It’s That Time of Year Again – Santa Barbara Does Solstice in Style

The first time I saw Santa Barbara’s Solstice parade was in 1999, when my daughter graduated from UCSB.  I’d never seen anything like it, and it was the moment I knew that Santa Barbara was my kind of town. 

Since then, it’s become more than a parade up State Street on a Saturday afternoon – it’s now a 3 day event, with a pre-party on Friday night, an after-party on Saturday,and an after-after party on Sunday, all at Alameda Park in the center of town.  Last year, actor and resident Jeff Bridges made a surprise appearance onstage and played with the band.

It’s a party, it’s a circus, it’s an event not to be missed!  Here are a few ‘insider’ tips:  if you want a good seat, take your towel, your blanket and/or your chairs down to State St. the day before.  There will be signs telling you when you can start ‘reserving’ your space.  And more surprising?  Your same towel, blanket and/or chairs will actually BE there the next day, right where you left them.  Otherwise, if you show up at parade time, the sidewalks will be full.  Another idea is to get a seat at your favorite State St. restaurant, and watch the parade while you have lunch!  And one more tip – the parade starts at De La Guerra St., but by the time it gets up to Micheltorena where they turn the corner and disband, they are pretty tired and you may not get the best show – especially if it’s a hot day.

NBC Southern California recommends the festival in their segment called ‘Worth the Drive’ :

“…there’s nowhere in California — and maybe the nation — that says hello to the summer solstice like Santa Barbara. In fact, Santa Barbara’s bash is called Santa Barbara Summer Solstice Celebration, and it lasts for three days. And its centerpiece? The inflatable-filled parade down State Street. The dates for 2012 are Friday, June 22 through Sunday, June 24, with the parade dancing on Saturday, June 23.

WHAT TO EXPECT: There are over 1,000 participants in the parade and they’re typically decked-out in glittery make-up, spangly costumes, hula hoops, stilts, feathered headdresses, and other eye-catching get-ups. There’s also an inflatable art element to the parade, meaning there are several out-sized props in the middle of the merriness. The photos of past years truly tell the colorful story.”

 
For more information about living the dream in Santa Barbara, check out:  www.sbrealestate.kwrealty.com

See you there!

Sales Are Up and Inventory is Down in Santa Barbara’s Housing Market

May statistics are out for Santa Barbara’s housing market.  There’s not as much on the market as in previous years, and there’s pent-up demand out there, resulting in multiple offers and some frustrated buyers.

Number of sales for the period January-May:

2008 – 315

2009 – 270

2010 – 353

2011 – 340

2012 – 475

The last time we had this many sales for the first 5 months of the year was 2004-2005, in the height of the boom.

Median prices are holding steady, with May of 2011 showing a median sales price of $795,000. and May of 2012 showing $805,000.

Here’s the inventory totals as of this writing (not including condos):

East of State: 124

West of State: 80

Montecito: 207

Hope Ranch: 26

Goleta South:  29

Goleta North: 74

Entry level priced-homes are disappearing.  Currently, there are only 13 homes in the city of Santa Barbara priced under $500,000.

Low interest rates persist and are predicted to stay low for at least another year.  Realty Times posts the latest rates for both fixed and ARM loans. 

If you’re interested in knowing more about the Santa Barbara market or want to see what’s for sale, contact me anytime.

Karen Blackburn

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

805-470-1002

Chalk Art – The First Festival of the Season!!

When I was a child, Memorial Day weekend meant parades, hot dogs and badminton.  But since I’ve moved to Santa Barbara, the start of summer is marked by the ‘I Madonnari’ festival held at the Mission. I first saw this festival in the 90’s when I was here as a visitor, and was as amazed then as I am now by the artistry and dedication of the people spending hours laboring over a hot parking lot, covered in colored chalk as their images came to life. 

The images range from simple ‘chalk art’ to intriguing 3D scenes.  Many are of a religious theme, since the concept started in Italy where artists drew images of the Madonna on the streets.  Now these festivals are held all over the world, with local artists drawing their favorite scenes.

Some of the works look like one image as you walk by, but show another image if you take a photo, like the one below.

 This image looked like several people hunched over and walking along until you put the camera up to it and then suddenly a woman’s face appears.

Once you’re finished admiring the art, Santa Barbara’s festival offers live music and Italian food to sit and enjoy the rest of your afternoon.  With seating around tables under market umbrellas, you can enjoy Italian Sausage sandwiches, calamari, roasted chicken, and Italian gelato.  You can even have some Italian Prosecco instead of the usual beer and wine offerings.

 

Luckily, we’re not expecting rain anytime soon, so you can drop by the Mission and see the art for weeks after the festival, sometimes months, until they finally wear away with the breezes.  And now, with the festival season in full swing, Santa Barbara is about to party for the next several months.  More info to come on upcoming fun stuff.

To get more information about Santa Barbara, call 805-470-1002 or email karenSBrealestate@gmail.com. 

