Condos 
There are currently 12 blog entries related to this category.
3 Tips to Buying an Eco-friendly Home for Sale in Santa Cruz
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 1:01am. 2 Views, 0 Comments.
Buyers are becoming more concerned about their personal environment, from eco-friendly carpeting to energy efficient appliances. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly home for sale in Santa Cruz, but aren’t sure how to find it, here are a few tips on what to look for:
1. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Although the number is growing, only a few builders are employing eco-friendly practices during construction. However, those that do can qualify for the EPA Indoor airPlus designation. These homes are designed for better IAQ, which means a healthier home for you. Rest assured, if a builder meets this designation they’ll tell you about it. However, just in case – ask!
2. Energy Efficient – If it qualifies for the EPA Indoor airPlus designation, the home for sale in…
Thinking About Buying a Santa Cruz Condo? What You Need to Know
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 11:25am. 56 Views, 0 Comments.
If you’re thinking about buying a Santa Cruz condo, it’s imperative that you know what you’re getting into, and how the past year has changed things. The rules and regulations for condominium mortgages have changed a lot in 2009…
In April, the two government-run mortgage companies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, tightened their guidelines for those looking to own a Santa Cruz condo or any multi-family home. The restrictions make it harder for potential buyers to get financed through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which makes a mortgage more expensive.
The April policy requires that the condominium association and operations be evaluated, as well as your credit qualifications. The new requirements touch on subjects such as:
• The association’s insurance
• Financial…
Holiday Candle Safety in Your Santa Cruz Condo
Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 1:24pm. 98 Views, 0 Comments.
More festive candles are used in your Santa Cruz condo during the holidays than at any other time of year, so it’s important to review the safety rules. Here are few tips to keep your condo safe:
Candle Placement Preparation
It may sound silly, but you need to prepare before you light that candle. First figure out where you want to place the candle in your Santa Cruz condo.
• Find a heat resistant surface.
• Make sure there aren’t any books, papers, curtains, or bedding nearby.
• Watch out for flammable holiday decorations.
• Keep the candle away from windows and vents, and check for signs of a draft.
• Place the candle where children and pets can’t reach and where it isn’t likely to be bumped into.
Getting Ready to Light the Candle
• Before burning…
20 Space Saving Ideas for Your Santa Cruz Condo
Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 3:27pm. 69 Views, 0 Comments.
Living in a Santa Cruz condo can be a lot of fun, but it can also be an exercise in frustration when it comes to having enough room for all your items and making your home look its best. Here are a few tips to keep you from losing your mind:
1. Use an ottoman for your coffee table. It can double as storage.
2. Put shelves above the doorways rather than somewhere else on the wall.
3. Low bookcases along the back of your couch can double as a couch table.
4. Use glass shelves in deep-set windows as additional storage space for knickknacks.
5. Buy larger, but fewer, pieces of furniture.
6. Use a magazine rack.
7. Leave the views of windows and doors uncluttered.
8. Stay away from bright, vibrant prints for furniture fabric.
9. Use corner bookcases where…
Save Your Life and Your Santa Cruz Condo
Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 11:23am. 71 Views, 0 Comments.
If you live in a smaller place like a Santa Cruz condo, you may be ignoring a very important part of your home. Worse, your home may not even contain this significant piece of technology. It’s small, it seems insignificant, and it can save your life.
It’s the smoke detector, and paying attention to it can literally mean a difference between life and death. Many people have them, but don’t take care of them. Others don’t have them at all, thinking a Santa Cruz condo is small enough they would notice a fire if it started. Here are a few “to-dos” and tips to taking care of your smoke detector:
• First and foremost, if you don’t have one, get one! For that matter, it’s always best to get a smoke detector for as many rooms in the house as needed. Check the…
9 Questions to Ask Your Potential Santa Cruz Condo Association
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 1:13pm. 74 Views, 0 Comments.
If you’re looking at buying a Santa Cruz condo, you need to be aware that there are condominium associations that oversee condo developments just like there are homeowner’s associations that oversee subdivisions. However, they may not work the same and can vary widely from condo to condo. Here are a few things you need to ask the association before signing that contract:
1. What’s the ratio of owner-occupied to tenant-occupied units? More owner-occupied units means better marketability if you want to resell.
2. Do the assessments rise with inflation? This doesn’t sound like a good thing, but matching assessments with the rate of inflation means the ability to build reserves for any future repairs.
3. What does the assessment cover (trash collection,…
7 Ways Condos in Santa Cruz Can Go Green
Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 11:27am. 92 Views, 0 Comments.
Want to go green but afraid it won’t work for condos in Santa Cruz? Get rid of your worries, because it’s definitely possible. It just takes a little thought!
1. Go Energy Star – Anytime you get a chance, use Energy Star appliances, lighting, heating and cooling equipment. When it’s time to replace something, look for the Energy Star option.
2. Use a power strip – Many people have a slew of chargers and electronics. Instead of plugging them directly into an outlet, use a power strip and then turn the power strip off when the electronics aren’t in use.
3. Get an energy audit – If you get an energy audit you can find out how your insulation and heating and cooling equipment is working compared to the condos in Santa Cruz. If it’s not up to par, you can…
Pending Home Sales on a Record Roll
Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 2:34pm. 109 Views, 0 Comments.
Contract activity for pending home sales has risen for six straight months, a pattern not seen in the history of the index since it began in 2001, according to the National Association of Realtors®.
The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contracts signed in July, increased 3.2 percent to 97.6 from a reading of 94.6 in June, and is 12.0 percent higher than July 2008 when it was 87.1. The index is at the highest level since June 2007 when it was 100.7.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing market momentum has clearly turned for the better. “The recovery is broad-based across many parts of the country. Housing affordability has been at record highs this year with the added stimulus of a first-time buyer tax credit,”…
How Much Mortgage Can You Afford for a Santa Cruz Condo?
Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 9:13am. 89 Views, 0 Comments.
If you’re thinking of buying a Santa Cruz condo, then you’re probably looking forward to the convenience of condo life. Freedom from landscaping chores and home maintenance tasks is just ahead. But, first you must determine how much condo you can afford to buy.
Before you do anything else, make a detailed list of your finances. You’ll need to factor in all your income, and list all your normal monthly debts. Make a separate section for things you don’t want to do without, but can if it's required. These are the first things that are eliminated when looking to save money in your budget.
Next make a budget for your household. Remember to include extras like going out to eat. A good budget will have all of these elements:
• Fixed expenses. These include…
