House & Home: December 24, 2022

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’Twas the Night Before the HOA’s Christmas

By Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. CCAL [Apologies to Clement Clarke Moore]

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and throughout the community Not a complaint was heard — there existed pure unity; The thank-you notes were placed on the bulletin board with care, In hopes that the board and manager would soon see them there. The homeowners were nestled all snug in their beds, No worries of paint, roofs, or plumbing disturbing their heads, And the Vice President in her condo, and I in mine too, Had just settled down for a break from reviewing the dues. When out in the courtyard there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my balcony to see just what was the matter.

Away to the railing, I flew like a flash, But it was just neighbors with gripes to rehash. I could not figure it out in the dark of the night Exactly what they thought gave them the right, But I knew from my time on the homeowners’ board, Our meetings these neighbors had routinely ignored.

Then in a flash, I noticed a jolly visitor, Who tried to join the group of inquisitors He wore a red fur coat over an ample belly, and His hearty laugh made it shake as if it were jelly.

His smile quickly faded as they all turned away, They told him that nonowners had nothing to say, The (formerly) jolly man left as quickly as he came here, Amidst the sound of what? Eight snorting… reindeer?

In a moment came another, without much ado, He arrived with a viewpoint both refreshing and new, I knew instantly it was manager Nick, He knew what was needed and he brought it real quick.

He said “Now, Member! Now, Neighbor! Now, Bylaws and Covenant, Please ask a few questions before your next comment. Now back to your homes, return to your castles, Please, just for today, let’s cease to have these hassles.”

He said “you by choice bought into this community, Which works at its best when all live in unity, Remember that your board serves you all for free, Hey, consider joining a committee or may be three.

“You have no working elves, so HOAs thrive when all work as a team, If all focus only on yourselves, a nightmare it will soon seem.

Your association is just like a large row boat, If each rows solo, we all cannot for long be afloat.”

Amidst headshakes and handshakes, the courtyard then cleared, And I hoped that above still flew a sleigh and eight impatient reindeer.

Sadly, no reindeer or jolly elves returned to the site, But all reached out to others and started treating them right.

A different air began to stir and grow in our complex; The Golden Rule became the HOA’s theme and its text.

Manager Nick surveyed the scene, pleased, Knowing this group a happy future had it seized. And laying his finger aside of his face, He ran toward his car as if in a race.

He sprang into his auto, heading home in a dash, And away he drove as quick as a flash.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight, HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!

[Readers: May peace and neighborliness permeate your communities in the coming year!]

www.HOAHomefront.com. All rights reserved®.

note from the SBAOR President

By Bob Walsmith, Jr. President of the Santa Barbara Association of REALTORS®

An Interview with the 2023 SBAOR President

It is customary for the incoming president of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors to write an article introducing himself/herself before the end of the year. Well, this year, we are going to be changing it up just a little bit.

I sent Todd Shea, the incoming 2023 SBAOR President a few questions for him to answer. Below are my questions and his answers.

What are you most looking forward to?

Good Question, Bob. You have done a great job this year and I would like to build off of that and then pass it along to the amazing Michele Allyn in 2024, who will then lead our organization. Our association has been in good standing and has done an excellent job protecting homeowner rights and building goodwill in our community. I am most looking forward to continuing this and taking our impact and connection with our local community and local politics to the next level. All the while supporting our members and highlighting the amazing things they do. Our local Realtors do some pretty incredible things outside of the already impactful role of helping families with the stability of home ownership, building wealth, and creating family legacies. I am proud to represent such a special area and the magic that is Santa Barbara. I am a super passionate and collaborative person. I take pride in being active instead of just reactive. Setting some goals and taking chances while not trying to bite off too much for my 1-year role, leaving it better than I found it is the ultimate goal!

Do you have specific agenda items for your presidency?

Outside of continuing and highlighting this connection with our community. Working more with local charities, for example, Habitat for Humanity, to expand options beyond just financial and include REALTOR® work days at their building sites. Utilizing our housing study to continue to be involved with all local governments and work toward enhanced homeownership opportuni-

ties and less onerous regulations. Then, of course, to support our members, new and experienced, at the local, state, and national levels.

