dust or pet dander

There are numerous hidden dangers and items to be concerned with. Here are additional resources to learn more about what to take into consideration.

Healthy Home Tips

Houzz report

To your health and safety!

The summer solstice is today, June 21, 2019, for anyone who is north of the equator.

It is the longest day of the year and marks the first day of summer.

To celebrate this special event, the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade and Celebration is being held June 21st, 22nd, & 23rd.

The parade itself is held on Saturday, June 22^nd and starts promptly at 12:00 noon beginning at Cota and State Street in downtown Santa Barbara.
It will work its way up State Street to Alameda Park where the celebration continues throughout the weekend.

This parade began back in 1974 as a birthday celebration and is the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County, which draws over 100,000 spectators from all over.
There is like nothing you’ve ever seen before, unless you’ve been, of course, then, you know what it’s all about.

You can expect to see a creative display of floats, giant puppets, unique costumes and masks, Brazilian dancers and various performing groups with up to a 1,000 parade participants from children to adults.

As for the festival, it is a celebration where everyone will enjoy live music, dancing, DJ playing, a large drum circle, food, arts and crafts, with a free festival for children.

The parade and festival have something for everyone and is sure to please your senses. It is a fun-filled weekend for all to enjoy!

This year is the 45^th Summer Solstice Celebration and the theme is “Wonder”.

For more information and details about the event, please visit The Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration website at www.solsticeparade.com

Hope to see you out there!

Here are five essential tips for making the process of buying a home as smooth as possible.

1. Start by getting your finances in order.

Check the full picture of your credit. Obtain copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct and fix any problems you find. Next, find a suitable lender and get pre-approved for a loan. This will put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house or property.

2. Find a house you can afford.

There are a number of tools and calculators online that can help you understand how your income, debt, and expenses affect what you can afford. Don’t forget, too, that there are lots of considerations beyond the sticker price, including property taxes, energy costs, etc.
It is also a good idea to consult with an accountant.

3. Work with a professional.

While the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings and resources, many aspects of the buying process require a level of expertise you can’t pick up from surfing the web. That’s why you’re better off using a professional agent than going it alone. Seek a professional agent who will have your best interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the negotiation process.

4. Do your research.

Before making an offer, do some research to determine the state of the market at large. Next, look at sales trends of similar homes in the area or neighborhood. Look at prices for the last few months.
Come up with an asking price that’s competitive, but also realistic. Otherwise, you may end up offending the seller and lose out to another buyer.

5. Think long term.

Seeking to buy in an area with good schools, whether you have children or not, will have an impact on a home’s resale value down the line. There are several factors to take into consideration and when it comes to the house itself don’t forget to take into consideration any tax benefits of owning a home.
Remember the old saying location, location, location!

If you would like to learn more about the necessary steps to purchase your next home, contact Robert direct at 805-252-2190