Reputation Matters.
Sold for $6,750,000. on the successful representation of the seller at 121 Summit Lane, Sold for $6,200,000.
CRISTAL CLARKE
805.886.9378
Cristal@Montecito-Estate.com Montecito-Estate.com DRE 00968247
DANIEL ENCELL
805.565.4896
danencell@aol.com DRE 00976141
on the successful representation of the co-seller at 121 Summit Lane, Sold for $6,200,000.
LAUREL ABBOTT
805.455.5409
Laurel@LaurelAbbott.com LaurelAbbott.com DRE 01247432
on the successful representation of the seller at 191 E Mountain Drive, Sold for $5,500,000.
CRISTAL CLARKE
805.886.9378
Cristal@Montecito-Estate.com
Montecito-Estate.com DRE 00968247
on the successful representation of the buyer at 830 Summit Road, Sold for $5,195,000.
CHRIS JONES
805.708.7041
Chris@bhhscal.com DRE 01383462
SARITA VASQUEZ
on the successful representation of the buyer at 3218 Calle Pinon, Sold for $3,500,000.
on the successful representation of the seller at 830 Summit Road, Sold for $5,195,000.
SARITA VASQUEZ
805.729.1115
SaritaVasquez@bhhscal.com DRE 02232751
MAUDE BOERSEMA
805.881.2121
MaudeBoersema@bhhscal.com DRE 02003961
& HAMILTON
on the successful representation of the buyer at 1907 Coyote Circle, Sold for $3,080,000.
CALCAGNO & HAMILTON
805.565.4000
Info@HomesInSantaBarbara.com HomesInSantaBarbara.com DRE 01499736/ 01129919
CHRIS JONES
MAUDE BOERSEMA
LAUREL ABBOTT
CRISTAL CLARKE
Reputation Matters.
C alcagno & H amilton Real Estate Group
MONTECITO & SANTA BARBARA’S #1 REAL ESTATE TEAM *
648 ORCHARD AVENUE | LISTED AT $3,295,000 | PRIVATE SHOWINGS BY APPOINTMENT
NEW LISTING | BEAUTIFULLY RENOVATED MONTECITO COTTAGE
3 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 1,434 Sq. Ft. | 0.17-Acre | 1-Car Garage | Montecito Union School District
Beautifully renovated and thoughtfully designed, this charming Montecito cottage offers effortless coastal living on a peaceful private lane. The residence features open living spaces with vaulted ceilings, new flooring, and carefully curated finishes throughout. The new kitchen showcases Italian appliances, honed Carrara marble surfaces, Moroccan brass fixtures, and a deVOL solid brass pot filler imported from England. The newly renovated bathrooms feature handmade Canadian white oak vanities by Teodor, Zia tile selections, and Casablanca zellige tile, blending craftsmanship with timeless design. Extensive improvements include a new roof with a 30-year warranty, and new electrical, plumbing, heating system, insulation, and lighting. The landscaped grounds create a peaceful garden setting with lavender, iceberg roses, olive bushes, and coastal rosemary, while a custom hand-built rock wall adds natural character and charm. Enjoy mountain views from the back yard and raised garden beds, perfect for growing your own produce. Located just minutes from Montecito’s Upper Village, scenic hiking trails, world-class beaches, and within revered MUS district—the perfect blend of privacy, style, and convenience.
The Ultimate Hidden Productivity Hack
ISIMPLY 805
n our modern, “always-on” society, there is a strange, quasi-heroic ideal associated with sleep deprivation. Roughly one in three adults do not regularly get enough sleep. We are fueled by caffeine to keep us going, with 85 percent of the U.S. population consuming at least one caffeinated beverage per day. You may have read that sleep deprivation is linked to serious health risks, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and the topic of this column, lost productivity! Some estimates estimate that more than $63 billion annually is lost because of lower productivity.
by Sara and Steve Caputo
Sleep is not a luxury or a sign of weakness; it is a biological necessity and the ultimate productivity hack. If you want to optimize your life, you must stop viewing sleep as an obstacle to overcome and start viewing it as the “secret sauce” for success.
