Cristal Clarke's Real Estate Blog is perhaps the most comprehensive and informative real estate blog devoted specifically to subjects of interest to home buyers, sellers, and owners in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, and surrounding communities. It contains over 300 posts on topics ranging from residential real estate predictions and design trends, to local cultural opportunities and recreational activities.
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Sep282023
CRISTAL’S PICKS: SANTA BARBARA EVENTS IN OCTOBER, 2023
The Spooky Season is Here!!!
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Sep252023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: AUGUST 2023
Sunshine on Buyers Minds Edition
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Sep212023
MONTECITO: DESTINATION LIVING AT ITS FINEST
The Latest Real Estate Trend Has Always Been in Fashion Here
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Sep182023
ARCHITECTOURS 2023: PRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN INSITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SANTA BARBARA
Explore Some of the Architectural Treasures That Define Santa Barbara
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Sep142023
THE LAND TRUST FOR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Preserving Paradise
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Sep112023
THE OUTSTANDING SANTA BARBARA CULINARY SCENE
A Gastronomic Journey Exploring Some of the City's Best-loved Restaurants
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Sep72023
A TRIBUTE TO SBMA DIRECTOR AND CEO LARRY J. FEINBERG
Celebrating a Santa Barbara Cultural Leader
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Sep42023
6 ICONS OF MONTECITO AND SANTA BARBARA ARCHITECTURE
A Legacy of Unique Styles
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Aug312023
CRISTAL CLARKE’S HOME SELLERS' GUIDE TO SUCCESS
For Even Seasoned Sellers, this “Closing 101” Checklist Can Be a Useful Reminder
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Aug282023
CRISTAL’S PICKS: SANTA BARBARA EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER, 2023
Music, Art, Wine and More
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Aug242023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: JULY 2023
The Sizzling Summer Edition
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Aug212023
ESTATE PLANNING 101
Get Your Affairs in Order with This 6-Step Estate Plan Checklist
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Aug172023
THE 2023 SANTA BARBARA HALF MARATHON, 5K RUN, AND KIDS FUN RUN
Run, Explore, and Celebrate on the Iconic Streets of Santa Barbara This November
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Aug142023
LUXURY ARCHITECT DON NULTY
Elevating Architectural Elegance in Santa Barbara and Montecito
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Aug102023
9 CHARACTERISTICS OF “QUIET LUXURY”
Elevate Your Santa Barbara Living Space with Understated Elegance
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Aug72023
CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF DAVID CROSBY IN SANTA BARBARA
A Tribute Concert at the Lobero Theater
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Aug32023
THOMAS KELLER: FROM MICHELIN STARS TO MONTECITO
The Renowned Chef Brings His Star-making Culinary Magic to the Coral Casino
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Jul312023
EXPLORING THE ENCHANTING SANTA BARBARA ARTS DISTRICT
There is something for every taste along this delightful section of State Street
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Jul272023
THINGS TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA: CRISTAL’S PICKS FOR AUGUST 2023
Celebrate the Not-So Lazy Days of Summer
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Jul242023
INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS 2023? THINK COMFORT
5 Ways to Incorporate Comfort Into Your Santa Barbara Home
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Jul202023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: MID YEAR 2023
Santa Barbara and Surrounding Areas Shine in 2023
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Jul132023
CRISTAL’S PICKS FOR THE BEST BREAKFAST IN SANTA BARBARA
Because Breakfast is the Foundation of a Successful Day
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Jul102023
THE WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS COOKWARE
Can a Set of Pots and Pans Be Sexy? Let’s See.
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Jul62023
THE PROJECT FOR RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Preparing Santa Barbara County For The Next Debris Flow
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Jul32023
ICONIC SANTA BARBARA ARCHITECT GEORGE WASHINGTON SMITH
A Name Synonymous with Spanish Colonial Revival Architecture
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Jun262023
OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES FOR LUXURY MONTECITO HOMES
5 Things to Consider When Embracing the Beauty of Outdoor Living
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Jun222023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: MAY, 2023
The Allure of Coastal Living Edition
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Jun152023
CRISTAL CLARKE RECOGNIZED ONCE AGAIN BY LEADING INDUSTRY PUBLICATION
Highly Accomplished Santa Barbara and Montecito Realtor Acknowledged as Among the Best in the Business
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Jun112023
RENOWNED INTERIOR DESIGNER SUZANNE RHEINSTEIN
The Visionary Left Her Touch of Elegance in Montecito
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Jun82023
MONTECITO: ONE OF THE 18 MOST CHARMING CALIFORNIA BEACH TOWNS
6 Things That Make the Town so Alluring
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Jun42023
UNVEILING THE BARBAKOW FAMILY CENTER FOR FILM STUDIES
Empowering Creativity and Learning in Santa Barbara
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Jun22023
BUYING A HOUSE WITH CASH: 7 THINGS TO CONSIDER
All-cash buyers can have a real advantage -- if they do their homework
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Jun12023
SPOTLIGHT ON SANTA BARBARA CHANNELKEEPER
Protecting the Ecological Integrity of the Santa Barbara Channel and Its Surrounding Watersheds
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May222023
UNITED WAY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE
Honoring a Century of Local Empowerment
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May192023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: APRIL, 2023
6 Key Insights for Navigating Today’s Market
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May162023
PIONEERING ARCHITECT LUTAH MARIA RIGGS
How The First Female Architect Helped Shape Santa Barbara's Architectural Legacy
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May112023
10 LUXURY HOME FEATURES BUYERS WANT
Hint: Amenities, Technology, and Style Top the List
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May42023
HIDDEN GEMS: VENTURA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND
Ranch Santa Clara del Norte Shines Bright
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May12023
SANTA BARBARA FIREFIGHTERS ALLIANCE
Support Local Firefighters, Our Community Heroes
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Apr242023
BUYING VS. RENTING A VACATION HOME
There Are Many Factors to Consider
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Apr202023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: Q1, 2023
Increase in Demand as Buyers Come Out of Hibernation
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Apr172023
PROFILE: ARCHITECT WALLACE NEFF
The Architect of California’s Golden Age Left His Mark in Santa Barbara
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Apr102023
EVERYTHING SANTA BARBARA HOMEOWNERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OFF-GRID SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
4 Reasons Santa Barbara is the Perfect Off-Grid Solar Location
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Mar302023
4 STUNNING WATERFALLS IN SANTA BARBARA
Where to Find These Unexpected Hidden Treasures
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Mar272023
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN SANTA BARBARA
Regulations, Types, and 7 Reasons to Build an ADU on Your Santa Barbara Property
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Mar202023
WHAT EVERY SELLER NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT HOME INSPECTIONS
What Luxury Home Buyers Should Inspect and Expect
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Mar162023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2023
Will Home Prices Drop in 2023?
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Mar102023
THINGS TO DO IN MONTECITO: 5 WAYS TO SEIZE THE DAY
Get Inspired in This Luxury Seaside Haven
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Mar62023
CELEBRATE OUTDOOR DINING IN SANTA BARBARA
Good Food, Fresh Air, and Fun
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Mar32023
SBFSC: FREE FIRE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOPS AND HOME ASSESSMENTS
The Fire Safe Council of Santa Barbara County is Offering Homeowners Vital No-cost Information
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Feb272023
THE WONDERS OF SELF CARE, SANTA BARBARA STYLE
The Best Ways to Indulge in Wellness
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Feb202023
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: JANUARY 2023
The Transition to a “New Normal” Continues
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Feb172023
CELEBRATING THE SPRING 2023 REAL ESTATE MARKET
10 Reasons to List Your Santa Barbara Area Home Right Now
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Feb132023
2023 WILDFLOWER SUPERBLOOM IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
9 of the Best Places to Stop and Smell the Poppies
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Feb92023
WHAT MAKES A HOME A TROPHY HOME?
