Not everybody is dealing with the worry of buying or selling Santa Cruz real estate. Some are quite happy where they are, have no intention of moving, and selling is the last thing on their minds.

However, there are a lot of incentives out there to do something in Santa Cruz real estate, and many are itching to dip into those incentives. So, if you’re not selling or buying, what can you do? Here are a few ideas:

Upgrades

Upgrades are something you can do to your home at any time. However, with the many government incentives out there, you can upgrade your home to be more energy efficient for less. For example, thanks to federal tax credits, you can install solar panels or a geothermal heat pump and get 30% back once you file your federal taxes.

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When you’re looking to buy a home, and especially when you’re looking at foreclosures in Santa Cruz or anywhere else, title searches are important.

Many buyers make the mistake of settling for a quitclaim deed without doing a title search. Unfortunately, the person who signs the quitclaim deed may not be the actual person holding the title. If there are any liens on the title, the new owner may get an unpleasant surprise at closing. With foreclosures in Santa Cruz, the possibility that there is a lien on the title is even greater.

What is a title search?

Title searches are performed by title companies or lawyers. These companies and attorneys search the public records for information on the property’s ownership. The goal is to find out if there are…

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Even, perhaps especially, in an economic downturn, people are trying to make a living in the real estate market. “Flipping” houses used to be a great way to make a little cash, but not now. Many are now looking at long-term cash prospects, such as renting property, and Santa Cruz foreclosures seem to be a good start. But are they? Let’s take a look.

Finding a good rental property isn’t easy. It’s not like shopping; you can’t go into a real estate store and grab the first house off the rack that looks good on you. It’s a process of investigating, gaining knowledge and being realistic. This is especially true when looking at Santa Cruz foreclosures.

Homeowners who suffered foreclosure were unable to pay the mortgage. We all know that.  What people…

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July saw the largest increase in home sales in at least ten years, which brings hope for all the homes for sale in Santa Cruz. What’s the culprit for this more-than-expected rise? The first-time buyers tax credit!

The $8,000 tax credit first time buyers are eligible for expires November 30, 2009. Buyers that otherwise may have stood on the side lines are rushing to find the home of their dreams in time for the closing to happen before the deadline. Thanks to that deadline, one out of three homes for sale are getting that coveted “Sold” sign.

So why should buyers beware?

If you’re holding off for a better time to buy one of the homes for sale in Santa Cruz, you might never see it! Mortgage interest rates are at a historical low; housing prices are…

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If you’ve ever sold one of the Santa Cruz homes, you’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” more times than you care to count from your real estate agent. Well, it’s time to hear it again, but maybe in a way you hadn’t considered.

With curb appeal, you might think of cutting your lawn, trimming bushes and getting rid of weeds.  Have you considered that creating a beautiful landscape for your home can add resale value?  Here are some tips on how to do just that:

Planting Frenzy

A beautiful landscape adds increasing value over time. That doesn’t mean you go on a planting frenzy, however. As a landscaping do-it-yourselfer, you don’t want buy a whole bunch of plants and throw them in the ground. You need to purchase the type of plants that will give…

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If you think Santa Cruz homes are in style, you just might want to look around.  The building trends for 2009 range from green to efficient and more.  Here’s a quick peek at the new trends – many of which look like they’re here to stay.

Smaller homes – Mansions are out and, believe it or not, matchbox houses are in.  Some buyers want downright tiny homes, and are even willing to build their own to get it.  If you own one of the Santa Cruz homes with a lot of square footage and want to sell, you might start counting.  How many of those rooms do you really need?  Can you knock out a wall to create larger, more open spaces?

More storage – Flat walls are out, closets are in.  Homebuyers are demanding storage spaces, from walk-in closets to built-in storage…

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By now, everyone has heard, and understands, the term “down market.” It sounds like a really bad thing, doesn’t it? However, with the help of your Santa Cruz real estate agent, you can take advantage of the many wonderful bargains to be had. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:

#1. Do Your Research

Right now, you have a great advantage as a buyer. Housing prices are generally lower and sellers or normally more willing to negotiate. In addition, there are tons of listings available, so you aren’t stuck with only two or three choices. This is where your Santa Cruz real estate agent comes in. 

Once you know the area you’re interested in, you’ll need to know the price range in the area. Knowing what the expensive, median and low prices are can…

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When buyers are looking at a Santa Cruz condo, they aren’t just looking at the place itself. Although how a home looks on the inside is important, many are also looking at the surrounding neighborhood. When you get ready to sell your home, start thinking about what other things you can sell. Here’s a short list of other benefits to promote:

• Condo Association – Every Santa Cruz condo has some sort of governing body like the Home Owner’s Association or Community Association. How good is yours? Does your condo association listen to the needs of the owners? Do they keep the building in good repair? If your association is one of the best, brag about it!

• Cost of utilities – How much do your utilities cost? This could be a strong selling point in your…

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Santa Cruz real estate is one of the biggest purchases anyone will make, whether male or female. And, while it’s been scientifically proven that men and women have different approaches to life, one would think that purchasing a home is pretty much the same across genders. We each have our own concerns and important issues, but they basically all add up to, “This is what I want in my home.”

Therefore, the results of a recent survey caused quite a bit of surprise. The survey pointed out places where inherent differences were clear, as well as places where there weren’t any differences at all. So, when it comes to a match in the Santa Cruz real estate boxing ring, who comes out on top?

Who is fastest at making up their minds on a home to buy?

Believe it…

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There’s a group of individuals constantly overlooked when someone has a home for sale in Santa Cruz. It’s not just newlyweds, families and women looking for homes. Men are on the look out, too. So what are they looking for? Here are a few points on the list:

• Location, location, location – Most men want a place close to their job. No long commutes, no hours on the highway. In fact, it’s one of their biggest considerations when choosing a home.

• The Man Cave – Is your home for sale in Santa Cruz set up with a man cave? Many men dream of having an extra room that can be converted into a place for recreation and entertainment. If you already have a man cave, you’re ahead of the competition!

• Surrounding area – In a fun survey, Sperling’s BestPlaces…

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