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THE ULTIMATE CENTRAL COAST REAL ESTATE SOURCE
Cover home presented by Brady Group Sotheby’s International Realty See details on Page E-2
Sunday, October 11, 2020
N EW L I ST I N G
OAKS & ROLLING HILLS | Santa Ynez Experience the rolling hills and majestic oaks of the Santa Ynez Valley while being within minutes of the market and the fine dining that the Valley offers. This 5 bedroom, 4 bath home with pool in the center of the Valley is on 19+/- acres. Once owned by the legendary cowboy, Dutch Wilson, the residence is restored in a classic country style. In keeping with this heritage, there is a barn with a guest quarters, a 1920s hay barn, a vintage equipment barn, a windmill, chicken coop, irrigated horse pastures and white fenced pastures. Olive trees line the front of the property. A gated entrance passes through the working area of the ranch that includes two manufactured homes ideal for guests and/or for help. Live a country life in privacy and security while being close to town. 159 9 N R E F UG I O.CO M Offered at $4,100,000
MikeBrady46@gmail.com 805.391.0587 | santaynezland.com Santa Ynez Valley Brokerage | 2900 Nojoqui Ave | Los Olivos, California | sothebysrealty.com © Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity. Featured Agents: Micah Brady DRE: 1219166 | Mike Brady DRE: 825140 | Jennifer Nation DRE: 1217818
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
Gold tones of Fluffy conifers make landscape sparkle By Norman Winter
Fluffy’s golden chartreuse foliage will partner well with blue hydrangeas seen in the distance and re-blooming azaleas too. Photo courtesy Norman Winter/TNS
For some the weather forecast has several days with morning lows, which is a cause for celebration. We can look for those long-lost fleece vests and, even better, it gives horticulturists like The Garden Guy the ticket to forget flowers for a week and write about a new golden conifer called Fluffy. There is nothing that adds a thrill to the winter landscape quite like conifers, and I’ll be the first to admit I have been doing a conifer happy dance all summer even through staggering heat. You see The Garden Guy added nine Fluffy arborvitaes to the landscape, months ago, and I love them. Fluffy is a great new variety of Thuja plicata known as western red cedar or western arborvitae. Those of you in the South may be thinking “Danger Will Robinson” from the standpoint of our sweltering heat. When I was director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Garden in Savannah, Georgia, I fell in love with all sorts of conifers, Chamaecyapris, Cedrus, Cephalotaxus, Cryptomeria and Cupressus to name just a few. It ignited an unquenchable passion for conifers. So Fluffy, which offers drop-dead gorgeous golden needlelike foliage, was simply more than I could pass up. When I told my wife that I had nine conifers coming by truck, the look I got was not one of glee. She grew up in East Texas, and the only conifers she appreciates are tall pines. If you look at Fluffy on Proven Winners website you will immediately want one — or in my case that number was nine. It is hard to imagine a prettier small conifer than Fluffy. With nine, I knew I had the opportunity to give it the full sun in
Oregon treatment and work my way down to the various shades of sunlight. First, know that everywhere I have planted it has thrived. In the full sun, the foliage is gold. The more shade, the foliage is more chartreuse with gold tips. These light up this filtered sunlit garden, where it is partnered with blue hydrangeas, azaleas and loropetalums. Nearby there are also spreading plum yew which are indeed conifers, too, but I am not telling. In my almost full-sun area, I combined Fluffy with a patch of Blue Rug juniper. This partnership should mature into a real picture and open the door for more dwarf conifer acquisitions. In the meantime, however I used the new ColorBlaze Wicked Hot coleus as a backdrop. This coleus always looks as though it is a glowing ember of fire which contrasts wonderfully with Fluffy’s golden needles. In my last treatment I am using Fluffy as the backdrop to a dry creek that does indeed flow during monsoonal rains. In between the creek, which is a work in progress, I have 15 daylilies. This area gets full morning sun until about 1pm. These Fluffy plants have colored up with a lot more gold than the filtered azalea area. Fluffy is recommended for zones 5a-8b, reaching 5 to 10 feet in height with a spread of 5 feet. It naturally develops that conical or Christmas tree shape. If your soil is tight, heavy clay and not well drained, then plan on amending it with 3 to 4 inches of organic matter and work the bed to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. The best idea might be to copy what the commercial landscapers do, planting on raised beds accomplished by bringing in a prepared soil mix. Even though good drainage is paramount, water will be necessary to allow the conifers to maintain their health and appearance and to get roots acclimated and expanded in your bed. Be sure and add a good layer of mulch to keep soil temperatures moderate, conserve moisture and deter weed growth. Fluffy has the ability to create excitement in the garden, or in large containers on the porch, patio and deck. Warning, you may just find it ignites a passion for confers in you too!
Contents
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HOUSE
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Racoons ..................................6
newspress.com
OME
Your Handyman: Installing a Water Softener ........................... 8 Publishing LLC
SBAOR: The Reserve Fund...................................................... 8 Tips on Hiring Virtual Home Service Vendors ....................... 10
Wendy McCaw.......................................................... Co-Publisher Arthur Von Wiesenberger.......................................... Co-Publisher
How To Take A Room To New Heights.................................. 12
To appear in House & Home, Contact our staff at realestate@newspress.com
For Some, Work from Home is Not Going Away ................... 16
House & Home is a product of the Classified Advertising Department of the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Santa Barbara County Sales.................................................... 18
newspress.com newspress.com is a local virtual community network providing information about Santa Barbara, in addition to the online Association of the Santa Barbara News-Press.
Making a Space for Baby........................................................ 20 Mountain Hydrangeas Offer Landscape Exquisite Beauty..... 21 A Bumper Crop of Home Gardens Blossoms Amid a Pandemic.. 22
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Real Estate ........................................................................... E-23 Residential Property............................................................. E-23 Commercial Property.. ......................................................... E-23 Rentals. ................................................................................ E-23 SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
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.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
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It’s a different Fall this year. The real estate market is different this year, and when it comes to home sales, the strength of the market hasn’t slowed down. So, if you’ve been thinking about looking for a new place to call home, you certainly haven’t missed out. In fact, your timing may be perfect.
ARE YOU CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR HOME’S VALUE?
Set up a consultation with one of our local experts:
sothebysrealty.com
MONTECITO | SANTA BARBARA | SANTA YNEZ VALLEY | SOTHEBYSREALTY.COM
Featured:2222EVR.com 45HUSTED.COM Featured:
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© Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
NEW LISTING | 1015EMOUNTAIN.COM
415MEADOWBROOKENNISBROOK.COM
NEW LISTING | 2211GARDEN.COM
World-Class Ocean View Villa
Stunning Ennisbrook Mountain View Parcel
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SANTA BARBARA | 6BD/9BA/3HBA | $16,950,000
SANTA BARBARA | $3,400,000
SANTA BARBARA | 5BD/4BA/1HBA | $3,299,000
Dusty Baker 805.570.0102
Wes St. Clair 805.886.6741
Dusty Baker 805.570.0102
4285CARPINTERIA.COM
NEW LISTING | 1404LASCANOAS.COM
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New Development Opportunity
El Cielito Mediterranean-Style Home
Ocean View Craftsman Home
CARPINTERIA | 0BD/0BA | $2,900,000
SANTA BARBARA | 4BD/3BA/1HBA | $2,695,000
SANTA BARBARA | 4BD/3BA | $1,795,000
Carolyn Friedman 805.886.3838
T. Mearce 805.450.3336 , R. Marvin 805.698.1590
Robert Heckes 805.637.0047
NEW LISTING | 18WVICTORIA205.COM
2812FOOTHILLRD.COM
NEW LISTING | 3726STATESTREET.COM
Downtown Pied-a-Terre Perfection
Cozy California Cottage
Contemporary Spanish Style Condo
SANTA BARBARA | 1BD/1BA/1HBA | $1,349,000
SANTA BARBARA | 3BD/2BA | $1,250,000
SANTA BARBARA | 2BD/2BA | $1,195,000
Dusty Baker 805.570.0102
Marie Larkin 805.680.2525
Aparna Rao 805.284.2010
421WMISSION.COM
NEW PRICE | 1068COTA.COM
NEW PRICE | 1435TUNNEL.COM
Flag Lot with Privacy & Rental Income
Santa Ynez Home with a View
Mission Canyon Views 1.3+/- Acre Homesite
SANTA BARBARA | 2BD/2BA | $849,000
SANTA YNEZ | 4BD/2BA/1HBA | $750,000
SANTA BARBARA | $519,000
Jessica Schley 805.350.2922
Jan Finley 805.698.7549
Robert Heckes 805.637.0047
© Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Real estate agents affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity. DRE License Numbers for All Featured Agents: Dusty Baker: 1908615 | Wes St. Clair: 1173714 | Dusty Baker: 1908615 | Carolyn Friedman: 1080272 | Tyler Mearce: 1969409 | Renee Marvin: 2056190 | Robert Heckes: 01723319 | Marie Larkin: 523795 | Aparna Rao: 1968639 | Jessica Schley: 2011010 | Jan Finley: 1351826 |
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E5
Hugo Mendez Helping You Find Your Home for 23 Years 805-570-9198 hugo@villagesite.com DRE 01231746
All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified & we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.
How to prevent and get rid of raccoons
By Paul F. P. Pogue Angie’s List
Raccoons like to spend cold weather in safe hidey-holes. When autumn arrives, they direct their attention to finding a den to spend the winter in a low-energy rest state known as torpor. Then spring comes, when they’ll be bearing and hiding away their young. That often means baby raccoons in your sheds, porches, attics, basements and especially chimneys. The babies quickly become adult raccoons, and from then on out, it’s just roving raccoons without Bradley Cooper’s charm. Raccoons are not particularly aggressive, galactic mutant variations notwithstanding, but they can carry rabies and bring fleas and ticks into your yard and home. Plus, they tend to damage structures with their efforts to get in. So it’s best to prevent their invasion, or get rid of raccoons once they show up.
