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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/stimulus-plan/</link>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/streamlining-short-sales-for-santa-cruz-home-owners-and-home-owners-nationwide.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/streamlining-short-sales-for-santa-cruz-home-owners-and-home-owners-nationwide.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Streamlining Short Sales for Santa Cruz Home Owners and Home Owners Nationwide</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Just over a year ago, the federal government launched the Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) program.&nbsp; It was supposed to streamline the short sale process for Santa Cruz home owners and home owners nationwide.&nbsp; This article provides an update on HAFA.

How does HAFA benefit Santa Cruz home owners?

Home owners who dont qualify for a loan modification can apply for a short sale through HAFA.&nbsp; If the home owner qualifies for a HAFA short sale, the difference between the sale price of the house and the loan balance is forgiven.&nbsp; In addition, HAFA offers qualified home owners $3,000 for moving expenses.

How well is HAFA working?

From April, 2010, to December, 2010, HAFA had disbursed just $9.5 million of the $4.1 billion in its budget.&nbsp; And, through May, 2011, only 8,541 HAFA short sales had been completed.

However, HAFA short sales have increased.&nbsp; There were only 320 HAFA short sales pending in September, 2010. Now, there are 18,000 pending nationwide.

What went wrong with HAFA?&nbsp; 

Because the loan balance is forgiven with HAFA short sales, lenders cannot collect that amount.&nbsp; Lenders can collect the loan balance on short sales that go through them, so the majority of short sales are still handled by individual lenders programs.&nbsp; Although HAFA provides a $1,500 incentive to the lender, it isnt enough to entice them to go along with the program. 

Whats next for HAFA?

The HAFA program expires at the end of 2012, and by then, the U.S. Treasury hopes to have a model process with uniform documents that banks could use to speed the process and avoid greater losses that come with foreclosure.&nbsp; In the meantime, changes are being made to HAFA to ease eligibility requirements.

If you have any questions about selling your Santa Cruz home, whether through a regular sale or a short sale, please give me a call at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

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

Links:

Short sale 

HAFA

How does HAFA benefit Santa Cruz home owners
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            <pubDate>Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2011-tax-tips-for-santa-cruz-home-owners.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2011-tax-tips-for-santa-cruz-home-owners.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>2011 Tax Tips for Santa Cruz Home Owners</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Its the time of year we all dread&hellip; time for your 2010 tax filings.&nbsp; While I am not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or even a plain old accountant, I do want to share with you some basic tax tips all Santa Cruz home owners should consider before filing their taxes.

&bull;&nbsp;Contact a tax expert.&nbsp; My motto is always, if in doubt, contact a tax expert.&nbsp; Theres no way around it; taxes are complicated.&nbsp; While some dont want to spend their money on tax experts, Ive found that theyve saved me much more money than theyve cost.&nbsp; And, the peace of mind they provide is priceless.

&bull;&nbsp;Claim your Santa Cruz home owners tax deduction, if youre eligible.&nbsp; In 2002, a study was conducted that showed that 61% of eligible home owners did not claim their home owners tax deductions on their income taxes.&nbsp; That means that 61% of home owners who would have saved on their income taxes took the standard deduction and paid a higher tax bill that they needed to.&nbsp; Dont miss any more tax savings by automatically taking the standard deduction.&nbsp; Consult a tax expert to find out how much you can save by taking advantage of your home owners tax breaks.

&bull;&nbsp;Review your past returns.&nbsp; If you think you might have overpaid your taxes in the past, have a tax expert review your past returns and help you file an amended return to reclaim your money.&nbsp; 

&bull;&nbsp;Start paying back your 2008 first-time home buyer tax break. If you claimed the very first version of the first-time home buyers tax break on your 2008 tax returns, you must now start paying it back.&nbsp; The credit has to be repaid in 15 equal payments each tax-filing time, beginning with 2010 returns.&nbsp; The 2008 tax break wasnt a true credit.&nbsp; Instead, it was an interest-free loan, and like all loans, it must be paid back.

&bull;&nbsp;Claim subsequent home-buyer tax credits.&nbsp; If you qualified for and used the 2009 (which was extended to June, 2010) first-time home-buyer tax credit or home-owner tax credit, you had the option to claim the credit on your 2009 or 2010 taxes.&nbsp; If you waited to claim them, nows the time to do so.

