JUST SOLD 🔑 Closed escrow on this gorgeous unit today. Absolutely loved working with this buyer to find her new luxury condo Downtown Santa Barbara! Welcome to SB 🌴Offered at $1,395,000.
Viewing entries tagged
Santa Barbara listings
121 W De La Guerra #7
Award winning luxury town home in downtown Santa Barbara w/a walk score of 98! Large 1 bedroom+loft unit showcases an open concept floor plan with wood floors, gourmet kitchen, granite counters, stainless appliances, gas fireplace & private patio. Luxurious bedroom features Juliette balcony, en-suite bathroom with double vanity & oversized walk-in closet. Loft is perfect for overnight guests or dedicated office. Completely gated building with elevator to street level and parking garage. Steps away from renowned amenities - including restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, historic sites, boutiques and shopping. Less than 1 mile to waterfront and beaches.
OPEN THIS WEEK:
THURSDAY 12-2
SATURDAY 1-3:30
SUNDAY 2-4
(805) 351-2101
One Twenty One is the winner of The American Institute of Architects Santa Barbara Chapter Merit Award for excellence in design and has been awarded the coveted Santa Barbara Beautiful Award for 2014.
Want to know what it's like to live at One Twenty One? See what neighbor Doug has to say...
4900 Via Los Santos | Santa Barbara, CA 93111
5 BEDROOMS | 6 BATHS
OFFERED AT $3,395,000
Kat Hitchcock’s Interview With Nate Zacarias and Ben Hatcher owners of AllScape Design + Installation
Kat: First question, what does being water wise mean?
Nate Zacarias
Nate: It basically means to be efficient with the way you use your water and trying to effectively reduce and save on not only on water but also on cost. Water is expensive it is becoming the new high end gold.
Kat: Exactly, we have sellers that have acres and acres of land and obviously with the drought it has made their water bill more expensive. From a maintenance standpoint they are all trying to figure out the best plan of action.
Ben: There’s a lot of different avenues on ways to save water- whether it's irrigation assistance, drought tolerant plants and adding mulch to absorb moisture when it does rain. There’s a lot of different ways you can reduce the use of water.
Kat: What is the ROI analysis on irrigation projects?
Ben Hatcher
Ben: We calculate the return on investment. We calculate what the customer is currently spending and how long it will take for that budget to pay itself back. On small properties it is very rare. You have to do pretty extensive things to your landscape to create an ROI that is noticeable. Typical ROI’s would pay back in 5-15 years depending on what you do. I think it’s just seeing their water bills go down that makes our clients happy.
Kat: For those who don't know what is the difference between hardscape and landscape?
Nate: Hardscapes are hard materials like concrete, rock work, pathways- anything outside of softscapes. Softscapes would be considered planting and lawn installations, anything that has to do with plant material and gravels. Pathways can be both hardscape and softscapes.
Kat: A lot of our sellers have been putting in fire pits and decking, does AllScape design + installation handle those type of projects?
Nate: Of course. We handle fire pits, any kind of woodwork like fencing, decking, pergolas, we do it all. If we can’t do something we have amazing contractors that can do it.
Kat: What are the biggest mistakes you commonly see when people do their own landscaping? DIY Do’s and Do nots?
Ben: I think going with cheap material. So often when we go on a consultation we find cheap Home Depot material that doesn’t last long, or something not being installed properly. Actually the most common thing we find is irrigation breaks.
Kat: Can AllScape Design + Installation test the irrigation lines for breaks?
Ben: Yep. More often than not we find breaks in the valves or the piping.
Nate: We call this an irrigation evaluation, we evaluate the entire system- find out where the flaws are- find out where you are wasting water, and then give a proposal to fix that at first and then give the customer ideas on how to improve and make it more efficient.
Kat: What makes AllScape Design + Installation different than other landscape companies?
Ben: I think just being on top of our game. We have connections with great sub contractors, our knowledge, and being in the field for so many years.
Nate: Also I think its our communication.
Ben: Communication is key.
AllScape Design + Installation Completed Project
Nate: The fact that we call people back - and we joke that should be our slogan because it’s true- we hear it all the time so many people just don’t call you back.
Ben: And we are on site, on time, if we can’t be there we call ahead of time and just keep the client updated with good communication. Which is lacking with a lot of contractors. It’s something they struggle with. So I think thats the one thing we have built our business on and considered a major part of our success is our communication.
Nate: I also think we are fairly priced. You know were not high end or low end but we are right where we should be as far as what we charge clients. I think that shows.
Kat: That is awesome. What do you find most difficult or challenging as a landscaper?
Ben: Figuring out their budget. It’s not like our prices stay the same, but people struggle to tell us their budget.
