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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-vacation-home/</link>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/its-time-to-get-back-in-to-single-family-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/its-time-to-get-back-in-to-single-family-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>It’s Time to Get Back in to Single-Family Santa Cruz Real Estate </title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Are you unsure about buying Santa Cruz real estate? Warren Buffet was recently quoted as saying, “If I had a way of buying a couple hundred thousand single-family homes…I would load up on them and… take mortgages out at very, very low rates…it’s a leveraged way of owning a very cheap asset now, and I think that’s probably as attractive an investment as you can make now.”


Homeownership in the United States is dropping and we are becoming a society of renters, according to a Morgan Stanley Housing Market Insights report.  Why is this happening?


• It’s harder to get mortgages: Banks have made it more difficult for people to become homeowners. If they have marginal credit or small down payments, they won’t get approved.


• Some have a fear of buying: The economic and real estate market collapse caused many people to fear buying a home. Many who could buy a Santa Cruz real estate right now are sitting on the sidelines waiting for the market to recover. If your credit is good and you have the money for a down payment, all reports are saying, do not wait!Here are a few tips to help you make the most of this real estate market:


• Act now: Savvy investors know the market has started to recover. If you wait for the media to say it’s ok to start investing in Santa Cruz real estate again, it’ll be too late.


• Earn rental income: If you buy a second (or third or fourth) home or a home you don’t want to live in, rent it and generate income. Large investors are saying single-family real estate is the way to go right now.


• Take advantage of low prices: Prices have fallen dramatically in a lot of markets, while rental rates are increasing.


To find single-family investment properties or your own new home, call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com. I’ll help you find the property that meets your investment goals.


For additional real estate information, please visit my home page at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Warren Buffet


Morgan Stanley Housing Market Insights report


Low prices
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/dress-up-your-santa-cruz-home-with-flowering-shrubs.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/dress-up-your-santa-cruz-home-with-flowering-shrubs.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Dress Up Your Santa Cruz Home with Flowering Shrubs</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Flowering shrubs add interest to any landscape and early spring is an ideal time to plant them. Shrubs are relatively maintenance free. Once you plant them, they are a perennial source of beauty.


Keep these tips in mind as you plan how to dress up your Santa Cruz home with shrubs.


• Plan ahead. Make sure you know how tall your chosen shrub will grow. Don’t place a tall selection in front of a window where it will block your view.


• Coordinate colors. Consider how well the color of your new shrub’s flowers will complement the color of any established flowers that will be blooming nearby at the same time.


• Go for fragrance. Flower color is not the only thing to consider. What could be nicer than having the scent of lilacs wafting through the window of your Santa Cruz home?


• Spread out flowering times. Try to pick a variety of shrubs that bloom throughout the seasons. That way you’ll always have some color in your yard. While most bloom in spring, you can have some flowering in March, others in April and still others in May. For example, hydrangeas bloom in summer. There are even a few that bloom in autumn, such as butterfly bush.


• Go native. Be sure to ask about native species at your local nursery. Native shrubs will be well adapted to your area and are more eco-friendly than introduced species.


• Mulch your new plantings. An attractive mulch keeps down weeds, conserves moisture and looks good. Use either wood chips or bark. If you create your own mulch with a chipper, be sure you don’t use black walnut trees. They produce a substance that is toxic to most other plants.


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

Links


Hydrangeas


Butterfly bush


Lilacs
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-real-estate-contract-contingencies.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-real-estate-contract-contingencies.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate Contract Contingencies</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Whether you’ve bought and sold a dozen homes or you’re a first-time home buyer, you probably know that after you purchase Santa Cruz real estate, there is usually no option to return or exchange it. Because of this finality, you need to be sure your contract spells out all the conditions you want met before the deal can close. In real estate contracts, these conditions are called contingencies.


Contingencies are the requirements that both the buyer and the seller must meet in order for the closing contract to be valid. If something does not meet specific criteria, the contract must be renegotiated or it becomes null. Below is a list of contract contingencies every buyer should include in their bid — so that you don’t end up with an unexpected fixer-upper on your hands!


• Home Inspection Contingency – This is a really important contingency because you want to make sure there are no problems with the Santa Cruz real estate. If any serious problems are discovered, such as wood-destroying pests, lead-based paint or a damaged roof, you can renegotiate your contract to account for the costs you’ll incur during repairs.


• Loan Contingency – This allows the buyer to shop around for a loan so they can get financed under a particular interest rate and not get locked into high mortgage payments they cannot afford. If a buyer can’t secure a loan that meets the contingency parameters, then the contract can be voided.


