santa barbara: Sightings in Santa Barbara - 10/17/23 10:37 AM
For the second consecutive year, Carpinteria’s Kevin Costner opened his oceanside estate for a fundraiser to support One805Live!, an organization created in 2018 to support local First Responders, and raised over a million dollars. 
The event attracted over 3000 guests including Harry and Meghan with entertainment provided by Maroon 5, Alan Parsons, and John Fogarty. Oprah Winfrey was also on stage interviewing Santa Barbara fireman Sam Dudley. 
Also in attendance was friend and fellow realtor Adam McKaig whose outreach program Adam’s Angels, which helps the homeless, received the Heart of the Community Award from some special guests including Price Harry.  The photos included here are … (0 comments)

santa barbara: California Home Insurance Concerns - 06/11/23 02:24 PM

Wildfires have burned nearly 10 million acres of forest and destroyed 39,000 homes in California over the last five years, providing a glimpse at just how dire the state’s climate crisis has become. 
Yet at a time when it’s more vital than ever for homeowners to have adequate insurance coverage, many carriers have decided to no longer insure homes in certain parts of the state, while others have left the home insurance market altogether. As a result, many California residents are left with little to no options for homeowners insurance — particularly those with homes in areas most at risk of wildfire … (2 comments)

santa barbara: Santa Barbara Restaurants Recommended by Michelin - 06/11/23 02:18 PM

Santa Barbara has joined the prestigious ranks of Michelin Star dining destinations in the newly released MICHELIN Guide California.  Sushi-Bar Montecito earned One MICHELIN Star, becoming the region’s first ever to receive the coveted accolade.
Santa Barbara offers a wide range of high-quality dining establishments that are celebrated for their culinary expertise, fresh ingredients, and innovative menus. The city is renowned for its farm-to-table cuisine, fresh seafood, and international flavors. Many of the top-rated restaurants in Santa Barbara showcase California’s local produce, organic ingredients, and sustainable dining practices.
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants: Sushi-Bar Montecito is right by the tony Montecito Inn, this eatery from Chefs/owners Phillip Frankland Lee … (0 comments)

santa barbara: Stephen Hawking's Santa Barbara Connection - 01/08/23 02:59 PM

Stephen Hawking’s Five Favorite places are 1. The Big Bang 2. The Milky Ways central Black Hole  3. Gliese 832 c 4. Saturn 5. Santa Barbara, California
(Short video, with a very entertaining clip of Stephen Hawking flying over the Old Mission Church in Santa Barbara in a Rocket Ship! )
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santa barbara: HAPPY NEW YEAR! MY NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS! - 01/08/23 02:51 PM

MY 2023 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
I was going to quit all my bad habits, but I realized no one likes a quitter.
I resolve to take all the Christmas lights down by Easter.
I resolve to get into shape. Round is a shape.
I resolve to read more, so I’m going to put the closed captions up on my TV screen.
I resolve to leave the toilet seat down, as long as my wife promises to leave the toilet seat up.
I resolve to get better at multi-tasking, so I’m going to start texting while sitting on the toilet.
I resolve to stop making the same mistake twice. … (2 comments)

santa barbara: Home Prices continue to increase in California - 09/14/22 03:25 PM

Santa Barbara RealtorsHOME PRICES IN CALIFORNIA INCREASE
The effects of rising interest rates and high home prices hit would be homebuyers in August dragging home sales below the annualized 300,000 benchmark level for the first time since May 2020 Home prices in California increased while at the same time the number of homes sold fell by 31.1%
For more information call us today! … (2 comments)

santa barbara: How's the Market in Santa Barbara, California? - 09/14/22 03:16 PM
Santa Barbara RealtorsHOW'S THE MARKET?How’s the market? Home prices have increased while the average rate on a 30-year mortgage edged up to 6.079 percent this week.The Central Coast experienced the largest decline among major regions, with sales plummeting 37.3% from the previous year. The housing inventory in California is now back to the pre-pandemic level.The graph below reflects the number of home sales per month dating back to 2013 up till July 2020 in southern Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara - Montecito - Hope Ranch and surrounding communities. … (0 comments)

santa barbara: Will Rising Interest Rates Affect the Housing Market? - 06/16/22 04:02 PM

   Based on a variety of different factors including stricter standards for lenders, more homes starting to come on the market, and significant fluctuations in home asking prices the average interest rate on a mortgage has remained consistently low for most of the past decade. However, interest rates have started to rise and this may cause some people to reconsider purchasing and wait out this market. In order to help you understand this new phenomenon, we will help explain how rising interest rates are affecting the housing market.
   It appears the housing market here in Santa Barbara has peaked. We're beginning … (4 comments)

santa barbara: 50 plus more than Curious Real Estate Statistics - 01/04/22 01:03 PM

