SOLD! OVER LISTING PRICE • 536 PINTURA DRIVE

3  🛏   2  🛁  🗝 PRIVATE ACCESS TO BLUEBERRY HILL PARK

 It was an honor to represent our wonderful clients on the sale of their beautifully remodeled Goleta home.
+ Exceptional location backing up to Blueberry Hill Greenbelt
+ Carrara Marble Counters
+ Custom Cabinetry
+ Stainless Appliances
+ Open Floor Plan
+ Abundant Natural Light
+ Built-in Speakers
+ Brand New Professionally Landscaped Yard
+ New Driveway
+ Avocado Tree
+ MUCH MORE


OFFERED AT $1,015,000
SOLD FOR $1,023,500

If you have anyone looking to relocate to any of our beautiful neighborhoods please keep us in mind. Your referrals are our priority.

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: AllScape Design + Installation

Kat Hitchcock’s Interview With Nate Zacarias and Ben Hatcher owners of AllScape Design + Installation

Kat: First question, what does being water wise mean?

Nate Zacarias 

Nate: It basically means to be efficient with the way you use your water and trying to effectively reduce and save on not only on water but also on cost. Water is expensive it is becoming the new high end gold. 

Kat: Exactly, we have sellers that have acres and acres of land and obviously with the drought it has made their water bill more expensive. From a maintenance standpoint they are all trying to figure out the best plan of action. 

Ben:  There’s a lot of different avenues on ways to save water- whether it's irrigation assistance, drought tolerant plants and adding mulch to absorb moisture when it does rain. There’s a lot of different ways you can reduce the use of water. 

Kat: What is the ROI analysis on irrigation projects?

Ben Hatcher 

Ben: We calculate the return on investment. We calculate what the customer is currently spending and how long it will take for that budget to pay itself back. On small properties it is very rare. You have to do pretty extensive things to your landscape to create an ROI that is noticeable. Typical ROI’s would pay back in 5-15 years depending on what you do. I think it’s just seeing their water bills go down that makes our clients happy.  

Kat: For those who don't know what is the difference between hardscape and landscape? 

Nate: Hardscapes are hard materials like concrete, rock work, pathways- anything outside of softscapes. Softscapes would be considered planting and lawn installations, anything that has to do with plant material and gravels. Pathways can be both hardscape and softscapes. 

Kat:  A lot of our sellers have been putting in fire pits and decking, does AllScape design + installation handle those type of projects? 

Nate: Of course. We handle fire pits, any kind of woodwork like fencing, decking, pergolas, we do it all. If we can’t do something we have amazing contractors that can do it.

Kat:  What are the biggest mistakes you commonly see when people do their own landscaping? DIY Do’s and Do nots?

Ben: I think going with cheap material. So often when we go on a consultation we find cheap Home Depot material that doesn’t last long, or something not being installed properly. Actually the most common thing we find is irrigation breaks. 

Kat: Can AllScape Design + Installation test the irrigation lines for breaks? 

Ben: Yep. More often than not we find breaks in the valves or the piping. 

Nate: We call this an irrigation evaluation, we evaluate the entire system- find out where the flaws are- find out where you are wasting water, and then give a proposal to fix that at first and then give the customer ideas on how to improve and make it more efficient. 

Kat: What makes AllScape Design + Installation different than other landscape companies?

Ben:  I think just being on top of our game. We have connections with great sub contractors, our knowledge, and being in the field for so many years. 

Nate:  Also I think its our communication.

Ben: Communication is key. 

AllScape Design + Installation Completed Project

Nate: The fact that we call people back - and we joke that should be our slogan because it’s true- we hear it all the time so many people just don’t call you back. 

Ben: And we are on site, on time, if we can’t be there we call ahead of time and just keep the client updated with good communication. Which is lacking with a lot of contractors. It’s something they struggle with. So I think thats the one thing we have built our business on and considered a major part of our success is our communication. 

Nate:  I also think we are fairly priced. You know were not high end or low end but we are right where we should be as far as what we charge clients. I think that shows. 

Kat: That is awesome. What do you find most difficult or challenging as a landscaper?

Ben: Figuring out their budget. It’s not like our prices stay the same, but people struggle to tell us their budget.

