Comparison Shopping
By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   February 7, 2019

While available housing inventory in Montecito may be lower these days (about 120 homes and condos currently on the market; in years past that number would be 150 or more in a January), there are still options of styles and conditions of homes in every price range.  Each day I find it is interesting to […]

Newer Montecito Listings
By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   November 29, 2018

We have seen slower sales (only five closed escrows in Montecito during the first three weeks in November), and fewer new listings. Whether this is seasonal or an overall slowing market trend in higher end communities only time will tell. For now, we are happy to see prices staying strong overall, regardless of the number […]

 

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More from Montecito

Home Sweet (Guest) Home
By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   November 15, 2018

One can find a home with a guest unit in Montecito for less than those featured here, but the focus with this group of homes is to ferret out estate-level properties with substantial homes (more than 5,000 sq ft), along with other amenities such as a swimming pool or tennis court, privacy, and most specific […]

Big Views in East Montecito
By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   November 1, 2018

For those in search of an estate-level home that boasts ocean views and increased acreage, the area at the eastern border of Montecito can offer a lot of both for the money. From a close-to-town, 270-degree ocean view contemporary home on nearly two acres, to an 80+ acre working ranch with pool and tennis court, […]

Real Opportunities
By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   October 11, 2018

This is a good time to be looking for an upper-price range home in Montecito, as there are many well-priced properties available in the $4.5-to-$15 million range on the market. Some “done” homes for sale are the result of a developer’s remodel, and others were on the market a while ago and are being reintroduced, […]

Compass Opens Second CVR Office
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   October 4, 2018

Real estate brokerage Compass has opened a second office on Coast Village Road, located in the former home of Red Hair & Makeup Studio, which closed earlier this year after 28 years in business. “We needed more space for agents to utilize, and this was the perfect spot,” said brokerage manager John Nisbet.  Now with […]

The Montecito Heat Index
By Michael Phillips   |   September 27, 2018

How hot is Today’s Montecito Real Estate market? The Heat Index measures buyer choices for single family homes in five price sectors. Rather than sales data, typically at least 30 days old, the Index measures signed contracts resulting in present demand and thus market strength and direction. Since home purchases fluctuate seasonally, indeed monthly, today’s […]

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  • Montecito under $2 Million
    By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   September 27, 2018

    It often surprises people when I tell them they can purchase a single-family home, on a good-sized lot, with amenities and upside potential, for under (and often well under) $2,000,000 in Montecito.  In this price range, one is not likely to find a home with big ocean views or a done home on a large […]

    The Condominium Market
    By Michael Phillips   |   August 30, 2018

    There is no doubt that condominium living is completely distinct from that of a single-family home experience. We all know condominium dwellers who fired their gardener and the guy who fixes the electric gate years ago and would not live any other way, and others who miss being able to paint their front door any […]

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    Nonconventional Loans on the Rise
    By Adam Black   |   August 30, 2018

    by Adam Black Adam Black is the area manager and senior loan officer for New American Funding Montecito branch. He can be reached at 805-452-8393 or by email [email protected] Being a mortgage guy, I can’t help but formulate things into mathematical equations. When I was asked to provide an update on what the biggest trends […]

    A Beautiful Piece of History
    By James Buckley   |   August 30, 2018

    There is nothing quite like this 6,350-sq-ft former “pool pavilion,” designed by Francis Underhill, on the market here or anywhere else in the Santa Barbara area, at least nothing I’m aware of and… and I can say this because I am not in the real estate business and have no stake or interest in this […]

    Recently Reduced and under $3 million
    By Mark Ashton Hunt   |   August 23, 2018

    The Montecito Real Estate market has done well during the past six months, considering what it, and the residents of Montecito went through, what with the fires and the debris flow and the resulting damage and insurance questions, not to mention the countless personal tragedies that occurred during those few hours on January 9.  While […]

    How Hot is Today’s Market?
    By Michael Phillips   |   August 9, 2018

    The Santa Barbara Heat Index is a snapshot of demand for single-family homes in the city of Santa Barbara described in our Multiple Listing Service as east and west of State Street. Rather than a measurement of home sales, often lagging by at least a month, the Heat Index measures homes currently under contract but […]

    Wood Joins Village Properties Staff
    By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   August 9, 2018

    Village Properties has announced that realtor Leanne Wood, who is also the managing editor of the Montecito Journal glossy magazine, has joined the Village Properties staff as the new executive director, Strategic Development.   In her new full-time job, Wood will help with the day-to-day running of Village Properties. She also will work with company owner […]

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