Blog contributions are provided exclusively from Luxury Real Estate members throughout the world.
Courtesy of Teressa Francis of Intero Real Estate Services
Cupertino, California (April 15, 2013) – It’s round five for Intero Real Estate Services’ Intero Prestigio virtual magazine and this one features luxury properties across California and into Arizona. It is a combination of the innovative, tech savvy power of the Silicon Valley headquartered real estate company and their division specializing in high-end real estate. This issue includes a Tuscan Estate in the historic Lindenwood Community, a tranquil retreat with views of the San Francisco Bay, and an Italian inspired Villa.
The magazine offers enhanced and global promotion for Intero’s most exclusive homes and estates. Designed with ease of circulation in mind, it can instantly be shared through social media websites and email. As if reading a handheld magazine, online viewers can browse through gorgeous pictures and find the property information of the unique homes featured. The virtual magazine aims not only to raise awareness of properties offered in the Prestigio collection, but also to exhibit their finest qualities. This piece only touches the surface of what is offered through the Prestigio marketing program.
Renowned real estate entrepreneur Alain Pinel, Senior Vice President and General Manager Intero Prestigio international, is the primary mastermind who pioneered and launched Intero Prestigio as part of his goal of expanding Intero’s luxury brand. From local print advertising to international display, properties in the Prestigio collection have an elevated level of exposure to help them sell quickly and efficiently. On the release of the first virtual magazine issue, Alain excitedly stated, “It is wonderful to see how Intero’s luxury brand has taken off. The release of this magazine shows Intero is established in the global high-end market, and attests to Intero Prestigio’s growth.”
View the virtual magazine for yourself here.
About Intero Prestigio
A luxury division of Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. Intero Prestigio provides an elevated level of service through its elite selection of marketing tools set up to expose homes and estates to relevant markets locally, nationally and globally. Intero Prestigio hosts a quarterly virtual magazine featuring its current luxury listings. Find the current issue at www.InteroPrestigio.com.
About the Intero® Brand
Founded in 2002, Intero Real Estate Services, Inc. has quickly become one of the premier real estate brands in the U.S. In 2004, Intero Franchise Services Inc. began franchising and currently is operating in many of the western states. In 2009, Intero International Franchise Services, LLC embarked on developing territories in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The companies are private and headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley.
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey of Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
October is typically a time for big, bright orange pumpkins. But here in Santa Barbara, all eyes are on our favorite little yellow citrus fruits as we welcome the California Lemon Festival 2012! This fun festival (October 13th and 14th at Girsh Park in Goleta, CA), brings together the greater Santa Barbara community to celebrate the big impact a little fruit has had on the area’s history.
Santa Barbara’s lemon history dates back to the late 1800s, when the Stow family planted the first commercial lemon orchard in California at Rancho La Patera after discovering that the mild weather in the verdant Goleta Valley, adjacent to Santa Barbara, was ideal for growing lemons. Through the mid 20th century, Goleta lemons enjoyed fame and were in high demand. The hillsides of the Goleta Valley are still dotted with gorgeous lemon orchards to this very day, and homeowners in the area enjoy the fresh citrus fruits, the year-round views of the orchards against the mountains, and of course the value these orchards add to their Santa Barbara homes.
Featuring lemon cotton candy, lemon bars, lemon pies, lemonade, lemon ale, and many, many additional lemon-inspired goodies, the 21st annual California Lemon Festival certainly won’t leave a sour taste in your mouth. Local bands, dancers, and performers will offer entertainment all weekend. In addition, there will also be a pie eating contest, a car show, demonstrations by local emergency response teams at “Safety Street”, and a wide selection of other games and activities (for a full schedule, click here). The California Lemon Festival in Goleta always serves to bring the Santa Barbara community together, providing a venue for local organizations and attendees to celebrate delicious and historically important Goleta lemons.
Between great events like the California Lemon Festival and the natural beauty of the historic lemon orchards, it’s easy to see why Santa Barbara real estate and luxury homes are so highly desired among home seekers. If you’re ready to find your Santa Barbara dream home, contact Sterling Properties. We look forward to sharing our expertise in Santa Barbara real estate with you!
