Photo Credit: David Palermo

How has the luxury real estate market in Montecito been performing so far in 2020?

The luxury real estate market in Montecito and Santa Barbara is picking up as of this point in 2020 and, overall, we’re expecting to see trends similar to those we experienced in 2019. Last year was one of the most productive years for beach properties. Prices held strong and there was a lot of activity. Also in 2019, many buyers were getting great deals above $10M, and we saw homes that were priced competitively and/or those that were renovated within the last 5 years selling much quicker.

Photo Credit: David Palermo

What are buyers looking for in their homes in Montecito in 2020?

We’re seeing a lot of buyers looking for in-home conveniences such as whole-house systems, including easy light and temperature controls, the ability to shut down and secure the home at the touch of a button, and other state-of-the-art amenities. Some buyers are simplifying by downsizing. Additionally, since buyers flock to Montecito and Santa Barbara for our incredible Mediterranean climate, they want to capitalize on that with indoor/outdoor living: bi-fold doors, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens, sprawling terraces and verandas, loggias, and so on.

Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch

Photo Credit: David Palermo

Which has been a highlight sale for you so far in 2020?

My highlight sale so far this year was at 800 Cold Springs Road in Montecito, where I represented the buyer. It’s a historic property that was the last parcel owned by the Armour family for over 100 years. The Armours led the meatpacking industry in Chicago. They purchased over 70 acres in Montecito as a wedding gift for their daughter and named the estate “El Mirador.” Over the years, the property was parceled off and sold. This was the last remaining parcel. Its 13.75 acres hosts the original guardhouse, grotto, ruins of the original house and unlimited potential. There is truly nothing like it.

Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch

Are there any new restaurants or other spots in your market you’ve been loving lately?

Flor de Maiz is a new restaurant just outside of Santa Barbara’s trendy “Funk Zone.” They have fun, experimental Mexican/Oaxacan-influenced cuisine. The setting is fantastic, too, with a lively patio looking out to the palm trees and ocean. In Montecito, the exclusive Rosewood Miramar Beach hotel is a great place to hang out, with several restaurants, bars and lounging spots. The resort opened its doors last year and has welcomed the community with open arms. The oceanside bar is a beautiful place for happy hour or enjoying a fabulous Sunday brunch at the Malibu Farm Café. It’s easy to relax and lose an entire day there!

Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch

It’s time for spring break. What is a fun activity in your market?

There really is something for everyone in Santa Barbara and Montecito. World-class beaches extend along the entire coastline and are the perfect place to relax, swim, surf or just people watch. My personal favorite is Montecito’s Miramar Beach. Or one can explore the trails of the Santa Barbara foothills by horseback at Circle Bar B Stables on the Gaviota Coast or by foot on the endless hiking trails. There are trails for all fitness levels just minutes from wherever you are. Some lead to spectacular vantage points overlooking the entire city of Santa Barbara, Pacific Ocean and beyond to the Channel Islands. And there are discrete hot springs nestled in the mountains. Nearby, the Santa Ynez Valley, a.k.a. Santa Barbara Wine Country, is a great destination for an easy day trip. There are dozens and dozens of world-class wineries and their tasting rooms, fantastic restaurants and cafés, and several charming small towns. In Santa Barbara, Cal Coast Adventures has bikes, stand-up paddleboards or kayaks for rent for the length of your trip. On the water, The Condor Express hosts whale watching cruises, while the Double Dolphin offers sunset sails along the coast, with a full bar. If you’re looking for an all-day experience, Santa Barbara Adventure Company has kayak and hiking tours of the beautiful Channel Islands, 26 miles off the coast.

Photo Credit: Circle Bar B Guest Ranch & Stables

Photo Credit: Four Seasons Resort, Biltmore Santa Barbara

The post Cristal Clarke Talks Montecito Real Estate And Things To Do During March appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Known for its luxury resort operations, One&Only is launching its first ever branded real estate and residential offering in the world. One&Only Mandarina is selling private homes in a billion dollar development just outside Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Built alone one and a half kilometers of shoreline in the region, Mandarina is the latest luxury resort and residential community to come in the past few decades. The new homes being offered are sure to draw high profile buyers and continue building the appeal for the region’s luxury travelers.

The 55 branded residences, priced between four and twelve million dollars, along with a 108-room One&Only hotel, are an impressive addition to the Riviera Nayarit’s beautiful jungle landscape.

Designed by the architect Rick Joy, each villa has been designed to incorporate jungle vegetation and the dramatic cliff side drops to the Pacific Ocean below. The villas will also be a short distance from the world-class Mandarina Polo and Equestrian Club replete with state-of-the-art polo grounds, dressage and jumping arenas, and stables—making this a perfect locale for equestrians and beachgoers alike. The hotel is due to follow soon too with an expected debut of 2019.

Each home is built with luxe interiors an open-air design. Four, five and eight-bedroom floor plans range in size from approximately 7,500 to 13,500 square feet, providing a genuine sense of indoor/outdoor living with interior spaces connecting seamlessly to terrace, pool and garden areas. It’s the perfect place to watch the sun crest over the mountains and dip down again into the ocean.

The post One&Only Launch First Residential Venture appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.