What Do Buyers Want In A Home? Survey Offers Clues...

Home buyers tend to want it all, especially in this age of affordability, when prices and mortgage rates are low.

But this also is the age of frugality, a time of economic uncertainty when many people are not as concerned about their next pay raise as they are about the next round of layoffs. So today's buyers are far more willing to do without "extras."

The question is what to give up: Do you really need a formal living room? A fifth bedroom would be nice, but is it a necessity? And what about that view of a golf course?

Many builders rely on surveys that quiz would-be buyers about their preferences to help answer these and numerous other questions so they know how to outfit their latest designs. But buyer wannabes have yet to make any of the hard decisions.

A recent study of more than 22,000 owners who bought their homes within the last nine years sheds light on where buyers were willing to put their money and may provide important clues for builders, architects and current buyers. After all, if your predecessors didn't opt for an outsize backyard patio equipped with a five-burner grill, maybe it's not as necessary as you think.

The survey by Avid Ratings of Madison, Wis., found that current homeowners planned to be "more practical" the next time around.

For example, a community clubhouse is "not a big deal anymore," Avid Chief Executive Paul Cardis said at the recent International Builders' Show in Las Vegas, where he detailed his findings on a panel with design experts. Health clubs that people end up using "maybe five times a year" can be eliminated, as can dog parks and golf courses -- even 24-hour security.

"No one said a swimming pool is a must, either," said Cardis, who has worked with more than 400 builders in the U.S. and Canada.

A children's playground, however, is essential, as are walking paths.

Inside, large kitchens are still a must-have, but formal dining rooms are not. Upstairs laundry rooms and home theaters aren't necessities either.

Heather McCune, director of marketing for Bassenian Lagoni Architects in Park Ridge, Ill., said a major take-away from Avid's findings was that builders and buyers should "focus more on spaces, not rooms."

For builders, McCune said, the key is construction efficiency, with simpler rooflines and simpler foundations. For buyers, the key is to "rethink space." For example, buyers should look for kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling for added space and efficiency. And they should pass on expensive "focal point" stairways, opting instead for steps that are tucked away and out of sight.

Along those same lines, Carol Lavender, president of Lavender Design Group in San Antonio, said builders and buyers should be on the lookout for dead space. And she suggested that if the dining room or media room is eliminated, at least some of that square footage should be put into secondary bedrooms.

"People are willing to live in less square footage, but it has to be livable," Lavender said. "They won't accept a 10-by-10 bedroom anymore."

Avid's survey also found that there has been a "huge transition" toward such "green" features as high-efficiency appliances, insulation and windows that are not large expanses of glass. "Homeowners are getting it," Cardis said. "If they want efficient windows, they need less glass."

Recycled materials, though, have not made it onto many people's radar screens. They just don't pay attention yet to the recycled content of the building products that go into their homes.

Large kitchens are still essential, according to the Avid research. But if you are thinking about nixing the kitchen island, think again, Cardis said. "Islands remain super-strong."

Home offices or studies are a must among first-time buyers, vacation-home buyers, custom-home buyers and even empty nesters, the survey found.

Main-floor master bedrooms are a big deal to practically every segment of the market. Even first-timers find them desirable.

Two-car garages are still a must "across the board," and three-car garages are desirable.

In the master bath, whirlpool tubs are giving way to soaker tubs. But both are secondary to oversize showers with overhead shower heads and seating. Master bedrooms can be shrunk, McCune observed.

By Lew Sichelman
Los Angeles Times
lsichelman@aol.com

First Impressions Count in Home Appraisal

Prepare as you would for an open house and emphasize your home's best features

By Elaine Abercrombie | Published on 04.15.2010

With all of the changes enacted in real estate and related industries, the appraisal process has not been immune. Lenders were found to be pressuring the appraisers they hired, so now banks largely must work with independent appraisers — and they’re finding themselves buried in a backlog of jobs.
To help ease their large workloads, appraisers will gladly consider any information you can provide about your property, and will hopefully generate a more accurate report.
As a seller, list the best features of your home, including recent improvements, professional landscaping or even benefits of your location (such as access to public transportation and schools).
While you won’t necessarily be graded for your housekeeping skills, appraisers do pay attention to the very appearance and cleanliness of your home. You can positively affect your appraisal’s outcome if your lawn is mowed or raked, your windows sparkle and your closets look spacious.
Appraisers are practically looking through the buyer’s eyes, so pretend you’re preparing for an open house before their arrival.
Finally, be sure to request a copy of the report, because lenders are required to provide it — but you’ve got to ask.
If you find any errors in important features, such as square footage or property description, contact the appraiser directly. Let the lender and your Realtor know, too, but understand that they can’t take any direct action under the new rules.

