"Say what?!"
That was my first reaction when I looked at the hot sheet just a moment ago. I am off to go email my client's right now because I can't believe my eyes a one bedroom condo for $268,000?! I'll let you know my thoughts tomorrow when I drive by...
Here's the details of what I know so far...
5512 ARMITOS AVE 44, GOLETA, CA 93117 List #08-4219
Best value 1 bedroom home in the area. Spacious upstairs condo unit. Bright and clean with pergo floors. Updated kitchen appliances and tile floor in the bathroom. Recently painted. Away from the train tracks and freeway. Stop throwing your money away on rent and get into the best value condo in the area!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I am set up on my Iphone!!!
It's a whole new world. For those of you who don't have an iPhone yet, get in the car and head over to AT&T right now.
I have to admit that when I first bought my iphone last year for Christmas I was not impressed.
With the applications that are now available - I am blown away. The fact that I am sitting at my open house & blogging in between client arrivals just blows my mind!
On that note... I still have these two downtown units & they need to be sold! Holy Hannah! We have entered a whole new world.
I have also set up a tweeter account & added the facebook application to my phone. Steady as I go, learning along the way....
My goal is to spend this downturn in the market catching up with the latest in technology. I want to be as paperless a possible... So get ready to digitally sign your contracts & ask me questions live with real time answers... In one year time I hope to accomplish all these things and more!
In the mean time I still love tradition & I am ready for turkey and the family! My nephews are growing up so quickly and I am excited to see them this Thursday!
Happy thanksgiving & as always thank you for your referrals!
Best,
Jennifer
I have to admit that when I first bought my iphone last year for Christmas I was not impressed.
With the applications that are now available - I am blown away. The fact that I am sitting at my open house & blogging in between client arrivals just blows my mind!
On that note... I still have these two downtown units & they need to be sold! Holy Hannah! We have entered a whole new world.
I have also set up a tweeter account & added the facebook application to my phone. Steady as I go, learning along the way....
My goal is to spend this downturn in the market catching up with the latest in technology. I want to be as paperless a possible... So get ready to digitally sign your contracts & ask me questions live with real time answers... In one year time I hope to accomplish all these things and more!
In the mean time I still love tradition & I am ready for turkey and the family! My nephews are growing up so quickly and I am excited to see them this Thursday!
Happy thanksgiving & as always thank you for your referrals!
Best,
Jennifer
Friday, November 21, 2008
Store Closings But Still Selling Gift Cards
I got an email from a co-worker that the following stores are still selling gift cards even though they may be "closing shop." I copied and pasted the email:
Here is a heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays; you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the holidays.
Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this.
On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankruptcy Planning'. Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbot's closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbot's) Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbot's)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macy's to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Lowes to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores
Here is a heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays; you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the holidays.
Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this.
On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankruptcy Planning'. Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbot's closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbot's) Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbot's)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores more to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macy's to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Lowes to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores
Monday, November 17, 2008
Monday 11/17/08
Hi Everyone!
It was a much busier day than I expected and the internet is still down in our office on Coast Village Road :( so my apologies for the delay in updating you.
Tea Fire Update
According to the City here's the latest:
Current Status. The TEA Fire started at 05:45 p.m. on November 13, at Coyote and East Mountain Drive. The Fire is 95% contained. 210 homes destroyed - 130 in the City and 80 in the County, 9 homes damaged. Damage assessment continues. 1300 firefighters on scene. 319 homes still under evacuation. 1940 acres have burned and 25 people have been injured. Estimated firefighting cost to date $4,600,000.
The City Webiste Page has some updated information on the fire:
http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/
A complete list of the homes that burned which may not be a 100% accurate is found here:
http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/ceo/initial_strucutre_loss_11-14-08(1).pdf
This morning at our meeting we spoke about several important items regarding the fire. The big quesiton was:
How will it affect the Santa Barbara Real Estate Market?
My personal opinion is that we will see short term stall in the market. We may see a delay in closings as the insurance companies will want to know that the fire is out or under 100% containment before granting any new policies.
