About Santa Barbara's Montecito

Agent Tours - Montecito California October 20, 2010 -

Broker Open - Open House - Agent Tour / Preview for Montecito, Santa Barbara Ca

Melissa & Rich Participated in today’s Agent Tour for Montecito California, to see the homes we visited click on the link below. If you have questions about these properties, please feel free to contact us.

Montecito Agent Tour Highlights

Part of being a full time agent is taking the time to tour homes while they are open for the Agent Tour. It is important for us as agents to know the inventory and putting eye’s on the product is as important as staying up to date with the MLS listings and updates.

In Santa Barbara there are three agent tours every week; in general the tour is split by the area of town listings are located in; Wednesday is the Montecito Tour, Thursday is the Santa Barbara Tour, and Friday is the Hope Ranch/Goleta Tour. Although the main intent of the tour is to make listings available for agents to preview, it is not uncommon for agents to have clients with them.

Today was the first two games of the season for the Montecito YMCA Stingray's, the 4th - 6th grade flag football team that I am coaching, and we won them both! It was a hot day in Santa Barbara today; and a great day to play football. Our first game we were up against the Falcons who hit us with a withering running attack. We weathered the storm and wore them down with our relentless offensive barrage. Stingray Quarterback Witt scored with a keeper around the right end, and capped it off with a 2 point conversion pass to Miles in the right corner of the end zone for the win.

The second game against the Mustangs, also from the Montecito YMCA, was down to the wire after both teams scored with the stingrays failing the extra point attempt and falling behind after the Mustangs converted for two after their score. It was down to the wire with less than a minute on the clock when we brought in Gianni, our speedster quarterback for our trick play where both receivers line up right and the QB rolls around the left for a foot race to the end zone. That's the way it ended, with a spectacular quarterback keeper, shaking and baking down the sideline for the score and win as time ran out, ...and the fans went wild.

I know it's about the kids having fun and learning sportmanship. I voluntered to coach because I have so many great memories growing up playing sports and wanted to give back....but it feels good to win. I went in to this thinking that I was the one giving; my time, knowledge and all that stuff. It's funny and not at all what I expected, but I feel like I am getting in return, 10 times what I have put in, from these kids.

Montecito Beach Front Homes on Miramar Beach

One of my favorite places in Santa Barbara is Miramar Beach. Named after the famousMiramar Hotel that dates back over 100 years. The hotel closed in 2000 for a remodel and after multiple changes in ownership, political wrangling and a downturn in the economy, sits vacant and weathered on some of California's most valuable beach front real estate.

Miramar Beach has an eclectic mix of beach homes lining the sand. Most are so close together, you can pour your neighbor a cup of coffee in the morning. This is a beach with California character. This Southern facing Santa Barbara coastline is usually calm and great for swimming, walking your dog or watching the surfers. At the West end of the beach there are a set of big steps that is a popular place for people to sit and talk or have lunch while enjoying the view. Many of the homes here are popular vacation rentals or second homes. Prices range from the mid 2 million range to over 5 million. There are currently two homes for sale on Miramar Beach. If you are interested in owning an ocean front home in Santa Barbara, contact me at (805) 757-1867 or RichBosselmann@gmail.com for more information.

I am a very proud graduate of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. It is more than a college, it is a place that is truly forming young people. I can't begin to explain in a blog what Westmont has meant to my life and my family. Most folks don't understand how a college can be so impactful...you really have to experience it or know somebody who has. Anyway, Westmont was engulfed in flames last night, with several buildings (including 14 faculty homes) being lost. As far as I know, nobody was injured. My coach, who is more so my mentor and friend (he, his wife, and his 2 children were all part of my wedding) lost his home. Gig Harbor High graduate and cross country and track and field standout Kate Stuart is a freshman at Westmont this year, running for that same coach I ran for over a decade ago. She's safe as far as I know, but one of the freshman dorms burned. I have no idea if it was hers or not.

I have to apologize. I used this photo without permission. I have no idea how to get permission. You can view this photographer's 27 photo series here. This shot is of the library on Westmont's campus.