Village Properties Teachers Fund Helping Schools with Basic Needs

The fund has provided more than $750,000 in supplies for K-12 classrooms countywide

Ed Edick and Renee Grubb, the co-owners of Village Properties Realtors, started a Teachers Fund eight years ago. In that time, the fund has provided more than $750,000 in supplies to K-12 classrooms countywide. (Village Properties courtesy photo)

By Kevin McFadden, Noozhawk Contributor | Published on 04.06.2010

When Ed Edick and Renee Grubb, the co-owners of Village Properties Realtors, started a Teachers Fund eight years ago to provide local classrooms with money for supplies, it was a great way to help schools fill requests outside the regular curriculum.

But with local schools struggling with deep budget cuts, the money donated by Village Properties and its partners has gone from luxury to necessity.

“In the beginning, a lot of the things the teachers would ask for were costumes for plays and things like that,” Grubb said. “But now, a lot of it is just basics. Students are not even getting the basics these days.”

Last month, the Teachers Fund hit a milestone: To date, more than $750,000 in supplies has been given to help K-12 classrooms countywide, and the fund has filled more than 1,600 classroom requests.

Any teacher in the county can visit the Village Properties Teachers Fund Web site. From there, teachers can fill out a form to provide the specifics of their request, as well as a description of how it would benefit students.

Once a month, Edick and Grubb meet with Zena Drewisch of Village Properties and Catherine Brozowski of the Orfalea Fund, a nonprofit partner. The four-person committee reviews the month’s requests to decide how to best allocate available funds. The Orfalea Foundation, a supporting organization of the Santa Barbara Foundation, also helps by supplementing the Teachers Fund as needed.

Deciding which classrooms are in the greatest need is by no means an easy task, and the Teachers Fund committee is always on the lookout for generous local vendors.

“We would love to find some local merchants to partner with for things like office supplies, cameras, art supplies and sports equipment,” Edick said. “All of those things have just been cut way back in our schools, so we’re hoping a few vendors can step up.”

In addition to the sizable donations provided by the Teachers Fund each year, Village Properties agents have taken a cue from their philanthropic bosses, giving portions of their own commissions to help struggling classrooms.

“Even in this market, our agents close an escrow and then donate,” Grubb said. “Our agents are truly very generous.”

Edick and Grubb are hopeful that that kind of generosity will rub off on the public. The Teachers Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, which means that anyone can make a cash donation, and 100 percent of every dollar goes directly to the teachers. Donations can be made through the Web site, and every donation is tax deductible. Also, Village Properties can provide anyone interested in helping with a list of the supplies that are needed each month.

Edick and Grubb say it’s an honor to help local teachers through the Teachers Fund, and every year in October, Village Properties throws a party at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History to show their appreciation. All K-12 teachers countywide are invited, and historically, about 450 teachers have shown up to be recognized for their efforts.

“Our teachers have such a huge responsibility, because these children are really the future of this country,” Edick said. “And they’re being asked to do more and more with less and less. Now is really the time for us to help them out all we can.”

The Teachers Fund and Village Properties are certainly doing all they can — and they show no signs of slowing. That is good news for schools all across the county.

Grubb puts it succinctly: “Our motto is one classroom at a time.”

— Kevin McFadden is a Noozhawk contributor.

Santa Barbara County empowers YOU to save money!

Improve your property, help the environment, and create local jobs!

How does it work?

All emPowerSBC (Elective Municipal Programs to Optimize Water, Energy and Renewables) programs are voluntary and are designed to remove the obstacles and provide assistance for our residents and businesses in their effort to “go green”.

emPowerSBC offers low cost financing to help residential and commercial property owners cover the high upfront costs of energy efficiency, water efficiency or renewable installation property improvements.

Financing is available to all eligible residents of the County and each of the incorporated cities. This financing is paid back over 20 years through an individual property tax assessment, while property owners enjoy increased comfort and equity as well as energy and water related savings.

Program Benefits

* Creates approximately 900 local jobs - roughly equal to 40% of those lost in construction trades during the recession.

* Induces $131 million in local investment and $346 million in economic output over ten years.

* Helps the State meet its long term greenhouse gas reduction targets through incentive-based programs.

* Reinvests in the region's existing buildings through energy and water conservation improvements.

* Provides a model for the use of voluntary programs to achieve community development goals.

emPowerSBC is now accepting inquiries.

CONTACT US »

Free Electronic Waste Collection Event April 23 & 24

The City of Santa Barbara is sponsoring an Electronic Waste Collection event in April in celebration of EARTH DAY! This event is free to residents and businesses alike.

When: Friday April 23 & Saturday April 24

Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (note earlier start time!)