THE HIGH COST OF THE ‘ZOMBIE’ STATE
When we skip sleep, we are not actually getting more done; we are simply working less effectively. A study published in the medical journal The Lancet revealed that sleep-deprived individuals took 14 percent longer to complete tasks and made 20 percent more errors than those who were well-rested.
Furthermore, the cognitive impairment caused by a lack of sleep is comparable to alcohol intoxication. Spending 24 hours without sleep is the functional equivalent of having a blood alcohol level of 0.1 percent, which is above the legal limit for driving. As Arianna Huffington notes, a CEO bragging about getting only four hours of sleep is essentially admitting to making multimilliondollar decisions while “drunk.”
LEARNING FROM ELITE PERFORMERS
If you look at the world’s most successful individuals, a pattern emerges: They prioritize rest to maintain their edge. They have come to learn that getting enough sleep ensures that they think clearly and remain alert all day. They understand that it is really hard to lead a team, have a crucial conversation, or make a strategic decision when you are sleep deprived. In the world of athletics, the results are even more dramatic.
Iconic athletes such as Roger Federer and LeBron James have said that they aim to be in bed 11 to 12 hours per day during training to facilitate recovery and peak performance. In a study of the Stanford basketball team, increasing time in bed to be at least 10 hours a night resulted in a 9 percent increase in shooting accuracy and significantly faster sprint times. These “super-performers” treat sleep as a positive investment rather than an expense.
THE BIOLOGY OF BRAIN POWER
Without getting too technical, as I am certainly not a medical professional, I am also super interested in being the best version of myself, so I read and listen to a lot of articles and podcasts in this space. During the night, the brain brings in an “overnight cleaning crew” to clear out toxic waste proteins that accumulate between brain cells during the day. Sleep also regulates your “off switch” for stress and manages hormones that control hunger and insulin sensitivity.
A fascinating biological mechanism involves adenosine, a byproduct of your neurons firing throughout the day. As adenosine builds up, it signals the body that it is time to rest. Caffeine works by “masking” this fatigue, sitting in the adenosine receptors like a “distant relative over-extending their stay on your couch,” but it does not actually provide real energy. To truly recharge your “cognitive battery,” you must allow adenosine to do its job through natural sleep.
HOW TO HACK YOUR SLEEP FOR MAXIMUM OUTPUT
To turn sleep into a competitive advantage, the sources recommend several practical strategies:
• Establish a “Digital Sunset”: Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin the hormone that tells your brain to sleep by more than 50 percent. Turn off electronics at least 90 minutes before bed to allow your brain to simmer down. I hear you already how can I watch my favorite shows? Blue-light-blocking glasses can help! They aim to reduce digital eye strain, improve sleep quality by preventing melatonin suppression, and reduce glare. Speaking of your favorite shows, the CEO of Netflix said, “Our biggest competitor is sleep, and we’re winning!” We all have been there; the timer is clicking down to the “next episode” and now, before we know it, we are sucked into binge-watching the next segment because we couldn’t find the remote in time to turn it off.
• Use a “Work-Down” Alarm: Instead of just setting a wakeup alarm, set a “work-down” alarm for one hour before bed to signal that it is time to start your nightly ritual and wind down. If you read last month’s article, you know the phrase to help with that: “Shutdown complete!”
• The Power of Consistency: Maintain a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time seven days a week. This stabilizes your internal biological clock, known as your circadian rhythm, and you don’t jet-lag yourself. Going to bed 9 p.m. one night and midnight the next is the same as flying to New York.
• Rest and Digest: Stop eating 90 minutes to three hours before bed. This is an evidence-based habit designed to align your digestion with your body’s natural rest-and-digest (parasympathetic) nervous system. This practice prevents the body from having to manage digestion, which generates heat and keeps the body alert, allowing it to move from a state of activity to deep, restorative sleep.
CONCLUSION
So, what’s the ultimate productivity hack? Your bed. If your productivity needs a boost, try a simple solution. Get more sleep. Think you are too busy to sleep more? Then make it EASY! Go to bed 10 minutes early. If you did that for an entire year, you would get 2.5 more days of sleep. (If you don’t believe me, do the math!) Get up 10 minutes later, and you get five more days of sleep. Find a way to take a 10-minute nap (okay, this is a hard one for sure). You get more than a week of sleep.
