Thursday, September 29, 2011

The Community Environmental Council's Green Gala is coming up!

Green Gala

October 21, 2011, 6:00pm-midnight
The Armory (700 East Canon Perdido)

Please join us for CEC’s 2011 Green Gala Gypsy Caravan. For the third year in a row, we are pleased to partner with Merryl Brown Events for a wonderful evening. Merryl and her team are creating an unforgettable Gypsy Village, an explosion of color, movement and music. This fabulous party is not only going to be incredibly beautiful but earns its ‘eco-chic’ title by focusing on repurposed, borrowed and recycled elements throughout.

We are proud to feature a delicious dinner prepared just for us by the famous Full of Life Flatbread, featuring local and organic ingredients. At the bar, enjoy organic wines and decadent specialty drinks. A locally-made dessert bar will delight the taste buds, complemented by fair trade and organic coffee and teas from Santa Barbara’s own Green Star Coffee.

The CEC’s annual Green Gala is a transformative evening, allowing us to tell our story to a group of committed and influential community members and visionary friends. We hope you’ll join us!
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2011 Green Gala – Download our sponsorship letter (pdf)
Want to be notified about 2011 Green Gala news and all that's going on at CEC? Sign up for email alerts.

Green Gala is a truly green event

The 2009 and 2010 Green Galas both achieved waste diversion levels of 97%. Most of the total waste generated by the events was recycled or composted. 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 3% of trash resulted in large part out of the necessity to package delivered food.
CEC’s Green Gala is produced by the talented team at Merryl Brown Events, winner of the 2010 International Special Events Society (ISES) Esprit Awards for “Best Green Solution” for CEC's 2010 Green Gala - her second year in a row to be nominated for this prestigious award. She also won the BizBash West award for Social Planner of the Year!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 9/19 - 9/25

New Listings: 36

Price Improvements: 52

Pending: 31 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 14
     $600-800k: 8
     $800k-1 million: 2
     $1-2 million: 5
     $2-4 million: 0
     $4-8 million: 2
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 28 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 16
     $600-800k: 5
     $800k-1 million: 1
     $1-2 million: 5
     $2-4 million: 0
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 12

Back On Market: 10

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Santa Barbara Real Estate through the end of August 2011

Each month a very generous 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!

The decline in the median sales price came from the dramatic rise in sales priced below $1 million going from 59 to 67 and the even more dramatic drop in sales from $1 to $2 million which went from 29 to 17. Sales above $2 million remained at about the same level going from 10 in July to 12 in August with 2 of those sales over $2 million down from 3 in July.

            The numbers of escrows also rose in August going to 111 for the month up from 95 in July and 104 in June. The median list price on those escrows went up from July when it was $749,000 to $799,000 in August but the sales price to original list price ratio on those properties that closed escrow continued to hover right around 87%.
            The inventory continued to be around 550 to 570 available properties for the month with the median list price on those available properties remaining around a $1.45 million median list price and a $2.9 million average list price.
            The average days on the market for the homes that did sell went up to the mid 90s after being in the mid to high 70’s for the previous two months.
             Looking at the Districts, Carpinteria/Summerland sales are up 16% from 49 to 57 and the median sales price is up from $675,000 to $710,000. The numbers of escrows are also way up going from 44 to 64 with the median list price on those escrows rising from $659,000 last year to $700,000 this year.
             For Montecito, sales are up by 21% going from 95 to 115 with the median sales price dropping from $2.41 million to $2.16 million. Escrows are up 31% going from 103 to 135 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $2.69 million to $2.32 million.
             East of State St sales are down 3% going from 164 to 158 and the median sales price is down from $950,000 to $915,000. The escrows are up by 6% however going from 176 to 188 with the median list price on those escrows dropping from $995,000 last year to $949,000 this year.
             West of State St sales are up 8% from 126 to 142 but the median sales price is down from $800,000 to $682,000. The numbers of escrows are also up with 145 in ’10 to 158 in ‘11 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $824,000 last year to $699,900 this year.
             Hope Ranch sales are up from 12 to 19 but the median sales price is down from $2.412 million to $1.972 million. The numbers of escrows are also up from 13 to 22 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $2.295 million to $1.995 million.
             Goleta South sales are down 28% from 69 to 49 and the median sales price is down from $670,000 to $590,000. The numbers of escrows are also down from 69 to 67 with the median list price on those escrows declining from $729,000 to $594,450.
             Goleta North sales are also down from 114 to 110 with the median sales price dropping from $715,000 to $659,500. The numbers of escrows are up however from 121 to 129 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $729,000 to $668,000.
            With about 100 more escrows opened through August ’11 than occurred through August ’10 the Home Estate market in Santa Barbara looks healthy. But, the majority of those sales are occurring below the $1 million mark with the burst of activity that occurred from $1 to $2 in July appearing to be only an aberration.

