Monthly Statistics Five Green Home Improvement Myths Solarize Santa Barbara Update ReThink The Drink Free EWaste Collection at Harding School
Green Drinks tonight @ Arch Rock Fish with Krista Harris of Edible Santa Barbara
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT: May 16 - June 19 Price Improvements: 225 Pending: 163 breaks down to: Under $600k: 58 $600-800k: 34 $800k-1 million: 17 $1-2 million: 38 $2-4 million: 11 $4-8 million: 2 $8 million+: 0 Closed: 118 breaks down to: Under $600k: 41 $600-800k: 20 $800k-1 million: 15 $1-2 million: 25 $2-4 million: 13 $4-8 million: 4 $8 million+: 0 Off Market:(expired,canceled,withdrawn): 108
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.
5 Green Home Improvement Myths With green construction and energy-efficient rehabs all the rage among homeowners these days, there is a huge amount of information floating around regarding the latest energy-saving techniques and eco-friendly building materials. Unfortunately, however, not all of that information is right. With the help of This Old House and Green Building Advisor, we’ve dug up some popular myths about green building to help you make the right decisions about greening your home, debunking five common myths so you can get it right the first time. 1. Renewable energy generation is the only way to cut down on energy expenses While solar, wind, and geothermal energy generators are a great way to produce your own electricity and go “off the grid,” those technologies still carry very high installation costs. There are several much easier—and cheaper—ways to reduce your energy consumption, like turning off the heating/cooling at night or when you are way, or adding new, more efficient insulation. Plugging in holes around windows, doors, and the base of the house is another relatively painless way to drastically improve the energy efficiency of your home. 2. All lawns are water hogs Our love affair with front- and backyard lawns is perhaps a little extreme, and having a lawn in the arid southern states is definitely not a good idea. But grassy yards are not necessarily bad for the environment. Some native grasses, like buffalo grass, thrive in various North American climates. Buffalo grass, for instance, is naturally resistant to disease and pests, eliminating the need for destructive chemicals. Buffalo grass does tend to need a lot of sun, however, so is best suited to areas out of the shade. 3. Bamboo is necessarily better than wood Bamboo is what is known as a rapidly replenishing resource, meaning it doesn’t take long for a new stock to be re-grown once an existing thicket is harvested. The problem is the harvesting and distribution process for bamboo can potentially be equally as environmentally hazardous as traditional wood. Because it is only grown in certain climates (notably China), bamboo is carbon-intensive to transport, and growers are often not held to the same strict environmental standards as they are in the West. Additionally, some of the finishes and binding products used to treat the bamboo can be toxic. The Forest Stewardship Council offers some resources on its website that can help you find out if your bamboo is responsibly harvested and safe. 4. Buying a new toilet is the only way to really save water If your toilet was purchased after 1994, you’re already saving 1.9 gallons every time you flush! That was the year the federal government mandated that all new toilets use less than 1.6 gallons per flush. The most affordable energy-efficient toilets on today’s market are ones that feature dual-flush technology. But you don’t need to rush out and buy a new toilet: for $100, you can buy a small converter from Brondell to turn your toilet into a dual-flusher. And for next to nothing, you can put a PET bottle full of sand in your toilet’s tank to save about 1.3 gallons per flush. 5. Walls have to breathe Some people think walls must be semi-permeable to allow fresh air to be exchanged with stale indoor air. But in fact, the more air-tight a home’s walls, the less energy is leaked out, and the more you save on heating and cooling costs. The best way to get fresh air into the home is to open windows (providing you’re climate is temperate enough, of course) or to use mechanical ventilation systems. Also, air-tight walls are likely to be water- and vapor-proof as well, saving your insulation and indoor spaces from water leakage and mildew. For a super-energy-efficient house, refer back to our first suggestion about caulking or spray-foaming the cracks and edges of your home.
Update on Solarize Santa Barbara: Since its launch on May 1st Solarize Santa Barbara has assisted 118 homeowner's in receiving bids to go solar. 15 have already signed contracts. 3 people have already had their system installed. In case you missed last month's newsletter, CEC’s Solarize Santa Barbara is a new group-purchasing discount program for homeowners who want to go solar – kind of like a “Groupon” for solar panels. CEC does all the up-front work and makes it easy for you to go solar. When you participate in Solarize Santa Barbara, CEC will connect you with a pre-approved solar contractor who will give you a great value for a great solar power system. This program goes until July 31, 2011 so sign up today! For more information: www.cecsb.org/solarize-santa-barbara As a part of an overall vision to lead the community away from energy-intensive products, the Community Environmental Council launched its "Rethink the Drink" campaign in January, aiming to reduce single use plastic bottles by 75% in several pilot schools. With funding from local partners, we installed 6 refill stations: Water stations have been installed at: - Franklin Elementary
- Montecito Union Elementary
- Santa Barbara High (2 units)
- Santa Barbara Junior High
- Westmont College gym
The refill stations dispense cold, filtered water with both a regular water fountain spout and a quick-fill mechanism, and electronically display the number of times they've been used. Since the beginning of the year, students have used the stations 46,827 times as of June 6 – dramatically reducing their use of disposable plastic water bottles. To encourage the students to use the refill stations, CEC and its project funders distributed reusable stainless steel canteens to all 600 students and staff at Franklin Elementary and displayed a Rethink the Drink poster adjacent to each refill station. At Santa Barbara High, 200 canteens were distributed with the help of the Dons Net Café student entrepreneur class, and Santa Barbara Junior High raffled over 50 canteens to students. Using its own funding, the Montecito Union School PTA's Green Team distributes canteens at the beginning of the year to every student and staff member. For more information: www.cecsb.org/item/rethink-the-drink-report Harding School wants your EWASTE! On July 13 from 4:00-7:00 PM, we are hosting an E-waste fundraiser to raise money for Harding students and is sponsored by the Harding School Foundation. We accept:
Cables Cell phones CD players
DVD players Hard Drives Laptops Monitors Servers
Visit the Westside Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market
while you are here located on the
Harding University Partnership School campus!