• Home Insurance Contingency – This means that you’re asking the seller to provide proof that the home is currently insured. This is needed because, in recent years, homeowners living in states with a history of toxic household mold, earthquakes or hurricanes, have been surprised to receive a flat out "no" from insurance providers. You want to make certain that the home is insurable before you buy it. If there are serious issues with the home, insurance companies might reject it or charge astronomical rates.


If you would like to know more about contingencies or need help buying Santa Cruz real estate, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links:


Renegotiate


Contract contingencies


Home Inspection
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:13:30 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/dont-count-on-luck-to-sell-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/dont-count-on-luck-to-sell-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Don’t Count on Luck to Sell Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Even though we’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this month, do not count on the luck of the Irish when it comes to selling your Santa Cruz home. Finding the right buyer in this housing market can seem about as easy as spotting a leprechaun. However, with a little bit of research, you can identify the type of buyers most likely to purchase your home and develop a marketing strategy to target that group.


Pinpointing the buyers most likely to purchase your home and marketing specifically to that group is a tool that real estate professionals use all the time. Below are two crucial steps to identifying potential buyers of your home, appealing to the people most likely to purchase your property and selling your house quicker — which means claiming your pot of gold.


1. Identify the lifestyle fit. Think back to when you initially bought the property and what qualities caught your eye. Were you a single man looking for a bachelor pad or an empty nester looking for a place to retire? Coincidentally, whoever buys your Santa Cruz home will probably have a lifestyle similar to the one you had when you bought your home. So, be sure to highlight attractive features, such as a game room for a bachelor or one-level living for a retiree.


2. Notice the neighborhood. Once you’ve identified the type of buyer, it is important to examine your neighborhood. People want to live in areas where they have the amenities they need. Do you live close to a good school? Is a new shopping development going in right down the road? Are there multiple parks within walking distance? These can all be things that attract the right buyer, but are often left out of advertising.


Do not count on leprechauns and luck to sell your Santa Cruz home! While your buyer could turn out to be the complete opposite of your target market, you are more likely to have house-selling success if you reach out to a specific demographic.


If you could use help developing a marketing strategy to sell your real estate, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com today.


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

Links:


Identifying potential buyers


Neighborhood


Good school


 
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            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-reasons-to-buy-a-newly-constructed-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-reasons-to-buy-a-newly-constructed-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Five Reasons to Buy a Newly Constructed Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A brand new Santa Cruz home is better than a used home, isn't it? For most people, that's a matter of preference. If you’re unsure which you prefer, consider these five reasons to buy a newly constructed home:


1. You want to pick out everything: Do you want granite or cement countertops? Perhaps you'd like a skylight in your family room or a fireplace in your master bedroom. You get to choose all the fixtures, flooring and faucets. Plan to spend a lot of time making these choices and probably some additional money for upgrades.


2. You want a Santa Cruz home that comes with high-tech and energy-efficient features: You’ll save energy and money with low-flow toilets and shower heads, energy-efficient appliances and higher-efficiency HVAC, doors and windows. New homes are able to handle today's hottest electrical components and gadgets.


3. You want a home that no one else has ever lived in: This is one of the American dreams. Our culture is built around having to own the newest and best. There’s also no wear and tear on the home.


4. You want a planned community. A well-planned community offers a variety of housing choices, plus recreation and other amenities. For many, it's the perfect choice for today's busy lifestyles.


5. You want a new home warranty. Most new homes come with a builder’s warranty which covers "house settling" problems and defects. So if your roof starts leaking or the furnace breaks during the warranty period, your builder will pick up the tab for the repair.


Whether you’ve decided buying a pre-owned or new Santa Cruz home is right for you, I can help. Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links:


Reasons to buy newly constructed home


Planned community


New home warranty
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:32:01 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/check-out-the-attic-in-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/check-out-the-attic-in-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Check Out the Attic in Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you have easy access to your attic, a quick inspection will either put your mind at ease or alert you to situations that need to be remedied before they cause problems. Why is now a good time to check your attic? If you’ve ever been in an attic in the summer, you know why you should do it now.