A bonus tip: Read before you go to bed. Curl up with your blue blocker glasses on and read the Independent Who knows you might find out about a cool event taking place in the next week or so!
Together, Sara and Steve Caputo combine practical productivity tools with powerful mindset work to help people work better, lead better, and live with greater clarity and intention. Through speaking, training, and advisory work, they support organizations and individuals in creating meaningful, sustainable change both professionally and personally. When they’re not working, Sara and Steve are busy raising their teenage boys, navigating the daily realities of family life with the same clarity, humor, and intention they bring to their work. If you want to reach out to share article ideas or have questions, please email Sara at sara@saracaputo.com.
DAVID M. KIM
805- 296-0662
david@villagesite.com
dkgroupsb.com
DRE 01813897
Santa Barbara's architectural heritage is written into every corner of this 1930 Spanish Colonial Revival - an earlier work by renowned architect Alex D'Alfonso, whose influence on the city's residential character endures to this day. Much of D'Alfonso's iconic detailing remains beautifully preserved - craftsmanship of an era that simply cannot be replicated. Inside, the home carries the warmth and design of its origins - measured, deliberate, and alive with character. French doors off the kitchen open to a backyard beautifully suited for gatherings, al fresco dinners, and the kind of leisurely entertaining that Santa Barbara weekends are made for. An upper level primary suite, masterfully built by Mark Kirkhart AIA, rises above it all with vaulted ceilings, ensuite bath, mountain views, and a terrace perfectly suited for quiet reflection or the golden hour that Santa Barbara does so well.
The location places you within blocks of some of Santa Barbara's most cherished establishments - Handlebar Coffee for your morning ritual, Los Agaves and Edomasa for evenings worth lingering over, and Trader Joe's for the everyday. A one-car garage rounds out this special offering.
Rare in provenance, rich in soul - this is Santa Barbara living at its most authentic.
Your Mesa Realtors
1568 La Vista Del Oceano
on this fabulous Montecito estate. Resting at the property is a charming Craftsman style home circa 1912. Today, it modern amenities, and still charm. Located in MUS.
Sold for $5,000,000 Represented Buyer
“We consider ourselves very fortunate to work with Mike Richardson and his son Kyle Richardson. Not only were they exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable, but at every step of the decision process and ultimately our recent purchase, they were looking out for our best interests as we searched for the right property in Santa Barbara. Mike and Kyle understood issues that we would never have known about as an out-of-state buyer. Their attention to every detail along the way has been nothing short of exceptional.
Mike has built a successful business as an independent broker and local real estate investor and has been a resident of Santa Barbara for over 40 years. His experience and wisdom covers the spectrum from intimately knowing neighborhoods to understanding building construction and maintenance, and environmental and geological considerations of every house we saw. It’s wonderful to see how he has imparted his wisdom to Kyle.
Rare ocean front estate on the Mesa! This spectacular 4bed/4.5bath ultra-luxury property boasts ~5,100+ sq. ft. of living space resting on over 1/2 acre of prime California coastline. Enjoy unparalleled ocean views from every corner of this contemporary home. Must see in person!
-John C.
1/2 acre ocean front lot! This is a once in a life time opportunity to purchase a vacant piece of ocean front property located in one of Santa Barbara’s most desirable neighborhoods. Build your dream home to the exact specifications that you desire. Panoramic ocean views! The Richardson Team
The Richardson’s exceptional service hasn’t ended with the transaction. They have coordinated all of the trades who are performing various repairs to the home we purchased. I look forward to working with them on future real estate investment opportunities.”