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey of Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
The beginning of October brought much more than thoughts of ghosts, ghouls, and goblins to our office in beautiful Santa Barbara. Michael Humphrey and Staci Caplan, brokers and owners of Sterling Properties & Estates started off the fourth quarter of 2012 strong by participating in the California Association of REALTORS’ 2012 CAR Expo in Anaheim, CA. Michael and Staci have a demonstrated passion not only for successfully selling luxury real estate properties, but also for larger-scale industry involvement and service. They are involved both locally in Santa Barbara and at the state level.
CAR’s 2012 Expo offers a wealth of educational, networking, and professional development opportunities tailored to the needs and interests of California REALTORS. With a schedule packed to the brim with speakers, events, and training sessions, CAR’s Expo 2012 is truly a fantastic event for any real estate professional to further improve their skills and keep on top of the latest industry developments and news.
Michael Humphrey currently serves on the Transaction Regulatory Committee and Legislative Committee. For 2013, Michael received a two year appointment to serve on Communications Advisory, and was appointed to serve another term on the Transaction Regulatory Committee and the Legislative Committee.
Staci Caplan currently serves on the Standard Forms Advisory Committee, Land Use Committee and Legislative Committee for the California Association of REALTORS. For 2013, she has been appointed to serve as the Environmental Issues Chair for the Land Use Committee, and will continue to serve on Legislative Committee as well as the Forum on Forms.
As industry leaders, Michael and Staci are always on the lookout for ways to demonstrate their commitment to industry involvement and service, share their professional expertise, and educate themselves and others in order to provide exceptional service to their clients, associates at Sterling Properties & Estates, and REALTORS throughout the state of California.
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey Sterling Properties & Estates of Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
So, you’ve finally found your Santa Barbara dream home…now what? Transforming a house into a home is a multifaceted process. It can be time consuming and stressful to coordinate furniture, décor, organization, remodeling, upgrading, and creating the perfect outdoor space to enjoy Santa Barbara’s ideal Mediterranean climate. Thankfully, this weekend at the Santa Barbara Home and Garden Expo, visitors can find inspiration, advice from professionals, and home and garden related products and services for indoor and outdoor living at the Earl Warren Showgrounds!
The Santa Barbara Home and Garden Expo will feature hundreds of vendors from a wide variety of specialties. Whether you’re looking to learn about the latest and greatest offerings to add to your gourmet kitchen or searching for a professional to help tear it down completely for a top-of-the-line remodel, the Santa Barbara Home and Garden Expo promises a bountiful selection of ideas, industry experts, and products to suit any taste. In addition, many exhibitors will be offering exclusive savings to attendees, making this expo a must-see show for any current or future homeowner.
Many of the exhibitors at the Santa Barbara Home and Garden Expo will be showcasing “green” products and services that are sustainable, eco-friendly, and high-quality to help educate attendees about sustainability, energy efficiency, and other environmentally responsible options. These booths will be prominently flagged to increase visibility and encourage visitors to learn more, echoing the Santa Barbara community’s consistent efforts toward promoting eco-conscious living - a practice that Sterling Properties supports. In fact, Broker and Co-owner Staci Caplan was among the first to earn the GREEN designation through the National Association of REALTORS in 2009. She also chaired the first Green Task Force at the Santa Barbara Association of REALTORS in 2009 and served on the Green Task Force at the California Association of REALTORS in 2008 and 2009. She continually educates herself and her fellow associates at Sterling Properties about sustainable practices in real estate, business, and green building.
If you haven’t found your Santa Barbara dream home just yet, the Santa Barbara Home and Garden Expo is still an excellent opportunity to plan for the future, learn from the many experts in attendance, and get inspired – and when the time comes, Sterling Properties will be happy to help you find your perfect Santa Barbara home!
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The Santa Barbara Zoo
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
The Santa Barbara lifestyle is one of refined beachside elegance. Visions of grand luxury homes and real estate properties, fine local wines, pristine beaches and resorts ideal for your next vacation, and incredible natural beauty come to mind, attracting countless visitors and luxury home seekers each year. Imagine a 30 acre property within walking distance to the glimmering Pacific Ocean, filled with lush botanical gardens, overlooking the Andree Clark Bird Refuge and the Santa Ynez Mountains…does this sound like a dream property? Welcome to the Santa Barbara Zoo, hailed as one of the most beautiful zoos in the world and the dream home of more than 400 animals from 160 species!