AllScape Design + Installation Completed Project
Nate: To know someone's ideal budget is key because it helps me just design what I need to design within that range. Otherwise I have fun with it and make it lavish and then they see the proposal and they get taken aback. If I get a set budget then I can design around that. So that is a challenge when clients don't know ahead of time.
Kat: When someone hires AllScape Design + Installation what should they expect? What sort of planning should you do beforehand?
Nate: If they want to do a project- it is nice to know what type of style. Those are questions I bring to the table. If you want a Mediterranean, drought tolerant, if you want a California garden type, free flowing design, or do you want something more symbiotic and symmetrical. There’s all different styles out there.
Kat: Besides style of project, what else should they expect?
Nate: They usually have an idea and style is number one, and what they want to save. What type of plants they want to be incorporated, what colors, it’s key to know. A lot of people hate oranges and yellows. So we have to ask those questions. Not only what you like but also what you dislike. It helps me figure out the plant palette and what type of movement through the property and sitting areas.
AllScape Design + Installation Completed Project
Ben: Also taking photos of stuff they like, a lot people take photos around the neighborhood of what they do and do not like. Right now our work is a lot of taking out grass and putting in drought tolerant plants. We typically go and meet with them and then ask them what you want to do and that then forms Nate’s idea of what he’s going to design. Then we do digital imaging as a quick test so they can see what they like and don’t like in different scenarios. Then we will talk with them about moving forward.
Nate: Then we can go to the next level and do a blueprint design, a to scale design. Or we can go with the design imaging only and make a proposal based on that. Which would be the cheapest way to go. If they want to spend the extra $500-1000 to get it done right with the blueprint it does help. Then they own it, it is theirs and if they ever want to change anything they have the square footages. If they needed a different concrete contractor to come in and get square footage of the driveway it’s already set onto scale. I always try to push to get design blueprints done- but in the landscape world things move so fast.
Kat: So what do ya’ll think of all this amazing rain?
Nate: Love it. Need it.
Kat: Do you think it is going to change anything in landscape world?
Ben: I hope it changes people’s philosophy about what a yard should typically look like. I hope we go away from the thought of huge lawn areas being ideal. You know typically you don't use your front yard as much so take out the front yard grass and just be more mindful of the water.
Nate: The problem is people see rain and think they can instantly go back to their old ways. I hope through all the education from the Santa Barbara and Goleta water districts people will think differently. The water districts did an amazing job getting people educated about being water wise.
Kat: Okay, one more question. What do you love most about what you do?
Nate: From day one in this industry I have always loved not only the creative part of it but its seeing a crappy yard transition into something special and unique. You know home owners have to live with it every day. I like seeing the transition and happy customers which is why I got into it. To help people out and I love being outdoors.
Ben: Like Nate said being able to walk away from a project and transition something into such a big difference. Building something, making something and getting to work with the clients.
Kat: I feel like I have met a handful of your clients and they are all extremely excited with the finished projects and love working with you guys.
Nate: It’s a good community we live in and its fun to create those relationships with clients.
Ben: We are kind of friends with a lot of them. We would see them out around town and go have a beer together. I think that is kind of special.
Kat: We love sending you guys business, thank you for being so great to our clients.
AllScape Design + Installation free digital imaging draft for your next project when you mention Ralston and Hitchcock!
SOLD! ⛳️🏠 Golf Course + Mountain Views
253 Moreton Bay Lane #4 | Goleta, CA 93
Bedrooms: 2 | Bathrooms: 2| Views: Golf Course + Mountain | Square Ft: 1,211
Sold Price: $573,000
Located on the Encina Royale golf course with beautiful mountain views. This 2 bedroom + den unit features an updated kitchen with newer appliances and Silestone kitchen counters, wood floors throughout, as well as an enclosed shared garage. The Encina Royale complex enjoys a clubhouse, pool, golf course, greenbelt and gym. Situated in a convenient Goleta location near shopping, yet 15 minutes from Downtown Santa Barbara.
All the luxury at a new low price, recently reduced $140,000!
121 W De La Guerra #9 is a luxurious gated town home in downtown Santa Barbara with garage and private elevator access to the unit! This stunning home is highlighted by incredible vaulted ceilings over an open concept floor plan. Interior appointments include dark mocha wood floors, gas fireplace, center island with sit-at bar, granite counters, stainless appliances and fantastic flow to a large patio through double sets of French doors.
One Twenty One Award winning luxury town home in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara with a walk score of 98! Only steps away from renowned amenities - including restaurants, theaters, galleries, museums, historic sites, boutiques, shopping and beaches.
