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Each county offers places for spending the “golden years”! Southern California has long been a magnet for people who want to spend their retirement in a mild, pleasant climate. But climate isn’t the only factor that goes into deciding where to live out the “golden years.” Cost of living, taxes, access to healthcare, shopping, entertainment, recreation, and transportation are some other considerations for retirees before settling on their ideal community.
We looked at data for each of the five counties we serve, and came up with a recommended community for each, from south to north. Every retiree’s situation is different, of course, and there are plenty of cities to check out within the region. But you can’t go wrong with these SoCal favorites.
San Diego County
With more than 350 physicians, over 325 amenities for seniors, and an exceptionally low crime rate, this beachside city offers homes ranging from chic modern condos to expansive Mediterranean-style villas. Boating, fishing, and swimming at the beach are daily activities, along with golf at the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. The San Diego Botanical Garden features rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, a tropical rainforest, California native plants, Mediterranean climate landscapes, and more. Annual events include the outdoor Encinitas Arts Festival, a wonderful venue for meeting new people, enjoying local talent, and sampling scrumptious cuisine.
Orange County
One of the largest master-planned developments in the U.S., Mission Viejo has won many “Safest City” awards thanks to its extremely low crime rate. The Irvine Company created a master plan that placed roads in the valleys and houses on the hills, contoured to the geography of the area. Houses and shopping centers in the city are almost all designed in a Spanish mission style, with adobe-like stucco walls and barrel-tile roofs. Many homes and condos are built around private Lake Mission Viejo, which offers boating, beaches, and fishing. An active public library and Saddleback College provide cultural opportunities. The Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center caters to older residents. There are about two parks per square mile and three golf courses: Mission Viejo Country Club, Casta del Sol Golf Course, and Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.
Los Angeles County
The City of Roses, just northeast of Los Angeles is most famous as the home of the Rose Bowl and the Tournament of Roses Parade. It is the cultural center of the region, with several colleges, including the California Institute of Technology, and many leading museums such as the Norton Simon and the nearby Huntington Library and Gardens. Getting around the downtown area, with its many shops, antique stores, and restaurants, is easy. The city has a high walk score of 67.7 from walkscore.com. The city has many interesting neighborhoods to live in including Bungalow Heaven, a neighborhood of 800 small Craftsman homes built from 1900 to 1930. The Gamble House, an American Craftsman masterpiece, was built in 1908 by architects Charles and Henry Greene, is open to the public as an architectural conservancy and museum.
Ventura County
Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture named Ventura County the most desirable place to live in America. The reasons include mild, sunny winters, temperate summers, low humidity, topographic variety, and access to the ocean and lakes. The city of Ventura is the largest in the county, and is famed for its beaches, compact downtown with loads of antique shops, and great scenery, such as the sweeping 360-degrees from Serra Cross Park. The nearby Channel Islands are among the least-visited national parks, despite being one of the most stunning and ecologically diverse. The quiet city is just far enough from the attractions of Los Angeles to the south, and is a great jumping-off point to the scenic wonders to the north, such as Highway 1, Hearst Castle, and Carmel.
Santa Barbara County
Retirees like living in this coastal city because of its unusually beautiful setting and excellent climate. The downtown area is walkable and prosperous downtown, and the city’s strong economic base offers plenty of opportunities for work–paid or volunteer. Retired folks can live in a house or apartment near downtown, or an apartment or freestanding house farther out in a development. There also are many assisted living and continuing care facilities. Cultural life abounds, including the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, University Art Museum on the UC Santa Barbara Campus, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara Maritime Fiesta; Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Festival, Arlington Theatre, and Lobero Theater. Many musical groups and a symphony orchestra are on hand to entertain.
For more information visit Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
These Southern California neighborhoods are for those who love to work and play. We know that millennials and young business professionals are looking for more than just a place to lay their head at night when it comes to buying a home. Community, nightlife, and affordability are all top of mind, plus proximity to work and other job opportunities. We selected our top picks for young business professionals when it comes to living in Southern California. You’ll find that these communities boast the perfect blend of work and play.
San Diego County
Little Italy is known for its diverse selection of restaurants, craft beers, and energetic nightlife. Its close proximity to the airport makes it a hot spot for young professionals both on the go and here to stay, and it’s just a short Uber ride to downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, restaurants, and shopping. Though Little Italy’s residences are fairly new, the careful city planning and marketing that went into them have quickly made it a magnet for professionals and millennials.