Raccoons are skilled and finding nooks and crannies in your home to hide out. Photo courtesy Dreamstime/TNS
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HOW TO PREVENT RACCOONS Check around the edges of your house and property for trouble spots that might invite a critter in. Broken boards, burrows under fences and areas under decks and porches with holes large enough to slip through are all prime hangouts for raccoon families. Fix these elements to prevent entry by raccoons and other pests. Keep your trees trimmed and away from the roof of your house. Branches make excellent pathways for raccoons to slip into your attic. Make sure your trash cans are covered and that you don’t leave pet food in the yard. Nothing attracts raccoons like a free drive-up menu. You can also purchase raccoon repellent products and sprays over the counter, although animal control experts disagree on how effective they may be. In particular, mothers of young raccoons are less likely to be driven away by raccoon repellent.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
HOW MUCH DOES RACCOON REMOVAL COST? So, maybe you didn’t take quite as meticulous care to prevent raccoons, or perhaps even the best laid plans couldn’t keep them out. In that case, it’s time to contact an animal removal company. This is a tricky enough job that it’s best not to DIY unless you really know what you’re doing. A professional raccoon removal service might use one of a number of methods to get rid of raccoons, but most commonly they will try to engage in humane raccoon removal. This involves trapping the adult raccoons (usually the mother) and, once the nest has been located, remove the baby raccoons by hand. Then they’ll take steps to make sure they can’t get back in, such as fence repairs or chimney caps. The cost of raccoon removal will vary depending on the extent of the problem, what repairs are required to keep future raccoons out, and your region of the country. However, you can usually expect to pay between $200 to $400 for the raccoon removal job. When hiring a professional animal control company, make sure they are licensed, bonded and insured to work in your jurisdiction. Ask them if they have specific experience with raccoons, and if they will be trapping and relocating raccoons, make sure they do so in accordance with local regulations.
Paul F. P. Pogue is a reporter for Angie’s List, a trusted provider of local consumer reviews and an online marketplace of services from top-rated providers. Visit AngiesList.com. ©2020 Ask Angie’s List Visit Ask Angie’s List at www.angieslist.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
EXPLORE OUR VIRTUAL TOURS FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME AT VILLAGESITE.COM
735 Fuera Lane | Montecito | 5BD/7BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $9,950,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.698.0199
5228 Rhoads Ave | Santa Barbara | 3BD/2BA DRE 00852118 | Offered at $899,000 Jeff Oien 805.895.2944
1583 S Jameson Ln | Montecito | 9BD/9BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $17,900,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.565.8600
975 Lilac Dr | Santa Barbara | 5BD/8BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $16,900,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.565.8600
1130 E Mountain | Montecito | 4BD/5BA DRE 01815307 | Offered at $7,950,000 Riskin Partners Estate Group 805.698.0199
495 Valley Club Rd | Montecito | 4BD/7BA DRE 00852118 | Offered at $7,500,000 Jeff Oien 805.895.2944
4002 Cuervo Ave | Santa Barbara | 5BD/4BA DRE 00852118 | Offered at $3,975,000 Jeff Oien 805.895.2944
1098 Toro Canyon Rd | Santa Barbara | 2BD/1BA DRE 01939922 | Offered at $3,400,000 Hutch Axilrod 805.637.6378
1358 San Rafael Ave | Santa Barbara | 4BD/4BA DRE 01236143/01410304 | Offered at $2,399,000 Grubb Campbell Group 805.895.6226
18 W Victoria St 310 | Santa Barbara | 1BD/2BA DRE 00678233/00580635 | Offered at $1,725,000 Hunt/Hunt 805.895.3833
5055 E Camino Cielo | Santa Barbara | 4BD/3BA DRE 00835438 | Offered at $1,695,000 Jackie Walters 805.570.0558
1620 Payeras St | Santa Barbara | 3BD/2BA DRE 01236143/01410304 | Offered at $1,675,000 Grubb Campbell Group 805.895.6226
3732 State St 121 | Santa Barbara | 3BD/3BA DRE 01005773/01462628 | Offered at $1,295,000 Leach/Madden 805.886.9000
275 Calle Esperanza | Santa Barbara | 3BD/3BA DRE 01244760 | Offered at $949,000 Jan Banister 805.455.1194
0000 Maricopa Hwy | Ojai | 14.10± Acres DRE 01155355 | Offered at $14,000,000 William M Reed 805.896.3002
4640 Via Bendita | Santa Barbara | 2.5± Acres DRE 01988499|02020380 | Offered at $2,997,000 Haden Homes Luxury Property Group 805.880.6530
861 E Alamar Ave | Santa Barbara | 8.12± Acres DRE 01988499|02020380 | Offered at $1,295,000 Haden Homes Luxury Property Group 805.880.6530
3040 Foothill Rd | Carpinteria | 3.5± Acres DRE 02096482/00978392 | Offered at $1,250,000 Garrett/Sener 805.775.8735
LOCALLY OWNED. GLOBALLY CONNECTED. WE REACH A GLOBAL AUDIENCE THROUGH OUR EXCLUSIVE AFFILIATES. All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified and we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
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9ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ >˜`ޓ>˜ ÞÊ >ÀŽÊ >ÂˆĂ€`
)NSTALLING A 7ATER 3OFTENER +Ă•iĂƒĂŒÂˆÂœÂ˜\ ,IKE MOST HOMES IN 3ANTA "ARBARA WE HAVE HARD WATER THAT LEAVES MIN ERAL STREAKS IN OUR DISHWASHER AND CRUSTY LIME BUILDUP ON OUR FAUCETS AND SHOWER HEADS 2ECENTLY WE WERE HOUSE GUESTS AT A RELATIVE S HOME IN .ORTHERN #ALIFORNIA WHO HAS A WATER SOFTENER AND WE REALLY ENJOYED THE WAY THE SOAP SUDS UP IN THE SHOWER AND MY WIFE LOVED HOW LIGHT AND FULL OF LIFE HER HAIR FELT AFTER SHAMPOOING .OW THAT WE ARE BACK AT HOME WE WANT TO HAVE A WATER SOFTENER INSTALLED BUT DON T KNOW WHAT ALL IS INVOLVED (OW DOES A WATER SOFTENER WORK AND WHAT PLUMBING WORK WILL BE NEEDED 9ÂœĂ•Ă€ĂŠ >˜`ޓ>˜\ ) PERSONALLY HAVE ENJOYED SOFTENED WATER FOR MOST ALL OF MY LIFE AND REALLY NOTICE HOW THE SOAP AND SHAMPOO STICKS TO ME WHEN STAYING AS A HOUSE GUEST OR AT A HOTEL WHERE THE WATER IS NOT SOFTENED 4HE WATER SOFTENING PROCESS GREATLY REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF MINERALS IN YOUR HOME S WATER AND IT IS THESE MINER ALS THAT EXPLAIN WHY THE DISHES THAT YOU THOUGHT WERE CLEANED IN THE DISHWASHER COME OUT COVERED WITH SPOTS WHY THE WATER IN YOUR SHOWER LEAVES A UNPLEASANT l LM ON EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES AND WHY YOUR EXPENSIVE PLUMBING l XTURES ARE SLOWLY BEING ENCRUSTED WITH MINERAL SCALE 4HESE MINERALS IN OUR WATER PREVENT SOAPS AND DETERGENTS FROM DISSOLVING ENTIRELY WHICH MAKES THE SOAP LESS EFFECTIVE AND THEY ALSO PARTIALLY BOND WITH SOAP CREATING A SORT OF SOAP SCUM THAT CLINGS TO YOUR SKIN AND HAIR 4HE CRUSTY MINERAL SCALE THAT YOU SEE ON THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR FAUCETS AND SHOWER HEADS IS ALSO SLOWLY BUILDING UP INSIDE YOUR PIPES AND FAUCET VALVES 2AIN WATER IS ALMOST ENTIRELY FREE OF MINERALS BUT AS IT SOAKS INTO THE EARTH AND HEADS INTO THE AQUIFERS DEEP UNDERGROUND IT PICKS UP A LITTLE OF WHATEVER SOLUBLE MIN ERALS THAT IT PASSES THROUGH AND DEPENDING ON THE LOCAL GEOLOGY IT CAN REACH VARYING DEGREES OF MINERAL CONTENT 4YPICALLY WA TER DISTRICTS THAT RELY ON WELLS THAT PUMP GROUND WATER WILL HAVE MUCH HARDER WATER THAN DISTRICTS THAT SOURCE THEIR WATER FROM MOUNTAIN STREAMS AND LAKES 4HE 3AN &ERNANDO 6ALLEY TO OUR SOUTH GETS ITS WATER FROM THE %ASTERN 3IERRAS AND HAS SOME OF THE SOFTEST MINERAL FREE TAP WATER THAT CAN BE FOUND 4HE SOLUTION IS TO REMOVE THE MINERALS WHICH ARE PRIMARILY CALCIUM AND MAGNE SIUM FROM THE WATER AND THE EASIEST METHOD IS TO PROPERLY INSTALL A WATER SOFTENER 4HE HEART OF THE WATER SOFTENER IS THE MINERAL TANK WHICH IS l LLED WITH THOUSANDS OF TINY POLYSTYRENE RESIN BEADS AND THESE BEADS NATURALLY CARRY A NEGATIVE ELECTRICAL CHARGE -INERALS HAVE A POSITIVE CHARGE AND AS THE HARD WATER m OWS THROUGH THE MINERAL TANK THE POSITIVELY CHARGED MINERALS BOND WITH THE NEGATIVELY CHARGED RESIN BEADS AND CLING TO THE BEADS 0ERIODICALLY A WATER SOFTENER GOES THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED REGENERAT