Mike and Kyle Richardson Team@mrrealtors.com
Mike and Kyle Richardson Team@mrrealtors.com
www.mrrealtors.com
www.sbrealtor.com
DRE Lic. #00635254 + #01902531
Lic. #00635254 + #01902531
OPEN HOUSES Saturday 3/28 &
Goleta
405 Ellwood Beach Dr #B, 2BD, 2BA, Sun 1-4, $744,900, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Parsons + Young 805453-8528, DRE#00629053
945 Ward Drive #99, 3BD + Office, 2BA, Sun 2-4, $799,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Jean Sedar 805637-7848, DRE#00954229
313 Northgate Dr #D, 4BD, 2BA, Sun 1-3, $825,000, Village Properties, Lynette Naour 805-705-6539, DRE#01035763
6242 Guava Avenue, 3BD, 2BA, Sat 12-4, $999,000, Village Properties, Lourika van Tonder 805-280-5865, DRE#02211986
6877 Fortuna Road, 3BD, 3BA, Sun 1-4, $1,649,000, Village Properties, Bill Reed 805.896.3002, DRE#01155355
470 Orange Blossom Ln, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $1,795,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Gabe Grandcolas 805450-4723, DRE#02136492
571 Windsor Avenue, 4BD, 3BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $1,930,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Joy Bean 805895-1422, DRE#00925828
329 Vereda Del Ciervo, 4BD, 4.5BA, Sun 1-3, $3,595,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Steve Heller 805-2522749, DRE#00929496 San Roque
116 S Ontare Road, 3BD, 1BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $1,595,000, Village Properties, Johnny Deim / Marilyn Moore 805-679-0692 / 805-6890507, DRE#02247763 / #01255085
39 East Calle Crespis, 3BD, 2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,995,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Diane Waterhouse 805-886-2988, DRE#01257696
The Mesa
855 Miramonte Drive, 3BD, 4BA, Sat 1-4 & Sun 12-3, $4,200,000, Village Properties, Ruth Ann Bowe / Curtis Swan II 805-698-1971 / 805-607-9709, DRE#01751940 / #02049218
1547 Shoreline Drive, 5BD, 5BA & 1PBA, Sun 2-4, $13,900,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Chris Palme 805-448-3066, DRE#00989478
Santa Barbara
2727 Miradero Dr #203, 2BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 10-4, $775,000, Village Properties, Cimme Eordanidis 805722-8480, DRE#01745878
2727 Miradero Dr #301, 2BD, 2BA, Sat 10-12 & 1-3 & Sun 1-3, $825,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Michael Schlink / Beverly Herrera 309-657-2469 / 805-755-8405, DRE#02241142 / #01152828
417 W. Canon Perdido Street, 2BD, 2BA, Sun 2-4, $1,375,000, Village Properties, Katie Mohun 805-7055144, DRE#02047418
218 Santa Barbara St #D, 2BD, 2.5BA, Sat 1-4 & Sun 12-4, $1,575,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Natasha Kucherenko / Bob Walsmith Jr. 515-778-8720 / 805-720-5362, DRE#02312066 / #01932231
610 W Valerio St & 1702
Sunset Ave, 6BD, 4BA, Sun 12-2, $1,795,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Valerie Menke 805-215-6733, DRE#02192021
125 Bath St Unit B2, 2BD, 3BA, Sat & Sun 2-4, $1,799,000, Village Properties, Kim Crawford / Angel Speier 805-886-8162 / 949-5336700, DRE#01440068 / #02037359
155 S Ontare, 3BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 12-3, $1,799,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Kit Peterson / Sue Irwin 805-689-5535 / 805-705-6973, DRE#02008932 / #01413354
2919 Kenmore Pl, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sat 1-4 & Sun 12-3, $2,499,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Katya Sheets / Lyndsey Jones 805-708-2323 / 805-680-2856, DRE#02061444 / #02125898
Sunday 3/29
500 Puente Dr, 3BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 1-3, $2,795,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Kellie Clénet / Randy Freed 805-705-5334 / 805-895-1799, DRE#01434616 / #00624274
849 Alameda Padre Serra, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $2,995,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Katya Sheets 805-708-2323, DRE#02061444
14 Chase Drive, 3BD, 4BA, Sat 2-4, $3,350,000, Village Properties, James Krautmann 805-451-4527, DRE#01468842
