November 2nd through November 15th, 2009: (2 weeks as I was out of town)
New Listings: 72
Price Improvements: 72
Pending: 53 breaks down to:
under $1 million: 37
$1-2 million: 12
$2-4 million: 3
$4-8 million: 1
$8 million+: 0
Closed: 42
Off Market: 25
Back On Market: 21
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Main Event: Cancer Center of Santa Barbara
Yesterday Nate and I attended the "Main Event" which was a celebration to benefit the Julie Main Endowment. Established in honor of Julie Main, who turned her breast cancer diagnosis into a positive community effort and helping launch the Cancer Well-Fit Program, the Endowment will fund future Well-Fit Program groups for cancer patients in Santa Barbara.
Guests enjoyed an afternoon of fine wine and hors d’oeuvres with music by the Leslie Lembo Jazz Group. The event also includes a silent and live auction at the beautiful home of Elizabeth and Kenny Slaught in the hills of Montecito.
The food, catered by Elements was delicious and the guests were very generous in their silent and live auction donations. I bid on many items and thankfully was outbid by others;) Although we did end up taking home a party for 20 by Elements...looking forward to that one!
It was a gorgeous day, an amazing house and fantastic turn out for a woman that touched many lives and continues to inspire all of us everyday.
For more information about these programs or to make a donation, please visit: www.ccsb.org
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Teacher's Fund & Village Properties
Teacher's Fund
Village Properties has established The "Teacher's Fund" to help local public and private K-12 school teachers buy the supplies and books they so desperately need. DeAnn & Elizabeth donate part of their commissions to this wonderful fund that helps the whole community and you can too!
Please see this link for more details:
http://www.villagesite.com/company/teachers_fund.php
Village Properties believes in the power of education. In 2002, Renee Grubb and Ed Edick established the Village Properties Teacher's Fund to help local Santa Barbara public and private elementary school teachers get the tools and materials they needed but could not get due to budget cuts.
In April 2006, a generous donation from the Orfalea Family Foundation and the Orfalea Fund allowed the Teacher's Fund to expand so they could include grades 7 and 8.
In 2007, thanks to another generous donation from the Orfalea Fund, the Teacher's Fund celebrated another expansion adding North County schools.
In April of 2009, the Teacher's Fund is once again expanding to include grades 9 - 12 for all Santa Barbara County public and private school teachers.
Our teachers' requests are for the most basic materials: books, art supplies, dictionaries, printer cartridges, software, etc.
The Teacher's Fund is a way for everyone to help enrich the lives of our children through education. 100% of the donations go directly to our teachers. When you help our kids acquire a better education you're making an investment in all of our futures.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Weekly Real Estate Snapshot: 10/26 - 11/1 2009
October 26 - November 1, 2009:
New Listings: 21
Price Improvements: 29
Pending: 36 breaks down to:
under $1 million: 26
$1-2 million: 6
$2-4 million: 2
$4-8 million: 1
$8 million+:1
Closed: 24
Off Market: 31
Back On Market: 8
New Listings: 21
Price Improvements: 29
Pending: 36 breaks down to:
under $1 million: 26
$1-2 million: 6
$2-4 million: 2
$4-8 million: 1
$8 million+:1
Closed: 24
Off Market: 31
Back On Market: 8
Friday, October 30, 2009
Senators agree to extend $8,000 housing tax credit for first-time buyers
The lawmakers also OK offering a tax credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes at least five years.
Associated Press
October 29, 2009
Senators agreed Wednesday to extend a popular tax credit for first-time home buyers and to offer a smaller credit to some repeat buyers.
The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers but is set to expire at the end of November.
Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time home buyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years, said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
The tax credits would be available to buyers who sign purchase agreements by the end of April. They would have until the end of June to close on their new homes, according to a summary of the legislation being circulated among lawmakers.
Senators were still negotiating the expansion of a separate tax credit that lets money-losing businesses get refunds for taxes paid in previous years, providing them with an immediate source of cash.
Senators in both major parties were hoping to add both tax provisions to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid. The Senate could vote on the overall bill as early as today, but lawmakers were still haggling over several unrelated amendments Wednesday evening.
