House & Home: April 01, 2023

Open House this Saturday and Sunday: 1 - 3 PM

VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS!

A wonderful home with gorgeous ocean and city views as well as sweeping mountain views. A single story beautifully maintained, Mission Canyon home with a large open floor plan with custom bamboo flooring throughout the living areas and 4 bedrooms. Lets not forget the stunning entertaining area with a custom built-in BBQ and outdoor fireplace. Don’t miss the opportunity to make this special property yours!

COntents

A Note From the SBAOR President: If you own property, have you looked into putting it into a trust?

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Views expressed in the articles of House & Home are the views of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Santa Barabara News-Press.

By Todd Shea President of the Santa Barbara Association of REALTORS®

HOAs Have Election Questions

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL

Good afternoon Kelly.

Transferring property ownership to a trust is one of California’s most popular estate planning techniques. Here in the Santa Barbara area, many of the homes we come across as REALTORS® are owned in a trust. A trustee is tasked with overseeing the management of the assets held by a trust on behalf of beneficiaries. In California, having assets in a trust has several advantages, such as avoiding probate, maintaining privacy, offering asset protection, allowing for flexibility, offering tax advantages, and guaranteeing continuity of management.

Eliminating Probate

The ability to sidestep the probate process is one of the main advantages of holding assets in a trust. When a property owner passes away, their assets become subject to probate, a procedure for dispersing assets to heirs or beneficiaries that is governed by the court. Having a trust in place can help avoid going through the time-consuming and expensive process of probate. When a trust is established, the property is given to the trust, and the trustee is in charge of overseeing and allocating the assets in accordance with the conditions of the trust agreement. Beneficiaries may save time and money by doing this.

Maintaining Privacy

Unlike the probate process, which is a matter of public record, a trust allows for privacy in the distribution of assets. Since the trust document is not a matter of public record, the distribution of assets can be kept confidential. This can be particularly important for individuals who value their privacy or who have sensitive family situations that they want to keep private.

Protection of Assets

In the case of litigation or a creditor claim, a trust can preserve assets. Due to the fact that the trust is a separate legal body and the assets held inside are not regarded as a part of the individual’s personal assets, this is the case. In a trust, the property is shielded from liens and court orders directed at the individual owner. People who are at risk of being sued or who have significant assets they want to protect may find this to be especially crucial.

Making Room for Flexibility

Asset distribution to recipients is flexible thanks to trusts. The trust document may stipulate how and when assets are allocated according to certain circumstances. A trust may, for instance, provide that distributions be made gradually over time or only in specified circumstances. This might be especially crucial for people who have unusual family situations or wish to make sure that their assets are dispersed in a specific way.

Providing Tax Benefits

A trust can provide tax benefits to property owners. For example, a revocable trust can help avoid estate taxes and capital gains taxes by allowing for a stepup in basis at the time of the property owner’s death. This means that the property’s value is adjusted to its fair market value at the time of the property owner’s death, which can reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes if the property is sold. Additionally, a trust can help minimize estate taxes by allowing property owners to transfer assets to their beneficiaries outside of the probate process.

Ensuring Continuity of Management

A trust can ensure that the property is managed and distributed according to the property owner’s wishes. The trustee appointed to manage the trust will have the authority to manage and distribute assets according to the trust document, even after the property owner’s death. This can provide peace of mind for property owners, knowing that their assets will be managed and distributed according to their wishes.

As you can see, having properties in a trust in California can provide several benefits. Most importantly, start with reaching out to your local REALTOR®, who can assist in answering more questions and connecting you with a great estate planning attorney. Getting a trust set up is something that can be done by some great local professionals here in town. It’s important to work with a qualified estate planning attorney to determine if a trust is a right option for your individual circumstances. It is well worth exploring these options if you are a property owner here in Santa Barbara.

No one on our HOA board has been elected and they all remain on by default year after year. We never meet quorum. I suspect foul play and would like to have the property manager as well as the board members investigated. I was wondering if you had any ideas on how we can investigate them all.

– C.M.

An HOA that I am involved with is holding upcoming elections and is looking for a truly independent inspector of elections. I am wondering whether you know of any paralegals or junior associates who might be willing to perform that function for a modest fee or as pro bono work to enhance their resume.

– Regards, C.S.

Dear C.M.:

Low voter turnout in HOA elections could be caused by member discouragement, but it also could be caused by contentment and a lack of desire to have different people staff the board of directors. Either way, directors can sit on a board for years without ever being re-elected. There may be some hope on the horizon from Assembly Bill 1458, recently introduced in the California Legislature.