3855 Calle Cita, 4BD, 3BA, Sat 1-3 & Sun 1-4, $3,495,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Caleb Overton / Natasha Kucherenko 805-453-7080 / 805-626-8459, DRE#02117608 / #02312066
3213 Calle Mariposa, 5BD, 4BA, Sat & Sun 12-3, $3,795,000, eXp Realty/ Zia Group, Jonathan Gilkeson 805335-4749, DRE#01898328
1175 San Antonio Creek Rd, 4BD, 2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $3,850,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Katie Walsh 805-350-6533, DRE#01513946
734 Westwood Dr, 3BD, 3BA, Sat 2-5, $3,895,000, eXp Realty/Zia Group, Kimberly Rockwell 805-6988848, DRE#01482947
1460 Twinridge Rd, 4BD, 4BA, Sat 1-4 & Sun 12-3, $3,995,000, eXp Realty/Zia Group, William Franco 805-450-0820, DRE#02020491
908 Via Los Padres, 5BD, 4.5BA, Sat & Sun 1-3, $3,995,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Steve Heller / Lori Quinlan 805-252-2749 / 805-8818929, DRE#0929496 / #02325651
111 E Pedregosa St, 5BD, 4BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $4,200,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Paul Hurst / Katinka Goertz 805-680-8216 / 805-7089616, DRE#0826530 / #01871645
1367 Via Veneto, 6BD, 6BA, Sat 2-4, $5,675,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Chase Enright 805-708-4057, DRE#01800599
Montecito
136 Cedar Lane, 3BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $2,500,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Katie Walsh / John Comin 805-350-6533 / 805-6893078, DRE#01513946 / #00662357
179 Hermosillo Rd, 2BD, 1.5BA, Sat 12-3 & Sun 11-2, $3,450,000, Spectrum Realty, Drew Dyer 805689-3560, DRE#00904289
315 Calle Elegante, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sat & Sun 1-3, $4,750,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Stefan Stojanovski 805570-0640, DRE#02112629
2135 Veloz Dr, 5BD, 6BA, Sat 1-4, $6,595,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Charlie Bogue 805-837-4213, DRE#01803038
1071 East Mountain Drive, 4BD, 3BA & 1PBA, Sun 1-3, $7,598,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Sandy Lipowski 805-403-3844, DRE#01355215
Summerland
2521 Whitney Avenue, 4BD, 3BA, Sat & Sun 1-3, $3,320,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Montecito Group 805-451-4999, DRE#01957054
2525 Emerson Street, 3BD, 3BA, Sat 12-2 & Sun 1-4, $4,150,000, Village Properties, Pam Shalhoob / Kim Byrnes 805-895-9190 / 805-637-3075, DRE#02053975 / #01266258
Carpinteria
3950 Via Real #239, 2BD, 2BA, Sun 1-4, $845,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Marie Larkin 805-680-2525, DRE#00523795
349 Ash Ave #45, 2BD, 1BA, Sun 1-3, $929,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Yolanda Van Wingerden 805-5704965, DRE#01308141
1350 Tomol St, 3BD, 2BA, Sat & Sun 1-4, $1,350,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Andrea Ruhge / Felipe Castañeda 805-895-5862 / 805-636-4410, DRE#01965484 / #02103365
SOLD
3 BD | 3 BA | ±2,782 SQ FT
4356 Via Glorieta
Set on 1.5 private acres in the prestigious Hope Ranch enclave, this home offers ocean and mountain views, a pool, spa, and wine cellar, recent updates throughout, and exclusive access to beaches and trails.
Serene Riviera Retreat
4 BD | 4 BA | $2,300,000
1060TremontoRoad.com
Set on 0.88 acres along the Riviera, this home pairs timeless wood craftsmanship, mature oak privacy, and expansive decks with an unbeatable location near Roosevelt School, the Old Mission, and downtown. Schedule a private showing.
Santa Ynez Equestrian Estate 3 BD | 4 BA | $10,000,000 959EHwy246.com
This stunning 43.67-acre estate features a luxurious main house, guest accommodations, a 10-acre vineyard, an olive orchard, and world-class equestrian facilities. Schedule a private showing.
Private Santa Barbara Home 3 BD | 3 BA | $2,495,000 1435SycamoreCanyonRoad.com
An enchanting Santa Fe-style retreat offering a blend of character, privacy, and natural beauty, complete with custom details, serene outdoor spaces, and a prime location just minutes from Montecito and downtown. Schedule a private showing.
