News

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer here in Santa Barbara. It’s also the time that many of us also begin preparing our homes for the warmer months ahead. Whether you’re planning to entertain guests, tackle home improvement projects, or simply enjoy more time outdoors, there are a few things you can do to ensure your home is ready for summer.

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!

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure whether you’re financially ready to take that next step.

As independent contractors, REALTORS® are responsible for tracking their own business expenses and mileage throughout the year. Yet, many leave this task until tax season, risking missed deductions and unnecessary stress. Whether you’re driving to showings, paying for marketing, or picking up supplies, every mile and dollar counts when it comes to reducing your taxable income. Fortunately, there are tools designed to make this easier, saving you time and helping you keep more of what you earn.

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!

Date Range: 4/1/2025 to 4/30/2025

Most homeowners don’t think twice about the security of their property title until it’s too late. Title fraud, also known as deed theft, is a serious and often overlooked crime that can result in the loss of your home, even while you’re still living in it. This article is based on information from the National Association of REALTORS® and can be found on facts.realtor.

Our statistics and market review are kindly compiled by other parties, and will be uploaded at the end of the following month. Please note the Market Review is now a quarterly update.

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.