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SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: APRIL, 2023

May 19, 2023

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April 2023 showcased a resilient real estate market in Santa Barbara and its surrounding communities. Limited inventory, increasing home prices, and robust buyer demand characterized the market conditions. As we move forward, keeping a close eye on the evolving trends and consulting with a trusted realtor will help buyers and sellers make well-informed decisions. Whether you are considering buying, selling, or investing in Santa Barbara real estate, understanding these market insights will empower you to make the right moves in this dynamic market.

Lush landscape frames a beautiful picture of the Pacific Ocean

6 Key Insights on Santa Barbara’s Real Estate Market

  1. Overall Market Performance
    In April 2023 we witnessed a steady and resilient real estate market in Santa Barbara and its surrounding communities. While certain factors, such as low inventory and high demand, continue to impact the market, the overall conditions remained favorable for both buyers and sellers.

  2. Home Prices
    The median home prices in Santa Barbara and nearby areas experienced a slight increase in April 2023. This rise can be attributed to the persistent demand and limited inventory, which exerted upward pressure on prices.

  3. Inventory Levels
    Inventory levels remained a significant challenge for the Santa Barbara real estate market in April. The supply of available homes for sale continued to be limited, creating a competitive environment for buyers. This scarcity of inventory has contributed to the continued upward pressure on prices.

  4. Sales Activity
    Despite the low inventory, the number of closed sales in April demonstrated resilience. Buyers, motivated by favorable interest rates and a desire for homeownership in this region, remained active in the market. The competition among buyers led to multiple-offer situations and relatively quick sales.

  5. Days on Market
    Homes in Santa Barbara and surrounding communities continued to sell at a relatively fast pace in April. The average days on market remained low due to the high demand and limited supply. It's important for sellers to prepare their homes thoroughly and price them competitively to take advantage of the active market conditions.

  6. Market Outlook
    Looking ahead, the Santa Barbara real estate market is expected to maintain its positive trajectory, supported by strong demand and a desirable location. Staying informed and working with a knowledgeable real estate professional will be crucial for buyers and sellers to navigate the evolving landscape successfully.

Neighborhood Market Update

Sunset lights up the sky in brilliant oranges, yellows and purples behind mountains towering above a spectacularly lighted Montecito estate

Montecito
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NEW LISTINGS: 26
PENDING: 9
PRICE CHANGES: 17
SOLD: 11

Lawn pool and pool terrace in the foreground with a large white and glass contemporary home in the background

Santa Barbara
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NEW LISTINGS: 50
PENDING: 15
PRICE CHANGES: 51
SOLD: 47

A French Country estate in Hope Ranch, with a kidney shaped pool surrounded by green grass and beautiful landscaping in the foreground and the large home in the background and blue sky above

Hope Ranch
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NEW LISTINGS: 2
PENDING: 1
PRICE CHANGES: 0
SOLD: 3

A portion of a polo field, large pool, palm trees, and portion of a massive home, with the sparkling blue Pacific Ocean and blue sky in the background

Carp/Summerland
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NEW LISTINGS: 7
PENDING: 3
PRICE CHANGES: 10
SOLD: 6

A large two-story Mediterranean-style home, with a pool and landscaped grounds in the foreground, and a hill with trees in the background.



JUST LISTED

Exquisite and Classic Mediterranean Paradise
1439 Irvine Lane, Santa Barbara CA

Offered at $11,250,000

Indulge in the awe-inspiring and serene ocean views provided by this classic Mediterranean estate, masterfully designed by the renowned architect Don Nulty. This exquisite home showcases an elegant open floor plan, graceful rooms, and an expansive patio that is perfect for entertaining and enjoying outdoor dining. The grand and spacious living room takes center stage with its impressive fireplace, stone floors, and sweeping vistas visible through the large French doors. The gourmet kitchen has been recently remodeled and features top-of-the-line appliances and custom cabinetry. The magnificent primary suite is bathed in natural light and boasts its own private balcony overlooking the ocean. The sparkling pool and spa are surrounded by meticulously curated gardens, while the patio offers a built-in BBQ and fireplace, providing the perfect setting for relaxation. Immerse yourself in the classic charm and exquisite beauty of this estate, which offers exceptional privacy and serenity for an idyllic California lifestyle.

On my extensive website, you will find a wide selection of stunning listings, including a breathtaking World-Class Ocean View Montecito Estate displaying a panoramic vista that spans from sunrise to sunset and the captivating and Dramatic Blufftop Ocean-View Hope Ranch Estate perched on a dramatic blufftop, skillfully designed by the renowned architect Wallace Neff. I invite you to explore all the magnificent properties available for sale in my portfolio. Should you find something that catches your eye, allow me the opportunity to arrange a personalized tour for you.


If you’re considering making a move here, please call me at (805) 886-9378 or send me an email at Cristal@montecito-estate.com for a complimentary consultation. Meantime, stay apprised of local, regional and national real estate trends with my next market update.


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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch