Wednesday - February 4 - Montecito

Hi Everyone!

Another beautiful day in Santa Barbara! The IPhone reports that it's a sunny 66 degrees although the car claimed 72 degrees! After much thought, several discussions with Buyers and further research I have decided to dedicate myself to offering you what most of my clients want from me... my opinion on properties.

The Real Estate industry is changing. Twitter, Trulia, Zillow (the list goes on) all of these online features providing instant information to prospective buyers with one click. Long gone are the days of people waiting to hear back from their Realtor for "what is new on the market." (BTW: You can visit http://www.jennifercrader.com/ to access the Santa Barbara MLS for Free with no annoying sign up stuff!)

The bottom line is now what does the seasoned agent who has seen several hundred, perhaps even thousands of homes think of this particular property. "Do I think this is a good buy?" is what most of my clients are asking and that is the last piece of information they are searching for and entrusting me to provide them with... the final opinion from the expert. The person they are trusting to guide them through the rough part of what in California we call "escrow" and the details that mend together to ensure the transfer of title, the loan and purchase and the little pieces of random information that only experience can give you. The Internet has indeed strengthen the need for the human touch and guidance of the Realtor.

Santa Barbara Real Estate is liking buying a piece of art, along with the purchase the property gives you a lifestyle of living in a beautiful and peaceful place that so many call paradise. Like any piece of art it holds it value with the progress of time...

I am not sure when we will see a bottom to this market, all I do know is that interest rates are low and prices are coming down and seldom are there times when it is a SOLID BUYER'S MARKET in Santa Barbara.

So here are my opinions of what I saw today: *

I finally revisited this property on Park Lane and it seemed to provide the total Montecito Package:

Ocean & island views. Nice sized house. Great, private lot. Park Lane fabulous location! Seems very well priced at $4,995,000. For my personal taste, I would like to see the interior of the home have a different decor, but it's a pretty nice pallet to work with and you could easily convert it to whatever your taste is.

A Beauty on East Valley...

Listed at $5,750,000 they came down from their original listing price of $6,750,000. The first thing that really stood out was the great use of wood and stone throughout. I like the warmer feel that darker wood provides it allows this house to be contemporary but not cold. I enjoy the layout as it seems really open and allows for natural light to come through and highlight the house from the inside out. Not the best house for really young children but great once they can run around. The backyard is one of the best features of this house...

There are no ocean views, BUT the scenery is incredible. I really liked the rock table and the location of the spa! (See below.)

All the old world oaks and the winding paths create a great Montecito old world feel. Even though it's on East Valley I did not note any road noise. The house and second structure is tucked back into the property and it seems incredibly private. Also, the downstairs to the main house is where it's at: they set up a gym, have a home theatre room set up and this huge living area space!

I took a trip down to Solimar Beach today...

There were two new listings that I wanted to check out:

The first Solimar property is located in a great place within this gated beach community. It has plenty of room for guest parking (a key element in that area) and nice sized deck and back yard area. The house is very charming - the decor is great! Fun, Hampton Beach style using the white and blue interior colors. It has some nice interior square footage and two gas operated fireplaces. I love that when you walk in the house seems HUGE - just never ending and then you see the ocean gleaming from the glass sliders. (Essentially there are two living rooms.) The only quirk for me is that the ceiling is a little lower in the second living room, but that is me being overly picky.

Check out the kitchen! it opens up the right way into a living area and into formal dining area. I would also like to note that a good amount of the square footage is where you need it - in the living spaces of the house. And they designed the home to enjoy the ocean views from two of the three bedrooms, both living areas and dining area. I also like that this has an easily accessible laundry area. (Hey it's the little things!)

Listed at $5,195,000.

The other Solimar is great too. My favorite part is the decor. Exactly what I love a splash of contemporary with quintessential "Beachy" feel. It looks like it should be a in catalogue. A little less square footage but the living area is open and bright with soaring ceilings so you don't miss it too much.

I like the finishes just a little bit more on this house, but don't forget location in my opinion is always imporatant so don't forget to weigh that if you are in the unique position to be going back and forth between the two properties.

Listed at $5,500,000.

I am officially off to go grab a Pink Berry (http://www.pinkberry.com/). As always feel free to email me at jencrader@aol.com or call the mobile at 805.451.5484.

As always you can access the MLS for free at www.jennifercrader.com

Get ready for rain tomorrow - it's headed our way!