Assembly Bill 1458, by Member Ta of Westminster, would add a new subpart 2 to Civil Code Section 5115(d), allowing a member election that fails for lack of quorum to proceed within 5 to 30 days later, changing the quorum to be those members participating. It’s very early in the legislative session, so it is very difficult to predict if the bill has a chance.

Generally, I find that boards are staffed by well-intentioned people, and outright foul play is rare. However, boards can easily create the impression that they are hiding something when they become defensive in response to criticism and behave in a less transparent manner.

HOAs are little democracies – if you talk to enough neighbors who want a new board, you can elect a new board.

– Best regards, Kelly Mr. Richardson:

Thank you for the great columns that you write. Each weekend my wife and I wait for the paper to see what your next column will bring.

Dear C.S.:

The HOA election reforms from 2005 and Senate Bill 61 dramatically changed the way HOA elections are conducted. One new requirement was that an “inspector of elections” be appointed to run the election and count and announce the vote. This created a small cottage industry of election inspector businesses. However, not all HOAs need professional inspectors. The law allows the board to appoint a volunteer inspector, so long as they are not a director or candidate and are not related to a director or candidate (Civil Code Section 5110(b)). Management and legal counsel can assist the Inspector but cannot act as Inspector.

– Best, Kelly

Dear Kelly:

Can a member waive their “secret ballot” vote and sign, date and return a ballot via e-mail?

– D.K.

Dear D.K.:

No. California law, unfortunately, does not permit voting for directors, governing document amendments, or major assessments, by any other method than secret written ballots contained in sealed envelopes. The procedure, described in Civil Code Section 5115(c), does not allow for emailing or faxing of a ballot. Interestingly, California HOAs are still the only nonprofit corporations in California that are not allowed to use electronic voting.

– Thanks, Kelly

If you own property, have you looked into putting it into a trust?

Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers andPartnerof Richardson Ober DeNichilo LLP, a law firm known

association advice.

Santa BarB ara County SaleS

This is a partial list of all recorded residential sales in Santa Barbara County from March 20 thru March 24, 2023. While these recordings are public record, the News-Press receives this information from an outside source. This list does not represent all sales that occurred over this time period. Consult your REALTOR® for further information regarding home sales in your area of interest.

Santa BarB ara County SaleS

5 benefits of investing in wood furniture

By Katie Laughridge

Creating an inspired space takes the right combination of elements. Accessories and art and lighting and a plethora of textiles are in the mix, but the pieces that build the foundation from which a room is built are upholstered pieces and case goods. I’ll take every chance I get to talk about upholstery since it marries my loves of functional art, handmade products, and textiles. But it’s time to let wood furniture shine.

While various options are available on the market, wood furniture has always been a classic and timeless choice that offers both durability and beauty to a room. With a wide range of styles and finishes available, investing in wood furniture can be an excellent way to elevate the look and feel of your home or office, while also providing long-term value — and pieces to be passed down through generations.

WOOD FURNITURE

Continued on page10

If you compare the price to the number of years a high-quality piece is likely to remain in use, wood wins every time.

Photos courtesy Provided photo/TNS

WOOD FURNITURE

Continued from page 8

Let’s explore a few of my favorite benefits of investing in wood furniture.

1. Quality wood furniture lasts a lifetime

Buying cheaply made furniture may save you money upfront, but it will cost you more in the long run. When estimating the value of a piece, look beyond the sticker price and instead estimate the cost per use of an item over its lifespan. If you compare the price to the number of years a high-quality piece is likely to remain in use, wood wins every time.

When I say wood furniture can last a lifetime, that’s really selling a lot of pieces short. Many wood tables, chests and cabinets last many lifetimes, passed down from generation to generation. I’ve been fortunate to have been given a beloved hope chest and dining room pieces used by my great-grandparents, and I love them more every year.

2. Wood tones are one of a kind

One of our favorite things about designing with wood is its one-of-a-kind character. From an investment standpoint, wood scores definite points for uniqueness. Even if a table is made from the same species of wood, every piece of furniture will ultimately look different from the next because the grain and natural tones of the wood are unique to each individual tree from which the lumber is sourced. Incorporating wood tones are a subtle way to bring the distinctive textures of the outdoors in.