OPEN HOUSES
123 Polo Way, 3BD, 3.5BA, Sat & Sun 12-4, $3,400,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Cammie Calcagno-Newell 805-455-7661, DRE#02055049
121 Polo Dr, 4BD, 4.5BA, Sat & Sun 12-4, $3,900,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Cammie Calcagno-Newell 805-455-7661, DRE#02055049
105 Polo Way, 3BD, 3.5BA, Sat & Sun 12-4, $4,300,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Cammie Calcagno-Newell 805-455-7661, DRE#02055049
Santa Ynez Valley
275 W Hwy 246 #103, 3BD, 2.5BA, Sun 1-3, $645,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Lindsey Haeberle 805951-9139, DRE#02199986
Saturday 3/28 & Sunday 3/29
91 Six Flags Cir, 2BD, 2BA, Sat 2-4, $765,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Lindsey Haeberle 805-951-9139, DRE#02199986
3610 Cerrito St, 3BD, 2BA, Sat 11:30-2:30, $1,179,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Claire Hanssen 805-6800929, DRE#00887277
2124 Creekside Dr, 3BD, 2BA, Sun 11-2, $1,297,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Rhoda Johnson 805-705-8707, DRE#01070384
3384 Manzana St, 4BD, 2BA, Sat 11-1, $1,399,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Angie Marrufo 805-863-6866, DRE#02231894
2380 North Refugio Road, 2BD, 2BA & 1PBA, Sat 12-3, $2,495,000, Sotheby’s International Realty, Brian Campbell 805-364-2098, DRE#02058216
1740 Still Meadow Rd, 3BD, 2BA, Sat 11:30-1:30, $2,746,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Dianna Zlaket 805-3908382, DRE#01701860
2465 Grand Ave, 4BD, 2BA, Sat 1-3, $2,850,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Beau Staley 805-550-2408, DRE#02252461
Ojai
128 Don Felipe Way, 2BD, 2BA, Sun 1-4, $380,000, Village Properties, Jena Harris 805-331-3683, DRE#01930435
207 S Blanche St, 3BD, 3BA, Sun 11-2, $1,589,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Amanda Stanworth 805-218-8117, DRE#01262333
1195 Rancho Ct, 4BD, 5BA, Sun 2-5, $2,750,000, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, Amanda Stanworth 805-218-8117, DRE#01262333
Realtors: submit your open house listings at INDEPENDENT.COM/ OPENHOUSESUBMISSIONS
with
Steve Epstein DRE #994429
Guehr
Krome
Charles Brewer DRE #1477889
Mark Heitmann DRE #1007490 Ajia Orozco Marketing
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SALES
BUELLTON/SOLVANG
SPAW EDWARD EA TOWPASZ ALEXANDER EU
$1,150,000 3/03/26 1483 KRONBORG DR FORCE SHERIDAN EA WINCKLER JOHN EA
SALAMANCA DRISTIAN FRY COLBY EU
$1,610,000 3/05/26 1214 COAST OAK DR
$1,647,000 3/02/26 1090 VALLECITO RD SATICOY DEVELOPMENT CO THOMAS SEAN EA
$1,565,000 3/03/26 4213 CARPINTERIA AVE
SATICOY DEVELOPMENT CO
SARAH $1,730,500 3/12/26 4253 CARPINTERIA AVE DE FRIEZ HERBERT BURKLEY RACHEL EA
TALON LLC
3/06/26 4422 CATLIN CIR D
LLC $1,040,000 3/02/26 5107 DAWN LN
CORRAL YSIDRA EA CALDERON CELIA YSIDRA
WHIPPLE JAMES EA
HOWARD EU
LN BUCIO MARIO EU
REYBURN KENNETH EU
MICHELLE EA $1,465,000 3/04/26 5805 BERKELEY RD
JESUS EU
3/04/26 604 DARA RD 23 MAGNOLIA AVE LLC PARMA
HUERTA JUAN EA
DUERR JUDITH EA
RILEY EU
THOMAS EU
3/13/26 7075 DEL NORTE DR
VERONA AVE PERRY BRIANA
MAYRA
3/03/26
CALLE REAL 22 LOMPOC MORGAN JAMIE
JOHN
RUBEN
BRONWEN EA
ERIC
DOWCOLLEEN
JULIA $2,500,000 3/06/26 2021 GARDEN ST
Protecting Seniors from Scammers
by Marsha Gray
Q: My mother is an elderly widow who lives in a beautiful Santa Barbara home. She has become friends with a man she met at church who is much younger than her. They are not romantically involved, but what concerns me is how he has quickly integrated himself into her life. Should I be worried about this relationship?