Perhaps after 2 -3 months we may see a positive stir in our local economy as architects, contractors, city officials, realtors, etc. are called in to conduct their specific jobs.
There is no aruguement that this fire is a temporary setback for our real estate market. We have continued to see prices drop and less and less people qualify for loans. There was hope that we had reached a bottom last month as we had seemed to reach the high of the notice of defaults in Santa Barbara. I was listening to KNX 1070 and the talk show host thought the same as well, but soon enough after discussion, the conclusion was made that since the banks are now "helping" the notice of defaults are just being delayed. I am sure this fire may scare some buyers temporarily but our unique Pacific Ocean and Channel Island views have a way of erasing memories and soothing the soul and my hope is that it will ultimately stimulate the local economy.
I am working on getting a list of things to have prepared in case of fire or earthquake emergency. I was lucky enough to have one set up by my dad and I want to share some of things I learned from those who lost their house.
Be in touch soon,
Jennifer
It was a much busier day than I expected and the internet is still down in our office on Coast Village Road :( so my apologies for the delay in updating you.
Tea Fire Update
According to the City here's the latest:
Current Status. The TEA Fire started at 05:45 p.m. on November 13, at Coyote and East Mountain Drive. The Fire is 95% contained. 210 homes destroyed - 130 in the City and 80 in the County, 9 homes damaged. Damage assessment continues. 1300 firefighters on scene. 319 homes still under evacuation. 1940 acres have burned and 25 people have been injured. Estimated firefighting cost to date $4,600,000.
The City Webiste Page has some updated information on the fire:
http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/
A complete list of the homes that burned which may not be a 100% accurate is found here:
http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/ceo/initial_strucutre_loss_11-14-08(1).pdf
This morning at our meeting we spoke about several important items regarding the fire. The big quesiton was:
How will it affect the Santa Barbara Real Estate Market?
My personal opinion is that we will see short term stall in the market. We may see a delay in closings as the insurance companies will want to know that the fire is out or under 100% containment before granting any new policies.
Perhaps after 2 -3 months we may see a positive stir in our local economy as architects, contractors, city officials, realtors, etc. are called in to conduct their specific jobs.
There is no aruguement that this fire is a temporary setback for our real estate market. We have continued to see prices drop and less and less people qualify for loans. There was hope that we had reached a bottom last month as we had seemed to reach the high of the notice of defaults in Santa Barbara. I was listening to KNX 1070 and the talk show host thought the same as well, but soon enough after discussion, the conclusion was made that since the banks are now "helping" the notice of defaults are just being delayed. I am sure this fire may scare some buyers temporarily but our unique Pacific Ocean and Channel Island views have a way of erasing memories and soothing the soul and my hope is that it will ultimately stimulate the local economy.
I am working on getting a list of things to have prepared in case of fire or earthquake emergency. I was lucky enough to have one set up by my dad and I want to share some of things I learned from those who lost their house.
Be in touch soon,
Jennifer
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tea Fire
Hi Everyone!
I am sorry I am just getting to you right now but its been a hectic last five days. I wanted to let everyone know that although I was evacuated from my home, my place is ok and I am fine too. I happened to be in LA when the fire started but rushed back, dropped off Charlie in Westlake and came back to Santa Barbara to grab a few things and head over to a friends to spend the night.
There was a rush of panice all over Santa Barbara as people were evacuating and trying to get to safety. Unfortunately some of the agents in my office and some of our clients did loose their homes. I pray that God offers them some comfort during this terribly difficult time. I will be looking into charitable causes (such as places where they can get clothes etc) and posting them soon.
If you are a local, I am sure by now you have found several websites to aide you during this time. My personal favorite was the http://www.independent.com/ as they had an incredibly accurate map http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113022420691920912386.00045b9ef1712164139a6&t=h&ll=34.451369,-119.689693&spn=0.10206,0.222988&source=embed
The SantaBarbara.gov website is another source for inforamation regarding the fire.
For those of you who know people who lost their homes in the Tea Fire please have them contact me if they want a list of rentals. I am more than happy to help.
Also, if they have the means to do so I still have those two very inexpensive downtown new construction listings available. See earlier post.
