Elise Kahn Realtor

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Elise Kahn Realtor Santa Barbara Lifestyle Enthusiast providing five star service to help you achieve your home ownership goals.

October, you were a FULL one! 🍂 And looking back at these photos, I can’t help but feel so grateful for this season of l...
11/03/2026

October, you were a FULL one! 🍂
 
And looking back at these photos, I can’t help but feel so grateful for this season of life.
 
Between raising kids, making time for family, squeezing in adventures, and helping people find their place in Santa Barbara, there’s definitely never a dull moment around here!
 
But something I’ve been thinking about lately is how much my personal life and my work overlap in the sweetest way.
 
Being a mom has given me an even deeper appreciation for what a home really means. It’s where our kids grow up, where family comes together, where we celebrate milestones, and where so many of our favorite memories are made.
 
And getting to help other people find a place to create those same memories? That’s something I don’t take for granted. 🏡💕
 
October was a reminder that life moves quickly (a TEN-year-old?! How?!), but there is so much goodness in the middle of all the busy.
 
Here’s to making more memories in November! 🥰

I’ve been in real estate long enough to have some pretty unbelievable stories… and these are just a few of them 👻A plane...
10/29/2026

I’ve been in real estate long enough to have some pretty unbelievable stories… and these are just a few of them 👻

A plane landing on the freeway? A fire at my very first open house? Having to bring a police es**rt to a listing?!

I don’t remember ANY of this being covered in real estate school. 😂

But I guess that’s one thing I love about this job. No two days are ever the same, and I’ve definitely learned to expect the unexpected!

Although I wouldn’t mind a few less dramatic surprises moving forward.😆

Happy Halloween! 🎃 Now tell me, which story is the hardest to believe?!

Not all of my buyers pay the sticker price. 👀And I don’t just mean negotiating the purchase price down.Sometimes the bet...
10/26/2026

Not all of my buyers pay the sticker price. 👀

And I don’t just mean negotiating the purchase price down.

Sometimes the better negotiation is asking the seller to contribute toward closing costs. Sometimes it’s getting a credit for repairs. Sometimes it’s negotiating a rate buydown. And sometimes, yes, it’s getting the price down too. 💰

The goal isn’t to negotiate just for the sake of saying we got a “deal.”

It’s looking at the whole picture and asking: where could we negotiate in a way that actually benefits you?

Because two buyers could purchase homes at the exact same price and walk away with very different deals depending on what was negotiated along the way. 🔑

That’s why when I see a home that’s been sitting for a little while, needs some work, or has a seller who’s motivated to make a move, my brain immediately starts thinking about what opportunities might be there.

The price on the listing is where the conversation starts. It isn’t always where it ends. 🏡

If you’re buying in Santa Barbara, don’t assume the number you see online tells you the whole story. Let’s look at what we may actually be able to do with it. 🌴

📍 Featured Property: 110 S. Kellogg, Goleta, CA | 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms
Listed by Deborah Samuels | DRE #02119798

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

There’s a lot that happens between “your offer was accepted!” and “here are your keys!” 🔑 And the truth is, you might ne...
10/22/2026

There’s a lot that happens between “your offer was accepted!” and “here are your keys!” 🔑
 
And the truth is, you might never know about some of it. 👀
 
While you’re going about your day, I might be on the phone with the other agent working through a timeline, figuring out a repair, negotiating a credit, or solving one of those little 11th-hour problems that inevitably pops up.
 
Because you don’t need every single “what if” thrown your way.
 
You need to know what’s happening, what your options are, and what I recommend so you can make the decision that feels right for you.
 
You’re always in the driver’s seat. I’m just behind the scenes helping make the road there a whole lot smoother!
 
If buying or selling in Santa Barbara is on your radar, send me a DM. Let’s talk about what you need and how I can help you get there. 🌴🌊

If a Santa Barbara home has been sitting for a couple of weeks, my brain is already going… okay, what can we negotiate h...
10/19/2026

If a Santa Barbara home has been sitting for a couple of weeks, my brain is already going… okay, what can we negotiate here? 👀
 
And a lower purchase price isn’t always the only option worth considering.
 
Depending on the property, your financing, and what matters most to you, a seller concession could help with eligible closing costs or even an interest-rate buydown. 💰 Sometimes we might even negotiate a little bit of both.
 
That’s why I don’t want you negotiating just for the sake of saying you got the price down.
 
I want you to understand what each option could actually mean for your monthly payment, upfront costs, and overall purchase — and then decide what makes the most sense for YOU.
 
And if you’re reading this thinking, “Wait… I have a LOT to learn before I buy a house,” that’s exactly why I host FREE Homebuyer Workshops! 🏡
 
Whether you’re hoping to buy soon or homeownership is still a few years away, these workshops are a chance to learn the process, understand your options, and ask all those questions you didn’t even know you had.
 
We just wrapped up our latest workshop, but there will be more!
 
Want to make sure you don’t miss the next one? I’m putting together a list of people who want to hear about future workshops, and I’d love to include you! 🔑
 
DM me “WORKSHOP” with your email address, and I’ll make sure you’re on the list for the next one. 🌴
 
📍 Property featured: 7569 Newport Drive, Goleta, CA
Listing courtesy of Cristal Clarke, DRE #00968247 | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Okay, so apparently I’m a miracle worker now. 😂🔑 But let me tell you why this text meant so much to me. These buyers had...
10/15/2026

Okay, so apparently I’m a miracle worker now. 😂🔑
 
But let me tell you why this text meant so much to me.
 
