Monday, October 31, 2011

Santa Barbara Real Estate Statistics 10/24 - 10/30

New Listings: 35

Price Improvements: 52

Pending: 39 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 17
     $600-800k: 8
     $800k-1 million: 4
     $1-2 million: 9
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 21 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 12
     $600-800k: 4
     $800k-1 million: 2
     $1-2 million: 2
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 26

Back On Market: 15

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Average Rental Rates

At a recent economic update the brokers went over some rental averages for Santa Barbara and I thought they were interesting to post:

1 Bedroom: $1250
2 Bedroom: $1824
3 Bedroom: $2,357

Anyone want to stop paying someone else's mortgage and look into options for having your own?  If so, please let me know and I can put you in touch with a lender to get the conversation started.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Santa Barbara Real Estate Statistics 10/10 - 10/23 * 3 Weeks Worth

New Listings: 85

Price Improvements: 87

Pending: 54 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 18
     $600-800k: 16
     $800k-1 million: 8
     $1-2 million: 7
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 3
     $8 million+: 4

Closed: 55 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 22
     $600-800k: 16
     $800k-1 million: 7
     $1-2 million: 7
     $2-4 million: 3
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 54

Back On Market: 22

Thursday, October 27, 2011

30 S. Salinas Street Has Been Reduced Again $449,000

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Friday, October 21, 2011

Team Wagner Update!

Here is what is new in the Wagner household!  

 Cruising in my wagon!
 Ready for literature!
 Tough Guy!

 Lane Farms Pumpkin Patch!
 Such a big boy, sitting is his green chair!
Ummm...yeah he is now climbing EVERYTHING!

Not loving his new Owl hat...

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Van Jones "Green for All - The New American Economy"

Event Date:
Saturday, October 29 7pm - 8:30pm
Location:
Marjorie Luke Theater
Contact:
Tickets are available at the Lobero Box Office, on-line at Lobero.com or call 805.963.0761.
Website:
http://loatree.com/2011/08/25/loatree-pres...nomy/
vanjones_poster
A benefit event for sustainable vocations. Presented by LoaTree in partnership with Quail Springs Permaculture, also sponsored by the Community Environmental Council.
Nationally renowned speaker and Green Economy expert Van Jones presents, Green for All: The Next American Economy, on Saturday, October 29th at the Marjorie Luke Theater. Proceeds from the event will benefit Sustainable Vocations, a sustainability and leadership training program for young people.

Van Jones is a globally recognized, award-winning pioneer in human rights and the clean-energy economy. Van is co-founder of three successful non-profit organizations: the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, and Green For All. He is the best-selling author of the definitive book on green jobs: The Green-Collar Economy. Van also served as the Green Jobs Advisor to the Obama White House in 2009.

Van also holds a joint appointment at Princeton University, as a distinguished visiting fellow in both the Center for African American Studies and in the Program in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.

Warren Brush, Co-Director of Sustainable Vocations, states, "We are deeply honored to have the support of Van Jones. His vital message is directly aligned with Sustainable Vocations' goal to prepare and empower young leaders for the rise of the Green Economy and sustainable living."

This lecture is made possible due to early and strong support from The Fund for Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College's Center for Sustainability. The event is presented by LoaTree, an ecolifestyle and services company.

Tickets are available at the Lobero Box Office, on-line at Lobero.com or call 805.963.0761.

About Sustainable Vocations: A program of Quail Springs Permaculture, Sustainable Vocations prepares youth (ages 15 – 24) for diverse leadership roles that integrate sustainability into their lives and communities. This timely program provides an unique, hands-on introduction to the expanding green jobs market, appropriate technologies and sustainable living skills. In the process, graduates earn an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certification and enhance their employment opportunities while helping to create a more sustainable future for us all. www.sustainablevocations.org

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Santa Barbara Real Estate through the end of September 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!   
 