Here are just some of the things you should check out in the attic of your Santa Cruz home:


• Insulation. Is it adequate? Has it shifted around into peaks and valleys? Is it properly installed? Are there gaps that need to be filled?• Ducts. Are there open joints in the ductwork? Are the ducts insulated?• Ventilation. Are vent openings blocked? If you see frost on roofing nails, or rust stains or mildew around roofing nails, it means the attic needs more ventilation.• Leaks. Do you see evidence of past or current roof leaks? Look for delaminating plywood or warped roofing boards. Check around the chimney and vent stacks to see if they need to be sealed where they penetrate the roof.• Vent stacks. Do they terminate in the attic? Ideally they should vent out above the roof. If they vent into the attic, they need to be capped with an air admittance valve (AAV).• Exhaust fans. Check to see where kitchen and bath fan ducts are. Do they vent into the attic? They should vent above the roof; otherwise they are adding excess humidity to the attic of your Santa Cruz home.• Electrical wiring. Are there open electrical junction boxes or makeshift wiring? These are a fire hazard and need to be addressed.• Structural problems. Check the rafters and trusses for cracked, broken or sagging members.


Once you do an inspection of your Santa Cruz home’s attic, you’ll feel like you really have a firm grasp of its integrity. You’ll be able to face any issues you find and prevent bigger problems in the future.


For more home maintenance tips like these view www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links


Insulation


Ducts


Air admittance valve


 
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            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/save-energy-and-increase-comfort-in-your-santa-cruz-home-this-winter.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/save-energy-and-increase-comfort-in-your-santa-cruz-home-this-winter.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Save Energy and Increase Comfort in Your Santa Cruz Home this Winter</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Love it or hate it, winter is here. If you’re having a hard time appreciating that fact, there are some things you can do to make your Santa Cruz home more comfortable this winter, without running up your heat bill. Here are some to try:


• Check and lock windows. Even if you think your windows are shut, go around and check each one to make sure it’s snug - and lock it.


• Use ceiling fans. Consider adding ceiling fans to every room; they truly make a difference. Set them spinning in the correct direction to pull air up this winter so they displace warm air at the ceiling and send it down the walls. Set on the lowest speed, a ceiling fan evens out indoor temperature without creating drafts.


• Invest in insulated window treatments. Stop the costly escape of household heat and absorb solar heat during the day.  Thermal window shades can stop up to 80% of heat loss.


• Close drapes/shades at night. This keeps the cold out and the warmth in.


• Bake! Remember when it was too hot last summer to even think about cooking? Now is the time to indulge in home-baked goodies.


• Drink warm tea. There is a tea for every constitution. If you haven’t discovered the soothing comforts of tea drinking, start exploring!


• Dress for winter. Don’t be in denial and run around in a T-shirt. It’s winter! Wear layers, wear wool, wear corduroy, wear flannel—then you can turn down the thermostat.


• Humidify. If you heat with wood, don’t forget to place a decorative ceramic container of water on the stove to increase indoor humidity. You can place a few drops of your favorite essential oil in the water for nice ambience.


• Sleep in flannel sheets. There is nothing cozier or more inviting. Flannel bedclothes mean instant warmth.


• Get a programmable thermostat. You can set it to drop the temperature a few degrees while you sleep, and bring it back up before you rise.


• Get off the couch! If you hibernate too much, you may get the blues. Be sure to dress warm and get outside—walk, ice-skate, sled, ski—whatever you enjoy, just get some fresh air and exercise. Then you can scurry back into your comfy Santa Cruz home, feeling refreshed and grateful to have shelter from the cold winds.


If you’re looking for a snug Santa Cruz home to purchase, I can help. Contact me at 831.662.6522 or Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links


Insulated window treatments


Tea


Programmable thermostat
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:06:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-install-a-programmable-thermostat-in-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-install-a-programmable-thermostat-in-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>How to Install a Programmable Thermostat in Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Here is a painless way to reduce your energy use and your heating bill: Set your thermostat to go down 5 to 10 degrees while you’re gone all day and while you sleep at night. This could reduce your heating bill by 15% without compromising comfort.


Programmable thermostats cost anywhere from $30 to $150, so they quickly pay for themselves. By programming your thermostat to return to  your comfort level before you arrive home or get up in the morning, your Santa Cruz home will be just as comfortable as what you’re used to, and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint.


Here is how easy it is to install a programmable thermostat:


• Turn off the circuit breaker for the thermostat. Since you will be handling wiring, you must cut off the electricity going to the thermostat first of all. If your Santa Cruz home has electric baseboard heat, don’t do this update yourself--the wiring carries higher voltages and should only be worked on by a qualified electrician.


• Remove the old thermostat. Older thermostats contain mercury, so handle it carefully and do not throw it into the trash. Check with local recycling centers or waste handlers to learn how to safely dispose of mercury.


