santa barbara real estate: Federal Stimulus Money for Santa Barbara Homeowners Who Go Green - 07/06/10 08:03 AM
Federal Stimulus Money for Santa Barbara Homeowners Who Go Green
Property owners in Santa Barbara County who are interested in improving their home or even commercial properties with green retrofits should investigate a new program being offered.  The County of Santa Barbara has received 5 million dollars in federal stimulus funds for their program called Empower Santa Barbara County.  The funds are going to be distributed in the form of low interest loans that are to be secured on the properties through a property tax assessment that is to be paid back over a term of up to 20 years. 
What types of … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Thinking About Buying a Second Home or Vacation Rental in Santa Barbara? - 06/29/10 11:20 AM
Thinking About Buying a Second Home or Vacation Rental in Santa Barbara?
If you are thinking about buying a home or condominium in Santa Barbara and want it to generate income while you are not staying there.  Renting it short term to vacationers might be a good idea.  Santa Barbara is a popular vacation destination with visitors coming from around the world.  While Summer is the busiest season for visitors, there is good demand for short term rentals year round. Some even prefer the mild Winters in Santa Barbara with average temperatures in the upper 60's over foggy Summer June gloom days. Others, especially those coming from … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Top 5 Reasons to Buy This Summerland Horse Land-Price Reduced! - 06/17/10 08:00 AM

Top 5 Reasons to Buy This Summerland Horse Land for $1,150,000- Price Reduced
1.  Walk to restaurants.  Just a couple blocks down the hill is a fun selection of restaurants on Summerland's Lilly Ave.  One of the local favorites is the Nugget where you could spend hours looking at all of the old pictures on the wall.  My personal favorite is the patty melt but everything on the menu is good.
2.  Hiking or horse trails.  This 5.69 acre lot has direct access to the most beauitiful network of trails that meander through oak forests, fruit orchards and private estates.  Great for horse lovers … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Analysis for April 2010 - 05/27/10 11:04 AM
Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Analysis for April 2010
The Santa Barbara real estate market has been heating up as we approach the peak summer buying and selling season.  The number of homes sold in April 2010 vs. April 2009 is up in all coastal areas of the county including Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria and Montecito. 2009 was a pretty bleak year in terms of real estate sales but you have to start  somewhere.  The city of Santa Barbarahad 85 homes close in April compared to 56 in April of 2009.  That is a substantial increase.  Carpinteria had 14 last month vs. … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Santa Ynez French Country Estate for Sale- $6,250,000 - 04/25/10 10:11 AM
Santa Ynez French Country Estate for Sale- $6,250,000
French Country elegance meets ranch living on over 22 acres.  This stunning estate has a 4 bedroom 4 bath main house , detached guest house, barn and panoramic 360 degree views in one of the most exclusive and desirable locations in the Santa Ynez Valley.  Built with great attention to detail using the finest materials, this residence is one of the finest in the Santa Ynez Valley.  First time on the market.  More pictures at www.richbosselmann.com  If I can be of assistance in your Santa Barbara or Santa Ynez real estate search contact me … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Malcolm Gladwell at the Arlington- Am I too Delusional, or Just Right? - 03/11/10 08:59 AM
Malcolm Gladwell at the Arlington
Another great aspect of Santa Barbara life is that some of the most influential people stop by and give lectures. It's the same with musicians, some of the best musicians include Santa Barbara in their tours...can you blame them?  Everyone wants to experience a little paradise.   Last night Malcolm Gladwell, best selling author was speaking at the Arlington theater so some friends and I decided to see what he had to say.  Malcolm has a gift for explaining new ideas in the social sciences in an entertaining way.  He has multiple New York Times best sellers and a new book out titled Outliers which … (1 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Santa Barbara Home Sales Statistics for 2010 Through February - 03/10/10 09:57 AM
Santa Barbara Homes Sales Statistics for 2010 Through February
There are a lot of people watching the Santa Barbara real estate market these days and wondering where it is headed.  The latest numbers show that sales activity is picking up.  Comparing the first two months of 2010 to the same period last year, sales of homes are up 15% in Santa Barbara.  However, the median sales price is down 8% from the 09 numbers to $775,000.  Actually, the median sales price is just about where it was in 2003.  It looks like the sellers are hoping for some price appreciation before … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Summerland Real Estate - 03/08/10 11:10 AM
Summerland Real Estate
Summerland is a small beach town on the coast just south of Santa Barbara.  The beach at Summerland is a nice place to take a walk with your dog or just hang out.  The water is almost always calm because, like Santa Barbara it is a Southern facing coastline and the Channel Islands off the coast block most of the ocean swells.  Lillie Avenue has a handful of restaurants, antique shops and other business.  The real estate market in Summerland is active and diverse with homes starting as low as the $400's for a condo in town to as much as 5 million dollars … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: 1031 Exchange into Santa Barbara Real Estate - 03/04/10 04:31 AM
1031 Exchange into Santa Barbara Real Estate
1031 exchangeshave been around a while and are still a great way to preserve your wealth through reinvestment in  "like kind" assets.  Basically, a 1031 exchange allows you to reinvest sales proceeds on your investment properties that would otherwise be paid to the government in the form of taxes.  There are very specific guidelines that you must follow in order to qualify.  Before you decide to sell or purchase, discuss your intentions with a certified exchange accommodator.  If you have found that perfect property, must have it and, have not sold your property yet, a reverse 1031 … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Classical Music at the Lobero, Santa Barbara - 02/19/10 08:33 AM
Classical Music at the Lobero, Santa Barbara
I am not going to pretend that I know anything about classical music and I probably wouldn't plan an evening to see a performance of this genre; but, I do like live music and free live music is even better.  So, when a friend called on Tuesday with free tickets to see Carter Brey and Christopher O'riley on cello and piano at the Lobero Wednesday night, I thought , why not.  Carter Brey was the Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic at one time and has since gone out to perform around the world.  … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Rating Santa Barbara Elementary Schools - 02/15/10 12:43 PM
Rating Santa Barbara Elementary Schools
For many families with school age children, the public school their child will be assigned to attend is an important factor in their home buying decision.  In California the public schools are ranked using a scoring system that measures the test scores of its students.  This score is called the API or Academic Performance Index and it ranges from 200 to 1000. The score is then measured against test scores statewide and given a ranking of 1-10, with 10 being the best.  I recently reviewed the elementary school ranking data in Santa Barbaraand saw some very strong relationships.  … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Moving to Santa Barbara? Join the Newcomers Club. - 01/30/10 11:10 AM
Moving to Santa Barbara? Join the Newcomers Club.
If you are relocating to Santa Barbara and want to meet some new friends and explore the city, the Santa Barbara Newcomers Club is perfect for you. All ages are welcome from 20 to 90 and there is something that everyone will enjoy. There are many activity committees that range from wine tasting groups, hiking groups, book socials, dining in, helping non profits, to social events where members gather and socialize. 
There are so many interesting and accomplished people in the club that great conversations are easy to come by at the many social events. Current members include a former top Hollywood talent … (0 comments)

santa barbara real estate: Winter Bliss in Summerland - 01/27/10 02:38 PM
Winter in Santa Barbara, well actually, Summerland, just a couple miles South of Santa Barbara and the Southern neighbor of Montecito, is a beautiful time of year.  Today is January 27th and sitting on my deck in the seaside beach town of Summerland, CA, I'm having another one of those "it doesn't get better than this moments.  Nary a breeze all the way across the channel to Santa Cruz Island, which looks close enough to swim to this evening.  Don't try it though, unless you can swim 19 miles.  I'm sitting here admiring Santa Cruz Island and it's highest peak at … (2 comments)