52 | A PLACE TO CALL HOME

Take notes as Santa Barbara realtors, Lori Claridge Bowles and Dana Zertuche, share what makes American Riviera real estate so extraordinary.

It’s safe to say that collectively, our lives have shifted in many ways this year. While we have been affected differently, one thing we all have in common is that we’re spending more time at home, which has encouraged many of us to rethink our space and how we live. Thanks to historically low interest rates, some have been encouraged to take the plunge in buying after renting for years, and others are looking for more room to accommodate new at-home work environments and more space to, well, socially distance.

I’m one of those looking to take advantage of lower interest rates and purchase my first home. As I research the home buying process, I realize how important it is to find an agent who will lead me through, educate me and provide the resources I need to successfully go through with what initially feels like an intimidating and complex process. After thorough research, I discovered Lori Claridge Bowles and Dana Zertuche, global luxury specialists and powerful partners at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. The initial draw is from their stellar reviews from previous clients who share stories about how they go above and beyond.

Lori and Dana have extensive understanding of real estate transactions, unmatched dedication and loyalty to their clients, and deep knowledge of Santa Barbara County. Whether it’s picking up mail or watering the plants while their clients are away, there’s no job above or below them. In addition to their real estate careers, they’re both mothers and find time to manage it all. Working with Zertuche and Bowles means having two trusted friends who are passionate about real estate and truly have your best interests at heart—pertaining to real estate and beyond. And when one agent isn’t available, the other is. A beat is never missed; they practically finish each other's sentences.

With newfound excitement for the real estate buying process, I chat with Lori and Dana to get to know them better and understand how the market has shifted since COVID.

What is your experience with the Santa Barbara real estate market and how do you bring above and beyond value to your clients?

We laugh sometimes when we say we are a “fullservice salon” but it’s true. It is no secret that our exceptional customer service speaks for itself. We pride ourselves on professionalism and confidentiality and with a combined 40+ years in the real estate industry, we have the depth and knowledge to conquer the most challenging or difficult situations. There is no property too big or too small for us to tackle. If we exceed our client’s expectations, we have done a good job!

Take it from the professionals: there's never been a better time to settle in Santa Barbara

What are some of the changes you have seen to the Santa Barbara market since COVID?

COVID completely changed the way buyers, sellers, and realtors do business. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® offered “Best Practices Guidelines and Prevention Plan for Showings” to assist in the safe practice of real estate for the health and well-being of clients, associates, and the public while conducting business. The guidelines, while restrictive, have provided us the opportunity to continue serving clients, all while safely social distancing. Working remotely and conducting virtual showings and 3D tours has quickly become the norm for us. Although it does not replace seeing and feeling a home in person, we are embracing social media and Zoom. And yes, we happily wear masks and gloves to all showings.

“Your real estate agent

is one of the most important people in the home-buying process. We are not just their agent, we are their advisor, confidant, counselor, and in the end, a trusted friend. ”

When COVID first hit, there was a sense of anxiety for us all. Some Sellers immediately halted showings due to the fear of Buyers bringing the virus into their homes. Buyers that were engaged in a property search paused their exploration due to an overall fear of the unknown.

Once the pandemic evened out some and as the economy reopened, more Buyers surfaced, business began flourishing again, and we regained somewhat of a normalcy. With the current market, we have seen activity in all price ranges. With people spending more time in their home, they are reevaluating their lives and determining that they want to live away from larger cities and with the prospect of prolonged telecommuting, they have learned it is possible to run their businesses remotely... just like us!

What are some unique aspects of Santa Barbara you believe are currently attracting out of town buyers?

While there is always something to see in a big city, sometimes you just want a more leisurely pace. In addition to the very inviting climate, Santa Barbara is a safe, secure environment in which to live, work, and raise a family. You cannot help but expand your possibilities in a town that so gracefully embraces the arts, nature, storybook architecture, scenic stretches of beach, the beauty of the surrounding mountains, and a generally free-spirited vibe.

How important is the relationship between buyer and agent?

Your real estate agent is one of the most important people in the home-buying process. We are not just their agent, we are their advisor, confidant, counselor, and in the end, a trusted friend. A buyer needs to feel assured that their agent is their advocate whose primary obligation is to represent their best interest throughout the entire process of finding a home and completing the transaction. The biggest compliment an agent can receive is a referral from a past client, which is where most of our business comes from.

What are some qualities a buyer should seek in their realtor?

We pride ourselves on our honesty and integrity, trust, and commitment to our clients. In addition to those qualities, a Buyer (or Seller) needs an agent who is constantly up-to-date and knows their market well including new and upcoming listings, responds in a timely manner, and listens to their wants and needs. Connecting Buyers with properties and Sellers with prospective purchasers is what we strive for and achieve on a regular basis, which is evident by our past sales history.

What is one memorable experience you had working with a client?

We have a friend and client who lives in Ennisbrook, and after the debris flow, they called us and asked us to check on the house to see how much damage was done. We put on our rubber boots and gloves. As we were walking in her backyard, Dana saw what looked like a picture sticking out from the mud. We carefully dug out the picture which was a wedding picture that belonged to a personal friend of Dana’s who lost her home in the debris flow. It was her only wedding picture that survived. We got to call her and tell her that we had this photo for her. We were doing a favor by going to check on the home, and it turned into something absolutely wonderful and rewarding.

What are your favorite things about living in Santa Barbara?

We love seeing people we know almost everywhere we go. It is a real connection to the incredible community in which we live that helps create a sense of normalcy. We appreciate living near the beach and not having to drive very far to get where we want to go. We like the fact that you can literally “take a hike” and get educated at one of the world’s most beautiful colleges. We love the natural beauty and being able to look at a blue horizon every day. We value all the activities that are available for children to enjoy such as water polo, surfing, tennis, and junior lifeguards.

What do you believe makes Santa Barbara special, from a personal and real estate perspective?

There is a beautiful naivety to living in Santa Barbara. The people here are amazing! There is an opportunity around every corner to volunteer and make new friends. We love seeing our friends and clients wherever we go. Real Estate will always be a part of our lives and blends nicely into our personal everyday existence. *