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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-county-market-barometer/</link>
        <description></description>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/seven-signs-santa-cruz-real-estate-and-real-estate-nationwide-are-improving.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/seven-signs-santa-cruz-real-estate-and-real-estate-nationwide-are-improving.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Seven Signs Santa Cruz Real Estate and Real Estate Nationwide are Improving</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Recently released figures indicate real estate nationwide and Santa Cruz real estate are continuing to steadily improve. Here are seven signs that demonstrate the upturn:


1. Housing affordability has risen dramatically. This is due to a combination of reduced real estate prices and record-low mortgage rates.


2. Housing starts are increasing, driven mostly by multifamily starts.


3. Existing home sales increased in January. That means we’ve now had three months of gains out of the past four months.


4. Total housing inventory fell to a 6.1 month supply at the end of January. This means that on average it now takes just over 6 months to sell a home, which is an improvement. According to Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, "The broad inventory condition can be described as moving into a rough balance, not favoring buyers or sellers."


5. There are plenty of home buyers and investors competing for foreclosure sales in almost all markets.


6. Purchases of homes are on the rise by all types of buyers, from seasoned investors to first-time home buyers.


7. Most economists agree that the market is improving. Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist says, “Our outlook anticipates gradual, but steady, improvement in the economy and the housing market, supported by low interest rates and brightening job market prospects.”


This is excellent news for the spring and summer Santa Cruz real estate season that’s just around the corner. If you’ve been considering buying or selling a home, now’s the time to start that process so you’re ready for the hottest season we’ve seen in years.


Thinking about buying or selling Santa Cruz real estate? Please contact me today at Lauren@Laurenspencer.com or 831.662.6522. I can help you achieve your goals.


For additional information please visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Existing home sales increased in January


Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist


Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist
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            <pubDate>Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-bottom-is-here-and-its-time-to-buy-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-bottom-is-here-and-its-time-to-buy-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>The Bottom is Here and It’s Time to Buy Santa Cruz Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The latest statistics indicate that the U.S. real estate market is at or very close to the bottom right now.


On January 18, Bloomberg News reported, "Confidence Among U.S. Homebuilders Climbs to Highest Since 2007." Bloomberg said, "The confidence measure, which increased for a fourth straight month, improved in all four regions of the U.S. This is ‘yet another indication of the gradual but steady improvement that is beginning to take hold in an increasing number of housing markets nationwide,’ Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a builder from Reno, Nevada, said in a statement.”


The official data on home prices might not show the recovery yet, because they are always months behind, but most other data indicates that in general the housing market has hit the bottom.


Right now, homes in America are the best value they've been in many generations. And right now, mortgage rates are off-the-charts low. In short, now is the time to buy Santa Cruz real estate.


The reasons to buy now are incredibly basic:• U.S. home prices are more affordable than ever – by far.• Mortgage rates are down to record-low levels.• You can often pay below-market prices on short sales and REOs.


Of course, there is no guarantee that this is the bottom. But with prices this low and with very few other great places to invest your money, now’s the time to seriously consider buying Santa Cruz real estate. If you can buy now and hold on to it for a few years, it could be one of the lowest-risk, highest-reward investments you ever make. 


If you're still not convinced real estate is one of the best values out there right now, please give me a call at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.  I will share specific numbers with you about our Santa Cruz real estate market.


For additional information visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Bloomberg News


Mortgage rates are down to record-low levels


Short sales


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/6-experts-provide-2011-national-and-santa-cruz-county-real-estate-forecasts.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/6-experts-provide-2011-national-and-santa-cruz-county-real-estate-forecasts.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>6 Experts Provide 2011 National and Santa Cruz County Real Estate Forecasts</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
From national and Santa Cruz County real estate to the U.S. economy, the predictions for 2011 are in.&nbsp; Like any predictions, they vary from gloomy to cheery.&nbsp; Overall, the U.S. forecasts for national and Santa Cruz County real estate are more positive than negative for 2011.

1.&nbsp;Real Estate Economy Watch predicts:&nbsp; People are interested in buying a foreclosure.&nbsp; Nearly half (49 percent) of U.S. adults are at least somewhat likely to consider purchasing a foreclosed property, up from 45 percent in May, 2010. Despite the rising interest in buying a foreclosed home, an increasing number of U.S. adults also recognize negative aspects to buying a foreclosure. 

2.&nbsp;Bill Redfern, CEO of A Buyers Choice Home Inspections says:&nbsp; Presale inspections are on the rise.&nbsp; Sellers, and particularly banks, have become far more interested than in the past in having presale inspections conducted to help attract buyers. This business, which helped sustain inspectors during the downturn, is expected to grow in 2011 even as regular inspections come back. I might be optimistic, but I think in five to 10 years every listing coming to market will have a presale inspection done.