Where: Sears parking lot, 3845 State St. (corner of Calle Real and La Cumbre), Santa Barbara

What will be accepted:  All business and consumer electronic devices ….TVs, Computer Monitors, Computers (CPUs), laptops, keyboards, mice, cables & cords, printers, fax & copy machines, hard drives*, stereos, DVD & VCR players**, telephones, cell phones, radios, microwaves and more!

* Hard Drives will be completely destroyed and recycled according to FACTA standards.
** Sorry - but we CAN NOT accept DVDs, CDs, tape cassettes, batteries (of any kind), fluorescent bulbs, toner cartridges, or large appliances.

We hope to see you there, and please spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors!

For questions or more information, please call the Environmental Services Division at (805) 564-5631.


Sue Sadler                                                      My Hours
Code Enforcement Officer/E-Waste Coordinator          Tuesday-Friday, 9am-2pm
Environmental Services                
City of Santa Barbara
805-564-5686
www.SBRecycles.org <file://www.SBRecycles.org>

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 4/12 - 4/18

New Listings: 73
Price Improvements: 39
Pending:  36 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 24
     $1-2 million: 5
     $2-4 million: 5
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+: 1
Closed: 32
Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 24
Back On Market: 11

Data From Santa Barbara MLS and excludes mobile homes.

Green Drinks Gets Local Press! Next one 4/20 at Arnoldi's!

DAVE MASON, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

Crowds are thinking of the Earth when they're sipping on beverages at monthly Green Drinks gatherings in Santa Barbara. MIKE ELIASON/NEWS-PRESS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION; NIK BLASKOVICH/NEWS-PRESS PHOTO

Santa Barbara resident Susan Farber, left, and her Montecito friend, Alexandra Kummer, talk about Green Drinks at the March event at Carr Vineyards & Winery in Santa Barbara. THOMAS KELSEY/NEWS-PRESS

The crowd applauds as Spencer the Gardener plays at the Green Drinks gathering in March at Carr Vineyards & Winery.

Elizabeth Wagner, an organizer of Green Drinks gatherings, talks to the large and growing crowd. She said later that Green Drinks offers people an organic, unstructured alternative to boardrooms for discussing the environment.

April 15, 2010 6:52 AM

It takes a sense of community to change the world. So said Michelle Kendall, who's doing her bit by coming to gatherings such as Green Drinks.

"So many environmental problems have arisen because of a lack of community," Mrs. Kendall said on this packed night in March at Carr Vineyards & Winery on Salsipuedes Street.

Having a sense of community instills a feeling of responsibility, Mrs. Kendall, 37, said, explaining the need for Green Drinks Santa Barbara. Held on the third Tuesday evening of each month at restaurants and bars in Santa Barbara, the informal get-togethers bring green-minded residents together to have some drinks, see familiar faces, make new friends and enjoy the camaraderie.

And they talk about going green. Similar Green Drinks gatherings are held in more than 600 cities worldwide.

"We're making small changes," Mrs. Kendall said. "It takes everyone being more responsible for their actions."

Her green lifestyle includes driving less.

"Bruce takes the bus from home, and I try to drive just one day a week for errands," Mrs. Kendall said as her husband, a 45-year-old professor of environmental science at UCSB's Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, and their friend, Laura Franas, listened over drinks. "We buy just the necessities."

Organizers and participants alike say Green Drinks provides a good opportunity for networking.

"People talk about hooking up and finding jobs," said DeAnn Wilson, who coordinates Green Drinks with fellow organizer Elizabeth Wagner. The two EcoBrokers/Green-designated real estate agents operate Village Properties, which has offices in Santa Barbara, Montecito and Santa Ynez and specializes in buying and selling environmentally friendly properties.

They began Green Drinks in Santa Barbara in April 2007.

"We've found it's a good way to learn about doing green things," Mrs. Wagner said as she stood next to Mrs. Wilson in the crowded winery, as Santa Barbara band Spencer the Gardener prepared to perform environmentally-conscious songs.

On this night in March, the Green Drinks gathering marked the upcoming 40th anniversary of Earth Day on Thursday and the anniversary of the Santa Barbara-based Community Environmental Council, which also turned 40. Donations were also taken for CEC, and about $1,000 was raised, Mrs. Wagner said.

Organizations involved with this get-together included Weekend Hippie and LoaTree, Santa Barbara companies promoting green lifestyles.

The special event drew the largest Green Drinks gathering to date, with more than 300 people, Mrs. Wagner said. Usually, she added, the gatherings are around 75 people.

She explained the appeal of the get-togethers. "I feel that Green Drinks gives people very unstructured, organic ways to meet and discuss (the environment), rather than sitting in a boardroom."

Mrs. Wilson explained that the crowd on this night included owners of green businesses, such as contractors and architects.

Ron Milne, a Summerland general contractor, was among them, sitting with his wife, Susan Milne, at a table.

