South Santa Barbara County continued its steady pace in May, with sales increasing 7% year over year (134 vs. 125 in May 2025). Median price reached $1.85M, a modest 2% increase from the same period last year.
One notable trend was the prevalence of all-cash transactions, which accounted for 48% of all sales in May, well above the year-to-date average of 41%.
Buyer demand, particularly among affluent purchasers, has remained resilient throughout the spring. Despite limited inventory in many of our core markets, well-positioned properties continue to attract strong interest across South Santa Barbara County. Notably, of the eight Montecito sales between $14M and $18M this year, seven traded off market. The only publicly marketed sale in that range was our listing at 1119 Alston Road, which sold at full asking price on its first day on the market.
May was an exceptionally strong month for Riskin Partners, with several notable transactions closing. Beyond the closed volume, activity throughout the month remained remarkably robust, with multiple properties entering escrow and strong buyer engagement across the luxury market. Our recent closings, such as 1119 Alston Road, which sold at full asking price on its first day on the market, and 1465 Edgecliff Lane, which received multiple offers and sold at full price in less than 30 days, reflect the continued demand for thoughtfully prepared and strategically marketed properties. The momentum we've seen throughout the spring continues to build, creating a healthy pipeline heading into summer and leaving us optimistic for the months ahead.