Think you’ll love Little Italy? Search for your perfect home right now.
Orange County
Though it is one of the pricier communities in Orange County, Newport Beach is full of top-earners who love to work hard and play hard. The community is perfect for those who keep an outdoor lifestyle, but is still accessible to thousands of major area employers that are just minutes inland. If you love the sun and sand, funky restaurants, and being near professionals who share the same tastes, then Newport Beach is the place for you. We suggest Balboa Peninsula, where you’ll find a variety of upscale and affordable for-sale and rental housing. If you talk to one of the agents in our Newport Beach office, we guarantee you won’t be able to resist making the move to Newport Beach.
Search for homes in Newport Beach today.
Los Angeles
This community is full of young, smart, and driven professionals. You will find a mix of townhouses and luxury homes on the safe streets of Los Feliz. You may even find Ryan Gosling, who is a permanent resident of this trendy neighborhood. In addition to having quick access to downtown via the subway, Los Feliz is close to Griffith Park, where you’ll find hiking and horseback riding trails, Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, and Greek Theatre. When you’re not working or playing, you’ll likely be eating, and Los Feliz is home to many delicious and unique restaurants, with many boasting gluten-free and vegan menu options, and you may find that some are even within walking distance. Talk to an agent in our Los Feliz office today, and start searching for homes now.
Los Feliz homes are waiting for you here.
Santa Barbara County
When you combine proximity to the beach, downtown, and city college, you’re bound to find tons of young professionals and recent graduates living in one area. Plus, rent and house payments have the potential to be relatively low, considering that you are living in Santa Barbara. You’ll find that buses and bikes are the main mode of transportation west of State Street. If you’re looking for more affordable housing, try the upper west side or downtown portion. If you’re a young professional already making the big bucks, though, you’ll find that West Beach and the lower west are much more affluent areas. Talk to one of our Santa Barbara agents today to see if West Santa Barbara is right for you.
Convinced that West Santa Barbara is right for you? Get started on your home search now.
Ventura County
Also known as “The Avenue,” this eclectic and diverse neighborhood of Ventura attracts millennials and professionals, due to the booming art scene, delicious cuisine, and proximity to shops, galleries, and downtown Ventura. Recreational activities include going to the ocean, downtown, or hiking on one of several trails in the area. Plus, on the first Friday evening of every month, several Westside galleries are showcased along a two-mile walk. Start talking to an agent in our Ventura office today if you’re ready to call the Westside home.
Search every home in Ventura now.
Visit Berkshire Hathaway for more articles regarding Southern California neighborhoods.
Here are four things you'll need (and two things you won't) when you're ready to switch from renting to owning. Sure, owning a home is the American dream. It's also the largest investment most of us will ever make, so go into it knowing what is and isn't required.
Photo by ©iStockphoto.com/theboone
For more information regarding first-time homebuyers visit HGTV.
If you have a growing family and are thinking about moving, you have a lot of other things to think about. What about the schools? The neighborhood culture? Proximity to shopping and entertainment? You probably have a good idea about what to expect in the areas you’re considering. Family and friends can help you decide, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a real estate pro because knowing everything about a community is essential to what they do for a living.
With more than 60 offices in five Southern California counties spanning the Central Coast to San Diego, there are plenty of great places for families to choose from. We are featuring one family-friendly community in each county.
San Diego County
Carlsbad (La Costa Valley) is made for young families. One resident who lives there received 160 trick-or-treaters last Halloween. Homes are decorated for the holidays, and you can drive through the neighborhoods most days and see children playing dodgeball or tossing a ball in front of their homes. Carlsbad Unified School District gets consistently high reviews from parents. It has 10,993 students attending 16 schools in grades K-12. According to state standards, 76 percent of students in the district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $151,529,000, spending an average of $13,697 per student.
Search for homes in Carlsbad now.
Orange County
Cypress is a diverse city of 49,000. Cypress High School had commendable three-year median API scores of 900. Cypress’s Oxford Academy, which admits top students from Cypress and several other cities, scored an outstanding 992 and is considered one of the top 10 public high schools in the country. Cypress is just five miles to Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City, and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, and about 20 minutes from Disneyland. Nearby Cerritos has a large skate park, tennis club, and Los Alamitos Race Course.