Even though the home-buyer tax credits are no longer available, this is an amazing time to buy a Santa Cruz home.

If youd like to learn more about why now is a fabulous time to buy a home, or if you need help finding a home you love, I can help.&nbsp; Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

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

Links:

Certified Public Accountant 

2008 first-time home buyer tax break 

Subsequent home buyer tax credits
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            <pubDate>Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/closing-deadline-extended-for-your-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/closing-deadline-extended-for-your-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Closing Deadline Extended for your Santa Cruz Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If youre in the middle of buying Santa Cruz real estate, for which youre hoping to get a Homebuyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000, you have more time to finalize it.&nbsp; 

After a close brush with the deadline, Congress passed a 90-day extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline.&nbsp;&nbsp; The extension applies only to buyers who have written, binding contracts in place as of April 30, 2010. The new closing deadline is now September 30, 2010.&nbsp; 

Extending the tax credit closing deadline will provide additional stability to Santa Cruz real estate and real estate markets nationwide.&nbsp; Additionally, the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) estimates that this new extension will help about 180,000 to 200,000 homebuyers who already signed purchase agreements and were likely to miss the June 30 deadline.

Those are two of the reasons the NAR worked closely with Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to get this extension approved.&nbsp; Voter pressure on House members also helped to push this bill through. 

Have questions about the Homebuyer Tax Credit or any other questions about Santa Cruz real estate?&nbsp;

&nbsp;Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.&nbsp; Im happy to help.

Links:

Homebuyer Tax Credit

National Association of REALTORS

House members
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            <pubDate>Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/need-extra-time-to-finalize-your-santa-cruz-home-purchase-to-qualify-for-tax-credits.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/need-extra-time-to-finalize-your-santa-cruz-home-purchase-to-qualify-for-tax-credits.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Need Extra Time to Finalize Your Santa Cruz Home Purchase to Qualify for Tax Credits?</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
On June 16, the Senate approved a plan to give homebuyers an extra three months to finish qualifying for federal tax incentives.&nbsp; If the plan passes, it means youll have until September 30, 2010, to close on your Santa Cruz home and qualify for tax credits of up to $8,000.&nbsp; (First-time buyers were eligible for a tax credit of up to $8,000. Current owners who bought and moved into another home could qualify for a credit of up to $6,500.)

Who Qualifies?

Originally, you had to sign a contract to purchase a home by April 30, 2010, and close no later than June 30, 2010.&nbsp; With this extension, anyone who had a signed purchase agreement by April 30 would have until September 30 to close on the sale of that home.

Why the Extension?

Mortgage lenders have been swamped with borrowers trying to get their Santa Cruz home purchases approved by June 30.&nbsp; Many potential borrowers are having difficulty meeting that deadline.&nbsp; The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) estimates that 180,000 buyers are likely to miss the June 30 deadline &quot;because of delays in the process.&quot; That's particularly true of short sales, the NAR noted.

Is it Approved?

Unfortunately, an extension of the deadline for the federal homebuyer tax credit remains tied to Senate legislation that would extend unemployment benefits, complicating efforts to get the deadline extended before the expiration date of June 30.&nbsp;

But dont give up hope.&nbsp; If lawmakers extend the deadline after June 30, the language in both the House and Senate bills will apply retroactively.

Have questions about the federal tax credits?&nbsp; Or any other questions about Santa Cruz homes?&nbsp; Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.&nbsp; Ill respond promptly and personally.

Links:

National Association of REALTORS&nbsp;

Short sales

Federal homebuyer tax credit&nbsp;
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            <pubDate>Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/worried-about-your-home-for-sale-in-santa-cruz-survey-reveals-possibilities.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/worried-about-your-home-for-sale-in-santa-cruz-survey-reveals-possibilities.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Worried About Your Home for Sale in Santa Cruz? Survey Reveals Possibilities</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many real estate aficionados worried that the ending of the homebuyer tax credits would mean an end to sales. However, a new real estate survey, conducted April, 2010, says homeowners with a home for sale in Santa Cruz and throughout the nation have more chances to sell their homes. 

