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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Glamour House, 840 Deerpath Road, Santa Barbara, CA , 93108. Glamour House, INC, 840 Deerpath Road, Santa Barbara, CA , 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 2, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20210003274. Published December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Casa Mejia, 209 S. Voluntario St. Apt 1, Santa Barbara, CA , 93103. Jeniffern E. Jimenez, 209 S. Voluntario St. Apt 1, Santa Barbara, CA , 93103. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on December 6, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20210003288. Published December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Ayurvedic Lifestyle Design, 2020 Las Tunas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA , 93103. Ayurvedic Lifestyle Design, LLC., 2020 Las Tunas Rd, Santa Barbara, CA , 93103. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 15, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 20210003157. Published December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Medina & Thompson, 1071 Alston Road, Santa Barbara, CA , 93108. Marc Alan Gamson, 1071 Alston Road, Santa Barbara, CA , 93108. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 15, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0003164. Published December 8, 15, 22, 29, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Bright Solutions Glass Tinting, 233 Big Sur Drive, Goleta, CA , 93117. Jeancarlo Parra, 233 Big Sur Drive, Goleta, CA , 93117. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 22, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0003212. Published November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Flame Chix, 209 South Voluntario St. Apt 1, Santa Barbara, CA 93013. Keith H. Morrison, 1692 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 17, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0003182. Published November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/are doing business as: Pollo Flameado, 209 South Voluntario St. Apt 1, Santa Barbara, CA 93013. Keith H. Morrison, 1692 Las Canoas Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 17, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0003180. Published November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Rocket 2691, 165 N. Fairview, Goleta, CA 93117. Apro, LLC, 4130 Cover Street, Long Beach, CA 90808. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on October 25, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0002973. Published November 17, 24, December 1, 8, 2021.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: The following person(s) is/ are doing business as: Source California Realty; Source Group Realty, 1286 University Ave, 516, San Diego, CA, 92103. Larry Tadlock, 1286 University Ave, 516, San Diego, CA, 92103. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Santa Barbara County on November 15, 2021. This statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the Office of the County Clerk. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Joseph E. Holland, County Clerk (SEAL). FBN No. 2021-0003156. Published November 17, 24, December 1, 8, 2021.

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: Michael Shawn Summers. Case Number: 21PR00511. To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both: A Petition for Probate has been filed by: Gary J. Summers in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 1/13/2022 at 9 am in Dept. 5, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. A Request for Special Notice is available from the court clerk. Attorney for the petitioner: Kendall A. VanConas, 805-988-9886. Filed November 24, 2021 by Darrel E. Parker, Executive Officer. Published 12/8, 12/15, 12/22, 12/29

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME: CASE No. 21CV04039. To all interested parties: Petitioner Hilary Suzanne Molina filed a petition with Superior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara, for a decree changing name to Hilary Suzanne Lyn. The Court orders that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. Filed November 8, 2021 by Elizabeth Spann. Hearing date: December 17, 2021 at 10 am in Dept. 4, 1100 Anacapa Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Published 11/17, 11/24, 12/1, 12/8

The City of Santa Barbara (“City”) will accept electronic bids for its Level Sensor Purchase and Installation Project (“Project”), by or before January 4, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. through its PlanetBids portal. Bidders must be registered on

the City of Santa Barbara’s PlanetBids™ portal in order to submit a Bid Proposal and to receive addendum

notifications. Each bidder is responsible for making certain that their Bid Proposal is actually submitted/uploaded with sufficient time to be received by PlanetBids prior to the bid opening date and time. Large files may take more time to be submitted/uploaded to PlanetBids so plan accordingly. The receiving time at on PlanetBids’ server will be the governing time for acceptability of bids. Telegraphic, telephonic, electronic, and facsimile bids will not be accepted.

If any Addendum issued by the City is not acknowledged online by the Bidder, the PlanetBids System will prevent the Bidder from submitting a Bid Proposal. Bidders are responsible for obtaining all addenda from the City’s

PlanetBids portal.

Bid results and awards will be available on PlanetBids.

