Weekly Real Estate Snapshot: 11/23 - 11/29

November 23rd through November 29th, 2009:

New Listings: 12 (at this time of year, many sellers choose to wait until after the holidays to list)
Price Improvements: 12
Pending:  21 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 13
     $1-2 million: 4
     $2-4 million: 2
     $4-8 million: 3
     $8 million+: 0
Closed: 15
Off Market (expired, canceled withdrawn): 10
Back On Market: 0

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and to your family.

I hope that you have a restful, filling and wonderful weekend. 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot: 11/16 - 11/22

November 16th through November 22nd, 2009:

New Listings: 31
Price Improvements: 27
Pending: 22 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 15
     $1-2 million: 6
     $2-4 million: 0
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+: 0
Closed: 31
Off Market: 16
Back On Market: 4

*According to NPR, existing home sales are at their highest levels, nation wide since 2007! 

Green Gala's Waste Audit Results

Thank you to all who joined us for CEC’s annual Green Gala on October 17. The evening began with delicious greentinis and music on the patio by Palmer Jackson, Jr. and John Simpson, and was followed by dinner inspired by local, organic purveyors, and dancing with Area 51. Guests received Greenpoint raffle tickets for all that they are doing to become fossil-free – with the winners collecting elegant, fabulous gifts. A huge thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, and guests for helping us party for the planet and further our mission of Fossil Free by ’33! 

 The Green Gala 2009 produced approximately 458 pounds of total waste. Due to careful planning and detailed waste management strategies, approximately 415 pounds of the total waste, or 90.75%, will be recycled and/or composted, leaving only 10% actual trash. These numbers far exceed waste management practices of any standard event and are exemplary even for an event striving to be considered “zero waste.” The remaining 10% trash resulted in large part out of the necessity to package delivered food.

These numbers are derived from a waste audit supervised by trained staff from Merryl Brown Events. There was little to no contamination of each of the three waste categories due to cooperation of event planners, staff, caterers, and participants.  

From the www.cecsb.org website.

