The Home Page: News, Views, and ADUs

Featuring Gardens Meant to Be Savored

Credit: Eric Foote

A NEW POINT OF VIEW

I’ve been obsessed with hiking lately. My pandemic-fueled pastime has allowed me to get outside, push my body, and explore, even when travel restrictions kept us close to home. When I visited the gorgeous home at 2350 Bella Vista Drive in Montecito, I was transfixed by the panoramic views in the backyard. The house boasts walls of windows, soaring ceilings, and lots of light, and the amazing detached ADU immediately became my ultimate imaginary yoga studio. But it was the backyard view looking out over Romero Canyon all the way to the ocean beyond that gave me the on-top-of-the-world feeling that I get out on the hiking trail. This view can be yours! Open by appointment today from noon-2 p.m. Contact Douglas and Associates to visit and get your own trail-worthy view fix.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

I received a tip yesterday from Christine Cowles, my favorite Style Specialist, about a brand-new listing that had just hit the MLS literally minutes prior. In this fast-moving market, you’ve got to act quickly, so insiders’ intel is a hot commodity. 1134 West Valerio sits in my favorite sweet spot between the Westside and the Mesa, where West Valerio heads uphill towards the back side of Elings Park. I went and visited on a quick lunch break, and it’s a cutie, inside and out. This sunny three-bedroom home doesn’t have any public open houses scheduled, but listing agent Sue Irwin has posted a nifty 3D tour, and I’m sure she’d love to hear from anyone who would like to follow this hot tip to learn more.

A GARDEN MEANT TO BE SAVORED

Is it just me? I booked myself back-to-back meetings on Wednesday, thinking I could do it all. My 9 a.m. appointment was a visit to an amazingly efficient ADU on the Eastside. It’s one of six properties on the upcoming ArchitecTours virtual tour of homes that the local chapter of the AIA will present on October 2, highlighting the theme of “Design Excellence.” As I walked through the tiny house with the architect and homeowner, chatting about storm water, garage envy, and marmoleum (yes, it is a thing!), I thought I’d be on time for my next appointment. But once we stepped into the back garden, I knew I would need to linger. Stone-lined paths circle a central below-ground “pit” seating area, all surrounded by breathtaking mini-Lotusland-like foliage. Some experiences shouldn’t be rushed. Yes, I was late for my second meeting, and I don’t regret it. You’ll be able to read all about it in next week’s Make Myself at Home column. Tickets for the ArchitecTours event are on sale now.

This edition of The Home Page was originally emailed to subscribers on September 29, 2024. To receive Sarah Sinclair’s real estate newsletter in your inbox each Sunday, sign up at independent.com/newsletter

MY CRYSTAL BALL

Anyone who’s been paying attention knows that over the past year and a half, home values have appreciated at rates not seen since 2008. While this is great news for those who own a home, it increases the homeownership gap and the challenge for first-time buyers. As we look ahead to next year, will the surge flatten out or keep rising? If growth continues, where will it increase the most? My friend Steve Boelter at Draper & Kramer Mortgage shares the following statistics from msn.com, predicting that the largest growth in 2022 will be in these western cities:

Austin (TX) tops the list, with a forecasted home price of +37.1 percent compared to +30.5 percent in the previous year.
Phoenix (AZ) is next, with a predicted one-year change of +26.2 percent compared to +23.5 percent.
San Diego (CA) comes in third, with a projected +24.7 percent compared to 19.6 percent the year prior.
The five markets that follow include San Jose (CA), Salt Lake City (UT), Las Vegas (NV), Riverside (CA), and San Francisco (CA).

SWEET (AND SAVORY) 16

In a most delicious departure from my real job, I got the opportunity to write about burritos rather than real estate this week. And — you guessed it — in order to write about a burrito, one first must taste that burrito. ¡Es un trabajo delicioso! Pick up the Independent this coming Thursday to read all the gooey details of the 16 special burritos being dished up by local restaurants for our inaugural Burrito Week. Then plan your route to demolish as many burritos as you can in the span of seven days. Did I mention the burritos are only seven bucks apiece? Eat enough burritos, and you may save enough dough to buy a house. You’re welcome.

From burritos to houses to everything in between, there’s plenty to find out about in this week’s issue. Thank you for reading, and have a great Sunday!

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