125 Gray Avenue | Santa Barbara, CA 93101
2 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHS
OFFERED AT $1,799,000
Listing agent: David Kim
Listing Brokerage: Village Properties
2281 Featherhill Road | Montecito, CA 93108
4 BEDROOMS | 6 BATHS | 4,773 +/- SQ FT
OFFERED AT $5,995,000
Listing agent: Nancy Kogevinas
Listing Brokerage: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
Photography: Jesse Kaplan
Not just a local's bias any more. It's official. UCSB really is in the Top 10 of the country. U.S News and Worldwide Report deemed UCSB the 8th top public university Nationwide. Read what Andrea from the UC's blog "The current" had to say:
"In its 2017 listing of the “Top 30 Public National Universities” in the country, U.S. News & World Report has ranked UC Santa Barbara number 8.
Among the “Best National Universities” ranking, which includes both public and private institutions, UCSB placed number 37. Within the University of California system, only UC Berkeley and UCLA ranked above UCSB. Other UC campuses in the Top 30 include Irvine, Davis and San Diego.
In addition, UCSB placed number 13 among public universities in the “Least Debt” section of the magazine’s ranking of student debt load at graduation. UCSB’s College of Engineering is ranked number 18 among public universities on the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Programs at Engineering Schools Whose Highest Degree is a Doctorate.”
The magazine has just released its annual college rankings online at usnews.com/colleges. The print edition of “Best Colleges 2017” guidebook can be purchased online beginning today or in stores Oct. 4.
“We are proud of this national recognition, which places us at No. 8 among the country’s top public universities and further emphasizes our leading role in higher education,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “A reflection of the preeminent stature of UC Santa Barbara, this ranking is the result of the dedication and enormous efforts of our world-class faculty, and the academic distinction of our diverse student body.
“Our greatness,” Yang added, “is the sum of the combined commitment of our students, faculty and staff to academic excellence, diversity, access and affordability.”
To rank colleges and universities for the Best Colleges 2017 guidebook, U.S. News & World Report assigns institutions to categories developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. UCSB’s category of national universities includes only institutions that emphasize faculty research and offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s degrees and doctoral programs.
UCSB, which this year experienced the most competitive admissions process in campus history, continues to attract the best of the best. Among prospective freshmen and undergraduate transfer students, academic qualifications and diversity remain exceptionally high. For the 2016-17 academic year, the average high school grade-point average of applicants admitted is 4.21, and the average total score achieved on the required SATR test is 1994 out of a possible 2400.
Of the admitted freshmen, 30 percent are members of underrepresented minority groups (African-American, American Indian and Chicano and Latino students). In addition, 30 percent of admitted freshmen are first-generation college students.
The rankings in the Best Colleges 2017 guidebook are based on data U.S. News & World Report collects directly from colleges and universities, as well as from other sources. This year, the magazine reported that 93.5 percent of the 1,374 colleges and universities it surveyed responded to its request for statistical information. Additional data was obtained from the American Association of University Professors, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the Council for Aid to Education and the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. The magazine evaluates and analyzes data on various indicators of academic quality and assigns a weight to each factor based on its relative importance. It then tabulates composite scores and ranks institutions against others in the same peer group.
Complete U.S. News & World Report rankings are available at www.usnews.com/colleges.
UCSB has performed exceptionally well in a variety of other recent national and international rankings. It remains one of the world’s top 10 universities worldwide in terms of research impact, as listed by the 2016 Leiden Rankings. In addition, on Washington Monthly magazine’s list of the nation’s top universities, UCSB placed number 9 among public institutions and number 17 overall. Also, UCSB came in at number 25 among schools with 10,000 or more undergraduates in Teach for America’s 2016 Teaching Corps."
Source: http://www.news.ucsb.edu/2016/017115/excellence-affirmed
🍃 Tucked away in Montecito's hedgerow....
A Mid-Century Modern Ranch near Lower Village and Beaches. Situated on a flat and usable .42 acres, this well maintained single level home offers 3 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms with floor to ceiling walls of glass and soaring vaulted ceilings.
Features:
4 fireplaces; one in each of the formal dining room, living room, family room and Master bedroom, which is replete with sitting area, large walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom and french doors to the patio. Attached 3 car garage has installed a lift able to store 3 additional cars; sure to please the auto enthusiast. The grounds are an entertainer's dream with lush lawns, spacious patios, gardening areas and large water feature.
Extremely central location in Montecito near shops, Montecito Union Elementary, private schools, beaches, YMCA and more!
It's that time again...
Voting for the annual Santa Barbara Independent Best Of Santa Barbara Issue has begun!
You can vote for jake ralston & kat hitchcock by voting "Ralston & Hitchcock real estate" in the category “Best Real Estate Team”
& "Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices" in the category “Best Real Estate Company”
VOTE NOW
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
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
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
Available - Not in MLS!
3bd/3ba beachfront condo with panoramic ocean views, 2 blocks to downtown Ventura
Address & Price Available Upon Request
Ventura, CA
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
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
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