Santa Barbara Independent Real Estate 12/29/22

BY CRISTAL CLARKE

Heart of the Home: A Year in Pictures 2022

Ask any contractor making a go of it it’s not easy building custom homes in Santa Barbara. But with a bit of perspective and successful collaborations, the rewards outweigh the challenges. When it comes to meeting or exceeding — the high standards of our seaside town, those very same hoops and hurdles produce a process that ensures spectacular results. Just take a look around.

Success takes teamwork. From architects to engineers, stonemasons to electricians, and pipefitters to roofers just to name a few among the dozens of experts working on any given jobsite. Each specialist focuses on delivering a specific product, an essential puzzle piece to help create the cumulative big picture: a custom home for a special client.

“As general contractors, we are calling the plays and helping our teammates perform at their best because we know that what makes our projects special is the combined heart and professionalism of everyone involved,” says Giffin & Crane principal and partner Eric Carlstedt.

Here’s a handful of images from some of Giffin & Crane’s favorite projects throughout the year.

Giffin & Crane General Contractors, Inc. has been building custom homes in Santa Barbara since 1986.

JIM VAUGHAN

TOM STEFL

by Keith Hamm

HISTORIC HOME: The hallway at a recently restored residence originally designed in the early 1900s by famed architect George Washington Smith.

CLASSIC LINES: Arch and groin vault details from a Montecito project.

BUILDERS ON BOARD: Gordon Fiano Framing crewmembers install a steel eve reinforcement grid built by Delta Welding & Fabrication.

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS: An Anacapa Architecture project in Montecito with Ashley & Vance Engineering and CCE Design Associates.

LEGACY PROJECT: A newly constructed horse barn with Studio 7 Architecture & Allied Arts and Augustine Painting.

LET IN THE LIGHT: These steel scissor trusses allow for clerestory windows. Ashley & Vance Engineering.

FRONT AND CENTER: Architects at KAA Design Group take advantage of a world-class Santa Barbara view.

ABOVE THE CLOUDS: Steel framing by Delta Welding & Fabrication supports a vaulted view over the Santa Barbara marine layer. Architecture by Solakian, Inc.

HANK NICOLAIS

JIM VAUGHAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF ANACAPA ARCHITECTURE

ERIN FEINBLATT

DENNIS DERHAM

JIM VAUGHAN

FINEST MONTECITO & SANTA BARBARA HOMES

Message From the President

BY BOB WALSMITH JR. - 2022 PRESIDENT - SANTA BARBARA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Itis hard to believe that this is my final article as President of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors (SBAOR) for 2022. The year has seemed to fly by.

I have enjoyed every minute of leading this wonderful organization. It has truly been my honor and privilege to be the spokesperson for over 1,200 dedicated men and women whose goal is not only to help people realize the American Dream of homeownership, but to give back to our community in so many philanthropic ways.

I have been fortunate to have traveled several times this year, both within California and beyond on behalf of our organization and profession, and colleagues are always impressed when I tell them that I live and work in Santa Barbara. Not only because we live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but also because of the people, both within our profession and the wonderful people that we represent. We are so lucky to live and work in paradise!

There are so many people that I wish to thank for their support and guidance this year. I would like to start with the three local publications that have printed my articles this year; Noozhawk, The Santa Barbara Independent, and the Santa Barbara NewsPress. Thank you for allowing me the platform to share my thoughts and views on so many topics.

It was my desire to educate people about what we do as Realtors on a daily basis, help them navigate the sometimes difficult process of buying and selling a home, and give interesting ideas about how to better take care of their home. I am pleased that I have heard from so many people; Realtors, locals, and from people all over the state that they enjoyed reading my stories.

Thank you to the amazing staff at the SBAOR. This team of dedicated professionals that run our association daily are tireless in their efforts to better serve our members, which translates into being able to better serve our clients.

Thank you to the Board of Directors and all the various committees of our association. You have all worked so hard to make sure that our members have the tools, resources, and financial stability to do their jobs and help our clients.

Thank you to my business partners, first Amanda Barba, and now the amazing Cheylin MacKahan, for working extra hard with our clients, while I was tending to my role as president.

And finally, I would like to thank my beautiful wife Julie for her love and support, not just during this sometimes-difficult year, but for always being the strong woman behind me. I could not have done

this job without her.

Each year at our annual installation and awards luncheon, the outgoing president gives out the President’s Award. This award goes to the non-SBAOR staff member that has helped and supported the president the most during their term. Each year it has been awarded to someone within our profession. That was until this year. I was honored to give the 2022 Presidents Award to Julie Walsmith for everything that I mentioned above and much, much more.

In closing, I want to hand off these weekly articles to the new 2023 SBAOR President, Todd Shea. I am confident that Todd will share some amazing stories with everyone and be an amazing president for our association and the Santa Barbara community.

SOCIETY MATTERS : YEAR IN PICTURES

Santa

awareness.