Popular bills like the one to extend unemployment benefits often attract amendments that would have a difficult time passing on their own.
Republicans were demanding the opportunity to offer amendments to restrict federal aid to the community activist group ACORN and to require that people receiving unemployment benefits be processed through E-Verify, an Internet-based system that employers use to check on the immigration status of new hires.
The Senate's majority Democrats have blocked the proposed amendments.
If the Senate passes the bill, it would go to the House, which passed a similar bill extending unemployment benefits last month. House leaders have said they support extending the tax credit for home buyers.
Lawmakers didn't release a cost estimate for extending the tax credit, though similar proposals were projected to cost about $10 billion.
About 1.4 million home buyers have qualified for the existing credit through August. The National Assn. of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not otherwise have bought their homes.
The government said Wednesday that new-home sales fell 3.6% last month. Some builders blamed the drop, the first since March, on uncertainty about the tax credit.
It takes 45 days to 60 days to close the deal on a house, making it unlikely that a sale made today would be consummated by the end of November.
The tax credit provides up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers but is set to expire at the end of November.
Senators agreed to extend the existing tax credit for first-time home buyers while offering a reduced credit of up to $6,500 to repeat buyers who have owned their current homes for at least five years, said Regan Lachapelle, a spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).
The tax credits would be available to buyers who sign purchase agreements by the end of April. They would have until the end of June to close on their new homes, according to a summary of the legislation being circulated among lawmakers.
Senators were still negotiating the expansion of a separate tax credit that lets money-losing businesses get refunds for taxes paid in previous years, providing them with an immediate source of cash.
Senators in both major parties were hoping to add both tax provisions to a bill that would give people running out of unemployment insurance benefits up to 20 more weeks of federal aid. The Senate could vote on the overall bill as early as today, but lawmakers were still haggling over several unrelated amendments Wednesday evening.
Popular bills like the one to extend unemployment benefits often attract amendments that would have a difficult time passing on their own.
Republicans were demanding the opportunity to offer amendments to restrict federal aid to the community activist group ACORN and to require that people receiving unemployment benefits be processed through E-Verify, an Internet-based system that employers use to check on the immigration status of new hires.
The Senate's majority Democrats have blocked the proposed amendments.
If the Senate passes the bill, it would go to the House, which passed a similar bill extending unemployment benefits last month. House leaders have said they support extending the tax credit for home buyers.
Lawmakers didn't release a cost estimate for extending the tax credit, though similar proposals were projected to cost about $10 billion.
About 1.4 million home buyers have qualified for the existing credit through August. The National Assn. of Realtors estimates that 350,000 of them would not otherwise have bought their homes.
The government said Wednesday that new-home sales fell 3.6% last month. Some builders blamed the drop, the first since March, on uncertainty about the tax credit.
It takes 45 days to 60 days to close the deal on a house, making it unlikely that a sale made today would be consummated by the end of November.
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Merryl Brown Events
As a board member of the Community Enrivonmental Council, I have had the opportunity to work with Merryl Brown for the recent Green Gala and I was very impressed.
Not only did the Rockwood Woman's Club look more fabulous than it ever has, but she made the 200 plus guests feel honored and taken care of throughout the evening.
Merryl has a calming effect on those around her and handles every detail with professionalism and style. Look for her feature in the most recent Santa Barbara Magazine and call to book her now, if she has the date available!
Merryl Brown comes to this work with almost twenty years’ experience organizing parties, fashion shows, gala grand openings, corporate events, meetings, non-profit events, lectures, and intimate dinners, each with its own special look and feeling.
Merryl formerly held the position of Director of PR and Events at Saks Fifth Avenue Santa Barbara, and has served as a trustee of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. She is a Lifetime Honorary Trustee of the beautiful botanical garden Ganna Walska Lotusland, which is renowned for its sustainable horticultural practices.
Merryl is a certified Master Gardener. She has a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and was formerly an International Banker with American Express Bank and Bankers Trust Company in New York. She is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish.
The mission of Merryl Brown Events is to produce beautiful, elegant experiences and events, created within a framework of sustainable practices and social responsibility.
