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🏃♂️ Go Go Go!
The Motto for the Season
I don’t know about you, but this fall has been nonstop. It’s easily been one of the busiest seasons I can remember—both professionally and personally.
On the home front, our kids are loving being back in school and seeing their friends again. Between homework, soccer practices, and weekend games, our AYSO season has kept us moving. As that wraps up in the next few weeks, we’ll roll right into All-Stars—one team instead of two this time, but for the next eight months. Coaching this group is the best part of it all. Every kid wants to be there, ready to learn and grow. That’s what makes a “coachable” player so valuable.
And honestly, that same mindset applies to today’s real estate market.
🏠 Market Update: A Tale of Two Markets
This year’s market has been defined by contrast. On one hand, we’re seeing many homes sitting longer and needing multiple price reductions to attract offers. On the other hand, a select few are selling quickly—and even going for well over asking, reminiscent of the 2021 frenzy. Those are the exceptions, but they’re still happening when the home, price, and presentation are all aligned.
The challenge right now is the disconnect between buyers and sellers. Sellers often base their asking price on the most recent sale in the neighborhood, expecting a similar result. But buyers aren’t rushing in like they used to. Many feel they can wait and find a better deal, and sometimes they’re right.
That’s why today, success depends on perceived value. If buyers see your home as just another listing, they’ll wait. But if your home stands out—through better condition, great presentation, or strategic pricing—they’ll act fast to avoid missing out.
🚫 What Not to Do When Selling
I recently toured a home listed by an out-of-town agent, and it was a perfect example of what not to do. The home was priced nearly $80,000 higher than a similar one that sold just a week earlier, it needed new paint and flooring, and the owners stayed inside during the showing. To make matters worse, the house wasn’t even clean. My client noticed stains in the toilet of a $1.6 million home—and immediately lost interest.
If you’re preparing to sell, avoid these common pitfalls:
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Don’t overprice your home.
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Don’t hire an agent unfamiliar with your area.
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Don’t stay home during showings—buyers need space to imagine themselves there.
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Don’t list before your home is clean and well-presented (yes, even the details matter).
Fresh paint, updated flooring, and proper staging can make a world of difference. And most importantly, price it right from the start—because the longer a home sits, the lower the eventual sale price tends to be.
💬 Let’s Talk Strategy
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just keeping an eye on market trends, I’d love to help you navigate what’s next.
📲 Call, text, or email anytime—I’m always happy to talk real estate, investing, and life here in Santa Barbara.
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California Housing Market Rebounds With Sales Growth in 40+ Counties
By Marco Santarelli
Norada Real Estate Investments
Summary of Top Ten Ideas from the article
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Statewide Rebound: The California housing market showed strong signs of recovery in September 2025, with sales increasing both month-over-month and year-over-year.
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Widespread Growth: 40 out of 53 counties posted annual sales gains, reflecting broad-based market improvement.
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Sales Momentum: Existing single-family home sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 277,410, up 5% from August and 6.6% from September 2024, the highest level in seven months.
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Key Drivers: Slightly lower and more stable mortgage rates, along with seasonal fall activity, helped encourage buyers to return to the market.
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Pricing Trends: The median home price was $883,640, down 1.7% from August but up 1.8% year-over-year, signaling steady, healthy price stabilization.
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Regional Highlights: All major regions saw sales growth, led by the Central Coast (11.8%), Southern California (11.3%), and Central Valley (10.2%).
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County Standouts: Kings County (+46.3%), Calaveras County (+42%), and Santa Cruz County (+37.9%) led in annual sales gains, while Trinity County (-50%) and San Benito County (-23.9%) declined.
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Mixed Price Movement: Most regions saw modest price increases, with notable spikes in Mono (+53.4%) and Mariposa (+51.6%) Counties, while a few like Trinity (-15.2%) experienced drops.
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Inventory & Timing: The Unsold Inventory Index remained at 3.6 months, indicating a slightly seller-favored but balancing market. Homes took an average of 32 days to sell, up from 24 days last year, giving buyers more flexibility.
