Month: March 2018

Be prepared for the Wow factor! This beautiful three bedroom home is full of character, warmth and charm. Located in an established East Side neighborhood, with views, you will find easy access to 101 or a quick walk to the downtown amenities. Inside offers a beautifully remodeled kitchen and two recently remodeled baths, three bedrooms, plenty of storage and loads of light. A newer roof and windows add extra value. The sunken living room is cozy with two sliding doors highlighting the large park-like backyard. Garden, play, relax or entertain. The backyard is huge and usable. Mature landscaping front and back highlight the established essence of the home. Complete with a two car garage offering lots of storage and two garage doors, opening front and back, for easy access. Call your agent today to make an appointment before this exquisite home belongs to someone else.
Kim Croft 805.689.2654

This is your chance to own a charming cottage filled with special touches and surrounded by beautiful gardens! This darling 3-bedroom, 2-bath home has been lovingly maintained and upgraded over the years. Enter on the brick driveway, through the gate into the flower-filled front yard accented by mature trees. Once inside, notice the crown molding, plantation shutters and architectural trim. Pull-out drawers are in most cabinets and there are updated bathrooms and kitchen appliances. A new furnace was moved to the garage when it was installed in 2008. Three sets of French doors lead to gorgeous vignettes filled with flora and fauna, trellises and paver patios ready for you to enjoy. A precious little “extra room” invites you to lounge in the back yard or could provide extra space for a guest as it has electricity and water available. Only a short couple of blocks from the bay, you’re close to the weekly farmer’s market, restaurants and meandering along the water.
Kay Cementina 805.748.1438

Videos taken by Keith Byrd in March 2018.

FOMC Meeting Announcement

Three rate hikes are still the FOMC’s call for 2018; now one down and two more to go. At this month’s meeting the FOMC raised the federal funds target rate by 25 points as was expected, to a midpoint of 1.625 percent within a range of 1.50 and 1.75 percent, the FOMC forecasts still have 2.1 percent as the median projection for the end of they year. The statement emphasizes “moderation” with descriptions of the economy generally moved down from the “solid” category of the prior FOMC statement from the January meeting. The labor market is still described as strong but economic activity is now downgraded to “moderate” with both household and business fixed investments also down to “moderated.” The description for inflation is unchanged, the 12 month rate is expected to move up in the upcoming months and stabilized around the committee’s two percent goal over the medium ter. The statement also repeats that near-term risks to the economic outlook “appear roughly balanced.” Though the rate outlook for this year is unchanged, the FOMC projects that one more rate hike in 2019 at 2.9 vs. 2.7 percent in December’s quarterly projections, and at 3.1 vs. 3.1 percent for 2020. The projections for this year’s GDP is upgraded two tenths to a median 2.7 percent with projections for core inflations, holding unchanged at 1.9 percent for this year, increased by 1 tenth to 2.1 percent for both 2019 and 2020. The results of this meeting suggest that the policy makers do not see a risk of falling behind the inflation curve and are content to wait for the economy to accelerate through the year. The votes to raise rates at this meeting was unanimous at 8 to 0.

Fed Chair Press Conference

Fed chair, Jerome Powell is downplaying the significance of the FOMC projection holding at three rate hikes this year and not moving up to four as many had expected. He said that the rise in the FOMC’s forecast for GDP now at 2.7 this year vs 2.5 percent in the December forecast, is well above long term projections and may or may not, given the members’ separate individual assessments, reflect any expected boost from fiscal st6imulus and tax cuts. Powell noted that it would take significant gains in productivity and also further growth in the labor market to reach the three percent level. On inflation, Powell stated the committee continues to seek a two percent goal and downplayed the significance of increased projections for the core, now at 2.1 percent for 2019 and 2020. He said members are seeing only moderate increases in wages and price inflation and as of right now, not seeing any acceleration in inflation. Powell said high asset prices, including equities and commercial real estate in some markets, are a vulnerability to policy but he stressed housing, a key sector, is not overheating. On the administration’s imposition of tariffs on primary metals, Powell noted that members do not as of right now see them having any effect on the current outlook, though it was noted the Fed’s business contacts are citing these tariffs as a concern. Among the final details, Powell said that he is thinking about increasing the number of chair press conferences, currently at only four a year. Also it was noted that Powell has no inclination, despite the risk of higher borrowing needs from the government, to make any changes to the balance sheet unwinding.

Room to roam in Providence Landing! Spacious five bedroom home plus den provides endless living arrangements. Large foyer with grand staircase. Formal and casual living and dining; kitchen is open to family room with fireplace. Front den has french doors to front patio making for ideal home office. One bedroom downstairs plus a bath with shower. Upstairs are four generous sized bedrooms, all with en suite bath access. Spacious master bedroom and bath with large walk-in closet. A larger lot in Providence Landing, with sprawling backyard and private setting. Close to neighborhood amenities, including pool with clubhouse, playground and sports fields/courts. Enjoy close proximity to Vandenberg AFB and Lompoc; convenient to highway for commuters to Santa Barbara or Santa Maria.
Gina Gluyas 805.310.7208

Santa Carmella! This small planned unit development offers privacy and private yards! Nestled in the corner is this three bedroom 2 1/2 bath home! The open and flowing floorplan allows lots of natural light into the home. Large kitchen freshly painted, and an adjoining family room with hardwood flooring makes this unit feel like a house! The master suite is roomy and private with nicely sized secondary units. Just blocks to the beach and shopping!
Wendy Teixeira 805.310.3505

Quintessential Coastal Living – Cayucos. Arguably one of the last bastions of California seashore cool. Terrific beaches, surf, pier and its relaxed vibe make Cayucos an outstanding destination. This home enjoys a fabulous location, as it is just short distances from the center of it all. With its hillside perch, this property has ocean views from the living areas. It welcomes with a warm embrace of casual ease and comfort. The great room includes the dining area, deck access and open bar seating at the kitchen counter. This space is well designed with loads of cabinetry and counters – functionality & flow as a main focus – perfect for entertaining. The fireplace lends to the cozy ambiance. Perfect for a variety of lifestyles. Quality of construction is apparent. Bamboo and tile flooring is handsome & low maintenance. The master bedroom en-suite is truly a retreat bathed in light. The bathrooms have been updated one with a soaking tub, a wonderful feature. Downstairs is a bonus room & added storage (not included in square footage.) Let your imagination decide its use – perhaps as an office, gym space or craft room, so many options. A must see – this home will not disappoint.
LeeAnne Fisher 805.440.0251 or George Fisher 805.801.0821

Located in highly sought Sunset Palisades, an enclave of custom homes and an ideal coastal climate. Like an ever changing work of art – Enjoy all seasons with great ocean views, sunlight sparkling off the water and spectacular sunsets. Upon arrival you’ll be charmed by this unique, split level property with its 3 bedrooms, office, 2 baths. Clean Scandinavian inspired design offers ocean views from all living areas and deck. The custom woodwork throughout this unique property lends to open sight lines with beautiful form and function. Its generous kitchen has granite counter-tops and marble back splashes with beautiful oak cabinetry perfect for entertaining. The thoughtful placement of windows in this home allows it to be washed with light. Access to the private, tranquil courtyard garden offers seamless blending between interior and exterior spaces. As a bonus there is ample storage, both in the crawl space and shop room. This has been a lifesaver for people who were downsizing. The combined square footage of storage is approximately 1000 SF. If its close proximity to the ocean isn’t enough you’ll appreciate its location near parks, hiking trails as well as eateries and world class wineries. This is a fabulous opportunity to live the dream!
LeeAnne Fisher 805.440.0251 or George Fisher 805.801.0821