home values index for Montecito, Summerland, Santa Barbara & Ojai
Today, the “American Riviera” remains a favorite of the rich and famous. Tim Allen, Marc Anthony, Ed Asner, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, Whoopie Goldberg, Jennifer Lopez, Julia-Louise Dreyfus, Steven Spielberg, Eric Schmidt, Dick Wolf, Brian Wilson, Stevie Nicks and Oprah Winfrey are just a few of the Hollywood heavyweights to call Santa Barbara home. Why? Located 97 miles (156 km) northwest of Los Angeles Santa Barbara has a mild climate protected to the south by the Santa Barbara Islands and to the north by the mountains.
There must be more to the recent rise in prices than nice weather. Who is moving in, causing the average price in Montecito to top $5 million? And, why some people are moving out, tempted by a more affordable Texas, Arizona, Nevada Colorado and perhaps looking for what California used to be. We are going to ask two multi-generation Santa Barbarans how the area has changed and what’s next for the “American Riviera”.
Ten Questions on the Santa Barbara Market:
What are the top reasons why Santa Barbara consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the United States?
How has the influx of wealthy tech executives impacted the local real estate market in Santa Barbara?
What steps is the city taking to address the widening income inequality gap in Santa Barbara? How do non-profits such as Adam’s Angels to meet the community’s needs?
92 miles from L.A. is too long for a daily commute. With the rise of remote work, how is Santa Barbara’s economy adapting to attract and retain talent?
How has the increasing diversity of Santa Barbara’s population impacted the city’s cultural landscape?
What role do short-term rentals like Airbnb play in exacerbating Santa Barbara’s affordable housing crisis?
How have recent wildfires and natural disasters affected the real estate market in Santa Barbara?
How does the city’s emphasis on sustainability and environmentalism benefit its residents?
How has the legalization of marijuana in California impacted the local economy in Santa Barbara?
What are the advantages of raising a family in Santa Barbara, including access to quality schools, parks, hiking, surfing, and other activities?
”Boroughs & Burbs” is a weekly show hosted by John Engel of Douglas Elliman and Roberto Cabrera of Brown Harris Stevens. The show takes place live on Zoom and is then re-broadcast on YouTube. Boroughs & ‘Burbs provides an in-depth look at the real estate market in New York City, its suburbs, and has expanded to include all of the markets important to New Yorkers, with a focus on the latest trends, market updates, and expert insights. The show is hosted by two experienced real estate professionals, who bring their expertise and knowledge to the discussion, providing valuable insights and analysis for anyone interested in the NYC real estate market. Whether you’re a real estate professional, a buyer, a seller, or simply interested in the market, “Boroughs & Burbs” is the perfect source for staying informed and up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the international luxury real estate scene..
John Engel can be found at http://www.JohnEngel.com. He is a consistently top-producing agent in Fairfield County, Connecticut. John recently won the Realtor of the Year Award in New Canaan where he is has recently been Chairman of the Town Council and is currently a member of the Planning & Zoning Commission. John also brings an insight into internet-based marketing that is unsurpassed. Before going into real estate he was the founder of two successful internet businesses, Paper.com and e-Media for which he won the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award. John spent his earliest years in Stuyvesant Town in lower Manhattan and went to New Canaan High School before attending Davidson College in North Carolina. After graduating, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army and spent some time leading a military intelligence platoon on the front lines of the first Gulf War. He currently lives in New Canaan with his wife Melissa and four children. In addition to hosting this podcast on the market each week, John Engel produces an easy-to-understand and in-depth monthly market analysis called the Market Report for the 16 towns of lower Fairfield County.
Roberto can be found at http://www.RobertoCabrera.com. With 24 years of experience, I have been recognized throughout the industry for achieving outstanding results: Ranked nationally by REAL Trends as one of “America’s Best Real Estate Agents” for avg. sales price of $4.350M. Sold a single family Townhouse faster than any other on the Upper West Side over $10M. I live with my wife and daughter on the Upper West Side, the neighborhood I have called home for the past 23 years. I was originally born in Richmond, Virginia and grew up in Maryland, just one mile south of the Mason Dixon line. After graduating with a degree in Mathematical Economics from Hampden-Sydney College, the 10th oldest school in the country, I spent 5 years in Washington, DC working as a financial consultant. I also studied at The National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts and I’m a former actor who once moonlighted as a stand-up comedian. Many years ago, I authored APPLE PIE – The Real Ingredients for Buying and Selling Your Slice.