ING WHICH IS WHEN CONCENTRATED SALT WATER BRINE IS USED TO m USH OUT THE MINERAL TANK 3ALT SODIUM HAS A POSITIVE CHARGE AND THE SHEER VOLUME OF SODIUM IONS ARE ABLE TO BREAK AWAY THE MINERALS BONDED TO THE RESIN BEADS AND WASH THEM OUT OF THE TANK 4HE TANK IS THEN m USHED WITH WATER TO REMOVE MOST ALL OF THE SALT ! WATER SOFTENER CAN BE PURCHASED AT A LOCAL APPLIANCE OR HARDWARE STORE FOR ABOUT AND IS TYPICALLY AN EASY INSTALLATION DEPENDING ON YOUR HOME S PLUMBING 4HE WATER SOFTENER NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED INTO YOUR PLUMBING IDEALLY AT A LOCATION WHERE THE MAIN WATER LINE FOR YOUR HOME S INTERIOR WATER SUPPLY ENTERS THE HOME 9OU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SUPPLY LINE DOES NOT ALSO PROVIDE WATER FOR OUTSIDE HOSES AND SPRINKLERS /FTEN IN NEWER CONSTRUCTION THE PLUMBER WILL PROVIDE AN EXPOSED PIPE LOOP ON THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY LINE WHICH IS INTENDED AS THE LOCATION FOR THE SOFTENER !N ELECTRICAL OUTLET WILL BE NEEDED TO SUP PLY POWER FOR THE CIRCUITRY THAT DETERMINES WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THE SOFTENER TO REGENER ATE AND A SEWAGE DRAIN LINE IS REQUIRED FOR THE BRINE AND m USHING WATER CREATED DURING THE REGENERATION CYCLE )F YOU DON T HAVE A LOCATION WITH A DRAIN LINE THERE IS THE OP TION OF HAVING A LOCAL WATER SOFTENING COM PANY DELIVER AND INSTALL A RECHARGED RESIN TANK ON A PERIODIC BASIS AND THEY m USH THE TANK OUT BACK AT THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS 4HE FREQUENCY THAT THE SOFTENER REGEN ERATES AND THE AMOUNT OF SALT THAT IS USED WILL BE DETERMINED BY HOW MUCH WATER IS CONSUMED INSIDE YOUR HOME ! TYPICAL FAM ILY OF FOUR WILL NEED TO REl LL THE SALT TANK ABOUT ONCE A MONTH WITH BAGS OF SALT THAT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE HARDWARE STORE OR AT #OSTCO 4HE SALT BAGS USUALLY WEIGH LBS OR MORE AND CAN BE DIFl CULT FOR SENIORS TO HANDLE 0OTASSIUM CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF SALT IN THE BRINE TANK BUT A BAG OF POTAS SIUM COSTS ABOUT WHILE A BAG OF SALT PELLETS COSTS ABOUT -ANY SENIORS HAVE THE SALT BAGS LOADED INTO THEIR CAR S TRUNK AT THE STORE AND LATER HAVE THEIR GARDENER OR A STRONG TEENAGE NEIGHBOR UNLOAD AND POUR THEM INTO THE BRINE TANK 4HERE ARE NO HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCI ATED WITH SOFTENED WATER HOWEVER THE TRACE AMOUNT OF SALT LEFT IN THE RESIN TANK WHICH GOES INTO THE TAP WATER CAN POSE A PROBLEM FOR A PERSON ON A SODIUM FREE DIET ! REVERSE OSMOSIS WATER l LTER SYSTEM WILL REMOVE THIS SMALL AMOUNT OF SALT AND CAN BE INSTALLED UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK FOR DRINKING WATER AND FOR THE ICE MAKER 4HE ONLY OTHER COMPLAINT PEOPLE MAY HAVE ABOUT WATER SOFTENERS IS THAT THEY USE QUITE A LOT OF WATER DURING THE REGENERATION CYCLE THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED WASTEFUL ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF OUR ONGOING DROUGHT 4HIS TOO IS THE CASE FOR THE REVERSE OSMOSIS l LTER SYSTEM WHICH ALSO CREATES WASTEWATER IN THE l LTER ING PROCESS
HOA Homefront:
The Reserve Fund How Much Is Too Much? By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq.
Mr. Richardson: Something has been bothering me for a while regarding the reserve funding level that is appropriate for a given association. Many associations strive (and set the dues) to achieve 100% funded. Do they really need to carry such high balances? Wouldn’t it be enough to carry only sufficient balances to meet the future projected reserve expenses (with a sufficient contingency cushion for uncertainties)? Why should we be paying dues to maintain an unnecessarily high reserve fund balance? Wouldn’t a lower percent funded objective of say 50% be more than adequate? Thanks. B.G. Dear B.G.: Your question refers to comparing the amount of money in the HOA’s capital replacement reserve fund to the recommendation of the HOA’s most recent reserve study, and by “100% funded� you refer to the situation, also known as “fully funded,� in which the HOA has fully accumulated the recommended amount. I relayed your question to leading reserve study experts, and two well-known experts, each holding CAI’s “Reserve Specialist�(RS) designation, responded. Scott Clements RS, CEO of Reserve Studies Inc, said, “the questioner mentions two important points, ‘appropriate’ and ‘adequate’. However, there is another element to consider- equitable. Maintaining at or near 100% funded means that everyone owning a unit is paying their share of usage of all the common area components based on their period of ownership. It is unnecessary go above the 100% level, but anything below is a deferral to future owners�. Robert Nordlund RS, CEO of Association Reserves, Inc., said “the reserve fund provides for the predictable upcoming capital element replacement projects at the association. But life does not always occur according to plan, so some margin in
>ÀŽÊ >ÂˆĂ€` >ÀŽÊ >ÂˆĂ€` IS A 'ENERAL #ONTRACTOR THE /WNER OF h9OUR (ANDYMANv SERVICING 3ANTA "ARBARA SINCE 9OU CAN CONTACT -ARK AT OR EMAIL HIM AT MARK BAIRD SBCOXMAIL COM 6ISIT HIS WEBSITE AT WWW YOURHANDYMANSB COM
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
excess of the bare amount of cash to provide for anticipated reserve expenses (called “baseline funding�) is needed to insulate the association’s members from special assessments. Full funding is the goal to set aside reserves to match the deterioration at the association. Our experience is that special assessments occur only about 1% of the time within the next three years among “fully funded� associations. For baselinefunded associations, special assessments are needed between 30% and 50% of the time within the next three years, so pursuing fully funded status is a worthy and responsible objective. However, for very large associations (budgets over $10,000,000) the benefits of full funding may be achieved at approximately the 50% level.� B.G. Major property components are continuously deteriorating at a calculable rate even while you are reading this article. Associations that do not regularly deposit money to offset that deterioration are quietly falling into unliquidated debt. Since the reserve studies are designed to gradually accumulate repair funds at about the same pace as deterioration, any funding below the recommendation is a gamble. When a major item needs refurbishing, the debt becomes liquidated, and the HOA “discovers� a financial need which was predicted years before in its reserve study. Many HOAs are penny wise by keeping assessments lower (and not funding the reserves account as recommended) but pound foolish because they are forced to specially assess and/or borrow when repairs are needed. As Robert Clements said, it isn’t fair to foist the cost of present deterioration upon future owners. Thanks to Messrs. Clements and Nordlund Kelly
Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and Senior Partner of Richardson Ober PC, a California law firm known for community association advice. Submit potential column questions to Kelly@ Richardsonober.com. Past columns at www.HOAHomefront.com. All rights reservedÂŽ.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
Signature Upper East Residence - The Tiffany House
Premier Polo Condo
www.SBRivieraHomes.com | $3,350,000 Chris Palme 805.565.8823 CalRE# 00989478
www.MontecitoStyle.com | $779,000 Teresa McWilliams 805.895.7038 CalRE# 00285016
Spectacular Padaro Beach Location $12,500,000 Susan Conger & Charlie Petersen 805.637.0312
William Hefner | Shovel Ready | Build Your Dream www.819Ashley.com | $4,750,000 Maurie McGuire & Scott Westlotorn 805.403.8816
Downtown Luxury Condo $1,145,000 Arielle Gulje 805.906.0194
CalRE# 00545024 & CalRE# 01742017
CalRE# 01061042 & CalRE# 01875690
CalRE# 01935620
COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Montecito 805. 969.4755 | 1290 Coast Village Road, Montecito, CA 93108 | Montecito Upper Village 805.969.0900 | 1498 East Valley Road, Montecito, CA 93108 Santa Barbara Residential & Commercial Divisions 805.682.2477 | 3820 State Street, Suite G, Santa Barbara, CA 93105 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. Š2020 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell BankerŽ System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by CalRE# 00616212 a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E9
Design Recipes:
Tips on hiring virtual home service vendors By Cathy Hobbs With the advent of video calls and virtual communication, so comes the pivot relating to how professional services are viewed and rendered. While its lasting impact may be unclear, what is for certain is virtual home services are now part of how business is conducted and how information is disseminated. From interior design to architecture and home organization, both professionals and homeowners seeking their services are looking for a virtual option. Here are some top tips for hiring a vendor to perform virtual home services. 1. Read the reviews. Authentic reviews can serve as an invaluable tool for credibility. 2. Look at the vendor’s past work. This may be key in determining if their style matches or is best suited to your own. 3. Make an inventory of your home. One of the biggest mistakes a seller or homeowner can make is not having a property inventory as it relates to what they own and their needs. 4. Do your research. There are a number of individual interior designers who have developed their own edesign platforms or created a relationship with an existing one. 5. Create a budget and keep it realistic. Many design professionals are flexible and can adapt to various budgets. 6. Plan. Finding the right design professional to work with can be invaluable for the best furniture and room layout. 7. Determine your style. A designer offering e-design services will often request inspirational images to get a sense of your style. 8. Look for e-design services that offer video phone calls or outstanding customer service. The personal touch is often instrumental in maintaining an open dialogue and ensuring details are understood. Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. www.cathyhobbs.com. Š2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(top down and to the rght) Photos courtesy Cathy Hobbs/TNS (1) From tables to chairs and lighting, designers can source virtually for homeowners. (2) Designer e-design packages can include furniture placement ideas. (3) Designers can include the sourcing and design of kitchens and bathrooms virtually. (4) Accessories and accents can be purchased through online designer stores. (5) Artwork and other signature pieces can be sourced using many e-design platforms. (6) Entire spaces and homes can be executed using designer e-design packages.
