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SANTA BARBARA REAL ESTATE MARKET UPDATE: JULY 2023

August 24, 2023

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The real estate market in our picturesque coastal city continues to captivate both buyers and sellers. But that’s not surprising since Santa Barbara's real estate landscape is defined by its unique blend of stunning natural beauty and upscale living. The summer months always bring a surge of interest from those seeking to experience the laid-back yet sophisticated lifestyle our city has to offer and 2023 is no exception.


A firepit in front of a pool in a courtyard at a luxury home in Montecito

Neighborhood Market Update

By understanding the local nuances and recognizing the broader national trends, you can navigate this dynamic landscape with confidence. Here are the latest market stats for Santa Barbara County.

A luxury contemporary home in Montecito surrounded by lush vegetation with mountains in the background

Montecito
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NEW LISTINGS: 22
PENDING: 14
PRICE CHANGES: 11
SOLD: 13

A luxury contemporary estate in Santa Barbara's Hope Ranch, with the main house in the background and an expansive lawn and guest residence in the foreground.

Hope Ranch
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NEW LISTINGS: 6
PENDING: 2
PRICE CHANGES: 2
SOLD: 1

A contemporary Santa Barbara home illuminated within and looking out over the city and the ocean

Santa Barbara
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NEW LISTINGS: 57
PENDING: 26
PRICE CHANGES: 40
SOLD: 45

A massive Carpinteria CA estate, with mountains in the background, a large pool terraces and a polo field in the foreground.

Carp/Summerland
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NEW LISTINGS: 9
PENDING: 7
PRICE CHANGES: 9
SOLD: 10

Featured Listing

The pool courtyard of a large mid-century modern home in Montecito, the expansive pool flanked by rows of illuminated floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors.

238 Miramar Avenue, Montecito CA
Offered at $14,895,000

Presenting one of the latest additions to my portfolio: a Montecito Mid-Century Architectural Masterpiece showcasing the brilliance of revered architect Jack Warner. This dwelling serves as a splendid embodiment of the finest mid-century aesthetics, paying homage to modernist elements that have defined an era. Nestled on a very private drive off of Montecito’s Miramar Avenue, this residence has undergone meticulous updates, seamlessly harmonizing artistic expression with functional living. It not only stands as a remarkable example of the architect's skill but also as a testament to the visionary taste and foresight of its current owner.

The white living room of a significant modernist home, with high-end furnishings and floor to ceiling windows and glass doors.

As you step through the front gate, you're greeted by magnificent glass panels in the living room that provide a grand view of the enchanting pool area. A Victorian-style glass pavilion graces the grounds, serving as a remarkable centerpiece that underscores the exceptional nature of this dwelling and its impeccably maintained grounds. The concept of "quiet luxury" defines the contemporary elegance and comfort found within these walls; effortlessly conveyed through minimalistic design choices. Clean white walls and ceilings set the tone, while cool marble floors exude an air of sophistication. Natural light floods the interiors through expansive windows and doors, seamlessly connecting the interior and exterior spaces.

A striking Victorian-style glass pavilion in a well manicured garden

The grounds surrounding this architectural masterpiece are a testament to nature's beauty. Emerald lawns, meticulously sculpted plantings, and neatly trimmed hedges come together to form an enchanting oasis. Meandering pathways add a touch of intrigue, inviting exploration and creating a magical atmosphere. In the true spirit of Jack Warner's signature style, this oasis is a tribute to the past while offering a luxurious lifestyle for the present and beyond.

View More Current Listings


If you’re considering making a move, please call me at (805) 886-9378 or send me an email at Cristal@montecito-estate.com for a complimentary consultation. Stay apprised of local real estate trends with my next market update.



P.S. Since I’m so excited and proud to be the Official Real Estate Partner for this year’s Santa Barbara Half Marathon, I want to remind you that the event is coming up in November, so now is the time to start training. A portion of the proceeds is directed toward organizations that wield a positive influence on life right here in Santa Barbara. You will find more information in my previous blog post, and I hope you will watch this short welcome video I made.

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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch