Community Support
Now more than ever, we all need to band together. Here in Santa Barbara, there are several businesses that are here to support you during this difficult time for us all. As we fight to flatten the curve of this global pandemic, our community is working together to help each other out during this time of need.
Our Village Properties team is here to support you, and we’ve gathered some helpful resources for you to share. Below you will find a detailed overview of businesses that are actively helping others here in the Santa Barbara area. You can also find some indoor resources and online educational activities to help you pass the time and free your mind from the stress weighing heavily on us all right now.
Ways to Support the Community and Find Support for Yourself:
Cottage Health Hospital
Cottage Health has a drop-off zone for donations of medical supplies. But please keep in mind that it is important that members of the public do not enter hospital lobbies to make supply donations. Hospitals are under a health officer order not to allow visitors. Below you will find the info you need should you like to make a donation.
Drop-Off Center Location
Cottage Health will open a central drop-off center for donations of supplies on Tuesday, March 24 at the parking area adjacent to:
Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital
351 South Patterson Ave.
Goleta, California
The drop-off center will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, for an undetermined number of days as the local COVID-19 situation and need for supplies becomes clearer. Supplies in original, unopened packaging are particularly being sought at this time.
Please complete this form and bring it to the drop-off center with your supply donation.
Supplies being accepted include:
- Face shields – single-use or non-disposable
- Eye shields – single-use or non-disposable
- Isolation gowns or standard level 3 gowns
- N95 masks
- N99 masks
- Standard procedure masks
- Reusable P100/N95 respirators and cartridges/filters
- Respirator hoods or hazmat hoods
Unity Shoppe
The Unity Shoppe on State Street wants everyone to know that, “It’s only as a CommUNITY that we will get through this.”
A special message from the good people at Unity Shoppe:
“Here at Unity Shoppe we’ve been helping our friends and neighbors manage the fallout from the Coronavirus. Many in our community not only have legitimate health concerns, but are also feeling the tremendous economic impact of this pandemic on their lives.
Most businesses and schools are closed until further notice. There is a scary new reality for the low-income in our community who are concerned about where to get groceries.
If they do not work, they do not get paid, and getting food becomes the number one priority for their families.
The Unity Shoppe is already seeing an increase in food requests, with many new people coming in. We do not know how long this will go on; we have to purchase more food and supplies to be prepared.”
For direct donations, please click on the link below:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YFL8DCJRPNG9J&source=url
Friendship Center
Friendship Center is a home away from home for many seniors with dementia in our local community. Both its Montecito and Goleta sites are currently closed due to COVID-19 and the high-risk demographic that the center serves. During this time, it is supporting elderly members by alternate means. It is seeking donations of items that spark joy and well-being, that are new, sanitary, individually wrapped and safely handled, to add to its “Take Care Totes.”
It has partnered with Foodbank SB, Easy Lift Transportation and Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade to collect, assemble and distribute the “Take Care Totes.”
Donations can be made via: https://friendshipcentersb.org/contribute-2/donate/
When making in-person donations, please deliver your items to the Friendship Center’s kitchen entrance.
Calm
This amazing non-profit has supported the Santa Barbara community for over 50 years and is here for you now. In a statement to Village Properties, it shared a special message about ways it can help assist you should you need it:
“During this difficult time, CALM remains a constant for the children and families healing from childhood trauma in Santa Barbara County. While our doors are closed to the public, we have mobilized our staff to be where our families are at this time. Therapists now meet virtually with clients using HIPAA compliant Telehealth services in place of face-to-face therapy sessions. We understand that this is an economically and emotionally devastating time for most clients, triggering early childhood trauma. It can also be a paralyzing time.
For some, home is not a safe space. In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in domestic violence calls and cases, and a decrease in Child Welfare Services reports. With children not in school or childcare facilities, mandated reporters do not have the opportunity to report abuses they don’t see.
The needs of our clients are of utmost priority and we will continue to be their support, as well as a resource for the entire community. This is a pivotal time for all to adapt to the changing landscape of health and well-being. See our resource page here.”