November Santa Barbara EcoBroker Newsletter

In This Issue: Santa Barbara Real Estate Snapshot Tax Credit For Home Buyers Conforming Loan Limits Extended Park and Go Green in Isla Vista URGENT - Cell Sites Proposed Habitat For Humanity Opportunity Vocab Lesson: Ocean Acidification Cool Website: Greenopia LATEST & GREATEST...   SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT:  This is a look at statistics provided through the Santa Barbara Multiple Listing Service over the past month.  They include single family residences and condos, from Carpinteria to Goleta.    October 19 - November 15, 2009 New listings: 131 Price Improvements: 141 Pending: 113 (break down:) Sub $1million: 83 $1-2M: 21 $2-4M: 6  $4-8M: 2 $8M+: 1 Closed: 90 Off Market: 35 Back On market: 42   Tax Credit for Home Buyers: Extended and Expanded   President Obama on Friday, Nov. 6 signed a bill extending and expanding the Federal Tax Credit for Home Buyers. The bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.    The tax credit will be extended through April 30, 2010, with a 60-day extension if a binding contract is in place prior to the deadline.   First-time home buyers will continue to receive a tax credit of up to $8,000, while existing homeowners will receive a reduced credit of up to $6,500. Existing homeowners will be eligible for the $6,500 if they have lived in their current residences for at least five years.   The bill also will increase the qualifying income limits from $75,000 for single tax filers and $150,000 for joint filers, to $125,000 and $225,000, respectively.  The purchase price of the home is capped at $800,000.   Under additional provisions in the bill, taxpayers can claim the credit on purchases completed in 2010 on their 2009 income tax returns. The bill maintains the provision that home buyers do not have to repay the credit provided the home remains their primary residence for 36 months after purchase, and waives this requirement for active duty military personnel who move due to a military order.     Conforming Loan Limits Extended President Obama signed a congressional resolution to extend through 2010 the current conforming loan limits of $417,000 for most areas in the U.S. and $729,750 for high-cost areas, including many in California.  The resolution was part of a broader piece of budgetary legislation that will prevent a government shutdown. A provision of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 included temporarily raising the conforming loan limits from $625,500 in high-cost areas to $729,750 and extending the limits through 2009.  These actions effectively extend the higher conforming loan limits for Fannie, Freddie, and FHA loans through 2010. The conforming loan limit determines the maximum size of a mortgage that Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy or "guarantee." Non-conforming or "jumbo loans" typically carry higher mortgage interest rates than conforming loans, increasing monthly payments and hampering the ability of families in California to purchase homes by making them less affordable. *As always, please contact your CPA, financial planner, or attorney when making financial decisions.   GREEN NEWS:    Park and Go Green in Isla Vista Just by parking your car in Isla Vista, you could help support efforts to save the environment.  A grand opening was held Thursday for a solar powered parking lot at the 800-block of Embarcadero del Mar. It is the first-of-its kind in Santa Barbara County, complete with solar panels that light the lot and Pardall Road, two electric car charging stations, an irrigation system that uses rain water, and bio-filters that remove pollutants from storm run-off before it reaches the beach.  "Our new, green parking lot blends the Isla Vista community's commitment for sustainability with the County's goal of increasing amenities in Isla Vista for positive change," said Third District Supervisor Doreen Farr. "It's very exciting to have an environmentally friendly project like this become a reality." The project was a collaborative effort by the community and several county departments, including the Santa Barbara County Redevelopment Agency, Planning and Development, and General Services. It cost about $760,000 with funding coming from the Redevelopment Agency. Reported by: Carina Corral     COMMUNITY: PROPOSED CELL SITES BEING RUSHED THROUGH - URGENT HELP NEEDED: The County Planning Department is about to approve new cell sites in many of our neighborhoods.  There are 140 applications (click HERE for list of first 50 sites) from a company called Next G on file with the County. Through a loop hole in the regulations they will be able to mount cell phone sites on any telephone pole, street light and neighborhood lamps.   The Planning Department is powerless to implement any regulations without community support.  We are asking you today to write your own or sign and send this letter to our County Board of Supervisors.   The reasons to support this effort are the following:    1) Concerns for the effects of radio frequency radiation on the central nervous system the immune system as well as other metabolic effects observed in preliminary studies.   2) Property and neighborhoods become stigmatized causing housing prices to drop and homes difficult to sell.   3) Concern for the local community having any say on this matter regarding their own property. If you have a utility pole or street light on or near your home you have no say or power to influence the decision.   4) Your letters will empower our elected officials and planning departments to be able to reassess the placement of these cell sites. *SIGN AND SEND LETTER IMMEDIATELY. This must be in County hands by Monday, November 16, 2009. Click HERE for letter.   *ATTEND THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 at 9:00 AM located at 105 E. Anapamu St., 4th floor.       GET INVOLVED: Habitat For Humanity Needs Volunteers for their upcoming building project The first step to becoming a volunteer is to attend our Volunteer Orientation held in the ReStore at 6725 Hollister. You will learn about our mission to end poverty housing and how you can get involved. Please let us know if you can make it so we can plan accordingly. There will be cookies! RSVP to volunteer@sbhabitat.org   VOCABULARY LESSON: Ocean Acidification:   Our action on land is having a negative impact on our oceans. Excess carbon dioxide is dissolving in our oceans, changing sea water chemistry.  The more acidic water makes it difficult for tiny creatures at the bottom of the food web to form their shells.  The effects could work their way up to the fish 1 billion people depend upon for their food source of protein.  From "Sea Change" a movie that played at the Natural History Museum.    COOL WEBSITE OF THE MONTH: www.greenopia.com/SB   Greenopia provides consumers with high quality information to help them reduce their impact on the environment through their daily purchasing decisions. Greenopia publishes extensive green business directories, product directories, and brand directories, as well as offering a growing community, news articles, blogs, and tips to help everyone eat, shop, and live green.         Tuesday, Nov. 17th   6-8ish   Crushcakes Cupcakery & Cafe   1315 Anacapa St / near Arlington   Come join us for our last Green Drinks of 2009!    Join us as a fan on Facebook: Green Drinks Santa Barbara for future locations!         Your Referrals are always welcomed and appreciated!     Please forward this informative newsletter to all that are interested in:   Green Homes,    Real Estate   and a healthy lifestyle.   You can help us grow the green home movement in our community.   Thank you for your support and we hope to see you soon.           FOR SALE:   Laurel Springs Ranch (very motivated seller)     160 acre, 5 parcels Turn key retreat business, panoramic views   lodge that sleeps 30, yoga studio, main house, multiple guest houses, spa, solar heated pool, barn, riding arena, pond, hiking trails, plentiful water, organic garden and much more.      www.2720PaintedCaveRd.com   The Retreat Center website:   www.LaurelSpringsRetreat.net NEW LISTING COMING SOON:    East Anapamu St. (very close to the S.B. Bowl)     Zoned R3 (residential 3) Many neighbors have converted their R3 lots in to condos.  Please let us know if you have interest.       Currently a 1920's era, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 story home with lots of character and charm.   FOR SALE    5481 Calle Ocho Carpinteria, CA      A beautiful, wooded, creekside .70 acre lot. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathroom home.    Ready for a GREEN REMODEL!    In the Concha Loma neighborhood and just a few blocks from the beach.   $997,000   OPEN SUNDAY 2-4pm   www.5481CalleOcho.com   JUST SOLD:   517 West Quinto Street #3 Santa Barbara, 93105   $699,000  Great condo in a central location near Oak Park & Cottage Hospital, with easy access to everything.   Large unit with 3 fireplaces, patio, garage, balconies and private.   VACATION RENTAL:   Casa San Miguel   Available to rent by the night/week/ month.   3br/2ba remodeled home with roof top ocean view deck and jacuzzi.   Features non-toxic cleaners, Natura mattresses, organic linens, energy efficient appliances and many more healthy/green details.     Book a stay at:   www.CasaSanMiguelSB.com Elizabeth Wagner & DeAnn Wilson Village Properties 4050 Calle Real Suite 120 | Santa Barbara, CA 93110 Elizabeth: 805.895.1467 or DeAnn 805.451.7488 www.SantaBarbaraEcoBroker.com and www.GreenHomesSB.com SantaBarbaraEcoBrokers@gmail.com

