Listing Spotlight: 139 Atherton Loop, Aptos, CA

Upscale Aptos Townhome

A bright red maple tree and shingled vestibule shade the entrance to this 2-bedroom, 2-bath townhome in Aptos.  The front door opens to a living/dining room with views through sliding doors of a sunny, private deck and green treetops behind the home.  Wood floors, recessed lights, an angled gas fireplace enclosure, high ceilings & fan give the room a modern look and feel.

The open floor plan includes a gourmet kitchen with a breakfast bar, Granite counters, stainless steel appliances including a gas stove, tiled backsplash, and the same greenbelt views over the deck.

Carpeted stairs lead to the upper level. The carpeted master suite looks out over trees and nature through a large window. Recessed lights, ceiling fans,…

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Do You Need To Hire A Realtor To Sell Your Santa Cruz Home?

Going it alone and listing your home as for sale by owner can be exciting at first, but there is a turning point where the prospect of losing money makes it necessary to bring in help. There are several reasons to change your plan and list your home with a professional Santa Cruz real estate agent in order to facilitate a sale.

Here are three ways a certified real estate agent can help you sell your home faster and for more money: 

Sell Your Home Fast

If your property has been languishing on the market for more than three months, it is no longer fresh. People will avoid it simply because it hasn't sold, thinking there must be something wrong with it if it's still on the market. A professional agent can earn your home the attention it deserves…

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Community Spotlight: Davenport, CA

Clinging tight to the shoreline about 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz along old highway 1 is the sleepy little village of Davenport. Don't let it's size deceive you, — Davenport is a highly sought-after community with limited housing stock, which only adds to its allure. Those in search of a purely quiet beach town will not need to look any further. With most homes being just steps from Davenport Beac, not to mention a recreation center, elementary school, and grocery store, everything you need is in this charming seaside town.  

A Brief History of Davenport

The town is named for a Captain John Pope Davenport, who first set up shop here in 1867 by constructing a 450-foot wharf to aid in transporting lumber from the interior of the mainland, back…

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Your Rights As A Santa Cruz Home Buyer

When you buying any type of real estate in Santa Cruz, it's imperative that you're aware of your rights. Not everything is as cut and dry as some may want you to think, and while any good Realtor will do everything they can to protect you, knowing what you are and aren't entitled to will help alleviate any awkward conversations and potential disappointment. The following is a list of many of those rights:

Nondiscrimination

In this case, discrimination means being denied the purchase of a home unfairly. If you can afford a home, you have every right to buy it no matter who you are or what neighborhood it's in. The Fair Housing Act makes it illegal to discriminate because of race, handicap, religion, familial status, national origin, whether you…

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When Is It A Good Idea To Use A Home Equity Loan?

What Is A Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan is a type of loan that allows you to use the equity of your Santa Cruz home as collateral. It is an option that homeowners have available to them and that some people use to pay for major expenses such as home renovations, college education or medical bills.

These types of loans became popular in 1996 because they provided a way for consumers to circumvent their tax charges for that year, which eliminated the deductions on the interest for most consumer purchases.

Are Home Equity Loans A Good Idea?

It is a good idea to leverage your shelter for cash? What is a legitimate reason for taking out a home equity loan? It can be tempting to use the equity you have in your property to pay for…

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Reasons Why Fall is one of the Best Time to Sell Your Santa Cruz Home

Living in Santa Cruz has many advantages, and our moderate, northern California climate is just one of them. Changes in temperature and weather might not factor into the success of a home sale as much as they would in markets with more extreme climate fluctuation, but that doesn't mean it's not still important to choose the season you sell in carefully. There are pros and cons to selling at any time of year and the season you choose to put your home on the market should depend on a number of factors. If you're considering moving, upgrading, downsizing, or listing your property for any other reason, don't hesitate to do so now. There are a variety of reasons why fall is a fantastic time to sell your Santa Cruz home — here are a few of them.

Buyer…

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Buying Santa Cruz Real Estate as a Vacation Home

As a prospective buyer, owning a vacation home where you can relax and unwind in your favorite locale is extremely appealing, while you envision a perfect setting for your family and friends to experience. A vacation property is something you might think of as a place where joyful memories are made and traditions are established. However, beyond the good times and enjoyment of the destination are some important topics that should be taken into consideration when investing in a vacation property. Santa Cruz is one of the most beautiful places in the world, so we aren't surprised you'd like to have a little slice of heaven here, but if you're thinking about joining the group of happy second-home owners, it's in your best interest to do a little planning…

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City of Santa Cruz Makes Changes To Granny Flat Laws

In 2014, the City of Santa Cruz made changes to state legislation amending lot size restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). The city decided to reduce the size of approved lots from 5,000 sq. ft. to 4,500 sq. ft. With the new state laws that came into effect in 2017, any person with a lot in a single-family residential zone is going to be allowed to build additional living spaces on their property. Even with no more restrictions on lot size, all new ADUs or Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU) must still comply with city building codes.

According to the City of Santa Cruz, the changes that have been made to eliminating lot size restrictions for ADUs and JADUs is the first step towards decreasing the housing crisis in California. Many…

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Looking To Give Your Child a Quality Education? Here's Where to Live In Santa Cruz County

Finding a top notch school is vital to the success of our children. When you are new to the area and unsure of where to purchase a home, the quality of your children’s education takes top priority. This is no different for those parents searching for the best schools in Santa Cruz County. Once you know your children will be taken care of, you can focus on other details such as: square footage, granite counter tops, and how big the swing set will be in the backyard!

Regardless of your child’s age, the best schools in Santa Cruz County will make all the difference to their personal growth; and to your peace of mind as a parent. Listed below is a sampling of some of the top schools in Santa Cruz:

Mountain Elementary District

Mountain Elementary…

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New Community In Santa Cruz: Harbor Walk At Swan Lake

One of the most exciting new condo communities in Santa Cruz is Harbor Walk At Swan Lake. Drawing inspiration from the surrounding area, Harbor Walk At Swan Lake is the perfect living space for active individuals and families looking for a low-maintenance home in the heart of beautiful Santa Cruz.

The Homes in Harbor Walk

Harbor Walk At Swan Lake has one and two-bedroom condos featuring amazing features and luxury accouterments. From the beautiful dark hardwood to the open-concept kitchen and eating spaces, these condos feel comfortable and modern at the same time. Deceptively spacious, they also include spa-inspired bathrooms and master bedrooms with large, walk-in closets.

Beautiful patios offer tranquil views of the lush surrounding…

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