how to set up a legal short-term rental in your Santa Cruz home

Short-term vacation rentals are a great source of income for homeowners in Santa Cruz. However, the city council is starting to crack down on many properties that don’t necessarily follow all the rules and regulations for short-term vacation rentals. Although the industry for vacation rentals is not largely regulated, changes could be on the way that could make a big difference to your vacation rental property.

Here are some tips for setting up a legal vacation rental in your home:

Do the Proper Research

Before renting your vacation property, it’s important to do the proper research and determine if you are allowed to rent it out. Check with the city and county codes for any notices on short-term vacation rentals. A good way to do this is by…

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Santa Cruz is irresistible during the summertime with its dreamy beaches and world-renowned surfing waves.

People from across the nation relocate to Santa Cruz during this time, hoping to make the city’s vacation lifestyle their reality.

The influx of buyers during the summer makes this the perfect time to sell your home!

But it also makes the summer the most competitive time to sell a home. You’ll want to make sure your home stands out of the crowd so you can get the best offer possible and fast.

Here are five home selling tips to prepare your Santa Cruz home for the market this summer season:

1. Use the Weather to Your Advantage

Santa Cruz is beautiful all year round, but especially during the summer when the greenery is lush and…

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Nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains, Scotts Valley is the gateway to the coastal redwood forests and some of California’s most incredible state parks. Scotts Valley is the place to be for those who love nature. With massive forested areas and streaming creeks found around the city, there are seemingly endless opportunities to get outdoors.

Scotts Valley's Diverse Real Estate

Homes for sale in Scotts Valley range in size and price, making this community welcoming to all types of buyers. You can find anything from new construction homes to mature properties to luxury estates.

You can find California beach houses and mid-century modern builds. These homes are found on massive lots that are shaded by mature trees. Scotts Valley homes for sale…

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"Going green" has been big news in real estate for some time now. The benefits are undeniable: less waste, more savings, and the growing appeal to an ever expanding market of environmentally conscious home buyers.

Going green isn't just about recycling your trash, turning the lights off, or the ol' brick-in-the-cistern trick. And we're also some ways past the era of simply putting a solar panel and some extra insulation on a home and calling it "green".

So, where are we in the race towards sustainability? Well 2019 is set to be great for exciting new innovations, as well as some interesting variations on older ideas.

Read on to find out more...

Green Home Construction

More and more, the drive towards greener homes is taking into…

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When you think of Santa Cruz, what comes to mind is its gorgeous, white-sand beaches and its world-class surfing waves. It’s no wonder why people from all over the country move to California’s beautiful Santa Cruz.

Not only is it the city’s beauty that makes it so great, but its quality of life. In 2016, Gallup and National Geographic named Santa Cruz the second happiest city in the United States. People from across the country took a poll that assessed measurable expressions of happiness, like feeling safe, eating well, and learning new things, and Santa Cruz came out on top.

By looking at the city’s laidback, beach lifestyle, it's easy to see why Santa Cruz residents are so happy to live here. There are seemingly countless reasons that make…

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People from all over the world relocate to Santa Cruz for its picturesque coastlines and laid-back lifestyle.

Moving to Santa Cruz might be one of the most exciting moves of your life. You soon get to experience the joys of this treasure of the golden state first-hand and live everyday as a vacation.

There are countless things to do in this county, from weekend wine trips in the Santa Cruz mountains to days spent surfing in the Pacific.

The vibrant city of Santa Cruz has something for everyone and welcomes people from all walks of life.

Although it’s a dream to live in this city, Santa Cruz relocation can be daunting. With so much to consider, you’ll want to start planning your move early.

To help make your move easier, here’s the…

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Santa Cruz people using cell phones.

Santa Cruz can feel overwhelming when you’re new to the city. There’s so much to do and see, it can seem impossible to do it all.

Luckily, there are some awesome Santa Cruz apps to help you do just about anything--from guides to the best restaurants in town, to the breathtaking wineries in the Santa Cruz mountains. Whatever it is you need, there’s an app for that!

Check out the best apps to enjoy Santa Cruz, CA.

Santa Cruz Maps and Walks

Available on IOS and Android!

If you’re new to Santa Cruz and want to learn more about the city, this GPSmyCity app is great for you. Santa Cruz Maps and Walks will lead you on self-guided walking tours that take you to see the best attractions in Santa Cruz.

Guided tours are one of the best ways to…

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Are you looking to sell your home this spring?

Then you need some quick and easy ways to boost your home's value.

Well...put on some gloves and grab a shovel - we're going to get your garden into shape!

A home with a beautiful yard looks inviting, and sends a strong signal to potential buyers that they've found somewhere that they'd want to live.

It also says something about the property as a whole. A well-kept yard implies a well-kept and cared-for home, and who wouldn't be enticed by that?

So, if you are looking for some cheap and easy ways to get your property looking "buyer ready", then read on for some useful gardening tips.

Let's get started...

Ground Rules

Before you get your hands dirty, there are some general guidelines to…

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This may be a bit of an understatement: Santa Cruz is known as a beach town.

Although, maybe Santa Cruz should be known as a "beaches" town, given that there are so many to choose from.

Busy town beaches, long quiet stretches of sand, small secret coves - the Santa Cruz area has it all.

Not sure where to start? Well keep reading...

Here's a list of the best beaches around Santa Cruz, for whatever you need!

Natural Bridges - Natural Beauty

If you're looking to appreciate some of the natural beauty and wildlife of the California coast, then Natural Bridges State Beach is a great option.

Not only are there scenic rock formations (as the name suggests), but the adjoining park hosts migrating monarch butterflies every year in the fall…

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The area around Santa Cruz is a treasure trove of natural spaces, parks, and opportunities for outdoor fun. From towering old-growth forests, to the sparkling sea, these areas are kept accessible thanks to the miles of well-kept trails.

And what better time to get out and enjoy all this natural beauty than spring? With the wildflowers blooming, the birds chirping, and the young trees shooting, this is a great time to go hiking.

If you're unsure where to start - don't worry! We've compiled a list of some great hikes to take around Santa Cruz. These trails are guaranteed to be hiding some spring-time delights, so read on to find out more!

Wilder Ranch State Park - Wilder Ridge Loop

Just west of Santa Cruz, this park is home to some fantastic…

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