Found 8 blog entries tagged as Real Estate in Scotts Valley.

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, 10% of air leaks out of the average house through the windows? Also, an estimate by Energy Star states that homeowners could save an annual 7-15% on their energy bills by replacing their own windows with more efficient models.

If you live in an old home, it might not be possible to replace all of the windows in your home. However, there are still many simple and cheap things that you can do that will help to insulate your windows.

Apply Rubber Weather Sealing
At your local hardware store you will be able to find some inexpensive strips of rubber weather sealing that is self adhesive. You can cut a long strip down to fit your window and then peel it off and stick it to the frame in order…

2622 Views, 0 Comments

How do you know what happens to your documents when you put a piece of paper in the trash? It can be difficult to know who is seeing it and what they are doing with it.

It isn't very common to burn trash anymore; therefore you can be sure that your paper garbage or recycling is likely to pass through several hands on its way to a landfill or recycling center 

Step-by-Step Your Documents Can Get Pilfered

Every step that occurs once the trash leaves your control has risk that someone will find personal information they can use to cause you harm. One way to safeguard personal information is to shred it before it goes into the trash.

Shredding devices are available at most office supply stores. Cross-cut shredders provide more security than…

1406 Views, 0 Comments

The kids are back in school, the weather is getting cooler and your yard is covered in a layer of fallen leaves. Yep, it’s that time of the year again, but don’t think of fall leaves as a chore. They can be a useful resource for fertilizing your lawn or even decorating your home for autumn.

Finish The Raking
It’s tempting to just let the leaves lie in the yard. It’s good fertilizer anyway, right? Wrong. You should rake everything up as soon as the trees begin to look bare, or else risk the blanket of leaves smothering your lawn over the winter season. Gather them up in plastic bags and put them to use.

Refuse To Rake Leaves
If you can’t bring yourself to pick up a rake, you do have an alternative. Wait until the leaves are dry and crunchy and fire up…

1604 Views, 0 Comments

Buying a home is an emotional process. You spend countless hours searching for the right property, qualifying for a loan and completing what seems like an endless stack of paperwork. All this takes its toll on you, and can leave you feeling stressed and anxious. Rest assured, you will survive this frustrating time.

If you start to feel that things are getting a little too hectic or you’re taking frustrations out on coworkers or family, then take a deep breath. Here are five tips to help you relax and have some fun during the process of buying Santa Cruz real estate.

1. Choose your REALTOR carefully.

Finding the right property professional can relieve a lot stress. Be sure to find one that is constantly in communication, has great references and…

1566 Views, 0 Comments

Selling a home is simple, right? Homeowners do it by themselves all the time. While this might seem to be the case, it takes a lot of organization, experience and time to sell a house quickly and at the right price. It might be tempting to venture out on your own, but first you should seriously consider the benefits of hiring a Santa Cruz real estate agent.

Many sellers navigating the market by themselves become frustrated when it comes time to figure out a listing price, negotiate bids, deal with legal paperwork and just find enough time to manage it all. That’s when a professional’s expertise can save you from selling stress. Below is a list of marketing measures Realtors take to have you quickly closing on your home.

• Multiple Listing Service…

2873 Views, 0 Comments

Moving to a new Santa Cruz home can be a difficult transition for everyone in the family, including the furry four-legged members. Dogs and cats develop a strong bond with their environment so when they are relocated from their territory it can be stressful for them.

Keep Your Mood Calm

Pets are very tuned in to your emotions and they will sense your mood. If you are stressed out during the moving process, your cat or dog will pick up on this and it will make them anxious. Try to keep yourself calm and give your pet plenty of attention and reassurance during the process of moving.

Transporting Your Pet

A few weeks before the move, introduce your furry friend to his pet carrier so that he becomes familiar with it. It will be much less scary for him…

1934 Views, 0 Comments

When it comes time to put your home on the market, you need to be prepared for the fact that you’ll be opening up your life to a whole lot of strangers. While most are actually interested in purchasing your Santa Cruz real estate, there could be a crook masquerading as a potential buyer looking to make a quick score at your open house.

Don’t fall victim to deceptive con artists! Look over the quick tips below to make sure you and your home are safe and protected:

1. Hire a licensed, reputable agent. Make sure you ask around for recommendations. Check with the state to make sure he or she is properly licensed and inquire with the better business bureau to see if there have been any complaints filed.

2. Double-check the lockbox. Reputable agents will…

1891 Views, 0 Comments