Green Drinks @ Arch Rock Fish
Tuesday, June 21st 6pm
Always takes place on the third Tuesday of each month...tonight! Edible Santa Barbara publisher Krista Harris will join us at 7pm to share the ins and outs of how the Edible brand works, publishing a magazine in a digital age and the state of food in Santa Barbara.
All are welcome. Bring a friend. Ride a bike. Enjoy each other.
www.greendrinks.org/CA/Santa Barbara
Cool Website of the Month: The EDR GreenScreener
There is a lot to be said for having the peace of mind that comes with knowing a property is free from potential environmental hazards. A check for such hazards helps to protect your family’s health, as well as your investment. The EDR GreenScreener detects five types of environmental concerns that may exist on or around a property. Records of prior environmental contamination are searched within 1/3 of a mile from the property, except for leaking storage tanks, which are searched to within five hundred feet.
|  |  FOR SALE: 1419 Wyant Road Montecito, CA 93108 Listed at $5,500,000 Ideally situated on a private knoll between the upper and lower villages of Montecito, this unique, warm and inviting gated estate boasts 1.3 acres and offers sweeping mountain views. Completed in 2004, with incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship, this property features an exceptionally functional indoor / outdoor floor plan with contemporary styling throughout all of the living spaces, including the four spacious bedrooms all complete with custom closet systems, a home office and a state of the art media room. Green Features • Strawbales with earthen plaster scratch coats inside and out and finished of lime (interior) and gypsum (interior).
• All Non-toxic products.
• Blue jean insulation in ceilings and between all rooms.
• Solar PV panels
• Solar hot water system for domestic and radiant floor heating uses.
• Required every sub-contractor to provide the Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), for any proposed material in the house.
• Radiant Floor Heating throughout the entire house. Concrete floors level 1 and repurposed wood on level 2.
• Rain water catchment system that flows into three 1,700 gallon tanks underground, for landscape use.
• Gray water system not in use but installed. Able to bypass.
• Low Voltage lighting throughout.
• Full home automation system to reduce energy usage.
• All wiring run to avoid exposure to EMFs.
• High content flyash concrete floors
• Repurposed Jarrah wood used for floors, windows and doors.
• Repurposed antiques for all bath vanities.
• Feng Shui design
• Edible and native landscaping Please contact Elizabeth or DeAnn for more information and to schedule a showing.
FOR SALE: 10 San Marcos Trout Club Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Price Adjusted $829,000 Relax and enjoy the views in the San Marcos Trout Club. This 2/2.5ba 2 story cedar log home was built in 1992. This property boasts high ceilings, lots of wood, granite countertops, a masonry fireplace and custom cabinets. The decks and Jacuzzi have sweeping ocean and city views. The Trout Club offers acres of community space and access to a creek that flows year round. All of this and only 10 minutes from downtown Santa Barbara.
BACK ON THE MARKET:
Laurel Springs Ranch
2720 Painted Cave Road Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Price Adjusted Again to $8,000,000
160 acre, 5 parcels Turn key property, 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.
 2620 Dorking Place Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Sold for $719,000 Peaceful and quiet describes the setting surrounding this Mission Canyon Heights home with ocean, island and Seminary Views. Located on a small horseshoe street this four or five bedroom three bathroom home has plenty of space.
Hardwood floors, a freestanding fireplace in the living room, open beam ceilings and an upstairs two bedroom or spacious master suite with its own private entrance and deck and views of La Cumbre Peak add options to this home.
Decks and patios for entertaining on multiple levels and a large lawn area for playing make this property an amazing find in the Roosevelt Elementary School attendance area.
 SOLD: 2345 Skyline Way Santa Barbara, CA 93109 Sold for $849,000
Not on the market, ocean view Mesa home. Comprised of three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and a spacious living room, dining room and office, this gem is ready for its new owners!
The kitchen and dining room blend seamlessly to the large deck which looks out over expansive ocean and island views. The house is situated next to a hill which makes the setting very private and rests on approximately 1/3 of an acre. The house has been updated, is beautifully landscaped has a two car garage with storage space. The location is ideal, just up the street from Monroe Elementary, a short jaunt to Elings Park and the Wilcox Property and all that the Mesa Shopping Center has to offer. This was a great find and a great price!
 FOR RENT: Eco-Friendly Mediterranean Urban Oasis 3+1 (tower) bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms 3,000 sq ft specially designed new custom home.Stone and bamboo floors with radiant heat. A Beautiful fireplace in the high ceiling living room, a small fireplace in the master bedroom. Formal dining area with 13 foot ceiling. Gourmet kitchen with 2 subzero refrigerators. Wolf 6 burner + griddle Fisher and Paykel Dishwasher Miele washer + dryer Mountain views with peaks of ocean too! Roof top deck with beautiful sunset views. Solar PV system. Only non-toxic cleaners used No-VOC paint and cotton insulation.Off street parking + optional garage. Antique gates, windows and lamps installed in the house. Furnished with organic mattresses & linens and unique antiques from around the world. Unfurnished is possible.
$ 7,500 a month 6mo. or longer term lease preferred. Available Now. No pets or smoking. Monte Vista/Hope School District. 805-451-7488 Please contact DeAnn for a private showing. |
