The U.S. House of Representatives just voted 403 to 112 to extend the $8,000 home buyer tax credit, expanding the  parameters to include existing homeowners and not just first-time buyers. Awaiting President Obama’s signature!

Must purchase by April 30, 2010, the purchaser has until July 1,2010 to close. Give me a call if you have a son or daughter, niece or nephew who you think would like to take advantage of this offer. Rates are at an all time low, and there is lots of inventory to choose from. I can not think of a better time to jump into the Santa Barbara real estate market. Become a homeowner today! Call me at 805.570.5545 or e-mail me at maureen@maureenmcdermut.com for further explanation!

By Maureen McDermut

In the summer of 1975 a group of friends who were artists and activists found themselves in Santa Barbara enjoying the vistas and the many opportunities for plein air painting.  Twenty six of these friends decided to form the now famous Oak Group. Oak cleverly standing for Outdoor Airing Klub.  The group was formed with the idea that art and activism needed to move hand in hand.  As such the group dedicated themselves to using art exhibitions to raise funds for environmental causes. 

To date, the Oak Group has raised over 1 million dollars which has gone to such organizations as The Nature Conservancy, the Environmental Defense Center, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County.

The artists in the Oak Group are known for their “open air” paintings that capture the majestic beauty of the lands the group is trying to preserve.  They present their work in a variety of formats and venues including the annual Santa Cruz Island Event and the summer MALT show.

The Oak Group donates 50 percent of all proceeds to environmental preservation causes.  For more information on the Oak Group or their upcoming shows, visit:  www.TheOakGroup.org

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

By Maureen McDermut

The Presidio in Santa Barbara is the oldest building in Santa Barbara and the second oldest building in California.  Built in 1782, it served as a military outpost and a government headquarters for the lands that stretched between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo.  It remained a functional government building up until 1846.

The land and buildings on the property are now an Historical State Park allowing the public to view the two original buildings, which have been fully restored, and the five other buildings which were reconstructed with handmade adobe blocks. El Cuartel which is the oldest existing building in Santa Barbara, is all that remains of the last of four Royal Presidios (Spanish military outposts) built in Alta California.

The presidios played an important role in protecting the mission and the settlers as the attempted to settle “New Spain.” The  original buildings of the Presidio were designed to form a quadrangle which served to enclose a central area which was used as a parade ground. The entire complex was surrounded by an outer wall which held two cannons and served as a defense against intruders. Prominently featured in  the configuration of buildings was the Chapel.  The Chapel at the Presidio in Santa Barbara is considered Santa Barbara’s first church for townspeople as the Christianized Indian population would have worshipped at the mission.

El Presidio Historic Park is open to the public daily from 10:30 to 4:30, however it is closed on most major holidays. Ticket prices are $5 for Adults, $4 for seniors, children under 16 are free.  For more information visit: www.sbthp.org/presidio.htm

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

By Maureen McDermut

Nestled in the foot hills of Montecito, there is unique and lovely botanic garden that is devoted to preserving botanical treasures, known as Lotusland.  It’s actual name is The Ganna Walska Lotusland Foundation.  In 1941 Madame Ganna Walska bought the 37 acre property and created the gardens which now cover the grounds of the estate. 

Madame Ganna Walska was an interesting woman.  Born in 1887 in Poland, her real name was Hanna Puacz.  She changed her name to Madame Ganna Walska when she began her career as an actress and opera singer.  As a performer she toured to New York and Paris.  In her many adventures, which she wrote about in her memoirs, Always Room at the Top, she found time to marry six times.  She was a student of spirituality and was avidly interested in personal enlightenment. 

At the urgings of her sixth husband she bought the Cuesta Linda estate which would eventually be renamed Lotusland.  Her original idea for the property was to create a retreat for Tibetan Monks, but when no monks saw fit to retreat there and she had divorced the sixth and final husband, she renamed the property Lotusland in honor of the sacred Indian lotus plants that remain on the property to this day.

Madame Ganna took the role of garden designer very seriously.  She devoted all of her energies to creating a botanic garden of rare plants.  The result was and is exquisite. Madame Ganna died in 1984, but preserved the gardens as a foundation that allows the public to regularly view their intense beauty.

Lotusland is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 to 1:30 from mid February thru mid November. For more information about Lotusland and ticket prices visit:  www.lotusland.org

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

By Maureen McDermut

Mission Santa Barbara is a beautiful and historic destination that offers visitors a look into California’s past.  Construction on the current Mission was begun in 1812 after the great Santa Barbara earthquake destroyed the previous Mission.  Construction was completed in 1820 and the dedication was performed.  The structure that is standing today and the building’s insides have not been significantly altered from the structure that was finished in 1820, allowing visitors to truly appreciate the buildings intended beauty.

When the Franciscan Missionaries arrived in California they found the Chumash Indians.  The Chumash were adept fisherman and daily took long boats out to capture their food in the waters surrounding Channel Islands.  The Franciscans taught the Chumash how to farm.  They brought olive and orange trees as well as grape vines and showed the Chumash how to cultivate them.  They also showed the Chumash how to grow wheat, corn and barley.  The Chumash in turn helped the Missionaries to build the elaborate water system that is still visible in the current mission.  When the mission period was over the Franciscans used the Mission buildings to run a high school and a junior college.