For the Home Estate/PUD market of Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch, Carpinteria, Summerland and Goleta after seeing a rise in the numbers of sales each month from June to August, September 2011saw a decline in the numbers of properties sold down to 85 from the high of 97 the previous month. The median sales price did go up however to $800,000 from $739,000 in August but, the average sales price declined from approximately $1.2 milllion in August to about $1.178 million in September.
 
The reason for the rise in the median sales price was a decline in sales below $1 million to 53 September from 67 in August while sales from $1 to $2 million rose from 17 to 23 for the month. Sales above $2 fell off markedly however to 9 down from 10 with 1 transaction over $5 million.
Escrows also declined in September down to 79 from 108 in August and the median list price on those escrows fell from $809,000 in August to $729,000 in September. The decline in both the median list price of escrows and median sold price on closed homes can be tied at least in part to the decline of the FHA maximum loan amount which was $729,000. That maximum loan amount supported the $850,000 median sales price which held stable through ’09 and ’10.
 
 Looking at the Districts, Carpinteria/Summerland sales are up 14% from 55 to 64 and the median sales price is up from $662,500 to $716,250. The numbers of escrows are also way up going from 52 to 71 with the median list price on those escrows rising from $679,000 last year to $705,000 this year.
For Montecito, sales are up by 16% going from 110 to 128 with the median sales price dropping from $2.4 million to $2.227 million. Escrows are up 26% going from 115 to 146 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $2.562 million to $2.25 million.
 
East of State St sales are down 1% going from 186 to 183 and the median sales price is down from $929,500 to $900,000. The escrows are up by 6% however going from 199 to 211 with the median list price on those escrows dropping from $989,000 last year to $929,000 this year.
 
West of State St sales are up 10% from 143 to 158 but the median sales price is down from $800,000 to $680,000. The numbers of escrows are also up with 154 in ’10 to 171 in ‘11 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $817,000 last year to $699,950 this year.
 
   Hope Ranch sales are up from 14 to 22 but the median sales price is down from $2.675 million to $1.9 million. The numbers of escrows are also up from 16 to 23 but the median list price on those escrows is down from $2.9 million to $1.995 million.
 
  Goleta South sales are down 25% from 79 to 60 and the median sales price is down from $675,500 to $600,000. The numbers of escrows are up however from 73 to 77 with the median list price on those escrows declining from $727,000 to $577,000.
   
Goleta North sales are also down from 124 to 122 with the median sales price dropping from $705,000 to $660,000. The numbers of escrows are up however from 128 to 139 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $729,000 to $663,000.
 
The year over year numbers have sales about 4% above where they were last year at this time and the numbers of escrows about 15% ahead of last year’s pace. But, the median sales price has fallen down to $815,000 from $850,000 the previous year. If sales from $1 to $2 million become more prevalent the yearly median sales price will come up a little but the trend at this time is still downward with about a 4% drop for the whole area from where it was last year and without Hope Ranch and Montecito it’s down about 8%. 
 
For the condo market September sales remained strong with 39 properties closing escrow up from August when there were 38 and the median sales price rose to $445,000 from $436,449 for the month. The numbers of escrows fell however to 32 from 39 in August but the median list price on those escrows rose dramatically from $379,990 to $464,000 in September.
The days on the market for condos that closed escrow went back up to the mid 80s from the mid 60s in August but the Sales Price to Original List Price Ratio remained strong in the 90th percentile.             
With the numbers of escrows coming in at the low 30s for the month the year over year numbers again have escrows trailing the previous year but only by 2. The numbers of sales are still about 9% behind where they were last year with the median sales price down about 3% to $425,000 from $437,000 last year.

The Condo inventory remains at about 140 available properties from Carpinteria to Goleta with the median list price for those properties coming in at around $505,000 and the average list price showing up at about $695,000.
 
Looking at the Districts, Carpinteria/Summerland sales are down from 45 to 44 with the median sales price falling from $385,000 to $359,450. The numbers of escrows are also down falling from 50 to 47 and the median list price on those escrows is down from $409,450 to $369,000.
 