For the Home Estate/PUD market of Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, Carpinteria, Summerland and Goleta August 2011 marked the third month in a row in which the numbers of sales increased. Sales rose from 90 in June to 95 in July to 96 in August. But, unlike the numbers of sales the median sales price declined for those same 3 months dropping from $862,500 in June to $815,000 in July down to $734,500 in August.

For the condo market August marked the 5^th month in a row that we saw an increase in the numbers of sales from the previous month. The median sales price fell back however, dropping from $551,400 in July to a still healthy $436,449 in August. After posting sub $400,000 median sales prices for condos for most of the rest of 2011 anything in that $430,000 range is very welcome and should spur condo sellers who have been sitting on the sidelines watching their investments decline into thinking about listing their properties.
            The Days on the Market for sold properties slid down into the mid 60s after being above 91 in July and almost 100 in June. While the Sales Price to Original List Price Ratio remained around 90% for July and August and up from 85% in June.
             The numbers of escrows continued to grow in August with 43 for the month down a little from 46 in July but up from 35 in June. The median list price on those escrows slid down however below $400,000 for the month falling from $457,000 in July and $465,000 in June.
             The numbers of sales when compared to 2010 continues to lag but the numbers of escrows in 2011 has surpassed those posted in the previous year. Last year through August the median sales price for condos was $435,000 and this year it has been $420,000 but it seems to be continuing to rise.

Looking at the Districts, Carpinteria/Summerland sales are down from 42 to 40 with the median sales price falling from $385,750 to $359,450. The numbers of escrows are also down falling from 45 to 44 and the median list price on those escrows is down from $409,900 to $369,000.

Montecito condo sales are up from 14 to 16 with the median sales price up from $1,022,500 to $1,100,000 and the numbers of escrows are up from 13 to 16 with the median list price on those escrows up from $1,050,000 to $1,247,000.

East of State St sales are down 32% from 49 to 33 with the median sales price rising from $471,000 to $517,500 and the numbers of escrows are down going from 47 to 53 with the median list price on those escrows dropping from $519,950 last year to $517,000 this year.

West of State St sales are down 25% from 54 to 40 with the median sales price falling from $495,000 to $432,000. The escrows are also down from 59 to 55 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $507,000 to $429,000.

Goleta South sales are up by 20% from 30 to 36 with the median sales price up just a little from $357,500 to $365,000. The numbers of escrows are up 34% from 32 to 43 with the median list price on those escrows down from $365,950 to $350,000.

Goleta North sales are down 17% from 28 to 23 with the median sales price down from $408,500 to $350,000. The escrows are also down from 35 to 28 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $416,500 to $349,500.
I continue to be encouraged by the numbers of property sales in the Santa Barbara area particularly with Single Family Dwellings and now more and more with Condos. With the numbers of escrows continuing strong the last 4 months of 2011 should be good for both homes and condos. But, while the median sales price on condos is starting to move up the median sales price on homes continues to slide. With 38 of the 96 sales occurring between $500,000 and $800,000 in August and with 11 more sales below $500,000 there’s a lot more activity farther down in the market. And when you combine that fact with activity between $1 and $2 million sputtering the median sales price should continue to push down. Hopefully the higher dollar properties on the market will start to re-assert themselves and we will have a more robust Santa Barbara Real Estate market from top to bottom.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

