Address: 101 North Alisos Street
Status: On the market
Price: $729,500
The cute green house for sale at 101 North Alisos Street is almost 100 years old. Built in 1925, it has many charming trademark details of that era: built-in cabinets and display cases, crown moldings, period hardware and wall sconces, and an arched doorway between the living and dining rooms. It has a wide front porch and a floor plan reminiscent of craftsman homes of the same period, but it sports a distinctive difference: a quintessential Santa Barbara Spanish-style red-tiled roof up top and wrought-iron railings all around. Another atypical feature of this home is the large size of the rooms. The living room and bedrooms are much larger than expected, giving the entire house an open, airy feeling. There are three bedrooms and two baths, including one bedroom/bathroom suite with a separate entrance, offering privacy and options to a future new owner.
The house sits on a large corner lot, so passersby can admire its clean lines and design details. When I went to see it last week, I had the rare pleasure of meeting the owner. In visiting open houses, one rarely sees the possessions of the owner, let alone the owners themselves. But sitting quietly in the back bedroom was the 104-year-old matriarch of the family who has lived in and cared for this home for 58 years. I felt honored to meet her and to see her in her element.
Walking outside to check out the yard and the fruit trees, I had one of those small-town Santa Barbara moments when my friend Dave Fortson walked up. It turns out that Dave and his wife, Terra, have lived on this block for the past 14 years. “We love this neighborhood,” said Dave. “We’re huge fans of walking and biking. The beach and the Bowl are within a five-minute bike ride of home.” Dave says they walk their daughter to Adelante Charter School every morning and mosey down to East Beach in the evenings. “For us, the lower Eastside is one of the most vibrant and special places in Santa Barbara, a beautiful mix of people and lifestyles.”
I said good-bye to Dave and walked down North Alisos Street, feeling hopeful that this adorable home will find a new owner to love it as much as the current family has and to enjoy the neighborhood as much as Dave and his family do.
101 North Alisos Street is currently for sale in Santa Barbara, listed by Kathy Hughes of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. Reach Kathy at 448-4881 or kathyhughes7@cox.net.