2. Project Information.

2.1 Location and Description. The Project is located at various predetermined locations throughout the City, and is described as follows: The work includes all labor, material, supervision and equipment necessary to deliver and install level sensors in 45 predetermined manholes per these specifications. After installation, the City will require a method of data collection provided by the successful bidder to collect level data from each sensor, a service agreement for ongoing maintenance for 2 years from award of contract, and training for City staff on installation and removal of sensors.

2.2 Time for Completion. The Project must be completed within 60 calendar days from the start date set forth in the Notice to Proceed. City anticipates that the Work will begin on or about the third week of January 2022, but the anticipated start date is provided solely for convenience and is neither certain nor binding.

2.3 Estimate. The estimate for this Project is $300,000.00 2.4 Bidders’ Conference. A pre-bid conference will not be held. Questions may be entered through PlanetBids Q&A tab.

3. License and Registration Requirements.

3.1 License. This Project requires a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): A –

General Engineering and/or C-36 – Plumbing Contractor.

3.2 DIR Registration. City may not accept a Bid Proposal from or enter into the Contract with a bidder, without proof that the bidder is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code § 1725.5, subject to limited legal exceptions

4. Contract Documents. The plans, specifications, bid forms and contract documents for the Project, and any addenda thereto (“Contract Documents”) may be downloaded from City’s website at: https://www.planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=29959

5. Bid Security. The Bid Proposal must be accompanied by bid security of ten percent of the maximum bid amount, in the form of a cashier’s or certified check made payable to City, or a bid bond executed by a surety licensed to do business in the State of California on the Bid Bond form included with the Contract Documents. The bid security must guarantee that within ten days after City issues the Notice of Award, the successful bidder will execute the Contract and submit the payment and performance bonds, insurance certificates and endorsements, and any other submittals required by the Contract Documents and as specified in the Notice of Award.

6. Prevailing Wage Requirements.

6.1 General. Pursuant to California Labor Code § 1720 et seq., this Project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the Work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the Work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes.

6.2 Rates. The prevailing rates are on file with City and available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the Project. The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half.

6.3 Compliance. The Contract will be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the DIR, under Labor Code § 1771.4.

7. Performance and Payment Bonds. The successful bidder will be required to provide separate performance and payment bonds for 100% of the Contract Price regardless of contract dollar amount, as further specified in the Contract Documents.

8. Substitution of Securities. Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted under Public Contract Code § 22300.

9. Subcontractor List. Each subcontractor must be registered with the DIR to perform work on public projects. Each bidder must submit a complete Subcontractor List WITH ITS Bid Proposal through the PlanetBids portal. Failure to do will result in rejection of your bid. The Subcontractors List shall include the name, location of the place of business, California contractor license number, and percentage of the Work to be performed (based on the Base Bid) for each Subcontractor that will perform work or service or fabricate or install work for the prime contractor in excess of one-half of 1% of the bid price.

10. Instructions to Bidders. All bidders should carefully review the Instructions to Bidders before submitting a Bid Proposal.

11. Retention Percentage. The percentage of retention that will be withheld from progress payments is five (5) percent. Retention will only be withheld for bid items 1-5; no retention will be withheld from bid item 6 (2-Year Service Agreement for Maintenance, Installation, and Removal Training).

By: _______________________________________ William Hornung, C.P.M. General Services Manager

Date: ________________

Danyel Dean, Jordan BenShea, and Susan Denbaars (Photo by Priscilla) Lisa Klonowski, Levi and Regan Parillo with Eleanor, Avika, and Maisi (Photo by Priscilla) Michael Shasberger led the 17th annual Christmas Festival (Photo by Brad Elliott)

ground granular bread.

“We’re delighted to share this wonderful experience once again,” says Danyel. “It is nice to come together to alleviate hunger in the community.”

Food for thought!

Feeling Festive

The 26th annual Christmas Walk at La Arcada Plaza, the charming thoroughfare just off State Street near the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, attracted more than a thousand spectators with strolling carolers in Dickensian garb, freshly popped popcorn, and even snowmaking machines turning the area into a winter wonderland with colorfully decorated Yuletide trees.

Youngsters were even able to send letters to Santa Claus with typewriters provided in the Crafter’s Library, which given their youth was probably the very first time they’d ever encountered one!

