Table of Contents
- What is the VA Loan Limit?
- How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
- What is the Median Home Price?
- What are the VA Appraisal Fees?
- Do I need Flood Insurance?
- How do I learn about Property Taxes?
- What is the Population?
- What are the major cities?
- About Santa Barbara County
- Veteran Information
- Apply for a VA Home Loan
- VA Approved Condos
FAQ
What is the VA Loan Limit?
2021 VA Home Loan Limit: $0 down up to $5,000,000* (Subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $660,100* (Call 888-573-4496 for details).
How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
This is a quick look at how to apply for a VA home loan in Santa Barbara County. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA home loan. Here, we’ll go over the general steps to getting a VA home loan and point out some things to pay attention to in Santa Barbara County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.
- Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
- Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
- Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
- Get pre-approved, to get pre-approved for a loan, you’ll need:
- Previous two years of W2s
- Most recent 30 days paystubs or LES (active duty)
- Most recent 60 days bank statements
- Landlord and HR/Payroll Department contact info
- Find a home
- We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Santa Barbara County flood zones
- Get the necessary inspections
- Termite inspection: required
- Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
- Get the home appraised
- We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Santa Barbara County and schedule the process
- Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
- Building permit
- Elevation certificate
- Lock in your interest rates
- Wait until the appraisal lock in your loan rates. If it turns out you need to make repairs, it can push your closing back. Then you can get stuck paying rate extension fees.
- Close the deal and get packing!
- You’re ready to go.
What is the Median Home Price?
As of March 31st, 2021, the median home value for Santa Barbara County is $734,159. In addition, the median household income for residents of the county is $74,624 which is higher than the national average.
How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?
- Single-Family: $600.
- Individual Condo: $600.
- Manufactured Homes: $600.
- 2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $850.
- Appraisal Turnaround Times: 7 days.
Do I need Flood Insurance?
- The VA requires properties are required to have flood insurance if they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
- Most flood areas in the county tend to be in areas immediately surrounding the Santa Maria River which borders the county to the north. Moreover, the Santa Ynez River is also prone to flooding areas around it. However, most of the county is still free from flood hazards.
How do I learn about Property Taxes?
- Joseph E. Holland is the Santa Barbara county tax assessor. His office can be reached at 105 E. Anapamu St. Room 204 Santa Barbara, CA 93101. In addition, his office can also be reached by calling (805) 568-2550.
- The state of California offers incentive programs that expand statewide for new, growing, and relocating businesses. Two of these programs are the California Competes Tax Credit which offers qualifying businesses with a tax credit, and the New employment Credit which offers a tax credit for taxpayers who hire full-time employees. Furthermore, the state offers several other programs to further diversify the state’s economy.
What is the Population?
- As of 2019, Santa Barbara County’s population is 446,499 which includes about 21,908 veterans. Moreover, demographically speaking, 45% of the population is Hispanic, with 44% White, and 6% Asian.
- Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 22% under 18 years old and 15% older than 65.
- In total, the county has about 144,962 households, with an average of three people per household.
What are the major cities?
The county has eight cities, including the city of Santa Maria which serves as the county seat. In addition, the other seven cities in the county are Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, and Solvang.
About Santa Barbara County
Located in the southern coastal region of the most populous state of the United States, Santa Barbara County is an integral part of the California Central Coast.
Santa Barbara and the other associated coastal communities and areas harbor an economy that is quite supportive of the tourism industry and employment options allied with it, given the county’s strategic position on the coastal line of California. Santa Barbara County is also home to enormous spaces of oil fields such as Santa Maria Valley, Cat Canyon Fields, Orcutt, and Lompoc.
The education sector in Santa Barbara County is defined by the presence of 20 independent school districts with the Santa Barbara County Education Office acting as an intermediate agency between those districts and the California Department of Education.
There are also several private education institutes in the county while the Los Angeles Archdiocese runs two Catholic high schools and various elementary schools. Top institutes include Santa Barbara High School, Cold Spring Elementary School, Marymount School, etc.
