Price Reduced $100k! Wow! 💸 121 W De La Guerra #7

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...

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: J North Productions

Jesse Natale 

What does J North Productions services consist of?
We are a commercial and promotional video production and photography company.  We do a  wide variety of projects from tv commercials, corporate and product videos, real estate, and even documentary work. 

We are also building a network of creatives which our clients will be able to access for things like web design, graphics and stock video and photos... something my partners and I will be launching later this year.

How long have you been doing videography/been in the industry??
I started working with video in high school ...like Hi 8 tapes and VHS which feels pretty ancient now... then I did some documentary non-profit work around the world. Got a commercial film degree and started my company in 2006.

How would you describe your style—documentary, cinematic or a mix of both?
I have some personal preferences in what style I like, but every project is different and we try to develop an appropriate style depending on the client and the product itself. So it's definitely a mix. 

With increasing need for video content have you noticed a spike in business?
There has definitely been a gradual increase in demand for the type of content we produce. Most business owners know by now how important good quality video and photo content is and its just a matter of when they are ready to commit moving forward. 

A lot of people are a little nervous to dive in expecting things to be expensive and time consuming but I think its important to just get started with something small to get the wheels turning. A little bit of video and photo marketing goes a long way. 

Favorite job so far ?
We feel really lucky to have so many great clients.  A lot of them are companies that use our services year round. A few of my favorite projects have been with local companies like Figueroa Mountain Brewing and Beckmen Vineyards. We have also been working with Adidas and P3 sports over the past few years and thats definitely exciting stuff to shoot. We are currently editing some promotional content for adidas that we shot a few weeks ago.


Least favorite job so far ?
I've had to shoot some boring stuff, but I probably shouldn't be too specific (wink)...we are finally at the point that we can pass on some jobs here and there that aren't the right fit. I'm trying to get better at detecting early on when it's the right fit or not. 

My least favorite part of this work is never feeling like the product is completely done and perfect.. I always feel like theres one or two things I wish were better or different. Ive heard thats pretty common for artists to feel that way...although I don't really think of myself as an artist. 


What do you most enjoy about the work you do?
I really enjoy the creative side of the work we do...not so much the business side. I love being able to create a tangible piece of work that hopefully many people will get to see.  It's all about evoking emotion out of the viewer...which sometimes can be accomplished easily and other times it takes a lot of work. We want to portray the client or product we are shooting and make the viewer feel like they are right there in it...  It feels good when we do it successfully. This industry is always changing from the technical side of things and we have to continually keep up and keep things fresh, so every day is a little different. Sometimes it's crazy long hours and working all weekend and sometimes it's a Tuesday morning and I can choose to just go for a surf instead of working... really can't beat that.


So you do real estate videography as well? Interesting real estate properties you have done?/ What was your favorite property?
Yes we definitely do a little bit of everything and there is a huge need for our services in the real estate world here in Santa Barbara for obvious reasons. 

Its fun to bring a home to life through videos and photography...sometimes can be quite challenging, but it's nice to end up getting a great product out there when it's all done. 

There are such beautiful properties in Santa Barbara so it's nice to be able to be a part of showing them off.  

We have shot a few homes in Montecito and Hope Ranch that just blow your mind. I'm not sure there is one specific favorite but If I ever get super rich Im going to just take all the best parts of each house we've shot and throw it all into one epic house.

Listing Spotlight: Nantucket Farm House with Stunning Unobstructed Views

4900 Via Los Santos | Santa Barbara, CA 93111

5 BEDROOMS | 6 BATHS

OFFERED AT $3,395,000

Listed by Randy Glick of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: MoveGreen Moving Services

Kat Hitchcock interviews Nick Jacobson the General Manager of Movegreen

Kat: Movegreen has been established for 9 years? I’m surprised it has been that long, it feels like such a young company.

Nick: Yes, young, but it grew pretty quick - it’s grown 23% each year.

Kat: That’s amazing! I know Movegreen helps a lot with Junior League of Santa Barbara’s Rummage Event every year. You do so much with keeping our rummage items stored and then all the man power the weekend of the event. Does Movegreen do any other non-profit work?

Nick: Yes- Teacher’s fund is a big one

Kat: Nice! I know that golf tournament is a big event every year. 

Nick: So that's the biggest one…we also do tree’s for humanity - so for every move we partner with a company that will plant ten trees. 

Kat: That’s amazing! Is there a specific place they plant them?

Nick: They are mostly third world locations.

Kat: Very cool!

So my next question will be good for our clients, what’s the best tip you could give someone who is going to be moving?

Nick:  Organization, planning ahead, and to relax! 

Kat: I know we just got done working together on one of my Montecito listings. If I remember correctly your process is first come to the home and go over everything that needs to be moved. Then from there you break it down by time, labor and materials? 

Nick: Yep, that's how we do it.

Kat: So how many guys are on a job for, let’s say… a 1,500 square foot house?

Nick: About 3.

Kat: Is it all day pack and move? Or….

Nick: So a 1,500 square foot house pack and move would take 3 guys and 10-12 hours over 2 days. Pack one day, move the next day.

Kat: So what would be the average cost?

Nick: $68 per man/per hour. So around $2,000. 

Kat: Not that bad for not having to move yourself!

Nick: I would never move myself again-it’s horrible.

