"Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James

Read on for everything you should do this July and discover lifestyle tips curated just for you!

Best, Nathan and Kelly

Featured Listing

Sold for $745,000

10559 San Jose St, Ventura CA

Rare custom home! Welcome to Anacapa at The Farm. Turn-key, modern 3 bedroom + office/den + 3 full bathrooms PLUS detached bonus room above the garage! Appreciate the spacious 2,287 sq ft that lives like a single family home. Custom interior finishes unlike any other in the community. Open concept living with upgrades galore! Custom interior paint and window treatments throughout. Inviting foyer with stunning wooden staircase. Handsome ebony doors and hardware. Stylish pendant lighting above oversized kitchen island that also serves as a breakfast bar. Notice the details of an upgraded kitchen sink, low profile microwave and wood façade island. Plenty of room to slice, simmer and bake! Retreat upstairs to all 3 bedrooms that offer interior shutters and ceiling fans. An abundant primary bedroom with sizable ensuite bathroom, water closet, separate shower and tub, and walk-in closet. Laundry room at the end of the hall with custom built-in organizer makes this chore a breeze. Two additional bedrooms share a favorable Jack & Jill bathroom. Soak up our gorgeous weather on the rear covered patio with finished side yard. THERE’S MORE! How will you use the detached bonus room that is suited with A/C and heat?! This smart home is complete with wired ethernet network, tankless W/H with on-demand hot water option, central A/C and dual-pane windows. Detached garage with effective epoxy flooring and loads of storage space. Located across from The Farm Central Park adds the feel of an extended property. Meander along the wide sidewalks, tree lined parkways and over 6 acres of parks! Minutes to shopping, dining, and our jaw-dropping sunset beaches! End unit with NO adjoining walls. No Mello Roos. LOW HOA dues approx. $243/mo.

Click here to watch property commercial

Local Events

21st Annual Woodies at the Beach

"The 'Best of the Best' Woodie Wagons from all over the western United States will gather together on the west lawn of Santa Barbara City College overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean. Come and enjoy the artistry and craftsmanship that made the Woodie legendary. Bring a picnic and enjoy friendly people and the cool beach vibe." Learn more about this fun event here.

4th of July Fireworks Celebration

"The City of Santa Barbara’s traditional Fourth of July beachfront celebration will be back again and ready to build upon the fabulous events in years past! Join us at the beautiful Santa Barbara waterfront along West Beach on Independence Day for an afternoon and evening of food, music, fireworks, and fun for all ages!" Learn more about this event here.

Lifestyle Tips & Tricks

Tips For a Successful Open House

For a home on the market, a Sunday open house feels like a tradition to most home sellers, real estate agents and curious neighbors who love to peek inside properties on their street. Still, an open house can be a productive way to show a home, take a tour and connect with a real estate professional. Here are 10 tips for both buyers and sellers to make for a successful open house!

Read more from U.S. News

Backyard Envy: Spotlight the Outdoors in Your Listings

Since the start of the pandemic, homeowners have put more weight on their outdoor spaces. As such, real estate listings may want to highlight what a home has to offer in the backyard, front yard, balcony, deck, or lawn space.

Courtesy of Realtor Magazine

10 Bountiful Plants to Grow in the Heat of July

With the hottest days of the year upon us, you may think it's too late to plant a few last vegetables and herbs—but don't fall for this misconception. Here, we take a look at 10 different types of flowers, vegetables, and herbs that thrive in the heat of July. Happy planting!

Courtesy of Veranda

Refreshing Summer Cocktails to Cool Off with This Season

Nothing tastes better than cooling cocktails at the end of a hot day. After a day at the beach or working outdoors (or if you're hosting a patio get-together), these summer cocktail recipes are the perfect way to punch up any menu.

Courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

Real Estate in the News

Luxury Home Sales Soar, Even Helping Houses That Languished on the Market for Months

Americans looking to buy a home have struggled with bidding wars and a limited number of houses for sale. But one area of the cutthroat real estate landscape is improving. It's the luxury segment, where listings are up and homes are selling at a rapid clip. The demand is so great that even "white elephants" – high-end homes that sat on the market for months before the pandemic began – are selling quickly as their owners willingly splurge on remodeling projects to spruce them up.

Santa Barbara eNewsletter | July 2021