Entertainment and nightlife in the county of Santa Barbara are characterized by fine dining experiences, exotic water sports, essential wine tasting, and other mainstream recreational activities involving parks and tours. Among the top attractions in the county, the Santa Barbara Zoo stands out with its extremely scenic backdrop of the Pacific and the Santa Ynez mountains which house a variety of species ranging from giraffes and gibbons to snow leopards and gorillas.
Nearby places include The City of Angels or Los Angeles, which stands approximately 95 miles away from Santa Barbara County which sums up to a joyous one-and-a-half-hour car ride along the picturesque highways running through the countryside. While inside the county, neighborhoods like the Carpinteria, Downtown, Funk Zone, Isla Vista, and more graciously await the vagabond view.
Veteran Information
The county is currently home to 21,908 veterans.
- Nearby Bases:
- Vandenberg Air Force Base – 747 Nebraska Ave., Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437.
- Santa Barbara County is home to four VFW post:
- Post-1649 Pvt. John Thomas Hall – 112 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
- Post 7139 Pedercini-Ortega – 1745 Mission Dr. Solvang, CA 93463.
- Post-1717 Lompoc – 100 E. Locust Ave. Lompoc, CA 93436.
- Post-2521 McGinley Brothers – 200 E Battles Rd, Santa Maria, CA 93454.
- VA Medical Centers in the county:
- Santa Barbara VA Clinic – 4440 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
- Santa Maria VA Clinic – 1550 East Main Street, Santa Maria, CA 93454.
- County Veteran Assistance Information
- Santa Barbara County Veteran’s Service Office – 315 Camino del Remedio, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.
Apply for a VA Home Loan
- For more information about VA Home Loans and how to apply, click here.
- If you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements, you will be able to enjoy some of the best government-guaranteed home loans available.
- VA loans can finance the construction of a property. However, the property must be owned and prepared for construction as the VA cannot ensure vacant land loans.
VA Approved Condos
| Name (ID): 807 &811 E PEDREGOSA ST CONDO (003217) Address: PEDREGOSA ST SANTA BARBARA CA 93103 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/27/2016 Review Completion Date: 02/17/2016 | Name (ID): 826 BATH STREET HOA, INC. (008337) Address: SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 07/31/2009 Review Completion Date: 08/13/2009 |
| Name (ID): ARROYO VERDE OWNERS CORP (004955) Address: 3578 MODOC ROAD SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/30/2020 Review Completion Date: 05/13/2020 | Name (ID): BALIZA AND MARISOL (004440) Address: 6541 CALLE KORAL GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/05/2017 Review Completion Date: 06/15/2017 |
| Name (ID): BELLA RIVIERA (002613) Address: SANTA BARBARA CA 93103 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted With Conditions Request Received Date: 05/30/2012 Review Completion Date: Unavailable | Name (ID): BROOKSIDE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (002729) Address: 7386 CALLE REAL GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 10/15/2013 Review Completion Date: 10/30/2013 |
| Name (ID): CANNON GREEN TOWNHOMES (002169) Address: TRACT 11467 GOLETA CA 93117-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/10/1994 Review Completion Date: 01/10/1994 | Name (ID): CASITAS DE PALMA (004630) Address: 300 W WALNUT AVE LOMPOC CA 93436 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 07/15/2018 Review Completion Date: 07/24/2018 |
| Name (ID): CASITAS VILLAGE (001313) Address: 5956 HICKORY ST CARPENTERIA CA 93013 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 09/08/2015 Review Completion Date: 09/21/2015 | Name (ID): CORONEL COURT HOA (002641) Address: NONE SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 10/16/2012 Review Completion Date: 12/17/2012 |