Montecito condo sales are up from 14 to 19 with the median sales price down from $1,022,500 to $818,750 and the numbers of escrows are up from 18 to 19 with the median list price on those escrows down from $1,075,000 to $998,000.
 
East of State St sales are down 20% from 55 to 45 with the median sales price rising from $475,000 to $518,750 but the numbers of escrows are up going from 52 to 60 with the median list price on those escrows dropping slightly from $519,725 last year to $495,000 this year.
 
West of State St sales are down 13% from 59 to 51 with the median sales price falling from $495,000 to $439,000. The escrows are also down from 70 to 62 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $517,000 to $429,000.
 
Goleta South sales are up by 7% from 38 to 42 with the median sales price down just a little from $370,000 to $365,000. The numbers of escrows are up 29% from 37 to 48 with the median list price on those escrows down from $372,900 to $350,000.
 
Goleta North sales are down 3% from 30 to 29 with the median sales price down from $408,500 to $360,000. The escrows are also down from 39 to 29 with the median list price on those escrows falling from $419,000 to $349,500.
            

Despite the numbers of home sales falling in September the outlook for the rest of the year remains strong because of all the escrows that are still currently open. The median sales price and median list price on those escrows is trending down however with the majority of the activity still coming in the $450,000 to $750,000 range.
 
On the other hand, condos appear to be moving forward currently with even a slight upward movement in prices. Both extremes in condo pricing had a substantial amount of activity in September with 3 sales below $200,000 and 4 sales above $1 million while the majority of the action centered in the $400,000 to $550,000 range.
  
With Single Family Home escrows still about 15% ahead of last year sales should be strong through the end of the year and even though the numbers of condo sales remains about 9% behind where it was last year the numbers of opened condo escrows also point to a good finish for 2011.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

How To Bid on The Caravan!

Community Environmental Council Auctioning Off One-of-a-Kind Gypsy Caravan

Online bidding is under way and will end Oct. 21 at the CEC's Green Gala fundraiser
Online bidding is under way for this 10-foot-by-10-foot gypsy caravan valued at $80,000. Proceeds will benefit the Community Environmental Council.
Online bidding is under way for this 10-foot-by-10-foot gypsy caravan valued at $80,000. Proceeds will benefit the Community Environmental Council. (Community Environmental Council photo)
By Marjorie Wass for the Community Environmental Council |



As part of the Community Environmental Council’s annual Green Gala, the eco-chic party for the planet to be held Friday, Oct. 21 at the historic Amory in downtown Santa Barbara, a one-of-a-kind gypsy caravan is being auctioned to the highest bidder.
All proceeds will benefit the Community Environmental Council, a Santa Barbara nonprofit protecting the local environment since 1970.
The 10-foot-by-10-foot gypsy caravan is valued at $80,000 and features sleeping quarters for two — a luxuriously dressed double bed, laden with passementerie-trimmed pillows and colorful bedding, a kneehole desk, built-in storage, five windows allowing ample light, a high ceiling with an upper light-filled gallery, and indoor and outdoor antiqued sconces with energy-efficient LED lighting.
Ideal as an artist studio, guest cottage, romantic getaway or over-the-top conversation piece, this real-life gypsy caravan will be the centerpiece of the Green Gala’s spectacular and colorful gypsy village before heading out to its new owner’s home.
The caravan’s interior and exterior lights are powered by sunshine; the eco-caravan includes an off-grid, rooftop solar panel donated by Sun Pacific Solar Electric Inc.
In the true spirit of the gypsies, much of the caravan is created from repurposed or vintage material, and was created by community members who donated hundreds of hours of volunteer time to benefit the environmental organization.
Jim Forsha of Imagine Design Studios and Jamie Nelson of Jamie Nelson Construction in Santa Barbara were the architects, visionaries and builders of this masterpiece. Renowned artist MaryVonne LaParliere added detailed trim and custom interior artwork in meticulous “modern-gypsy” style. The base painting was rendered by Galvin Painting with great attention to detail and custom color selection. Merryl Brown Events coordinated the project from conception to completion.
The caravan features sleeping quarters for two with a luxuriously dressed double bed.
The caravan features sleeping quarters for two with a luxuriously dressed double bed. (Community Environmental Council photo)
Other caravan creators and contributors include Marc Normand Gelinas Interior Design, Erin Feinblatt Photography and Elizabeth Messina Photography.
How to Purchase the Caravan
The Community Environment Council’s gypsy caravan will be available for purchase through the CEC Bidding for Good e-Auction. Bidding starts at $40,000. Advance online bidding began Tuesday. Click here to access the bidding page. Bidding will end during the CEC’s Green Gala on Oct. 21.
The caravan will be available for transportation to its new home on Saturday, Oct. 22. All proceeds from the sale of the caravan will benefit the Community Environmental Council.
For more information or to attend the Green Gala, click here or contact Kathi King at 805.963.0583 x108 or kking@cecmail.org.
— Marjorie Wass is a publicist representing the Community Environmental Council.