A: Your mother’s situation is probably innocuous, but it helps to have relatives or friends who are looking after an elder’s interests and monitoring these situations. Our elderly relatives and parents can be so vulnerable, and there are many examples of seniors being taken advantage of.
One wealthy Santa Barbara man had a platonic younger male roommate for many years. His local children weren’t worried and even appreciated the help. He took the roommate on many vacations, paid for all his expenses, and things appeared to be stable. As the older man aged and dementia began to set in, the children became concerned about the relationship and asked the roommate to move out. He refused unless the children paid him $40,000. He played on the fact that their father now felt the roommate was indispensable in his life. They paid the money and he left. The children heaved a sigh of relief and made sure their father stayed safe and protected. This situation had a relatively good resolution. Many do not.
A tragic story in recent Santa Barbara history is that of Violet Alberts, 96, who was murdered in her Montecito home in May 2022. Ms. Alberts owned a gorgeous home on more than three acres with ocean views. She was wellknown and loved in the community. Unfortunately, she had run out of money to live on, but she was the perfect candidate for a reverse mortgage. She had millions in equity on her paid-off home, and the solution seemed simple. There are many legitimate reverse mortgage lenders in Santa Barbara, but through a referral in 2020, Ms. Alberts was introduced to the Los Angeles con artist and fraudster Pauline Macareno.
Macareno represented that she was going to secure Ms. Alberts the money she needed. What she actually did was have her sign a grant deed and transfer the home’s title over to herself. The alert county recorder’s office smelled a rat and refused to record Macareno’s transfer of title. Undeterred and resourceful, Macareno then had Ms. Alberts put her property into an LLC in both of their names. The transfer into the LLC meant that when Ms. Alberts died, Macareno would automatically inherit the property. Chances are that this recorded LLC transfer would have succeeded.
However, when Ms. Alberts died in 2022, the sheriff and the district attorney’s office recognized that she had been murdered. They were stumped as to why anyone would murder Ms. Alberts. She was a sweet old lady who everyone had cared for.
It was only after Ms. Alberts’ murder that Macareno’s deception was uncovered. She was arrested and con-
victed of elder abuse and fraud. She is currently serving six years in state prison. Now the DA investigators had something to work on. On March 7, 2024, after 22 months of investigative work, mastermind Pauline Macareno and the murder-for-hire crew were arrested. As Sheriff Brown said, “In the eyes of Macareno, Ms. Alberts was living too long.” The suspects are still in jail pending the murder investigation.
This is an extreme and sad example of how our elders are at risk for scammers. You are correct in worrying about your mother. Keep an eye on the situation, and make sure the new friend is not involved in your mother’s finances.
Marsha Gray has worked in Santa Barbara real estate for more than 25 years. She has expanded her knowledge into all aspects of the real estate market. At Allyn & Associates, she serves her clients’ real estate and finance needs. To read more of Marsha’s Q&A articles, visit marshagraysbhomes .com. Contact Marsha at (805) 252-7093 or marshagraysb@gmail.com DRE# 012102130; NMLS #1982164.
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SALES
REAL ESTATE SCOOP
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION: BEHIND THE BUILDERS
By Kathleen Rogers
Who is behind the homes of Santa Barbara? The professional builders and contractors may not always be exactly who you’d think. On March 6, the Santa Barbara Contractors Association held a panel discussion at the Cabrillo Pavilion entitled “Women in Construction.”