"I came to the first one three years ago. We were doing green remodeling in Montecito," said Mr. Milne.

Mrs. Milne added that they like to use green products and go to Green Drinks to learn more about them.

A table at Carr contained information on being green, such as literature from the Community Environmental Council on fiber-optic lighting and efficient water heating.

"In my own business, we use waterless water heaters and recycled materials," Mr. Milne said. "It's cost-effective to be green. You don't have to search that far to find green products."

Mrs. Milne noted the Green Drinks crowds have grown.

It was a modest gathering as she spoke earlier in the evening, but an hour later, the group grew much larger -- and louder. As the laughter rose, the gathering turned into a party as the crowd spilled out the front door into the front patio area. People raised their voices to be heard over Spencer the Gardener performing songs such as "Don't Eat Genetically Modified Food."

One of the newcomers sat at a table near the Milnes -- Susan Farber, a self-employed family and sports psychology therapist who lives in Santa Barbara. She was there with her Montecito friend, Alexandra Kummer.

"I'm interested in sustainable food and meeting environmentally concerned people who support that," Ms. Farber said. She added she's learning about organic food at the Green Drinks events and noted the presence of Isla Vista Food Co-op and Carpinteria-based Shepherd Farms, which had tables at that night's event with samples of food, including locally grown produce, and information.

There was also Santa Barbara-based Duo Catering & Events, which uses locally grown organic produce in its dishes and provided food at the event. Cadena's Fresh Fish was also there.

All of the vendors rely on local food sources, said Kerry Allen, founder of Weekend Hippie.

"I first found out about (Green Drinks) from a colleague," Ms. Farber said. "She spoke very highly of it. She said it was a good place to meet people and network.

"My colleague told me, I told her (Ms. Kummer). It's word of mouth," Ms. Farber said.

Across the room, Jackie Kane chatted with some friends.

"I love networking and meeting people who are like-minded (about the environment)," said Ms. Kane. This was her seventh Green Drinks event.

"Tonight I learned about the Isla Vista Food Co-op. It is (located) close to me," Ms. Kane, 49, said, noting the business' reliance on locally grown produce.

Environmentalists typically urge people to buy local food to cut down on the carbon footprint of transporting products.

A few tables away, young women were laughing over glasses of wine.

The environment, though, was still on their mind.

Once people learn about living a green lifestyle, it can become a natural habit, something as basic as changing light bulbs to more energy-efficient ones or using a filter on their running water instead of buying water bottles, said Kim Wiseley, 24, a Santa Barbara Web site designer.

"It's easy to make small changes in everyday life."

e-mail: dmason@newspress.com

IF YOU GO

The next Green Drinks Santa Barbara, marking the third anniversary of the local get-together, will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Arnoldi's Cafe, 600 Olive St. Green Drinks gatherings take place the third Tuesday of the month. There is no age restriction for the group, although you must be 21 or older to purchase alcoholic beverages. Those attending tend to be anywhere from college age to 70 years old, said co-organizer Elizabeth Wagner.

The gatherings are free.

Green Drinks will also have a booth at the Santa Barbara Earth Day 40 Festival, set for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara St.

For more information, go to www.greendrinks.org. To join the e-mail list, send a note to santabarbara@greendrinks.org.

Come Visit Me at Earth Day: Both #225 Village Properties and Green Drinks

Who: Village Properties EcoBrokers and Green Drinks Organizers, Elizabeth Wagner and DeAnn Wilson

What: Earth Day, the 40th Anniversary.  A huge party for planet Earth and a great reason to visit us!

Where: Alameda Park, both sides of the park with a Green Car Show in between.  We will be near the Green Home Pavillion.  

When: Tomorrow and Sunday, april 17th and 18th from 11am-5pm both days.

Why: Because it will be fun, live music, great food, beer garden, composting lectures, movies, the Get Energized Pledge.   The weather promises to cooperate and you should ride your bike or walk on down and visit us!

Santa Barbara Real Estate through the end of March 2010

Each month a very generous and talented colleague, Gary Woods compiles all the Santa Barbara Multiple Listing and Cort sales data and provides many of us in the real estate industry with a synopsis of the current market.  Thank you Gary, as always your expertise and data is very appreciated!  

For Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, Carpinteria/Summerland and Goleta for the Home Estate/PUD market the number of sales rose to the high 60s in March from the mid 40s in February. The median sales price also came up and has risen every month from the first of the year when it was $762,000 in January, just below $800,000 in February and right about $890,000 in March. The average sales price continued to hover right around $1.25 million for both February and March falling from approximately $1.3 million in January. The sales price to original list price ratio also came up in March finishing in the high 80^th percentile which is a big jump from where we started the year at 75% in January and rising to the high 70^th percentile in February.