Do you have any concerns for next year?

As we have seen in years past, you never know what is around the corner. However, we need to stay at the forefront of issues that could affect our clients at the state and national levels as we work with our elected officials and the California Association of Realtors (CAR), and the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Continuing to look at what is a housing supply crisis and working with the county and city on any options we have. Affordability and options for our over 15,000 people that commute into Santa Barbara County per day to work. Then look at our clunkier design review process to help our community keep its beautiful charm but allow our residents to move through the design, permitting, and building process more smoothly. Our SBAOR Staff, Board of Directors, and Committees are poised to react to anything outside of what we know now and shift focus if something unknown comes down the pipeline. We have a history of doing very well when these things happen.

Tell me a little about you outside of Real Estate?

That is what it is all about. I strive to be an authentic and approachable guy. So if you see me around town or want to talk, say hi and reach out! I have an amazing wife, Melissa, and 2 teenage kids, Kennan and Caitlin, who go to Dos Pueblos High School. We are in a fun phase of life with both of them looking at colleges, getting licenses (Watch out, SB!), and first jobs. For fun, I coach indoor volleyball at a local club and high school, enjoy watching sports, surfing, and playing golf. Travel is the best, but you know you are in an amazing town when you come home from a fabulous vacation and enjoy being home just as much as on vacation! Anyone who lives here can relate!

Thank you Todd for your answers to my questions. Having gotten to know Todd very well this year, I am convinced that he will do a remarkable job representing our association and our community with highest professionalism, ethical standards and humility. The Santa Barbara Association of Realtors and Santa Barbara at large is in very good hands for 2023 and beyond!

Kelly G. Richardson CCAL is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and Partner of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Send questions to kelly@roattorneys.com. Past columns at

Santa BarB ara County SaleS

This is a partial list of all recorded residential sales in Santa Barbara County from December 13 thru December 16, 2022. 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.

AREA ADDRESS SELLER BUYER PRICE DATE

CARPINTERIA 4975 SAWYER AVE HABER MICHAEL

JOHNSON AARON

$1,825,000 12/16/2022

GOLETA 6279 NEWCASTLE AVE DHRH LLC FIDEL RICHARD $1,265,000 12/15/2022 5756 THORNWOOD DR DOOLITTLE RICHARD EU THORNWOOD 5756 REAL ESTATE LLC $6,300,000 12/15/2022

LOMPOC

520 W WALNUT AVE SEKELA MICHAEL EA

PORTILLO CLEMENTINAL

$390,000 12/14/2022 308 N H ST BITTLE FREDERICK EU DAVIS RYAN EA $500,000 12/16/2022 513 BUSH CT BELLUZ JOSEPH EA PEREZ DANIEL EU $585,000 12/15/2022

MONTECITO 487 HOT SPRINGS RD KETOLA DARLENE EA

321 PADRE ST LLC

$3,075,000 12/13/2022

2233 CAMINO DEL ROSARIO MASTERS JULIAN EA LINN PATRICK EU $4,200,000 12/16/2022

2165 ALISOS DR BLUE FRANK EA TENNIS JASMINE EA $4,700,000 12/15/2022

620 STONE MEADOW LN KAY GAIL EA STONE MEADOW X LLC $5,800,000 12/14/2022

620 STONE MEADOW LN KAY GAIL EA STONE MEADOW X LLC $5,800,000 12/14/2022

427 LANAI RD OK WAVE LLC

427 LANAI LLC $7,500,000 12/15/2022

LOS OLIVOS 2847 SANTA BARBARA AVE STRICKEROCKET NATHAN EU SWANSON ERIK EA $1,645,000 12/16/2022

SANTA BARBARA 636 CALLE DE LOS AMIGO SMITH ELIZABETH EA PUMA ANTHONY EU $1,150,000 12/16/2022

226 JESMARY LN TAYLOR PAMELA EA CHEESEMAN DAISY $1,200,000 12/13/2022 326 ALAMEDA PADRE SERR KVANCZ SCOTT JUERGENS GUNNAR EU $1,425,000 12/15/2022 2731 MIRADERO DR HARNESS JAY EA GRAHAM JESSICA EA $1,495,000 12/16/2022 22 E ISLAY ST ROMANELLO PAMELA EA ABRAHAM VIKRAM EU $2,400,000 12/13/2022 3059 SEA CLIFF ACQUISTAPACE CLARA EA LINCOLN RONALD EA $3,550,000 12/14/2022 2310 SANTA BARBARA ST SAUL ELIZABETH EA WEAVER BRYAN EU $4,350,000 12/16/2022 2001 LAS TUNAS RD BOSS KEVIN EA COOPER ANDREW EA $6,300,000 12/13/2022