Survey Group&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;1,000 American consumers&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;Ages 25  64&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;$35,000 + household income

Survey Results&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;Over 90% of American consumers think the homebuyer tax credit program helped the real estate industry and first-time buyers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;65% actually looking for a home dont consider the end of the tax credit program to be a factor in their own decisions. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;46% expect area real estate prices to increase over the next year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;12% expect area real estate prices to decline over the next year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;79% expect to see an increase in prices over the next five years.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;20% expect prices to rise significantly over the next five years. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &bull;&nbsp;75% of renters think renting isnt as good a long-term choice as owning a home.

How You Can BenefitAs the survey shows, there are still plenty of interested buyers out there.&nbsp; You just have to know where to find them.

Talk with your agent about which markets are hot in your area. For instance, have older individuals been buying in the area more than young families or vice versa? Maybe energy efficient homes have been selling better. Find out what your home for sale in Santa Cruz has going for it that matches those hot markets. 

Most importantly, dont give up. Buyers are out there and consumer confidence is rising, which means nothing but good things for the real estate market and your home for sale in Santa Cruz.

Want to work with an agent who can identify and target hot markets for your home?&nbsp; Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.

Links:

Real estate survey conducted April 2010

Moving to extend the homebuyer tax program

Lowered their home prices

&nbsp;
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            <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/6-essential-spring-cleaning-chores-to-make-your-santa-cruz-home-shine.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/6-essential-spring-cleaning-chores-to-make-your-santa-cruz-home-shine.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>6 Essential Spring Cleaning Chores to Make Your Santa Cruz Home Shine</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If the thought of spring cleaning your Santa Cruz home doesnt bring a smile to your face, youre not alone.&nbsp; To help you (and me) get going now, Ive come up with this short list of the 6 essential, in my opinion, spring cleaning chores:

1.&nbsp;Store winter clothes:&nbsp; Its time to pack away your winter clothes. Coats, sweaters, and your heavy winter clothing need to be inspected, cleaned if needed and packed away.&nbsp; Dont skip the step of cleaning, or, when you get your clothes out of storage next fall, you might find that theyve been damaged beyond repair by insects or set in stains.&nbsp; Where should you store your clothes?&nbsp; Somewhere clean, cool, dark and dry.&nbsp; 

2.&nbsp;Wash window treatments:&nbsp; Spring is the perfect time to inspect and clean the window treatments in your Santa Cruz home.&nbsp; Clean window treatments brighten any room. Wash blinds, launder curtains that are machine washable and send drapes to the dry cleaners. While youre at it, dust the window casing, wash window sills, and clean any window hardware.&nbsp; Youll be surprised at the huge amount of dirt and grime that a thorough window cleaning removes.

3.&nbsp;Clean carpets and upholstery: Deep clean fabrics that have absorbed a winter's worth of dust and germs.&nbsp; Shampoo your carpets; clean cloth furniture.&nbsp; Open windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more.

4.&nbsp;Wash woodwork, walls, baseboards and cabinets: Even if your Santa Cruz homes walls dont look like they need cleaning, they do.&nbsp; Just enough dust clings to vertical surfaces to warrant a seasonal bath.&nbsp; Using a sponge and hand dishwashing detergent, wash the surface in sections to make sure you dont miss a spot.

5.&nbsp;Clean light and ceiling fixtures: To clean your light fixtures, remove the light bulb and fixture if possible.&nbsp; Wash glass fixtures in soap and water.&nbsp; If the fixture cannot be removed from the ceiling, use a damp cloth to wipe it off.&nbsp; Dry the fixtures.&nbsp; Wipe the light bulbs with a rag.&nbsp; The easiest way to clean your ceiling fans is to use a vacuum with a soft nozzle attachment. 

6.&nbsp;Check your coils: Caked on dust can cause your refrigerator to overheat, so take the time to clean the condenser coil.&nbsp;&nbsp; Its usually found behind the toe grille.&nbsp; Clean it with a long-handled bottle brush and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose.&nbsp; If the condenser coil is on the back of your refrigerator, carefully pull the fridge out several feet and vacuum thoroughly.&nbsp; 

Put on your favorite music and start your spring cleaning.&nbsp; Itll be done before you know it.&nbsp; Then you can relax and enjoy your sparkling clean home.

Spring is also a great time to shop for a new Santa Cruz home, especially this year with the home buyer tax credits still available until the end of April.&nbsp; Call me right away at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com to find out how you can get the $8,000 or $6,500 tax credit.

