One rule you should learn as a Realtor is to never say, Trust Me Don't Worry.  Well, I guess I am breaking this rule (partly at least) and giving you one prediction for Santa Barbara Real Estate in 2008.

The part of the rule I am breaking is the Trust Me part, so here it goes. 

Trust Me, there are already many investors in 2008 poking around that recognize that a buyer's market in Santa Barbara is an excellent time to purchase real estate.  

The Santa Barbara real estate market is very unique for many reasons, some of them basic economics with demand for homes often being greater than supply.  From 1997 until 2005, this basic supply v. demand economic concept has been one of the major influences in the skyrocketing real estate values here in Santa Barbara and Montecito.  Real estate investors have also been a good portion of this demand from 1997 to 2005.  As the market slowed the last 2 years and prices dropped, real estate investors were then the last people to be seen.  This though is starting to change. 

I myself have had several calls and conversations with investors in the last few months of 2007 and into early 2008.  I have also started looking for property with 3 different investors just in the last 3-4 weeks.  I have also talked with other agents who say they as well have "investor clients" who are starting to get active and serious.

For many, condos are still a big question, but single family homes are starting to find a level ground and investors are starting to talk about writing offers.  Exactly how much activity this will be is anyone's guess.  What I can say for certain is, Trust Me, the Santa Barbara real estate investor has started to become active again.

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Kevin Schmidtchen

SantaBarbaraRealEstateVoice.com