Given the pandemic restrictions last year the complex held Festive Fridays, but numbers were severely limited.

Talli Robinson, La Arcada’s PR, says: “We were absolutely thrilled so many people turned out to kick off the festive season. It was really magical!”

Indeed, it was.

Charlotte Andersen inviting Santa (Richard Pommerville) to listen to the Christmas request from Bridget (Photo by Priscilla)

Round 1: Meghan

British government ministers are considering changing the law to protect free speech after the London Appeals Court ruled in favor of Meghan Markle in a privacy dispute against the U.K.’s Mail on Sunday.

Downing Street, the home of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has said publicly that it will closely study the ruling that upheld the High Court’s decision that the Duchess of Sussex had “a reasonable expectation of privacy” over a letter written to her estranged father Thomas Markle.

Senior figures in government have told the Daily Mail, the sister newspaper, a change in the law may now be needed to redress the balance between the competing rights of privacy and free speech.

Legal experts have said the case could have a chilling effect on free speech, giving too little weight to the right of freedom of expression.

The Mail on Sunday is now considering an appeal to Britain’s Supreme Court, I’m told.

Stay tuned...

April Rodriquez, Evelyn Mills, and Ember Reiter with La Arcada strollers Nora and Michael Hurley (Photo by Priscilla)

Some ‘Salvation’

The venerable Granada was socially gridlocked when Westmont College held its 17th annual Christmas Festival “Salvation For All” over two days given the demand for tickets.

Michael Shasberger, Adams professor for music and worship, who is retiring in May after 16 years, created the hugely popular event and has directed it each year, normally at the First Presbyterian Church.

Featuring music from around the world and throughout the centuries, the concert featured the Westmont orchestra conducted by Shasberger, the Westmont College Choir and Chamber Singers led by Daniel Gee, and the Westmont Choral Union conducted by Grey Brothers.

Christmas hymns and carols featured large as well as classics by Bach, Handel, and Mendelssohn.

A delightful kickoff to the Yuletide season.

Fabulous Flowerpots

Arlene Larsen, co-owner of Montecito’s Magic Castle with her husband, Milt, is going to pot!

During the downturn caused by the pandemic, Arlene has been busy making one-of-a-kind flowerpots from trim, fabric, and jewelry she has been collecting over the past six decades.

“I’ve been making and selling costumes since I was 15 years old,” says Arlene. “I started in the theater and collected broken jewelry and scraps anyone would discard. To them it was trash, to me it was beautiful.

“The very best leftovers were from costumes made for Carol Burnett, The Dean Martin Gold Diggers, and all the big production numbers the networks produced in the 80s.”

All the pots, as extravagantly decorated as a Faberge egg, feature silk or fresh flowers, and retail from $100 to $1,000, depending on their ornateness.

“I started making these four months ago and I spend many hours on each one,” adds Arlene. “It is like putting a jigsaw together. They are quite magical!”

While I was interviewing her at the old Cafe del Sol location, she received the good news that the city had now issued her a permit which will enable the Magic Castle to reopen in the New Year after innumerable planning delays, which even made the dynamic duo consider selling the property a few months back.

The pots, of which only 61 have been made, are available at zamagic@ aol.com.

Getting in the Spirit

Having shown the more gracious and opulent upstairs living arrangements with the first production in Ensemble Theatre Company’s Jane Austen trilogy four years ago, it was time to move downstairs at the New Vic for The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley, its second production of the current season.

The Michael Butler-directed play takes place in the servants’ quarters, cleverly designed by Bruce Goodrich, and tells an 1815 tale of the youngest sister Lydia and her ne’er-do-well former military husband George Wickham. Add in to the grand mix a trio of domestic staff, including the housekeeper, new maid, and the foot-

Julie Weiner, CommUnify’s chief development officer, speaks to the gathering at the Santa Barbara Club

Second District Supervisor and event attendee.

“Many community organizations have a single focus and can operate in silos. CommUnify works with our neighbors who need help in every part of Santa Barbara County from very young children to seniors. Its services are focused on the individual needs of every person they serve. It efficiently uses the synergy of its 17 different programs to help make lasting positive change in people’s lives.”