Links:

Spring cleaning chores

Clean light and ceiling fixtures

$8,000 or $6,500 tax credit
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            <pubDate>Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/economists-predict-second-quarter-woes-fading-for-national-and-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/economists-predict-second-quarter-woes-fading-for-national-and-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Economists Predict Second Quarter Woes Fading for National and Santa Cruz Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Government support in the national and Santa Cruz real estate sectors is slowly being pulled back. For instance, the federal homebuyers tax credit expires this month and the Fed stopped purchasing mortgage-backed securities in March. These two changes in financial backing for the housing market are causing worry because people fear the expiring tax credit will cause a dramatic drop in sales. 

An important question right now is how much did the government support really help the national and Santa Cruz real estate markets and the economy?

The EconomyDean Maki, chief U.S. economist for Barclays Capital (New York) and one of the most accurate economic forecasters for the past 20 years, says the U.S. economy is on the rise. Many economists share Makis view:&nbsp; Were at the bottom and theres no place left to go but up. 

The Fed Stops Buying Mortgage-Backed SecuritiesThe largest hurdle for the real estate market came at the end of March, as the Fed finished buying up $1.25 trillion worth of mortgage-backed securities and taking care of housing-agency debt to the tune of $175 billion. However, strategists and economists conclude that the change wont have a lot of impact; the central bank will be replaced by private demand. 

The Expiration of the Homebuyers Tax CreditThe second largest hurdle, the expiration of the homebuyers tax credit, might have a bigger impact if it had brought a huge sales increase. It didnt, however, and the belief is that things will slowly improve with  or without  the credit. Although vacant housing rose to 2.09 million by the end of 2009 and foreclosures are expected to hit around 2.2 million this year, the number of new households may reach as high as 1.25 million.

The Good NewsOf the potential 1.25 million new households, almost 1 million are currently living with family members. With home sales gradually improving, economists predict that even a slight improvement in the job market will bring those 1 million households out of the woodwork to find a home. When this happens, the excess housing supply will quickly disappear. 

If youve been stuck, waiting to sell your Santa Cruz real estate, your home is part of the housing supply. With the housing market slowly improving, you may very well end up coming out on top within the next three to six months.

If youd like to sell your home, or buy a new home, I can help. Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.

Links:Changes in financial backing for the housing market are causing worry

Expiration of the homebuyers tax credit

Excess housing supply will quickly disappear
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            <pubDate>Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/april-5th-an-important-date-for-santa-cruz-homes-for-sale.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/april-5th-an-important-date-for-santa-cruz-homes-for-sale.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>April 5th – An Important Date for Santa Cruz Homes for Sale</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
April has a lot of important and semi-important dates in it. The tax deadline, Good Friday and Easter are just a few. What is April 5th, though, and what does it have to do with Santa Cruz homes for sale? Well, the biggest news is that the government has stepped into real estate and short sales.

Home sales are down nation-wide, despite the Obama administrations efforts with the first-time buyers tax credit. Many homebuyers are waiting for a better interest rate or to see if home prices will drop more. Meanwhile, owners with Santa Cruz homes for sale are preparing for the spring selling season, without any idea whether theyll actually be able to sell or not.

Part of the reason for this situation is because of the depreciated housing values. For instance, many potential buyers want to take advantage of the repeat buyers tax credit, but cant. They currently own a home thats facing foreclosure, are trying to sell that home, but cant because its underwater. This puts a wrench in the whole market.

The governments solution is short sale. Theres always been the option for those facing foreclosure to opt for short sale, but (thanks, in part, to the many scams out there) few choose this option. The Obama administration has decided that, if they cant help with foreclosure, theyll pay people to accept short sale.

Starting April 5, 2010, the government is encouraging delinquent borrowers who cant be helped through loan modification programs to go through a streamlined short sale process. Many potential short sellers have gotten offers the lenders wont agree to, which this program called HAFA (Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives), is geared towards fixing. Heres how:

&bull;&nbsp;The servicing bank that allows the short sale gets $1,000.&bull;&nbsp;The homeowner gets $1,000 to go towards a second loan.&bull;&nbsp;The homeowner gets $1,500 in relocation assistance.

Even with this program, lenders are wary of short sales. Depending on the price of the short sale, theres a possibility that lenders could lose a large amount of money. However, under the new program, real estate agents will be working with the lender to determine the value of the home and what the minimum price should be. If the short sale offer meets or exceeds that minimum, the lender has to accept it.

