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