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
OCEAN VIEW OPULENCE, AMENITIES INDULGENCE When a property offers such an extensive array of features, it’s difficult to know where to begin. But not impossible --- because those desired-by-all panoramic views of the glistening ocean waters and beloved Channel Islands meet you at every turn in this stately Mediterranean-style gated home. Sited perfectly for view advantage on 1.72 acres, down a quaint less-traveled short lane, this 6496-sq. ft home features 4 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, with a striking domed wood-beamed ceiling in the expansive foyer, stunning view curved stairwell, formal living room with coffered ceiling, large family room, office, den/library (with built-in shelves), wrought-iron details throughout and an elevator! Entrance portico with pillars adjoins the restful front courtyard with fountain, the south-facing covered second floor balcony provides sunset enjoyment while overlooking a sparkling pool and spa area; a large pool cabana provides an outdoor kitchen, fireplace and pool bathroom. A tennis court allows for more outdoor recreation; your guests can retire to the nearby guest house with its own 2-car garage. Shown by appointment with agent.
Offered for $6,295,000
Keith C. Berry, Realtor® CalRE #363833 MLS #20-3651 Cellular (805) 689-4240 Keith@keithberryrealestate.com www.KeithBerryRealEstate.com
1482 E Valley Road Ste 17 Santa Barbara, CA 93108 ©2020 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo service marks are registered or pending registrations owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E11
The ceiling line of a living room is heightened using the magic of mirrors. Photos Courtesy Design Recipes/TNS
How to Take a Room to New Heights
By Cathy Hobbs Whether a room or space has low, typical-height or extra-high ceilings, a number of design tricks can help to maximize a space’s height. Height adds a lot to a room — it can make a space feel more open as well as add a sense of spaciousness. Looking for tips? Here are some top designer hacks. Do: Add mirrors. Mirrors hung vertically or in a series can add instant height to a space. Add an architectural feature such as an oversized window. Place artwork vertically. Horizontal artwork can help make a room feel bigger, while art placed vertically can help make a space feel taller. Use light or neutral colors in a space. Light colors can make a space feel larger. Add ceiling recessed lighting when possible, as lighter spaces automatically feel bigger. Don’t: Paint ceilings — it will reduce a room’s height. Use dark or overly dark colors in a space, as it will make a room feel smaller. Use large or bold patterns; they will close in a space. Overstuff a space with furniture. A crowded space will feel smaller. Use elements in a space that are too tall, like oversized trees or lights, which will also close in a space. Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com. ©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
An arc lamp placed in this living space helps define the area and give a sense of spaciousness.
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
ELEG A N T B I R NA M WO O D H O M E Monte cito
Located in Montecito’s private enclave of Birnam Wood and bordering the top of the 9th Fairway of the community’s world-class golf course, is this beautifully appointed and impeccably remodeled home. The custom details throughout this wonderful home have not EHHQ RYHUORRNHG ZLWK DQ RSHQ DQG ñH[LEOH ñRRUSODQ )HDWXUHV LQFOXGH D JUHDW URRP OLYLQJ
Barbara Koutnik Estate Specialist O: 805.565.8811 bckoutnik@aol.com www.BarbaraKoutnik.com CalRE#00809916
room, formal dining, chef’s kitchen with adjoining family room and three generous bedrooms, RQH FXUUHQWO\ XVHG DV DQ H[HFXWLYH RτFH /XVK SULYDWH VHWWOLQJ RσHUV PDWXUH WUHHV DQG SODQWLQJV RXWGRRU %%4 DQG FXVWRP EXLOW WUHOOLV SDWLR IRU UHOD[LQJ RXWGRRUV ([WHQGHG JXHVW SDUNLQJ DQG ODUJH PRURWFRXUW ZLWK WKUHH FDU JDUDJH DQG H[WUD JROI FDUW JDUDJH Listed at $4,175,000
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E13
TA K E A V I R T U A L T O U R T O D AY
296 LAS ENTRADAS DR, MONTECITO 6BD/11BA • $28,500,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514
RANCHO CANADA LARGA, VENTURA 6,496± acs • $27,650,000 Kerry Mormann, 805.682.3242 LIC# 00598625
4305 MARINA DR, HOPE RANCH 5BD/6½BA • $27,500,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514
9525 CALLE REAL, GOLETA SOUTH 207±acs • $25,000,000 Kerry Mormann, 805.682.3242 LIC# 00598625
945 LILAC DR, MONTECITO UPPER 5BD/7½BA • $16,995,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247
4015 BAJADA LN, HOPE RANCH 6BD/5½BA • $16,900,000 Ken Switzer, 805.680.4622 LIC# 01245644
1530 MIMOSA LN, MONTECITO LOWER 5BD/5½BA • $11,500,000 Daniel Encell, 805.565.4896 LIC# 00976141
450 LAMBERT RD, CARPINTERIA 4BD/6½BA; 22±acs • $9,950,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247
700 E MOUNTAIN DR, MONTECITO 7BD/9½BA • $8,995,000 Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group, 805.565.4014 LIC# 01426886
810 BUENA VISTA DR, MONTECITO 6BD+apt/9BA • $8,495,000 Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group, 805.565.4014 LIC# 01426886
1445 E MOUNTAIN DR, MONTECITO 3BD/4+(2)½BA • $6,950,000 Daniel Encell, 805.565.4896 LIC# 00976141
2838 E VALLEY RD, MONTECITO UPPER 3BD/5BA • $6,950,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514
4098 VIA REAL, CARPINTERIA 15±acs • $6,500,000 Kerry Mormann, 805.682.3242 LIC# 00598625
1191 LAS ALTURAS RD, RIVIERA 4BD/4BA; 1±acs • $5,995,000 Josiah Hamilton, 805.284.8835 LIC# 01415235
3589 TORO CANYON PARK RD, SB 121.12± acs • $5,500,000 Kerry Mormann, 805.682.3242 LIC# 00598625
2049 BOUNDARY DR, MONTECITO 4BD/4½BA • $5,475,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247
4660 VIA ROBLADA, HOPE RANCH 5BD/5½BA • $4,695,000 Team Scarborough, 805.331.1465 LIC# 01182792 / 01050902
2439 SANTA BARBARA ST, GOLETA 4BD/3BA • $4,450,000 Randy Glick, 805.689.7167 LIC# 00950129
2081 CHINA FLAT RD, MONTECITO 4BD/4½BA • $4,295,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247
2260-62 SAN MARCOS PASS RD, SB 41±acs • $3,875,000 Jody Neal, 805.252.9267 LIC# 01995725
@BHHSCALIFORNIA
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
© 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.
BHHSCALIFORNIA.COM
TA K E A V I R T U A L T O U R T O D AY
© 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.
BHHSCALIFORNIA.COM
990 VIA FRUTERIA, HOPE RANCH 3BD/3BA • $3,750,000 Team Scarborough, 805.331.1465 LIC# 01182792 / 01050902
2900 OLD CALZADA RD, SANTA YNEZ 4BD/3½BA+2BD/2BA GH;4.47±acs • $3,300,000 Laura Drammer, 805.448.7500 LIC# 01209580
4468 FOOTHILL RD, CARPINTERIA 3BD/3½BA • $3,250,000 Cristal Clarke, 805.886.9378 LIC# 00968247
9324 HIGHWAY 101, LOS ALAMOS 29± acs • $3,125,000 Ealand & Sideris Group, 805.698.9902 / 455.3159 LIC# 01766178 / 00603730
217 EQUESTRIAN AVE, DOWNTOWN 4BD/4BA • $3,095,000 Kathy Hughes, 805.448.4881 LIC# 00521702
2550 PAINTED CAVE RD, SAN MARCOS PASS
55±acs • $3,000,000 Bunny DeLorie / Teresa Salvione, 805.570.9181 LIC# 01397098 / 01911686
7475 SHEPARD MESA RD, CARPINTERIA 4BD/3BA • $2,495,000 Nancy Kogevinas, 805.450.6233 LIC# 01209514
618 ANACAPA ST#3, DOWNTOWN 3BD/3½BA • $2,049,000 Barbara Neary, 805.698.8980 LIC# 01491532
800 ROCKBRIDGE RD, SANTA BARBARA 1.52±acs • $1,995,000 Jody Neal / Anderson / Hurst, 805.252.9267 LIC# 01995725 / 01903215 / 00826530
3903 BLUEBIRD LN, SANTA YNEZ 20±acs • $1,950,000 Ealand & Sideris Group, 805.698.9902 LIC# 01766178 / 00603730
501 E PEDREGOSA ST, SANTA BARBARA 4BD/3½BA • $1,895,000 Laurel Abbott, 805.455.5409 LIC# 01247432
4335 WOODSTOCK RD, SANTA YNEZ 4BD/2BA; 20±acs • $1,795,000 Ealand & Sideris Group, 805.698.9902 LIC# 01766178 / 00603730
980 VILLAGE LN, MORE MESA 3BD/2BA • $1,349,000 Mitch Stark, 805.689.2429 LIC# 01196532
177 SEAVIEW DR, PISMO BEACH 3BD/1½BA • $1,050,000 Jody Neal, 805.252.9267 LIC# 01995725
2030 STATE ST#3, UPPER EAST 2BD/2BA • $819,000 Kathy Strand Spieler, 805.895.6326 LIC# 00851281
1220 DOVE MEADOW RD, SOLVANG 4.94±acs; Conceptual Plans • $795,000 Laura Drammer, 805.448.7500 LIC# 01209580
841 COINER CT, LOS ALAMOS 5BD/2½BA • $769,000 Ealand & Sideris Group, 805.698.9902 LIC# 01766178 / 00603730
3572 CEDAR ST, SANTA YNEZ 3D/2BA • $689,000 Randy Freed & Kellie Clenet, 805.895.1799 LIC# 00624274 / 01434616
162 KINGSTON AVE#D, GOLETA NORTH 2BD/1½BA • $634,900 Madhu Khemani, 805.252.0265 LIC# 01387945
24 EALAND PL, SANTA BARBARA 0.69±acs • $250,000 Tony Miller, 805.705.4007 LIC# 01979251
@BHHSCALIFORNIA
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E15
For Some, Work from Home is not Going Away. Here’s How to Make the Most of Your Space.
