Is a Home Buyer’s Market on the Horizon?
PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE NATION SAY THE TIDES MAY BE SHIFTING After a long winter in the housing market across the country, including right here in Montecito, many real estate professionals are predicting they see a home buyer’s market on the hori...
20th Annual Power Lunch with Warren Buffett
DINE WITH THE ORACLE OF OMAHA Want to take a power lunch with Warren Buffett and make a difference in the lives of thousands at the same time? Then get pre-qualified now to place a bid on eBay for YOUR chance to dine with the Oracle of Omaha at Smith...
Dreaming of Living in a Luxury Modern Home in Montecito?
CHECK OUT MY ICONIC MODERNISM LISTINGS The idea behind a luxury modern home in Montecito, or anywhere for that matter, is that form should follow function. There was also the concept of ‘Truth to materials’, which held that rather than conceal...
7 Must-Haves For Your Next Lawn Party
HERE ARE THE THINGS YOU PROBABLY HAVEN’T THOUGHT OF Those of us fortunate enough to live in Montecito love throwing a lawn party, especially this time of year. Who doesn’t welcome the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors with family and frien...
Real Estate Terms Used in Listing Descriptions
BUYERS, ALLOW ME TO TRANSLATE You have probably encountered some of the specialized real estate terms used in property descriptions. Look at any listing anywhere in the country and you will realize that they all include certain phrases that buyers m...
Is Information on Real Estate TV Shows Believable?
4 MISGUIDED “TRUTHS” PROMOTED BY POPULAR PROGRAMMING The HGTV effect in the real estate industry is real, but don’t kid yourself into believing all of what you see and hear on your favorite real estate TV shows is necessarily valid. Think abou...
Montecito Homebuyers: Should You Pay Cash Or Take Out a Mortgage?
WHAT GIVES YOU THE BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK? Montecito homebuyers sometimes ask if they should pay cash or take out a mortgage when investing in real estate. While most of my clients opt for a cash purchase, that might not be the best option for e...
Real Estate Disclosure Forms: Foolproof or Fallible?
4 OF THE CRAZIEST THINGS BUYERS FOUND AFTER CLOSING California disclosure laws are an integral part of the journey toward closing on a home. The Golden State, like many others, requires its residential property sellers to disclose certain things i...
Bye-bye, 2018 Tax Deductions. Hello, Loopholes
5 TAX BREAKS THAT HAVE DISAPPEARED (SORT OF) The major overhaul of the U.S. tax code has left many homeowners confused this tax season. But the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) IS not as frightening as you might think with regard to 2018 ta ded...
Going Solar? Facts and Figures to Help You Decide
WHEN GOING SOLAR, A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE GOES A LONG WAY Considering going solar in 2019? That’s good for both you and the environment. Experts report that making the switch from fossil fuel could potentially cut air pollution by 90%. But that’s not...