SOCIETY MATTERS Text and photos by Gail Arnold

Gwendolyn Strong Foundation Cofounder Bill Strong with Cofounder and Executive Director Victoria Strong at Bubbles & Butterflies Luncheon

Rona Barrett Foundation Advisory Boardmember Anne Towbes with Rona Barrett at Montecito Garden Party

Honorary Event Co-Chair Belle Hahn and Thomasine Richards at Lotusland Celebrates

S.B. Botanic Garden Nominating Committee

Member Angela Antenore and Board President Valerie Ho man at Beer Garden event

Barbara is fortunate to have hundreds of nonprofit organizations serving critical community needs and enriching our community. With COVID posing less of a threat this year, many nonprofits went back to hosting in-person events to raise much-needed funds and

This column sought to capture the spirit of the events and, more importantly, provide in-depth information about the valuable work these organizations do for our community. For all Society Matters stories, go to independent.com/society.

S.B. Zoo President-CEO Rich Block and Board Chair Amy Pryor at Zoofari Ball

Fr. Virgil Cordano Center Program Director Debbie McQuade, Fr. Joe Schwab OFM, and Center Supervisor Sr. Arthur Gordon DC (feature story)

Yacht Torqua Captain Graham Ashlock and Crewmember Taryn Ashlock at S.B. Yacht Club Charity Regatta benefitting VNA Health

Fund for S.B. Executive Director Marcos Vargas and Associate Director Patricia Solorio at Bread & Roses event

Patricia and Paul Bragg Foundation Executive Director Emilie Neumann, Foodbank of S.B. County CEO Erik Talkin, and La Centra-Sumerlin Foundation Trustee Suzanne Duca at Foodbank’s Table of Life Gala

Adam’s Angels volunteer Deni Godoi, founder Adam McKaig, volunteer Michael Miller, and volunteer Father Larry Gosselin at 2021 Christmas event

COURTESY

SEASON’S GREETINGS

May your hearts be full and your homes be merry. Thank you for reading and best wishes for a joy-filled year ahead!