The hope is that this program will slow the tide of foreclosures, free homeowners up to become repeat buyers, sell more homes and, ultimately, improve the flow of the real estate market. The good news about all this is if the program does even a quarter of what the administration plans, there may not be enough Santa Cruz homes for sale to go around!

Have questions about the new HAFA program or any other real estate incentive programs?&nbsp; Im happy to answer your questions. Give me a call now at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

Links:Sales are down

Take advantage of the repeat buyers tax credit

Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives
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            <pubDate>Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/choosing-the-right-santa-cruz-home-for-you.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/choosing-the-right-santa-cruz-home-for-you.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Choosing the Right Santa Cruz Home for You</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
As you are looking for the ideal home for you and your family, you may find yourself trying to decide between two similar homes. You could have worse problems than this on your Santa Cruz home search, but how do you decide which home is better for you and your family?Here are primary points to consider:

1.&nbsp;Location. This is where you are going to live. You need to consider how far away it is from work, schools, and shopping. You probably want to do as little driving as possible. A Santa Cruz home close to where you will be spending your time away from home may be the better choice for you.

2.&nbsp;Home repairs. What will you need to do to the home once you move in? Think about the time and money you will have to invest in the home before making your decision. A home in slightly better shape may be the better option for you so you can concentrate on getting settled in your new home after moving in.

3.&nbsp;Age of appliances. This can make a big difference in your choice. Do you really want to have to replace the appliances soon after you move in? Your might be better choosing a home with newer appliances.

4.&nbsp;Hobbies. Is there a car lover or avid crafter in your family? Look at which home has the most to offer these people. Perhaps one garage has been expanded or has built-in work benches. Maybe a closet already has a space to organize craft supplies.

Let me help you find the Santa Cruz home that best fits your lifestyle. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

Links:

Home repairs

replace the appliances 

organize craft supplies
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            <pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/before-painting-your-santa-cruz-home-for-sale.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/before-painting-your-santa-cruz-home-for-sale.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Before Painting Your Santa Cruz Home For Sale</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Nothing makes a Santa Cruz home for sale look better than a new coat of paint.&nbsp; Many people are intimidated by the thought of painting the exterior of their home, and hire someone else to do it.&nbsp; But, you can do it yourself, with these easy steps:&nbsp;Getting Your House Ready to PaintThe first thing that youll need to do is inspect the house.&nbsp; Look at all the walls, under the eaves and around the doorframe and windows.&nbsp; Check for peeling paint, mildew and rough surfaces. Youll need to gather a few tools before getting to the repairs and putting your Santa Cruz home up for sale:

&bull;&nbsp;Power-washer&bull;&nbsp;2-3&rdquo; inch putty knife&bull;&nbsp;2-3&rdquo; inch pull scraper&bull;&nbsp;Wire brush&bull;&nbsp;Sander&nbsp;&bull;&nbsp;Chlorine bleach

Preparing the SurfacePower-wash the walls so you'll have a clean surface.&nbsp; You dont need to use detergents; plain ol water works the best.

The putty knife and the wire brush remove problems where paint has peeled, blistered or wrinkled.&nbsp; Avoid gouging the surface by holding the putty knife perpendicular to the wall and using moderate force.&nbsp; 

The pull scraper is for areas that wont easily come clean.&nbsp; Its used the same way as the putty knife, but it has a sharp blade attached that quickly gets through old paint.&nbsp; The walls will need to be sanded smooth after you finish this step.

For small spots, a piece of sandpaper wrapped around a sanding block works just fine.&nbsp; An electric sander is best for large areas; it'll save you time and energy.

Removing MildewMildew is a dark patch of fungus, like a dirty spot, often found on a damp, shady spot in your house.&nbsp; If you arent sure it's mildew, put a few drops of chlorine bleach on it.&nbsp; If the spot fades away, you know you have a mildew problem.

Mildew shows through new paint, so youll need to get rid of it before you start painting.&nbsp; A simple mix of chlorine bleach will kill it quickly.

All you have to do now is pick out a paint color and wait for the right weather to paint.&nbsp; Soon youll be ready to put up your Santa Cruz home for sale.&nbsp; 

If you're thinking of selling your home, I can help.&nbsp; Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.

Links:

Painting the exterior of their home:&nbsp; 

Mildew

Power-wash:
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            <pubDate>Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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