Posted on Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Many more people are purchasing devices that need cords. Cell phones, laptops, and iPods come with a slew of unattractive cords, but are mandatory in just about every Montecito home . Furniture with power strips, USB ports, and phone and Internet jacks are built right in are now being manufactured by several companies. From side tables to work tables to coffee tables, power sources can be concealed anywhere.

A challenge that come with bringing power to nightstands and coffee tables is abstaining from spills. Can we keep drinks away from the coffee table, just like we are trained to keep them away from the keyboard? We must proceed with caution until cell phones and laptops are made water resistant. This kind of furniture is thought of as a luxury, but should soon become standard.
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Posted on Monday, March 29, 2010
Interior decorating has shifted from light to dark. So many Montecito homeowners would like to see shades of black, brown, and grey instead of pale woods. From cabinets to appliances, everything is taking on a darker shade. To so many, these darker colors provide a comforting ambiance and balance the daily stresses of life.

Like any fad, dark decorating may one day seem dated. The formica of the 50s and green shag of the 70s definitely date a room. However, your Montecito home will be transformed from conventional to warm and cozy, if done properly.
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Posted on Sunday, March 28, 2010
You may not be a Super star, but don't give up on your Montecito home just yet. Some owners have turned over their home for days, or even weeks, for film or TV shoots. For the use of the perfect home, production companies are prepared to shell out big money.

For a few, the money, and the glamour is worth it. For others, the thought of a repair person entering their house causes anxiety. Even for fame, a hundred crewmembers can be too much. Nevertheless, it might be fun to see your Montecito home on the big screen.
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Posted on Sunday, March 28, 2010
Are you looking for ways to upgrade your Montecito home ? Stay away from Martha Stewart Magazine and design shows. Instead, visit a model home. More and more homeowners are visiting model homes for design techniques, new luxuries, or simply to see how their home stacks up.

Homebuilders can identify who is really serious and who is not. Builders depend on these looky-loos for an understanding as to what homeowners need. Everything, from floor plans to appliances in a model home, is examined by a possible buyer. Builders and Montecito homeowners can really learn a lot from each other.
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Posted on Friday, March 26, 2010
You have your Montecito home but have you always dreamed of owning a home in Tuscany? Don't get a timeshare, instead, you ought to consider a fractional ownership. With a timeshare, you are promised a few weeks of use every year. You purchase around one eighth of a house, get guaranteed use for something like 13 weeks per year, and recieve a property deed under fractional ownership.

You are living in luxury, but, you can't redecorate or even hang a family photo. Landscaping, house painting, and even grocery restocking are all assigned to a concierge. Fractional ownerships are a good way to spend some time away from Montecito without emptying the pocketbook.
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Posted on Thursday, March 25, 2010
Does your Montecito home need some improvements? Forget about Martha Stewart Magazine and design shows. Visit a model home instead. A few homeowners are touring model homes for design ideas, new amenities, or simply to see how their home stacks up.

Homebuilders know who is actually interested and who isn't. Builders turn to these looky-loos for an understanding as to what homeowners need. From floor plans to appliances, everthing is examined by a possible buyer in a model home. Montecito homeowners and builders can actually learn a lot from one another.
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Posted on Tuesday, March 23, 2010
An estimated 25-40 percent of condominium conversions have switched back to rentals, nationwide. Montecito real estate could be affected by this change. Unable to sell these converted residences, property owners are welcoming back tenants. Rental prices are set to even out as more conversions occur, but so far, prices have gone up 12-15 percent. Watch for for conversions in Montecito.
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Posted on Sunday, March 21, 2010
When it comes time to sell your Montecito home , you shouldn't panic just because the market is leveling out. Approaching the situation with the right background is the only thing you need.

To start off, set the right asking price. Listing your home at or below the competitive market price is best. Lower prices will create greater interest and you should end with a greater amount of money because of competitive bidding. By promising buyer perks, you will have a better possibility of getting your house sold now, rather than months from now. It may cost you a little bit more at first, but with so many other options, you must set your house above everybody else.

