Home appraisals in Santa Barbara County, by tomorrow

Every city and town in Santa Barbara County, same fee, same 24 hours, written and signed by me.

Santa Barbara County homes range from Spanish-style houses and foothill estates on the South Coast to ranch properties in the Santa Ynez Valley and tract streets in Lompoc, Santa Maria and Orcutt. Many have been owned for decades on old tax bases, so I'm often valuing after a death, for a trust, a Prop 19 transfer or a divorce.

Seat: Santa Barbara19 ZIP codesToday or any past dateWithin 24 hours

What I look at in Santa Barbara County

  1. 1

    For Santa Ynez Valley ranches near Solvang and Los Olivos, I look at acreage, wells, septic, fencing and barns, and compare with other rural sales, not town lots.

  2. 2

    In Lompoc, Santa Maria and Orcutt I sort the older central streets from the newer subdivisions, then compare remodel level and lot size inside each.

  3. 3

    On the South Coast I check fire and debris-flow maps for foothill and creek-side homes, especially around Montecito, and read your photos of the slope and drainage.

Across Santa Barbara County

Across Santa Barbara County I value on both sides of the Santa Ynez Mountains: the coastal plain from Carpinteria to Goleta, the open hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, and the farm fields of the Santa Maria Valley. Each needs its own sales.

County seatSanta Barbara
2026 tax appeal deadlineNovember 30 (filing opened July 2)
Probate casesSuperior Court of California, County of Santa Barbara

Cities I’ve written about in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara County
Santa Barbara County

What to photograph

Photograph the view toward the ocean, islands or mountains, the driveway in, and any barn, guest house or arena. On rural land, show the well, the septic area and the fencing.

Front and backKitchen and bathsEvery main roomUpgrades and problems

Upload photos after you order, or attach them to an email. Phone photos are fine.

Homes typical of Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County questions

Does Prop 19 change anything for our parents' house in Santa Barbara County?
It can. Since Prop 19, a child generally keeps a parent's tax base only on a family home they move into, and the home's market value on the transfer date matters. I can appraise it as of that date for your attorney or CPA.
Can you appraise a Solvang house as of when dad died years ago?
Yes. I appraise as of past dates often. Santa Ynez Valley sales are fewer, so I may draw on Buellton, Santa Ynez or Los Olivos sales from that time. Old photos or a description of the house then help me set the condition.
When would I get the report for a Santa Barbara County home?
Within 24 hours of the moment I have both your payment and your photos, weekends and holidays included. If you're not in a rush, the regular schedule is 5–10 business days at $299 or $449.

“I've prepared desktop appraisals for every purpose on this list. Some situations still call for an in-person appraisal, though, so check with your attorney or tax advisor first to make sure a desktop report is right for yours.”

Brian Ward
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Ventura CountySouth CoastKern CountySan Joaquin ValleySan Luis Obispo CountyCentral CoastLos Angeles CountySouth CoastAll areasCalifornia

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