Home Inspection 
There are currently 8 blog entries related to this category.
High Santa Cruz Foreclosures Equals Great Deals
Friday, February 19th, 2010 at 1:01am. 11 Views, 0 Comments.
The extension of the homebuyer’s tax credit, as well as the expansion to include upgrade homebuyers, has a lot of people looking for their dream home. Many are looking for that dream home in the listings for Santa Cruz foreclosures. Why?
The Law of Supply and Demand
Quick marketing lesson: every market is dependent on the law of supply and demand. When the demand for a product is higher than the supply, prices go up. When there’s more product than demand, prices go down.
This is what’s happening now, especially with Santa Cruz foreclosures. Around the U.S., the supply of homes has doubled in the past two years, reaching as high as a ten-month supply. While homebuyers have been reluctant to buy a foreclosure in the past, people are starting to rethink the…
Buyer’s Guide to Your Santa Cruz Home’s Appraisal Terms
Saturday, February 13th, 2010 at 1:01am. 15 Views, 0 Comments.
If you're getting a mortgage on a home, your lender will require an appraisal. This is performed by a licensed appraiser who evaluates your home and determines its value. Here is a guide to your Santa Cruz home’s appraisal terms.
• Age: The actual age of your home is how long since your home has been built. The effective age is the adjusted age of your home based on improvements and repairs.
• Adjustments: Comparison Santa Cruz homes are usually not exact replicas of your home. The appraiser will make adjustments for things like premium views or swimming pools to bring the home values closer together.
• Appraisal: This is the estimated value of your home based on the appraiser’s documentation.
• Comparison approach: A type of appraisal in which your home is…
4 Things That Can Stop You from Closing on a New Santa Cruz Home for Sale
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 11:10am. 36 Views, 0 Comments.
Purchasing a Santa Cruz home for sale, especially as a first-time buyer, is incredibly exciting. However, just because your offer is accepted doesn’t mean the deal is done. Lots of things can still cause the deal to fall through. Here are just a few things that might slow or stop your purchase:
1. Termites – Most lenders will insist on having a pest inspection to make sure termites or carpenter ants haven’t seriously damaged the home. Even if your particular lender doesn’t require an inspection, it’s best that you get one done anyway. If the pest inspection shows there is a severe problem, you can either ask the seller to pay to have the problem fixed or walk away if your purchase agreement allows it. At less than $100, a pest inspection is definitely worth…
How to Buy Santa Cruz Real Estate For Sale By Owner
Thursday, July 9th, 2009 at 10:13am. 47 Views, 0 Comments.
There are a few misconceptions about buying Santa Cruz real estate for sale by owner (FSBO).
Seller Isn't Serious
Some buyers think that the seller isn’t serious about selling the house, that they’re just testing the market. While this is true in some cases, most sellers will accept an offer that is close to the asking price at any time.
Sometimes Santa Cruz real estate for sale by owner will sit on the market for a while. This may be because the owner is not open to negotiations on the sale price. More often, it’s because the owner doesn’t have the experience showing homes to potential buyers that a real estate agent does. A typical owner isn’t likely to have the time to properly market the house. If there aren’t enough buyers looking at the house,…
A Great Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent Can Help You Find the Best Homes for Sale
Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at 1:13pm. 48 Views, 0 Comments.
Finding a home may seem like a simple ordeal. There are ads all over the internet, and your local newspaper probably has pages of listings. So why bother working with a Santa Cruz real estate agent?
Your real agent isn't going to help you just find homes for sale; they're going to help you find the perfect home. So what does a Santa Cruz real estate agent know that you don't know, and how can they find the best homes for sale?
Intimate Knowledge
Finding a Santa Cruz real estate agent who specializes in the area where you want to buy is especially helpful because they have intimate knowledge of the homes for sale. The agent also knows the locale and can give you tips about schools, crime levels, shopping and other necessities.
MLS Searches
While you can view…
Prepare For Your Santa Cruz Home Inspection
Monday, May 25th, 2009 at 8:01am. 60 Views, 0 Comments.
Few things can derail your plans to sell your Santa Cruz home like failing a home inspection. Most states require that a home inspection be completed and turned over to the buyer before the contract is finalized.
To prepare for your Santa Cruz home inspection, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your home. It’s also a good idea to examine all the appliances to make sure they're in good working condition.
What Will the Inspector Do?
You may be surprised to learn that the inspector will turn on the stove and test the dishwasher and garbage disposal. They'll make sure the furnace and air conditioning systems work. You’ll want to clear out the area around the furnace and hot water heater because the inspector will need a few feet of space towork in.
If you plan to…
Finding Defects in Newly Constructed Santa Cruz Homes for Sale
Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 9:01am. 52 Views, 0 Comments.
According to the Better Business Bureau, contractor problems are one of the most common consumer complaints. With those kinds of statistics, buying newly constructed Santa Cruz homes for sale calls for a knowledgeable individual. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your contractor doesn't end up as your complaint:
Know What Your Warranties Cover
There are two types of warranties. One is called an express warranty, and is given to you by the contractor. Usually, this warranty lasts between one to ten years, with one year being the most common. It covers everything from cosmetic flaws to serious defects.
The second type of warranty varies depending on the state you live in. It's an implied warranty that lasts seven to ten years, stating that the…
Money Pits or Historic Santa Cruz Homes?
Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at 2:19pm. 56 Views, 0 Comments.
When you're talking about renovating, there's a fine line between historic Santa Cruz homes and money pits. It's easy to get so attached to a house that you can't get past "what has been" to see "what is." If you're thinking about renovating a historic home, you might want to read these tips first:
Renovating Tips
• Have a home inspector come out and look at the house you're interested in. The inspector should be versed in older homes.
• Have a contractor come out and give you an estimate on repairs, based on their experience and the issues pointed out by the home inspector.
• Be aware that older homes may have issues with lead paint, asbestos and mold. Have these issues checked out and add them to your cost.
• Set extra money aside for unforeseen issues. …