Check out the Cypress homes that are for sale right now.
Los Angeles County
Tarzana is a neighborhood of 35,500 in the San Fernando Valley. And yes, it was named after the popular jungle character created by author Edgar Rice Burroughs that was adapted into a Disney animated film in 1999. What makes Tarzana a great neighborhood for young families is its strong economy, educated residents, and low crime rate. It is within the Los Angeles Unified School District, but is also home to Columbia College Hollywood, which teaches a variety of subjects related to film and TV. For young animal lovers, Red Barn Feed & Saddlery features all the tools you’ll need for raising pets, plus some animal adoptions.
Find your new home in Tarzana today.
Ventura County
Moorpark has a friendly, small-town feel, yet is close enough to Los Angeles to enjoy all the opportunities there for work and play. It is a 30-minute ride to Malibu and the coast. Moorpark has low crime, good schools, a Metrolink commuter rail station, plus numerous parks and hiking trails. The city of about 35,000 is completely surrounded by open space, parklands, and agriculture. Moorpark Unified School District is the largest employer in town. It has 6,812 students attending 12 schools in grades K-12. The district has an annual budget of $67,488,000, spending an average of $9,517 per student.
Make moves to move your family to Moorpark now.
Santa Barbara County
Carpinteria fits the very definition of a of beachy surf town. Oozing with small-town charm, Carpinteria is known for its laid-back vibe and super-relaxed ambiance. The coastal city of 13,000 is just south of Santa Barbara. People move to Carpinteria because they commute to Santa Barbara for the lower cost of living, or they fall in love with the crisp and persistent waves that rock the beaches. Downtown Carpinteria has just a few stoplights and loads of fun restaurants and boutiques. The homes are more affordable than nearby Santa Barbara and Montecito. There is one high school, one middle school, four elementary schools, and a private preparatory school.
See what homes are for sale in Carpinteria today.
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If you’re planning to sell your house this year, well, you’re in luck. “The 2016 housing market is forecasted to be mainly a seller’s market, filled with increasing home prices, relatively low inventory, and fierce competition between buyers,” says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®.
But you could still make missteps on the way to the bank. Yes, your house will likely sell, but when? Remember, time is money.
“For sellers, it’s about understanding the ins and outs of their local market so they can optimize the price of their home and close quickly,” Smoke says.
Smoke and his team analyzed market trends to distill their best advice for homeowners looking to sell in 2016. Follow these tips to get the most out of your home sale.
“What Realtors® tell me over and over again, and from the analysis that I’ve seen historically, the most important thing is getting the price right,” Smoke says.
In 2016, prices are expected to increase nationally 3% year over year. Local price changes are anticipated to be more dramatic, with markets such as Stockton, CA, and Las Vegas, NV, expected to increase by 10%. But that doesn’t mean those stats are true of your town, or your neighborhood.
“Making the error of going for a price that’s well above the market price is a recipe for being let down and potentially not selling the home at all,” he adds. A home that sits on the market eventually will turn off buyers, who will suspect that something is wrong with it.
Sellers who work with a local Realtor to optimize the price of their home based on its unique features and surrounding neighborhood are often able to receive the highest price for their market and sell more quickly.
Unlike buyers, who want to minimize competition, sellers benefit from demand. Prime home-buying season begins in April and reaches its peak in June, according to realtor.com analysis of home sales. Sellers who list their home during the prime spring and summer months benefit from a larger population of buyers and potential bidding wars, which often result in higher prices and faster closings.
This one seems counterintuitive, given what we’ve said about a seller’s market, but hear us out. Last year—the best for U.S. home sales in nearly a decade—37% of all sellers offered incentives to attract buyers.
“The nature of this market is that you’re going to have more first-time buyers, who are more dependent on financing,” Smoke says. Getting a loan is one thing; coming up with a chunk of cash for closing costs, on top of the down payment, is another.
“If you’re a seller and you’re able to offer some money toward closing costs, you’re actually making it easier on that buyer, and they might be more willing to give you the full asking price,” Smoke explains. You could end up with a faster sale and more profit.