Trophy Homes Are the Crème de la Crème
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Feb62023
LOOK! IT’S SANTA BARBARA WILDLIFE
Antelope, Birds, Seals, and More
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Feb22023
SANTA BARBARA WILDLIFE CARE NETWORK: CREATING A PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE
Plus, 12 Ways Santa Barbara Homeowners Can Help
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Jan232023
HOW TO CREATE A CAT-FRIENDLY HOME
6 Steps to Fashion a Haven for Your Feline Family Member
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Jan202023
WINE TASTING ROOMS IN BUELLTON?
The Santa Ynez Valley Hamlet Transitions From Pea Soup to a Posh Pastime
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Jan162023
SANTA BARBARA MUSEUM OF ART’S RIDLEY-TREE EDUCATION CENTER
Integrating Art into People’s Lives Thanks to Two Visionary Women
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Jan132023
REAL ESTATE TERMS USED IN LISTING DESCRIPTIONS
Buyers, Be Aware
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Jan102023
HOW TO FIND THE BEST SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE AGENT
Whether You’re Buying or Selling a Home, The Right Agent Can Make a Huge Difference
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Jan62023
10 LUXURY AMENITIES EVERY CUTTING-EDGE HOME NEEDS
The Future is More Than Just Advanced Technology
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Jan42023
SPOTLIGHT ON THE MONTECITO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Fostering the Spirit of Montecito for More Than 50 Years
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Dec202022
CRISTAL CLARKE: THE #1 SANTA BARBARA REALTOR ON SUCCESS AND GIVING BACK
Excerpts From Luxury Collection Specialist Stories, and Cristal’s Own Clients
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Dec172022
HOUSING MARKET FORECAST: PREDICTION FOR 2023
Experts Expect Demand Will Continue to Outpace Supply
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Dec132022
2023 COLOR OF THE YEAR: THE NEW YEAR’S TRENDS AND HOW TO MAKE THEM WORK FOR YOU
In The Coming Year, It’s All About Self Expression
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Dec102022
ELEMENTS OF SPANISH COLONIAL REVIVAL ARCHITECTURE
10 Characteristics of the Iconic Santa Barbara and Montecito Style
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Dec52022
GIVING TUESDAY: NOT JUST A ONE DAY EVENT
Support Local and Give Back to Our Community
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Dec22022
MONTECITO HOTELS: LUXURY LODGING AND MORE
4 Properties That Will Leave You California Dreaming
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Nov252022
MOVING TIPS: 8 THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU UNPACK
Follow These Tips, and You’ll be Sitting Pretty For Years to Come
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Nov222022
RESTORATION HARDWARE: ITS EVOLUTION TO RH DESIGN
The Popular Brand is Now a Lifestyle Design Studio
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Nov172022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: OCTOBER 2022
Consumer Sentiment and Confidence Reaches a Tipping Point Edition
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Nov152022
HOLIDAY GIVING: GIFT-WORTHY NON-PROFITS IN SANTA BARBARA
These Non-profits, and Many More Deserve Your Support
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Nov112022
INSTA-WORTHY SANTA BARBARA LOCATIONS
7 Epic Places to Snap and Share
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Nov32022
CREATIVE USES FOR POST-HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS
Recycle—Upcycle—Compost
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Oct272022
MANTEL MAGIC: FIREPLACE DÉCOR IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK
Even Here in Sunny Santa Barbara, Homeowners Welcome Fall With Cozy, Stylish Décor
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Oct212022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 2022
The Return to Normal Edition
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Oct182022
THE KEYS TO SELLING LUXURY REAL ESTATE IN SANTA BARBARA
7 Tips to "Sold" in a Changing Market
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Oct142022
SANTA BARBARA BUCKET LIST
"The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." - Oprah Winfrey
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Oct122022
10 COMMON HOMEBUYING MISTAKES TO AVOID
Think Like a Seller, and Call a Pro
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Oct42022
SANTA BARBARA HAUNTINGS
Local Spooky Attractions and Ghost Tours
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Oct42022
HOW TO SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR GARDEN WHEN YOU MOVE
7 Tips to Make it Easier to Part With Your Garden
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Sep302022
SANTA BARBARA’S ARLINGTON THEATER
The Tragic History of the Architectural Wonder
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Sep232022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: AUGUST 2022
The Classic Double-Edged Sword Edition
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Sep202022
GETTING BACK TO BASICS: MULTI-SENSORY DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE TRENDS
It’s All About the 5 Senses and Applying Their Gifts in Your Home
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Sep162022
AGING AT HOME IN SANTA BARBARA
6 Ways to Adapt Your Home as Your Needs Change
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Sep132022
SELLERS' MARKET vs. BUYERS’ MARKET
What They Mean to You. Plus: What Are the Current Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Conditions?
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Sep92022
IT’S TIME TO TAKE A SANTA BARBARA ELECTRIC BIKE TOUR
5 Benefits of Combining Electric and Human Power
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Sep72022
WHAT IS MODERN FARMHOUSE STYLE ARCHITECTURE?
12 Fundamental Elements Needed to Capture the Perfect Mix of Modern and Farmhouse
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Aug262022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: JUNE & JULY 2022
The California Housing Market Summer Edition
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Aug242022
WANT A SMART HOUSE? HOW TO MAKE IT HEALTHY AS WELL
Purify · Rejuvenate · Refuel · Recover
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Aug192022
MAXIMIZING YOUR PROFIT WHEN SELLING A HOME
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Aug162022
IS WELLNESS REAL ESTATE THE NEXT TRILLION-DOLLAR TREND?
4 Easy Ways to Make Your Santa Barbara Home a Healthy Oasis
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Aug122022
8 HOUSEWARMING TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
How do You Celebrate Life in Your New Home?
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Aug82022
TELECOMMUTING: 13 TIPS ON WORKING FROM HOME
Minimize Procrastination and Maximize Productivity
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Jul272022
THINGS TO DO IN MONTECITO: A STYLISH SUMMER PRIMER
Summer takes on a sophisticated vibe when considering things to do in Montecito, where stunning natural beauty is complemented by spectacular residential architecture, chic shops and distinctive dining. It's no wonder well-known celebrities and major powerbrokers who could live anywhere in the world call this tucked-away seaside haven home.
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Jul222022
WHAT MAKES SANTA BARBARA ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE?
Described as the American Riviera and known as a playground for the rich and famous, Santa Barbara is considered one of the best places to live in the United States. To understand why, all you need to do is take a look at our gorgeous city.
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Jul202022
WHALE WATCHING IN SANTA BARBARA
Hop aboard a whale-watching vessel and experience an up-close and personal connection with the largest mammals on earth. The Santa Barbara Channel is one of the best places in the world for spotting whales due to our nutrient-rich water. And we’re not only talking about whales here. Spotting dolphins is a daily occurrence, along with porpoises and other amazing creatures.
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Jul182022
A GUIDE TO SANTA BARBARA SUMMER CAMPS
Attending one of the Santa Barbara summer camps can be life-changing for children, especially when it comes to making new friends, learning new things, and exploring the great outdoors. Here in our communities, there are more than 150 summer camps to choose from where kids can unplug while learning about teamwork and independence.