While many nonprofits focus on either the South or North counties, CommUnify has actively chosen to serve both, with a significant footprint stretching from Carpinteria all the way into Santa Maria.

And with the expansive footprint, demand continues to rise — pushing CommUnify to increase its efforts in not only fundraising, but also education behind what the organization does, including programs such as Los Compadres (teenage outreach) or CalSOAP (focused on aiding students with post-secondary education).

Currently, CommUnify operates on a $25 million budget, of which nearly $17.5 million is earmarked for the Head Start programs, which are paid for by the government.

That leaves 16 remaining programs to operate on roughly $7.5 million.

Overall, roughly 2% of the $25 million (or $500,000) comes via private donations — something Chief Development Officer Julie Weiner says would ideally grow to $2 million, which would allow CommUnify to serve all those that need it, as the organization does have waiting lists for some services.

Weiner pointed to the Adolescent Family Life Planning program, where CommUnify works with teen mothers to get them back on track with life goals, with dedicated case managers working with the youth. It also allows the new child to be placed in an early Head Start program, in turn presenting the opportunity for the young woman to finish her high school degree (or junior high in some cases).

With mothers as young as nine years old, the demand is significant throughout the county, with 32 girls currently working with the one full-time case manager that CommUnify has to offer, with an additional part-time case manager added to the mix. There are an additional 66 girls on the waitlist, and that’s just in the North County.

“We would love to grow that program and be able to bring on more full-time case managers to handle just the waitlist,” Weiner said. “So, if we could grow the fundraising for that program, then we could fill in the gap that we don’t have funded right now. And then, let’s call it the stretch goal. The wish list is to fundraise above and beyond what we need to do just to service the program as it is right now. And bring onboard case managers and help more young women.”

For 2022, Weiner will work with CommUnify’s CEO Patricia Keelean to find more funding — but they know that the organization must showcase the breadth of what it does in order to compete for the philanthropic dollars that are commonly available in one of the nonprofit capitals of the world.

“People don’t recognize CommUnify, mostly because of the name change. I feel like if we’re not going to get there, people aren’t going to want to support us, because why would they want to support an organization if they don’t really understand what we do?

“We have work to do, because we want to help this community move forward.” •MJ

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Website: communifysb.org

We are so grateful for your support in our Walk to End Alzheimer's Santa Barbara on Nov. 6, 2021.

This Walk raised a total of $217,045.

The commitment of our sponsors, volunteers and participants furthers the Alzheimer's Association mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

To learn more, visit alz.org/cacentral or call our 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900. Thank you to our Walk sponsors:

NATIONAL PRESENTING SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

BrightStar Care | Casa Dorinda | Central Coast Home Health and Hospice | Covenant Living | First American Title | Hennessy International | SIMA | State Farm, Paul Cashman | Swell - Santa Barbara Athletic Club | Valle Verde | Vista del Monte

There have been over a dozen sales in the Hedgerow this year, including an estate on Mimosa Lane (listed by Dan Encell of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices)

million. Last year that number was 13. In 2020, three of those sales were more than the $30 million mark; this year just two exceeded $30 million. In the $20M range, we saw a significant sale in Ennisbrook on Las Entradas Drive, a view property designed by George Washington Smith on Park Lane, a 3.5-acre estate on Picacho Lane, and a cluster of sales near the beach on Channel Drive.

Montecito’s Hedgerow continues to be a hot spot for those looking for the quintessential Montecito home. There were over a dozen sales in this area, ranging in price from about $3 million to nearly $12 million. A notable home on Mimosa Lane was listed for sale in both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, it was listed before the pandemic began, for just under $9 million, and didn’t sell. It was relisted in early 2021 for $11.5 million and sold quickly for over asking, closing at $11.7 million. Further proof that the pandemic changed our market temperature significantly.

