Harry Kolb is one of the foremost experts on luxury residential real estate in the Santa Barbara, California area including Montecito and Hope Ranch. His past professional involvement in international marketing has served him well in managing the sale of estate properties. He was one of the founding members of Sotheby’s International Realty when they opened their first office in Montecito and his real estate career has spanned more than 30 years. During which time he has personally managed several billion dollars in transactions representing over 200 estate property sales. As an authority on Montecito real estate, architecture and history he has specialized in the marketing and sale of architecturally significant homes and has served on the boards of The Montecito Association, Lotusland, Casa del Herrero and is the co-creator of the George Washington Smith Society. He has frequently been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes Magazine, Los Angeles Times and Architectural Digest. He assisted in the publication of books on famed architects George Washington Smith and Reginald Johnson and the history and architecture of Montecito.

 

In addition to his busy career, Harry has been honored to serve as a trustee on numerous local boards including The Montecito Association, a volunteer organization charged with the responsibility of managing the land use and development in Montecito; Lotusland, a world-renowned public garden in Montecito; and Casa del Herrero, an estate designed by architect George Washington Smith and completed in 1925, noted as one of the finest examples of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in America, and included on the National Register of Historic Places and a National Historic Landmark. Harry and his wife, Karen, live in Montecito and are actively involved in numerous local organizations including the Santa Barbara Art Museum, Lotusland, Casa del Herrero and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.

 

In a community where so many clients are notable personalities or business and government leaders, confidentiality becomes an important issue. Unfortunately, in the real estate business, many agents have begun to trade on the notoriety and fame of their clientele. As much as Mr. Kolb might benefit from the fame of his clientele, he also knows that one of the most important reasons his clients have chosen to work with him is that he has practiced strict confidentiality when it comes to the private investments of his clients. Any lesser degree of performance would be self-defeating.

 

Even the most obscure buyer or seller should be aware that there are several ways their private real estate business can remain private and not readily available to prying eyes. Experience has shown Harry how to help his clients retain their confidentiality.

 

Mr. Kolb's entire business career has been devoted to marketing. After receiving a BA in Marketing from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Harry became a marketing consultant with Dun & Bradstreet, Inc. After working with firms like Gates Lear Jet, Johns Manville and Sherwin Williams, Harry was hired by one of his clients and became Vice President of CleveRock Energy Corporation in Denver, Colorado, where he was responsible for marketing oil and gas exploration investments to corporate clients looking for their own supply of natural resources. After 10-years in Denver and Vail, Harry couldn't wait to get back to Montecito where he had spent such wonderful summers as a youth in the early 60's. Once here, friends encouraged him to apply his marketing skills to the sale of this community's world-class collection of estate properties.

 

Harry's long-time interest in architecture and talents in marketing to a sophisticated clientele seem to be especially well suited to his work as an estate agent.

 

Real estate is one of those interesting professions where it costs no more to be represented by the best. Whether you're working with a virtual beginner in the field or an experienced veteran, the real estate commissions are the same. But your satisfaction and success in the process may be quite different.

 

In today's fast-paced market, where inventories are low or almost non-existent, having an experienced agent with extensive resources and community contacts is even more important. It costs no more to be represented by the best!