Best Buys for a New Year

It was a challenging holiday season Montecito residents experienced under the cloud of smoke and ash created by the recent Thomas Fire, the largest such wildfire in California history; many of us were forced to spend weeks miles away, having been evacuated for a substantial part of December. Our hearts go out to those who lost their homes, and blessings to the firefighters who risked their lives to help save our treasured community. 

Businesses and schools closed, while parties, fundraisers, and celebrations cancelled, restaurants starved of customers, homes, schools, and businesses inundated with smoke and ash – and all we needed was a day of rain that never came. 

For anyone considering buying a home or moving to Montecito, there are even fewer homes to choose from than usual, but great opportunities nonetheless. Today features four properties located within the Montecito Union School District, each considerably different than the next for sake of variety: a smaller home on an acre, an ocean view home on a larger lot, a centrally located home with guest house and pool, and a beach-front condo,

625 Tabor Lane: $1,799,000 

This classic California ranch-style home is located on a lane near Lilac Drive and Romero Canyon Road. The property is gated and offers a 1+/- acre lot with mature trees and mountain views. 

The smaller-sized home includes 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a living room, fireplace, 2 large decks, and a detached 2-car garage with private workspace and/or studio with full bath. This home is on a larger lot for this street and has been reduced in price recently from $1,899,000.

796 Park Lane West: $3,995,000 

This home rests in the foothills and is situated in a premier location, less than a half-mile from the famed San Ysidro Ranch Hotel. The private 1.5-acre parcel includes a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath home, built circa 1950. The home has been maintained and includes new appliances, refinished wood floors, and fresh paint inside and out. 

As advertised online, there are fully approved plans by the noted, local architectural firm NMA. Additionally, this listing has been reduced from the original asking price of $4,195,000.

237 San Ysidro Road: $3,995,000 

This home is located within a few blocks of Montecito Union School, the upper village, and the beach, on an acre of private landscaped grounds. Set back from the road and gated, the property offers mountain views, entertaining spaces, a guesthouse, separate studio, and sprawling lawns, gardens, and a pool. 

The main residence features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, plus a library. A stone fireplace graces the living room that also features soaring ceilings and wide plank floors. Doors open to the verdant grounds from almost every room, and the outdoors become a natural extension of the indoor living spaces. 

This home is newer to market and is still listed at its original asking price.

1389 Plaza Pacifica: $5,250,000 

The sights and sounds of the ocean welcome you to this rarely available, front-row oceanfront condo. The unit offers 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and is located within the exclusive, guard-gated community of Bonnymede, just across the street from the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel and adjacent to Coral Casino Members Only Club and Butterfly Beach. 

Unobstructed ocean views greet you upon entering the residence. The views on the first level can be enjoyed in the living room or from the balcony. The first level also includes an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, an in-closet stackable laundry, half-bath, and a wet bar. 

The second level features the master suite with a private balcony and substantial ocean and island views, plus a second bedroom with an en-suite bath. This unit also includes a private 2-car garage, and the community at Bonnymede offers numerous property amenities such as a pool and tennis court. 

This property was listed more recently at a much higher price and reduced to the current asking price.

For more information on any of these listings or to have me arrange a showing with the listing agents, please contact me directly, Mark@Villagesite.com or call/text (805) 698-2174. Please view my website, www.MontecitoBestBuys.com, from which this article is based.