Found 84 blog entries tagged as Buying Santa Cruz Real Estate.

buying vacation homes in santa cruz

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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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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Some people love living in condos, while others swear by detached homes. When it comes to deciding between the two, however, you can't always rely on someone else’s word. Sometimes it's as simple as understanding and assessing your lifestyle to make the best choice, since condo living and home ownership are two radically different experiences, and thereby serve two very different types of lifestyles and personalities. Here are a few considerations if you’re trying to decide whether you should invest in a house or a condo.

House: Best If You Have A Furry Friend

Do you have a furry friend or two that are an integral part of your family? Depending on their size and species, you may want to consider a detached house over a condo, simply for the amount…

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Buying your first home is a major milestone in your life, similar to graduating high school or moving out of your parent’s house.

When you buy a Santa Cruz property, you are making a long term investment decision in your future and potentially taking the first step toward your future financial security. However, buying a house before you are ready can actually be a negative move that puts a cramp in your plans.

It is important to assess where you are in life, so that you know whether or not it’s the right time to buy a house.

Some people buy their first home at 21, others at 30 and some might continue to rent for the rest of their lives – the decision depends on personal circumstances. But how can you determine for yourself whether you are…

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When buying Santa Cruz real estate, you may find some unexpected problems. Generally, these issues revolve around plumbing, wiring or sticking doors and windows. Although they aren’t as expensive to fix as other issues, there’s always a possibility that they indicate bigger problems.

Sticking Doors/Windows

Spotting wear and tear on doors and windows is fairly easy. Check the hinges and locks. Squeaking hinges or locks that stick indicate wear on seals and metal.

Although sticking doors and windows aren’t a big deal in and of themselves, these issues can be indications of moderate to severe foundation problems. If you find these issues in Santa Cruz real estate, make your way to the basement and look for cracks or dips in the floors and walls. Pay…

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If you are looking to buy a Santa Cruz home, you might be wondering whether you should be looking for properties that are right in the center of the city or whether a better option would be to buy a property on the outskirts or in a rural area a short drive away.
The rural or urban decision will ultimately be up to you, as there are advantages and disadvantages to either option. The main difference will lie in your priorities – what type of lifestyle is most important to you?   Living In The City One of the main perks of buying a property that is located in the heart of the city is that you will be able to enjoy convenient public transportation and you won’t have to use a car to get everywhere. You are likely to have a shopping center and…

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When you first bought your home, it had just enough room for you, your spouse and perhaps a couple of children. However, one thing has lead to another and you have ended up having three little ones (although some days it feels like three dozen). Also, you have been considering moving your ailing mother in with you so that she doesn’t have to live in a home. You are quickly running out of space for everyone and the house is starting to feel a bit cramped. Should you build a house extension, or sell the home and move to a larger Santa Cruz property?

There are a number of advantages to each option, so here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to expand the house you have or move to a new one.

Is Extending the House Possible?

Of course,…

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When you are buying your new Santa Cruz home, you will not only need to consider the house itself but the neighborhood that it is located in. The old real estate cliché about “location, location, location” is true, as the area of the city where your home is located will have an impact on its future value as well as your lifestyle.

So what factors should you consider when you are choosing which neighborhoods to house hunt within?

Proximity to Your Daily Needs

If you work downtown, living out in the suburbs means that you will be adding time for a commute onto your day. While this might be worth the cheaper prices for properties out of the town centre, it is something to consider when making your decision. You will also need to consider whether the…

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Being self-employed can sometimes make it trickier to secure a mortgage on your Santa Cruz property. However, it is not impossible.

One of the main reasons that being self-employed works against you when securing a mortgage is if you have a lack of proof of income in the form of tax records. If you are not an employee somewhere, you will not have a regular paystub that allows you to prove your earnings. You will likely receive your income from a number of different sources which can be difficult to track. Also, your freelance income or the profits from your small business will fluctuate over the years, making it even more difficult for the mortgage lender to assess.

This is why keeping your personal tax returns up to date and filed on time will be…

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Buying Santa Cruz real estate is usually a long-term investment that will affect you for decades. When you are looking to buy a home, it is important to think about not just what you are looking for now, but what will be the most advantageous situation for you in the future.

Of course, it is impossible to predict the future accurately, as times change and unexpected events can occur. However, when you are buying a home, you should do your best to think about what your needs will be and how the area could change over time.

How Will Your Family Grow?

If you are a young couple buying a house together, think ahead to the next few decades and consider who might eventually live with you. You’ll want to make sure the house has enough bedrooms and a safe…

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