The coastal city of Santa Barbara has a rich and interesting history, and the Santa Barbara Zoo is no exception. The land that the Santa Barbara Zoo is located on was purchased in the late 1800s by a tea and coffee merchant who rode on horseback from Pasadena to Santa Barbara – and who was so charmed by Santa Barbara’s beauty that he decided to stay! When he died, his widow graciously allowed a self-policed community of victims of the Great Depression to live on the property – so long as they abided by her rules on order and neatness. Once she was no longer able to maintain the estate, she donated it to the Santa Barbara Foundation. When the time came for the Santa Barbara Foundation to decide what to do with the land, they ultimately decided to give back to the community by using the land as the site for the Santa Barbara Zoo, which opened its doors in August 1963.
Today, the Santa Barbara Zoo continues to be a well-loved community establishment. With animals from every corner of the globe, there is sure to be something for everyone. In addition to observing the many creatures in residence at the Santa Barbara Zoo, visitors can get take part in activities such as hand-feeding the giraffes and penguins or participate in the Keeper For A Day, Backstage Pass, and Behind-the-Scenes Tour programs to get up close and personal with the zoo’s wildlife. The Santa Barbara Zoo also provides a number of other great community events such as Zoovies (outdoor movies at the zoo) during the summer, the upcoming Boo At The Zoo, a Halloween themed festival, and the Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Smash (click here for a complete list of events at the Santa Barbara Zoo).
As people scour the globe searching for their perfect home, the animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo already enjoy prime Santa Barbara real estate with an ocean view! If you’re searching for your dream home in the Santa Barbara area, Sterling Properties is glad to be of service to you - contact us today!
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Danish Days in Sunny Solvang
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey of Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
The historic city of Solvang, just 33 miles north of Santa Barbara in the gorgeous Santa Ynez Valley, is a unique little town and one of our favorite options for a day trip or weekend getaway. A visit to this little town in wine country promises a short escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – walking down the streets past the many shops and eateries feels more like strolling through a quaint Northern European village. Solvang (which means “sunny fields” in Danish) was originally built up around the Mission Santa Inès in the early 1900s by Dutch pioneers. Today, Solvang’s cultural roots are still highly evident in the Danish Provincial style architecture that dominates the main areas of town, the wealth of authentic dining options, the many festivals held throughout the year, and of course its four windmills!
Each year in September, Solvang celebrates its history during Danish Days. This weekend long festival features a wonderful array of ways to learn about and participate in many aspects of Danish culture. During the festivities, visitors from all over the world come to Solvang to enjoy authentic Danish cuisine such as the signature æbleskiver (Danish pastry ball) and medisterpølse (Danish sausage), listen to music, watch performances by local dance groups, and even see live demonstrations of Viking Age weapons! Throughout the weekend, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the works of local craftspeople skilled in traditional Scandinavian arts and crafts, woodworking, papercutting, and more in the Old World Artisans Marketplace (Click here for a complete list of events). And of course, being in wine country, there will be plenty of chances to indulge in a fine selection of beverages from the Santa Ynez Valley’s many world class wineries.
Despite its old fashioned roots, Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley as a whole provide incredible opportunities for the finest in wine country luxury real estate. The exceptional mingling of the relaxed countryside and luxury lifestyle is part of what makes the Santa Ynez Valley such an attractive option for homebuyers. If you’d like to learn more about the real estate opportunities in Solvang, the Santa Ynez Valley, and Santa Barbara, Sterling Properties would love to be your guide!
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey of Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
After a long, beautiful summer, fall is knocking at the door. We have entered September, a time of year which evokes visions of bright autumnal leaves falling from trees, crisp and cool air, apple-picking, and kids headed back to school. However, in Santa Barbara, as the seaside sunshine still pours down and the palm trees keep swaying, we are preparing for a special harvest – gourmet grapes! Harvest time is approaching in the vineyards of Santa Barbara County!
Wine-making (and tasting!) in Santa Barbara dates back hundreds of years, before California was officially a state. In the late 18th century, Father Junipero Serra planted vine cuttings near the Santa Barbara Mission. By the turn of the 20th century, Santa Barbara County was home to 45 vineyards covering 260 acres of land. Today, the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Association boasts a membership of over 100 wineries and more than 20 vineyards spanning over 17,000 acres! The most popular varietals in the area are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.