3. Wood pieces are versatile

Truly nothing beats the versatility of wooden furniture. Pieces like chests of drawers are so flexible — they can work tucked into a nook or a hallway, or they can serve as a dresser or as nightstands (for those of us with small closets). A great console can welcome guests in an entryway one year, divide a room and display gorgeous lamps behind the sofa the next, only to be tucked into a nook the following year for a fresh work-from-home space.

Incorporating wood tones is a subtle way to bring the distinctive textures of the outdoors in.

4. Wood tones are playful

Wood’s ability to mix, mingle and blend is unmatched. Using multiple wood tones in a room creates flow and movement. I firmly believe that when executing a design, wood pieces are things you can play with. A stained piece of wood furniture, or one painted in a neutral black or white, can move freely through many a space, something that not every piece of furniture with a bold color or specific pattern can offer.

5. Wood is easy maintenance

Most wood furniture can be easily maintained by simply periodically wiping it down with a damp cloth then wiping away remaining moisture with a dry cloth. We recommend that you use cotton, as synthetic fibers can cause surface scratches on soft woods and finishes. When considering a wood piece, be sure to ask your designer if it comes with any special cleaning instructions as some specialty finishes require a little extra TLC. As with anything you buy, misuse and little accidents can create damage over time — which is why we always keep coasters on hand in our living room (even if our kiddo never takes the hint!).

Adapted from nellhills.com. Katie Laughridge is the owner of Kansas City interior design destination Nell Hill’s. For more information, contact Katie at info@nellhills.com. ©2023 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

While various options are available on the market, wood furniture is a classic and timeless choice that offers both durability and beauty to a room.

Wood’s ability to mix, mingle and blend is unmatched.

A premiere neighborhood in the Mountain View School District set amongst the Santa Barbara foothills! This spectacular 4 bedroo m, 3.5 bath Mediterranean home sits on an approximately 3/4 acre lot with stunning ocean, island, and mountain views. Upon entering, you are greeted with a dramatic arched entryway that seamlessly transitions to the light/bright living room with dual-sided fireplace, lofty vaulted ceilings and two sets of French doors leading to the outdoor entertaining space. The formal dining room features a wet bar/sink with built-in banquet and ample storage. The kitchen is equipped with a large center island with gas range, Sub-Zero built-in refrigerator, and a breakfast area with ocean/island views.

The generously sized primary suite has beautiful southwest facing ocean and island views, two walk-in closets, and French doors leading to the garden. The primary bath offers a dual sink vanity, jetted ocean view soaking tub and separate shower. Two of the additional hall bedrooms also have exterior access to the private backyard, while the fourth bedroom enjoys access out to the front area garden and works well as a home office. In addition, there is a generously sized laundry room, powder room, large storage/utility room and 3-car garage. Outside, a spiral staircase leads to a rooftop 360-degree view deck, offering stunning panoramic views from UCSB to Carpinteria on a clear day. Set upon a flat useable lot with a sparkling pool, lush lawn, roses, f ruit trees, all framed with mountain views- this home is perfect for indoor outdoor living. Don't miss out on the rare opportunity to make this special offering you r dream home!

Need new kitchen tile? Here’s how to choose your new style

By Hunter Boyce

STONE

If you are interested in giving your kitchen a more natural look and texture, stone tile may be perfect for your space. There are downsides, however.

“It is a more expensive material, but the beauty and the individualism of natural stone speak volumes that justify the expense,” Westside Tile and Stone reported. “They do require special care, but when you follow the recommended regiment, they will always look beautiful. Some choices in natural stone are: marble, limestone, travertine, slate, granite (and) quartz.”

For a lower maintenance stone kitchen floor, consider granite. For better textures and more color options, consider marble. But, there is a stone out there for almost every style and need.

CERAMIC

Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are great for two reasons: versatility and cost effectiveness. If practically best fits your kitchen’s purpose, ceramic is almost never a bad choice.

“The tiles are made by shaping and firing a selection of clays and minerals to form a biscuit,” Fitzgerald Kitchens reported. “These are then glazed and can then be printed with a pattern or texture before firing them again.

“They are extremely practical, economical and durable. Because of the tile’s glazed surface, they are also hygienic and allow for a multitude of designs and finishes.”

PORCELAIN

Fired at higher temperatures and forged from finer, denser clay, porcelain is ceramic’s highperformance counterpart. It’s tougher, more resistant and doesn’t stain as easily. For kitchens with heavy foot traffic, it doesn’t get much better than porcelain tiles.

