Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update, April 2025

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The Santa Barbara County real estate market is showing signs of steady movement toward greater balance, as inventory gradually begins to meet buyer demand. With April marking the start of the second quarter of 2025, first-quarter data reveals strong momentum in South Santa Barbara County—311 closings were recorded, a 14% increase over the same period last year. As we move further into the spring season, this upward trend suggests the market is on track to stabilize, especially for well-located, move-in-ready homes.

Top Santa Barbara and Montecito realtor Cristal Clarke, smiling at her desk, on her laptop and telephone

Q1 Wrap-Up and What Lies Ahead

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, the data suggests a market that is active but still inventory-constrained. With limited new listings and strong buyer demand—especially in coastal and luxury neighborhoods—competition remains healthy. All signs point to a busy second quarter, particularly if interest rates hold or dip slightly.

Neighborhood Market Update

Drone view of a luxury Tuscan inspired Montecito home and its luxurious grounds at dusk with the lights on and mountains in the background.

Montecito Leads Regional Sales Surge

One standout this quarter was Montecito, accounting for 22% of all sales. That’s a noticeable increase from 15% last year. The strength of the luxury market in Montecito played a key role in boosting overall sales across the region. In April alone, Montecito saw 40 new listings, 15 homes go pending, 22 properties sold, and 20 price changes—clear indicators of robust activity in a typically tight market.

Exterior of a luxury Mediterranean single-level home with white walls and a red tile roof, surrounded by landscaped grounds with ocean and mountain views.

Santa Barbara Market Activity Rises in April

Santa Barbara’s real estate market showed steady strength in April 2025, with 153 new listings, 101 properties pending, 87 price changes, and 98 homes sold. The median sales price held at $2.15 million, marking a modest year-over-year increase and signaling continued demand despite rising inventory. Homes moved quickly, with the average time on market hovering around 19 days, underscoring ongoing buyer interest in well-priced, move-in-ready properties.

A lovely Hope Ranch ranch-style home with a pool in the foreground surrounded by lush landscaping.

Hope Ranch Market Sees Uptick in Listings Amid Price Adjustments

After a quiet start to the year, Hope Ranch experienced a modest increase in market activity last month. The area recorded 9 new listings, 5 properties pending, 1 price change, and 4 homes sold. While the number of sales remains low, the median sold price reached $8,497,500, reflecting the premium nature of this exclusive enclave. The average time on the market extended to 90 days, up from 59 days in March, suggesting buyers are taking more time to make decisions.

An ochre-colored luxury Hacienda-style Spanish Colonial estate with a refreshing pool in the foreground and lots of lush landscaping.

Carpinteria & Summerland Coastal Markets Show Consistent Momentum

In April 2025, Carpinteria continued its strong performance with 18 new listings, 18 pending sales, 18 price changes, and 17 homes sold. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter with approximately 30 closings in the area, 29 in Q1 alone, a 25% increase over Q1 2024. The median sales price rose 58% year-over-year to $1.4 million, with a median price per square foot of $1,155. Summerland also saw renewed interest, recording 6 closed sales this quarter, up from just one in Q1 2024. The median price for Summerland reached $2.4 million, and with listing times down 36% year-over-year, properties are moving more quickly, indicating a strengthening market in these exclusive coastal communities.

The rear of a luxury two-level modern Santa Barbara home in the Riviera neighborhood, with walls of windows and sliding doors on both levels that face the ocean and terraces with a glistening pool.

Featured Property

Santa Barbara Riviera Masterpiece with Panoramic Views
945 Arbolado Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Listing Price: ^$ 10,500,000

Perched in the Riviera hills, this striking 21st-century home showcases innovative modern architecture, sustainable construction, and exquisite landscaping—all set against sweeping ocean and city views. Even more, this smart home is fully equipped with a state-of-the-art Savant system, integrated security, top-of-the-line Lutron lighting and automated shades, as well as solar power complete with LG Powerwall backup, with extensive irrigation and drainage systems outside for effortless, efficient living.

An all white luxury living room with designer furnishings and a wall of glass doors opening to a city and ocean view.

A gallery-style entry hall leads into a light-filled open floor plan where the living, dining, and chef’s kitchen flow seamlessly. Sliding glass doors open to a covered terrace with spectacular views, blending indoor comfort with Santa Barbara’s signature outdoor lifestyle.

A sleek, gallery style white kitchen with top of the line appliances and breathtaking ocean view.

The kitchen features an Italian-inspired design, custom cabinetry, and top-of-the-line Wolf, Miele, and Sub-Zero appliances, along with a walk-in butler’s pantry. Clean lines and premium finishes create a space that’s as functional as it is visually striking—perfect for both everyday living and entertaining.

A stylish primary bedroom suite, outfitted in a white and beige color palette, with glass doors that open to city and ocean views.

The primary suite is a private sanctuary featuring blackout shades, a private ocean-view balcony, and a spa-like bath with a soaking tub, radiant heat floors, and EMF shielding. Additional spaces in the home consist of a gym with an infrared sauna, a stylish office, and a media room equipped with a built-in bar and direct access to the pool.

An infinity pool and several lounge chairs with a breathtaking pink and blue sunset.

Outside, an expansive terrace surrounds the 45-foot infinity-edge pool and spa, offering treetop views that seamlessly blend into the Pacific. An outdoor kitchen with automated sunshades completes the experience. Just minutes from downtown, this smart, solar-powered estate combines tranquility with proximity to Santa Barbara’s best dining, shopping, and culture. It is also situated near some of the area’s top-rated public and private schools, providing both convenience and access to exceptional educational opportunities.

If you're considering selling your home or starting the search for your ideal property in Q2, now is a perfect time to begin. I'm pleased to offer a complimentary one-on-one consultation to explore your options and help you plan your next steps. Feel free to contact me at (805) 886-9378 or Cristal@montecito-estate.com.

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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