WINCHESTER COMMONS
Goleta

Winchester Commons is a beautifully landscaped planned community featuring neighborhoods interwoven with rustic walking paths and air open spaces. The lush grounds are further enhanced by a refreshing swimming pool, spa, tennis and basketball courts and a community building. The homes are accented by a variety of distinctive features, including soaring ceilings, lavish master suites, sunny gourmet kitchens and intimate fireplaces. Ranging in size from 2200 to 2800 square feet. Two and three bedroom townhomes are also available ranging in size from apx. 1200 to 1550 sq.ft.

HITCHCOCK RANCH
Santa Barbara

Set amidst spreading oak trees in Santa Barbara, Cathedral Pointe offers unprecendented luxury, elegance and quality. These Mediterranean style homes are accented by red tile roofs, rustic stone and tile facades, cathedral ceilings and large open kitchens. This planned community offers a community pool and large greenbelt areas. Major businesses, schools and shopping are located nearby. The homes range in size from 2000 to 2945 sq.ft. Three bedroom townhomes are also available, ranging from apx. 1200 to 1600 sq.ft.

SAN MARCOS COURT
Santa Barbara

Award-winning gated community of 13 homes in Santa Barbara. Wonderful Mediterranean design in stucco with tile roofs. Open kitchen/family room design. Gracious master suites with whirlpool tubs and separate showers. Gourmet kitchens, soaring ceilings and fenced yards. 3 bedroom condos are also available.

MOUNTAIN VIEW RANCH
Goleta

Award-winning gated community of 13 homes in Santa Barbara. Wonderful Mediterranean design in stucco with tile roofs. Open kitchen/family room design. Gracious master suites with whirlpool tubs and separate showers. Gourmet kitchens, soaring ceilings and fenced yards. 3 bedroom condos are also available.

SUNGATE RANCH
Santa Barbara

Quality built planned development with beautiful landscaping Architectural features include: open floorplans with lots of light, walk-in closets, concrete tile roofs, gourmet kitchens and fenced yards. Amenities include community pool, playgrounds, greenbelt areas, and picnic area. Homes range in size from apx. 1900 to 2800 sq.ft. 3 bedroom townhomes are also available.

STORKE RANCH
Goleta

Close to University, offering scenic walking trails, bike paths, beaches and community parks, this development of 275 homes is a premier neighborhood. Ownership in Storke Ranch includes use of two swimming pools, jetted spa, kiddie pool, recreation center, weight training facility, basketball, tennis courts and picnic areas. Homes range in size from apx. 1424 to 2800 sq.ft. and townhomes from 1191 to 1619 sq. ft.

OAK VIEW HOMES
Santa Barbara

This planned development includes 22 homes, just completed in 2000. Offering 6 spacious single and two-story floorplans with ample lots these homes offer many architectural features including large great rooms, gourmet island kitchens and elegant master suites. Sizes range from apx. 1900 to 3000 sq.ft.

CROWN COLLECTION
Goleta

These 43 homes built in 2001 and styled after a European village setting, one is reminded of Tuscany. Extensive use of stucco and stone accents. Quality built offering two and three-car garages, arched passages, volume ceilings, formal dining rooms, architectural accents in fireplace faces, elegant stairway railings, French doors, hand-set ceramic tile, media niches, and luxuriously sized master suites. Homes range from apx. 2800 to 4200 sq.ft.

HILLCREST VILLAS
Santa Barbara

Just minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, these two-story Spanish style units are beautifully appointed with maple cabinets, a large open loft, 3 or 4 bedrooms, with fireplaces patios, and balconies. Architectural features include arched doorways, bullnose corners, and vaulted ceilings. Each unit has only one attached neighbor and a 2 car garage. Apx. 1800 to 2000 sq.ft.

VINTAGE RANCH
Santa Barbara

Modern elegance, timeless style. Located on the ocean side of Santa Barbara, this beautiful planned unit development includes just 12 homes. Beyond the gated entry, you’ll find large, well-appointed traditional Spanish exteriors with interior courtyards, large rooms and open floorplans. The 11 lots average .5 acres in size. One lot of 1.3 acres offers a main house, caretaker’s residence, horse facility, equipped with a small riding ring, stables and tack room. This neighborhood has a rural feel yet is close to beach, shopping, golf and schools. Sizes range from apx. 3200 to 3900 sq.ft.