“In the world of floor and wall coverings, porcelain tiles are the undisputed king in terms of durability,” Express Flooring reported. “The tiles are heated at extreme temperatures resulting in an extremely rigid, durable, and stain-resistant tile that is impenetrable to moisture. They can be installed in the harshest of places and can withstand cold, rain and extreme weather conditions for an extended period of time.”

©2023 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Built-in organization including a built-in dresser helps keep a primary bedroom closet organized. Photo courtesy Scott Gabriel Morris/TNS

Choosing the right tile for that big kitchen renovation project can be a tough job on its own. From ceramic and porcelain to stone, there are a number of options to choose from — each with its own advantages and drawbacks.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some kitchen tile basics to help make the decision a little easier.

Saturday’s Open Homes

Guide and all other Real Estate for sale or rent go to: newspress.com – click on RESPONSES – click on OPEN

To view this weekend’s Open

To advertise in our Open Homes Directory for our Friday classified section OR for the Weekend Edition, use our submission form that is open Monday 8:00am.

Go to newspress.com

Click on “RESOURCES” then click on “OPEN HOME”

For more information please e-mail: openhomes@newspress.com

To view this weekend’s Open Home Guide and all other Real Estate for sale or rent go to: newspress.com – click on RESPONSES – click on OPEN HOMES

East s idE - UppEr

706 Rockwood Drive Escape to your own 4-bed | 6-bath 3800+ SF retreat nestled on nearly 3/4 acre surrounded by mature trees & droughttolerant landscaping.

10-1 $3,495,000

Zia Group | eXp Realty of California, Inc. Phillip Savas 805-708-9242 # 02113928

East s idE - UppEr

706 Rockwood Drive

4/6

1-4 $3,495,000

Escape to your own 4-bed | 6-bath 3800+ SF retreat nestled on nearly 3/4 acre surrounded by mature trees & droughttolerant landscaping.

Zia Group | eXp Realty of California, Inc. Kimberly Rockwell 805-698-8848 # 01482947

OUt Of arE a

6726 Breakers Way

3/2

1-4 $3,500,000

Located in Mussel Shoals, Ventura ~ A Seaside Diamond in the Rough on the Sand. Built in 1979, the vintage home offers unobstructed ocean and island views with a spacious deck and balcony.

Coastal Properties Gary Goldberg 805-455-8910 # 01172139

1423 W Valerio Street

2/1

1-4 $1,539,000

New Listing! Charming Spanish cottage. Residence sits well off the street with an elegant curb appeal, a spacious front yard, manicured landscaping, mature trees, and a stamped concrete driveway.

Mike Richardson, Realtors

Kyle Richardson 805-680-3131 # 01902531

Truffula Pink gomphrena selected Proven Winners’ Annual of the Year

By

No town will have more of a cause to join the celebration for Truffula Pink gomphrena as the Annual of the Year than Columbus, Georgia. The award selected by Proven Winners says a lot, considering they are the home of all of the Supers: Supertunia petunias, Superbells calibrachoas and Superbena verbenas.

The last few years in Columbus, Truffula Pink has been like queen of the court in Old Town, an incredible designer community in North Columbus. From historical-looking homes with dreamy cottage gardens to artsy horse trough containers, Truffula Pink has been there, showing off her hot pink blooms.

Then there is The Landings, the premier shopping or lifestyle center in town, where everyone goes to shop, dine and of course, see the flowers creating a resort-like atmosphere. Be prepared, on more than one occasion clients have had to dodge hummingbirds and butterflies as they walked into a store.

Pollinators were something most of us could have only imagined. Oh, we expected the occasional visitor, but never did we dream of it being a butterfly champ where swallowtails come in four at a time, zebra longwings three at a

time and the bright orange Gulf fritillaries challenging each other for a spot at the Truffula Cafe. Believe me, if you are creating a butterfly garden, Truffula Pink gomphrena has to have a spot.

Truffula Pink is known botanically as Gomphrena pulchella and is native to South America. As a globe amaranth, its name is associated not only with beauty but love and immortality due to its ability to be cut for the vase and dried in perpetuity. You must watch Laura LeBoutillier, the internet star of “Garden Answer,” to not only see her stands of Truffula Pink gomphrena in the garden, but to watch her talents as she creates an incredible wreath with the flowers.

Truffula Pink needs full sun and fertile, well-drained soil to really perform to its capability. Letting these great plants sit in wet, soggy soil will be a crime. You will want to space your plants 12 to 18 inches apart and apply a good layer of mulch after planting. It is a great plant for mass planting. Expect your Truffula Pink to get about 2 feet tall and bloom until frost.