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Jul132022
THINGS TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA THIS SUMMER
Ahhh, summer fun in Santa Barbara. Summer means kayaking along our beautiful coast, taking an early morning hike in the Santa Ynez Mountains or an afternoon bike ride along the beach
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Jul122022
SPOTLIGHT ON: THE SANTA BARBARA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Many of my clients ask me about Santa Barbara schools. Often, about the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD), the main public school district serving Santa Barbara
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Jul12022
SPOTLIGHT ON: EXCLUSIVE MONTECITO GATED COMMUNITIES
Montecito’s gated communities offer more than security and privacy. Residents find a sense of exclusivity and status -- making these luxury enclosed residential enclaves popular among the well-know and well-heeled. Plus, owning one is a wise investment especially when you consider that homes in gated communities often sell for a premium.
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Jun272022
THE IMPORTANCE OF BRANDING YOUR MONTECITO HOME FOR SALE
Believe it or not, branding is a key component when it comes to selling real estate, especially in the luxury sector. Branding a Montecito home for sale begins by hiring the best in the business. Over the years, I’ve developed an arsenal of proven real estate branding ideas designed to position my clients in the marketplace and sell their property for top dollar as quickly as possible.
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Jun182022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET REVIEW: MAY 2022
When it comes to home values, the May 2022 Santa Barbara real estate review indicates the region has enjoyed a historic run over the course of the last decade.
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Jun142022
BEST PLACES FOR A SANTA BARBARA PICNIC
July may be National Picnic Month, but in Santa Barbara, it’s always time for a picnic, especially during the summertime. There's nothing better than enjoying some fresh air on a warm day—especially when delicious food is involved. A relaxing picnic doesn't have to be a big, planned event. Just fill a basket with your favorite treats, grab a friend, and head outside.
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Jun92022
STUFF TO DO IN SANTA BARBARA: OUTDOOR FUN
Getting outside is essential in Santa Barbara. The golden ridgeline of the Santa Ynez Mountains cascade into the Pacific which means both land and water adventures are abundant here.
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Jun72022
PICKLEBALL IN SANTA BARBARA
Pickleball in Santa Barbara? Declared the nation’s fastest-growing sport by USA Today, pickleball’s popularity continues to climb nationwide including right here in Santa Barbara.
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Jun42022
SANTA BARBARA ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOURS
Without a doubt, Santa Barbara’s architecture is one of the city’s most defining features. There’s a deliberate consistency to the aesthetic here that’s been cultivated by city leaders since the early 1920’s. The commitment to upholding these standards over the generations has resulted in a signature style; one that reflects the Santa Barbara lifestyle
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May252022
SECRETS TO SELLING YOUR HOME QUICKLY FOR TOP DOLLAR
Luxury home sales in Santa Barbara County are still soaring. However, there are some tips Award-Winning Realtor Cristal Clarke has to share to ensure selling your home quickly also brings top dollar.
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May192022
SALT CAVE SANTA BARBARA: ANOTHER HEALTHY BENEFIT OF LIVING ON THE AMERICAN RIVERA
It’s not difficult to understand why Santa Barbara is ranked one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live by Livability. Besides enjoying miles of pristine coastline, widespread civic participation, and cultural attractions, locals have many options when it comes to self-care, including the Santa Barbara salt caves that take wellness to new heights.
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May162022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET REVIEW: APRIL 2022
The word “unprecedented” has become ubiquitous when describing the real estate market in Santa Barbara and across the nation as buyers continue to buy and sellers continue to sell. The market is not quite as frenetic as last spring and summer, but this is still an excellent time to list your home and buy that dream home you’ve always wanted.
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May162022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET REVIEW: MARCH 2022
We’re seeing more pressure on pricing in the Santa Barbara real estate market as we enter the second quarter of 2022. Due to that pressure, home prices are up across the board in our little slice of heaven, while inventory is still down.
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May122022
LUXURIOUS SANTA BARBARA SWIMMING POOLS
Some of the most swoon-worthy bodies of water in the world (in addition to the Pacific Ocean) can be found right here. Luxurious Santa Barbara swimming pools like those pictured throughout this blog post are created with relentless attention to design elements, congruence with the surrounding environment and architecture, and a proper selection of materials, colors, and textures.
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May102022
SPOTLIGHT ON: MONTECITO COUNTRY MART
Originally built in the 1960s, the Montecito Country Mart is a celebration of the Santa Barbara lifestyle, with its organic eateries, bespoke fashion, curated home goods, local conveniences, and community events. In fact, visiting the Town and Country-style village is the greatest way to experience the best that Montecito has to offer.
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May72022
SANTA BARBARA LIFESTYLE: A DAY IN SUMMERLAND WITH YOUR DOG
It’s time to treat yourself, and your four-legged family member, to a day in Summerland. This hidden beach town offers everything you and your canine BFF need to sniff out some fun in the sun together. Think unspoiled coastline, chic shops and casual dining—all dog friendly.
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May42022
MODERN VS CONTEMPORARY VS MID-CENTURY MODERN ARCHITECTURE
Santa Barbara homes include prime examples of modern, contemporary, and mid-century modern architecture. These styles, combined, create one of our city’s most defining features. There’s a deliberate consistency to the aesthetic here that city leaders have cultivated since the early 1920s.
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Apr292022
SANTA BARBARA WATER CONSERVATION: 7 WAYS HOMEOWNERS CAN HELP
As the California drought continues, WaterWise in Santa Barbara County has stepped up its efforts to promote Santa Barbara water conservation and awareness. That’s good news since Santa Barbara County has been one of 50 counties in the Golden State in a drought emergency since July 8, 2021.
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Apr242022
PRIMARY BATH REMODEL: 8 REASONS TO START NOW
There are many reasons homeowners decide to begin a primary bath remodel. And for today’s high-end homebuyers, an updated primary bath, like the spectacular one pictured above from my Italian Country Estate in Montecito’s Ennisbrook listing, has become a must-have. But a good return on investment is not the only reason to redo that sacred space.
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Apr222022
SPOTLIGHT ON: IDYLLIC WEDDING VENUES IN SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Santa Barbara is a sought-after wedding destination for good reason. With breathtaking ocean views, magnificent Spanish architecture, and tranquil vineyards, there’s something inherently romantic about the idyllic wedding venues in Santa Barbara County.
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Apr192022
SPOTLIGHT ON: ARCHITECT ANDY NEUMANN
Acclaimed local architect Andy Neumann has been creating a sense of place for fortunate homeowners since 1976 when he burst onto the scene as a founding partner of Seaside Union Architects here in Santa Barbara.
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Apr62022
SPOTLIGHT ON: CARPINTERIA STATE BEACH AND COAST
With terraced bluffs, dunes, and a mile of sand and surf for swimming, surfing, fishing, tide pooling, exploring or just relaxing, Carpinteria State Beach is truly a unique treasure.
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Mar252022
SPOTLIGHT ON: CALIFORNIA POPPY MEADOWS IN AND NEAR SANTA BARBARA
California’s nickname, the Golden State, is due in part to our state flower, the California poppy. Every spring, fields of golden poppies bloom all over the state, including right here in Santa Barbara County.
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Mar182022
THE LAWS: CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE DISCLOSURES
Even in our current HOT real estate market, every California home seller, including my clients who contracted me to sell their Breathtaking Ocean View Montecito Retreat pictured above, must familiarize themselves with California real estate disclosures laws.
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Mar172022
The Fine Art of Outdoor Dining in Santa Barbara
We live in the perfect setting to experience the fine art of outdoor dining in Santa Barbara without leaving home. As you can see by the image above of the European-Inspired Montecito Contemporary Estate I recently sold, your backyard can be (and should be) one of the most attractive spaces of your home.
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Mar152022
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2022
Spring officially begins on March 20, but the current Santa Barbara real estate market is not waiting to celebrate the season of rebirth. In fact, here, the market continues to be red HOT and is expected to get even hotter as we welcome spring.