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Outlook: Analysts see cautious optimism ahead. Stable mortgage rates and strong demand point to gradual growth, though broader economic and geopolitical uncertainties could moderate the pace of recovery.
Read the Full Article Here!
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Montecito was the # 6 most expensive Zip Code in the Country this year.
"California’s Newport Beach dominates luxury real estate market"
James Ward and Daniel de Visé
Palm Springs Desert Sun
Seven of the country's 10 most expensive ZIP codes are in California, and if you live here, that’s probably no shock. From Silicon Valley’s billionaire enclaves to the sun-soaked shores of Newport Beach, California’s luxury real estate market continues to set the pace for the nation, according to data run by real estate site Property Shark.
But California’s reign was interrupted this year: the priciest ZIP code in the U.S. isn’t in the Golden State—it’s on Fisher Island, Florida, just off Miami Beach. No cars are allowed: Only ferries and yachts are permitted, and the median home sale price is $9.5 million. That’s a 65% jump from last year, showing how quickly the ultra-luxury market can shift.
The study served up this California real estate trivia nugget: Newport Beach, population 83,000, isn’t just wealthy—it’s a ZIP code hoarder. Three of its neighborhoods muscled into the national top 10, each flaunting median home prices north of $5 million.
And Atherton, which was No. 1 on 2024's list? Adorable Atherton, perched on the edge of Silicon Valley with fewer than 8,000 residents, can only clutch its lone ultra-pricey ZIP like a participation ribbon. (Granted, that ribbon costs $8.33 million, so don’t shed too many tears.)
Bottom Line: Shopping for a home in California’s coastal elite ZIP codes? Brace yourself—those price tags can cause sticker shock, even for the monied class. The rest of us? We’ll just keep scrolling Zillow and pretending.
Here's what to know about the Golden State's (and other parts of the nation) most expensive places to live.
The Top 10: Where waterfront views (mostly) rule
So, what do the most expensive ZIP codes have in common? Water, water, everywhere, aside from the Silicon Valley enclave of Atherton. Whether it’s the Pacific, the Atlantic, or a scenic bay, proximity to the coast is a recurring theme. Here’s a quick look at the top 10 for 2025:
- Miami Beach (Fisher Island), Florida (33109) – $9.5M
- Atherton (94027) – $8.33M
- Sagaponack, New York (11962) – $5.93M
- Water Mill, New York (11976) – $5.5M
- Newport Beach (92661) – $5.72M
- Santa Barbara (93108) – $5.24M
- Stinson Beach (94970) – $5.23M
- Newport Beach (92657) – $5.19M
- Los Altos (94022) & Newport Beach (92662) – $5.1M
- Rancho Santa Fe (92067) – $4.99M
Newport Beach, in Orange County, has quietly become the country’s most expensive city by median home price. All six of its residential ZIP codes made the top 100, with even the “least expensive” area, 92660, posting a median sale price of about $3.1 million. The city’s dominance is clear: three ZIPs in the top 10, and every neighborhood is a multi-million-dollar market.
Santa Barbara’s Montecito (93108) and Marin County’s Stinson Beach (94970) also saw record highs, with Stinson Beach jumping 38% in median price year-over-year. Los Altos (94022) broke the $5 million barrier for the first time, reflecting Silicon Valley’s enduring appeal....
Read the Full Article Here!
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What people are saying!
Here are some of our recent client testimonials!
  Click here for more info!
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Coming Soon And Off Market Properties!
See all the current properties that are not yet on the market. Send us an email and we can start sending you these properties daily.
I have come across a handful of off market properties in September! Message me what you are looking for and I'll see if any are a good fit.
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Here's What's Happening This September!
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Santa Barbara Half Marathon
11/9
@Cabrillo Blvd
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Zoolights
11/12 -1/11
@SB Harbor
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Wild and Free Film Festival
11/14-11/16
@ Camino Real Cinemas
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Thanksgiving 4 Miler
Thunderbird Park
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