Santa Barbara Named One of the Best Counties to Retire!

Thinking about retirement and wondering whether or not you should relocate? Consider this: in a new report from the data experts at FindTheHome, Santa Barbara County led the pack as one of the best areas to retire in the country! Experts created a "retirement index" for each county in the U.S. based on five significant factors:

1. The quality of local hospitals, nursing homes, and home health centers; 2. The number of universities, recreational facilities, libraries, and parks per capita; 3. Grocery stores and restaurants per capita plus WalkIQ; 4. The percentage of the population over 65 with a college degree; 5. Real estate market health, median sales price, properties with rent under $1,500/month and more.

Santa Barbara County scored high on the charts with a retirement index score of 94.7502! With our abundance of sunshine, beaches, and outdoor activities, Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas offer plenty of ways for you to relax, unwind, and enjoy your retirement. Convinced? Contact us today and let us help you find your perfect home in sunny Santa Barbara!

No.1 Reason To #ListYourHouse Today

If you are debating listing your house for sale this year or even early next year, here is the #1 reason not to wait!

Buyer Demand Continues to Outpace the Supply of Homes For Sale

According to the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) Foot Traffic report, there are more buyers out in the market right now than at any other time in the past three years.

The graph below shows the significant increase in foot traffic experienced this year compared to 2014.

The latest Existing Home Sales report shows that there is currently a 5.2-month supply of homes for sale. This remains lower than the 6-month supply necessary for a normal market and well below August 2014 numbers.

The chart below details the year-over-year inventory shortages experienced so far in 2015:

Bottom Line

Meet with a local real estate professional who can show you the supply conditions in your neighborhood and assist you in gaining access to the buyers who are ready, willing and able to buy today!

If you are debating listing your house for sale this year or even early next year, here is the #1 reason not to wait!

Buyer Demand Continues to Outpace the Supply of Homes For Sale

According to the National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR) Foot Traffic report, there are more buyers out in the market right now than at any other time in the past three years.

#HomeSales In Your State

Some Highlights:

• The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for their Confidence Index
• The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions.
• Homes sold in less than 60 days in 39 out of 50 states and Washington D.C.
• Only Vermont had a median sold date longer than 90 days.

Just Sold! 536 Pintura Drive, Santa Barbara CA

We are very happy to announce the sale of 536 Pintura Drive, Santa Barbara! Our clients were amazing to work with and we feel very fortunate to have helped them find their dream home! The home is a 3BD/2BA featuring a large, private yard backing up to a park, remodeled kitchen, hardwood floors, skylights, and new windows and doors. Sold for $850,000

Why You Need To Learn More About #FengShui

The ancient design philosophy of feng shui is gaining more traction in real estate as the number of Chinese home buyers are taking a bigger liking to U.S. real estate.

Eighty-six percent of Chinese Americans believe feng shui will play a role in a future home buying decision, according to a newly released survey of 500 Chinese-American home buyers, conducted by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, in conjunction with the Asian Real Estate Association of America. What’s more, 79 percent of respondents said they’d pay more for a home that follows feng shui principles — an average of 16 percent more to boot.

Seventy-five percent of respondents said deal breakers for them, which follow feng shui principles, would be a home being located at the end of a dead-end street, having the stairs directly facing the front door, and if the front and back doors are aligned.

Chinese buyers spent a whopping $28.6 billion on U.S. residential real estate from April 2014 to March 2015, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. That is prompting more real estate professionals to take notice of what feng shui is all about and what could be driving some of this growing number of buyers’ interests.

Peruse this infographic from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate to learn more about feng shui: 5 Quick Feng Shui Fixes…

California Housing Market Expected to Thrive in 2016

The California Association of Realtors' (C.A.R.) 2016 California Housing Market Forecast, released yesterday, foresees 2016 to be "the best year for home sales activity since 2012." According to the report, California is expected to see over 430,000 home sales next year, exceeding 2015 sales by over 25,000 closings, an annual increase of 6.3%. Demand in less expensive areas (like the Central Valley and San Bernardino) is projected to stay strong thanks to solid job growth.