Today the Mission is open daily for public viewing.  Located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara it is a popular place to enjoy a moment of quiet reflection or an educational stroll through history.  Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for Seniors and $1 for children 6 and up, under six is free.  For more information visit:www.santabarbaramission.org

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

By Maureen McDermut

Let’s face it value is important, especially in today’s economy. Value is about more than just cost, it’s about return on cost.  Recently Matthew Bandyk wrote a piece for the US World News Report entitled 10 Pricey Cities that Pay Off!  His entire supposition is that there are some amenities worth paying for because the will add to the value of your home even in this turbulent market.

You’ll be happy to know that Santa Barbara was included in his choice of cities that pay off!  In fact Santa Barbara was second on the list, check out what Matthew Bandyk had to say about Santa Barbara,

“…With a population of 400,000, the Santa Barbara metro area has the second-highest quality of life and third-highest trade productivity. Why do California cities appear so high on this list? Santa Barbara is a perfect example of how built-in advantages boost a California city’s amenity value. Albouy found that, generally speaking, the number of days of sunshine a city has each year, the higher its land rent. Santa Barbara’s Southern California locale gives it plenty of sun. Another good predictor of land rent: proximity to a coast. Santa Barbara’s beaches—the city has been dubbed the “American Riviera”—are very likely another reason it has such a high quality of life…”

Thank you Mr. Bandyk for recognizing what those of us who live in Santa Barbara know – Santa Barbara is a great place to live and great place to own property.

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

By Maureen McDermut

Fairview Gardens is considered the oldest organic farm in Southern California. It was founded in 1895 and has maintained its dedication to organic farming for over a century.  A community sprang up around Fairview Gardens and still the small organic farm continued on its mission. In 1997 the non-profit organization known as The Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens was created. 

Fairview Gardens continues to function as sustainable organic farm while allowing the site to also perform as an educational tool, teaching visitors about the process of organic farming.  Fairview Farms remains a small farm in the midst of growing Santa Barbara suburbs.  It serves as the perfect example of sustainable organic farming in an economically viable operation.

On under twelve and half acres, Fairview Farms grows over 100 varieties of organic  fruits and vegetables.  They also offer classes and lectures on gardening and cooking. Apprenticeships and outreach programs are additionally available. 

Fairview Gardens produce is a available at their farm stand and at the Saturday Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market. So whether you are interested in buying arugula, learning how to grow it or learning how to cook with it, Fairview Farms has your answer.

For more information about Fairview Farms or to learn what is currently in season, visit: www.fairviewgardens.org

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

By Maureen McDermut

When Father Junipero Serra brought the first grapevine to Santa Barbara and planted it in our fertile soil his only hope was to provide grapes to create enough wine for sacramental purposes.  He could not have had any idea how much his imported grapevine would change and shape the Santa Barbara area.

Two Hundred and 25 years later over 130 wineries utilize more than 60 varieties of locally grown grapes for a local wine industry that generates more than $500 million dollars in yearly commerce. 

One spectacular way to visit Santa Barbara’s Wine Country is by adhering to one of six popular wine trails.

Trail 1 – Santa Ynez and Los Olivos
Trail 2 – Foxen Canyon and Alisos Canyon Roads
Trail 3 – The Solvang Loop
Trail 4  – Station Rita Hills Loop
Trail 5 – Santa Maria
Trail 6 – Santa Barbara – The Urban Wine Trail

Each trail takes you on a distinct journey through lush country side and gives you the opportunity to taste wines from at least two wineries to experience the wide variety of high quality wines available in the Santa Barbara area.

For more information and maps of each of the trails visit: www.sbccountywines.com

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.

by Maureen McDermut

This is a copy of Behind the lines for mid/late August.  It is full of useful information for consumers, which is why I’m thrilled to share it with you.

View this document on Scribd

By Maureen McDermut

Green is definitely the new black and Santa Barbara remains at the forefront of creating green living for its citizens.  Every where you look in Santa Barbara there is evidence of our green commitment from wide open spaces, parks to beautifully sculpted gardens, green is visible as far as the eye can see.

A little less visible are all the wonderful programs that help Santa Barbara to reduce its carbon foot print.  The Santa Barbara Car-Free project offers discounts on hotels, attractions and restaurants for visitors who sign up for car-free packages.  Visit www.santabarbaracarfree.org for more details and you could save up to 50% on your next excursion.

Residents of Santa Barbara enjoy being “locavores” – by consuming only foods that grow within 100 miles.  Of course our city transportation boasts the largest fleet of battery electric vehicles in North America and all of our city’s diesel operated vehicles now proudly run on bio diesel.  Is it any wonder Country Home rated Santa Barbara as one of the greenest cities to reside in?

Maureen McDermut, Santa Barbara’s leading real estate expert offers essential tips and secrets to enjoying the Santa Barbara Lifestyle.