Finally, make sure both the inside as well as the outside are neat and clean. An unattractive home simply will not sell considering that looks are important. By keeping to these easy tips, your Montecito home has a better chance of selling .
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Posted on Friday, March 19, 2010
Don't worry, you haven't missed out on the opportunity to buy a great Montecito vacation home . There are benefits to owning a vacation home, even though the market may not be what it was. Remember; you should not buy as an investment. Second home sales have begun to drop in price. However, it is a good idea to purchase for personal ownership. The home you love remains at a lower price with a collapsing bubble.

Spend a couple of weeks in a prospective area to get a feel for the area. Avoid going for the best deal, instead, look around for something you love. Buying a piece of Montecito real estate as a second home might be the best decision you will ever make, if you do your homework.
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Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
According to a recent study, letting your child design his or her own study space in your Montecito home may end in more study time. A teenager's bedroom really should reflect their individual style and is a place for socializing, studying, and relaxing.

A computer and music are a necessity in any efficient study space. A study nook can me made a replica of a bookstore cafe or coffee shop by adding small rugs, table and floor lamps, organization units, and warm colors. The most difficult, yet most effective task, is keeping things neat and clean.

Contact Montecito real estate for more tips on decorating your child's study area.
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Posted on Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Aside from beach parties and Barbeques, the dry months of summer only mean one thing; an increase of fire risk. Be prepared so that in the event of a fire in your Montecito home , you and your family remain safe. In every room of the house, including the stairwell, put in smoke alarms. Every month, test and clean them.

With your family, review and practice escape plans. Make sure all exits are clear from obstructions and easy to access. Don't ever keep flammables inside and have all heating units and electrical outlets checked frequently. For more tips on fire protection, contact Montecito real estate or your local fire department.
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Posted on Monday, March 15, 2010
The sale of your Montecito home could be impacted by various things. Fleas, termites, and bugs should never be the deal breaker. Hire an exterminator before you even place your house on the market. Make sure all evidence of bugs are gone before a prospective buyer even enters your house.

If you own animals, take preventative steps to ensure that fleas will not be a problem. Administer flea medication and use a fogger to destroy any surviving fleas. Make sure Fido stays outdoors until after your home is sold. You can save time and money down the road by taking care of these steps now.
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Posted on Saturday, March 13, 2010
Any piece of Montecito real estate could be impacted by mold. Based on a recent study, mold growth is primarily due to building quality, not weather and humidity.

Tight energy regulations regulate the construction of today's buildings. The greenhouse effect is created when moisture is trapped inside the walls of a structure. In order to keep up on the mold infestation, it is beneficial to get routine roof, drainage, and structure inspections.

Prices may add up, but overall, it will be a lot cheaper than repairing a sizeable mold problem. What's more, when the time comes to sell your Montecito home , a mold problem can cost you the sale.
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Posted on Friday, March 12, 2010
Your child might devote more time to studying if you let them design thier own study area in your Montecito home , based on a new study. A teenager's bedroom should reflect his or her personal style and is a space for socializing, studying, and relaxing.

To make a successful study space, technology, complete with a computer and music, is mandatory. With small rugs, floor and table lamps, organization units, and warm colors, a study nook can be made a copy of a bookstore café or coffee shop. Keeping things neat and clean is probably the most difficult, yet most successful task.

Contact
Montecito real estate for additional hints on decorating your child's study space.
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Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2010
Interior design has moved to dark from light. So many Montecito homeowners are trading in pale woods and bleached floors for shades of black, brown, and grey. Darker hues can be found on everything, from cabinets to faucets. To some, these darker colors create a soothing ambiance and balance the daily stresses of life.