What really came up for the month was the numbers of opened escrows. Starting in January escrows were in the low 50s followed by February which saw pending properties rise to 65 and in March that number rose to over 100. The median list price of those opened escrows fell back slightly however dipping from just below $900,000 in February to right around $880,000 in March. What did not come up much was the inventory which rose by less than 5% from the previous month putting it in the mid 500 bracket. The median list price of those available properties did drop however coming down about $100,000 to approximately $1.7 million.

For the first 3 months of ’10 compared to the same period for ’09 the numbers of sales is up by about 20% rising to the mid 170s. But, the median sales price is down slightly falling from $822,500 last year to about $812,500 this year. Interestingly, the average sales price went up this year from $1,185,336 in ’09 to about $1.27 million this year. With the numbers of sales rising the numbers of escrows are also up about 20% and the median list price on those escrows is up from $859,000 last year to about $875,000 this year.

Looking at the Districts, starting out in Carpinteria/Summerland the numbers of sales are still more than triple what they were last year at this time rising from 6 in ’09 to 19 in ’10. The median sales price also came up from just below $600,000 last year to about $850,000 this year. In Montecito the amount of sales activity is the same for both years with 24 closed transactions but the median sales price has declined from $2.5 million last year to $2.1 million this year. The numbers of escrows are way up this year however rising from 24 in ’09 to 32 in ’10 with the median list price on those opened escrows falling from about $2.8 million last year to just under $2 million this year.

On the East Side of Santa Barbara sales have gone up from 33 in ’09 to 47 in ’10 but the median sales price fell from $970,000 last year to about $903,000 this year. For the West Side sales rose from 34 last year to 39 this year and the median sales price has come up for the area from $725,000 last year to $780,000 this year.

Hope Ranch has seen sales go from 2 last year to 5 this year and the median sales price has gone from $2.365 million in ’09 to about $3.5 million this year. Goleta South sales are down slightly from 18 to 16 this year and the median sales price has declined from $655,000 in ’09 to $606,000 in ’10. Goleta North sales are right where they were last year with 33 sales in both years with the median sales price also dropping from $707,500 last year to $682,500 this year.

With both sales and escrows rising about 20% for the year the median sales price is slightly behind where it was last year following a very slow start pricewise this year. The median sales price looks like it should start going up gradually however with more sales occurring in the $1 to $2 million and the $2 million and up range.

For the condo market after seeing declining numbers of sales for the past 5 months sales started to rise in March going from 18 in February to 26 in March but the median sales price declined for the month dropping from $457,500 in February to $417,500 in March. The numbers of condos going into escrow also rose in March coming up from 25 in February to 40 in March but the median list price on those condos going into escrow fell from just under $500,000 in February to about $420,000 in March.

Comparing the first quarter of ’09 to the same period in ’10 the numbers of sales is way up going from 36 last year to 65 this year for an 80% rise. But, the median sales price has declined from $483,750 last year to $420,000 this year for a 13% drop. The numbers of escrows is also way up with 91 this year compared to 62 in ’09 for a 47% rise while the median list price on those escrows is down by 11% falling from $489,000 last year to $434,900 this year.

Somewhat surprisingly, the condo inventory did not come up substantially for the month remaining in the low 140 range for Carpinteria to Goleta but the median list price of the inventory rose from just under $600,000 to about $630,000 during March.

Looking at the Districts we see that sales are still robust in Carpinteria/Summerland rising from 8 last year to 14 this year but the median sales price has fallen from $436,250 in ’09 to $386,850 in ’10. In Montecito there have been 5 condo sales this year with a median sales price of $1,075,000 compared to no sales last year.

On the East side of Santa Barbara sales are also way up rising from 8 last year to 16 this year but the median sales price has declined from $573,000 in ’09 to $417,500 in ’10. The West Side has also seen a rise in the numbers of sales coming up from 10 in ’09 to 17 in ’10 but the median sales price has declined from $522,500 to $443,000.

For Goleta South the numbers of sales is up 1 from last year rising from 6 in ’09 to 7 in ’10. But the median sales price for the area declined from $372,000 last year to $260,000 this year. Sales in Goleta North are also up rising from 5 in ’09 to 7 in ’10 with the median sales price remains essentially stable but falling slightly from $460,000 last year to $455,000 this year.

Sales are starting to rise for the condo market as we move into spring with about 1/3 of those sales in March coming in the $500,000 and up range. A big part of that rise is coming from Montecito where we have 5 sales this year compared to none last year but the sub $300,000 range is also well represented with the median sales price for Carpinteria/Summerland and Goleta South still falling.

Sales are up for both Home Estate/PUDs and Condos but the median sales price has declined for both property types. There’s some upward pressure for Home prices below $1 million and more activity in the higher priced condos should bring up the median sales price for that category. Increased inventory is still the key to maintaining momentum particularly in that $650,000 to $900,000 range for homes and the sub $500,000 range for condos.

