The Home Page | Going Nuts on State Street

Credit: Sarah Sinclair

This edition of The Home Page was originally emailed to subscribers on April 12, 2026. To receive Sarah Sinclair’s real estate newsletter in your inbox each Sunday, sign up at independent.com/newsletter

The listing everyone’s talking about right now is The Pistachio House — a whimsical Jeff Shelton–designed mixed-use property in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Tucked mid-block is a three-bedroom, three-bath residence, paired with a two-story retail/office building fronting State Street. Commissioned in 2002 for the owners of the Santa Barbara Pistachio Company, the property has just hit the market with The Easter Team Realtors for $5,395,000.

When I stopped by last week, the place was buzzing — realtors, clients, and curious passersby wandering through, smiling and pointing out the many Shelton-esque details. Entered from Gutierrez Street, the 1,600-plus-square-foot residence unfolds across multiple levels with signature tile work, wrought-iron railings, arches, and architectural flourishes at every turn. Seven distinct terraces capture shifting views of the mountains, ocean, and city from sunrise to nightfall. An exquisite opportunity: quintessentially Shelton, and quintessentially Santa Barbara.

Plenty of homes on Zillow Gone Wild are quirky. But this former grain elevator turned Airbnb in Sabin, Minnesota, takes unconventional to a whole new level. On paper, it sounds almost normal: four bedrooms, three baths, about 3,000 square feet, built in 1965 on a three-quarter-acre lot beside the highway. Then things get wonderfully weird. There’s a climbing wall, a funky lounge space, sleeping room for 18, and a genuine spiral playground slide.

Take a look here for all the pics and details. Don’t miss the glass roll-up door, the fast-food tables and trash set-up, or the uneven stair-stepper staircase leading to a loft of double bunk beds. The whole thing — plus a successful Airbnb history — can be yours for $325,000. Though you might love it so much that you want to stay year ‘round.

THIS WEEK’S COVER HOME:

Behind every issue of our real estate section is a lot of quiet orchestration: about 28 pages, roughly 40 ads, hundreds of photos, and a hundred or so open houses to compile each week. And then there’s the cover — prime real estate, literally. Only one home gets the spot.

You’ll see it everywhere during the week: tucked under arms on the street, propped open in coffee shops, stacked in office lobbies, or sitting on kitchen counters.

Choosing this week’s cover wasn’t easy. I loved the living room shot. David voted for the twilight exterior. The marketing team championed the dining room. Which only proves the point: this house — and its view — look great from every angle. Set on nearly half an acre in the Eucalyptus Hill neighborhood, 1542 Knoll Circle is a beautifully remodeled three-bedroom, two-bath home offering privacy and sweeping views from nearly every room. Offered by The DK Group for $2,995,000. Take a look today.

TODAY’S FEATURED OPEN HOUSE:

This sweet home is ready for its next chapter after more than fifty years with the same family. Set in a neighborhood full of pocket parks, bike-riding kids, dog walkers, and friendly neighbors, it’s perfectly located between Santa Barbara and Goleta.

Inside: four bedrooms, two baths, lots of windows, a fireplace, and a generous backyard with established fruit trees. Offered by The Gamberdella Group for $1,350,000. Stop by 114 Walnut Lane today from 1–4 p.m. Look for the friendly faces — and don’t forget to wave back.

THIS WEEK’S ISSUE:

We’ve gathered more open homes for you to tour today. Take a peek right here.

If you haven’t picked up your print copy yet, here’s the full issue to flip through — both front and back. Thanks for reading, and for making The Home Page part of your Sunday. Enjoy!