Like any fad, dark decor may one day seem dated. The green shag of the 70s and formica of the 50s definitely date a room. However, your Montecito home could be transformed from conventional to warm and cozy, if done correctly.
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Posted on Tuesday, March 09, 2010
In regards to the setup of Montecito homes , the times they are-a-changing. Perhaps the most significant difference since the 1970s is the amount of square footage. Up from 1,600 square feet in 1973, the conventional new home has increased to 2,400 square feet. Today, homes have at the very least two bathrooms when they used to have less than two.

From a mere 9x10 to a whopping 285 square feet, kitchens have experienced a jump in size also. A lot of kitchens have added islands, breakfast bars, and nooks. An old-fashioned living room is a thing of the past. Nowadays families crowd around the flat screen TV instead. Several garages allow for more than two cars and a complete laundry room is almost a must. Children are probably not going to share a room as four bedrooms are becoming the norm. Keep posted, Montecito real estate is continuing to adjust to the times.
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Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010
Upgrades, such as a new master bedroom or deck, can add value to your Montecito home . However, some renovations could actually end up costing you when it is time to sell.

In hot, dry areas, adding a swimming pool is an essential. In cooler regions, a lot of buyers are turned off by the amount of maintenance. A house with a pool will not appeal to some families with younger children. The kids new playroom is great, but you might not have considered how it looks from the exterior. A poorly designed addition will not sell, especially when it does not fit the rest of the house.

When following design trends, be wary. Above the counter sinks and stainless steel kitchens will date a home, just like green shag carpet. When personalizing your Montecito home, be smart and think ahead.
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Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010
Across the country, a lot of buildings are literally going green. Green roofs are being installed in Chicago, and perhaps one day in Montecito. Environmentally friendly materials or solar panels aren't what these roofs are constructed from. From jasmine to tomatos, here you are able to plant everything.

Potted plants have adorned rooftops for years but this new method of roofing allows for plants to actually root and comes equipped with a unique drainage system. Green roofing allows for numerous benefits. Overall, cooling needs will be decreased by well over 25 percent, diminishing the greenhouse effect. The heat from concrete and blacktop is absorbed tremendously by plants.

A flat, black roof is far less aesthetically pleasing than a rooftop terrace. With a green roof, you have a place to stop and smell the roses, whether you plant grass, flowers, or brush. Keep a lookout for Montecito homes going green. For now, green roofing will only be found in the big city.
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Posted on Thursday, March 04, 2010
One of the primary reasons why you bought your Montecito home is because it is a wise investment. For a second investment, you should think about buying a house in a college town.

Over the next 10 years, college enrollment is likely to increase by 15 percent and students, as well as professors, are going to need a place to live. Often times, the nearby area of a college produces a greater amount of culture, entertainment, and jobs and residents are usually more educated.

Gainesville, Fl, Charlottesville, VA, and Columbia, MO are a couple of the most popular choices for college towns all over the country.
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Posted on Wednesday, March 03, 2010
You ought to bring in the specialists if your Montecito home stays on the market . A good way to make a memorable first impression on prospective buyers is to stage your house. Trading or taking out furniture to create a tasteful look is how you stage a home. Staging will pay for iteslf even though an extra cost is unappealing.

A staged home usually stays on the market for 1.5 months less than its non-staged counterpart will, generally speaking. Staging is all about depersonalization so to sell a home, the owner must become as detached as possible. When a prospective buyer can foresee themselves in your Montecito home , you have success.
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Posted on Tuesday, March 02, 2010
There is a new twist to the white picket fences enclosing Montecito homes . A gated fence adds privacy as well as security. At the end of a driveway or onto an existing wall or fence, you can install a gate controlled by a remote. A computer program, hand-held instrument, or even a BlackBerry or Treo can activate the gate.

These models are definitely not cheap. A professional, more sophisticated system can run anywhere from $18,000 to $130,000, while a DIY system can be purchased for roughly $1,2000. These gates are a sign of the jump in fear and anxiety in America, according to some. Others believe that they are merely the easiest method of privacy. Either way, those selling fences contend that business is booming.
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Blue Star Real Estate
Lenny Gerthoffer: Broker/Owner
(805) 884-0040
1029 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

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