News

Last week I was in Sacramento, along with other local colleagues, representing our Santa Barbara community at the California Association of REALTORS®’ Board of Directors meetings.

A significant moment of this year’s meetings is the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, landmark legislation passed in 1995 that remains a foundational safeguard for both property owners and future renters across California.

Before Costa-Hawkins, cities like Santa Monica, Berkeley, and San Francisco adopted extreme rent control ordinances, including “vacancy control”, a policy that capped rents indefinitely, even after a tenant moved out. These policies stripped owners of the ability to adjust rents to meet rising costs, discouraging investment and causing many to sell their properties at a loss. Housing providers were left without a fair return, and the rental housing market suffered.

Each week, we bring you the latest on educational opportunities, important alerts, Lunch & Learn topics, our popular Breakfast at the Beach, message from the President, and a spotlight on our amazing affiliates. Don’t miss a beat—everything you need to stay informed and involved is right here!

On Tuesday, April 22^nd, the Santa Barbara City Council voted on a series of amendments to the tenant protection ordinance that was first passed in 2024. These new provisions introduce significant changes that affect both rental housing providers and tenants, especially in cases involving substantial remodels of rental units.

 As President of the Santa Barbara Association of REALTORS®, I want to ensure our community understands the proposed changes and what they mean in practice.

Each week, we bring you the latest on educational opportunities, important alerts, Lunch & Learn topics, our popular Breakfast at the Beach, message from the President, and a spotlight on our amazing affiliates. Don’t miss a beat—everything you need to stay informed and involved is right here!

The City of Santa Barbara recently passed amendments to renovation ordinance which will now include:

• Right-to-return rent caps after substantial remodels at 5% + CPI or 10% whichever is lower
• Obtaining a written opinion by a second contractor on if a tenant can stay in place during a renovation
• “Cool Off” period of 1 year after acquiring a property of 5+ rental units

Each week, we bring you the latest on educational opportunities, important alerts, Lunch & Learn topics, our popular Breakfast at the Beach, message from the President, and a spotlight on our amazing affiliates. Don’t miss a beat—everything you need to stay informed and involved is right here!

For many homebuyers, especially here along the South Coast, purchasing a home often means becoming part of a Homeowners Association (HOA) or similar community association. Whether you're considering a condo, townhouse, or a home in a master planned community, it’s important to understand what an HOA is, and how it might impact your lifestyle and budget.

Buying or selling a home is more than just a transaction, it’s a major life decision tied closely to your goals, your family, and your financial future. That’s why Fair Housing Month is so important. Not just for our profession, but for our community.

Each week, we bring you the latest on educational opportunities, important alerts, Lunch & Learn topics, our popular Breakfast at the Beach, message from the President, and a spotlight on our amazing affiliates. Don’t miss a beat—everything you need to stay informed and involved is right here!

Each week, we bring you the latest on educational opportunities, important alerts, Lunch & Learn topics, our popular Breakfast at the Beach, message from the President, and a spotlight on our amazing affiliates. Don’t miss a beat—everything you need to stay informed and involved is right here!