The Housing Market: Is This the Most Competitive in Recorded History?
Experts say, “Yes” Rising real estate costs, demographic shifts, and low inventory has combined to create the most competitive housing market in recorded history. Underbuilding is also a key factor, due to rising costs, labor shortages, and zon...
Good news for Santa Barbara Homeowners
The numbers tell a positive story for next-door Southern California Santa Barbara homeowners, listen up! I just read an article in the Los Angeles Times that home prices have hit record highs in many corners of neighboring Southern California. And t...
The Next Hot Commodity in Santa Barbara Real Estate: Agrihoods?
Taking the idea of farm-to-table to the next level Although the definition of "agrihoods" is evolving, the Urban Land Institute currently defines them as "master planned or residential communities built with a working farm as a focus." Agrihoods ...
Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Trends
It's time to take a look at the market update for Santa Barbara County for the second quarter of 2016. Good news: Santa Barbara real estate market trends indicate real estate prices in Santa Barbara County increased by 2%. That represents the fifth s...
Is Pokémon Go Transforming Santa Barbara?
According to an article in curbed.com, Pokémon Go is transforming millions of people's relationships to where they live, including those who reside right here in Santa Barbara. How? By getting thousands of young people out and about, checking out ou...
Brexit: 7 Ways You Might Profit
By now we all know what Brexit means: it marks the day that the British electorate voted to leave the European Union, defying prognosticators and the establishment. An EU recession has likely been triggered. The U.S. Fed is rumored to be considering ...
The Strength of the Dollar is Nothing to Worry About
I just read an article in Bloomberg Business suggesting the Fed stop worrying about the strength of the dollar. In fact, a new report from Goldman Sachs Group Inc. suggests our U.S. currency poses little threat to the Fed's inflation goals. This new...
New trend: High-end home communities built around nature preserves
According to the Wall Street Journal, a growing number of high-end home communities are being built around large nature preserves. Why, you ask? Because today's developers see nature preserves as relatively low-cost amenities that are highly valued b...
Homeowners are spending like it’s 2006!
I love sharing good news and I am happy to report that homeowners are spending like it's 2006; before the housing bubble hit. Just where are they shopping? In a recent blog, I shared information about the shopping habits of wealthy consumers, incl...
Is leasing a home a good choice for you?
Depending on your personal circumstances, leasing a home may be a better option for you than buying one. Consistently rated in the top 1% of Sotheby's International Realty® agents nationwide for more than 25 years, Cristal Clarke not only speciali...