September Santa Barbara Green Team's Last Newsletter

House Prices: Another Look

DataQuick provides monthly data on foreclosures as well as re-sales of single family homes, condos, and new homes. This data is maintained by the UCSB Economic Forecast Project and is available for Santa Barbara since January 1989 for the median price of the resale of single family homes, as well as their number or count. A chart showing these numbers follows. The shaded areas in this plot are the recessions, with the timing determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The DataQuick median price data does not address the composition problem that the Case-Shiller index does by tracking the sale price of the same home, and hence adjusting for quality. However, the Case-Shiller price indices are not available for smaller cities such as Santa Barbara. An advantage of the DataQuick median price is that it is available for single family homes and for condos and hence provides detail.

Statistical analysis of the median price data for single family homes shows that the Great Recession continues to have an impact, depressing the median price by about $148,000. Each foreclosure has an impact with a lag of about five months, depressing the median price by about $5900 per foreclosure. Each sale or count has an impact with a lag of ten months, increasing the median price by about $677 per sale. This may be revealing the supply curve and the construction cost per square foot. There is also some evidence of a two year cycle in median home prices. More charts and article

Posted by hs on 8/15/11

Categorized as Real estate,Santa Barbara County

COMMUNITY:

"REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR"

The Sustainability Project is offering a public preview of the box-office film "Revenge of the Electric Car," the story of the global resurgence of electric cars, on Wednesday, October 5 at 7:00 pm, in the Marjorie Luke Theatre at Santa Barbara Junior High. The major event sponsors are the Community Environmental Council and Livingreen. Event proceeds to benefit the Sustainability Project

This new film by Chris Paine, director ...of "Who Killed the Electric Car," goes behind closed doors at Nissan, GM, and Tesla to get the story of the global competition to produce the best new models and dominate the growing market for electric vehicles. Esquire magazine says, "(Revenge) is distinguished by its unguarded access to GM's Bob Lutz, Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, and Tesla's Elon Musk – three colorful super-villains who might save the planet." View the movie trailer at: www.revengeoftheelectriccar.com

Prior to the showing, at 5:30 pm the Community Environmental Council will host a free electric car show, featuring the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Roadster, and electric bikes and motorcycles. The Mobile Café will be on site selling nutritious food, and local businesses and organizations will provide informational displays in the theatre lobby.

Following the film, at about 8:30 pm, a panel of local electric vehicle (EV) experts and owners will join director Paine for a discussion about the benefits and difficulties of EV ownership and the future of the EV industry. "So many people are doing innovative things," Paine said. "We're reporting on big car companies, independent startups, and converters, and we're tying EV's into renewable energy."

For admission to the film and panel discussion, the suggested donation is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Admission to the car show and information booths is free. To purchase tickets visit:

www.sustainabilityproject.org

GET INVOLVED:

Green Drinks

Always takes place on the third Tuesday of each month.

Tonight @ the Lobero Theatre Courtyard

Toast the greener Lobero with LoaTree and friends for September’s Green Drinks benefit for the Sustainable, Organic, Local (SOL) Food Festival

The cost is $10 and includes a complimentary glass of wine from Martian Vineyard, and hors d’oeuvres featuring local farm products.

All are welcome. Bring a friend.