The forecast calls for a 3.2% increase in home prices next year, compared to 6.5% in 2015, 9.8% in 2014, 27.5% in 2013 and 11.6% in 2012.

Although home sales are expected to grow in the coming year, home affordability will continue to be an issue in the Golden State. Despite this cost affordability, 2016 is anticipated to be the best year for sales activity since 2012, which is great news for the California housing market.

Fixed rate 30-year mortgages are also expected to reach 4.5% in 2016.

Move Over #ManCaves The #SheShed Is Gaining Popularity

Men have their man caves, but how about a space just for females? Welcome, the “she shed.”These backyard retreats are becoming the latest buzzword in interior design — emerging as the perfectly carved out haven for the woman of the household who seeks a quiet place of her own. Women are transforming old backyard sheds or even building mini cottages to create a place of relaxation or where they can pursue hobbies, such as ceramics, painting, and gardening. They are designing these mini sheds with everything from crystal chandeliers to luxurious furniture to create a top-notched designed space with all those feminine touches their heart desires. The only rule: No men allowed.

Take a look at some of these ‘she sheds’ photographed on Houzz.

Annual Santa Barbara Beer Fest Returns Saturday, October 17

It's time for the annual Santa Barbara Beer Festival! Experience some of the best brews on the West Coast on Saturday, October 17 at Elings Park from 12-4pm. Featuring live music, fresh fare, and over 20 different microbrews from breweries both local and (foreign), the yearly event is Santa Barbara's oldest festival honoring beer. For the cost of a ticket, you get a tasting glass and access to all of the fun the festival has to offer. Plus, 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards promoting two local nonprofits: Elings Park and the Santa Barbara Rugby Association. Sound like a fun time? Head to http://www.sbbeerfestival.com/default.php for tickets and get ready to drink for a cause!

Another 5 Star Review!

Interested in selling a property or purchasing your dream home? Or are you looking to sell and buy concurrently? We work hard to make sure our clients find the best deal and the perfect home. Check out this great endorsement from another satisfied client! "Jake and Kat were very patient and diligent in selling my condo and enabling me to buy my house. They were on top of every change and handled all the details and were great at reminding me of deadlines. They also helped arrange necessary repairs that enabled me to get a great price on the sale. They held many open houses and marketed it thoroughly."

Your Fall Home Checklist

Fall is a good time to take care of big home repair projects before shorter days (and in many areas, ice and snow) make outdoor work too difficult. And if you do live in an area with cold winters, take some time this fall to boost energy efficiency throughout your home, and prevent damage from winter storms with proper tree care (we spoke with an expert to find out what you need to do). Tick these 15 items off your list this season, and you can rest easy knowing that your home and yard are buttoned up and ready for winter.

Price Reduced! 236 Toro Canyon, Carpinteria CA

Price Reduced! Refined 4BD country home w/ 1BD guest house on a gated & fenced .46 acre where Montecito meets Carpinteria. Features soaring vaulted ceilings & impressive exposed beams, 6 skylights, 2 fireplaces in living room & family room, formal dining room, entertaining decks, hot tub, steam shower, a bounty of fruit trees, multiple water features, rock walls and 3+ car garage.

Newly offered at $2,195,000!

Montecito Featured Listing: 1439 Irvine Lane

Located near the exclusive San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, this Don Nulty-designed Mediterranean estate is ideal for living the calm and relaxed California lifestyle. Perfect for entertaining, the 5 bedroom, 8 bathroom home opens up to lush gardens, a pool and entertainment terrace, and even features private guest suites! Take in the beautiful ocean views from the deluxe chef's kitchen or unwind in the luxurious master suite, complete with private balcony and His and Her baths. View the photos below for a look inside this extravagant Montecito villa, listed at $8,750,000.

Listed by Coldwell Banker.