Neck ache, back pain, sore shoulders — it’s not just you. Those are common complaints from people who work desk jobs. Photo courtesty Dreamstime/TNS
By Lauren Leazenby Neck ache, back pain, sore shoulders — it’s not just you. University of Chicago physical therapist Zachary Stapleton said these are the most common complaints he receives from people who work desk jobs. “Desk jobs” these days may be more aptly called “couch jobs” or “kitchen table jobs” for some, but as more companies move to make work-fromhome a more permanent measure, it might be time to reevaluate your workspace for the long term. “I encourage people to establish environments that lead them to be as efficient as possible,” said Stapleton, who is also board-certified in orthopedics. Whatever your setup, he said it’s important that you have your feet on the floor and elbows at a 90-degree angle. The top of your computer monitor should be even with your brow and angled upward to take some tension off of your neck, he said. “If you’re able to do these main things, the rest will fall into place,” Stapleton said. Occupational therapist Nikki Weiner calls this “neutral posture,” where your ears should be in line with your shoulders, which should be over your hips, which should be slightly higher than your knees. Your neck should also be neutral — not looking up, down or to the side.
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Weiner is the co-founder of ergonomic solutions company the Rising Workplace. In her evaluations, she said she looks at how a person interacts with their work environment. Her approach is personal and focused on an individual’s neutral posture. She doesn’t recommend specific types of “ergonomic” tools for this reason. She said tools or furniture labeled “ergonomic” are misleading because a “one size fits all relationship” doesn’t exist. But good furniture can be beneficial: “Having the right setup allows you to work in a neutral posture,” she said. That setup should include furniture that is adjustable, Weiner said, and your chair should have back support. Without it, she said you’ll gradually start to hunch forward. Computer mice that provide a handshakelike grip will put your hands and wrists in a more neutral posture. A quick and crucial upgrade Weiner recommends for people who work from laptops is a laptop stand paired with an external keyboard and mouse. “If you don’t use an external mouse and keyboard and then raise up your screen to an appropriate eye level, you won’t be able to work in neutral posture,” she said. It’s also easy to overlook aspects of ergonomic workspaces because they don’t necessarily involve a piece of furniture, Weiner said.
Lighting is particularly important. “Good lighting doesn’t necessarily mean strong lighting,” she said. A balance of natural, overhead and task lighting should minimize eye strain — which can also be caused by staring at screens all day, Weiner said. She said if seeing in perfect color isn’t important for your work, you can turn on your monitor’s blue light filter, which warms the display to be kinder on your eyes. The 20/20/20 rule can also help. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for twenty seconds. This alleviates strain from continuously staring at a screen. Random sounds and distractions can affect your productivity, Weiner said, so working in a space where there is less likely to be unpredictable noise may help. She said continuous sound, like a fan or white noise, can improve your attention. Temperature can also impact your work. “If you’re working within a thermal zone that’s uncomfortable, you have less productivity and make more errors,” she said. While distractions may take your mind off work, they can also be positive. Putting an object on or around your workspace that brings you joy or reminds you of a pleasant memory can help you refocus, Weiner said. You workspace setup and neutral posture will only do so much for you, Stapleton said, because you can’t be in any one position for too long: “When I work with people who
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
have a desk job and I feel as though their environment is contributing to the persistence of pain, one of the first things I’ll do is look at their routine outside of the office.” Stapleton said we need “positional variation,” which can be achieved by getting up and walking around throughout the day. He said stretching and strengthening routines, as well as cardio, will give your body the movement and variation it needs. He said his recommendation of positional variation means you should feel free to move to other workspaces throughout the day. “By all means, work from the couch,” he said. “As long as it feels good, then it’s totally fine.” Weiner said she used to recommend having a single workspace, but that’s not feasible for a lot of people who are sharing desk space with children doing remote schoolwork or other adults working in the home. She said that by keeping neutral postures and ergonomics in mind, you can make almost any space more comfortable to work in. “We need to kind of be easy on ourselves during this pandemic and be flexible in our workspaces,” she said. “I think that’s the most realistic way to do this in this new age of working from home.” Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
A N O T H E R F I N E P RO P E RT Y R E P R E S E N T E D B Y
D ANIEL E NCELL
• #6 Berkshire Hathaway Agent in the Nation • Wall Street Journal “Top 100â€? Agents Nationwide ANOTHER FINE PROPERTY (out REPRESENTED of overBY1.3 million) • Graduate of UCLA School of Law and former attorney (with training in Real Estate law, contracts, estate planning, and tax law) • Dedicated and highly trained full-time support team • An expert in the luxury home market
REMEMBER, IT COSTS NO MORE TO WORK WITH THE BEST (BUT IT CAN COST YOU PLENTY IF YOU DON’T)
VISIT: WWW.DANENCELL.COM
Dan Encell “The Real Estate Guy� Phone: (805) 565-4896 DanEncell@aol.com DRE 00976141
EACH YEAR, DAN SPENDS OVER $250,000 IN MARKETING & ADVERTISING!
15 WEST ARRELLAGA STREET 4 • SANTA BARBARA
7KLV H[WUDRUGLQDULO\ DSSRLQWHG 'RZQWRZQ OX[XU\ FRQGR R྾HUV WKH LGHDO ORFN OHDYH UHWUHDW RU IXOO WLPH UHVLGHQFH ([SHULHQFH DQ RSHQ FRQFHSW ÀRRU SODQ FRPSOHWH ZLWK JUDFLRXV VXQNHQ OLYLQJ URRP ZLWK DPELHQW PDUEOH ¿UHSODFH JRXUPHW NLWFKHQ FRQWHPSRUDU\ VWRQH ÀRRULQJ DQG FDSWLYDWLQJ PRGHUQ ZLUH VWDLQOHVV VWHHO VWDLUFDVH VSDQQLQJ WR FOHUHVWRU\ ZLQGRZV XSVWDLUV EHGURRPV 7KH WKRXJKWIXOO\ GHVLJQHG PDVWHU EHGURRP IHDWXUHV D ]HQ HQVXLWH EDWKURRP YDXOWHG FHLOLQJV ZDON LQ FORVHW ZLWK ODXQGU\ )UHQFK GRRUV R྾ RI WKH OLYLQJ URRP OHDG WR WKH VSDFLRXV VDOWLOOR WLOHG SDWLR DQG EHDXWLIXOO\ ODQGVFDSHG ORZ PDLQWHQDQFH VXFFXOHQW JDUGHQ 7KLV FRQGR R྾HUV D XQLTXHO\ SULYDWH VHWWLQJ ZKLOH EHLQJ VWHSV DZD\ IURP WKH KLJKO\ VRXJKW DIWHU XUEDQ FXOWXUDO OLIHVW\OH 6DQWD %DUEDUD LV EHVW NQRZQ IRU
OFFERED AT $1,145,000
Š 2020 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. CalDRE#: 00976141
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E17
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ADDRESS
SELLER
BUYER
PRICE
DATE
BUELLTON/SOLVANG
520 MYRTLE CT
FIORE STEPHEN
HARRIS ROBERT EU
$1,250,000
9/30/20
CARPINTERIA
1553 KATHY ST
BRUMM RICHARD EA
1135 EUGENIA PL 5
FARM CREDIT WEST FLCA
BARRY IVAN EU
$960,000
9/30/20
BRAND ASSEST MANAGEMENT
$995,000
9/28/20
4652 FOURTH ST
SATICOY DEVELOPMENT
PAUL BEN EA
$1,245,000
9/30/20
1347 TRIESTE LN 4817 SAWYER AVE
WATHEN KATHLEEN EA
GAZDECKI GLEN EU
$1,329,000
9/30/20
CARINA LLC
MOUNTAIN DRIVE PROPERTY LLC
$2,200,000
9/28/20
7170 GOBERNADOR CYN RD
VILLANUEVA JAMES EA
HARDING JEFFREY EA
$2,450,000
9/28/20
35 DEARBORN PL 68
WHITED BRANDON
CANNON KEVIN
$406,000
9/29/20
7580 CATHEDRAL OAKS 3
MTI CAPITAL
WHITED BRANDON
$530,000
9/29/20
7849 LANGLO RANCH RD
MANASSE MICHAEL EA
LEE JOSHUA EU
$979,000
9/29/20
918 VIA BROCHA
MORTENSEN MICHELLE
FRANGIE JANET EA
$1,025,000
9/30/20
6016 PASEO PALMILLA
ELLIS FAMILY TRUST
LOEWEN JILLIAN
$1,050,000
9/28/20
898 VIA CAMPOBELLO
COBABE CLAUDIA EA
CORTES CRISTIAN EU
$1,101,500
9/30/20
1022 VIA LOS PADRES
EDWARDS GREGORY EA
VON WINDKELMANN HERBERT EU
$1,985,000
9/29/20
1097 MOCKINGBIRD LN
GALLEGO DOLORES EA
NOBLE GEORGIA EA
$2,900,000
9/30/20
6021 HOLLISTER AVE
DIXON OLIVER EA
OCEANIC SANTA BARBARA
$6,925,000
9/30/20
115 N THIRD ST
O’NEAL SHARON EA
GUERRERO ALONSO
$330,000
9/30/20
1301 VIOLA WAY
ASHMAN THOMAS
GASTINELL ISAIAH EU
$375,000