I will be writing you all tonight about being prepared what items you should have ready to go in case of fire or emergency.
Thanks for all your emails and calls.
Many Hugs,
Jennifer
I am sorry I am just getting to you right now but its been a hectic last five days. I wanted to let everyone know that although I was evacuated from my home, my place is ok and I am fine too. I happened to be in LA when the fire started but rushed back, dropped off Charlie in Westlake and came back to Santa Barbara to grab a few things and head over to a friends to spend the night.
There was a rush of panice all over Santa Barbara as people were evacuating and trying to get to safety. Unfortunately some of the agents in my office and some of our clients did loose their homes. I pray that God offers them some comfort during this terribly difficult time. I will be looking into charitable causes (such as places where they can get clothes etc) and posting them soon.
If you are a local, I am sure by now you have found several websites to aide you during this time. My personal favorite was the http://www.independent.com/ as they had an incredibly accurate map http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=113022420691920912386.00045b9ef1712164139a6&t=h&ll=34.451369,-119.689693&spn=0.10206,0.222988&source=embed
The SantaBarbara.gov website is another source for inforamation regarding the fire.
For those of you who know people who lost their homes in the Tea Fire please have them contact me if they want a list of rentals. I am more than happy to help.
Also, if they have the means to do so I still have those two very inexpensive downtown new construction listings available. See earlier post.
I will be writing you all tonight about being prepared what items you should have ready to go in case of fire or emergency.
Thanks for all your emails and calls.
Many Hugs,
Jennifer
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Interest Rates
The questions is: Do I think interest rates will go back down again before they go back up?
According to bankrate.com the general rates today are lower than they were last week, but just by a hair. It's a tough question that I don't know the answer to because there so many outstanding factors and variables. There is a common misconception that just because The Fed cuts the interest rates banks are going to lower their interest rates... Although this can happen it is not necessarily the case - especially right now...
To follow up and dig further, I just texted a loan officer that I work with and he said that forecasting anything right now is nearly impossible.
Unitil the market is stable I don't think anyone is going to feel comfortable predicting the course of interest rates over the next couple of months.
About a month ago our office thought we saw some stabilization in the market with a temporary decrease in short sales, they are however picking back up again.
If you are planning on refinancing it's going to be a tough call. Lenders are incredibly strict on their loan to value ratios.
I live by the principle that a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. We know now that interest rates are still low. As I talk to the people who have been in the business now for 20 years they think that "we" have been spoiled by these rates. To them too high is 19%... so I suppose it is all perspective. I know that 1/8 of point can make a difference, but waiting to find out could cost you 2 points if you are not careful. Also, I am not happy to see that consumer confidence is not picking back up after the election and that the unemployment rate continues to rise...
I hope this helps. Some websites I visited to research:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/06/real_estate/mortgage_rates/index.htm?postversion=2008110616
http://www.bankrate.com/
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/
According to bankrate.com the general rates today are lower than they were last week, but just by a hair. It's a tough question that I don't know the answer to because there so many outstanding factors and variables. There is a common misconception that just because The Fed cuts the interest rates banks are going to lower their interest rates... Although this can happen it is not necessarily the case - especially right now...
To follow up and dig further, I just texted a loan officer that I work with and he said that forecasting anything right now is nearly impossible.
Unitil the market is stable I don't think anyone is going to feel comfortable predicting the course of interest rates over the next couple of months.
About a month ago our office thought we saw some stabilization in the market with a temporary decrease in short sales, they are however picking back up again.
If you are planning on refinancing it's going to be a tough call. Lenders are incredibly strict on their loan to value ratios.
I live by the principle that a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. We know now that interest rates are still low. As I talk to the people who have been in the business now for 20 years they think that "we" have been spoiled by these rates. To them too high is 19%... so I suppose it is all perspective. I know that 1/8 of point can make a difference, but waiting to find out could cost you 2 points if you are not careful. Also, I am not happy to see that consumer confidence is not picking back up after the election and that the unemployment rate continues to rise...
