Selling celebrity real estate

Since Hollywood stars abound in Santa Barbara, real estate agents need to have a specific plan when it comes to selling celebrity real estate here. Why wouldn’t celebrities want to reside at the crown jewel of the California coast?  With areas like Montecito offering beautiful, private oceanside estates, the investment is only part of the advantage. Face it, we who are fortunate enough to live here get to enjoy better weather, wineries, amenities, art and the small town feel that allows celebs to escape from the Hollywood hustle. In fact, Santa Barbara has the market (per capita) for star power outside Hollywood.
The bottom line in celebrity real estate: whether buying or selling properties, famous figures mean added attention for real estate agents. There’s no doubt that the general public is curious to find out about their favorite stars. Seeing where and how these folks live can say a lot about them.
When selling a celebrity property, I strive for the right balance between creating valuable exposure and revealing too much. First, I counsel them to get rid of their personal items, like family photos, that can take potential buyers attention away from the actual home. Next, I make sure they are not around during showings or open houses. For the most part, I offer celebrities the same selling tips that I give to any of my clients. See my previous blog post with a full list of suggestions.
I’ve learned that when sellers are in the $3 million, $4 million, $5 million-plus net-worth category, they often have several homes. However, being able to use a celebrity name with a certain piece of property can actually increase its value. That’s because people are curious about celebs. Who doesn’t want to get a glimpse of how their favorite star lives?
If you are looking to buy a new home in Montecito or any of the surrounding communities, please give me a call at 805.886.9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. If you are buying or selling celebrity real estate, choosing the right agent is paramount. With more than 25 years in the industry, consistently rated in the top 1% of Sotheby’s International Realty nationwide, I have the experience, contacts and enthusiasm to roll out the red carpet, whether you’re a celebrity or not!
And be sure to check out my website to see what’s on the market today.