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Mar42022
SPOTLIGHT ON: SANTA BARBARA’S HOPE RANCH
Santa Barbara's Hope Ranch is a highly sought-after, affluent residential community showcasing a sophisticated outdoor, beach and equestrian lifestyle.
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Feb282022
SPOTLIGHT ON: OJAI'S TAFT GARDENS & NATURE PRESERVE
Ojai is known for its nature-centric vibe mixed with a thriving culture and art scene. Perhaps the best place to experience the essence of this unique place is by exploring Ojai’s Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve.
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Feb242022
A WEEKEND IN SANTA BARBARA
Whether you are planning a girls’ weekend in Santa Barbara, or a romantic California couples escape, right here is the ultimate California getaway.
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Feb172022
SPOTLIGHT ON: SANTA BARBARA MUSEUMS
Santa Barbara is home to a distinctive collection of museums and cultural attractions that have become an essential facet of the jewel that is the American Rivera.
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Feb52022
ARCHITECT REX LOTERY: MASTER OF MODERNIST DESIGN
The renowned architect Rex Lotery died in 2007, but his legacy is manifest on The American Riviera where he designed the AIA Award-Winning Modernist Masterpiece as his personal residence, and pictured throughout this blog post.
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Feb22022
ENNISBROOK: LUXURIOUS HOMES AND NOTEWORTHY PROVENANCE
In 1845, 356 acres of vacant land in the hills a few miles northeast of the Santa Barbara Presidio, dotted with native oaks and not much else, were granted to Nemecio Dominguez, a prominent Presidio soldier.
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Jan262022
Ojai and Santa Barbara Events: Celebrate Love Locally During February
Love is in the air all month long when it comes to Ojai and Santa Barbara events this February. The month that includes a day dedicated to the celebration of love also ushers in brighter days and gorgeous sunsets, setting the stage for romance.
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Jan232022
Local Spotlight: Historic Ocean View Ranch
The new owners of Dos Pueblos, Santa Barbara County’s historic ocean view ranch, have big plans for the future that include restoration, education and research. The property, which was on the market for many years listed at $40 million, was finally picked up by the family of Roger Himovitz from the Schulte family who owned the property since 1977.
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Jan192022
Staging a Home: Key to a Successful Sale?
The importance of staging a home cannot be overstated. That’s why staging is one of the most important things I do – or recommend my clients do. Think Pinterest-ready.
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Jan182022
Self-Care in Santa Barbara and Ojai
Self-care means looking after your health and wellness in a holistic and preventive way — whether that’s here in Santa Barbara, Ojai, or just about anywhere in the world these days.
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Jan122022
Home Maintenance: 20 Tasks for the New Year
Remember when you bought your house? You noted a million and ten things that needed to be done, and the yearly home maintenance you swore to perform or oversee.
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Jan92022
Montecito Real Estate: A Look Back at the 2021 Market
As we welcome the new year, it seems like everyone’s asking the same question: what’s going to happen next with the Montecito real estate market? And for good reason.
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Jan52022
The Frank Lloyd Wright Montecito Connection
Besides the amazing Frank Lloyd Wright Structures in Los Angeles and examples in San Francisco, the world-renowned architect built several other buildings in California, including one right here in Santa Barbara. Hence, the Frank Lloyd Wright Montecito connection.
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Dec292021
2022 Interior Design Trends
Interior design trends in 2022 focus on the love and joy of decorating, creating an opportunity to see the spaces in your home through a new lens. Based on the philosophy that your home should honor the past, acknowledge the present, and leave room for the future, two new design trends have emerged.
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Dec202021
Ojai California: A Magical Mecca of Wellness and Wonder
As real estate buyers continue their search for the perfect home or home away from home, I’ve added a new hamlet to my portfolio of distinctive Santa Barbara area communities.
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Dec22021
Vacation Homes: Competition, Cash and Considerations
Today’s homebuyers are still in love with vacation homes. So much so that demand for vacation homes in the U.S. rose by 70% in October of 2021. And it looks like this trend will continue; solidified by work-from-home policies, preferences, and a desire to beat an expected interest-rate hike.
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Nov262021
It’s a Baby Boom at the Santa Barbara Zoo
It's been a busy couple of years for births at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Earlier this year, an Amur leopard was born, and last year the zoo welcomed an African lion cub and a Masai giraffe.
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Nov212021
Giving Back: Montecito Realtor Cristal Clarke in the News
Montecito Realtor Cristal Clarke has made the news again. It’s not surprising that over the years Cristal has been featured in many articles on the topic of real estate -- locally, regionally, and nationally.
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Nov122021
Holiday Shopping in Santa Barbara and Surrounding Communities
‘Tis the season to be shopping. And those of us fortunate to be doing our holiday shopping in Santa Barbara always enjoy a plethora of local entrepreneurs ready to sell their homegrown and handmade, one-of-a kind gift items.
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Nov42021
2022 Color Trends: It’s All About Green...and a Vibrant Shade of Periwinkle Blue With Violet-Red Undertones
Each year, top paint brands and design experts reveal their picks for the color of the year, selecting the shades that best encapsulate the coming months.
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Oct282021
The Luxury Home Aquarium: Out of This World Amenity for Your Pad
You’ve probably heard about the Pandemic Pet phenomenon. (You know, the dogs and cats people brought home to keep them company during the COVID-19 lockdown?)
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Oct212021
Buying a Second Home? Or a Third? You’re Not Alone.
More Americans are buying a second home (or a third) these days, and they’re shopping in locations like Montecito. There are many reasons behind the trend that’s become more and more popular since the global Pandemic outbreak.
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Oct142021
A Star is Born Among Montecito Restaurants
Attention Montecito foodies: the flourishing culinary scene here just got better with the first Michelin Star Montecito restaurant. In fact, Sushi | Bar Montecito is one of three eateries on the Central Coast to make the list this year: another first.
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Oct72021
Selling a Montecito Home This Fall or Winter?
Thinking of selling a Montecito home this fall or winter, like the owners of my Charming French Normandy Style Home Near MUS listing pictured above? A great place to start is by selecting the right real estate agent.
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Sep292021
The Art of Selling a Luxury Home: Secrets of A Top Realtor
If you’re considering selling a luxury home, keep in mind that sales are soaring. In fact, multi-million-dollar home sales surged by 88.2% year over year in the second quarter of 2021.
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Sep222021
What Makes a “Luxury Home”?
What makes a "luxury home"? The epitome of a lavish California beach villa, the home pictured above and elsewhere in this post is well-appointed with luxury décor and amenities.
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Sep152021
Moving Tips: A Top Realtor’s Moving Checklist
The process of moving into a new home requires careful planning. To help out, I’ve put together this moving checklist with the top 8 moving tips I’ve come to recommend before and after my clients move into their new abodes.
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Sep12021
The Santa Barbara Bowl: A Shrine to the Performing Arts
The Santa Barbara Bowl, a 4,562-seat amphitheater, is historic in setting and at the forefront of the music industry. The beautiful outdoor concert venue with views of the Channel Islands and Downtown Santa Barbara hosts some of the biggest names in concert touring.
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Aug212021
The 2021 Santa Barbara Real Estate Market : A Top Realtor’s View
The 2021 Santa Barbara real estate market continues, with experts seeing a major post-pandemic rebound. Steady mortgage rates and job recoveries, combined with the law of supply and demand are working together to make home sales surge.
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Aug122021
The Santa Barbara Garden: 10 Plants To Spruce It Up While Keeping Mosquitos Away
Do you know there are some beautiful plants that can safely act to keep mosquitos out of your Santa Barbara garden and yard?
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Aug102021
Thinking About Investing in Luxury Storage Units?
