Just Listed 🌊🏖 Carpinteria Vacation Beach Condo w/view

4700 Sandyland Road #28 | Carpinteria 

Located across the street from the beautiful Carpinteria Beach and Nature Preserve, yet still super close to downtown dining and shopping. This 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom townhouse style unit enjoys an ocean view from the upstairs bedroom and mountain views from the patio deck. Brand new carpet and paint. Resort-style amenities include 2 pools, hot tub, club house, gated parking & on-site rental-management staff. The perfect beach lifestyle to enjoy as a year round residence, vacation home or rental investment property! Only 5 minutes to famed Rincon surfing, 10 minutes to Santa Barbara, 40 minutes to wine country and 90 minutes to downtown Los Angeles.

Sold 🌊 Stunning Carpinteria Renovated Beach Home + Designer Furnishings

Sold 🌊 Stunning Carpinteria Renovated Beach Home + Designer Furnishings

With this sale our team has represented the 2 highest sales in the Concha Loma neighborhood in nearly a decade.

Stunning ground-up renovation a few hundred feet from the sand in Carpinteria’s most sought after beach neighborhood, ''Concha Loma''. Designer furnishings are included in the sale of this elegant 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom single level home which could ably serve as a primary residence, vacation home or high-end luxury beach rental. Enter into a breathtaking, light and airy great room featuring skylights, fireplace and massive 24-foot sliding glass doors which maximize the indoor-outdoor living area.

Discerning eyes will find tasteful finishes throughout the home, including wide plank wood floors, Caesarstone, Limestone and Marble counters, Pottery Barn vanities and modern amenities such as central heating & A/C, surround sound, CAT-6 wiring, security cameras, chef's kitchen featuring Kitchen-Aid range, outdoor shower and more! The private grounds are studded with mature fruit trees and various sitting areas, which include a gas fire pit for outdoor entertaining. A detached 550SF 2-car garage with separate driveway offers additional possibilities. 

Sold for $1,825,000

✌🏼 2 home sales in 1 week !

5455 8th Street | Carpinteria, CA 93013

Happy to have represented the sellers of this centrally located 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom Carpinteria Singing Springs condo, successfully sold in 1 day on the market! 

7645 Hollister Avenue #108 | Goleta, CA 93117

 Proud to have represented the buyers of this spacious 1,482 sq ft newly built in 2015 Rancho Estates home. Located close to butterfly preserve, Ellwood School, UCSB, Ellwood Bluffs and Camino Real Shopping center!

Just Sold! Investment Property Sold w/Multiple Offers Over Asking!

4621 7th Street | Carpinteria, CA 93013 Just sold with multiple offers over asking price! Located in beautiful Carpinteria with close proximity to downtown, beaches and estuary. PRD-15 zoning and a 5,663 sq ft lot offers excellent potential for development. A rare find! Sold for $547,000 which is 109% over asking!

If you have ever considering selling, call us today to see how we can help your property stand out from the rest and generate the highest possible sale price.

Carpinteria Beach Estate 🌊 Moments from Carpinteria State Beach

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"Located at the end of Linden Ave, known as the “World’s Safest Beach,” Carpinteria City Beach is very special and has been rated the #1 swimming beach in California, due mostly to its Southern exposure and its protection by the Channel Islands. Swimmers will usually enjoy small surf and the absence of riptides at our unique beach. This beach stretches for miles, north toward Padaro Lane and south toward the State Park Beach and seal rookery. This popular beach even has a small beach shack where you can rent innertubes or boogie boards during the summer. This long stretch of white sand, is also known as one of the top ten beaches in the US. The gradual incline produces little or no rip currents, hence the reputation for being the worlds safest beach. Picturesque sand dunes, gentle waves, picnic tables, restrooms, volleyball nets, beach shack, and barbecues make this a perfect all day destination for the whole family."-Source: http://www.carpinteriacoast.com/

Moments from Carpinteria Beach is a stunning ground-up renovation a few hundred feet from the sand in Carpinteria’s most sought after beach neighborhood, ''Concha Loma''. Designer furnishings are included in the sale of this elegant 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom single level home which could ably serve as a primary residence, vacation home or high-end luxury beach rental. Enter into a breathtaking, light and airy great room featuring skylights, fireplace and massive 24-foot sliding glass doors which maximize the indoor-outdoor living area. Discerning eyes will find tasteful finishes throughout the home, including wide plank wood floors, Caesarstone, Limestone and Marble counters, Pottery Barn vanities and modern amenities such as central heating & A/C, surround sound, CAT-6 wiring, security cameras, chef's kitchen featuring Kitchen-Aid range, outdoor shower and more! The private grounds are studded with mature fruit trees and various sitting areas, which include a gas fire pit for outdoor entertaining. A detached 550SF 2-car garage with separate driveway offers additional possibilities. Truly spectacular! See full details about this listing

Sold 🔑 Modern Living Downtown Carpinteria

Sold 🔑 Modern Living Downtown Carpinteria

Another home sold to a satisfied buyer!  We are happy to have represented the sellers in the sale of this modern 2 bedroom, 2 bath Berkus designed townhome only a short distance to the beach.  Remodeled throughout featuring cathedral ceilings, large master suites on each level, spacious living/entertaining areas, pool and large 2-car garage.

