To get a Santa Cruz home to sell during a buyer’s market, it needs to look better than the other houses on the street.  Making just a few quick changes can make all the difference when trying to best the competition.  Here are a few things to do to make your home stand out:

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Few things can spruce up a Santa Cruz home like a fresh coat of paint.  Be sure to pick a neutral color.  Potential buyers won’t be able to see themselves decorating and living in the home if they see too much of someone else's personality in the wall color.  Most home improvement stores will have color cards you can look through, this will help you find the most neutral color you can live with.  While you’re at it, get rid of all the knickknacks and other items…

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We are all short on time these days, and never does that become more apparent than when trying to buy or sell Santa Cruz real estate.  Deciphering the ins and outs of real estate can seem like a full-time job itself.  That’s why many people decide to hire a real estate agent to guide them.

• A good real estate agent must have a working knowledge of local property values to make sure you get the most for your money.  Having an agent working for you full-time to find the Santa Cruz real estate that you’ve been dreaming of can cut out a lot of hours of research and headaches.  A qualified real estate agent will simplify the search for the right property and can direct you to financing as well.

• If you’re looking to sell your property, your agent will…

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You may be wondering how to get the best price for your Santa Cruz real estate.  Good preparation and a little hard work is the key to getting the most money when selling your home.  Here are a few tried and true improvements you should make before you list your home:

• Revamp the exterior of your Santa Cruz real estate.  Pretend that you're a potential buyer and take a critical look at the outside of your home.  Could it use a new coat of paint?  Perhaps the current paint scheme makes it look out-dated and old-fashioned.  Painting and adding new light fixtures and railings can immediately improve your home's value.

• Look to the landscaping.  Trim any trees or bushes that obscure the view of your home from the curb.  Highlight the best view of your…

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There are several indications that the new stimulus bill passed by Congress will have a positive influence on the struggling housing market. If you are considering buying a Santa Cruz home for the first time the stimulus plan may help make that happen.

How the Stimulus Bill Stimulates the Bottom Line

The biggest effect the stimulus plan will have on new home buyers is a tax incentive. We all want to get more money back on our tax returns and the stimulus bill has an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers purchasing a Santa Cruz home.

How You Qualify

In order to qualify for the stimulus tax incentive you must:

• Not have owned a home in the past three years.

• Use the new home as your primary residence.

• Have an income of less than $75,000…

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Santa Cruz real estate in foreclosure is sometimes found stripped of all appliances and fixtures after the trustee’s sale.  Some property owners believe they have the right to remove everything but the walls of the house when they leave.  The law states that anything that is not personal property, that is in fact an asset of the property, may not be removed. 

Homeowners in foreclosure may be prosecuted for removing the following items:

• Most appliances that are on the property.  This includes the stove, dishwasher and garbage disposal.

• The air conditioning unit and the furnace must stay on the property.

• Ceiling fans, light fixtures, and any electrical wiring.

• The plumbing and all the fixtures must stay in place.  The sink, shower, toilets,…

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In today's real estate market, it's fairly easy to find Santa Cruz foreclosures, but what about finding good foreclosures in a steady market?  Whether the market is strong or soft, here are a few tips on finding foreclosed houses:

Real Estate Signs

First and foremost, drive through your neighborhood and surrounding areas.  Signs that say "Foreclosure," "Bank-Owned" or "Bank Repo" let you know they're Santa Cruz foreclosures.  But your best bet, if you want to get a jump on other buyers and get the best price and terms, is to work with a professional real estate agent.

Government Agencies

Depending on the agency, you may have to have the services of a real estate agent to make a purchase offer.  The requirements are posted at each site, along with more…

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Whether you are new to home buying or an experienced home buyer, you should take a minute to read this information before you set out to look for your new Santa Cruz home.

Look Before You Leap

Anyone who has bought a home in the past knows how good one can look when you walk through it. Even after you close on the sale and move in, all looks good, for a while. Then you begin to notice the little things. Things you should have known to look for when viewing. Be sure to have your home thoroughly inspected by a professional home inspector.

Avoid Problems at Closing

Title company issues can put a damper on your closing and possibly cause you to be without a home.  How? Once your current home is sold and the new owners want to move in, you'll be looking…

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The President's stimulus plan has many hoping for a ray of sunshine in a gloomy Santa Cruz real estate market. Here are a few ways the new plan can help give the market a shot in the arm:

• The stimulus plan includes a financial boost for the mortgage industry to help with new loans on housing.

• There is a tax incentive included that will give first-time home buyers a huge tax break.

• 50 billion dollars targeted at bailing out failing mortgage institutions means there will be financial opportunities for home buyers.

Along with the stimulus plan, home sellers are getting creative in selling their homes. Making sure their properties are in excellent condition and have good curb appeal is more important than ever before.

Selling your Santa Cruz real…

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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…

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Okay, maybe you are stuck here for awhile. The housing market is stagnant and you just don't have the desire to fight with trying to sell your Santa Cruz home. As long as you are going to be staying, you may as well make the best of it.

Taking this time to make improvements will not only make living there nicer, it will make selling it later when the market improves easier.  If it seems like an expensive endeavor, take heart.  There are tons of do-it-yourself home improvement projects that won't break your bank but will make your home nicer to be in—and worth more.

• Tiling bathroom and kitchen floors

• Changing water fixtures

• Adding a deck

• Creating a home theater

• Refinishing cabinets

Tips and Tricks

There are many websites that offer…

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