9/29/20
1212 W OAK AVE
CLEMONS DUSTIN EU
RAMOS JOCELYN EA
$390,000
9/30/20
321 N DAISY ST
ENRIGHT JACK EU
SALAS PRISCILLA EU
$405,000
9/29/20
613 NORTHBROOK DR
PARRA SOPHIA
HALL BREANNE
$420,000
9/30/20
1300 JODI DR
BOLTON ANTHONY EU
APACIBLE LYNDON EA
$440,000
9/30/20
1029 ARMSTRONG ST
NUTH PATRICIA EA
TRAN HENRY EU
$455,000
9/29/20
101 N T ST
HERNANDEZ ALAN EU
MARINEZ ELVIA EU
$455,500
9/30/20
840 CLEMENS WAY
BACOS ALEXANDER EA
COLLINS BRANDYN EU
$470,000
9/30/20
1034 THE FAIRWAY
HINDS BRUCE EA
BAUER ROBERT EU
$875,000
9/30/20
830 SUMMIT RD
CLYNE SARAH EA
SCOTT KIMBERLY
$1,750,000
9/29/20
245 SANTA ROSA LN
FOSTER GREGG EU
GRAYBILL MICHAEL EU
$4,800,000
9/29/20
700 PICACHO LN
BERKOFF S EA
MJR ENTERPRISES
$44,500,000
9/30/20
LOS OLIVOS
2935 ALTA ST
NASH MARY EU
BLENDELL TROY EU
$1,075,000
9/30/20
SANTA BARBARA
409 CAMINO DEL REMED G
LOPEZ MARICELA
GARRETT JOSH
$147,500
9/28/20
VIA TRANQUILA
CHAPMAN FAMILY LIMITED
TATMAN TAYLOR
$835,000
9/30/20
1511 STATE ST
WEISER MARK EU
L GRANT PROPERTIES LLC
$860,000
9/28/20
111 E ORTEGA ST UNIT B
WALLS, W DAVID
FETTERMAN JIORJIO EA
$861,000
9/28/20
2049 PASEO ALMERIA
RONALD WOLFE AND ASSOCIATES
WOOLF VIRGINIA
$926,500
9/28/20
278 CALLE ESPERANZA
CASTANIADA GILBERT EA
JACK RICHARD EU
$934,000
9/30/20
1320 E MASON ST UNIT C
LOPEZ DANIELLE EA
SERVAAS MAUREEN
$1,040,000
9/30/20
2055 LORINDA WAY
LERETTE TAMARA
MATSUMURA STEVEN EU
$1,050,000
9/28/20
1515 STATE ST 1
SHANELEC SUZANNE EA
1515 STATE ST LLC
$1,200,000
9/28/20
925 GARCIA RD
RAFFETTO STEVE EA
DIPADOVA ALBERT EU
$1,250,000
9/29/20
647 POR LA MAR CIR E
PERRY CHRIS EA
STONE SHEILA
$1,280,000
9/30/20
420 CALLE PALO COLORAD
MOORE KEITH EA
RAFFETTO STEPHEN EU
$1,360,000
9/29/20
955 CHELTENHAM RD
KARSCHNER DAVID EA
PAGE TONDI
$1,517,000
9/30/20
1921 BATH ST
SCHNEIDER SARA
STRICKLAND JOE EA
$1,530,000
9/29/20
GOLETA
LOMPOC
MONTECITO
.
E18
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
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ADDRESS
SELLER
BUYER
SANTA BARBARA
3832 CALLE CITA
CORDERO BRIAN
320 E ISLAY ST 1107 SAN ANTONIO CRK RD
SANTA MARIA
SUMMERLAND
UNICORP
PRICE
DATE
POE JAYSON EU
$1,550,000
9/30/20
BRANDON JOHN EA
TYLER SUSAN EA
$2,170,000
9/29/20
KING JEFFREY EA
PRATHER CHRISTOPHER EU
$2,306,000
9/30/20
1041 CIENEGUITAS RD
SANTA BARBARA PRESERVE
KIM HYUNG EA
$2,952,500
9/29/20
801 CHAPALA ST
LURIA THOMAS EA
HHB CHAPALA LLC
$5,236,500
9/30/20
4120 PALOMA DR
DANSON RICHARD EA
KING STEPNEN EA
$2,100,000
9/30/20
225 S PACIFIC ST
LOPEZ ANGEL EU
DIAS ROBERT ANTHONY EA
$210,000
9/29/20
323 N PINE ST
TRUMAN TRUST
ALVAREZ VERONICA EA
$230,000
9/30/20
421 E PARK AVE 3
BYE CHAD EA
ALVARADO JULIAN
$277,000
9/30/20
500 N THORNBURG ST
CASTANEDA CARLOS
MORENO ADAN
$369,000
9/30/20
2138 N CHESTNUT LN
MARTIN JAMES EA
MAYPA MARILOU
$376,000
9/30/20
712 W DONOVAN RD
MELEMA TERRI EA
MALDONADO ABEL
$400,000
9/30/20
1199 VIA PAVION
WILTSE PATRICIA
MARTINEZ ENRIQUE EU
$432,000
9/30/20
1493 WOODMERE RD
JORDAN BLAKE EU
DE GUZMAN RAYMAND EU
$452,500
9/30/20
1278 BARNETTE RD
NEILSON FREDRICK EA
VIGIL FELIX EA
$482,000
9/30/20
1415 OAK KNOLL RD
SCHEETZ DAVID EU
JORDAN BALKE EU
$485,000
9/30/20
416 WILSON DR
KRIEWALL JACLYNSUE
MARISCAL JASON EU
$499,000
9/29/20
915 W CHURCH ST
CASTANEDAA CARLOS EA
BOULARES HASSAN
$576,000
9/28/20
4341 BOARDWALK LN
DONALDSON WILLIAM EU
SEYOUR CHRISTOPHER EU
$585,000
9/30/20
122 S BLOSSER RD
CHOI BRANDON
BLOSSER LAVANDERIA LLC
$750,000
9/30/20
600 W BOONE ST
SILBER WERNER
CISNEROS FUTURE LLC
$1,100,000
9/29/20
2119 SUMMERLAND HEIGHTS LN
FREEDMAN ROBYN EA
ETSELL DOUGLAS EA
$2,475,000
9/29/20
2540 WHITNEY AVE
TREADWELL JANICE EA
REID ROSWITHA EA
$2,535,000
9/28/20
310 E MCCOY LN 4H
HILSTEIN KATHY EA
FUJIWARA ERIC EA
$289,000
9/30/20
1200 SANDSTONE LN
SMITH CHARLES EA
ALVAREZ CHRISTIAN EU
$299,000
9/29/20
409 S O PL
STOODLEY KEITH EA
DEGRAFFINREID VERNON EA
$350,000
9/28/20
1725 S RIO VISTA ST
CHENOWITH STEVEN
ROSAS AIME
$387,000
9/30/20
4077 CONSTELLATION RD
HOLYBEE MICHAEL EU
RODRIGUEZ RICARDO EU
$449,000
9/29/20
1605 E ROSE AVE
WEARE HEATHER EA
AGUIRRE JOSE EU
$470,000
9/30/20
2210 CARRIZO
QUICHOCHO LORENZO EU
WONG CLIFFORD EA
$562,000
9/28/20
572 ALISAL RD
MILLER JEFFREY EU
HAJASN NICHOLAS EU
$655,000
9/30/20
123 MAIN ST
SNYDER-PENNON MATTHEW EA
SHAW PAMELA
$685,000
9/29/20
700 SHAW ST
JOHNSON VICKIE EA
WEINBERGER ELI EU
$810,000
9/30/20
3455 CEDAR ST
JEWETT LAURA EA
ODELL CHRISTOPHER EU
$985,000
9/30/20
Real Estate Q&A:
How can buyers protect themselves in a seller’s market? By Gary M. Singer Questions We are house hunting, and our real estate agent warned us it is a “seller’s market,� and we need to decide quickly. This makes me nervous. What can we do to protect ourselves and still find a home for our family? – Gina Answer Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, or maybe because of it, many areas are experiencing a hot real estate market. I have experienced several cycles of buyer and seller markets and have learned there are good and bad deals to be found in any market.
The basics of real estate do not change. First, remember that you are buying only one home, not the entire market. Keep looking until you find the house right for you. Homes are too expensive, and moving is too difficult to settle. It would be best if you also kept realistic expectations. A deal that looks too good to be true invariably is. No matter how much you dislike house hunting, it is better than getting stuck with a money pit. After you find a home that meets your needs, prepare the contract offer to be as straightforward as possible. Simple, well-written contracts free from unnecessary contingencies are more attractive to sellers.
The saying is “cash is king� for a reason, but a reasonable buyer making a solid offer at a fair price with a mortgage can be more attractive than a flaky cash buyer looking for a deal. Being prepared and knowledgeable about the process will let you move faster when you find your dream home. Put together your team of professionals now. Have your mortgage prequalified, your home inspector and title attorney selected, and ready to do their part. Learn the process by speaking with your team so you can put your best foot forward when making the offer. A prepared, knowledgeable buyer is desirable to a motivated seller. Sellers want to get as much money as possible from the sale, but they mostly want to work with a buyer that can successfully make it to the closing table.
Gary M. Singer is a Florida attorney and board-certified as an expert in real estate law by the Florida Bar. He practices real estate, business litigation and contract law from his office in Sunrise, Fla. He is the chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Broward County Bar Association and is a co-host of the weekly radio show Legal News and Review. He frequently consults on general real estate matters and trends in Florida with various companies across the nation. Send him questions online at www.sunsentinel.com/askpro or follow him on Twitter @GarySingerLaw. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
. SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E19
Making a Space for Baby
More and more parents are passing up passé approaches to decorating their children’s rooms and are instead creating fabulously stylish spaces. Photos courtesy Handout/TNS
Pick an interesting mix of textiles for your bedding and pillows, being sure to incorporate touchable fabrics and trims like chenille stripes, pom-poms and rick rack. For fun, personalize a pillow or two with your child’s name or monogram. By Mary Carol Garrity and Katie Laughridge Tired of doing your kids’ rooms in the latest comic book character or TV show theme? More and more parents are passing up passé approaches to decorating their children’s rooms and are instead creating fabulously stylish spaces. If you’re in the process of dec-
E20
orating a kid’s room, here are some tips for creating a space that will celebrate your child, grow with them through the years and, best of all, reflect the sensational decorating style you’ve established in the rest of your home. Pick a palette that lasts Mary Carol Garrity: Primary colors and pastels will always work for babies, but if you want your child’s room to grow with them,
The recent introduction of performance fabrics has changed the game when it comes to bedding and furnishings. These fabrics are remarkably soft and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.
