Tag archives: real estate
Montecito continues to enjoy a healthy real estate market, with sales up 22% over last year; 131 homes and condos have sold so far this year, compared to 107 by the end of August in 2018. By this time in 2017, prior to the Thomas Fire and debris flow, we were at 149 sales. Looking […]
In the past half dozen or so articles we have worked our way across Montecito, looking at different neighborhoods and homes for sale within these pockets. We have covered areas such as western Montecito’s edge on the border with Santa Barbara, the Cold Spring School area, the now-open-again, San Ysidro Ranch and Montecito Union School […]
As we head into the last quarter of the year, it is interesting to look back at where we have been and then forward to what lies ahead. Back in November, hardly a long time ago, most forecasters believed that mortgage rates would rise to 5% or higher this year. Don’t laugh. At the end […]
After my exclusive about KEYT-TV chief meteorologist Alan Rose departing for Colorado after 14 years on TV Hill, I now hear he is being replaced by Kelsey Gerckens, a regular on the ABC affiliate’s morning show with her husband, co-anchor Joe Buttitta, according to news director Jim Lemon. The tony twosome obviously work well together […]
There isn’t or wasn’t enough room in the above sub-title to add Santa Barbara, Summerland, Hope Ranch, the Mesa, or virtually anywhere along this golden little coast of ours. But, all those areas are included in the virtuous and valuable Circle of Friendship known locally as “real estate.” Sitting around in the living room of […]
In August, the Old Firehouse building at 1486 East Valley Road in Montecito was purchased by an unnamed investor with ties to the Santa Barbara area. The property was listed for $16 million, and closed for $13,000,000. Francois DeJohn, Kristopher Roth, and Caitlin McCahill Hensel of Hayes Commercial Group represented all parties in the transaction. The 6,357 square-foot […]
With more than $1 billion in sales last year, with an average sale price of $1,440,000, uber realtor Renee Grubb had good reason to celebrate when she hosted a sunset soirée at the historic Santa Barbara Club. More than 150 guests turned out on the impeccably manicured lawns for the Village Properties appreciation party, including […]
To the Bluewater Grill with my snapperazzi Priscilla where, on the second Tuesday of each month, the popular eatery offers a new seafood tasting menu. The all-inclusive dinner included chipotle blackened swordfish with rice, corn and avocado relish with clam chowder – Manhattan or New England – and a glass of Cuvee Rouge. Scrumptious… Moving […]
In our continuing look at the various neighborhoods around Montecito we have recently taken a look at western Montecito, homes in the Cold Spring School District, estates near the San Ysidro Ranch and beach area homes. Now let’s direct attention to homes just a mile or two from the upper village in Montecito, all within […]
Montecito actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus‘ critically acclaimed HBO series Veep went on hiatus while she underwent treatment for breast cancer. Now Julia, 58, has opened up to the celebrity glossy, Vanity Fair, about her cancer diagnosis and returning to work after a life-threatening illness. On the cover of the Conde Nast monthly Julia wears a diaphanous […]
The Montecito Heat Index identifies demand for Montecito single family homes. By measuring buyer contracts (pending sales) rather than sales (closed escrows) lagging typically thirty days, the Heat Index provides a forward-looking indicator of both market strength and direction. It also shows us the price point(s) where value is most recognized by buyers and the […]
It was all a very hush-hush affair when Belle Hahn, daughter of the late billionaire art dealer Stephan Hahn, who died in 2011, celebrated her 35th birthday with a night on the tiles. More than 120 guests gathered on the rooftop of the MOXI Museum for the top secret bash, with Belle thinking she was […]
An elaborate Montecito chateau inspired by the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain is up for sale for $35 million. The custom-built estate has Moorish, Spanish and Italianate architecture, with tall arches and mosaics. French owner Kinka Usher, a director of TV commercials, who has filmed spots for Nike, Taco Bell and Pepsi, says he was […]
A 400-acre estate in the Santa Ynez Valley that belonged to the late actor James Garner is up for grabs. Garner, star of the TV series The Rockford Files, who died in 2014, commissioned the property, Rancho La Zaca, in the ‘90s with architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen designing a 8,000 sq. ft. house showcasing the […]
Montecito entrepreneur and philanthropist Lynda Weinman and husband Bruce Heavin are selling their Hollywood Hills home for a bargain $21.995 million, $5 million below the original purchase price. The dynamic duo bought the 12,500 square foot, three-level, six-bedroom, eight-bathroom property, which was originally on the market for $29 million, in the achingly trendy “bird streets” […]
Nothing says summer like a day at the beach and no beaches that I know of are more cherished by residents and visitors alike than the beaches of Montecito: Butterfly Beach with the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel and Miramar Beach with the newly opened Rosewood Resort at Miramar Beach. The beach area in Montecito can […]
A Montecito listing represented by Riskin Partners real estate group of Village Properties has been selected as a finalist in the HGTV Ultimate House Hunt 2019 for its curb appeal. The competition is held annually on HGTV.com and features extraordinary homes in eight categories, including amazing kitchens, countryside retreats, waterfront homes, and modern masterpieces. The […]
Tech entrepreneur Sean Rad is selling his Montecito home for $12.67 million. The former Tinder CEO and co-founder purchased the estate for $11 million from TV talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Rancho San Leandro boasts two main residences, totaling 6,764 sq. ft. Built in the 1800s, the main hacienda-style residence has […]
A ten-acre Montecito estate, with seven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, has just come on the market for $17 million. The 13,932 sq. ft. property is just a tiara’s toss or two from the homes of TV talk show titans Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. The expansive grounds include terraced gardens, a pool, spa with a […]
The Montecito Heat Index identifies today’s demand for Montecito single family homes in five price sectors. By measuring buyer demand (pending sales), rather than sales (closed escrows), which is lagging typically thirty days, we create a forward looking indicator of both market strength and direction. The Heat Index metric shows us the price point(s) where […]