Earth Day Opening Night Party; Canary Hotel April 14th 5-9pm

The last party we (Green Drinks, Loa Tree and Weekend Hippie) threw was sold out. 

Now our good friends at New Noise Santa Barbara are putting together our opening night shindig for Santa Barbara Earth Day. 

It is going to rock, we can already feel it. Are you coming? 

 

April Santa Barbara EcoBroker Newsletter

In This Issue:      Santa Barbara Real Estate Snapshot Industry News: Governor Signs Homebuyer Tax Credit Community: Canary Hotel Earth Day kick Off Party Community: Green Shorts Film Festival Community: Electronic Waste Collection Event April 23rd & 24th  Get Involved: Vote on Empower Today (deadline tomorrow) Get Involved: Plan SB Need Your Help Vocab Lesson: Cradle To Cradle Cool Websites of The Month: www.EcoBunga.com LATEST & GREATEST...     SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT:   March 16 - April 11, 2010 New listings: 216 Price Improvements: 146 Pending: 131 (break down:) Sub $1million: 92 $1-2M: 27 $2-4M: 8 $4-8M: 3 $8M+: 2 Closed: 87 Off Market:  96 Back On market: 43 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. IN THE NEWS: Governor Signs Home Buyer Tax Credit Bill   Governor Schwarzenegger today signed AB 183 providing $200 million for home buyer tax credits.  The bill allocates $100 million for qualified first-time home buyers who purchase existing homes and $100 million for purchasers of new, or previously unoccupied, homes. Eligible taxpayers who close escrow on qualified principal residences between May 1, 2010 and December, 31, 2010, or who close escrow on a qualified principal residence on and after December 31, 2010 and before August 1, 2011, pursuant to an enforceable contract executed on or before December 31, 2010, will be able to take the allowed tax credit. This credit is equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the purchase price or $10,000, taken in equal installments over three consecutive years. Under the bill, purchasers will be required to live in the home as their principal residence for at least two years or forfeit the credit (i.e. repay it to the state).  Buyers also must be at least 18 years old and be unrelated to the seller.  First-time buyers are defined as those who have not owned a home in the past three years. California has initiated its own homebuyer tax credit. The credit is for 5% of the purchase price, with a maximum credit of $10,000. That’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction against income tax payments that would otherwise be due.  Homebuyers must claim the tax credit in equal installments over three consecutive years, beginning with the year of purchase. Purchasers are required to live in the home as their primary residence for two years or forfeit the credit To be eligible, first-time homebuyers can purchase a new or existing home. Repeat or move-up homebuyers are eligible for the credit only if they buy a new home. Buyers of existing homes must close escrow between May 1 and December 31, 2010. The credit is available to buyers of new homes who sign purchase agreements between May 1 and December 31, and close escrow by August 1, 2011. Separate from the California tax credit is the federal tax credit. The federal homebuyer tax credit will expire soon. If your clients want to take advantage of this tax credit, they must act fast. The tax credit is available to buyers who sign purchase agreements on a new or existing primary residence home between December 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. Buyers have until June 30 to close the mortgage loan on their new home. Click HERE for a Federal and State Tax chart.   The above content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a tax advisor.   COMMUNITY:   Canary Hotel CEC Earth Day Opening Night Party   April 14th 5-9pm  The last party we (Green Drinks, Loa Tree and Weekend Hippie) threw was sold out. Now our good friends at New Noise Santa Barbara are putting together our opening night shindig for Santa Barbara Earth Day. It is going to rock, we can already feel it. Are you coming? Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door  www.NewNoiseSB.com  Green Shorts Film Festival  Join the Community Environmental Council, in partnership with Traffic Solutions and other tri-county organizations, for the screening & awards presentation of the second annual Green Shorts Film Festival on Friday, April 16 at 7:30 pm at the Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets for the event will be $7.00 at the door or in advance at the Lobero Theatre online. The Green Shorts Film Festival is an annual online film festival about saving our planet, helping our environment and being green. The 2010 contest theme is “Bringing it Home” (this year’s Santa Barbara Earth Day theme). This is the second annual Green Shorts Film Festival and is part of the Santa Barbara Earth Day 40, which will take place on April 17 and 18 at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, organized by the Community Environmental Council. To learn more about the Green Shorts Film Festival, visit www.GreenShortsFilmFest.org To learn more about the Santa Barbara Earth Day festival, visit www.sbearthday.org    Free Electronic Waste Collection Event:   The City of Santa Barbara is sponsoring an Electronic Waste Collection event in April in celebration of EARTH DAY! This event is free to residents and businesses alike. When: Friday April 23 & Saturday April 24 Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (note earlier start time!) Where: Sears parking lot, 3845 State St. (corner of Calle Real and La Cumbre), Santa Barbara What will be accepted:  All business and consumer electronic devices ….TVs, Computer Monitors, Computers (CPUs), laptops, keyboards, mice, cables & cords, printers, fax & copy machines, hard drives*, stereos, DVD & VCR players**, telephones, cell phones, radios, microwaves and more! * Hard Drives will be completely destroyed and recycled according to FACTA standards. ** Sorry - but we CAN NOT accept DVDs, CDs, tape cassettes, batteries (of any kind), fluorescent bulbs, toner cartridges, or large appliances. We hope to see you there, and please spread the word to your friends, family and neighbors! For questions or more information, please call the Environmental Services Division at (805) 564-5631.   GET INVOLVED: Energy Financing Program For Home Owners: "Empower"   Join us in asking the Board of Supervisors to approve an energy financing program for property owners -- EMAIL NOW! The County Board of Supervisors is set to give its final approval to an innovative financing program at its Tuesday, April 13 hearing in Santa Maria.  If approved, emPowerSBC - an Elective Municipal Program to Optimize Water, Energy and Renewables - is expected to create up to a thousand jobs and substantial utility bill savings through energy and water efficiency retrofits and renewable energy installations at homes and businesses in Santa Barbara County. SEND AN EMAIL TO THE SUPERVISORS IN SUPPORT OF EMPOWER     Plan Santa Barbara Needs Your Input A Draft Program Environmental Impact Report has been prepared to evaluate the potential environmental effects of the proposed Plan Santa Barbara General Plan policy amendments and future growth in the City to the year 2030 and beyond. You are invited and encouraged to provide written comments on the draft EIR document and to attend upcoming public hearings described below. Note that Public comments on the draft General Plan documents and draft EIR are requested no later than May 17, 2010, 4:30 p.m. More details here.    VOCABULARY LESSON:   Cradle to Cradle: A style of manufacturing that attempts to provide for recycling of all components, from their first use in one product to their reuse in another product.   COOL WEBSITE OF THE MONTH: www.EcoBunga.com Your guide to green giveaways and deals!   GREEN TEAM WEBSITE: We are proud to be your Santa Barbara Green Team and ready to help you with all of your real estate needs. www.SBGreenTeam.com   Join us for our 3 year Anniversary where it all began...Arnoldi's Tuesday April 20th 6-8pm 600 Olive Street   See you there...   Earth Day Booth: Come visit us at the Green Drinks/Village Properties Booth. April 17 & 18th. We are booth #225 near the Green Home Pavilion.   We are hosting an "informal" Green Drinks throughout the 2 day Earth Day Festival, come by for some refreshments and networking. FOR SALE: Laurel Springs Ranch 2720 Painted Cave Road Santa Barbara, CA 93117   Reduced recently to $10,900,000  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 & more.  www.2720PaintedCaveRoad.com Retreat Center Website: www.LaurelSpringsRetreat.net   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 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.   www.SBGreenTeam.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