Own a one of a kind gypsy caravan

by Merryl Brown

This beautiful gypsy caravan can be yours! It is the featured auction item at CEC’s Green Gala.
Ideal as an artist studio, guest cottage, romantic getaway or over-the-top conversation piece, the Gypsy Caravan has been built in the Ledge style of gypsy caravans — a narrow base with upright sides, extended living space, and arched roof.
Our Gypsy Caravan features sleeping quarters for two in a custom-built and dressed double bed, built-in desk and closet, indoor and outdoor sconces and a painted chandelier with antique Austrian crystals, powered by an off-grid solar panel. Built from the ground up using mostly reclaimed wood and found material, the entire piece features charming and eclectic recycled, bartered and repurposed items—in true gypsy fashion.
caravan2
Jim Forsha of Imagine Design Studios in Santa Barbara is the architect, visionary and primary builder of this masterpiece. Jamie Nelson Construction provided the workshop space and Galvin Painting designed the base painting. The copper roof was donated by Craig Roof Company. The trim and custom interior artwork were painted by renowned artist Maryvonne LaParliere. The solar panel was donated by Sun Pacific Solar Electric. and Merryl Brown Events coordinated the project from conception to completion. Together, these artisans have created a unique and amazing masterpiece valued at $80,000!
Bidding starts at $40,000. Advance bidding begins Tuesday, October 11 on CEC’s Bidding for Good online auction page and will finish on Friday, October 21 at the CEC’s Green Gala event.
For more information, contact Kathi King at kking@cecmail.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 10/3 - 10/9

 We had 162 closings in the month of September. (This is all closings, residential, commercial and land).  This number is the highest for the month of September for the past 6 years. In the residential market, we have between 6 and 7 months of inventory market-wide: 9-12 months of inventory over $2 million, (strong buyers' market), and 3-4 months of inventory under $1 million, (balanced to sellers' market).  The median price has been flat for the past 3 years at around $850,000; even though prices have continued to slide down over the past 3 years, a steady increase in the number of sales over $1 million, has kept the median steady.  We are now seeing around 35% of our closings over $1 million, up from 18-20%.

10/3 - 10/9
New Listings: 51

Price Improvements: 55 

Pending: 35 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 15
     $600-800k: 8
     $800k-1 million: 5
     $1-2 million: 6
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 26 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 7
     $600-800k: 5
     $800k-1 million: 5
     $1-2 million: 5
     $2-4 million: 2
     $4-8 million: 2
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn): 15

Back On Market: 12

Monday, October 10, 2011

Green Gala: Friday, October 21 - 20 Tickets left!

The Green Gala is just around the corner on Friday, October 21 at the Santa Barbara Armory and promises to be a spectacular eco-evening! 

 We are pleased to announce that we have made room for about 20 additional seats. If you thought you were out of luck, now's your chance to purchase our last remaining tickets! 

 

For ticketing information, visit our website or contact kking@cecmail.org. at the

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rethink the Drink: Reducing the use of plastic water bottles in local schools

"Rethink the Drink" is a pilot project to reduce plastic water bottle usage at three local schools and colleges by at least 75% this school year.