I hope this helps. Some websites I visited to research:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/06/real_estate/mortgage_rates/index.htm?postversion=2008110616
http://www.bankrate.com/
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Great Deal in Downtown Santa Barbara
In June of this year I listed a new construction complex just two blocks from State Street called Craftsman Courtyard. They are Craftsman style townhomes offering beautiful interiors with hard wood floors, granite counter tops, custom wood banisters, Anderson windows & doors, out door patios and balconies, etc. This is kind of a big deal: they have private interior access garages and personal laundry facilities. I know that sounds silly but because "new condos" are usually apartment conversions those two little items get forgotten. Here's an interior picture of 828 Bath Street Unit #A:
I just got a price reduction of $85,000 for the 1 bedroom/1.5 bath. It's now listed at $595,000. The other one bedroom unit sold in June 2008 for $680,000. This will now make this unit one of the least expensive, new construction 1 bedrooms in downtown. One block away they are selling the new construction 1 bedroom units starting at over $900,000 with most of them asking somewhere around $1.1 million! Here's the information on the comparables:
http://www.paseochapala.com/ http://www.chapalaone.com/
http://www.onetwentyonesb.com/index.html
These units are great! They are just two blocks from State Street and about 15-20 +/- minute walk to the pier & beach. They can be rented with a 30 day minimum - so it's great for those of you who want a second home or may be caught in a 1031 tax exchange. Pets are OK.
The other unit Available is 828 Bath St. #C priced reduced $46,000 to $849,000. It is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome. The other 3 bedroom unit sold for $880,000 in August of 2008!!
Take a look at the other complexes and compare - these are a fantastic value! This is a special opportunity to own in downtown Santa Barbara in prime location at reasonable cost!
E Waste Event
Free Electronic Waste Event
Collection & Recycling
when: Friday & Saturday
November 14th & 15th
Time: 9am-4pm
Where: Sears Parking Lot
3845 State Street
(corner of La Cumbre & State)
What's accepted:
TV's, Computers & all accessories, Monitors, Laptops, Printers, Cables, Cell Phones, Stereos, DVD's & CD players, Microwaves & more. Most any item which operates with an electrical cord or runs on batteries will be accepted.
What's NOT accepted:
Batteries of any kind, compact or tubular fluorescent bulbs, large appliances, & toner cartridges. These items are accepted by at the City ABOP Facility operated by MarBorg industries (805-963-1852) or the County Transfer Station (805-681-4345).
For more information visit:
www.SBRecycles.org or call (805) 564-5631.
Collection & Recycling
when: Friday & Saturday
November 14th & 15th
Time: 9am-4pm
Where: Sears Parking Lot
3845 State Street
(corner of La Cumbre & State)
What's accepted:
TV's, Computers & all accessories, Monitors, Laptops, Printers, Cables, Cell Phones, Stereos, DVD's & CD players, Microwaves & more. Most any item which operates with an electrical cord or runs on batteries will be accepted.
What's NOT accepted:
Batteries of any kind, compact or tubular fluorescent bulbs, large appliances, & toner cartridges. These items are accepted by at the City ABOP Facility operated by MarBorg industries (805-963-1852) or the County Transfer Station (805-681-4345).
For more information visit:
www.SBRecycles.org or call (805) 564-5631.
Hello Everyone!
2008 marked my 10th year in the business and my 7th year as a licensed California Realtor... WOW time flies... Many thanks to all my clients, friends and family who have contributed to my success over the years - with out all of you I would not have made it this far. I am so fortunate to have learned from the very best in this business, especially my Mom, who gave me the great gifts of tenacity and determination with a dash of Latin flavor :)
I have been fortunate to climb the ladder slowly but surely with the newest "rung" being my new office on 1106 Coast Village Road, which is flourishing with success despite these very difficult times. Suzanne Perkins is an agent in my office who won the Top Real Estate agent in AMERICA with sales totaling $275 million dollars! I am so privileged to be in an office with such supportive people who have an incredible drive.