What would a nursery or kid’s room be without huggable stuffed animals? Instead of making them an afterthought, why not pick cuddly plush animals that harmonize with your color scheme?
consider picking a more enduring color palette. I recently helped a young mom create custom linens and furnishings for her baby’s nursery and was thrilled as she gravitated toward navy and cream patterns. This smart mom knew her son wouldn’t care for light blue and tan when he was a rough and tumbling toddler and savvy grade schooler, so she wanted to go with colors that would keep pace with him. She picked a geometric pattern in navy and cream for the drapes. To carry the color scheme into her son’s bedding, she had us make custom fabric slipcovers for the crib’s headboard and footboard that sported the baby’s monogram. When he grows out of his crib, she plans to remake the monogrammed slipcovers into keepsake pillows. Katie Laughridge: Mary Carol has it right! I love an unconventional color palette for a children’s space, like navy or even a lush forest green. Earthy and gray neutrals are always great for kids’ rooms, too. Using a subdued palette lets your little one grow in a quiet and soft space and allows for additional fun pops of color as they grow. Reusing materials from baby to toddler to teen is a beautiful and sentimental way to recycle your favorite pieces. I can’t wait to do this with my own little one! Select fabulous furnishings and creative bedding MCG: For older kids, wrought iron bed frames are a great pick. Thanks to their timeless style and solid craftsmanship, the classic beds are a perfect fit from the moment your little one is ready for a big bed up until he or she is ready to leave the nest. A great way to make your child’s space truly unique is through custom bedding. Whether you’re outfitting a baby crib with a skirt, rail guard and quilt set or spicing up your preteen’s pad with a funky duvet and loads of crazy pillows, this is your chance to let your child’s personality shine through. Pick an interesting mix of textiles for your bedding and pillows, being sure to incorporate touchable fabrics and trims like chenille stripes, pom-poms and rickrack. For fun, personalize a pillow or two with your child’s name or monogram. We’re also using lots of outdoor fabrics for kids’ rooms right now because it’s virtually indestructible. Another perennial favorite of mine is a good matelassé. Just toss them in the washer and dryer when they need a good
clean. The more you wash them, the softer they become. KL: Furniture and bedding for kids has never been so fun. From brightly colored cribs to classic wood and wicker twin beds that can transition from a child’s room to a guest room pairing in no time at all, it is such a joy to see what is offered. The recent introduction of performance fabrics has also changed the game when it comes to bedding and furnishings. These fabrics are remarkably soft and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. They also repel liquid, stains and resist wear and tear. Finish off with accents MCG: What would a nursery or kid’s room be without huggable stuffed animals? Instead of making them an afterthought, why not pick cuddly plush animals that harmonize with your color scheme? There is so much “stuff ” to sort in a kid’s room, you’ll want to pick containers that work hard but also add to the style of the space. Store cotton balls in graceful glass apothecary jars (at least while your little one is too tiny to want to grab said glass off the shelf ). Keep baby’s jacket on an adorable hook or coat tree. Put diapers and wipes in antique wooden boxes. Store toys in lidded baskets. Another way to heighten the style of your child’s room is to replace the generic ceiling light fixture with an unusual chandelier. Don’t forget great accent lamps, which work perfect as night lights. Bring personality to the walls of the room with great artwork. KL: I adore using toys as accent pieces for kids. Not only does it allow them to touch, play and explore in their own space without fear of breaking something, but you always end up with more toys than can fit in a drawer anyway. Artwork and wall sculptures are one of my favorite things to source for our kids area. There are so many different aesthetics you can bring to a room with the right addition.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
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. ©2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
Mountain Hydrangeas Offer Landscape Exquisite Beauty
By Norman Winter In an area of Japan where the mophead or bigleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, grows wild along the coast line, there is something magical happening higher up in the chilly mountains. This is the home of the mountain hydrangea, Hydrangea serrata. You might have been under the idea the mophead or bigleaf hydrangeas were from France, as they are most often called French hydrangea. You might also be under the mistaken idea that you need a cool mountaintop to grow these extraordinary hydrangeas but this is simply not the case. Tim Wood with Spring Meadows Nursery has been breeding and selecting mountain hydrangeas, several of which are incredible and fall under the Tuff Stuff series of Proven Winners. How tuff or tough are they, you ask? My friend Dr. Gary Knox with the University of Florida has been wowed by Tuff Stuff performance, habit and reblooming at the Gardens of the Big Bend in Quincy, Fla. He is also finding success with Tuff Stuff Red that is purple there by virtue of soil pH, and the Tiny Tuff Stuff that is more compact. The Garden Guy has about 25 hydrangeas in his landscape in Midland, Ga. I have Hydrangea macrophylla varieties, H. paniculata selections, and a couple of H. arborescens but it is the Hydrangea serrata Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha that has completely blown me away with not only its beauty, but the size of blooms. They are so beautiful I try almost every day to capture it in a photograph. It should be rather simple but nothing I do tells the story of my passion for this plant. I’ll keep trying. In the landscape they will need shade in the hot afternoon. Moist, fertile welldrained soil will give you the green thumb with this plant. Recently I have created a winding riverlike planting of variegated Shadowland Etched Glass hostas through the hydrangeas. The dark green and bright yellow variegation in combination with the Tuff Stuff AhHa blue flowers is nothing short of a dream come true. I mentioned the re-blooming in the Florida trials and this is a hallmark with not only Tuff Stuff Ah-HA but all of the series. My first flowers are beginning to diminish and new blooms forming throughout the plant. There is a large area of the country that can plant the Tuff Stuff mountain hydrangeas as they are recommended for zones 59. So, let the search commence now and this weekend, let the planting begin. Norman Winter, horticulturist, garden speaker and author of, “Tough-as-Nails Flowers for the South” and “Captivating Combinations: Color and Style in the Garden.” Follow him on Facebook @NormanWinterTheGardenGuy. ©2020 Norman Winter Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In a garden of hydrangeas none is any prettier than Tuff Stuff Ah-Ha mountain hydrangea. Photo courtesy Norman Winter/TNS
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
❀ SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
E21
A Bumper Crop of Home Gardens Blossoms Amid a Pandemic
By Frank Fitzpatrick Antonio Luis thinks the idea might have come to him as he was drifting in and out of delirium while battling COVID-19 in Lankenau Medical Center. When he left his hospital bed this spring, the 41-year-old primary-care physician, who’d become a devoted urbanite despite growing up on a small Georgia horse farm, decided to plant a community garden on what had been an eyesore on Dorrance Street in Point Breeze. “It was so therapeutic,” Luis said. “Gardening got me outside, got me moving again after being intubated and spending 10 days in the hospital. It gives you something to look forward to. It reduces your anxiety. It lowers your stress level.” Lots of people are picking up the trowel these days. Like the emergence of colorful wildflowers in a vast field of drab weeds, home gardening has blossomed as a wildly popular and therapeutic pastime amid the colorless anxieties of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 21st century’s iteration of World War II’s ubiquitous Victory Gardens, these patches of vegetables, fruit, and flowers seem to be blooming everywhere — on city lots, suburban backyards, condominium patios. And whether driven by a need for a physical and emotional tonic or simply by concerns about the quality and availability of food, tens of millions of Americans are happily getting their hands dirty. No one knows how large this bump has been, but there almost certainly are millions more home-gardeners than in 2017, when a National Gardening Association survey found that about a third of U.S. households were growing food, either at home or in community gardens. “For a long time, society has been so focused on technology that people really weren’t
E22
looking at or appreciating nature,” said Gary Altman, a Rutgers professor who teaches in that university’s horticultural-therapy program. “The pandemic has forced a hard reset. It forced us to stop what we were doing and get out of our daily routine. A lot of people realized they’d been living stressful lives and this created an opportunity to reset.” In the resulting rush, horticultural companies across the nation have seen their seed inventories greatly diminished or wiped out. The chairman of Bucks County’s Burpee Seeds, which has been supplying gardeners around the world for 144 years, called the demand “a tsunami.” “We’re a seasonal business so in the spring we’re usually at the top of a bell curve,” said Burpee’s George Ball. “But this year, the length and size of that spike was something we couldn’t fathom. It went straight up, way beyond our imagination. We underestimated the reaction of non-gardeners to being suddenly pent-up indoors.” When Penn State Extension developed a 10-week spring webinar to assist new and old home gardeners, administrators expected a few hundred enrollees. They got more than 3,000 from all over North America. “Some wanted to produce their own food. Some were concerned about the quality and safety of food. For others, it was recreational. They just needed to get outside for their physical and mental well-being,” said Nancy Knauss, a master gardener coordinator for Penn State. In Philadelphia, more than 2,000 signed up to participate in the Experimental Farm Network’s weekly gardening call. “The reaction was overwhelming,” said Nathan Kleinman, the network’s co-director. Luis’ project started as a neighborhood cleanup before he fell ill. Using social net-