More than 40% of active Realtors in the United States are located in California, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Nearly 2% of the adult population in Florida has an active real estate license. The number of active Realtors in Arizona has grown by nearly 10% from 2020 to 2021.There are currently more than 3 million active real estate licensees in the United States. As of October 2021, there were 1.56 million members of the National Association of Realtors®(NAR). More than 65% of active Realtors are women. The median age of all Realtors in the United States is 52. 45% of Realtors … (1 comments)

santa barbara: Santa Barbara's Own Foo Fighter! - 12/06/21 01:09 PM

        Santa Barbara’s own Foo Fighter, Chris Shiflett, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group this year!
       Recently, Santa Barbara’s weekly rag the Independent featured Chris on their cover and the week’s cover story was written by Marko DeSantis a longtime friend.  They both grew up in Santa Barbara, and at one time, were in competing Punk bands.  The WASPs and the KITTENZ!  Eventually, they merged into the same band and that’s where this story begins. It’s a lot of fun and a good read.  
       Rather than … (1 comments)

santa barbara: FAIR HOUSING IS FOR EVERYONE! - 05/20/21 12:07 PM

The Fair Housing Act is a law that was created to help limit discriminatory practices related to landlords, tenants, and housing. The act was created on the principle that every American should have an equal opportunity to seek a place to live, without being afraid of discrimination due to factors outside their control.
The Federal Fair Housing act is officially known as Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. It prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing units based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The Fair Housing Amendments Act that became effective in 1989 … (1 comments)

santa barbara: REAL ESTATE BOOM? - 04/07/21 09:32 AM

The real estate market took off in California last spring. As soon as the shut-in began people began re-evaluating their living circumstances. Where one lived took on greater significance, and many real estate markets in California took off and Boom!
With so many working from home people are re-thinking their living spaces. We experienced an exodus of urban dwellers for suburbia in 2020.  Many of the home sales last year in Santa Barbara were buyers from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Texas.  With all these changes, plus low interest rates, there is plenty of activity still.
If you’re considering getting into this market we humbly suggest you … (1 comments)

santa barbara: Santa Barbara Real Estate During the Pandemic 4.22.2020 - 04/22/20 04:41 PM
Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone that’s been affected by the pandemic in this unprecedented time. We feel the concern and uncertainty that everyone is experiencing.
Although real estate transactions can and are still happening, we respect that not everyone is in that frame of mind right now.
For those that might have housing needs we want you to know that if you have any questions we’re here to listen and when you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to help.
To ensure everyone’s safety real estate has gone virtual. Virtual reality and virtual tours are providing safe ways for … (2 comments)

santa barbara: Stay Home ! - 04/14/20 02:44 PM
Country Music stars Big and Rich have come up with a timely and humorous video in these uncertain times! Stay Home, and laugh!  Be Happy All Ways! 
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santa barbara: 2020 Santa Barbara Film Festival - 01/17/20 01:42 PM

SANTA BARBARA FILM FESTIVAL   JANUARY 15, 2020 TO JANUARY 25, 2020
Over the last 34 years the Festival has become one of the leading Film Festivals in the United States attracting 95,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+films, tributes, and panels fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire people through the power of film. This years Film Festival will take place from January 15, 2020 to January 25, 2020.
This year’s festival includes Brad Pitt who will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award (Sold Out). Laura Dern who will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award. Rene’e Zellweger the American Riviera Award. … (2 comments)

santa barbara: Amazon Coming to Santa Barbara ! - 10/23/18 01:40 PM

According to the local real estate rumor mill Amazon will be leasing the Saks Fifth Avenue Building at 1001 State Street in Santa Barbara for two million dollars a year.  Construction on tenant improvements will begin in early 2019, with tenancy happening by the end of next year according to Austin Herlihy,  executive vice president at Radius Commercial Real Estate.  State Street has struggled with retail vacancies for the past several years, but the presence of Amazon (if it is Amazon) might give the artery a much-needed adrenaline boost. NDAs have been signed so hence the rumor mill reference.
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santa barbara: Santa Barbara Year to Date Real Estate Statistics - 10/22/18 12:53 PM

Click or Tap on Image to Enlarge
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santa barbara: Santa Barbara Real Estate Humor Video - 10/22/18 12:47 PM

"Very funny! Not for the comedically challenged or humor impaired!"
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santa barbara: California Real Estate Market Trends - 09/09/18 11:16 AM

Painting by Santa Barbara artist Chris Potter
The California real estate market has retreated for the third straight month as existing single family home sales totaled 406,920 in July of 2018. The statewide median home price was $591,460 down 1.9% from June and up 7.6% from July of 2017. "In the midst of the peak home buying season, high home prices and rising interest rates combined to crimp housing affordability, which in turn is subduing home sales," saId CAR President Steve White. " Some of the reluctance by buyers appears to be driven by fears that the market may be peaking.
Additionally, the … (1 comments)

santa barbara: Hidden Cameras ?! - 08/19/18 11:41 AM

Hidden Cameras? We're all familiar with Baby cams, Security Cameras, and a whole variety of other different kinds of systems, except this time, they're being used to monitor buyers previewing their home.
Also sellers are using hidden cameras for observing how their real estate agent performs at showings and open houses. A recent survey suggested that 15% of Home Sellers have adopted this practice, and that another 67% said that they "would if they could!"
Not only should realtors be on their best behavior, but it might be wise to council your buyers to avoid making any comments till you get back in … (3 comments)

 
Mark Lomas, Experience You Can Count On! (Santa Barbara Real Estate)

Mark Lomas

Experience You Can Count On!

Santa Barbara, CA

More about me…

Santa Barbara Real Estate

Address: 1482 East Valley Road, Montecito, CA, 93108

Office: (805) 845-2888

Mobile: (805) 845-2888

Santa Barbara's most definitive real estate blog! Information about Schools, Neighborhoods, Statistics, Real Estate Articles, Market Opinions/Editorials,access to the MLS without having to register your personal information. and much more! Mark Lomas is an award winning real estate blogger and videographer. With over 20 years of helping buyers and sellers Mark can provide the difference you're looking for. Excellent Service, Superior Results, Remarkable Real Estate! MDLomas@gmail.com and 805.845.2888 cell/direct


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