Ride a bike. Enjoy each other.

www.greendrinks.org/CA/Santa Barbara

VOCABULARY LESSON:

Tar Sands

^[4]

Bituminous sands, colloquially known as oil sands or tar sands, are a type of unconventional petroleum deposit. The sands contain naturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water, and a dense and extremely viscous form of petroleum technically referred to as bitumen (or colloquially "tar" due to its similar appearance, odour, and colour). Oil sands are found in large amounts in many countries throughout the world, but are found in extremely large quantities in Canada and Venezuela.^[1]

With improved fuel economy standards, potential fuel-efficient technologies, advanced biofuels and electric vehicles and the effect these would have on crude oil consumption, there is simply no reason to dig up the Tar Sands. When fuel cell technology becomes refined, fuel cell cars will replace electric cars and hybrids. As transportation becomes less oil centric and more electric centric, renewable sources of electricity from solar, wind, hydro, geothermal will replace barrels of oil, there will still be no reason to dig up the Tar Sands.

Cool Website of the Month:

www.thegreenhorns.net

an inspiring group of people that exist to recruit, support and connect young farmers all across America. They have produced an incredible documentary featuring urban, suburban and rural farmers from a myriad of backgrounds.

Whether you grow more yourself or spend more food dollars locally, know that you, too, can support or become a Greenhorn with a green thumb.

FOR SALE:

10 San Marcos Trout Club
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
Listed at $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.

Call Elizabeth for a private showing.

IN ESCROW

30 South Salinas D

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Listed For $475,000

This free standing house, located at the front of a 4 unit complex was built around 1920 and has been very well-maintained and updated. The kitchen was remodeled and has a commercial-style stainless steel stove and vent, silestone counter tops and a separate laundry area. There is an entryway, a nice size living room, separate dining room, three bedrooms and two baths. Most of the house has hardwood floors which were refinished this past year and the interior was recently re-painted. There is a working gas fireplace in the living room as well as high ceilings in living room and dining room.

The master bedroom is fairly large and has its own bathroom and french doors out to a deck. The second bedroom is big enough to be comfortable with a queen bed, night stands, and dresser. The third bedroom is long and narrow, most likely best suited as either an office or a child's bedroom.

Abundant natural light flows into the home and there is a beautiful redwood deck leading to a stone patio with a waterfall. The yard/garden wrap around the house and are planted with native plants that bring color and privacy to the yard. The flow of the home and yard blend indoor-outdoor living and gatherings among friends are easy and well laid out in front of the outdoor fire pit and water feature. The house is wired for flat screen TV with full surround sound as well as for outdoor speakers in the garden.

There are ocean views from the deck and the third bedroom, and a little bit from the bedroom. The ocean view is high enough that you can see the ocean through and over the other houses The location is very convenient with Trader Joe's which is three blocks away, Tri-County Produce is just a little further. A bank and other shopping is just a few blocks away and the beach is a ten minute walk.

IN ESCROW

East Beach Collection

Listed at $649,900

3br/3.5ba 2 car gar, 3 story, 2,210 sq ft corner unit with mountain views

These are work force housing units (must work in South SB County) and market rate LEED certified housing and are a SUPER BUY for new construction just a few blocks to East Beach.

Call us if you are interested in seeing any of the other units!

Earth-Friendly Elements

Solar energy is generated on each unit and used onsite.
Energy Star rated Hybrid Electric Water Heater features Heat Pump Technology.
Low-flow faucets and shower heads reduce water bill costs.
Energy Star rated high-efficiency dishwasher.
Low-Emission dual glazed windows offer insulation against cold and heat.
Caesar Stone kitchen countertops.

SOLD:

616 Mulberry Avenue

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Sold for $550,000

This little gem is an absolutely lovely home on the Westside that is nestled on a quiet street reminiscent of a country lane. From the rear of the property is a gate and outside a dirt lined alley which could be mistaken for a scene out of the North Shore of Hawaii and all on the hip Westside of Santa Barbara.

The charming main house has two bedrooms and one bath, living room, dining area and a lovely skylight that lets plenty of sunshine in to the home. The detached guest house is one room and one full bathroom perfect for an office or artist studio. The spacious back deck serves as an extended living room and the french doors remain open almost all the time to allow for indoor/outdoor living in our moderate climate.

With clean lines, calming, modern colors and sleek finishes, this home has been completely renovated. There are newer South American Koa hardwood floors, a kitchen with contemporary white doors and soft close cupboards, light and bright bathrooms, update electrical and newer plumbing. Looking at photos from "before" it is hard to believe that this is the same property as it truly shines now!