Modern living in downtown Carpinteria only a short distance to the beach! Stunning Barry Berkus designed 2-story town home features soaring cathedral ceilings and a flexible floor plan with large master suites on each level. Spacious living/entertaining areas offer potential to create a third bedroom. Features fresh paint and new carpets throughout, crown molding, smooth ceilings, new stainless steel refrigerator, washer/dryer included, granite counters, claw foot tub, wainscoting, gas fireplace and a large finished attic. Enjoy private patios off both the master bedroom and the dining room. Heated pool. Oversized 2-car garage + excellent guest parking.

5 Great Places for Families to Call Home

If you have a growing family and are thinking about moving, you have a lot of other things to think about. What about the schools? The neighborhood culture? Proximity to shopping and entertainment? You probably have a good idea about what to expect in the areas you’re considering. Family and friends can help you decide, but it’s also a good idea to talk to a real estate pro because knowing everything about a community is essential to what they do for a living.

With more than 60 offices in five Southern California counties spanning the Central Coast to San Diego, there are plenty of great places for families to choose from. We are featuring one family-friendly community in each county.

San Diego County

Carlsbad

Carlsbad (La Costa Valley) is made for young families. One resident who lives there received 160 trick-or-treaters last Halloween. Homes are decorated for the holidays, and you can drive through the neighborhoods most days and see children playing dodgeball or tossing a ball in front of their homes. Carlsbad Unified School District gets consistently high reviews from parents. It has 10,993 students attending 16 schools in grades K-12. According to state standards, 76 percent of students in the district are considered proficient in math and/or reading. The district has an annual budget of $151,529,000, spending an average of $13,697 per student.

Search for homes in Carlsbad now.

Orange County

Cypress

Cypress is a diverse city of 49,000. Cypress High School had commendable three-year median API scores of 900. Cypress’s Oxford Academy, which admits top students from Cypress and several other cities, scored an outstanding 992 and is considered one of the top 10 public high schools in the country. Cypress is just five miles to Knott’s Berry Farm, Knott’s Soak City, and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, and about 20 minutes from Disneyland. Nearby Cerritos has a large skate park, tennis club, and Los Alamitos Race Course.

Check out the Cypress homes that are for sale right now.

Los Angeles County

Tarzana

Tarzana is a neighborhood of 35,500 in the San Fernando Valley. And yes, it was named after the popular jungle character created by author Edgar Rice Burroughs that was adapted into a Disney animated film in 1999. What makes Tarzana a great neighborhood for young families is its strong economy, educated residents, and low crime rate. It is within the Los Angeles Unified School District, but is also home to Columbia College Hollywood, which teaches a variety of subjects related to film and TV. For young animal lovers, Red Barn Feed & Saddlery features all the tools you’ll need for raising pets, plus some animal adoptions.

Find your new home in Tarzana today.

Ventura County

Moorpark

Moorpark has a friendly, small-town feel, yet is close enough to Los Angeles to enjoy all the opportunities there for work and play. It is a 30-minute ride to Malibu and the coast. Moorpark has low crime, good schools, a Metrolink commuter rail station, plus numerous parks and hiking trails. The city of about 35,000 is completely surrounded by open space, parklands, and agriculture. Moorpark Unified School District is the largest employer in town. It has 6,812 students attending 12 schools in grades K-12. The district has an annual budget of $67,488,000, spending an average of $9,517 per student.

Make moves to move your family to Moorpark now.

Santa Barbara County

Carpinteria

Carpinteria fits the very definition of a of beachy surf town. Oozing with small-town charm, Carpinteria is known for its laid-back vibe and super-relaxed ambiance. The coastal city of 13,000 is just south of Santa Barbara. People move to Carpinteria because they commute to Santa Barbara for the lower cost of living, or they fall in love with the crisp and persistent waves that rock the beaches. Downtown Carpinteria has just a few stoplights and loads of fun restaurants and boutiques. The homes are more affordable than nearby Santa Barbara and Montecito. There is one high school, one middle school, four elementary schools, and a private preparatory school.

See what homes are for sale in Carpinteria today.

Visit Berkshire Hathaway's website for more articles.