| Name (ID): CORTE DE LAS DAMAS (003527) Address: 122 W MICHELTORENA TRACT 20266 SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 05/09/2016 Review Completion Date: 06/02/2016 | Name (ID): CREEKSIDE TERRACE (007410) Address: SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/12/2006 Review Completion Date: 06/19/2006 |
| Name (ID): CRESTVIEW HOA (004744) Address: 4482 CARPINTERIA AVE A, B, C CARPINTERIA CA 93013 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/31/2019 Review Completion Date: 05/07/2019 | Name (ID): CYPRESS WOODS CONDOMINIUM (007526) Address: LOMPOC CA 93436 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/11/2007 Review Completion Date: 06/11/2007 |
| Name (ID): EAST VALLEY (004980) Address: 1518 E VALLEY RD SANTA BARBARA CA 93108 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/28/2020 Review Completion Date: 07/21/2020 | Name (ID): EL ESCORIAL OWNERS (002640) Address: ASSOCIATION SANTA BARBARA CA 93103 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 09/23/2012 Review Completion Date: 01/12/2013 |
| Name (ID): ENCINA ROYALE (004579) Address: 250 MORETON BAY LN GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/11/2018 Review Completion Date: 03/27/2018 | Name (ID): EUCALYPTUS GROVE CONDOMINIUMS (002182) Address: TRACT 13,421 GOLETA CA 93117-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/04/1999 Review Completion Date: 03/05/1999 |
| Name (ID): EVERGREEN TERRACE EAST (002811) Address: NONE SANTA BARBARA CA 99999 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 07/20/2014 Review Completion Date: 11/19/2014 | Name (ID): HARBOR COURT (003559) Address: TRACT 20320 SANTA BARBARA CA 93101 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 07/19/2016 Review Completion Date: 08/02/2016 |
| Name (ID): JULIETTE WALK (008256) Address: TRACT 31046 BUELLTON CA 93427 SANTA BARBARA Status: HUD Accepted Request Received Date: 05/25/2009 Review Completion Date: 05/26/2009 | Name (ID): JULIETTE WALK (005402) Address: 235 WEST HIGHWAY BUELLTON CA 93427 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 03/03/2021 Review Completion Date: 03/17/2021 |
| Name (ID): KNOLLWOOD (007057) Address: SANTA MARIA CA 93455 SANTA BARBARA Status: HUD Accepted Request Received Date: 05/20/2002 Review Completion Date: 05/20/2002 | Name (ID): KNOLLWOOD VILLAGE (004594) Address: 4012 S BRADLEY RD SANTA MARIA CA 93455 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/15/2018 Review Completion Date: 05/01/2018 |
| Name (ID): LA GOLETA (008264) Address: SB TRACT 93-015 GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/04/2009 Review Completion Date: 06/07/2009 | Name (ID): LA GOLETA II & III (001276) Address: 5514 ARMITOS AVE TRACT 13379 GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 05/26/2015 Review Completion Date: 06/02/2015 |
| Name (ID): LAS POSITAS MEADOWS HOA (002886) Address: 102-146 MEADOWS LN SANTA BARBARA CA 93105 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 02/10/2015 Review Completion Date: 02/26/2015 | Name (ID): LOMPOC VILLAGE (002155) Address: LOMPOC CA 93436-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/26/2007 Review Completion Date: 12/26/2007 |
| Name (ID): LOMPOC VILLAGE OWNERS ASS (002158) Address: LOM 341 PHASES 1-5 LOMPOC CA 93436-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/11/2007 Review Completion Date: 12/11/2007 | Name (ID): MISSION CREEK VILLAGE HOA (003255) Address: 610 SUNRISE DRIVE SANTA MARIA CA 93455 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 02/23/2016 Review Completion Date: 03/14/2016 |
| Name (ID): MISSION OAKS OWNERS ASSOC (003544) Address: 722 HILLSIDE DRIVE SOLVANG CA 93143 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/21/2016 Review Completion Date: 07/11/2016 | Name (ID): NORTHPORT VILLAGE (004029) Address: 145 ELLWOOD STATION ROAD GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/19/2017 Review Completion Date: 03/05/2017 |