If you’re among those considering investing in the quickly emerging trend of luxury storage units, you‘re not alone. In fact, savvy investors like Bill Gates are seeking opportunities in the recession-resistant self-storage unit industry, projected to have a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 134.79% between 2020 and 2025.
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Aug62021
The Emerging Popularity of Luxury Storage Units
Luxury storage units offering options for everything from storing treasures including rare vehicles and works of art, to creating extra entertainment spaces away from home are popping up across the country.
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Jul282021
The Best Interior Paint Colors for Selling a House
Is it worth considering the best interior paint colors for selling a house? Every home seller has heard about the importance of sprucing up their property before listing a home, as the owners of my Exquisite Italian Villa in Montecito’s Ennisbrook (pictured above) did.
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Jul222021
Local Spotlight: Montecito’s Lotusland: One of the World’s 10 Best Gardens
Everyone knows about Santa Barbara’s beautiful beaches, impressive architecture, and perfect Mediterranean weather, but do you know about Montecito’s Lotusland?
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Jul202021
Buying or Leasing a Santa Barbara Home: A Guide for the Perplexed
As the 2021 Santa Barbara real estate market enters its second half, I find a few people are pondering the question, “Should I buy a home this year or should I look into long-term leasing opportunities?”
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Jul92021
Are You a Mid-Century Modern Furniture Fan?
The enduring popularity of mid-century modern furniture is based on many factors. It gives us clean lines, gentle organic curves, and a love of different materials and designers that are still idolized, even today. Just one look at the Eames chair and ottoman pictured above and you’ll understand why.
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Jun302021
Today’s Top Luxury Real Estate Trends
I love to blog about the latest luxury real estate trends, and I’ve uncovered 5 interesting changes to share with you in this post.
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Jun232021
Around The World Ideas for Santa Barbara Gardens
Our amazing Mediterranean climate is one of the many things that make living in Santa Barbara desirable, and makes magical Santa Barbara gardens possible.
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Jun182021
The Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Continues to Skyrocket
The Santa Barbara real estate market is continuing to surge, with prices soaring, even as more inventory hits the MLS. In May of 2021, Santa Barbara home sales shot up 61.3% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $1.8M.
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Jun32021
Local Spotlight: The Santa Barbara Airport
As the 13th largest airport in California, Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) typically serves more than a million passengers every year. Known as the gateway to the American Rivera, SBA currently offers nonstop flights to Dallas-Ft.
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May292021
How to Declutter Your Home: Tips From a Luxury Realtor
Decluttering your home is not a new concept, but how to declutter your home requires some careful thought and a bit of expertise. And a decluttered home isn’t simply good for avoiding embarrassment when guests arrive; its health benefits have become increasingly recognized.
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May202021
Creating a Cat-friendly Home
Today’s home hunters are looking for pet-loving spaces like never before. That doesn’t’ exclusively mean designing the perfect dog-friendly environment.
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May142021
Road Tripping Near Santa Barbara – With or Without the Dog
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxes its travel guidelines, local homeowners are gearing up for some road tripping near Santa Barbara. That’s not surprising.
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May62021
How to Add Value to Your Home
Whether you’re selling a Hope Ranch property like the French country-style Hope Ranch Estate pictured above, a Montecito Luxury Estate or a Santa Barbara home, there are things you can do when considering how to add value to your home.
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Apr212021
Attention Vacation Rental Owners (and Potential Owners)!
In the words of David Bowie and Mick Jagger, “the summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets!” That sentiment couldn’t be truer right now for vacation rental owners in Santa Barbara and Montecito.
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Apr102021
The Home Inspection: What Every Buyer Needs to Know
For most buyers, a home inspection can be both reassuring and exhausting. It is possibly the first chance a buyer has to go inside the home after they have made an offer.
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Apr82021
A Practical Guide to Cleaning Out a Garage
The garage is one of those spaces homeowners can easily put off organizing for years or even decades. Many wait for a big move or major life change to force facing the clutter, which by that point may be taking over the space.
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Apr22021
The Sweet Spot for Luxury Homebuyers: Not Too Big, Not Too Small
As affluent Americans reconsider their priorities amid the pressures of COVID-19, a sweet spot has emerged for luxury homebuyers.
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Mar262021
The Home of the Future From Leading Architects
What will a home of the future offer? According to leading architects, future home spaces will include important features designed to change our lives for the better.
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Mar162021
Exterior Color Schemes That Work for Santa Barbara Homes
There are many reasons to tackle the seemingly overwhelming job of painting your home and choosing exterior color schemes.
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Mar122021
Getting Back to Basics: At Home With Your 5 Senses
Something positive has emerged from our past year of spending much more time in our homes, both willingly and unwillingly.
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Mar102021
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival Reinvents Itself
The 36th Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is doing things much differently this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Mar62021
Housing Market 2020: Let’s Look at the Record-Setting Year
If you Google “housing market 2020,” you’ll be part of a large group of inquisitors wanting to know how and why residential real estate across the country enjoyed a record-breaking year in spite of record-breaking hardship.
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Mar42021
6 Ways to Improve The Indoor Air Quality of Your Home
Considering springtime pollen causing allergies and the fear of spreading COVID-19, it’s time to improve the indoor air quality of your home as the air we breathe has taken center stage now more than ever.
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Mar12021
Outdoor Living Spaces for Luxury Homes: Builders Follow the Santa Barbara Example
Outdoor living spaces for luxury homes across the country are becoming bigger, more elaborate and more central to the particular home, just like the backyards here in sunny Santa Barbara.
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Feb262021
A Luxury Realtor’s Homebuyer Guide to Property Easements
This comprehensive home buyer guide to property easements offers a comprehensive knowledge base for buyers to refer to prior to entering into escrow.
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Feb112021
The Real Estate Closing Process in The Age of Covid
The first step in the real estate closing process, in times like these, is to hire an agent with years of experience who knows how to make a sale in any environment, including a worldwide virus outbreak.
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Feb62021
The State Street Promenade: Santa Barbara Al Fresco
For the first time in more than two months, thanks to the reopening of the State Street Promenade, cooped-up Santa Barbarians can now grab a bite to eat at one of the area's celebrated restaurants — and stay awhile to savor it.
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Jan272021
Creating a Dog-friendly Home?
In recent years, dogs have become center stage in many homes. Even during times of conflict and hurt, the one thing most families can agree on is that they love Fido and enjoy his company.
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Jan222021
How to Create a Virtual Learning Space in Your Santa Barbara Home
The Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has created a roller coaster ride for school-age children living in Santa Barbara. So rocky that the Santa Barbara Unified School District has published a plan for the return of in-person instruction.
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Jan182021
Do You Have a Revocable Trust?
Let’s face it, estate planning is not necessarily fun, but it is definitely critical, especially as you get older and acquire more assets. Fun or not, I urge all Santa Barbara homeowners to consider preparing a revocable trust if they don’t already have one.
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Jan132021
What Does the Historic Low Home Inventory Mean for You?
Demand for U.S. homes is driving the number of properties for sale to new lows in the United States. Nationwide, the number of homes for sale fell below 700,000 last month.
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Jan72021
New Year’s Resolutions: Facts, Funnies and Santa Barbara Specific
It’s that time of year when we break out our New Year’s resolutions. And after living through the trials and tribulations of 2020, we’re all looking for a little inspiration for the year ahead.
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Jan42021
The Smart House: More Valuable in Today’s Market?
By now, every homeowner should know about the importance of integrating smart house technology into their abode. After all, it’s technology that can make life easier and add value when the time comes to sell.