Kat: I totally agree! Before I married my husband I moved every year for 6 years straight here in Santa Barbara. Its absolutely exhausting trying to move by yourself. 

Do you have any other moving locations other than Santa Barbara? 

Nick: We are in Ventura too!

Kat: No way, that’s huge! I feel like Ventura is a good market to be in. 

Nick: Absolutely. 

Next question is Kylie’s (assistant) question what do you love most about your job?

Nick:  The location is amazing. I love living in Santa Barbara and our employees are great- the guys we work with make it fun. 

Kat:  Everyone from Movegreen that helped with the Junior League of Santa Barbara Rummage event were such great guys to work with and sweet to give us their time.  

Nick: We are pretty picky about the guys we hire so they make it fun - and then I love dealing with the customers too. 

Kat: That’s awesome. Well thank you for meeting with me!

For any of our clients you will receive 10% off your move with MoveGreen services when you mention Ralston and Hitchcock!!!

Gold is the new green 🍂

After being in consideration since September due to a predicted 300 acre-foot water shortage, the city of Santa Barbara has decided to put forth a new effort in conserving water. Starting January 1, 2017 they will enforce a lawn watering ban with limited exceptions.

The video below demonstrates how going into the sixth year of drought has effected our community, and how banning lawn watering will increase the efforts to conserve. 

Joshua Haggmark the city Water Resources Manager, states "12% of our water is still being put on turf, that is why we are focusing our attention on that." Which he goes on to explain in a time not in drought our community as a whole usually uses 20% of water on average to water our lawns. "What we're trying to really do is help the community prioritize it's landscape. What we don't want to see the community let go of is the trees and shrubs, which are a much more significant investment by the community and really kind of give Santa Barbara it's 'look'."

For more information on water supplies, drought planning, regulations, and rebates please visit www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/Drought or call 564-5460. 

Live in Luxury for Less! Price Reduced on this Award Winning One Twenty One Condo

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All the luxury at a new low price, recently reduced $140,000!

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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.

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✌🏼 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!

Weekly Perspective • Hope Ranch

Happy Friday everyone,

We're just finishing up our work week here at Berkshire Hathaway in Montecito. Last week we talked about Carpinteria and it's real estate market and this week we want to introduce you to the exclusive neighborhood, Hope Ranch. Hope Ranch is directly adjacent to Santa Barbara and is bordered by a spectacular private beach. That's just the start of it, you have La Cumbre country club, Laguna Blanca private school and 30 miles of equestrian riding trails. This is home to to more than one billionaire and everyone's favorite rapper, Snoop Dogg.

Snooooop

Now Hope Ranch real estate is not for the faint of heart, the average home sells for 4-5 million dollars and easily climbs up over 20 million dollars. Currently the most expensive home listed in Hope Ranch is a 25 million dollar, 10,000 square foot stunner. It's an ocean front property on almost 4 acres, with a pool, spa, home theatre, private dance studio and tennis court. This home was built by a former Apple executive so you guessed it has all the tech bells and whistles you can imagine. If this sounds like the home you've been thinking about buying, you might want to jump on this one, it has recently been reduced to 25 million dollars and supposedly costed only 30 million dollars to build.

There are more modest homes in Hope Ranch, but everybody shares the same exclusive lifestyle and privacy. Now more than ever is an opportunity to stand out from the pack and work with a real estate agent that understands your local market. Have a great weekend! We'll see you next week.

-Team Ralston + Hitchcock

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.

Weekly Perspective • October 14

Last week we touched on Montecito's slow down of the upper end this week we want to introduce you to it's neighboring city, Carpinteria. I have lived there for the past 10 years and the locals call this town the last great beach town on the west coast. It has perfect year round weather, spectacular beaches, and home to one of the hottest surf destinations "Rincon Point." It's popular with retirees, families, and vacation home owners.

The real estate in Carpinteria is a mixed bag. You have beach front homes starting at $4,000,000, condos just right off the sand starting at $500,000, and smaller homes around $1,000,000. If you go a little further from the beach you do have a wider selection of homes starting at $700,000-$1,200,000. From there Carpinteria's spectacular foothills begin, you'll see the hills are dotted with avocado ranches and mega ranch estate. I would say on average a decent home in the foothills will sell from $1.5-$3 Million dollars.

Now more than ever is an opportunity to work with an agent (agents) who know your local area.

Thank you and see you next week!

Sold 🍾 Spanish style condo near Downtown Santa Barbara

620 W Carrillo Street Unit A

Our favorite part of the job! Just closed on this charming Spanish style 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo near Downtown Santa Barbara and the Mesa! 

Weekly Real Estate Recap with Jake and Kat

Kat and I are just finishing up our work week here at Berkshire Hathway, Montecito and we want to share some of the buyer tips with you that we are sharing with our clients. So if you're just beginning your home search or just about to contact an agent, this is what you should be hearing about market conditions and inventory. The market has recovered we definitely felt it, we are seeing it across the board. It's a great thing, we see some stabilization but with that we are getting increases in inventory. While all of this may be true, we're constantly hearing from clients there is not a lot to pick from. So even with the increased inventory there is very high demand in Santa Barbara. We suggest you start your home search early and contact us soon! Thank you for watching and we will talk to you next week!

-Jake Ralston + Kat Hitchcock

......for a bit of fun watch the blooper reel below. :) Happy Friday!