Recent Comments

Wish Pueblo del Pollo would have come to Carpinteria or in this direction at least! I loved their "hidden" indian food menu in an "mexican" restaurant - very nice family as well (dad cooks, mom and daughter at the register...)

For those of us who don’t know the Sunburst space on Carpinteria Ave, Dang Burger could maybe put their address on their website. They just say Sunburst Wine Bar…no town, no address…

db, I agree that the system isn’t perfect, but that’s not what my argument was. My argument was that Sam insulted an entire industry based on his obvious dislike of that industry, combined with erroneous or incomplete information. While I did compare the 30% fees that can be charged by attorneys on contingency cases to what agents make (before they share their fees), my main comments weren’t about percentages, although I did drift into that lane…they were about whether or not over 1.5 million real estate agents, and their brokerages, collectively conspired to fix real estate commissions, thereby creating a cabal. They didn’t. Again, it clearly states in California listing contracts that commissions are negotiable. End of story. Agents can ask to be paid what they feel is a fair amount, based on their costs, level of experience, and what they bring to the table, just as anyone can when applying for a job. Some agents provide a very high level of expertise and service, some don’t. If the employer (the seller) doesn’t see the value, they don’t need to hire that agent, just like you don’t have to hire a vendor or tradesperson you don’t see value with. No cabal. Back to your comment about paying an agent if the house sells quickly: I recently sold a house, and was happy to pay the agent a full commission, even though my house literally sold on the first day. Why? Because I saved at least 1-2 months of holding costs, the aggravation of having strangers come in and out of my house for weeks…maybe months, and most importantly, and the uncertainty whether my buyer would be able to obtain insurance if I sat on the market too long, or of how rising interest rates, which effect everyone in some way, even cash buyers, would affect the marketable value of my home. Whether my house was a $2M house of a $10M house, the peace of mind I got because my agent did their job (sold my house quickly, and for top dollar) was worth it to me. The higher the value of my home, the higher the value of my time. My agent saved me time, and I looked at the big picture. Following up on your statement about agents being overpaid in a robust market, would you then agree to pay more in a slower market, where advertising bills, expenses, and time value hours add up? As I said in the beginning, I agree with you that the system isn’t prefect, but show me one that is. Are you happy having your taxes go toward hiring inept people who can’t get fired because of their unions, or because they make the rules that they work under? I know a lot of agents, and they are among the hardest working people I know…taking calls late at night, on weekends, from hospitals…even on their vacations and honeymoons. All without the guarantee of getting a pay check. I certainly wouldn't take that on.

I don’t usually comment on these boards, but I just had to jump in on this one. Sam, I’ve watched your comments for a while, and it seems you, and a couple of other people, like to dump on the real estate industry. Not sure if it’s because you had a bad experience, or you’re just trying to appear relevant. A quick Google Search doesn’t show you own a home in Santa Barbara, so not sure what you’re basing your comments on. If you want to appear informed, there are a few things you should know: 1) Your use of the word cabal to describe the real estate industry is a bit sensationalized. 2) If you actually followed the articles on the NAR lawsuit, as I have, you would understand that the plaintiff’s attorney did NOT actually prove anti-trust or “a conspiracy”. He has just been using the Trump playbook of putting out false facts to try to sway public opinion. 3) In California, listing contracts signed with the seller have the words “COMMISSIONS ARE NOT SET BY LAW. THEY ARE NEGOTIABLE” in larger, bold print, so the idea of a conspiracy among brokers is BS. Since you don’t appear to own real estate in this town, you probably wouldn’t know that. 4) The lawsuit focused on the fact that Listing Agents share their commissions with the agents of the buyers. Here’s what happens if that option goes away: Under current lending rules, buyers who are already stretching to come up with a down payment won’t be able to hire representation, because the lenders won’t roll the fees they pay their agents into their loan, which will put a large portion of buyers out of the market; Those that can afford to pay their agents will probably deduct that amount, or the amount of buying power they lose, from their offer. In either case, it will probably cost the seller as much, or more than if they offered a cooperating broker commission. 5) I know of agents in other states charging more than agents here charge. Yes, agents in other countries charge less, but there is no broker cooperation in a lot of those cases. In other words, in those instances, the only way you can buy a house is from the listing agent, which means you would have to contact the listing agents of each property you want to see, and hope they aren't only working for the seller. Let’s look at other professions that don’t have guaranteed income: Ask any attorney to take a case on contingency, and it will probably cost you 30% or more (many times more than the commissions real estate agents charge), and that’s not split with the other attorney. Some attorneys (like probate attorneys), say their fees are fixed by the court. Really? In California, if an agent says their fees are fixed, they lose their license, get fined, and could conceivably go to jail. How about other business you probably deal with? Your insurance agent gets paid every time your insurance renews. How much do you tip your server when you go out to dinner? 15-25%? That’s a kind of contingency commission. Call local plumbers or electricians, get their prices. Now, consider union workers. That’s a clear example of incoming fixing, but nobody seems to get mad at that. Ask any of these professions if they’ll work for half. Everyone has the right to work for what they feel they are worth, even you. And home sellers are free to choose whatever agent they want to, or try to sell themselves. Yes, you can Google real estate contracts, but you can also Google legal documents and try to go at it on your own. There are statistics on how well that works. Finally, your comment that agents don’t do anything to earn their fees is just ignorant. First of all, agents are self-employed, and work on a contingency basis, which means they can spend a LOT of time and money with no guarantee of getting paid. Assuming you have a job, would you go to work if you weren’t assured you were going to get paid? Agents do. And they have to pay National, State and Local Association dues, annual Errors and Omissions Insurance, their own health insurance, advertising, gas, phone, supplies, office space…the list goes on. And if they DO make money, they have to pay both sides of their social security taxes. Additionally, any money they make gets divided up with their brokerage. Agents in big firms also undergo constant training, and their transactions are constantly under audit. Even when the market was hot, agents would have to decipher multiple offers, do due diligence on buyers and agents, and advise their clients on the best options. So when you say there is a cabal of conspiring agents out there, I don’t what the hell you’re talking about. Clearly, you need to be more informed before you comment.

So, the debris nets are to be removed. Will the county they replace them with new nets that they will maintain? What?

I will continue to get my coffee at The Goat Tree

Please publish one of MANY articles that speak about the HORROR the wind farm expected in Morro Bay, please Lso publish the mock up of the complete picture that will be Avila/Port San Luis

Danny’s closing is so very sad our families have been loving his turkey and tri-tip ever since he opened. Very sorry he will be greatly missed.

Danny's had the best smoked try-tip and turkey sandwiches in town. Once you got over the strangeness of the place, you would return many times to enjoy them. Enjoy your retirement Danny. I am sure that lot is worth a small fortune. Fish on!

A mansion built on La Goleta Road, visible North of the Christian Academy on Cathedral Oaks seats going on?

What a kaleidoscope of interesting Santa Barbara news and local happenings — loved reading this edition, thanks

Just now I just watched another city council meeting regarding bike lanes on State street (The Promenade) and let me be clear, Mayor Randy and council member Eric voted against this, check it out. Proposed by Kristen and supported by Alejandra, Oscar, Mike and Meagan, they authorized the city to spend $55,000 to paint bike lanes on State street. Am I the only one that thinks these same five that vote together on State street issues are in fact, delusional?