In This Issue:
LATEST & GREATEST...
SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE SNAPSHOT:
September 21 - October 17, 2010
New listings: 158
Price Improvements: 214
Pending: 104
Closed: 92
(break down:)
Sub $1 million: 48
$1-2M: 27
$2-4M: 10
$4-8M: 5
$8M+: 2
Off Market: 134
Back On Market: 56
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.
Passive House: Brighter Shade of Green By Preston Koerner | September 26, 2010
Today, the most viewed and emailed article on the NY Times is one on Passive House, "Can we Build in a Brighter Shade of Green?" The concept of Passive House has been growing in popularity over the last eight years or so, especially in green building circles. These homes are ultra energy-efficient and, with some on-site energy generation, can be energy neutral or energy producing. Specifically, according to Passive House Institute US, a Passive House must be airtight, or have less than 0.6 air changes per hour with an air pressure difference of 50 Pascals. It must also use very little energy, or no more than 15 kWh/m2 per year for heating and 15 kWh/m2 per year for cooling, as well as no more than 120 kWh/m2 per year for primary energy. Federal Regulators Sued Over PACE Rulings The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the nation’s leading nonprofit environmental groups, filed a federal lawsuit this week accusing two national regulatory agencies of illegally blocking implementation of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs. PACE financing, which has been authorized in more than 20 states, is an innovative financial model in which homeowners borrow funds to pay for a wide range of energy improvements, and repay the funds via a special assessment on their property taxes. The suit was filed in response to recent federal rulings that have effectively prevented homeowners and home buyers from obtaining mortgages on properties with energy improvement liens that are senior to mortgage debt. The defendants in the suit are the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees the two government-sponsored home mortgage companies known as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates the national banking system. The NRDC contends that the two agencies issued rulings regarding PACE financing without justification and without following proper protocol as required by law. “Federal housing regulators are standing in the way of programs that make clean energy projects affordable for homeowners and lower electricity bills,” said Katherine Kennedy, Energy Counsel at NRDC. “It defies common sense that the federal government is blocking programs that could create jobs, jumpstart our economy, put money in homeowners’ pockets, and fight climate change at the same time. Instead of shutting them down, the federal government should help these programs grow.” Posted on October 8, 2010, 6:00 pm, by Morris, under News.
The Big Green Weekend was a hit!
Friday, Oct 8th The Community Environmental Council hosted their 40th Anniversary sold out "Green Gala" fundraiser with fairies and satyr's and a mystical forest theme. The event was a a huge success! Get your tickets early next year!
Saturday, Oct. 9th over 200 people came through the 6 properties on the Tour of Green Homes hosted by Habitat for Humanity. Sunday Oct 10th was 10/10/10 and Global Work Day www.350.org and the Community Environmental Council hosted a successful "Carrot Mob" at McConnell's Ice Cream shop. All profits to McConnell's are going to upgrade their lighting to LED and other energy efficient upgrades...plus the ice cream was delicious.
"LAST PARADISE" Documentary Screening
This event is a Fundraiser for the Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) Center for Sustainability,and will include a question and answer period with Clive Neeson following the film. Co-sponsored by the Surfrider Foundation/Santa Barbara Chapter and LoaTree.
Where: Arlington Theater, Wed, October 20, 7-9:30 pm, $10 general/$20 special supporter. Tickets are available through the Arlington Theater ticket office at (805) 963-4408, or at TicketMaster.com.
Last Paradise Film: www.lastparadisefilm.com Isla Vista Co-Op Country Fair
Saturday October 23, 11:00am-5:00pm 6575 Seville Road Isla Vista, CA www.islavistafood.coop
Come on down for the 3rd annual Co-op Country Fair! Music & Dancing, bake-off, vegetarian AND local beef BBQ's, farm animals, bees! activities, eductation, local producer's, eating contests, and more! Visit www.islavistafoodcoop.blogspot.com for more detailed information, including bake-off specifics.
Passive Solar:
Energy is transferred by natural mechanisms such as conduction and air convection currents. It utilizes the right materials in the proper places while respecting the unique climate needs of the home's location. It blends thermal dynamics with utilitarian design.
Passive systems are simple, have few moving parts, and require minimal maintenance. They require no mechanical systems. Passive design has been practiced throughout history. It is now practiced throughout the world to build comfortable homes with low energy and maintenance costs.
This website will bring the best green has to offer to you whether you are a homeowner or a building professional. We suggest coming back often for new ideas and approaches to make your home the best it can be now and for the future. |  | Tonight! October 19, 2010 6-8pm Square One Restaurant 14 E Cota St.
(805) 965-4565 Save The Date For Next Month: Tuesday, November 16th 6-8pm Location TBD to join email:
SOLD:
1010 Belmonte Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Listed at $1,599,000
Beautifully remodeled (2006) craftsman. Hickory hardwood floors throughout this 4000+/- sq. ft. home with 5 bedrooms & 5 full baths, bonus room could be media room or 6th bedroom. French doors open to pool with patio and lawn. In the New Harding University Partnership School District that is now associated with UCSB.
SOLD: 309 Cordova Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109 Listed at $1,399,000 Sold for $1,285,000
A remodeled and spacious Marine Terrace Mesa home with ocean and island views. Boasting a spacious upstairs master suite complete with ocean views and a fireplace, updated bathrooms throughout, gourmet kitchen, and an entertainer's back yard are just the beginning of the many amenities found in this home that is just a few blocks to the beach. The Mesa lifestyle is perfected in 309 Cordova Drive.
 FOR SALE: 601 East Victoria Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103 Price Adjusted to $659,000
This sweet little home sits in the middle of “The Bungalow Haven” , an area of Santa Barbara known for its craftsman and bungalow homes and pride of ownership. Perched atop a little hill and on a corner lot, this home boasts a wrap around front porch reminiscent of times past spent enjoying a porch swing while chatting with the neighbors. With 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, an extra room for an office or expansion options for the current kitchen and a 1 car garage, it is all you would ever need for downtown living. Get ready to have friends over to celebrate before walking over to the County Bowl or downtown for movie night! Contact Elizabeth to view!
 NEW LISTING:
3952 Foothill Road
Santa Barbara, CA 93110 Listed at $589,000 Located down a private lane off the main road, this is a great opportunity to buy in the HOPE School district. Approximately 1/5 of an acre in the County of Santa Barbara, the property includes a dozen varieties of fruit trees, a towering redwood, a shaded flagstone patio, a shed/workshop, raised garden beds, chicken coop, and a sense of privacy while just minutes from all that Santa Barbara has to offer. The bright and airy home, built in 1954, has a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom layout that allows for an extended family or rental income, with a wood burning stove, vaulted ceilings, dual-paned windows, and gorgeous hardwood floors. Contact Elizabeth for Appointments
 PENDING:
328 Loma Vista
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Listed at $609,000
This three bedroom Bungalow home is located on a one block long street in the Historical District. Very close to Alice Keck Park, Kids World and downtown. French doors from back bedroom open to deck and backyard. Craftsman fireplace flanked by bookcases and classic built-in China buffet in dining room. Updated plumbing, electrical, central A/C, heating and newer oak floors. |