Santa BarBara County SaleS

AREA ADDRESS SELLER

BUYER PRICE DATE

SANTA MARIA 1128 WOODMERE RD ANDRADE DAVID EA MULLEN JAMES EU $650,000 12/16/2022

1129 HAMPSHIRE PL GASON DEGAR TORRES ROSA EA $867,000 12/16/2022

226 W JONES ST DE LA TORRE JUAN EU LOPEZ ADRIAN $900,000 12/13/2022

717 E BOONE ST GARY D CRABTREE 401K SCHWARZ RYAN EU $975,000 12/16/2022

SUMMERLAND 2540 VARLEY ST BRANKLIN BETTY EA FRONTINO LAWRENCE EU $2,313,000 12/14/2022

UNICORP 3824 CASSINI CIR UNIT 3 QUINTANAR RUBEN NICHOLSON DONNA $365,000 12/13/2022 1654 N MCCLELLAND ST GARCIA MARIO EA GAXIOLA VIVIANA EU $489,000 12/16/2022

621 COLBERT DR ROSS WAYNE EA REYES DAVID EU $500,000 12/15/2022 1063 CORTEZ DR PIPP LAWRENCE EU GARCIA LOURDES EA $520,000 12/16/2022

113 N Y ST

RODRIGUEZ JOSE ROJAS RAUL EU $540,000 12/13/2022

1210 N MT WHITNEY WAY TORRES ROSA EA QADIR SABAH $567,000 12/16/2022

724 HILLSIDE DR NORBOM MARY EA BUCHANAN MARY $755,000 12/15/2022 1210 EDISON ST AGUILAR CHARLENE EA RICHARDSON DANIEL EU $865,000 12/15/2022 350 RIVERVIEW DR MUSANTE KENNETH EU ORTIZ-PEREZ ANASTACIO EU $1,000,000 12/13/2022

2211 CRYSTAL DR GUERRA KEVIN EU MAXWELL TONY EU $1,215,000 12/13/2022

1575 COUGAR RIDGE RD BOCK JOANNA EA STRICKER NATHAN EU $2,000,000 12/16/2022

Plumber:

Aging-in-place bathroom fixture suggestions

By Ed Del Grande

Question:

Dear Ed: We decided to stay in our home longer and want to remodel the bathroom with aging-in-place plumbing fixtures in mind. We’ll plan for what works best for us, but can you give us ideas for fixtures that are older age-friendly?

– Jean

Answer:

A concept called universal design for new and remodeled bathrooms allows most users to benefit from well-thought-out fixture choices. Using the concept, if you decide to sell your house sooner, the newly remodeled aging-in-place bathroom can be enjoyed by perspective buyers as well.

A few nice universal design bathroom fixtures I’ve worked with over the years include:

Decorative walk-in shower grab bars

Even though these “attractive” grab bars look like high-end shower accessories and add to the shower’s design aspects, they still serve the serious accessibility purpose of having a grab bar.

Comfort-height toilets

I like comfort-height toilets, which are a little higher than standard toilets. These taller toilets allow users to exert less effort getting on and off the seat and can be used by most family members of different ages and abilities.

Wall-hung vanities, sinks

Finally, wall-hung vanities and sinks are another good universal aging-in-place choice. Wall-hung sink fixtures have a little leeway for height and can also provide foot room to give your new universal design bathroom a step in the right direction.

Master Contractor/Plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book “Ed Del Grande’s House Call,” the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

©2022 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

can be used by most family members of different ages and abilities.

Photo courtesy Kohler/TNS

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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.