Berkshire CEO Named #2 Real Estate Exec

Real estate research firm, The Swanepoel T3 Group, released their Swanepoel Power 200 last week, an annual ranking of the 200 most powerful people in real estate. The report focuses on "CEOs and other C-level executives that hold a senior position with a national franchise, referral network, or other collective group." Ron Peltier, Chairman and CEO of HomeServices of America, Inc., made it to the top of the rankings this year, coming in as number two of Swanepoel's Top Corporate Executives in Real Estate.

Peltier was first appointed Chairman in 2008, after 30 years in the real estate industry. Peltier has long been recognized as an innovator by the real estate industry, ranking consistently on Inman's Top 100 list and REALTOR Magazine's Top 25 Most Influential People in Real Estate. Under Peltier's leadership, HomeServices of America has grown steadily each year. According to The Swanepoel T3 Group, HomeServices has 70,000 Agents and generates a whopping 550,000 transactions per year. In 2015 alone, HomeServices added multiple companies, "the largest of which was First Weber in Wisconsin, with...$2.5 billion in sales in 2014."

Peltier's ranking on The Swanepoel Power 200 confirms Berkshire Hathaway is off to a great start in 2016!

See the full list of 200 executives here.

RealtyTrac Reports Decline in California Foreclosures

Last week RealtyTrac released its 2015 Year-End US Foreclosure Market Report, which shows annual foreclosure filings (default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions). According to the data, foreclosures are down 3 percent from 2014 and at a nine-year-low on a national level, and California's doing even better. In 2015, California saw 92,671 homes get foreclosed upon, or 0.68 percent. That adds up to a 14.66 percent decrease from 2014, and an incredible 83.05 percent decrease from the 2010 peak. RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist said that 2015 "saw a return to normal, healthy foreclosure activity in many markets."

Nationally, foreclosures were down 3 percent from 2014 and 62 percent from 2010. The report also found that during 2015, homes were in the foreclosure process for a shorter period of time.

Check out the graphic below to see the counties in California that had the highest and lowest percentage of foreclosures in 2015.

Ralston & Hitchcock 2016 Property Updates!

Charming Family Home w/ 1bd Guest House!

4bd/4ba country home with in-laws apartment on a gated & fenced .46 acre

236 Toro Canyon Road | Carpinteria, CA

Offered at $2,195,000

MLS# 15-1375

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Build Your Dream Home in Hope Ranch!

2.35 acre ocean-view parcel in exclusive Hope Ranch neighborhood

Via Esperanza | Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara

Offered at $2,000,000

MLS# 15-3777

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Award-Winning Luxury Condo in the Heart of Downtown!

1bd/2ba + loft 1 mile from the beach & walking distance to local restaurants, shops & nightlife

121 W. De La Guerra #7 | Santa Barbara, CA

Offered at $1,450,000

MLS# 15-905

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Available - Not in MLS!

3bd/3ba beachfront condo with panoramic ocean views, 2 blocks to downtown Ventura

Address & Price Available Upon Request

Ventura, CA

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Available - Not in MLS!

Beach bungalow with separate 1bd/1ba apartment, 2 blocks to the beach

Address Available Upon Request

Carpinteria, CA

Offered at $3,000,000

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Exclusive - Oceanfront Land on Oregon Coast!

4.52 acre building site along the Pacific Coast in scenic Oregon

Florence, OR

Offered at $1,990,000

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Exclusive - Riverfront Oregon Vineyard & Event Center!

27+ acre property features a 19 acre vineyard, large event center, & tasting room

Myrtle Creek, OR

Offered at $1,900,000

Preparing Your Home for Sale

Many factors can affect a home's sale price, some of which are out of your or your agent's control (think your neighborhood's location or nearby competitors). One thing that makes a substantial difference and is in your control, however, is cleanliness! When examining a home, potential buyers look for clean, light areas that make a home look warm and inviting. Properly cleaning your home before an open house or before a buyer checks it out can affect your sale price substantially. Whether you're cleaning your property yourself or hiring outside help, make sure you do it right. Take a look at this visual checklist before getting down and dirty for advice from industry pros and tips on cleaning each area of your house.

Building Your #FamilyWealth

As the economy continues to improve, more and more Americans are seeing their personal financial situations also improving. Instead of just getting by, many are now beginning to save and find other ways to build their net worth. One way to dramatically increase their family wealth is through the acquisition of real estate.

For example, let’s assume a young couple purchases and closes on a $250,000 home in January. What will that home be worth five years down the road?

Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists every quarter. They ask them to project how residential prices will appreciate over the next five years. According to their latest survey, here is how much value that $250,000 house will gain in the coming years.

Over a five year period, that homeowner can build their home equity to over $40,000. And, in many cases, home equity is large portion of a family’s overall net worth.

Bottom Line

If you are looking to better your family’s long-term financial situation, buying your dream home might be a great option.