Santa Barbara Real Estate

Southern Santa Barbara Real Estate Insights

In 2024 the southern Santa Barbara real estate market saw a 16% increase in inventory.  The number of new listings for the southern Santa Barbara real estate market in 2024 was 1,169, up from 1,009 in 2023. With nearly 100 homes listed each month, on average, 70 homes sold each month with the strongest sales in the summer.

Some homeowners were unhappy with interest rates and held back listing their homes.  While the supply of available homes is still relatively low, buyer demand continues to drive prices up.

The three most active zip codes in 2025 are Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, and Goleta which are experiencing a “seller’s market.”

Montecito cooled some in 2024 but had an unusually busy January in 2025.  During the pandemic buying frenzy nearly 300 homes sold each year in Montecito.  In 2024 130 homes sold in Montecito and the median home price rose from $5,460,000 to $5,687,500.

The average days on the market in 2024 for southern
Santa Barbara was 55 days and sellers, on average, walked away with 96% of their asking price.

The California Association of Realtors forecast is for a modest rise in the median price and an increase of homes for sale in 2025. The reality is that there aren’t enough properties for sale to satisfy every buyer’s demand for Santa Barbara.

In 2025 keep an eye on interest rates, politics that affect real estate, and best of luck out there.

Share this:
Mark Danforth Lomas

Recent Posts

Update on Santa Barbara Housing Projects

As we wrap up 2025, the conversation around housing in Santa Barbara has never been…

1 week ago

Coastal Market Pulse: Carpinteria to Gaviota

The stretch of coastline from Carpinteria through Santa Barbara and north of Goleta to Gaviota continues to…

4 weeks ago

Market Trends

The Southern Santa Barbara real estate market closed out October 2025 with a significant burst…

1 month ago

New Luxury Homes in southern Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara real estate market is seeing a resurgence in new development, extending beyond…

1 month ago

Veterans Day in Santa Barbara 2025

On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, Santa Barbara will join the nation in observing Veterans Day,…

1 month ago

The Compass Anywhere Merger

The residential real estate industry just witnessed a seismic event: the proposed combination of Compass…

2 months ago