The hottest trend in real estate these days is carving out some space for your in-laws, the Wall Street Journal says.

And it has the potential to lift your home value as much as 60 percent.

Known informally as "in-law suites" or "granny flats" and formally as "accessory dwelling units" (ADUs), these little homes, usually somewhere between 300 and 800 square feet, are going up in backyards across the country. The multigenerational living trend has been picking up steam through the Great Recession, both as millennials return to their parents' homes and as boomers (and their parents) age.

To skirt zoning rules, in-law units often lack stoves. Click photo for a slideshow.

To skirt zoning rules, in-law units often lack stoves. Click here for a slideshow.

The main obstacle is zoning. Cities generally restrict the number of…

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Buying a luxury waterfront property in Santa Cruz is an exciting time, even for experienced homebuyers. Waterfront properties in Santa Cruz are more sought after because they are a rarity, in turn this means that working with someone who is knowledgeable is even more important. That being said, there are a few rules of thumb to consider when buying a waterfront luxury property in Santa Cruz:

1. Find a real estate agent that specializes in waterfront properties

Purchasing a Santa Cruz waterfront home can be complex, so working with someone who is knowledgeable about the area and has experience dealing with waterfront luxury properties is a key success factor. Having an expert available to help you with your search can help you change course from…

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Habitat for Humanity Builds Homes for Local Families in Santa Cruz CountyHabitat for Humanity Santa Cruz is a great non-profit organization that sets out to create affordable housing to low income families in need. This is an independently operated and locally funded chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Homes are built for local residents using donated supplies and community man-power. Qualifying families who live and work in Santa Cruz County will receive affordable homeownership with a zero percent mortgage from the HfHSCC; however, this is not a giveaway program. Applicants must prove a need for housing, provide a down payment and be able to make monthly mortgage payments. With local support, this program allows deserving residents of Santa Cruz County to gain economic stability and build a brighter future for their children.

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There are many reasons why a mortgage loan for your Santa Cruz real estate could be declined. It doesn’t have to be the end of your real estate dreams. Here are a few things to consider if you’ve been turned down for a mortgage:

Loan-To-Value Ratio
The loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is the percentage of the appraised value of the [city] real estate that you are trying to finance. For example, if you are trying to finance a home that costs $100,000, and want to borrow $75,000, your LTV is seventy-five percent.

Lenders don’t like a high LTV. The higher the ratio, the harder it is to qualify for a mortgage. To reduce the percentage, you can save up a bigger down payment. Some lenders may approve the loan if you buy mortgage insurance, which protects the…

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There’s at least one good thing about the drop in the dollar and it’s boosting the real estate market. Many high-end Europeans are now looking toward the U.S. for a vacation home or permanent resident, and that could mean big hope for your Santa Cruz home for sale. However, this also means a different way of selling.

Stage A Benefit
No open house for high-end buyers. Host an event instead – maybe even a benefit dinner for a worthy charity. Let people come and view the property, but give them an avenue to mix and mingle as well. In addition, they get to see how the house handles a bunch of guests.

Showcase A Chef
If you have a gourmet kitchen (or two), check with chefs that would like to showcase their cooking abilities. This creates an entire…

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Many putting up their home for sale on the Santa Cruz market don’t have a lot of available cash to spruce it up. While staging houses is a definite plus, it costs, as does many of the other suggested “to-dos." Here are a few cheap, easy ways to make your home look more inviting to buyers:

1. Put Up Your Personal Stuff
Not every buyer looking at a home for sale in Santa Cruz appreciates the fact that someone still lives there. Putting away the following things can help the buyers’ see themselves in the home:

• your pet’s things (toys, litter box, bowls)
• your medications, toothbrushes and toilet accessories
• any toys
• knick-knacks and personal pictures

2. Create More Space
Small, closed in spaces are major turnoffs for buyers. Create the illusion…

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Summer is gearing up, and the great summer holidays are right around the corner. From 4th of July picnics and fireworks to Memorial Day barbeques, and every sunny day in between, a little preparation can make your Santa Cruz home a spot for summer fun.

Clean Up The Grill
One of the most popular pieces of outdoor party equipment is the barbeque grill. Over winter, it can accumulate a lot of dust. Propane tanks may need recharging and even the tires might need filling. If the grill wasn't cleaned and stored properly, last summer's leftovers may be hanging on for dear life, and be really hard to get rid of. A good oven spray can help a lot. Spray on a generous amount and let your grill sit in the sun for a few hours before attempting to scrub the food…

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It’s almost time for the closing on the Santa Cruz home you’re buying and you can’t wait. You go to the property for the final walk-through inspection. You’re so busy thinking about where the furniture is going to go and what color you’ll paint the walls, you breeze right through the house.

It’s after closing and moving day has arrived. Your movers have already packed up your old house and are waiting for you to show up and unlock the door at your new Santa Cruz home. You enter the house only to find that the repair the sellers were supposed to make were not finished.

You may wonder if you have any recourse with the seller. Most likely not. Unfortunately, your last chance to object to the condition of the house passed at the final walk-through…

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The last few years have been financially difficult for millions of homeowners, with job losses and decline in home values devastating families all over the US. As a result, a great number of homes have gone through short sales, which has had a detrimental effect on consumers' credit ratings.

If you've considered or experienced a short sale, one of the biggest concerns you may have is how it will impact your ability to purchase another property in the future. Here are five key variables on how a short sale can impact your next home purchase.

Duration Of Delinquency Plays A Big Role

Short sale transactions take a long time to complete, depending on the state that you live in and the bank's policies. During this process, homeowners in a short sale…

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Water is the planet's most precious resource. Access to clean water is a privilege that, unfortunately, many people still take for granted. By utilizing new water efficiency technologies and age-old conservation methods, we can help preserve the water supply for future generations. Cutting down on consumption whenever possible is something that everyone can do to live a little greener.

Making Sure Your Home Holds Water

The first stop on your journey to save water is to ensure your home is free of water leaks. Make your way through your home, and properly shut off the water at all fixtures and faucets. Air-cooling systems and other devices that use water should also be shut of. Read your water meter, wait two hours (without using any water), and…

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