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot: 11/2 - 11/15 2009

November 2nd through November 15th, 2009: (2 weeks as I was out of town)


New Listings: 72
Price Improvements: 72
Pending:  53 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 37
     $1-2 million: 12
     $2-4 million: 3
     $4-8 million: 1 
     $8 million+: 0
Closed: 42
Off Market: 25
Back On Market: 21

The Main Event: Cancer Center of Santa Barbara

Yesterday Nate and I attended the "Main Event" which was a celebration to benefit the Julie Main Endowment.  Established in honor of Julie Main, who turned her breast cancer diagnosis into a positive community effort and helping launch the Cancer Well-Fit Program, the Endowment will fund future Well-Fit Program groups for cancer patients in Santa Barbara.

Guests enjoyed an afternoon of fine wine and hors d’oeuvres with music by the Leslie Lembo Jazz Group. The event also includes a silent and live auction at the beautiful home of Elizabeth and Kenny Slaught in the hills of Montecito.

The food, catered by Elements was delicious and the guests were very generous in their silent and live auction donations.  I bid on many items and thankfully was outbid by others;)  Although we did end up taking home a party for 20 by Elements...looking forward to that one!  

It was a gorgeous day, an amazing house and fantastic turn out for a woman that touched many lives and continues to inspire all of us everyday.

For more information about these programs or to make a donation, please visit: www.ccsb.org

Teacher's Fund & Village Properties

Teacher's Fund

Village Properties has established The "Teacher's Fund" to help local public and private K-12 school teachers buy the supplies and books they so desperately need. DeAnn & Elizabeth donate part of their commissions to this wonderful fund that helps the whole community and you can too!

The 2009 Reception for the teachers at the SB Museum of Natural History.

Please see this link for more details:
http://www.villagesite.com/company/teachers_fund.php

Village Properties believes in the power of education. In 2002, Renee Grubb and Ed Edick established the Village Properties Teacher's Fund to help local Santa Barbara public and private elementary school teachers get the tools and materials they needed but could not get due to budget cuts.

In April 2006, a generous donation from the Orfalea Family Foundation and the Orfalea Fund allowed the Teacher's Fund to expand so they could include grades 7 and 8.

In 2007, thanks to another generous donation from the Orfalea Fund, the Teacher's Fund celebrated another expansion adding North County schools.

In April of 2009, the Teacher's Fund is once again expanding to include grades 9 - 12 for all Santa Barbara County public and private school teachers.

Our teachers' requests are for the most basic materials: books, art supplies, dictionaries, printer cartridges, software, etc.

The Teacher's Fund is a way for everyone to help enrich the lives of our children through education. 100% of the donations go directly to our teachers. When you help our kids acquire a better education you're making an investment in all of our futures.

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot: 10/26 - 11/1 2009

October 26 - November 1, 2009:

New Listings: 21
Price Improvements: 29
Pending: 36 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 26
     $1-2 million: 6
     $2-4 million: 2
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+:1
Closed: 24
Off Market: 31
Back On Market: 8