AllScape Design + Installation Completed Project

Nate: To know someone's ideal budget is key because it helps me just design what I need to design within that range. Otherwise I have fun with it and make it lavish and then they see the proposal and they get taken aback. If I get a set budget then I can design around that. So that is a challenge when clients don't know ahead of time. 

Kat: When someone hires AllScape Design + Installation what should they expect? What sort of planning should you do beforehand?

Nate: If they want to do a project- it is nice to know what type of style. Those are questions I bring to the table. If you want a Mediterranean, drought tolerant, if you want a California garden type, free flowing design, or do you want something more symbiotic and symmetrical. There’s all different styles out there. 

Kat: Besides style of project, what else should they expect?  

Nate: They usually have an idea and style is number one, and what they want to save. What type of plants they want to be incorporated, what colors, it’s key to know. A lot of people hate oranges and yellows. So we have to ask those questions. Not only what you like but also what you dislike. It helps me figure out the plant palette and what type of movement through the property and sitting areas. 

AllScape Design + Installation Completed Project 

Ben: Also taking photos of stuff they like, a lot people take photos around the neighborhood of what they do and do not like. Right now our work is a lot of taking out grass and putting in drought tolerant plants. We typically go and meet with them and then ask them what you want to do and that then forms Nate’s idea of what he’s going to design. Then we do digital imaging as a quick test so they can see what they like and don’t like in different scenarios.  Then we will talk with them about moving forward.

Nate: Then we can go to the next level and do a blueprint design, a to scale design. Or we can go with the design imaging only and make a proposal based on that. Which would be the cheapest way to go. If they want to spend the extra $500-1000 to get it done right with the blueprint it does help. Then they own it, it is theirs and if they ever want to change anything they have the square footages. If they needed a different concrete contractor to come in and get square footage of the driveway it’s already set onto scale. I always try to push to get design blueprints done- but in the landscape world things move so fast.

Kat:  So what do ya’ll think of all this amazing rain?

Nate: Love it. Need it.

Kat: Do you think it is going to change anything in landscape world?

Ben: I hope it changes people’s philosophy about what a yard should typically look like. I hope we go away from the thought of huge lawn areas being ideal. You know typically you don't use your front yard as much so take out the front yard grass and just be more mindful of the water. 

Nate:  The problem is people see rain and think they can instantly go back to their old ways. I hope through all the education from the Santa Barbara and Goleta water districts people will think differently. The water districts did an amazing job getting people educated about being water wise. 

Kat: Okay, one more question. What do you love most about what you do?

Nate: From day one in this industry I have always loved not only the creative part of it but its seeing a crappy yard transition into something special and unique. You know home owners have to live with it every day. I like seeing the transition and happy customers which is why I got into it. To help people out and I love being outdoors. 

Ben: Like Nate said being able to walk away from a project and transition something into such a big difference. Building something, making something and getting to work with the clients. 

Kat:  I feel like I have met a handful of your clients and they are all extremely excited with the finished projects and love working with you guys.

Nate: It’s a good community we live in and its fun to create those relationships with clients. 

Ben: We are kind of friends with a lot of them. We would see them out around town and go have a beer together. I think that is kind of special.

Kat: We love sending you guys business, thank you for being so great to our clients. 

AllScape Design + Installation free digital imaging draft for your next project when you mention Ralston and Hitchcock!

SOLD! ⛳️🏠 Golf Course and Mountain Views

SOLD! ⛳️🏠 Golf Course + Mountain Views

253 Moreton Bay Lane #4 | Goleta, CA  93

Bedrooms: 2  |  Bathrooms: 2| Views: Golf Course + Mountain | Square Ft: 1,211
Sold Price: $573,000

 

Located on the Encina Royale golf course with beautiful mountain views. This 2 bedroom + den unit features an updated kitchen with newer appliances and Silestone kitchen counters, wood floors throughout, as well as an enclosed shared garage. The Encina Royale complex enjoys a clubhouse, pool, golf course, greenbelt and gym. Situated in a convenient Goleta location near shopping, yet 15 minutes from Downtown Santa Barbara. 

SOLD! 🛠 Goleta Fixer in Excellent Location

 Excited for our clients who scored this amazing fixer home in a desirable Goleta neighborhood.

Sold for $1,205,000

Just Sold 🎉 Turn-key 2 Bedroom Pacific Palms Townhome

We are thrilled for our very happy buyers to have just closed this turn key 2 bedroom Pacific Palms townhome in an excellent Goleta location.

