An Oceanfront Fixer in Hope Ranch

Noteworthy new listings….

While the location of 4161 Creciente Drive ($9.75 million)—at the edge of the oceanfront bluff in Hope Ranch—is enviable, the 1989 architecture is cloddish and the interiors are in dire need of work. The big question, then, is whether the bones can be used to start over without having to endure the California Coastal Commission’s endless red tape. P.S. The obstacle course for dogs gets rather prime turf.

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The seller of 2025 Creekside Road ($3.8 million), a 2.5-acre vacant lot in the Montecito Valley Ranch holler gated community, paid $2.35 million in October 2021. There may have been a subsequent moment where the value jumped 60 percent, but one has to wonder whether that moment has passed (and the 2006 house next door at 2035 Creekside couldn’t sell for $10.9 million). On the other hand, the lot is meaty and in the Montecito Union School District.

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The seller of 4200 Marina Drive ($4.95 million), in contrast, is less ambitious: a teardown on 3.77 acres, the property sold for $4.75 million last February.

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The survivalist in me wants to buy the 81-acre 2111 Refugio Canyon Road ($2.9 million) for when the zombies come (or get elected to national office). The structures—”a rustic mountain home, two large greenhouses, and a cabin with panoramic ocean views”—don’t look like keepers, but there is a solar-powered well and 35,000 gallons of water storage.

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On the strip of East Valley Road that can feel a touch, um, backwoods, 487 Hot Springs Road ($2.9 million) would seem to be ripe for scraping. In its favor, the lot also fronts a private lane off Hot Springs Road; it’s walkable to the Upper Village (or will be once the dirt sidewalks get installed) and even Coast Village Road; and it’s in the MUS schoolshed.

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While parts of 617 Alameda Padre Serra ($2.69 million), between Cota and De La Guerra, could use some work, much of the house is in nice shape—and the views are deluxe for the price.

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“If only the walls could talk,” says the listing for the 1926 Craftsman at 3204 Calle Pinon ($2.5 million), and sure enough, the house has many swoon-worthy historical details. But the walls also might ask why the front yard is all rocks. And who put the oven there?

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Comment:

3 Comments

Christine!

Recently drove over Refugio road—lovely on the SYV side, heavenly on coastal side, exception being the black/crisp canyons remaining from recent fires. I recommend taking the route yourself!

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Elle

It’s been a long time since I’ve been up that way. Are you able to get all the way through to SYV now on Refugio now, Christine!? Thanks in advance.

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Christine!

It is 100% clear, Hwy 246 to Hwy 101! My husband is a backcountry outdoorsman- he has a awesome hunting vehicle ( Suzuki Samurai ) that we took- the road was in great shape- yes there are spots you need to be cautious so you don’t mess up- but as a novice backcountry anything- my Lexus wagon could have handled it all just fine. It was a lovely drive- we passed 2 groups of walkers and a few hardcore mountain bikers racing towards SYV- I recommend a picnic on the Gaviota Coast side! Lots of poison oak!

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