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Dec272020
Housing Market Forecast: Predictions for 2021
There’s a lot to be optimistic about when it comes to the 2021 housing market forecast and predictions from the experts. Home sales, new construction and homeownership are expected to climb to record highs as mortgage rates remain historically low.
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Dec212020
Tips on Buying a Home During the Holidays
Most people cringe at the thought of buying a home during the holidays. Only the Grinch would want to pack up and move during the holiday season, right? Wrong.
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Dec172020
Selling Your Home During the Holidays?
Selling your home during the holidays? How to optimize that effort might be the most important decision you'll make. It’s true that the season’s home sellers might see fewer house hunters, but those buyers are motivated.
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Dec32020
The Feng Shui House: Creating Balance and Flow in Your Santa Barbara Home
The Chinese words "feng" and "shui" translate to mean “wind” and “water," respectively. This concept derived from an ancient poem that talks about human life being connected and flowing with the environment around it. The feng shui house should do the same.
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Nov42020
Timeless Interior Design Trends
When it comes to timeless interior design trends, Montecito homeowners should embrace the ones that never go out of style.
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Oct272020
20 Things to Love About Santa Barbara
It seems like a bit of a disservice to list only 20 things to love about Santa Barbara. Enumerating all the great things residents enjoy here, however, would take up a great deal more space than this blog post allows.
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Oct212020
Hygge and Friluftsliving: Danish Lifestyle Trends Embraced By Santa Barbara Homeowners
The Danish lifestyle trends of hygge and friluftsliving fit perfectly here in Santa Barbara thanks to our laid-back lifestyle and perfect year-round Mediterranean weather.
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Oct142020
Moving to a New Home: 6 Considerations for Families
Moving to a new home can be a fun and exciting time for a family. Whether you’re moving with children or aging parents, there are some important things to consider before you begin your search.
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Oct92020
Do You Have a Household or Family Disaster Plan?
Santa Barbara homeowners, along with the rest of the world, are experiencing a heightened awareness of natural disasters these days. According to the American Red Cross in Santa Barbara, this awareness has brought with it new ways every household member can be better prepared in an emergency.
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Oct62020
Your Fall Home: Décor Tips and Must-do Chores
With the sunny weather here in Montecito it may not feel like it yet, but it’s that time of year to create and care for what will be your fall home.
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Sep172020
The Ultimate Guide to Creating an Eco-Friendly Home: Part 2
I hope after reading Part 1 of my Going Green series you realize that getting on the right side of things when it comes to the environment is easier than you thought.
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Sep152020
The Ultimate Guide to Creating an Eco-Friendly Home: Part 1
It’s not surprising that more and more homeowners are going green in their everyday lives. The benefits of creating an eco-friendly home are far-reaching, but many Santa Barbara and Montecito homeowners concerned about minimizing their impact on our fragile ecosystem don’t know where to begin.
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Sep122020
The Art of Backyard Stargazing in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara and Montecito are renowned for having perfect Mediterranean weather and miles of pristine beaches. But what many don’t realize, or at least notice, is that at night the sky is filled with stars and planets; perfect for backyard stargazing.
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Sep92020
The Backyard Shed: Your New Home Office?
Sales of backyard sheds are spiking. It seems more and more homeowners are needing a Santa Barbara home office. After all, the idea of a separate, quiet, office space is top of mind for many folks who used to trudge to an office downtown, or, even in some cases, to LA.
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Aug262020
Home Improvement: Repair, Remodel or Renovate?
Americans spend $400 billion annually on remodeling their homes -- not to mention renovation, repair, and minor home improvement projects -- even though many find the idea too overwhelming to even begin.
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Aug212020
Harry and Meghan: Montecito’s Newest High-profile Residents
Journalists from all over the world are reaching out to me about Montecito’s newest celebrity family, popularly known as Harry and Meghan: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and their son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
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Aug192020
How Santa Barbara Homeowners Can Create a “Smart” Healthy Home
Did you know that today’s new smart home tech can actually make you healthier by creating a healthy home? In fact, an entire industry is focusing its efforts on ways to make our interior spaces smarter, more connected, and futuristically convenient to create a healthier, stress-free home environment.
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Aug122020
The Santa Barbara Luxury Real Estate Market is Booming
A limited supply of available properties along the South Coast of Santa Barbara County are keeping home values higher than one might expect in the time of COVID-19.
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Aug72020
Thinking About Going Solar? A Primer for Santa Barbara and Montecito Homeowners
If you’re thinking about going solar, installing solar panels to your Montecito home is a no-brainer these days. In fact, California is one of the best places in the nation to go solar.
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Aug42020
Santa Barbara Landscape Design: Complementing Your Home’s Architecture
From Spanish Colonial Revival homes and Victorian and Craftsman beauties, to mid-century modern and contemporary residences, Santa Barbara’s distinctive architecture is greatly enhanced by complementary landscape design.
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Jul312020
Ellen and Portia Burglarized: A Montecito Luxury Realtor’s Home Security Tips
In light of the alarming news about the burglary of Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi’s Montecito mansion, I thought this would be the perfect time to take an in-depth look at state-of-the-art home security systems.
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Jul242020
Santa Barbara Day Trips: Convenient, Safe and Sanity Savers
The summer of 2020 might not be the best time to live out your Jack Kerouac road trip fantasy, but locals suffering from cabin fever due to COVID-19 can take a day trip to get away from it all right in their own backyard.
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Jul212020
Lettuce Grow: More Than an Appeal from Veggies
Lettuce Grow is an exciting new initiative of The Farm Project, a sustainable produce venture started by actress Zooey Deschanel and her husband, Jacob Pechenik.
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Jul172020
Buying a Santa Barbara Home During a Pandemic
As I stated in a previous blog post, the residential real estate luxury segment is leading the way in our economic recovery from COVID-19, especially here in Santa Barbara.
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Jul142020
7 Tips for Creating Your Own Safe Haven
What makes a happy home? A safe haven offering sanctuary from the storm, so to speak. It’s one that brings a smile to your face and a feeling of security even when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
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Jul72020
Preparing Your Santa Barbara Home For Sale
A few minor touch-ups can go a long way toward making a favorable impression on potential buyers — and perhaps cinching a deal.
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Jun162020
5 Iconic Santa Barbara Estates
Santa Barbara has long been synonymous with gracious living: its hillsides and beaches home to some of the grandest estates in the country.
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Jun12020
Shop and Dine Along the NEW Santa Barbara State Street Promenade
Santa Barbara’s State Street has been transformed into a welcoming Pedestrian Promenade in the wake of COVID-19. For now, the famous street is closed to vehicles from Haley to Sola streets and local businesses and restaurants are spilling out onto the sidewalks, welcoming shoppers, diners, and those who just want to walk the renowned street.
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May282020
Who Says Fun Games to Play Outside Are Just for Kids?
Warmer days mean homeowners want to get outside and safely enjoy Santa Barbara’s beautiful outdoors. What could be better than fun games to play outside with those you’ve been quarantined with?
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May252020
Montecito Realtor Cristal Clarke in the News
In a recent blog, I shared Montecito Realtor Cristal Clarke’s expert opinion in my post Santa Barbara Housing Market in the Shadow of COVID-19 and the media is responding.
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May222020
California Volunteers: A Vital New Program for Our Time
In a previous blog post, I shared important information regarding Santa Barbara and Montecito's non-profit organizations in need of financial help to continue their life-saving work during the coronavirus pandemic.
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May212020
Moving During the Pandemic: 7 Steps to Doing it Safely
Are you considering moving during the pandemic? In a recent blog, I shared my expertise about the Santa Barbara and Montecito housing market in the slowdown of COVID-19.