One of our favorite ways to enjoy harvest time in Santa Barbara is to journey along the Urban Wine Trail. Though there are a number of walking tours of Santa Barbara, such as the Red Tile Walking Tour, the Urban Wine Trail is arguably the most fun of all. The Urban Wine Trail features a series of 17 tasting rooms of highly acclaimed local wineries (Click here for a list of the participating wineries). Most are within walking distance of each other, making the Urban Wine Trail a great way to explore downtown Santa Barbara, learn about wine-making and tasting, and simply relax in one of the most beautiful cities on earth.
With such easy access to the finer things in life – world-class wines, gourmet cuisine, pristine beaches, and an ideal Mediterranean climate just to name a few - it’s no wonder that so many luxury home seekers choose to purchase property in beautiful Santa Barbara. When you’re ready to find your Santa Barbara dream home, Sterling Properties is here to share our love of our city by the sea with you!
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey of Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
Downtown Santa Barbara is a unique, beautiful place – it offers an overwhelming array of the finest restaurants, wine tasting rooms, shopping boutiques, and arts and entertainment venues. The atmosphere is upscale and refined, yet relaxed - reminiscent of early California with strong Mediterranean influences instead of the typical urban, gritty feel associated with the word “downtown.” Instead, downtown Santa Barbara presents a polished, modern re-interpretation of Spanish old world charm. Dominated by the Spanish Colonial Revival style of architecture, visitors and residents alike can soak up the coastal sunshine amidst gleaming white stucco surfaces, terra cotta elements, arcades, and courtyards.
A particularly striking example of Santa Barbara’s elegant design and architecture is the famous Santa Barbara Courthouse, just a block from State Street. The original courthouse, a Greek Revival style building which stood where the sunken gardens exist presently, was destroyed in a 1925 earthquake. The Courthouse we know and love today was completed in 1929. Its hand-painted ceilings, wrought iron chandeliers, giant murals, imported tiles, and spectacular bright white exterior provide a rare glimpse into the past. The Courthouse has been hailed as the “grandest Spanish Colonial Revival structure ever built” by famous architect Charles Willard Moore. Spanning an entire city block, this breathtaking structure is surrounded by lush landscaping. A visit to the beautiful Courthouse makes it abundantly clear why the Spanish-inspired architectural style is highly sought after by those interested in luxury homes and estates.
The Santa Barbara Courthouse is much more than a place for government affairs. In addition to allowing guests to enjoy the aesthetics and history of the courthouse and gardens (we recommend taking the elevator to the top of the 85 foot tall “El Mirador” clock tower for a stunning vista of Santa Barbara that stretches from the mountains to the sparkling Pacific Ocean), many events are held for the community on the grounds. Throughout the year, there are many opportunities to enjoy live music and concerts in the sunken gardens. During Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta, musicians and dancers perform almost every night during the weeklong celebration to pay homage to Santa Barbara’s Spanish and Mexican heritage. Film aficionados can enjoy the breezy summer nights in the Courthouse’s sunken gardens watching free screenings of classic sci-fi films courtesy of UCSB Arts & Lectures.
Michael Humphrey and Staci Caplan of Sterling Properties recently listed a luxury condo at 1130 Laguna Street, just two blocks from the Santa Barbara Courthouse. Imagine strolling by the Courthouse, perhaps lingering for a moment in the lush sunken gardens while on your way to a gourmet lunch on State Street – just another day living the fabulous Santa Barbara lifestyle! We hope you’ll have the chance to search for your next home with us in our wonderful little city by the sea!
Courtesy of Mitch Laufer of Vanguard Properties
Reproduced from SFGate.com, August 1, 2012 by Allison Brophy Champion
This nature-infused architect’s estate in Marin County is so magnificent in scope and idea as to recall a grand public space. Yet the setting is secluded, the four-bedroom home at 450 Ridge Road carved into a hillside sheltered from bay winds.
Imagined by acclaimed Tiburon architect Angela Danadjieva, she built the home for herself in 1995 into the town’s “Hill Heaven” with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island and eastern hilltops. The architect said she placed the property just right “ so that it does not impose on the landscape of Tiburon Hills.” It’s just as impressive inside.