Just Sold! 284 Coronado Drive, Goleta

What a great year of sales! We are pleased to announce our final sale of 2015, which closed on December 31st! This charming Goleta home features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, fireplace and a sparkling swimming pool. Located close to the beach and UCSB in the desirable Santa Barbara Shores neighborhood. A great buy for the lucky new owners!

Sold for $780,000

Short Term Vacation Rentals: What You Need to Know

Short term vacation rentals (lasting less than 30 days) are becoming more common throughout the Central Coast, along with home sharing (renting out a room or part of a unit while the primary resident is present). However, different areas have their own ordinances and regulations regarding renting out your home. Thinking of leasing your home temporarily? Check out these guidelines and requirements based on your location, provided by the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors.

Santa Barbara - Short term vacation rentals are prohibited in Santa Barbara, with certain exceptions that require you to get a business license. At the moment, the city is not issuing business licenses nor collecting Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). A Home Sharing Rental Ordinance is currently in the works.

Goleta - The city of Goleta requires several steps to be taken aside from obtaining a short term vacation rental permit. Goleta's ordinance takes into account the property owner, the vacationer, and the neighbors. In addition to a permit, Goleta requires a Nuisance Response Plan, a Transient Occupancy Tax Application for Certificate Registration, a Surety bond, a Declaration of Notification, and a General Business License Application.

Carpinteria - Carpinteria allows short term vacation rentals, but only in PRD zones (beach and downtown areas). The city also requires a business license and TOT.

Santa Barbara County - For unincorporated areas, there are no existing rules regarding short term vacation rentals, although this will likely change. A new ordinance addressing these rentals is expected to go into place next year. Currently, to have a short term vacation rental you are required to have a business license.

Available and Reduced! 284 Coronado Drive

Still available and newly reduced! Large, move-in-ready home in the gorgeous Santa Barbara Shores neighborhood of Goleta. 1,848 square feet featuring 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an office, sparkling pool, fireplace, vaulted ceilings in master-suite & family room with tons of natural light. Attached 2-car garage. Very close to the bluffs, beach and Butterfly Preserve. Close to world famous Bacara Resort & Spa, Sandpiper golf course, UCSB, schools and major shopping center.

Newly offered at $814,900

Broker's Open Friday 10am-12pm

Open House Saturday 1pm-4pm & Sunday 1pm-4pm

For more information, go to http://www.jakeralston.com/listing/just-listed-284-coronado-drive-goleta-ca/

Priced to Sell Fast! 284 Coronado Drive, Goleta CA

Just Listed! Check out this large, move-in-ready home in gorgeous Santa Barbara Shores neighborhood of Goleta! 1,848 squarefeet featuring 4bd/2ba +office, sparkling pool, fireplace, vaulted ceilings in master-suite & family room w/tons of natural light. Att. 2-car garage. Very close to the bluffs, beach & Butterfly Preserve. Close to world famous Bacara Resort & Spa, Sandpiper golf course, UCSB, schools and major shopping center. This beautiful home is priced to sell and won't last long!

Offered at $819,000

Open House Saturday from 2-4PM and Sunday 2-5PM!

See more photos at http://www.jakeralston.com/listing/just-listed-284-coronado-drive-goleta-ca/

Just Sold! 5062 Santa Susana Ave Goleta

Just Sold!  5062 Santa Susana Ave Goleta CA 93111

We are very happy to announce the sale of this fantastic remodeled home in Goleta! Charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features a newly remodeled kitchen, bathrooms, attached 2 car garage, fireplace and beautiful backyard for entertaining.

 Sold for $775,000

Just Sold! 5744 Aguila Avenue Goleta

5744 Aguila Avenue Goleta

We are excited to announce the sale of this quality move-in ready home in Old Town Goleta! Bright & cheery interior features 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, gorgeous hardwood floors and newer dual pane windows. Fully fenced large front and rear yards w/lush lawns and fruit trees. 2 car garage + workshop + covered parking.

Sold for $645,000.

MLS#15-270

  

Just Sold! 34 Amador Ave $695,000

34 Amador Ave, Goleta CA 93117

We are pleased to have represented a fantastic family in the purchase of their new Goleta home! Charming 3 bedroom/ 1.5 bathroom ranch style home features fireplace, 2 car garage and beautiful mountain views. Near schools, shopping and UCSB.

Sold for $695,000