This isn’t really actionable advice since if you don’t already own a home there you won’t be selling one, but FYI: California markets are accelerating past the already strong national averages and showing extremely favorable conditions for sellers.
Robust job growth, increasing prices, and limited inventory have sellers ready for big gains in the greater metro areas of Stockton, Bakersfield, Fresno, and San Jose. Once you’ve sold, though, you may not be able to afford to buy again in the area—we’d suggest looking in the Midwest or South.
Check out the full realtor.com 2016 housing forecast.
Across the United States, home sellers are feeling good. Great, in fact. And why shouldn’t they? The residential real estate market is healthier now than it has been in over a decade. Across the board, we’re seeing strong demand turn into fast-moving inventory and higher prices.
If there’s been any problem with this picture, it’s that the supply of homes for sale in some markets has been tighter than tight, leaving many would-be buyers in the lurch. Thankfully, there are plenty of factors leading more and more existing homeowners to realize that now is a great time to sell a home—and buyers may see the benefit.
Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey gives a good reading of how Americans view the housing market. In April, 52% of respondents said it is a good time to sell a home. That’s the highest percentage since the survey began in 2010, and it’s almost five times higher than in April 2011.
It makes sense that consumers feel that way, right? After all, existing-home sales are up, inventory is moving at a rapid clip, and in many markets home values are either fully recovered or getting close to being fully recovered. What’s not to love?
It’s no wonder existing homeowners are indeed acting on this perception that it’s a terrific time to sell. Visitors to realtor.com® looking to sell have increased 32% over last year.
But here’s the reality: Selling a home is usually just the first (critically important) step in the process of buying another home. We find that more than 85% of today’s sellers indicate that they also intend to buy. So while they’re adding to the inventory of homes for sale, they’re also dipping back into it. And buyer traffic on realtor.com is also up 31% over last year.
As buying competition, homeowners have some advantages: They’re more likely to have more money to put down from their sale and often have better credit than first-timers. But the need to sell their primary home before they buy another, in most cases, could work against them in a competitive bid situation.
People’s reasons for selling and then buying again are numerous, but they mostly relate to life transitions and changing needs. Here are the top five reasons for selling right now:
1. Want to be in a different neighborhood (40%) 2. Need a home with different features (28%) 3. Need a bigger home (22%) 4. Want location with better weather, views, and/or lifestyle (19%) 5. Need to lower cost of living (17%)
However, different motivations hold sway at different ages. Heads of households between 35 and 44 years of age are driven by a desire to be in a different neighborhood and to have a bigger home. Those aged 65 and older are responding to retirement, looking for a home with different features, or trying to improve their weather, views, and/or lifestyle.
The biggest factors standing in the way of today’s sellers are time, making necessary improvements in their existing home in order to sell, and finding a replacement home to purchase.
Since mortgage rates have declined and stabilized at multiyear levels this spring, we’ll look back in a few years and realize what a unique window of time this was. Households that can indeed successfully sell and buy this year should improve their housing situation while locking in the lowest possible costs.
Visit Realtor.com for more information for buyers and sellers.
Take a list of things to avoid before you close on your new house.By Tara-Nicholle Nelson
Rental market remains very tight, according to report by UCSB Economic Forecast ProjectBy Noozhawk, Tom Bolton
Santa Barbara County’s economy is doing fairly well in 2016. Employment is strong, the housing market has stabilized and wages are up.
That was the assessment offered Thursday during the annual Economic Summit presented by the UCSB Economic Forecast Project.
Several hundred people turned out at the Granada Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara for the morning-long program, which focused primarily on national and macro-economic trends.
Of note was an increase in overall employment in the county in 2015 of 5,558 jobs, a gain of 2.8 percent and the largest rise since 2012.
The county’s unemployment rate declined to 5.1 percent, and statistical forecasts suggest it will drop further — to 4.9 percent by the end of the year.
The city of Goleta had the county’s lowest unemployment rate at 2.9 percent, while Lompoc had the highest, at 6.6 percent.
Other unemployment rates included Buellton, 3.2 percent; Santa Barbara, 4.0 percent; Carpinteria, 4.4 percent; Guadalupe, 4.8 percent; Santa Maria, 6.1 percent; and Solvang, 6.2 percent.
