If you read national stories about housing, you already know Santa Barbara is often listed as one of the most expensive places to live. What you probably don’t hear is that our conforming loan limit is lower than many nearby counties where homes actually cost less.
If you’ve ever applied for a mortgage, you may have noticed the sudden wave of calls and emails from lenders you never contacted. That happens because credit bureaus have been allowed to sell your information as soon as a lender checks your credit. Those are called “trigger leads.”
I recently came across an article in REALTOR® Magazine that really caught my eye. It was all about how showcasing energy efficiency is becoming a bigger priority when selling homes. That got me thinking about what that means here in Santa Barbara, where our climate and environment put a very local spin on “green living.”
Another summer has come and gone, and just like that, school is back in session. My family wrapped up our summer with a once-in-a-lifetime adventure traveling through Africa for a few weeks. It was incredible, and I enjoyed every minute of it! I’d love to know, what did you do this summer? Did you travel, hit the beaches, or just enjoy a slower pace at home?
If you are a homeowner in Santa Barbara, you have likely felt the impact of the $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions that was introduced several years ago. With high property values and corresponding property taxes, it has been easy for residents in our area to exceed that cap. As a result, many homeowners have seen higher tax bills and fewer opportunities to benefit from itemizing deductions.
At the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors (SBAOR), we believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. It was an honor for SBAOR to attend Habitat for Humanity Santa Barbara’s recent Mission Milestone Celebration, an event that highlighted the tremendous progress being made toward creating more affordable homeownership opportunities in our area.
June is National Homeownership Month, and it is a time to reflect on the role it plays in strengthening families, building communities, and creating generational wealth. Yet for many Californians, the dream of homeownership feels further out of reach than ever. High prices, low inventory, and burdensome regulations have created one of the nation’s most challenging housing markets.
Santa Barbara’s downtown has always been more than just a commercial district, it’s a cultural anchor, a place to gather, and a reflection of the character of the community. That’s why the formation of the new Downtown Santa Barbara Community Benefit Improvement District (CBID) is such a significant and welcome development.
Created through a coalition led by the Downtown Organization, the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, and a dedicated CBID Steering Committee, this initiative empowers property owners to reinvest in their neighborhood and take the lead in shaping its future. By establishing this district, property owners have committed to collectively funding services that go above and beyond what the City currently provides, a true example of community-driven progress.
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.
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.
January 1st