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May122020
CELEBRITY LIVING IN SANTA BARBARA
The American Riviera Has Been a Sanctuary for the Well-known and Well-heeled for Over a Century
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May72020
Montecito’s 93108 Zip Code: Consistently One of Forbes Richest
The Santa Barbara-Montecito area, also known as the “American Riviera,” has been a magnet for the rich and famous for over a century.
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Apr292020
Santa Barbara Housing Market: Home Prices in the Shadow of COVID-19
It seems like everyone is wondering how COVID-19 is affecting the U.S. housing market these days. Even with the widespread shelter-at-home orders and extreme unemployment numbers, a new report from real estate strategists UBS Wealth Management Americas, predicts U.S. home prices are likely to hold steady in 2020.
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Apr162020
The Richness of Santa Barbara History
The founders of the City of Santa Barbara were among the first in the nation to realize the cultural and economic value of preserving historic buildings.
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Apr32020
Santa Barbara and Montecito Landscape Design
An architectural style is a specific way a building was designed that is characterized by unique and notable qualities. Santa Barbara and Montecito landscape design styles include elements like form, method of construction, materials, and regional character.
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Mar252020
8 Steps to Creating the Minimalist Home Office
For most Montecito homeowners, their home is their castle. Today, your abode can also be the central command post for your business. As the king or queen of your castle, you are free to design and decorate the perfect home office to your exact specifications. But where do you start?
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Mar172020
12 Things To Do When You’re Confined to Your Home
What’s a Montecito or Santa Barbara homeowner supposed to do when at home for extended periods for whatever reason, including work, illness, caregiving, and so on? Fortunately, you'll discover plenty of ways to entertain yourself when you consider things to do when you're confined to your home.
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Mar112020
Selling a Montecito Home: A Few Things to Consider
If selling a Montecito home is at the top of your to-do list, then this blog is for you. Selling your home is hard. And emotional.
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Feb262020
Montecito: Best Place to Live in the Santa Barbara Area
Those of us who call Montecito home know it is one of the best places to live in California, the nation and maybe even the world.
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Feb12020
Luxury Bunkers: Time to Invest in a Private Shelter?
Around the world, affluent folks are paying big bucks to create underground luxury bunkers in preparation for a nuclear disaster, climate catastrophe, or other epic life-threatening events.
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Dec252019
Mid-Century Modern Furniture Fan?
The enduring popularity of Mid-Century Modern furniture is based on many factors. It gives us clean lines, gentle organic curves, a love for different materials and designers that are idolized even today. Just one look at the Eames chair and ottoman pictured here and you’ll understand why.
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Dec202019
Running Trails in Santa Barbara: 8 of the Most Popular
Why not make 2020 your year to explore the wonderful running trails in Santa Barbara? After all, this vibrant community is home to a large and active endurance community.
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Dec92019
4 Elements of Real Estate Asset Protection
Consider this: the value of your real estate holdings may be significant and can be used to cover damages awarded in a lawsuit. That's something you want to avoid.
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Nov292019
Downsizing Your Home: 5 Signs It Might Be Time
Is it time for downsizing your home? I recently posted a guest blog, “Downsizing for Seniors,” explaining how to make it as stress-free as possible. But when I thought about the topic, I realized that downsizing is not reserved for seniors only.
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Nov262019
What is an iBuyer in Real Estate?
“Instant offer” or iBuyer programs are grabbing so much attention these days in the real estate industry. The attraction of these programs for home sellers is convenience. iBuyer sales move quickly because they utilize a simpler process.
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Nov72019
Create a High-Tech Home for the Holidays
There are a bunch of high-tech home gadgets out there designed to help Montecito homeowners enjoy themselves over the holidays – and beyond. With Thanksgiving and other holidays right around the corner, many homeowners are already feeling the stress of the season.
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Nov12019
Want a Master Suite Sanctuary?
One of the things I love about many of the Montecito homes listed in my portfolio of fine homes for sale is their massive master suite.
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Oct152019
A Luxury Realtor’s Guide to Home Security Systems
We are all aware of the importance of home security systems these days. Every 14.5 seconds, a robbery is reported. While having a home security system installed can be costly, not installing one could cost Santa Barbara and Montecito homeowners even more.
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Oct32019
Real Estate Investing: Still the Best Choice Anyone Can Make
Over the last two centuries, about 90% of the world’s millionaires have created their wealth through real estate investing. That statistic was first cited by Billionaire Andrew Carnegie.
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Sep172019
Social Media Influence on Interior Design in Santa Barbara and Montecito
Today’s consumers have become increasingly digital-savvy and social media-driven. I have blogged about Insta-worthy locations in Santa Barbara in the past. Now, it’s time to take a look at the ways social media is influencing design, even here in Montecito and Santa Barbara.
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Aug282019
Hug a Santa Barbara Tree Today
Each Santa Barbara tree is an invaluable resource. Together, the city’s trees provide more than $2 million in annual benefits: from stormwater and carbon dioxide reduction to reduced energy costs.
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Aug272019
Passive Income: 10 Ideas for Building Wealth While Sitting on the Beach
Are you interested in creating passive income while sitting on the beach in sunny Santa Barbara? There are several ways to make your money work for you. In order to get there, you have to focus on one of four options: time, money, work, or all three.
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Aug202019
Luxury Home Products for Montecito Homeowners
As technology advances, so do luxury home products. While product launches are nothing new, many of the latest products and gadgets to hit the market today are designed specifically to make everyday chores more manageable and pleasant.
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Aug142019
9 Hidden Costs of Buying a Home
Are you aware of the hidden costs related to buying a house? For the unsuspecting homebuyer -- moving to a new home like the Singular Ocean View Montecito Home pictured on this blog -- these hidden costs can be truly frightening.
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Aug72019
Vietnam’s Economy Boom Means More Luxury Homebuyers in the U.S.
Once known as one of the poorest countries in the world, the boom in Vietnam’s economy is changing that reputation. In the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year alone, the country recorded 7.1% economic growth, making it one of the best performers globally today.
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Aug62019
Santa Barbara: Oasis of Arts and Culture
You may not consider the arts and culture when you think about Santa Barbara, but the area's location, climate, and topography are definitely good for the creative soul.
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Jul302019
No Kid Hungry: The Manifest Altruism of Actor Jeff Bridges
Jeff Bridges brings more to the Santa Barbara community than his superstar status. A longtime resident of Montecito, the Academy Award winner is also the national spokesperson for the No Kid Hungry program and an advocate for the free lunch program in Santa Barbara.
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Jul92019
How to Create the Big Little Lies' Interior Design Styles in Your Montecito Estate
The HBO hit show Big Little Lies has become the latest TV real estate obsession for many who appreciate classic and hip interior design styles.
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Jul22019
Santa Barbara Farmers’ Markets Farm Stands And Gourmet Shops
The Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market offers some of the freshest produce on the West Coast. You can also find an incredible selection of local goods at these markets.
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Jun262019
How to Decorate Your Mid-century modern Home
There are so many stunning Mid-century modern homes here in Santa Barbara. In fact, I sold six beauties in 2018 alone. One of my recent mid-century listings is pictured here, a Notable Architect’s Mid-century modern on E. Mountain Drive.
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Jun42019
Buying a Home in a Buyer’s Market
As a follow-up to a recent blog post, I’m going to look at how buying a home in a buyer's market affects the high-end market, including the luxury home market right here in Santa Barbara and Montecito. It turns out there is a limit to how high home prices can go, even in some of America's most alluring, if overheated, places.
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May292019
Are “Pocket Listings” Effective When Selling Homes in Montecito?
So-called “pocket listings” have been a longtime staple among New York City and other high-end real estate market sellers looking to quietly sell a high-priced luxury residential property.