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Renee Grubb has generously donated grocery store gift cards to families in need. Now more than ever, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation and the children and families it services need your assistance. Please support this cause by making a donation: Make A Donation | teddybear
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County is a non-profit law firm that provides free legal assistance to Santa Barbara County residents. Its mission is to serve and empower low-income people and other vulnerable residents. It is open by phone during the COVID-19 pandemic. 805.936.6754
Santa Barbara City College
Free career classes are being taught virtually. All classes will be held in real-time via Zoom. Tuition-free courses are available on business, design, technology and career.
For more information, log on here – https://csi.cccbadges.org/
Santa Barbara Foundation
The United Way of Santa Barbara County, Hutton Parker Foundation and Santa Barbara Foundation are leading the COVID-19 joint response effort with members of the Foundation Roundtable to address the needs of individuals and families in Santa Barbara County as well as the non-profits who serve them. Your donation to the Community Disaster Relief Fund (CDRF) will support our COVID-19 joint response effort. To donate to the Santa Barbara Foundation, click here.
Family Service Agency
At Family Service Agency, our primary concern is the health and well-being of our community. As we continue to provide essential services, we are making some important changes to operations to ensure the safety of our staff and those we serve.
As of Friday, March 20, all FSA offices are closed to the public. Most core services are being provided via telephone/video or in-person in essential situations, such as safety net support and food distribution. All offices are complying with rigorous sanitation practices and maintaining safe distances as outlined by public health officials.
Senior and caregiver mental health support will continue via telehealth, a HIPAA-compliant protocol for interfacing with clients via telephone or video.
School-based counselors in Santa Barbara, Lompoc, and Carpinteria are also shifting to telehealth practices to continue to support those children who need mental health counseling.
Home visits have been suspended.
If you need support services or mental health counseling, please contact the FSA office in your community. (Note: Some staff are working remotely. Feel free to leave a message with your name, call back number, and reason for your call.)
Santa Barbara (805) 965-1001 Santa Maria (805) 928-1707
Lompoc (805) 735-4376 Guadalupe (805) 343-1194
For more information visit: https://fsacares.org/
What’s Cooking In Santa Barbara?
During this time, it is now more important than ever to support our local eateries in Santa Barbara. From the people who own them to the dedicated servers and other restaurant staff who work at these establishments, they need our support now more than ever.
Does the idea of cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for the next month (or even more!) sound daunting to you? We think it is…but don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here at Village Properties, we wanted to give you an easy, put-together list of available food options. Remember, there are restaurants all over the Santa Barbara area that are open and available for takeout or delivery orders for hungry customers. And in addition to this, there are delivery services to keep you safe during this statewide lockdown. Best of all, these delivery services are available to you as no-contact deliveries.
Restaurant Delivery Services Available Locally:
Grocery Delivery Services Available To You:
Whole Foods (in limited areas)
Costco (only for members)
Local Restaurants Available for Takeout or Delivery:
Andersen’s Restaurant and Bakery
Caffe Luxxe – Caffe Luxxe is open 8am – 3pm for to-go
Country Catering Company, Meat Market & Deli
Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Garrett’s Old Fashioned Restaurant
Giovanni’s Pizza, State Street
Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks
Jeannine’s Restaurant and Bakery, Figueroa
Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant
Mission Street Ice Cream & Yogurt
OPPI’Z Bistro and Natural Pizza
Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, Montecito
Santa Barbara Roasting Company
Keep in mind that we are in this together and by supporting each other, as well as local businesses in Santa Barbara, we will get through this together! Let’s lean on each other, and if you’re tired of cooking or feeling overwhelmed, we encourage you to rely on these available food resources in Santa Barbara to give you the helping hand you need during this extremely difficult time.
VP Assist
Village Properties Has a Way to Help You Get Top Dollar When Selling Your Home
1. Beautify Your Listing
While most are well-aware of our traditional real estate services, Village Properties also offers clients a unique service that will ensure they get top dollar for the sale of their home. As part of our Village Properties services, we team up with licensed contractors and professional home stagers to deliver painless solutions at a fair cost designed to maximize your home’s sale price before you list it for sale, with no cash out of pocket.