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SALES

AREA SELLER

CARPINTERIA HABER MICHAEL

GOLETA DOOLITTLE RICHARD EU

DHRH LLC

LOMPOC BITTLE FREDERICK EU

BELLUZ JOSEPH EA

BUYER

JOHNSON AARON

THORNWOOD 5756 REAL ESTATE LLC

FIDEL RICHARD

PRICE DATE ADDRESS

$1,825,000 12/16/22 4975 SAWYER AVE

$6,300,000 12/15/22 5756 THORNWOOD DR

$1,265,000 12/15/22 6279 NEWCASTLE AVE

DAVIS RYAN EA $500,000 12/16/22 308 N H ST

PEREZ DANIEL EU $585,000 12/15/22 513 BUSH CT

SEKELA MICHAEL EA PORTILLO CLEMENTINAL $390,000 12/14/22 520 W WALNUT AVE

MONTECITO BLUE FRANK EA

KETOLA DARLENE EA

KAY GAIL EA

TENNIS JASMINE EA

321 PADRE ST LLC

STONE MEADOW X LLC

$4,700,000 12/15/22 2165 ALISOS DR

$3,075,000 12/13/22 487 HOT SPRINGS RD

$5,800,000 12/14/22 620 STONE MEADOW LN

KAY GAIL EA STONE MEADOW X LLC $5,800,000 12/14/22 620 STONE MEADOW LN

OK WAVE LLC

427 LANAI LLC

MASTERS JULIAN EA LINN PATRICK EU

LOS OLIVOS STRICKEROCKET NATHAN EU SWANSON ERIK EA

SANTA BARBARA BOSS KEVIN EA

$7,500,000 12/15/22 427 LANAI RD

$4,200,000 12/16/22 2233 CAMINO DEL ROSARIO

$1,645,000 12/16/22 2847 SANTA BARBARA AVE

COOPER ANDREW EA $6,300,000 12/13/22 2001 LAS TUNAS RD

KVANCZ SCOTT JUERGENS GUNNAR EU $1,425,000 12/15/22 326 ALAMEDA PADRE SERR

SAUL ELIZABETH EA WEAVER BRYAN EU $4,350,000 12/16/22 2310 SANTA BARBARA ST

TAYLOR PAMELA EA CHEESEMAN DAISY $1,200,000 12/13/22 226 JESMARY LN

ROMANELLO PAMELA EA

ACQUISTAPACE CLARA EA

ABRAHAM VIKRAM EU $2,400,000 12/13/22 22 E ISLAY ST

LINCOLN RONALD EA

SMITH ELIZABETH EA PUMA ANTHONY EU

$3,550,000 12/14/22 3059 SEA CLIFF

$1,150,000 12/16/22 636 CALLE DE LOS AMIGO

HARNESS JAY EA GRAHAM JESSICA EA $1,495,000 12/16/22 2731 MIRADERO DR

SANTA MARIA MCNABB MICHAEL EA

BOLIN CHARLES EU

BINNEY BRYAN EA MILLER CHRISTINE

$445,000 12/16/22 1418 OAKRIDGE PARK RD

$610,000 12/15/22 5688 SHILO CT

ANDRADE DAVID EA MULLEN JAMES EU $650,000 12/16/22 1128 WOODMERE RD

GELOTTI SCOTT

PADELLA MICHAEL EU

LABRECQUE CARL EU

GASON DEGAR

EVANS CHERIE

OROZCO MARIA

SERRANO FURINO

GUNTER HUGH EA

BAUER MIHAELA

HUMANN KYLE

$435,000 12/15/22 407 N CENTER CT

SALAZAR ROBERTO EA $550,000 12/13/22 3099 LANCASTER DR

ZICH MATTHEW EU

TORRES ROSA EA

HERRERA FAMILIA PROPERTIES

$600,000 12/14/22 441 FAIR OAKS DR

$867,000 12/16/22 1129 HAMPSHIRE PL

$200,000 12/15/22 495 W DAL PORTO LN

ESPINOSA CRISTINA EA $485,000 12/14/22 623 W GINGKO CT

GONZALEZ ROSALVA EA

$535,000 12/16/22 1120 ROSEWOOD DR

DICKERSON ROBIN EU $540,000 12/15/22 902 E EVERGREEN AVE

DE JESUS JOEL

$300,000 12/16/22 1321 N BRADLEY RD 15

The Letters of Real Estate

Q: Marsha, I’m purchasing my first home. A good friend referred me to a real estate agent. She’s quite competent and knowledgeable. She calls herself a Realtor and has several designations on her business card, such as GRI, ABR and CRS. I have no idea what any of this means. Can you explain?

A: Congratulations on making you first home purchase. It will be a life-changing move for you. You have a great question. What is the difference between working with a real estate agent and a capital-“R” Realtor? And what are all those letters so many agents have on their business cards?

The terms real estate agent and Realtor are often used interchangeably. They shouldn’t be. These are two different types of real estate professionals. To become a licensed real estate agent in California, you need to be at least 18 years old, complete 135 hours of required education, apply for the salesperson exam and application, get fingerprinted, have a background check, and pass the California real estate license exam.

Realtor is a trademarked term. Realtors belong to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It is the largest trade association in the United States. They have a strict code of ethics and professional standards. The Code has 17 articles along with supporting Standards of Practice. When you work with a designated Realtor, you are working with someone who has a commitment to a higher level of professionalism. That means a great deal to the real-estate-consuming public.

What do all the different letter designations mean? They mean your Realtor is working hard to stay current. She has taken the time, effort, and money to learn more about her profession. I’ll talk about the three recognitions you mentioned are on your Realtor’s business card.

Your Realtor has her ABR Accredited Buyer’s Representative certification. This shows she has completed a two-day course, received a passing grade on the exam, and has practical experience working with buyers. She is proficient on the latest methods of working with today’s buyers.

She also has her GRI and CRS designations. The GRI Graduate Realtor Institute is associated with NAR. She has taken a 12-day course of continuing education and had passing grades on three tests. She has a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to understand the current real estate market, no matter what condition it’s in.

The CRS stands for the Council of Residential Specialists. This is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of NAR. It is a professional network of more than 30,000 residential professionals, in the United States and internationally. It

is a prestigious designation that displays advanced professional training.

There are many certifications available to the real estate community. Besides what I’ve discussed, there is SRES, CBR, e-PRO, Green Broker, NAHB, and the list goes on. Just know Realtors are staying current.

You are fortunate to be working with someone who is committed to her field and maintaining a high level of professionalism and ethical standards.

Marsha Gray has worked in Santa Barbara real estate for more than 25 years. She works at Allyn & Associates, where she helps her clients buy and sell homes and with lending services. To read more of Marsha’s Q&A articles, visit MarshaGraySBhomes. com. Contact Marsha at (805) 252-7093 or MarshaGraySB@ gmail.com. DRE# 012102130; NMLS #1982164.

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SALES

ANASTACIO EU $1,000,000 12/13/22 350 RIVERVIEW DR

GARCIA MARIO EA GAXIOLA VIVIANA EU $489,000 12/16/22 1654 N MCCLELLAND ST

PIPP LAWRENCE EU GARCIA LOURDES EA $520,000 12/16/22 1063 CORTEZ DR

TORRES ROSA EA QADIR SABAH $567,000 12/16/22 1210 N MT WHITNEY WAY

GUERRA KEVIN EU MAXWELL TONY EU $1,215,000 12/13/22 2211 CRYSTAL DR

NORBOM MARY EA BUCHANAN MARY $755,000 12/15/22 724 HILLSIDE DR

AGUILAR CHARLENE EA RICHARDSON DANIEL EU

$865,000 12/15/22 1210 EDISON ST

by Marsha Gray

Real