Not only did the Rockwood Woman's Club look more fabulous than it ever has, but she made the 200 plus guests feel honored and taken care of throughout the evening.
Merryl has a calming effect on those around her and handles every detail with professionalism and style. Look for her feature in the most recent Santa Barbara Magazine and call to book her now, if she has the date available!
Merryl formerly held the position of Director of PR and Events at Saks Fifth Avenue Santa Barbara, and has served as a trustee of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. She is a Lifetime Honorary Trustee of the beautiful botanical garden Ganna Walska Lotusland, which is renowned for its sustainable horticultural practices.
Merryl is a certified Master Gardener. She has a master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and was formerly an International Banker with American Express Bank and Bankers Trust Company in New York. She is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish.
The mission of Merryl Brown Events is to produce beautiful, elegant experiences and events, created within a framework of sustainable practices and social responsibility.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Weekly Real Estate Snapshot: 10/19 - 10/25 2009
October 19 - 25, 2009:
New Listings: 38
Price Improvements: 40
Pending: 24 breaks down to:
under $1 million: 20
$1-2 million: 3
$2-4 million: 1
$4-8 million: 0
$8 million+:
Closed: 24
Off Market: 10
Back On Market: 13
New Listings: 38
Price Improvements: 40
Pending: 24 breaks down to:
under $1 million: 20
$1-2 million: 3
$2-4 million: 1
$4-8 million: 0
$8 million+:
Closed: 24
Off Market: 10
Back On Market: 13
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Love Mikana: Santa Barbara News
Have you heard of this fabulous daily dose of Santa Barbaraness yet? It's free and delivered to your inbox while you sleep...I thoroughly enjoy the tips, ideas and witty writing. Please check it out and sign up: www.lovemikana.com
From their website:
LOVEmikana is a free daily email newsletter and website that brings you the “Santa Barbara skinny” … a little love each day about the latest and greatest in art, culture, food, trends and fashion in the Santa Barbara area.
Brought to you by two “chicks” who love this paradise we call home, and delivered straight to your inbox, we hope you subscribe and see what we’re all about! We promise you’ll be hooked!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Triathlon For A Cure: Fundraiser 10/28
Our friend, Mike Paskin is training for Ironman, Arizona in one month and is raising money through www.TriathlonForACure.com for the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. Please read below for more details.
This coming week there is a fundraiser aboard the Channel Cat and there are still spots available for Triathlon for a Cure’s inaugural fundraising event, benefitting the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. Your $50 donation is your ticket onboard and includes a sunset cruise along the Santa Barbara coastline, appetizers by Rincon Catering, and an open beer and wine bar.
Come help us raise money to fight the battle against the #1 genetic killer of young children, SMA. All donations go directly to the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation and 100% of the proceeds benefit SMA focused research, awareness, and support projects.
Donate here
Here is a letter from Mike:
TriathlonForACure.com functions as a place to offer support to the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (GSF) and as a blog that will document my triathlon training and race schedule. By sharing my participation in the sport, I invite athletes and supporters to follow along my journey towards the Ironman Arizona triathlon this November. In turn, I encourage you to find out more about the GSF and SMA and spread the word to others.
GSF was established by close friends of ours, Bill and Victoria Strong, after their daughter, Gwendolyn, who is the same age as our daughter, Reese, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1. SMA is a degenerative and terminal disease that causes weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles in infants and children. Average life expectancy of those diagnosed is less than two years. Bill and Victoria have become champions for SMA awareness by raising funds for research, providing support to other newly-diagnosed families, and establishing the GSF. Their strength and determination is inspiring.
Ironman will be the most challenging race I’ve competed in: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. Training has been rigorous, and I welcome advice, training tips, and encouragement to help ensure my race goes well. My goal is to parallel the hard work and determination it takes to complete each triathlon with the hard work and determination it will take to eliminate SMA. I am accepting sponsorships for the Ironman race and athletic gear will soon be available through the website, with all donations going directly to GSF.
Please take the time to read more about SMA and the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. You can offer your support by signing the petition or donating to the foundation. I look forward to sharing my experiences in the sport and hearing from each of you along the way.
Sincerely,
Michael Jay Paskin
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
October Santa Barbara EcoBroker Newsletter
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