By using our service, we will offer you high-impact cosmetic upgrades along with professional home staging so that you attract quality buyers and sell fast.
There’s total transparency throughout the process, with no hidden costs or charges. Without taking any interest or fees, payment for the work is deferred until your home sells.
2. Bridge Loans
Not sure what exactly a bridge loan is? Well, in simple terms, it’s a loan where you tap into your existing home’s equity so that you can use part of the funds to apply towards a down payment on another home. While a bridge loan is temporary, it is often a necessity for those looking to purchase another home while their existing home is still on the market or has yet to close. There are a few requirements you must meet in order to get approved for a bridge loan. Does a bridge loan sound like something you could greatly benefit from? Contact our seasoned agents today to get started on turning your next home purchase into a reality before your existing home sells.
3. Legal Services
At Village Properties, we strive to go above and beyond for our clients. This is why from January 1st, 2020, we will offer a unique service that grants peace of mind during your real estate transactions. With our Risk Management Buyer and Seller Protection plans, we give you access to a team of legal professionals throughout the entire escrow process—and even up to a year afterwards, at no cost to the client.
This service is offered to Village Properties clients through Real Estate Risk Management, Inc. and allows you to feel more comfortable during and after the closing of escrow. As a part of the service, you can consult with RERM’s attorneys via telephone to acquire valuable legal advice should you have inquiries concerning your property purchase. This exclusively local offer for Village Properties’ clients is available before and up to one year after the closing of escrow on your property.
If you’d like to learn more about any of these exciting services or know someone who’d be interested, please email us at vpservices@villagesite.com and visit our website to learn more.
Zoom Casa, LLC operates the VP Assist – Beautify Your Home program. Participation in the program is subject to Zoom Casa, LLC’s terms and conditions. All service decisions, disclosures, commitments, vendors, work, and collections are performed by and the responsibility of Zoom Casa, LLC.
Real Estate Risk Management, Inc. operates the Risk Management Buyer and Seller Protection program. Participation in the program is subject to Real Estate Risk Management, Inc.’s terms and conditions. All legal services are performed by and the responsibility of Real Estate Risk Management, Inc.
Happy Bidding! The Auction of 818 Hot Springs Road
Today is the day! The 818 Hot Springs auction begins today at 4 PM PST.
Have you ever seen a property go for auction? If not, Village Properties has one — it’s located at 818 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito, CA 93108, and this process is fascinating. The property is listed by Patricia Griffin and facilitated by Concierge Auctions.
You may be wondering how an auction works. It is a non-traditional way of selling real estate in the United States. While countries like Australia — where the majority of sales are attributed to auction — have embraced it, it is not as common in the US and only slowly gaining popularity.
Village Properties has partnered with Concierge Auctions and is offering 818 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito CA 93108 with no reserve!! Pretty unbelievable, right?
It’s worth learning about this process and even watching or registering to bid if you’re interested. It’s super simple, we promise.
Here is how it all works:
First step: go to www.conciergeauctions.com. Once you are there, register for an account. This will allow you to see the current status of the auctions. Signing up is the first step of the process. If you are interested in buying 818 Hot Springs, go one step further and click the “register to bid” button. There you will be prompted to add your appropriate information.
Some tips on the Auction of 818 Hot Springs:
The property will be open between 1 and 4 PM (by appointment only) until the close of auction on February 27.
The auction starts at 4 PM today, Feb 24th, 2020.
There is a buyer’s premium of 12%, which means: The buyer shall pay to the concierge a “buyer’s premium” in addition to the purchase price for the property. The buyer’s premium is not a real estate commission; it is the fee that the concierge charges to bidders for bringing the property to auction.
There is a co-broke commission of 2.5%: A commission fee will be paid by Seller to any properly registered Sales Associate or Broker whose client is the successful Buyer at the Auction and whose client completes the purchase of the Property.