On the real estate front, the median home price for the county increased 17.5 percent from the previous year, to $676,494.
That growth rate was considerably larger than for the state (5.7 percent).
As prices rose, affordability fell in the county.
Only 23 percent of Santa Barbara County residents were able to afford the median-priced house, compared with 30 percent of residents statewide, and 58 percent nationally.
The surge in the housing market has made an already-tight rental-housing market that much more difficult, what the report’s authors called “not for the faint of heart.”
A vacancy rate of less than 1 percent contributed to an 8.7-percent spike in rents in 2015.
The report’s authors gave this assessment:
“As the prospect of owning a home becomes a fantasy, many local residents will remain renters indefinitely…Additional demand for high-quality rental housing is being generated by empty-nest Baby Boomers seek to simplify their lives by trading in the family home for a luxury apartment in a fun urban setting.”
Peter Rupert, executive director of the Forecast Project, discussed the ramifications of what he called income “unequality,” as opposed to inequality.
The county’s per-capita income gained 1.3 percent to $45,795 in 2014, the latest year for which figures are available.
The gains, he pointed out, were experienced more strongly by higher earners than those at the lower end of the economic scale.
Perhaps not surprisingly, northern Santa Barbara County has more people in the lower-income brackets, while the South Coast has more in the upper brackets.
This is due, in part, to the fact that the North County has vastly more agricultural workers, while the South Coast leads in governmental, professional and business services employees.
Thursday’s keynote speaker was James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, who discussed U.S. monetary policy.
“U.S. labor markets are at or possibly well beyond reasonable conceptions of full employment,” he said.
He also noted that interest rates have remained low for the last several years, and global concerns — including the strong U.S. dollar — seem to be waning.
Inflation rates have remained below the target set by the Fed, he said, adding that “a gradual pace of rate increases over the next several years” is likely.
Read the full article at Noozhawk by Tom Bolton.
Locally known, nationally recognized, globally respected. With California home prices remaining strong, and our state the No. 1 market of interest for residents of China seeking a home overseas, this is a great time for experienced and aspiring agents to affiliate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties.
By joining Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, you not only have access to our world-class programs, support, and real estate services, but you also have the backing of the locally known, nationally recognized, and globally respected Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices name.
Our brokerage offers many reasons to join branches throughout Southern California. We’ve rounded up several of them here. If you’re interested, contact any of our office managers, or call 858.995.7575. We’re looking forward to meeting you.
A leading company
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is one of the top five brokerages among all Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerages nationwide.
Results-oriented
Nearly $12.5 billion in sales volume last year with more than 14,000 transactions.
Always growing
We proudly support nearly 3,000 sales associates in more than 60 offices spanning the Central Coast to San Diego.
We select smart, experienced people
We offer in-depth training and access to the latest technologies and information to help you succeed. We promote a highly trained, technologically sophisticated and diverse sales force.
Commitment to integrity
We recruit associates and management talent committed to performance with integrity.
Networking abroad
We maintain relationships with an elite collection of international real estate networks, including:
Mobile app
It’s easy for clients to search for properties and quickly connect with you through a personally branded mobile app.
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Find us on relevant social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where we share real estate content, company news, and even your listings.
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Professional production services are offered to our agents at special rates.
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Discounted programs that provide the ultimate print exposure for you and your listings.
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A variety of exquisite presentation materials, recently redesigned and polished, are available to help you impress the most discerning clients.
Click here to read more about Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
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In a recent study conducted by Builder.com, researchers determined that nationwide it would take“nearly eight years” for a first-time buyer to save enough for a down payment on their dream home.
Depending on where you live, median rents, incomes and home prices all vary. By determining the percentage a renter spends on housing in each state and the amount needed for a 10% down payment, they were able to establish how long (in years) it would take for an average resident to save.
According to the study, residents in South Dakota are able to save for a down payment the quickest in just under 3.5 years. Below is a map created using the data for each state:
What if you were able to take advantage of one of the Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae 3% down programs? Suddenly saving for a down payment no longer takes 5 or 10 years, but becomes attainable in under two years in many states as shown in the map below.
Whether you have just started to save for a down payment, or have been for years, you may be closer to your dream home than you think! Meet with a local real estate professional who can help you evaluate your ability to buy today.