 

 

Santa Barbara Home Prices Among Those Forecast to Rise

 

Even though some of us live here in Paradise full time, Santa Barbara is a ‘vacation home’ destination for many.  Prices have obviously dropped in the past 5 years, but with this year’s robust sales activity and the shifts in the housing markets generally across the country, Santa Barbara is high on the list of those vacation home areas slated to rise significantly in the next 5 years.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Santa Barbara is in the category of markets starting to heat up.  The drop from our peak prices, in 2005, was 51% and our prices are forecast to rise 7.4% per year for the next five years. 

Napa, CA. is another market in the ‘heating up’ category and is predicted to rise 9.7% per year.

If this holds true, it may be time to buy your vacation home or permanent home now. 

Check out Santa Barbara home prices and see if your next home might be here in Paradise!  For more information on the Santa Barbara market, contact Karen Blackburn at 805-470-1002 or karenSBrealestate@gmail.com

Find Your Santa Barbara Neighborhood – San Roque

It’s not easy getting up to date info about Santa Barbara neighborhoods on the web.  Most of the blogs start with “Ten thousand years ago, the area that is now San Roque…”.   I’ll skip all that, and tell you about San Roque now.  Relative to downtown, San Roque is located to the east of State St., just before State St. jogs to the left and meets De La Vina St.  If you look at a map, you’ll see that it’s bounded by Foothill, Alamar, State and La Cumbre Streets, but just click the ‘map’ link in this article and you’ll see where it is.

It’s a little bit suburban feeling, in the best sense of the word.  Not a bunch of similar houses stacked in straight rows, but winding, peaceful-feeling, tree-lined streets, with a variety of home styles built mostly in the 40’s and 50’s, with a smattering of new homes.  It’s got a relaxed, laid back feeling, and offers everything from small bungalows to larger 2-story homes. 

At the time of this writing, the home values in San Roque range from the high $500K’s, to about $1.5M.   At the lower end, you’re looking at a 2bd, 1ba bungalow from the 40’s of modest size, likely on a busy street.  The smaller homes or those that are in need of updating range from the $600K’s to about $800K.  A 3bd, 2ba home that is remodeled goes in the neighborhood of $1M or so, depending on amenities and size.

San Roque schools are well regarded, and many families with children want to be there for that reason.  Nearby State Street offers lots of options for shopping and restaurants.  Gelson’s is a popular supermarket, and a little farther north on State St. you’ll find Whole Foods.  For a neighborhood restaurant, try Le Cafe Stella, tucked in behind Gelson’s on a little side street. 

 

 

Renaud’s has the best croissants this side of Paris, and at some point in time, you’ll have to go to Harry’s.  It’s billed as a cafe with comfort food, but what it’s known for are its, um, ‘generous’ drinks.  As in, ‘get a taxi’.  I’m totally not kidding.  Just one drink and you MUST NOT DRIVE! 

 

It’s a huge place, with rooms that lead to rooms that lead to rooms, but most times, you will not get a table unless you have a reservation.  Let’s just say this place is popular…

Receive customized, up-to-date real estate listings in the San Roque neighborhood (or any other neighborhood in Santa Barbara) by clicking here.

 

Check out the Top 2 Reasons People Visit Santa Barbara

I found out a few interesting factoids about our fair city yesterday, from a representative of the Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce:

DID YOU KNOW?…..

Santa Barbara averages 35,000 visitors a day

We have over 9 million visitors per year!!!

We have 5000 hotel rooms

They are 100% occupied most weekends

They are 80% occupied most weekdays

The average visit is 4 hours

And now, the top 2 things people do when they come here:

#1:  SHOP

#2: EAT MEXICAN FOOD

State Street is our ever-popular shopping street, with clothing stores, locally owned art and craft stores, cafes, and lots more. The Paseo Nuevo, an outdoor mall, is a place where you’re sure to see lots of tourists as well as locals.

Mexican restaurants and take-out joints abound.  Some of the popular ones on State Street and nearby include:  Casa Blanca, Cielito’s (taco bar and another menu that’s Mexican with a South American twist!), Carlitos (great margaritas), Los Arroyos (just off State St. – try their chicken enchiladas!). 

 Other popular ones are La Super Rica on Milpas, Super Cucas (2 locations – try their shrimp super plate!), Torito’s, Los Agaves (best ceviche!).  My favorite is a hidden treasure known only to locals: Cafe del Sol – great margaritas, great food, great atmosphere!!  Also, La Playa Azul on Santa Barbara St. is a great place for outdoor eating.

but

But living here is better than a 4 hour visit.  And right now, Santa Barbara is more affordable than ever.  For more information on living in Santa Barbara, contact me at:  karenSBrealestate@gmail.com  or check out homes for sale at www.karenblackburn.yourkwagent.com

Find Your Santa Barbara Neighborhood – The Riviera

Santa Barbara’s Riviera neighborhood is one of several hills visible from the beaches downtown.

