Have you ever thought about what your Santa Cruz home for sale looks like at night?  You should, because potential buyers certainly do.

Imagine a potential buyer driving by your home after sunset.  What will they see - a beautifully lit walkway leading to a welcoming front door - or a house that’s dark and dreary?

Many potential buyers want a home that looks lovely both day and night.  Why do they care what it looks like in the dark?  They entertain primarily at night, they frequently come home from a long day at work after dark, and they want the added level of security provided by a well-lit home.

Here are some ideas to light the night to help your Santa Cruz home sell faster:

• Add landscape lighting.  Create a gentle moon-glow lighting…

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It’s no secret: mold thrives where there is moisture. If you have moisture problems in your Santa Cruz home, you can expect mold. Check in your closet and find that old pair of leather boots you haven’t worn in ages. See anything growing on them?  Check wooden baseboards, and the legs of wooden furniture. If you see mold, act now.

• Carefully check guttering. If your gutters are old and leaky, or simply clogged with leaves, they can overflow and cause water damage to the roof, or allow water to run towards the foundation, eventually admitting water into your Santa Cruz home. Keep gutters clean and repaired.

• Vent moist air to the outside.  When you take a shower or cook, you’re releasing a lot of moisture into the home. Use exhaust fans during…

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Why would you want to bring more natural light into your Santa Cruz home? Any time you don’t need to turn on a light switch, it saves energy and money. It discourages mold and mildew. It’s cheering and feels expansive. Even if your power goes out, you can see and possibly even read by natural light. Here are some ways to do it:

 Paint it bright. You may be amazed at how much brighter a room becomes when the walls are a lighter color. Try it.

• Use mirrors. Hanging a mirror on the wall opposite a window will not only make the room seem bigger, it will bounce the light around and banish dark corners.

• Install a skylight. This is a good solution if your Santa Cruz home is wide and light from windows can’t reach the interior. 

• Install a tubular…

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You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save energy this summer. Some improvements to your Santa Cruz home will make your home more comfortable and save energy. Here are some examples.

• Make sure your air conditioner is the right size for your Santa Cruz home. Many people think bigger is always better. Not so. If your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will not reduce the humidity sufficiently. Lower humidity equals comfort in the summer. You may find that you can keep the thermostat a few degrees higher and be just as comfortable, as long as humidity is low.

• Shade your air conditioner. It will have to work harder if it’s out in the sun.

• Keep a/c filters clean.

• Use your window treatments wisely. Always try to close drapes or lower…

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The sound of birdsong is only one of the benefits of having birds frequent your Santa Cruz real estate. Depending on the type of birds you attract, they may also reduce the insect pest population. Here are some ways to attract birds to your property:

 Install a bird bath. Finding a good place to take a bath can be a challenge for birds, especially in dry weather. If they can find it in your backyard, you’ll have the joy of watching them bathe. If you have a cat, just make sure that you’re not creating mayhem; keep her inside, or get a hanging bird bath that will be inaccessible to her. Bird baths come in a wide range of styles and materials, from ceramic to metal to resin and more. Keep it filled, because the birds will come to rely on it.

• Put up…

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With people gathering for summer pool parties and barbecues, it’s time to spruce up your Santa Cruz home. Almost every house could use some remodeling here and there, but if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market in the near future, you’ll also need to consider investing in updates that will provide a return.

So, before you fire up your grill, below are a few quick repairs to spark motivation, kindle a good investment and put fire behind a speedy sale of your Santa Cruz home.

• Flooring.  Consider refinishing hardwood floors, if they haven’t been done in a while; it’s worth the investment. Carpet should be in great shape. If not, replace it with a new neutral color. Also, make sure there aren’t any noticeable cracks in tile floors.

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve been jealously eyeing those beautiful outdoor kitchens on the home and garden type TV channels.  They’re becoming hot items, but are they worth the price?  Will you really use it as much as you think you will? 

Here are some questions to ponder before deciding to splurge on this gourmet treat:

·Do you like to entertain?  The outdoor kitchen is no longer just a grill and a sink; it’s a whole entertainment system.  With an outdoor kitchen, you can effortlessly move the party outside.  In addition to a grill, you can incorporate all the features of an indoor kitchen including appliances, a counter for food prep, cabinets for storage, comfortable seating, a pizza oven and a fireplace or fire pit.

·Do you need more space? …

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Today’s buyers generally want modernized, updated properties. In a lot of markets, features like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops are almost expected, especially in higher price ranges. As your Father’s Day gift this June, help your dad add value to his Santa Cruz home.

Five renovation tips that are great gifts and will increase value:

1. Windows and doors - Almost any upgrade to windows, exterior doors or the garage door will add value to a property and increase its security. However, if you want to make a big impact, splurge for energy-saving windows. These will be especially appealing to buyers looking to lower their carbon footprints and those looking to lower their utility bills — which is everyone!

2. Curb appeal - The…

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Putting a fence in your yard can dramatically change the look and feel of your Santa Cruz real estate.  If you’re thinking about adding a fence, whether for a functional or ornamental purpose, there are several things to take into consideration:

1. Check local codes.  Does your homeowner’s association, county or city forbid fencing or forbid a particular size or type of fencing?  Find this out first.

2. Prepare for placement.  A wrongly placed fence can add significantly to the cost of an already pricey project.  Call utilities to have them determine where you can safely place your fence.  If you hit an underground line, you could be injured and be charged as much as several thousand dollars by the utility for repairs.  Hire a surveyor to verify your…

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You’re not a hoarder, but you definitely need to get rid of items cluttering your Santa Cruz home.  If the thought of having a garage sale makes you run screaming, never fear.   Here are four websites that will help you clear out unwanted items, without having a garage sale or throwing them in the trash.

1. Craigslist.  No matter what you think of Craigslist, it works for getting rid of unwanted items.  Just be sure to stay safe by having a friend or family member with you at your Santa Cruz home when someone comes to pick up the items.  Here are a few more tips to help move your stuff fast using Craigslist:
a. Include a photo. Buyers want to know what the item looks like.
b. Add as much detail as possible.  Include dimensions and sizes and be honest…

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