Maurie McGuire's Montecito Real Estate Update - Newsletter June, 2011

Santa Barbara & Montecito Real Estate Update

Click on either image above for full market report, given to us courtesy of Chicago Financial Santa Barbara. Please let us know if you would like additional detail or other specific information.

4 Ways to Enhance Home Appeal | Start Your Projects

Summertime is a good time to start home improvement projects. Whatever you choose to update should bring more joy to homeownership. Remodeling magazine's 2010-11 Cost v Value Report suggests these simple improvements:
1. Replace your Front and/or garage door. Easy to do & return a high percent of cost on resale.
2. Kitchen & bathroom updates give dramatic transformation an older home and give visitors and buyers a fresh perspective. New countertops & appliances give great results, all though can be a bit expensive. Replace hardware & Paint cabinets. A less expensive way to change the rooms look & feel.
3. Landscape Sprucing: Curb appeal for important "First Impression". Everything in the yard needs to be trimmed, watered, & "living." Remove any clutter lying around the yard & add some color with annuals.
4. Energy efficiency enhancements can improve your enjoyment of the home and help save money on utility costs. (Click here for printable Tips on Energy Efficiency)

• Replace older appliances - refrigerators, ceiling fans, water heaters, air-conditioners
• Seal all heating and cooling system ducts. View Duct Sealing Brochure, courtesy of Energy Star.
• Seal air leaks around doors and windows; holes in attics & crawl spaces w/ caulk, spray foam or weather stripping. View Seal and Insulate Brochure, courtesy of Energy Star.
• Add insulation to regulate the temperature of your home year round.

Try looking from a buyers' perspective to see what could be dating your home, and prioritize a list of projects from there.

Montecito's Amazing Hot Springs Canyon - The Land Trust's Campaign to Preserve 900 ac for Montecito

Right now we have the opportunity to preserve Hot Springs Canyon, one of the most beautiful and historic private properties in the Santa Barbara Foothills. The Land Trust's goal is to ensure this land will be permanently dedicated as natural open space for people to experience and enjoy for generations to come. To learn more about this community treasure, and if you believe Protecting it Now for Montecito's benefit, please consider how you can help!

For more info click here or contact the Land Trust for SB, Michael Feeney, 966-4520, MFeeney@SBLandTrust.org, or go to: www.SBLandTrust.org.

Away We Go to Italy: New Book by Tom G. Carey benefits The Land Trust

Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and over thirty years of traveling and sketching throughout Italy, architect artist, Tom G. Carey has completed "And Away We Go ItalyAnd Away We Go Italy." This book is a visual and written tour of a number of cities throughout Italy. It's a great read, as there's so much correlation with Santa Barbara's love of architecture, our Mediterranean climate, food, ambiance, and countenance.

40% of all proceeds go to the Land Trust for SB County. And Away We Go Italy is now available on line through CreateSpace.com or Amazon.com

 

3 Hikes at Sedgwick Reserve | July 9th at 8:30am

Three hikes with themes such as geology, landforms, Sedgwick panoramas, plants and animals or birds, two to three hours each, offered simultaneously, followed by the opportunity to picnic (bring your own lunch) at the Reserve. In addition to the hikes, other activities such as a tour of the newly-renovated old barn, the new observatory, the pond, and the new Tipton House, as well as a set up for painters at the pond, and the use of a bocce ball court are all planned for those who don't want to hike and would like to just enjoy the Reserve attractions while the hikes are being conducted.

A donation of $10 per hiker or $15 per couple or family is suggested. Reservations are required. Hikes are weather permitting. For further information and reservations, email sedgwick@lifesci.ucsb.edu or 805-686-1941, Ex 6.

5 Easy Steps to your MLS Search

1. Go to www.MontecitoLand.com
2. Click the Property Search link.
3. Click on the left image, the Santa Barbara MLS Search button.
4. Check the boxes on this form. Remember to not get too specific when during your search. Do the broadest search criteria, but still focus on what is most important to you.
5. After you've filled out the property type, desired city and quick search criteria fields click on the MLS Search button. Resluts will pop up on the next page. Adjust your search according to more specific desires from this point.