April Update

Montecito continues to move forward in repairing and rebuilding after the damage caused by the debris flows of January 9. As an example, as I write this, a local couple I know is having their severely damaged home demolished in preparation for building a new home. 

These friends had mud, boulders, huge trees, and a massive water tank smash into their lovely home near Coast Village Road, forcing them, along with the many others affected by the flow, to find temporary housing while planning their future as best they can. 

The concept of having one’s home demolished might sound bad to most, but as this couple flipped the narrative on me last night, they are looking at this as a good day and having a small party to mark the event, as it represents the start of building their new home as their family is looking forward. 

That is positive thinking at the highest level. Granted, this is just one family’s story, but I do hope this mention helps others who may have lost their home, to keep at it, and that there is progress being made toward the goal of restoration.

On the property front, looking at recent activity in Montecito over the past three weeks (April 7 – April 28), only one property closed escrow (in the Multiple Listing Service “MLS” system), a home just more than $1 million within the Cold Spring School attendance area. 

This was in contrast to the robust weeks of sales just before, and this single sale is indeed a low number for a 21-day period in spring, when there are usually more like 15 to 20 closed escrows in Montecito per month. 

On the brighter side, there have been 12 homes that went into escrow in this same timeframe (April 7 – April 28). The escrow process and timing for each home sale is different, so some of these properties may transfer ownership between this writing (April 28) and when this article is published, or at some point in the coming weeks or months. In any case, it is good to see that 12 properties went into escrow and in many price ranges. 

One other positive sign in our market is the substantial jump in new listings, as 24 homes, priced from $1 million to more than $8 million, hit the market in this same three-week period.

51 Seaview Drive: $2,595,000 

This top-floor, 2-bedroom, 2½-bath Montecito Shores Condominium features nearly 2,000 sq ft of living space and a southern and western exposure of this unit providing views over the neighboring Bonnymede community to the ocean beyond. 

Renovated in 2012, the condo boasts new bathrooms, appliances, electrical upgrades, forced air heating and air conditioning, water heater, en-suite laundry, and three skylights were added for maximum natural light. The outdoor terraces have been enclosed and there is an attic for storage, as well as additional storage areas in the subterranean garage. 14-foot-high ceilings enhance the living room, along with a built-in wet bar and wood-burning fireplace. 

The community at Montecito Shores includes 24-hour gated security, a tennis court, swimming pool, and pathways meandering through the compound leading to the ocean. The Montecito Shores community is within the Montecito Union School District.

1133 Camino Viejo: $2,875,000 

This home is located on .88 acres and includes a Mediterranean style 3-bedroom home with vaulted and beamed ceilings, limestone bathrooms, a sauna, chef’s kitchen, and a spacious multi-purpose studio, in more than 3,600 sq ft of living space. Gardens and mature landscaping surround the home, which is set back from the street.

There is an oversized family room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a step-down living room that includes a fireplace, plush carpeting, and large French windows overlooking the gardens. The mountain views can be enjoyed from several Juliette-style balconies, which lend to the romantic appeal of the house. 

This house is located within the Cold Spring School District and is in a convenient location about a mile or so from either the upper or lower village of Montecito. 

448 Court Place: $3,295,000 

This contemporary Montecito home rests on approximately one landscaped acre on a gated private lane just a couple of short blocks from Manning Park, Montecito Union School, and the upper village. The home is on a gated knoll, consisting of a few homes, hidden from the street, offering a private feel. 

Sliding glass doors from nearly every room open to nicely designed outdoor spaces, inviting a new owner to enjoy the indoor-outdoor, Santa Barbara lifestyle. There is a veranda off the family room for al fresco dining, multi-level lawns, terraces, stone steps, and a grove of trees and other foliage. 

The master suite and guest room offer spa-like bathrooms, and the kitchen and living room are designed for entertaining. The home includes more than 2,600 sq ft of living space and is located within the Montecito Union School District.

1570 San Leandro Lane: $4,999,000 

Dramatic light-filled rooms, mountain views, verdant gardens, and indoor-outdoor living are featured in this 5,000+ sq-ft home is located on two-thirds of an acre+/-, and offers a secluded, and desirable, hedgerow location. The single-level floor plan includes 4 bedrooms, 5 full, and 1/2 bathrooms, a paneled study, a sitting room, and an open kitchen/family room. 

The formal dining room is adjacent to the wine room that boasts a custom refrigerated wine storage unit. The impressive entry, gallery, and living room take in the light that is offered by the floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights high above. 

Expansive patios, manicured low-water usage gardens, formal finishes, and the prime location are features of this home, and the property is located within the Montecito Union School District.

Feel free to contact me regarding any of your real estate needs: Mark@Villagesite.com or call/text (805) 698-2174. Please visit my website, www.MontecitoBestBuys.com, from which this article is based.