This email was sent to [email]. To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list. manage your preferences | opt out using TrueRemovetm Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails. powered by

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 4/5 - 4/11

New Listings: 69
Price Improvements: 43
Pending: 35 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 22
     $1-2 million: 10
     $2-4 million: 2
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+: 0
Closed: 22
Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 16
Back On Market: 16

Data From Santa Barbara MLS and excludes mobile homes.

California Passes Large Tax Credit for Homebuyers

California has initiated its own homebuyer tax credit. The credit is for 5% of the purchase price, with a maximum credit of $10,000. That’s a dollar-for-dollar reduction against income tax payments that would otherwise be due. 

Homebuyers must claim the tax credit in equal installments over three consecutive years, beginning with the year of purchase. Purchasers are required to live in the home as their primary residence for two years or forfeit the credit

To be eligible, first-time homebuyers can purchase a new or existing home. Repeat or move-up homebuyers are eligible for the credit only if they buy a new home.

Buyers of existing homes must close escrow between May 1 and December 31, 2010. The credit is available to buyers of new homes who sign purchase agreements between May 1 and December 31, and close escrow by August 1, 2011.

Separate from the California tax credit is the federal tax credit. The federal homebuyer tax credit will expire soon. If your clients want to take advantage of this tax credit, they must act fast. The tax credit is available to buyers who sign purchase agreements on a new or existing primary residence home between December 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. Buyers have until June 30 to close the mortgage loan on their new home.

If you have any questions about how the California or federal tax credit may benefit your clients, please call me today.

The above content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a tax advisor.

Count Down To Earth Day...

In case you are wondering where I will be on April 17th and 18th, the answer is at Earth Day in Booth #225 with my green business partner DeAnn Wilson.