These buyers had been trying to find a home before we started working together. They were ready for a fresh approach, and shortly after we connected, they finally got to call a house their own. 🏡
 
And while I LOVE that they called me a miracle worker (I mean, who wouldn’t?!), what really stuck with me was how much this experience meant to them.
 
Because when you’re buying your first home, there’s SO much you don’t know yet. What questions should you be asking? What should you be looking out for? How do you know you’re making the right decision? And who can you trust to guide you through all of it?
 
That’s why I love working with first-time homebuyers.
 
I don’t expect you to know everything about buying a home.
 
That’s MY job.
 
To educate you, advocate for you, help you understand your options, and make sure you feel supported through every step.
 
And sometimes, having someone in your corner who understands what you’re trying to accomplish can make all the difference. 💕
 
So no, I can’t promise miracles. But I can promise that I’ll take your home search seriously, answer your questions, and work hard to help you find a home that makes sense for YOU.
 
If you’re hoping to buy your first home in Santa Barbara, I’d love to be the person in your corner. Let’s talk! 🌴

I know seeing 7% interest rates all over the headlines can make you want to immediately close Zillow and say, “Okay, I’l...
10/12/2026

I know seeing 7% interest rates all over the headlines can make you want to immediately close Zillow and say, “Okay, I’ll try again later.” 🙅🏻‍♀️
 
And for some buyers, waiting absolutely might be the right decision.
 
But a higher rate doesn’t tell you the whole story of what’s happening in the market.
 
People still need to sell their homes. They get new jobs, have babies, move closer to family, need more space, downsize… life keeps happening regardless of what interest rates are doing. 🏡
 
And when fewer buyers are willing to make a move, that can sometimes give the buyers who ARE looking more room to negotiate.
 
I’ve seen that look like sellers contributing toward closing costs, rate buydowns, repairs, credits, or negotiating on the purchase price. 🔑💰
 
Does that automatically make a 7% rate affordable for you? Nope.
 
Does it mean everyone should rush out and buy a house right now? Also nope.
 
It just means I don’t want you making a huge decision based on one scary headline.
 
Let’s look at the actual numbers, the homes available, what we may be able to negotiate, and most importantly, what makes sense for your life.
 
Because sometimes the opportunity isn’t waiting for the market to become “perfect.” It’s knowing how to work with the market you’re actually in.👏🏼

The texts I never get tired of sending. 🥹🏡Today, one very deserving Cottage Hospital nurse became a HOMEOWNER! 🤍And the ...
10/09/2026

The texts I never get tired of sending. 🥹🏡

Today, one very deserving Cottage Hospital nurse became a HOMEOWNER! 🤍

And the best part? We made some pretty incredible numbers work in her favor.

✨ $99,000 below the original list price (including $29,000 negotiated off the final asking price!)

✨ Down payment assistance through Cottage Hospital’s incredible employee homeownership program.

✨ An interest rate UNDER 6%. Yes, in today’s market!

✨ Over $4,000 in savings on several major items that needed to be addressed, thanks to my extensive network of trusted vendors.

This is exactly why I love what I do.

Because buying a home isn’t just about finding the right property. It’s about knowing which opportunities are available to you, getting creative with financing, having someone in your corner who knows how to negotiate, and connecting you with the right professionals to help make the process more affordable.

And none of those wins show up when you’re scrolling through sold prices on Zillow. 😉

Santa Barbara homeownership might be more attainable than you think. Let’s talk about what’s possible.

I’ve heard a LOT of “I want to come, BUT…” this week. 👀But I’m not ready to buy yet.But I don’t know if I can afford San...
10/08/2026

I’ve heard a LOT of “I want to come, BUT…” this week. 👀

But I’m not ready to buy yet.
But I don’t know if I can afford Santa Barbara.
But I already have a Realtor I love.
But I can’t make it this Saturday.

And here’s the thing: none of those mean this workshop isn’t for you. 🏡

Nicole and I created this workshop because buying a home comes with a whole new language, a LOT of questions, and decisions that are much easier to make when you understand your options before you’re in the middle of it.

You don’t have to be ready to buy. You don’t have to work with me afterward. You don’t even have to know if homeownership in Santa Barbara is realistic for you yet.

Just come learn, ask your questions, and leave knowing more than you did when you walked in. 🔑

FREE Homebuyer Workshop
Saturday, October 10 | 2–4 PM
161 N. Fairview Ave., Suite B

Want a seat? DM me “WORKSHOP” and I’ll get you the details!

Upper State is having a moment. 🌳🍸🏡And if you know, you know.A few degrees warmer, a little sunnier, and just far enough...
10/07/2026

Upper State is having a moment. 🌳🍸🏡

And if you know, you know.

A few degrees warmer, a little sunnier, and just far enough from the downtown bustle to feel like its own little world.

Think tree-lined streets in San Roque, charming homes in Samarkand, and modern townhomes at Estancia. Morning coffee runs, Trader Joe’s staples, a dangerously good prepared-food selection at Bristol Farms, and date nights that don’t require heading downtown.

It’s the kind of neighborhood where your favorite restaurant, your Pilates class, and your grocery run are all part of your everyday routine.

And yes, there’s even lawn bowling. Because Santa Barbara. 🎳

I put together a little guide to some of my favorite spots, hidden gems, and places you might call home along Upper State.

Comment “UPPER STATE” and I’ll send you my full neighborhood breakdown + current homes for sale. 🏡

📍 Upper State Street | Santa Barbara, CA

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Santa Barbara, CA
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