Danadjieva described the property as “a symphony of light and space with natural and organic surroundings of water, stone and positive energy.”
“It is an extension of the landscape,” she added. “A garden pavilion - that is the main theme.”
Now on the market, this home in a gated community offers impressive natural features like a majestic waterfall/fountain edged by stone staircases. Tremendous open living space waits, as well as organic materials throughout like redwood and granite.
“I am very environmental,” said Danadjieva. “I designed it like a park, everything of natural materials.”
Most captivating is the home’s facade with its geometric grid of large windows framed as mountain peaks pointing toward heaven. Light pours in from all sides and through a series of awesome skylights on 36-foot ceilings.
“Everything is glass,” Danadjieva said. “No barriers between the indoor-outdoor space.”
Outside, explore private pathways and gardens on the 1.5-acre rural-in-feel property located in Tiburon, which is Spanish for “shark.” Situated just north of San Francisco on lovely Tiburon Peninsula, the old industrial town today boasts boutique shops and restaurants, the Richardson Bay Audubon Nature Trail and regular ferry service to San Francisco, Marin City and Sausalito.
The residence is a short walk from the bay, and is marketed as offering views, views and more views. The house certainly provides a high standard of living attributable to the design of Danadjieva, principal at Danadjieva & Koenig Associates.
Originally from Bulgaria, she was living in France when she came to America in the 1960s as winning architect in an international competition for landscaping at the San Francisco Civic Center Plaza. Danadjieva said her first job was in Richmond, Va., where she oversaw a Downtown Riverfront Plan. There, the park was the river, she said. At 450 Ridge Road, the park is home.
The property is owned by Danadjieva’s sister, Fani Hansen, another acclaimed Tiburon architect. Listing agent Paula Gold-Nocella with Vanguard Properties said the house is incomparable.
“In 24 years of selling real estate in San Francisco and the Bay Area I have never seen a home like this. It is absolutely a one-of-a- kind work of art!” she said.
For more information and pricing contact: Paula Gold Nocella – 415.321.7080 | paula@vanguardsf.com or Frank Nolan – 415.321.7011 | frank@vanguardsf.com.
Courtesy of Staci Caplan and Michael Humphrey of Sterling Properties & Estates - Santa Barbara Luxury Homes and Real Estate
The Santa Barbara lifestyle evokes thoughts of all the finer things in life – incredible luxury homes in exclusive neighborhoods such as Hope Ranch and Montecito, the best in wining and dining, pristine beaches and high end resorts, strolls along the waterfront, world class golf and country clubs, and so much more. Another major part of the Santa Barbara lifestyle is our community’s love of and support of arts and entertainment. From the annual star-studded Santa Barbara International Film Festival to our monthly “1st Thursday” celebrations, it is abundantly clear that Santa Barbara is a city that values and encourages community-driven creativity and artistry.
Santa Barbara’s involvement in the entertainment industry reaches back to the birth of our city. In 1873, the Lobero Theatre was founded, and today it is California’s oldest continuously operating theatre. Originally an opera house, the Lobero would evolve into a venue for artists and performers of many types to showcase their talents in beautiful Santa Barbara. The building itself was rebuilt in the early 1920s and redesigned by the famed architect George Washington Smith and Lutah Maria Riggs in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, making the building itself a part of Santa Barbara’s art history. During this time, the Lobero really developed into a cultural hot spot with headliners such as Bela Lugosi and Sergei Rachmaninoff. In the 1940s, the Lobero continued to attract a wide range of talented artists such as Clark Gable, Igor Stravinsky, and Ingrid Bergman. The late 1940s marked the beginning of the Lobero’s jazz history – the theatre would go on to host jazz legends such as Dave Brubeck, Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, and many others. Today, the Lobero continues to host a wide variety of world class performers, and is hailed as one of DownBeat Magazine’s Best Jazz Venues. (Click here for the Lobero’s current lineup.)
Santa Barbara is a perfect stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco for performers traveling between these major centers of the entertainment industry, and Santa Barbara residents enjoy the luxury of the finest offerings in entertainment without the hustle and bustle of living in a major urban center. We hope to share our love of arts and entertainment with you on your next trip to Santa Barbara!
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