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May222019
Ocean View Homes are Good for Our Health
Those of us fortunate enough to live in Montecito ocean view homes or those with an ocean view in Santa Barbara don’t take our amazing vistas for granted. In fact, just look up Santa Barbara Sunsets on Instagram and you’ll find pages including this one that features more than 1000 of them.
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May92019
Baby Checklist: 10 Things to Do to Prepare Your Home for a Newborn
In honor of Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle’s royal bundle of joy, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, I thought I’d offer some important ways to prepare for a newborn.
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Apr182019
Is Information on Real Estate TV Shows Believable?
The HGTV effect in the real estate industry is real, but don’t kid yourself into believing all of what you see and hear on your favorite real estate TV shows is necessarily valid.
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Mar12019
Let’s Step Up to Support the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
Once a year, the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (SBWCN) invites the public to experience a rare, behind-the-scenes look at its facility located at 1460 N. Fairview Ave in Santa Barbara.
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Feb262019
Technology and Privacy: Are They Mutually Exclusive?
By now, we all know the benefits of home technology. But, are your smart devices invading your privacy? National and international laws have not yet caught up with privacy challenges that come with the creation of new digital technologies designed to make our lives easier.
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Feb222019
Tidying Up with Marie Kondo: It's All About Choosing Joy
Are you aware of the Marie Kondo cleaning craze sweeping the Netflix-watching nation? For those who haven’t heard of her yet, Marie Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and star of the Netflix hit, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.
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Feb192019
Sick Building Syndrome: Could Your Home be Making You Ill?
Office buildings are not the only places that come down with sick building syndrome (SBS). You might mistakenly self-diagnose yourself with a cold or flu when in reality, you could be suffering from SBS’s residential form: sick house syndrome.
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Feb132019
Private Firefighters: Help For Montecito Homeowners?
You may have heard that private firefighters saved the $60 million home of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West when the California Woolsey Fire ravaged Ventura County.
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Feb52019
Montecito Estates: Calling New Owners to Paradise
Affluent buyers insist there’s something exceedingly special about Montecito estates. Perhaps it’s their location in this rarified enclave of just under 10,000 mostly affluent residents; neighboring world-renowned Santa Barbara, known as “The American Riviera.”
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Jan292019
3 Ways to Maximize Your Profit When Selling a Home
I'm sure you want to maximize your profit when selling a home. Many people are tempted to consider options such as working with a discount real estate agent or entering into a sale-by-owner program, but I’m here to tell you, “No!
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Jan252019
6 Ways to Build Wealth Without Touching the Stock Market
There are so many ways to build wealth without relying on one of the most common wealth-building platforms: the stock market. To some, investing in the stock market might feel a bit risky today since we are at near-record highs.
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Jan182019
The Junk Drawer: A Montecito Tradition?
I’m going to take a bold step here and assume that literally every Montecito residence – including my own – has at least one junk drawer.
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Jan152019
“California Chic” is Alive and Well in Montecito
If you already live in Montecito or just about any of the communities in or around Santa Barbara, there’s a good chance you’re already embracing “California Chic.”
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Jan42019
The Santa Barbara School District
Many of my customers ask me about the Santa Barbara School District, the main public school district that serves Santa Barbara and Goleta. I am happy to answer that the Santa Barbara’s public school district is highly rated; with 15,453 students in grades K-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 24 to 1.
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Dec182018
Survey Finds More People Are Working From Home Today
Recent data compiled by a consortium of economists, data scientists, designers, researchers, and business executives compiled a comprehensive report, Data USA, that revealed approximately 20% of Montecito residents work from home.
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Nov272018
Montecito Community Leadership Forms The Partnership for Resilient Communities
As our neighbors in Ventura and Los Angeles begin to recover from the Woolsey Fire, Montecito co
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Nov162018
How to Protect Your Home While You’re Selling
Selling a home in Santa Barbara isn’t necessarily unsafe; however, it’s always a good idea to take precautionary safety measures to protect your home and treasures as soon as you list with your favorite Realtor®.
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Oct302018
Selling a Haunted House?
In honor of Halloween, I thought I’d take a look at the challenges of selling a haunted house. Would you buy one? In the real estate game, haunted houses have the official designation of being considered “stigmatized.”
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Oct262018
Winterizing Your Home: Even Santa Barbara Homes Need to be Winter Ready
Fall is the best time to begin winterizing your home, even for those of us who live in sunny Santa Barbara. Although U.S. News & World Report lists Santa Barbara as the best place in the U.S. to live for our good weather, there is still a lot of homeowners should do to prepare for the winter.
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Oct192018
Art and Architecture: The Versatile World of Brixels™
My prediction: Interior design, art, and architecture in 21st-century luxury homes are about to experience a radical yet practical new trend.
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Oct102018
Hiding The Children’s Mess While Selling Your Montecito Home
frustrated parents and battling children faced with hiding the children's mess My busy clients know, hiding the children's mess when selling their Montecito home can be a major challenge. The process of keeping everything clean and tidy when your Realtor brings potential buyers to showings can be exhausting and overwhelming, if not be downright chaotic when a seller has children. But it doesn't have to be that way.
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Sep272018
Fiscal Fitness: The Advantages of Investing in Your Health
Fiscal fitness is a piece of financial advice that is nothing to scoff about. It’s real. By investing in your health, you can also improve your bank account. We all know the importance of diet and exercise, but now there’s proof that your health does indeed affect your wallet.
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Sep142018
Capital Gains Tax: 3 Dreaded Words When Selling Your Home
Capital gains tax applies when you sell something for a profit. That means if you’re selling your home for more than you paid for it, you need to report that gain to the Internal Revenue Service.
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Aug22018
7 Things You Can Do to Conserve Water: The California Drought is not over!
Remember all the good water conservation habits you instituted due to the California drought? New data from the State Water Resources Control board shows that in the last eight months, those efforts to save water have declined.
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Jul242018
Top 4 “Real Estate Facts” Debunked
We’ve all heard them, and everyone assumes these nuggets of wisdom are true, but should we rely on what are often considered real estate facts? Experts say absolutely not.
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Jul172018
Extreme Lawn Care: Are You a Competitor?
I’ve blogged before about the importance of curb appeal but extreme lawn care is new to me. Would you pick blades of grass by hand or vacuum your lawn? Some homeowners across the country do.
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Jul132018
Selling a Home: Want to do it Quickly and For Top Dollar?
Preparation is key if you’re interested in selling a home fast and for top dollar. That’s why I’ve created this list of the top 10 mistakes home sellers make that can keep their home sitting on the market for months with no or low offers.
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Jun292018
Buyer's Remorse Keeping You Awake?
Sleep, or lack of it, is such an important topic that I’ve blogged about it before, but I’ve never looked at how buyer’s remorse or second-guessing the sale of your home can trigger sleep problems.
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Jun262018
Is Buying a Home Together Before Getting Married a Good Idea?
In a previous blog, I shared info about a prenuptial deed when buying a home together after you’ve tied the knot. But what if you and your partner decide to buy a home together before you get married?
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Jun202018
What You Need to Know About Home Inspectors in Santa Barbara
When you're looking for home inspectors in Santa Barbara, there are several things you need to keep in mind. While I’ve blogged about home inspections before, it’s always a good idea to revisit the topic.
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May102018
The Adult Treehouse: An Aerie Not Just for Kids
I read a story in the Wall Street Journal about a growing new trend: the adult treehouse. I’ve blogged previously about the man cave, and the popularity of the she shed, but I hadn’t considered modern-day adult treehouses
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Apr162018
8 Housewarming Traditions from Around the World
Would you invite a cow to welcome you to your new home?
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