The back yard is filled with native plants, fruit trees, sandstone pavers and on the back of the garage are a set of Australian clothes drying racks, which were a sure deal closer for my eco-conscious Buyers! We snatched this one up on its first day on the market and I am told that there are plenty of very disappointed other Buyers out there that missed out on this fantastic deal and opportunity!

FINALLY SOLD!

328 Loma Vista

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

This home is located on a one block long street that many locals don't even know about! Between Sola, Laguna, Victoria and Garden streets and in the Historical District of Santa Barbara is a shingle sided Craftsman style Bungalow House. The location could not get any better for downtown living as it is very close to Alameda Park which has the popular Kids World playground and the peaceful Alice Keck Park as well as a hop skip and jump to all of the downtown amenities.

While the offer for this property was submitted more than one year ago, my patient Buyers waited for this short sale. Although I warned them of the "wild, wild West" of short sales, this one took a little longer than expected and we waited for 365 days (exactly to the day) for short sale approval and then closed 30 days after that!

Usually I hope that my Buyers will miss my daily calls to update them, but in this case I think they will enjoy a much needed break from real estate. I promise that they are not all like this! No, really they aren't all like this...trust me;)

Interested in making some Extra Money from your home while you are away?

Consider renting out your home as a short term vacation rental or as a long term rental.

There is strong demand for renters from all over the world wanting to come enjoy our oceanside paradise.

DeAnn has successfully helped several clients and she can help you too.

Here are a few current rentals DeAnn manages:

www.LaCasaSanMiguel.com

www.BestViewRentalSB.com

www.CasaDeLaLuz.com

www.SBPueblo.com

Email DeAnn for more information: DeAnn@GreenHomesSB.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

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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 9/12 - 9/18

New Listings: 34

Price Improvements: 42

Pending: 21 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 13
     $600-800k: 3
     $800k-1 million: 2
     $1-2 million: 2
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 24 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 13
     $600-800k: 4
     $800k-1 million: 1
     $1-2 million: 2
     $2-4 million: 3
     $4-8 million: 1
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 24

Back On Market: 12

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Village Insight Fall Edition

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Our Fall Edition of the
Village Insight!

Village Properties is proud to announce its fifth edition of the Village Insight! A gorgeous completely digital magazine, accessible online with just one click.

homes. style. life.

Village Insight has it all. Local stories, people and places. Real estate market news and insights. And lest we forget, a beautiful presentation of hundreds of Village's current listings. Grab the laptop, kick back, and browse through the full double-page layouts and photography. Village Insight is beautiful, fast, and free.

Village Insight is for visitors and locals alike. With original articles and artwork, we're sure everyone will discover something new about Montecito, Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez in each issue.

Please click here to view our Fall issue. We hope you enjoy it and share it with all your friends too. It's free!

What's New?
Well... everything really. Village Insight showcases more than beautiful homes and gorgeous estates.

Each issue provides its readers with stories about local treasures, events, people and businesses.

In this issue, VI talks to McClean Vineyards on becoming one of the most talked about wines; Nicole Byrnes Patterson lets us know how we can reduce our trash build up, and we also include some information on the 1st Annual Movegreen Futures Golf Tournament, which is a great way to help rise money for the Village Properties Teachers Fund!

It's not all just human interest though. VI also weighs in with local real estate news and sales figures in our Real Insight section.

Listings, Listings, Listings

And lest we forget, VI showcases hundreds of gorgeous listings, from Ojai up through Los Olivos.

Everything from sensible family homes in perfect family neighborhoods, all the way to massive ranches and estates with all the amenities and views you could ever dream for.

What Are You Waiting For?
Why just read about it here though? Village Insight is just a click away.

Please follow the link below to start flipping through Village Insight right away.

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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Just Sold: 616 Mulberry Avenue Santa Barbara, CA 93101