Although I can see the road ahead of me is incredibly difficult, I believe this real estate market will turn around and Santa Barbara will be one of the first cities to pull through. I believe investing in Santa Barbara real estate is a solid long term investment. For those of you (including myself) who have had to sacrifice to maintain their property I believe it will be worth the hard work in the end. My mother always told me "anything worth having is always hard work." I find that to be true every day of my life.
The purpose of the is blog:
So from time to time I get little inquiries here and there about what is going with the Santa Barbara real estate... do I know a good contractor?... where is city zoning?... do you know anything about XYZ Development?... etc... So I decided to have a place where people could just ask me and I could answer. Most of the time people have the same question and this way I can help multiple people at one time.
I will make this blog open to the public with the full disclosure that Sotheby's International Realty and it's affiliates have nothing to to do with this blog. These are merely opinions and facts researched by me, but I cannot guarantee any of the content etc. It's just a reference & it's up to you to verify anything stated on this blog.
I'll do my best to find links that relate to the subject matter and hope I have helped you the best I can.
If you want to have me post your business or service just let me know, send me a link and I will post away...
Also I will debut my listings on here & on my website before they go public (with the consent of my clients) so that you can have the first heads up of what I will be listings and have time to access it FIRST ;)
If you want to know about a house you saw down the street, just ask and I'll look it up for you if you don't have time to look on Realtor.com which is not always accurate.
Occasionally there may be pictures of my dog Charlie and his silly little sleeping poses (my favorite is "the donut" pose) to lighten the mood or you might actually get an update on me and my daily adventures in Real Estate & what I saw that day.
Either way I hope it's helpful. I will keep it light and short so that it's easy to read & you can use it as an alternative to your "Facebook break" that we all take during the day. ;) Certainly the boss wants you to know what is going on in the world of Real Estate ;)
As 2009 rapidly approaches I hope that you all have a safe & wonderful Thanksgiving and Holiday Season.
Stay tuned...
Jen
I have been fortunate to climb the ladder slowly but surely with the newest "rung" being my new office on 1106 Coast Village Road, which is flourishing with success despite these very difficult times. Suzanne Perkins is an agent in my office who won the Top Real Estate agent in AMERICA with sales totaling $275 million dollars! I am so privileged to be in an office with such supportive people who have an incredible drive.
Although I can see the road ahead of me is incredibly difficult, I believe this real estate market will turn around and Santa Barbara will be one of the first cities to pull through. I believe investing in Santa Barbara real estate is a solid long term investment. For those of you (including myself) who have had to sacrifice to maintain their property I believe it will be worth the hard work in the end. My mother always told me "anything worth having is always hard work." I find that to be true every day of my life.
The purpose of the is blog:
So from time to time I get little inquiries here and there about what is going with the Santa Barbara real estate... do I know a good contractor?... where is city zoning?... do you know anything about XYZ Development?... etc... So I decided to have a place where people could just ask me and I could answer. Most of the time people have the same question and this way I can help multiple people at one time.
I will make this blog open to the public with the full disclosure that Sotheby's International Realty and it's affiliates have nothing to to do with this blog. These are merely opinions and facts researched by me, but I cannot guarantee any of the content etc. It's just a reference & it's up to you to verify anything stated on this blog.
I'll do my best to find links that relate to the subject matter and hope I have helped you the best I can.
If you want to have me post your business or service just let me know, send me a link and I will post away...
Also I will debut my listings on here & on my website before they go public (with the consent of my clients) so that you can have the first heads up of what I will be listings and have time to access it FIRST ;)
If you want to know about a house you saw down the street, just ask and I'll look it up for you if you don't have time to look on Realtor.com which is not always accurate.
Occasionally there may be pictures of my dog Charlie and his silly little sleeping poses (my favorite is "the donut" pose) to lighten the mood or you might actually get an update on me and my daily adventures in Real Estate & what I saw that day.
Either way I hope it's helpful. I will keep it light and short so that it's easy to read & you can use it as an alternative to your "Facebook break" that we all take during the day. ;) Certainly the boss wants you to know what is going on in the world of Real Estate ;)
As 2009 rapidly approaches I hope that you all have a safe & wonderful Thanksgiving and Holiday Season.
Stay tuned...
Jen
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