Water bottle production is very energy intensive.

More than 17 million barrels of oil are used each year to transport bottled water to our stores — enough to fuel one million vehicles for a year. Despite being recyclable, most bottled water is consumed 'on the go' and fewer than 30% of the bottles are recycled. The rest end up in landfills or as trash in storm drains, watersheds and the ocean.
;

OUR PROGRESS

As part of a pilot project funded by the Orfalea Foundation and Medbridge Development, CEC is installing water refill stations at local schools so students have access to cold, filtered water. Through this project we are currently working with:
  • Franklin Elementary School
  • Montecito Union School
  • Santa Barbara Junior High
  • Santa Barbara High School
  • Westmont College
We hope to expand to more local schools in the near future. We have distributed stainless steel water canteens to every student and staff member at Franklin Elementary, and two hundred canteens are being distributed at SBHS through a partnership with the student-run Dons Net Café.

That’s thousands of water bottles.

With a counter on the stations that displays the amount of bottles saved by refilling, CEC has eliminated more than 5,000 water bottles in the first two months of the project.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

  • Follow Rethink the Drink on our Facebook page for photos and stories of students enjoying cold, clean water in their canteens. Sign up for email alerts from CEC.
  • Bring your own refillable canteen whenever possible instead of using disposable plastic water bottles.
  • Support CEC to keep Rethink the Drink expanding to other schools, as well as parks and recreation areas.
  • Want Rethink the Drink at your school? Contact usThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Tell your friends, neighbors and kids about Rethink the Drink. We hope to expand this program in the coming year.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Weekly Real Estate Snapshot 9/26 - 10/2

New Listings: 40

Price Improvements:  41

Pending:  22 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 14
     $600-800k: 3
     $800k-1 million: 2
     $1-2 million: 3
     $2-4 million: 0
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Closed: 33 breaks down to:
     Under $600k: 12
     $600-800k: 4
     $800k-1 million: 6
     $1-2 million: 10
     $2-4 million: 1
     $4-8 million: 0
     $8 million+: 0

Off Market (expired, canceled, withdrawn):  46

Back On Market: 17

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Time For Revenge...of the Electric Car movie preview!




Exclusive preview screening of Revenge of the Electric Car on Wednesday, October 5.
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Time for Revenge

Join us for a preview of Revenge of the Electric Car

Did you watch the film "Who Killed the Electric Car," about the auto industry's backlash against California's electric car requirements and how GM crushed the EV1? The film is a cult classic and inspired many of today's electric vehicle owners or future owners to pledge that their next car would be electric.
On Wednesday, October 5, CEC and The Sustainability Project are bringing an exclusive preview of the sequel - "The Revenge of the Electric Car" - to the gorgeous Marjorie Luke Theater, months before its theatrical debut. 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.”
  • 5:30pm - CEC's Green Car Show, featuring the Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Volt, Tesla Roadster, and more. The Mobile Café will be on site selling nutritious food.
  • 7:00pm - Exclusive preview screening
  • 8:30pm - Panel discussion on EVs & the industry, featuring Director Chris Paine, local EV owners, and experts.

Watch the trailer

Official Trailer: Revenge of the Electric Car
Watch the Video
***** 571 ratings136,245 views

Buy tickets

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. Purchase discounted tickets in advance >

RSVP on Facebook

Chat with other people who are attending the preview screening and invite your friends. Plan to meet up at 5:30pm to check out the Green Car Show and grab a bite to eat from the Mobile Cafe. RSVP >

Reserved EV parking

If you have an electric car, bring it to the event. We will have reserved EV parking for the largest collection of EVs Santa Barbara has ever seen. Email mchiacos@cecmail.org to reserve parking.

Plug In Santa Barbara

Plug In SB is a one-stop resource for local electric car buyers. Learn more about new models, charging rates, government incentives, permitting, and more. Plug In SB >
Copyright © 2011 Community Environmental Council,
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