The Garden Guy has had them in containers as the thriller plant partnered with Whirlwind Blue scaevola, Superbells Double Blue calibrachoa and Goldilocks creeping

Gulf Fritillaries are also quite fond of the Truffula Pink gomphrena, here two feast on a combination planting that included the ColorBlaze Strawberry Drop coleus.

Truffula Pink gomphrena is Proven Winners National Plant of the Year for 2023 but has been celebrated in Columbus, Georgia since its debut. Here in Old Town of North Columbus it reigns supreme in a horse trough with Luscious Citron lantana and Supertunia Vista Bubblegum.

Jenny. In the landscape I have had it in several combinations, some with Illusion Emerald Lace ornamental sweet potatoes, others with Luscious Royale Cosmo lantana and some with Sunstar pentas. It is one of the toughest, most carefree plants you will ever grow.

This last season I used it with the new Meant to Bee Queen Nectarine and Royal Raspberry agastaches, or hummingbird mints, that are making their debut this year. In Mrs. Sylvette’s cottage garden in Old Town she grew dozens of Truffula Pink gomphrenas with Luscious Royale Cosmo lantanas and yellow Coreopsis verticillatas. The entire front yard was lined with the flowers, to the delight of the throngs of us that line her street to see the flowers throughout the growing season.

At The Garden Guy’s house, I am happy to report mine are returning this spring, even after the shocking December arctic blast. This has happened a couple of other years even though I am in zone 8a (9-11 are their recommended perennial zones). Truffula Pink has won 50 awards and most likely in your state if they have a plant trial program. But don’t forget that this annual, as National Plant of the Year, is worth every penny spent.

Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.”

Norman Winter Photos courtesy Norman Winter

It is a rare year that the Zebra longwing makes it to Columbus but the last time they were here, three were seen feeding on Truffula Pink gomphrena.

Yard Sale Tips Yard Sale Tips

Yard Sale Tips

BEFORE YOUR SALE

•Prepare to start early. Collectors and antique dealers like to show up early in the morning.

• Obtain a permit if required

•Clean up your space. People like clean and neat places.

•Gather lots of shopping bags. Gathering Items

•Test any electrical items to make sure they work.

•Collect your items and sort it by type. (clothing, toys, tools, etc.)

•Take time to clean or repair your items.

•Wash all the clothes so they smell fresh.

WHAT SELLS BEST?

•Tools: Guys love it all, any kind.

•Baby items of all kinds, especially clothing.

• Kitchen appliances.

• Clothing: Kids and adult.

What Should You Not Sell?

• Items missing safety parts.

• Unused prescription drugs or medications.

• Personal hygiene items.

•Halogen floor lamps.

• Old baby cribs or playpens, incomplete child safety seats.

ADVERTISING

•Tell your friends, family or coworkers about your sale. Word travels.

•Place a classified ad in the Santa Barbara NEWS-PRESS!!Remember to check the publication’s deadline.

•In your ad, give lots of details. Include the address, day(s), time of your sale.List major items such as “Lots of kids clothes.”

SIGNS

•Check your local ordinances.

• List your address and sale date on all signs.

• Post your signs at main intersections, street corners and at the end of your driveway.

• Use same colors and writing on your signs as people recognize them at a glance.

•Keep a list of where you posted your signs. It will be helpful when it’s time to take them down. The

This is the Santa Barbara Spanish cottage you have been waiting for! This charming home sits well off the street with an elegant curb appeal, a spacious front yard, manicured landscaping, mature trees, and a stamped concrete driveway. As you walk up to the front door you will enjoy wrought iron accents, white stucco walls, Saltillo tile steps, tasteful awnings, and a red tile roof. This homeowner has a pride-of-ownership that we rarely see in this day and age. She has meticulously cared for and improved the property throughout her many years of ownership. This home is centrally located in the Westside neighborhood between The Mesa and Downtown Santa Barbara. The back entrance to Elings Park, a 230-acre private non-profit park open to the public, is just a 1/4 mile away! The Mesa amenities are just a “hop, skip, and jump” from the home which include the Mesa Shopping Center, Lazy Acres Natural Market, Shoreline Park, Leadbetter Beach, and Arroyo Burro (dog-friendly) Beach.

Mike and Kyle Richardson Team@mrrealtors.com