The event was moderated by Tim Sulgar, SBCA Executive Director, who introduced the evening by saying, “For every woman on this panel, they built something: a firm, a practice, or a role, that did not exist before they created it.” In Santa Barbara, women are building homes and paths that did not exist before.
The keynote speaker was Kelly Wheeler, Licensed Civil Engineer and Founder of BridgeDoc, with over 20 years in construction. Panel members included Christi Clayton, President of Projects General Construction, Alyssa Perez, Founder & CEO of APE Structural Engineering, and Rainy Dyer, Managing Partner of Deco Drywall & Plaster.
As a Realtor, I appreciate the character of Santa Barbara’s neighborhoods and wanted to learn more about the people doing this work. It was a sold out crowd at the Carrillo Pavilion, with gorgeous sunset views over the ocean. Here are some of my personal notes, to share the inspiration that the speakers offered that evening.
1) Build your own path
There wasn’t one story or path.
Some of the women started in construction early and worked their way up. Others stepped into leadership by seeing a gap, noticing something was missing, and deciding to create something new to fill the void.
Alyssa Perez described starting in the field with a general contractor and loving the energy of the job site. When she later moved into a more traditional engineering setting, she felt the disconnect immediately. She missed the “face-to-face collaboration,” and
that became part of what pushed her to build something different.
Kelly Wheeler described her own turning point more directly: “I made a bet on myself.”
2) Learn on the job site
Mentorship came up often in the form of teachers, job sites, and sharing of information from pros who had been doing this work for years, sometimes generations.
Construction is learned by doing. By being around people who know what they’re doing. By paying attention. It’s relational. Knowledge gets passed along over time.
That’s how projects come together. And it’s how people grow into leadership.
Sometimes, you need a little push of encouragement. Christi Clayton spoke about a professor who encouraged her to stay in the industry when she was unsure. The message was: “This industry needs you.”
3) Build credibility
Credibility is earned. Not by talking about it, but by doing the work, being prepared, and showing up consistently.
And by spending time on site. Seeing how things actually come together, beyond how they’re designed. Plans matter. Most people who have been through a remodel understand that.
Wheeler shared a story from earlier in her career about being in a client meeting, knowing exactly what she was talking about, and still not being fully heard until an older male colleague repeated what she had already said. What stayed with her was how she handled it. She focused on what she could control.
Perez’s version was: get out from behind the desk, get into the field, and learn how things actually come together.
4) Communicate
You don’t have to have every answer immediately. But
Kathleen Rogers is an independent Santa Barbara Realtor® with eXp Luxury Sports & Entertainment. She
is active with SB Rotary Sunrise, the SB Triathlon Club, and volunteers with the Santa Barbara
@WelcomeToSantaBarbara. DRE 02044953.
you do need to know how to ask the right questions, connect with experts, and bring people together who have different expertise for the benefit of the client. Every project involves multiple people: architects, engineers, contractors, designers, clients. Communication is what holds it all together. When it’s working, things move. When it’s not, everything slows down.
Perez talked about how, early on, she thought being strong meant saying no. Over time, that shifted. Instead of shutting ideas down, she started asking Why and working through solutions with clients and builders.
Wheeler put it another way: “The relationship is personal, but the contract is not.”
The work behind the homes
Santa Barbara is known as a beautiful place to grow up, live, work, and be outside doing activities we love.
What we don’t always see is what goes into building our homes and neighborhoods.
Before a home is built or remodeled, there are years of planning, engineering, design, and craftswork behind it.
And the people doing that work, often behind the scenes, have lessons to share as they are shaping this community and clearing new paths forward.
The 3 C’s: community, collaboration and connection.
My colleagues and I spend lots of time in our favorite Santa Barbara neighborhoods. Building a home, creating a safe place to grow up, giving back, always makes an impact on me. These women and men in construction are diverse, professional tradespeople who bring great value to our communities.
Building a home is one thing. Building a path, and helping others along the way, is something else entirely.
If you have questions or advice to share on these topics, or would like to join an event together, please
Shown left to right: Kelly Wheeler, Rainy Dyer, Christi Clayton, Alyssa Perez, and Tim Sulger
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Do you have an older home in Santa Barbara with an interesting history? Betsy would love to hear from you.