| Name (ID): OAK CREEK VILLAS (007140) Address: SANTA MARIA CA 93454 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 05/04/2003 Review Completion Date: 05/19/2003 | Name (ID): OAK GROVE CONDOMINIUM (002184) Address: TRACT 13557 SANTA BARBARA CA 93110-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/04/1994 Review Completion Date: 08/05/1994 |
| Name (ID): RIVER RANCH (007345) Address: 220 E. GRANT ST. SANTA MARIA CA 93454 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/29/2005 Review Completion Date: 08/31/2005 | Name (ID): RIVER RANCH CONDOMINIUMS (007345) Address: SANTA MARIA CA 93449 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/30/2005 Review Completion Date: Unavailable |
| Name (ID): SALINAS PLACE (003225) Address: 2 OAK STREET SANTA BARBARA CA 93103 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 01/31/2016 Review Completion Date: 02/29/2016 | Name (ID): SANTA BARBARA EAST BEACH (003590) Address: TRACT 20795 SANTA BARBARA CA 93103 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/08/2016 Review Completion Date: 08/31/2016 |
| Name (ID): SANTA BARBARA HIGHLANDS (002798) Address: MIRAMONTE DRIVE SANTA BARBARA CA 93109 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/30/2014 Review Completion Date: 09/14/2014 | Name (ID): SANTA YNEZ VIEW (003490) Address: TRACT 12596 STADIUM DR SOLVANG CA 93463-8514 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 04/06/2016 Review Completion Date: 04/24/2016 |
| Name (ID): THE FRANCISCAN VILLAGE (008618) Address: CARPINTERIA CA 93013 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 08/20/2010 Review Completion Date: 10/11/2010 | Name (ID): TRACT 12,522 (002173) Address: SOLVANG CA 93463-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 02/01/1982 Review Completion Date: 02/01/1982 |
| Name (ID): TRACT 30,007 (006631) Address: SOLVANG CA 93463-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 02/01/1982 Review Completion Date: 02/01/1982 | Name (ID): TRACT 5607, LOT 1 (006778) Address: SANTA MARIA SANTA MARIA CA 93455-0000 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/31/2000 Review Completion Date: 12/31/2000 |
| Name (ID): TREE FARM (004532) Address: 5479 TREE FARM LN SANTA BARBARA CA 93111 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/25/2018 Review Completion Date: 01/11/2018 | Name (ID): VICTORIA EAST (002807) Address: 719 E VICTORIA ST SANTA BARBARA CA 93103 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 07/16/2014 Review Completion Date: 08/17/2014 |
| Name (ID): VILLA DE CASITAS (008054) Address: 511 N. H STREET LOMPOC CA 93436 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/04/2008 Review Completion Date: 12/04/2008 | Name (ID): VILLA DEL MAR (008275) Address: TRACT NUMBER 25028 CARPINTERIA CA 93013 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 06/10/2009 Review Completion Date: 06/10/2009 |
| Name (ID): VILLAS AT CALLE REAL (004542) Address: 100-175 VIA LEE GOLETA CA 93111 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 12/19/2017 Review Completion Date: 01/08/2018 | Name (ID): VINEYARD VILLAGE TOWNHOMES (003993) Address: E. HWY 245 AND MCMURRAY RD BUELLTON CA 93427 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 10/18/2016 Review Completion Date: 10/18/2016 |
| Name (ID): WINSLOW (004723) Address: 660 SOUTH KELLOGG AVENUE GOLETA CA 93117 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted With Conditions Request Received Date: 02/25/2019 Review Completion Date: 03/10/2019 | Name (ID): WOODRIDGE CONDOMINIUMS (002867) Address: 3340 MCCAW AVE SANTA BARBARA CA 93105 SANTA BARBARA Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/20/2014 Review Completion Date: 01/11/2015 |