• Tape wires to the wall. You don’t want the wires to fall inside the wall. Note where they were attached to the old thermostat and label them accordingly.


• Mount new wall plate. Follow the instructions that came with the new unit to mount the plate over the area of the old base.


• Connect new thermostat to wiring. Again, follow the instructions included with your new unit.


• Mount the new thermostat onto the new base.


• Turn the circuit breaker back on.


• Program the thermostat following manufacturer’s instructions. Digital devices can be hard to program, so hang onto those instructions and keep them where you can find them.


Now your Santa Cruz home can be greener, more economical and more comfortable.


Want to buy a home that’s green, energy-efficient and comfortable? I can help. Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


Visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com for additional information.


LinksCarbon footprint


Qualified electrician


Mercury
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-downsize-to-a-smaller-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-downsize-to-a-smaller-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>How to Downsize to a Smaller Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many people are downsizing these days, either because they're empty nesters and no longer need the room, they’re getting older and want a smaller space to maintain, or they’re reducing their financial burdens or environmental impact.


If you’ve made the decision to downsize to a smaller Santa Cruz home, here are five tips to help you make the transition:


1. Start early: Downsizing to a smaller home is much less stressful if you have plenty of time to sort through your belongings to figure out what you’re getting rid of and what you’re keeping. Plan to do this at least a month before you put your home up for sale. (Bonus benefit: it makes your house less cluttered and more desirable to buyers.)


2. Evaluate your needs: Take an honest look at your lifestyle and what you truly enjoy. Are you really going to learn to play that piano? If you haven’t used it or thought about it in over a year, the answer is probably no. Advertise it in your local newspaper and sell it! With anything you’re having a hard time letting go of, put it in storage for six months. If you don’t think about it during that time, give it away or sell it.


3. Measure the rooms in your new Santa Cruz home: Measure the rooms in your new home as well as the furniture you want to take with you. Then, create a floor plan of your new home, including the location of doors and windows and where you can place each piece of furniture. You know what to do with any furniture that doesn’t fit.


4. Assess the storage in your new home: While you’re getting room measurements, make sure to evaluate the storage situation in your new home. Will you have fewer kitchen cabinets? How many closets will you have? To make up for lost space, search for hidden storage options and consider investing in inexpensive storage systems.


5. Relax and enjoy: You no longer have to worry about the financial burden or time-draining tasks of maintaining a big home.


If you need help selling your current home or finding a smaller Santa Cruz home to buy, give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com. 


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

Links:


Create a floor plan


Hidden storage


Storage systems


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/ensure-an-accurate-appraisal-of-your-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/ensure-an-accurate-appraisal-of-your-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Ensure an Accurate Appraisal of Your Santa Cruz Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Appraisals are final when it comes to securing money from a bank, so don’t let a poor one ruin your Santa Cruz real estate plans. Be proactive to ensure your appraiser is competent and has all the information he or she needs, because your purchase, sale or refinancing goals could be wrecked with a low-ball appraisal.


Minimize the risk of receiving an inaccurate appraisal by …


• Meeting the appraiser at the house. Show them around your Santa Cruz real estate, just like you’d show a potential buyer. That way you can highlight some of your home’s unique features that they might otherwise overlook. Also, if they have any questions about when things were updated or replaced, you’ll be there to share all relevant information — instead of them just taking a guess.


• Establishing that he or she is geographically competent. Appraisers that don’t know the area can misquote, so be sure to ask them questions, such as how far their office is from the property and if they have access to local MLS data. If you feel the appraiser doesn’t meet geographic competency standards, then you can raise the issue with your lender.


• Providing him or her with comparables. You probably know the neighborhood better than the appraiser, so supply information on recently sold homes that you think are similar to yours. He or she might not use them, but it can’t hurt.


• Record any mistakes. Always ask for a copy of the appraisal to review, because appraisers make slip-ups all the time. Especially if the value is low, be sure to look over the details of the appraisal and call out any discrepancies. If this is the case, you won’t be able to change the designated value, but you can file a complaint against the appraiser. If the mistakes are big, ensure you get a second appraisal.


Don’t let an inaccurate home appraisal ruin your financial goals. Take Santa Cruz real estate appraisals seriously. Be proactive, do your homework and definitely review the final version.


If you’re getting ready to sell your home or purchase a new one and have questions about appraisals, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.


For additional information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Refinancing


Appraiser


File a complaint 


 
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            <pubDate>Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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