Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent 
There are currently 24 blog entries related to this category.
Does Your Santa Cruz Real Estate Team Know What They’re Doing?
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 at 1:01am. 1 Views, 0 Comments.
If you’re thinking of buying Santa Cruz real estate, now is the time to take advantage of this buyer's market.
Back in the “good old days,” (a few years ago) it was easier to qualify for a loan, with one-page loan applications, stated incomes and “no doc” (no documentation, meaning nothing had to be proven) loans. There were amazing loan programs, like 125% loan on the purchase price with no down payment.
Now, buying Santa Cruz real estate is more burdensome. No more “no doc” loans; lenders want every piece of documentation you can come up with. So then, why is it the best time to buy? And what does this have to do with your real estate team?
Although the current loan situation isn't ideal, it’s worth the effort to find a home you can afford. Here are two…
Choosing the Right Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home
Monday, March 15th, 2010 at 1:01am. 1 Views, 0 Comments.
Choosing the right Santa Cruz real estate agent for you is a vital task. This is someone who will be inside your home, interacting with your family and working with one of your most valued possessions—your home. You need to find someone you trust to take care of you and give you the best advice. So what should you look for in an agent?
• Personality. You need to get along with your REALTOR®. Interview Santa Cruz real estate agents. Get to know them. Do you trust them? Can you ask them questions? Are you comfortable around them? Be honest as you answer these questions. If something doesn’t feel right to you, trust your instinct.
• Work Ethic. Does your real estate agent return your calls within a reasonable amount of time? Do they answer your questions…
A Seller's Market?
Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 1:01am. 6 Views, 0 Comments.
A Seller’s Market? Hard to believe, but many homes drawing multiple offers again as listing shortages continue
My how things have changed in just one year! A year ago at this time, many homes were languishing on the market as buyers stayed on the sidelines, worrying about their jobs, the sharp decline in their 401k accounts, and whether housing prices would ever rise again. Today, many of those buyers have swallowed their fears and are out in force once again, spurred by an improving economy, a solid recovery in the financial markets, and federal home buyer tax credits that will expire this spring.
While no one claims the housing market is out of the woods yet, an unusual dynamic is occurring in many communities around the Bay Area: Despite the choppy…
I Admit It – I’m a Biased Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent
Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 6:21pm. 27 Views, 0 Comments.
People have asked me about FSBO (For Sale By Owner). They want to know whether it’s a good idea to use an agent and the answers to many other questions on this topic. I admit it; I’m biased. I am, after all, a Santa Cruz real estate agent.
I’ll even go a bit farther and admit that I’m biased about my hometown. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re going to buy a house, you should use me as your agent and buy a house in this city. But then, that’s what most real estate agents will tell you.
Without the bias, however, there are some real issues with not using a Santa Cruz real estate agent (or any agent, anywhere, for that matter). And, there’s one BIG issue…
The Contract!
Okay, here’s the deal. A real estate contract, like any contract, is a sealed deal once…
Explore the Benefits of Hiring a Full-Time Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 5:11pm. 25 Views, 0 Comments.
Buying or selling a home has a major impact on many people's lives. So it's important not to leave the task to just anyone.
Take advantage of all the benefits that come with working with a full-time Santa Cruz real estate agent. Since selling or buying a home can be a full-time job, it just makes sense to work with an agent that has a full-time commitment.
A full-time real estate agent can offer:
Lots of experience – If your agent lives and breathes real estate around the clock, then he or she is better equipped to handle the many surprises that come with buying or selling a home.
Peace of mind – You could be a first-time home buyer or seller. A full-time Santa Cruz real estate agent has the knowledge to lead you through every step, saving you time,…
5 Steps to Finding Your Perfect Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent
Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 11:21am. 27 Views, 0 Comments.
It doesn't matter if you're buying or selling a home, consulting an experienced Santa Cruz real estate agent is a smart move. Here are five steps to finding your perfect agent:
1. Ask about experience
Although many new Santa Cruz real estate agents are good at what they do, ideally, you want to work with an experienced expert. Someone with extensive experience can efficiently get through the process and streamline the fine details.
2. Confirm costs
Before getting in too far, find out if you are both on the same page when it comes to costs. Make sure to outline everything in writing ahead of time. This way you eliminate surprises in fees later.
3. Discuss turnaround time
Find out whether or not your Santa Cruz real estate agent can find or sell a property within…
3 Tips for Taking Advantage of Your Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 1:11pm. 32 Views, 0 Comments.
By now, everyone has heard, and understands, the term “down market.” It sounds like a really bad thing, doesn’t it? However, with the help of your Santa Cruz real estate agent, you can take advantage of the many wonderful bargains to be had. Here are a few tips on how to do just that:
#1. Do Your Research
Right now, you have a great advantage as a buyer. Housing prices are generally lower and sellers or normally more willing to negotiate. In addition, there are tons of listings available, so you aren’t stuck with only two or three choices. This is where your Santa Cruz real estate agent comes in.
Once you know the area you’re interested in, you’ll need to know the price range in the area. Knowing what the expensive, median and low prices are can give you…
FSBO vs. Hiring a Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent - 7 Points to Ponder
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 9:23am. 31 Views, 0 Comments.
Selling a home isn’t easy, especially now. Yet some homeowners believe they can stick a “for sale” sign in the ground and have the house off the market within a few days.
While FSBO (For Sale by Owner) sales do occur, four out of five homeowners still use a Santa Cruz real estate agent. Why? Because selling your home on your own is hard work, and even more importantly, statistics prove that real estate agents get homes sold faster and for more money than FSBOs.
If you’re not sure what you should do, here are a few things to think about:
FSBO
Sometimes, for sale by owner purchases are a good deal for the homeowner. That doesn’t mean you should just jump in, however. FSBO might be a good thing for you if:
1. It’s a seller’s market
2. You don’t care how…
6 Credit Score Myths You Need to Know Before Buying Santa Cruz Real Estate
Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at 10:03am. 35 Views, 0 Comments.
If you’re buying Santa Cruz real estate, you might start worrying about your credit score. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about that score, and many individuals actually end up making things worse by following them.
Read this list of common credit score myths and be in the know before talking to a lender:
1. Close out your credit cards. This is a big no-no, especially when you want to buy Santa Cruz real estate. Closing out your older credit cards, especially, can actually make your credit score drop.
2. Lower your credit limits. Lowering your credit limits can hurt your credit score. Part of your credit score is based on how much credit you have available.
3. Get good credit by paying all your cards in full. If you’re buying a home, part,…
Your Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent and You
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009 at 7:19am. 44 Views, 0 Comments.
As a Santa Cruz real estate agent, I get to meet people from all ends of the spectrum: buyers, sellers, renters, etc. I also come across other agents, and it constantly amazes me at the different outlooks surrounding the real estate profession. Many buyers think sellers and real estate agents are out to stiff them. On the opposite side, many sellers think buyers and agents are out to stiff them. Unfortunately, even some agents think both are out to stiff them.
I know they say “it’s a dog eat dog world”, but if everybody was truly out to stiff everybody else (rather than just get a fair deal), nothing would ever get done. There’s a big difference between a good agent and a crummy agent. So, maybe we all need to be reminded of what a good Santa Cruz…