South Santa Barbara County

Looking at the entire South Santa Barbara County market, the emerging data shows a big difference between November 2021 and November 2020 in number of units sold (93 homes/PUDs in 2021 versus 147 in 2020), median sold price ($1.905 million in 2021 versus $1.725 million in 2020), average sold price ($3 million in 2021 versus $2.5 million in 2020), and average days on market (25 in 2021 versus 40 in 2020). Number of pending sales is also down: there are currently 98 homes in escrow versus 133 at the same time last year.

To get a better perspective, let’s look at 2019, which we can consider a more “typical” year as it was before the pandemic. In 2019 we had 81 sales in November, the median sold price was $1.27 million, and the average days on market was 51 days. At the end of November 2019 we had 94 pending sales. In terms of number of sales, we are shifting back to pre-pandemic numbers, but in terms of property values, we are still at an all-time high, with a median sales price of $1.9 million and an average sales price of $3.1 million.

The number of total sold properties (not including condos) in the Santa Barbara South Coast is up 19.8% from last year: 1,438 compared to 1,200 in 2020, year-to-date. This is the highest number of sales we’ve ever seen year to date.

The condo stats in the South County tell a similar story: units sold are up from 429 to 521; median sales price is up 15% to $836,000 from $725,000 last year; average sales price is up 6% to $1.06 million from $937,000; and days on market is down, from 32 days in 2020 to 25 days this year.

Another phenomenon we’ve seen at an unprecedented rate this year: both our median sales and average sales prices are higher than their respective list prices. There continues to be a high demand for good quality, realistically priced inventory, and the market most definitely favors sellers right now.

Historically, the strongest segment in our South County market has been from $1 million to $1.5 million. The past two years have shifted that activity, with a push towards the $1.7 million-$2.2 million segment. Buyers seem to be stretching to jump into the next price bracket simply because they have no choice! Unfortunately, the lack of inventory spans across all price points, and all buyers are feeling the crunch.

The highest priced sale ever in Coast Village Gardens: a 2/2 penthouse sold for $1.7 million in August (listed by Tim Walsh of Village Properties)

Condo Market Strengthened

This year so far we’ve seen the sale of 43 condos in Montecito, priced from $849,000 to $5.3 million. This is on par with what we saw last year in the same time period: 46 condos sold in a very similar price range. In 2019, there were only 20 condos that sold. Many of the luxury condo purchasers this year and last are second home buyers from out of town: buyers seeking solace in our area, near the beach. There were 16 sales at Bonnymede and Montecito Shores, five on Coast Village Road, and nine in the Upper Village. Two record sales happened at Coast Village Gardens (1220 Coast Village Road). A lower level 2/2 unit sold in early August for $1,375,000, and a third-floor penthouse (2/2) sold for $1.7 million later in the same month. There was a time not long ago when the building had multiple units for sale under $1 million, which sat on the market for months. Again, proof of our unprecedented sellers’ market right now.

As we head into December, it’s likely that the lack of inventory will continue, as it’s not typical for most sellers to list their homes around the holidays. Listing in December could be a solid strategy for sellers looking to get the absolute best price, as less competition usually means more eyes on your listing.

What’s Next for Our Market

As we head into December, it’s likely that the lack of inventory will continue, as it’s not typical for most sellers to list their homes around the holidays. Listing in December could be a solid strategy for sellers looking to get the absolute best price, as less competition usually means more eyes on your listing.

That being said, many buyers may put a pause on their search in December, in an effort to hold out for the spring, which we all hope will bring a much-needed bump in inventory. But let’s be honest: if a home comes on the market that greatly appeals to a buyer, they are most likely going to go for it, even if the holidays are right around the corner. Buyers will continue to enjoy low interest rates, and with last week’s news of a significant increase in conforming loan limits, qualifying – and buying – just got easier for a lot of people.

In Montecito and in the South County in general, it’s likely that price appreciation will continue to climb, but, dependent on the number of new listings that come to market, appreciation could occur at a slower pace than we’ve seen this year and last. Some price segments – not necessarily in Montecito – are susceptible to the slight rise in interest rates we are expecting next summer. We are also seeing a lot of buyer fatigue, which could impact activity. In order to appease all the buyers in our market and shift from a sellers’ market to a buyers’ market, we would need to flood the market with dozens, if not hundreds, of listings, which I just don’t see happening anytime soon. •MJ