There is an opening bid incentive of 12% (if you’ve pre-registered), which means: If you are the high bidder, you will receive an incentive equal to this percentage of your opening bid in the form of a credit from the seller against the purchase price of the property. All opening bids are binding and subject to being received by the deadline.
This is exciting stuff, and you don’t want to miss out. Sign up at www.conciergeauctions.com to see what this is all about. And a little pro tip for you: The previous listing price was $12.5 million. Happy bidding!
Romantic Spots Around Santa Barbara
February might be the coldest month of the year, but it’s always sunny in Santa Barbara. With Valentine’s Day upon us, we’d like to give you our recommendations for the top romantic locations in the area. We’re highlighting some different options so that way there’s something special for everyone’s taste.
Santa Barbara County Courthouse
While a courthouse doesn’t exactly sound romantic, the courthouse in Santa Barbara is not your average courthouse. This Spanish-Colonial style building was constructed in 1929 and has several eye-catching touches all around. Its picturesque clock tower and sunken gardens serve as the perfect backdrop to any photo. This iconic Santa Barbara landmark is where many locals get married, so you can literally feel the love as you tour the grounds.
Mission Rose Garden
The Santa Barbara Mission is the perfect romantic spot for those who love an ocean and mountain view. Located just across from the rose garden sits a massive mission with a deep history. The sights and smells of the thousands of flowers are perfectly romantic and photo opp-worthy. Stop and enjoy a picnic on the lush green lawns with your valentine this Friday!
Loquita
If you love a friendly vibe and farm-fresh eats, then you’re in luck. Loquita on State Street features Spanish tapas and craft cocktails that don’t disappoint. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available on the beautiful patio. Come for the food and stay for the drinks and inviting atmosphere with your valentine. To see their menu, click here.
Glass House Cocktail Garden
This Friday, consider making a reservation for the Valentine’s Day Garden Dinner. This interactive dinner experience features an epic “meat & potatoes” grazing-style feast that’s perfect for making memories with the mister or missus. The exciting menu was created to satisfy the taste buds of an amateur foodie, and even impress the experienced. For reservations, click here.
Butterfly Beach
Located along Channel Drive in the always gorgeous Montecito, Butterfly Beach is a go-to romantic spot to watch the sunset with your valentine this holiday. The beach’s pristine shoreline is perfect for a stroll hand-in-hand, and you can even bring Fido along, too. Locals and celebs love this beach, so keep your eyes peeled for celebrities.
Rosewood Miramar Beach
If you want to go glam and put on the ritz, the Rosewood Miramar Beach Hotel will surely impress your date this Valentine’s Day. This luxury hotel in Montecito offers breathtaking beach views, impressive landscapes, and five-star luxury all around. Forget all your troubles and get lost in romance with your special someone by making this Valentine’s Day one to remember at Rosewood Miramar Beach.
Institutional Ale
If you and your sweetheart love a good beer, then Institutional Ale on State Street is just the spot for you. You haven’t had a pretzel until you’ve had one of theirs, either! Their handcrafted brews have something special for every beer lover, with over a dozen specialty beers on tap, ready to be tasted and enjoyed. No reservations required—come thirsty!
Zaytoon
If you are looking for a flavorful meal that is satisfying down to the last bite, then Zaytoon’s Lebanese and Middle Eastern dishes are sure to delight. This hidden oasis is situated on a large outdoor garden patio in downtown Santa Barbara, and their beautiful balcony makes for the perfect date night spot. To view their tasty menu, click here.
Welcome to the Refreshed VP Blog!
Welcome to our newly refreshed Village Properties blog.
Join us as we explore lifestyle tips, talk about homeownership in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and tell you all about what is going on in our beautiful hometown communities. We will share insights on the current real estate market and trends, talk about technology in real estate, invite you to join us in one of the many ways we are involved in giving back to our communities and will give you the inside scoop about the fun we have at Village Properties.
We warmly welcome your participation because serving our friends, clients, and community is what it is all about for us at Village Properties.
P.S. I’ve just joined Instagram. Follow me @Renee_grubb_VP and, as always, I’m open for questions or comments – and now you can DM me.