How cool is it to live in not just the town that calls itself  “The American Riviera”  but then also the neighborhood of the same name?  Life is good here.  It’s thought that this two-mile wide hill resembles the slopes of the Mediterranean coasts of France and Italy – hence, the romantic name.  With it’s winding, steep roads, it can be difficult to get around, but the views of the city, ocean and Channel Islands are breathtaking.

The lovely Riviera Santa Barbarans admire today, as seen from the city below, dates from 1913. That year a group of investors calling themselves the Riviera Company, spurred by the imminence of a college campus, incorporated for $300,000 and bought the old Hawley Heights tract and additional acreage. Their chairman and majority stockholder, pink-bearded George A. Batchelder of Atherton, became known in years to come as “the father of the Riviera.”

So there’s some history.  The Riviera neighborhood divides itself into “upper” and “lower”, with the road called Alameda Padre Serra (“APS” for short), dividing the two.  Homes are often designed to maximize the views, resulting in sprawling lateral styles that hang over the hillsides.

Homes are designed to maximize the dramatic views

Parking is at a premium in this neighborhood and some driveways are so steep that cars occasionally bottom out, so you have to think about these things before you decide to live there. The Riviera encompasses homes both grand and modest, and now that prices have fallen, it’s possible to pick up a view home in this neighborhood for under $1M – it’ll need updating, but it’s more affordable than it used to be. Two of the my favorite spots in the Riviera are the Metropolitan Riviera Theater (on APS) and the Santa Barbara Bowl (Lower Riviera).  The theater looks nothing like a theater from the outside.  In fact, the complex of buildings it’s housed in used to be the campus for the early incarnation of UCSB, before it grew too large and moved to Goleta.  There are no signs directing you to the theater, you just kind of have to know where it is once you park, or just follow the people, which is what I did the first time I went.  They tend to show more of the foreign films and art films, rather than the blockbusters.  It’s my favorite theater.  There’s also a BEST KEPT SECRET about this theater that I’ll tell you if you want to email me.  It’s a really good secret that you might not even know if you live here and you definitely won’t know if you don’t.  It involves free movies.  That’s all I’m going to say for now.  

“The Bowl” has been around since the 30’s, although it’s undergone major upgrades since then, and is now the premier music venue in the area.  The outdoor amphitheater enjoys ocean views (it’s on the Riviera, right?), and attracts big names for 30 or so concerts they put on each year.  This year some of the highlights include:  Joe Cocker, Diana Krall, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ben Harper, and Norah Jones.

 If you’re interested in more information about SB’s Riviera neighborhood, or any other neighborhood, contact Karen Blackburn, your Santa Barbara Realtor.

Own a Vacation Rental in Santa Barbara – the Year Round Resort Town

There aren’t many places that have such consistently good weather that there is virtually no ‘off’ season.  And while other ‘beach towns’ are quaint, they can be sleepy, too, especially at night.  But Santa Barbara is a destination spot with MUCHO amenities – an abundance of restaurants, theater, shopping, outdoor activities, festivals, concerts, movies, wine tasting, beaches, mountains… it’s a small town with big city amenities.  And if you do happen to get bored,  just take a walk downtown.  There’s nearly always something happening. 

That’s how I first discovered the outdoor movies in the Courthouse gardens.  (“Where are all these people going with their lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets?”).  Not only is this event held in one of Santa Barbara’s most gorgeous settings, it’s also free. 

But I digress.  I was going to explain why having a vacation rental here can be a great idea.  Especially if you like to visit here but you don’t or can’t live here.  Or if you’re thinking of living here in the future.  Prices are somewhat deflated from where they used to be and Santa Barbara attracts tourists all year round, many of whom are looking for something more than a hotel for their visit.  Vacation rentals are a big business here.  With today’s lower prices, it’s an ideal time to buy in before prices go up again, which they inevitably will.  Santa Barbara sits in a natural ‘bowl’, with geographic limits on development and political limits on growth.  We don’t have hurricanes like Florida, 100+ degree summers like Phoenix, Las Vegas and Palm Springs and we’re more accessible than Hawaii.  

Many people own second homes in Santa Barbara, and rent them out when they’re not here.  While summer is the busiest season and commands the highest rental rates, our weather can actually be sunnier in the fall and winter, when the fog is less of a factor.  And with the LA market only an hour and a half away, weekends year round are busy.

If you’re thinking about moving here at some point, now might be the right time to get your foot in the door by buying a home that you can vacation in, and rent when you’re not here.  Or, if you’d prefer to have your house to yourself and still bring in income, consider buying a home with a guest house that you can rent out. 

If you’d like more info about vacation rentals in Santa Barbara or the real estate market in general, contact me at:

Karen Blackburn, Realtor

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

1435 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101

805-470-1002

karenSBrealestate@gmail.com