working, he asked neighbors to meet at the lots on Dorrance, near 19th Street. “We moved an old hot tub that had been there since 2014 and an abandoned car,” Luis said. “Then, when I got back from the hospital, we continued working there. After we cleared all the rubble, we resoiled a lot of the area and planted a bunch of crops and wildflowers.” They planted peas, peppers, tomatoes, corn, watermelons, squash, and a variety of flowers. As the flowers have grown and blossomed, the lot has turned into a go-to spot for parents looking for a way to occupy cooped-up children. “They just come and go,” said Luis. “Some people in the neighborhood just drop by to help. Somebody made us a raised garden bed. It’s been great. I think all the neighbors have been appreciative.” The surge in these pandemic plots appears to be spanning demographic differences. The Penn State webinar enrollees were from cities, suburbs, and rural areas. They hailed from 34 states and a few Canadian provinces. Their interests ranged from complex soil issues to novices asking how deep to bury seeds. “A lot of people just wanted to know where they could get seeds because so many garden centers had sold out,” Knauss said. Ball, a past president of the American Horticultural Society, declined to provide sales data for the privately owned Burpee company. “But trust me, we got an enormous number of new gardeners,” he said. “The uptick was a tsunami, a hurricane.” Vegetables and salad greens were the hottest sellers, he said. New gardeners were trying out everything in Burpee’s catalog, while veterans stayed in their lane, buying in larger quantities and expanding their gardens.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
According to Ball, the trend’s scope grew apparent at the end of this warm winter, when sales and orders for the seeds the company grows around the world already were brisk. “We were spiking before COVID, but we had no idea what was in store,” he said. “I’ve been in the business for 40 years and I’ve never seen anything like it. You don’t want to experience a windfall at the expense of others, but it’s given us a different way of looking at reality.” Gardening’s psychological benefits were apparent long before this pandemic. A 2005 study by a Rutgers psychology professor, Jeannette Haviland-Jones, determined that flowers produced both immediate and longterm impacts on happiness. “She discovered that flowers actually were equivalent to a mild antidepressant,” Ball said. “More tangibly, the food you grow yourself has a higher nutrient level, a better taste. It’s just a deeply satisfying hobby.” And since the mid-1990s, Rutgers has offered a certificate program in horticultural therapy. Students are trained to use plants and plant-based activities to help injured or ailing individuals and those with disabilities achieve specific goals. “The program includes a plethora of human-science and plant-science courses,” Altman said. “The psychological benefits of gardening can be hard to measure but there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence. And there’s plenty of evidence about its physiological benefits, too. “ At some point, this pandemic will ebb and some among this bumper crop of new gardeners inevitably will drift away. “Will we see a repeat of this spring? Of course not,” said Ball. “The game is figuring out how to guess the lasting effect. How many people will fall away after this year? But if this lingers — and we’re still seeing it — this will transform American gardening.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
ACREAGE R.E 340
Kerry Mormann & Associates (805) 682-3242 KerryM@CoastalRanch.com www.CoastalRanch.com
Equestian Potential Beautiful 50 acres Ocean View. $2,500,000 1-808-280-0720
$43,000,000 - 14,750AC La Panza Ranch $39,500,000 - Dos Pueblos Ranch $25,500,000 - 1000AC Estelle Ranch $27,650,000 - 6500 AC Ventura/Ojai $25,000,000 - 207AC Goleta Oceanfront $14,950,000 - 101AC Hilliard Bruce Winery $13,500,000 - 40AC Greenhouses Oxnard $11,800,000 - 2960AC Purisima Hills Ranch $9,750,000 - 148AC Buellton Farm $8,950,000 - 860AC Skytt Ranch $8,500,000 - 40AC Oxnard $8,500,000 - 120AC Estate Vineyard $7,850,000 - 2140AC Purisima Ranch $5,950,000 - 93AC Solvang Vineyard $5,500,000 - 120AC Toro Canyon $5,250,000 - L. Alamos Ranch PENDING $4,499,000 - 140AC Mail Rd Lompoc $4,395,000 - 126AC Buellton Farm $3,895,000 - 1500AC Lompoc $3,950,000 - 817AC Santa Rita Hills $3,500,000 - 10AC Carpinteria Land $2,975,000 - 80AC Farren Rd $2,450,000 - 80AC w/Ocean Views, Goleta $2,100,000 - 10AC Calle Lippizana $1,950,000 - 237AC Santa Rita, Lompoc PENDING $1,750,000 - 20AC Mora Avenue $1,750,000 - 5AC Happy Canyon Estate $1,550,000 - 5AC Frendensborg Canyon $1,490,000 - Cuyama Ranch PENDING $1,200,000 - 40AC Temettate, Nipomo $565,000 - 20AC Wine Country Estate
MANUFACTURED HOMES 240
MANUFACTURED HOMES 240
SUMMERLAND REMODELED Loft! Beautiful 1 bed, 1 ba. loft apt. New vinyl plank flooring, new appliances. Nestled in area of complex. Prking, lndry, storage space. Only $1900 Karen Lacks & Co. Real Estate DRE#00576880 684-7541 684-RENT x305 www.klacks.com
REAL ESTATE WANTED 420 Local Buyer Couple seek to buy: rural house with outbuildings. Fixer OK; lease with option; or purchase option with seller financing. Vacant; abandoned; problem; whatever! 805-455-1420
Goleta Large, Large Remodeled w/ Decks!
Local PP wants to purchase SFR; or 2 to 4 units with FHA financing; or lease with option; or seller financing. 805-538-1119 or JBG PO Box 3963; Santa Barbara; Calif. 93130
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Downtown - One Block to State! Beautiful upst. studio apt. in charming Spanish style 3 story bldg. kitch, bath. Nr. shops! $1465 incl. wat, trsh, gas. Karen Lacks & Co. Real Estate DRE#00576880 684-7541 684-RENT x301 www.klacks.com
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805-252-0625 Visit: www.MadhuRealty.com Serving Santa Barbara, Montecito, Ventura and Santa Ynez Valley for last 14 Years.
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Gina M. Meyers (805) 898-4250 BUSINESS 3030 BUSINESS
gmeyers@cbcworldwide.com Local Knowledge - Global Network 3820 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105 CalRE#00882147
HOUSES R.E.. 70 Ranchette Views
SB foothills 3/2.5 2200+sf. sep. office, sep. fam. rm., hardwood floors, bay windows, high ceilings, solar, a/c, large covered patio, .38 ac. on a private lane, good parking area + 2-car det. gar w/view deck. $1,429,000
Matt Vaughan 805-689-9351
Sun Coast RE BRE# 00767743
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Place your ad in the Service Directory in the News-Press Classified Section
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/ 4 / ( 0 Mike and Kyle The Richardson Team 805-963-1704 Team@mrrealtors.com www.mrrealtors.com License #00635254
â&#x20AC;&#x153;THANK YOU to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Cottage Hospital and Sansum Clinic for keeping our community safe and healthy. We appreciate you!â&#x20AC;?
SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020
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$2400 per mo. Up stairs apt. on one level, large kitchen with separate dining room, spacious living room with views of the Green Area Preserve. Large MBR, carport, common laundry for 4 units. Close to UCSB, walk to Camino Real Market Place, Costco, shopping, restaurants and movies. Joanne 805-895-7322
19 W Padre St #D Charming 2bd 1bth shared grg & lndry, upstrs, n/p $2200/mo Gallagher Prop Mgmt 805-682-8433 DRE#00827584
CONDOS 3040 622 W Pedregosa St #B 2Bd 2Bth Frpl Patio Garage W/D Hook-Ups NO PETS $2900 Gallagher Prop Mgmt 805-682-8433 DRE#00827584
7606 Hollister Ave #211 Goleta 2bd 2bth Patio Updtd Kitchen W/D Carport Frplc N/P Pool/Spa Co-Signers OKAY!!! $2,800 Gallagher Prop Mgmt 805-682-8433 DRE#00827584
Houses Unfurn 3080 Close to Downtown & Mesa!
Beautiful 2 bed, 1 ba. house. New paint inside, new carpet, flooring & stove! $2550. incl. wat, trash & gardening! Karen Lacks & Co. Real Estate DRE#00576880 684-7541 684-RENT x303 www.klacks.com
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3755 Lincolnwood Drive NEW LISTING
Offered at $2,499,000
This absolutely stunning 3bed/2.5bath 2,720 sq. ft. traditional style home rests on the prestigious and highly sought-after Lincolnwood Drive. You are immediately welcomed to the residence with a charming circular driveway offering ample off-street parking, manicured landscaping, and a spacious 2-car garage. The owners of this home left no stone unturned, using the highest quality materials throughout their extensive remodel in 2017. Enjoy wide plank hardwood floors, custom cabinetry and shutters, crown moulding, decorative light fixtures, and new fireplace mantles....just to name a few features! Even the most discerning chef would be proud to cook in this gourmet kitchen. The kitchen is at the heart of this home and boasts Carrara marble counters, SubZero fridge/freezer, Wolf 36â&#x20AC;? stove/oven, Miele dishwasher, Shaws farmhouse sink, and a large breakfast bar open to the family room. There is a formal dining room just off the kitchen, ideal for hosting family dinners. The formal living room has high ceilings and several well placed windows allowing natural light to pour in all day long. Upstairs you will find the master suite, 2 bedrooms, bonus room, and the laundry room. The master bath is covered in Carrara marble with a walk-in shower, dual-sinks, vanity, and Swarovski knobs and pulls. Down the hall from the master are two bedrooms-both with vaulted ceilings-and a wonderful bonus room perfect as a home office or game room. The backyard was remodeled in 2019 with a new pergola, custom lighting, herringbone brick patio, and a built-in Louisiana pellet smoker. There are multiple sitting areas, an outdoor dining courtyard, and an emerald green lawn. Additional features include: water softener with whole home UV light filtration, hospital grade air filtration system, ADT monitored wireless security system, and Maytag washer/dryer. The Lincolnwood owners enjoy a shared well with water billed at a low flat rate of $75/month, a huge value on its own! This home is centrally located near La Cumbre Plaza, 5 Points Shopping Center, Whole Foods Market, and Target. Monte Vista Elementary School, La Colina Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School Districts.
The Richardson Team /KMG 4KEJCTFUQP 4GCNVQTU %NKHH &TKXG 5CPVC $CTDCTC %# 1HëźżEG /QDKNG (CZ
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SANTA BARBARA NEWS-PRESS REAL ESTATE
Mike and Kyle Richardson Team@mrrealtors.com 805.963.1704 www.mrrealtors.com BRE Lic. #00635254 + #01902531
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020