THE TUSCANY GROUP
Santa Barbara

Quality built and beautifully appointed, these custom homes offer spectacular mountain views and are located in the heart of Santa Barbara within walking distance to schools, shopping, restaurants and golf. Designed with a mix of Tuscany and Mediterranean styles, the custom-quality interiors offer a two story formal entry, nine foot or vaulted ceilings, eight foot high sliding glass doors, pre-wiring for 4 phone lines, family room with cozy wood-burning fireplace and entertainment niche, granite and tumbled limestone finishes. Sizes range from apx. 2100 to 2500 sq.ft

Alyson Spann: Realtor Education - What's In It for You, the Consumer?

Courses teach the skills necessary to help guide buyers and sellers in today’s new market

By Alyson Spann | Published on 02.17.2010

 

Let's say you're a seller who needs assistance with a short sale. You owe more than your property is worth is today's market, and you need help negotiating with the lender. You don't know how the process works or what to do first, so you contact your local real estate professional.

 

Alyson Spann

 

If you're lucky, your Realtor has continued his or her education and received the Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource Certification.

"For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new 'traditional' real estate transaction," according to the California Association of Realtors. "Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales, as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities, are not merely good skills to have in today's market — they are critical. And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term."

Getting proper advice is critical for many sellers today. The real estate market has changed considerably, and there is a new skill set necessary for guiding buyers and sellers. That's why the California Association of Realtors offers courses in continuing education for Realtors in topics that will deliver the right educational skills to Realtors.

It is advantageous for a seller to seek out Realtors who have real estate designations in the areas they need expertise to successfully negotiate their transaction.

Courses are available to Realtors on a scholarship basis, and there are many available, including:

» Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation: An ABR® designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who want to successfully serve the buyer in today's buyer's market. Course material ranges from offers and negotiations to fiduciary responsibilities to needs assessments and dual-agency conflicts.

 

» Green Designation: With this, an agent becomes the green real estate resource for the community. The core curriculum includes green building principles and practices, as well as regulatory issues. They learn the financial advantages of eco-friendly, energy-efficient properties and how to market to the green consumer.

» Graduate Realtor® Institute: The GRI designation is considered the foundation for all other advanced real estate designations. This education is considered by many as the most comprehensive training program available today to Realtors in the nation. The GRI program is designed to enhance Realtors' knowledge of real estate marketing skills that will set them apart from the competition.

» Seniors Real Estate Specialist®: Seniors Real Estate Specialists® are Realtros qualified to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans. These Realtors have the specific knowledge and expertise to counsel older clients through major financial lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing or selling the family home.

Realtor education, especially the specific designations offered today, are critical to the success of today's consumer in their real estate transaction. Look for these designations after the Realtor's name, or contact your local real estate association to find the right specialist for you.

You'll be glad you did.

— Alyson Spann is a Realtor with Comstock Home Sales Inc. and serves on the Public Relations Committee of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors. She can be reached at 805.685.1504 or alysons@thebluffssbcoast.com 

» Green Designation: With this, an agent becomes the green real estate resource for the community. The core curriculum includes green building principles and practices, as well as regulatory issues. They learn the financial advantages of eco-friendly, energy-efficient properties and how to market to the green consumer.

» Graduate Realtor® Institute: The GRI designation is considered the foundation for all other advanced real estate designations. This education is considered by many as the most comprehensive training program available today to Realtors in the nation. The GRI program is designed to enhance Realtors’ knowledge of real estate marketing skills that will set them apart from the competition.

» Seniors Real Estate Specialist®: Seniors Real Estate Specialists® are Realtros qualified to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans. These Realtors have the specific knowledge and expertise to counsel older clients through major financial lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing or selling the family home.

Realtor education, especially the specific designations offered today, are critical to the success of today’s consumer in their real estate transaction. Look for these designations after the Realtor’s name, or contact your local real estate association to find the right specialist for you.

You’ll be glad you did.

— Alyson Spann is a Realtor with Comstock Home Sales Inc. and serves on the Public Relations Committee of the Santa Barbara Association of Realtors. She can be reached at 805.685.1504 or alysons@thebluffssbcoast.com  .