Saturday April 17th from 11am-7pm and Sunday April 18th from 11am-5pm

Here we are last year!

And the year before...

We Need Your Help To Approve An Energy Financing Program For Property Owners

We need your help
Join CEC in asking the Board of Supervisors to approve an energy financing program for property owners -- EMAIL NOW!

The County Board of Supervisors is set to give its final approval to an innovative financing program at its Tuesday, April 13 hearing in Santa Maria. 

If approved, emPowerSBC - an Elective Municipal Program to Optimize Water, Energy and Renewables - is expected to create up to a thousand jobs and substantial utility bill savings through energy and water efficiency retrofits and renewable energy installations at homes and businesses in Santa Barbara County.

SEND AN EMAIL TO THE SUPERVISORS IN SUPPORT OF EMPOWER

Community Environmental Council's Culinary Masterpieces Locavore's Extravaganza!

 

See you there tomorrow, this is an event not to be missed and a great Earth Day kick off! 

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 3/29 - 4/4

New Listings: 48

Price Improvements: 30
Pending:  41 breaks down to:
     under $1 million: 25
     $1-2 million: 11
     $2-4 million: 2
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+: 2
Closed: 26
Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 46
Back On Market: 12

Data From Santa Barbara MLS and excludes mobile homes.

Green Shorts Film Festival Screening and Awards Event Friday, April 16, 2010 7:30 PM - 09:00 PM

Lobero Theatre 33 E. Canon Perdido Santa Barbara, CA 93101 View Map Join the Community Environmental Council, in partnership with Traffic Solutions and other tri-county organizations, for the screening & awards presentation of the second annual Green Shorts Film Festival on Friday, April 16 at 7:30 pm at the Lobero Theatre in downtown Santa Barbara. Tickets for the event will be $7.00 at the door or in advance at the Lobero Theatre online. (Tickets are subject to $1.50 per ticket Lobero Facility Fee; other fees may also apply.) The Green Shorts Film Festival is an annual online film festival about saving our planet, helping our environment and being green. The 2010 contest theme is “Bringing it Home” (this year’s Santa Barbara Earth Day theme). Awards will be presented immediately following the screening -- top rated videos will win great prizes, including a MacBook computer, gift certificates to Samy's Camera and more. This is the second annual Green Shorts Film Festival and is part of the Santa Barbara Earth Day 40, which will take place on April 17 and 18 at Alameda Park in Santa Barbara, organized by the Community Environmental Council. To purchase tickets in advance, visit the Lobero Theatre online . To learn more about the Green Shorts Film Festival, visit www.GreenShortsFilmFest.org. To learn more about the Santa Barbara Earth Day festival, visit www.sbearthday.org.

The Community Environmental Council Brand Story (aka What Our Mission Is)

Imagine our nation: free from its addiction to fossil fuels and on its way to stabilizing the Earth’s climate. Our homes run on energy from the sun, wind and waves, not dirty coal and dwindling supplies of foreign oil. We are free from worry about the planet our children will inherit, free to build a strong and sustainable economy. All of this is possible. It can happen in a single generation. And we are getting it started right here, in the Santa Barbara region, with our commitment to being Fossil Free by ’33.

Can our small community really play a part in shaping our planet’s future? We already have. Santa Barbara’s response to a 1969 oil spill sparked the first Earth Day and launched the Community Environmental Council. Led by CEC, our community inspired the nation by building one of America’s first recycling programs. We then helped to pioneer now-mainstream movements like local organic gardening, smart growth for cities and green building, even establishing the nation’s highest standards for energy efficiency. Some say America’s environmental past is firmly rooted in Santa Barbara. We say its future is about to be born here.

Overcoming our dependence on fossil fuel is the biggest challenge our community has ever faced and Fossil Free by ’33 is our equally ambitious response. Citizens, business leaders and policymakers of the Santa Barbara region have declared freedom from fossil fuels in one generation. Endowed richly with sun, wind and waves, brimming with human and financial resources, our community can save literally billions of dollars while creating thousands of jobs as we make this heroic change. And CEC has a down-to-Earth, step-by-step blueprint for how Santa Barbara can lead the way to this sustainable future.

This is your invitation to join a community effort that leaves behind “us vs. them”: it is about all of us, working together. Our strategy calls on everyone to pitch in: neighbors will share ideas for making their homes more energy efficient, companies will allow employees to telecommute, leaders will invest in clean energy infrastructure and all of us will advocate for statewide policy change. Best of all, the plan is realistic because it meets the needs of our region’s diverse families, workers, businesses and future generations.

We’re transforming how we travel, rethinking how we make and use energy, and renovating our homes and offices. We’re declaring our freedom from fossil fuels so that we can be free to build the future we want in a single generation.