3.&nbsp;The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun is projecting:&nbsp;

&bull;&nbsp;Once businesses pick up spending, job gains will quicken and home sales&mdash;fueled by strong affordability and plenty of pent-up demand&mdash;will rise.&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;5.2 million existing-home sales in 2011, up from 4.8 million last year. &bull;&nbsp;Modest improvement in prices&mdash;a rise of about 1 percent this year on a national basis. That would be the first in what Yun says will be a series of small but steady gains in the years ahead that will eventually bring home sales back to a period of normalcy.&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;Yun says all of the price excesses from the housing bubble have been squeezed out of the market and interest rates remain at historically low levels, making buying attractive now.&nbsp; 

4.&nbsp;The Joint Center for Housing Studies says:

&bull;&nbsp;If the past is any guide, the strength and sustainability of the housing recovery will depend most on the bounce back in employment growth.&nbsp; Unfortunately, most economists predict that the unemployment rate will remain elevated as discouraged workers reenter the labor force amid slow gains in jobs.&bull;&nbsp;The oldest baby boomers are just turning 64, with millions soon to follow. Despite their losses in wealth caused by the correction in home and stock prices, the baby boomers will drive demand for senior housing suited to active lifestyles as well as for assisted living facilities.

5.&nbsp;According to the Standard and Poor / Case-Schiller index:&nbsp; Home prices are expected to rise 12 percent in the next five years. And, according to a survey of economists, that upturn should begin in 2011.

6.&nbsp;WalletPop.coms prediction for renters in 2011:&nbsp; The American Dream will include both renting and owning:

&bull;&nbsp;Lifelong renters will begin to buy.&nbsp; As jobs grow, prices hit bottom or move past their bottom in the handful of appreciating markets, and interest rates start what is likely to be a long, volatile climb up from the all-time lows of 2010, extreme affordability will push even some lifelong renters off the fence and into the market. &bull;&nbsp;Lifelong owners will begin to rent.&nbsp; Baby Boomers who have owned homes for decades and lost them at the trough of the job and housing markets will become renters-by-choice.&nbsp; Retirees will rent their current homes, rather than selling them, move to warmer climes and rent instead of own their retirement homes, at least until the housing market stabilizes and the mortgage market relaxes. 

Although no one can be certain what will happen in 2011 - especially for the struggling national and Santa Cruz County real estate markets - we can all gain a little hope from these 2011 forecasts. 

If youd like to buy or sell a home in 2011, I can help. Call me at 831.662.6522 or for additional information visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.

Links:

The Joint Center for Housing Studies&nbsp; 

Interested in buying a foreclosure&nbsp;

Chief Economist Lawrence Yun 

&nbsp;
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/market-trend-report.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/market-trend-report.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Market Trend Report</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
&nbsp;&nbsp;

Click here to get up-to-date information on local real estate market trends &amp; conditions
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-homes-home-equity-is-on-the-rise.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-homes-home-equity-is-on-the-rise.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Santa Cruz Homes – Home Equity Is On the Rise!</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The news is everywhere  and its good! Those who own or want to own Santa Cruz homes can take a deep breath.&nbsp; Home equity is on the rise, according to a recent study by Zillow.com, an online real estate valuation researcher.&nbsp; And, Federal Reserve economists agree. Although home equity isnt what it was three years ago, its on the rise.

The Feds most recent &ldquo;flow of funds&rdquo; survey indicates that the net equity of national homeowners grew by almost $1 trillion over the first three quarters of 2009, and rose further by $418 billion between June and September of last year. Compared to before the bubble popped, thats really not that impressive. However, after three straight years of steadily dropping equities, it could signify the long awaited end of the housing crash.

In the housing markets of several cities, negative home equity is dropping; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami and Seattle are just a few examples. Good news for those with Santa Cruz homes, but even better news for some of the hardest hit cities, such as Phoenix, AZ, and Fort Myers, FL.

This is the best news yet for those trying to sell their homes, especially with most residential real estate markets' busiest season coming up. Rising home equity means the high possibility of more interested buyers. As well, a few things have been happening over the past couple of months that just might be the beginning of a run on housing sales:

&bull;&nbsp;Median home prices are rising slowly but surely; potential homebuyers are getting a little more serious. Rather than wait for a cheaper house, theyre starting to realize that it might not get any cheaper.

&bull;&nbsp;The housing supply is shrinking. At the peak, we had 11 months worth of back supply. By the end of 2009, we were down to 7.2. 

&bull;&nbsp;30 year fixed mortgages dropped to the lowest point of 4.95% (median), and are now slowly on the rise. Buyers waiting for lower mortgage rates  just like those waiting for lower housing prices  are getting serious about buying now.

Last and most importantly, consumer confidence is growing  something we badly need to get the economy on track.

Whats the moral of the story? If your house is one of the Santa Cruz homes up for sale and youve been sick with worry that it might not get taken off the block, take a deep breath. Things are getting better and, if you hang in there, may end up better than you hoped.

If youre trying to sell your home, I can help. Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.

Links: 

Most recent flow of funds survey

residential real estate markets

30 year fixed mortgages

&nbsp;
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 22 Mar 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-county-market-barometer.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-county-market-barometer.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Santa Cruz County Market Barometer</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[  ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:03:00 -0700</pubDate>
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