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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2011-07/</link>
        <description>Lifestyle, community, day trips, restaurants, real estate, home improvements, and more. Discover what makes Santa Cruz County such a great place to live. Presented by My Santa Cruz Real Estate.</description>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/buying-santa-cruz-real-estate-what-type-of-mortgage-is-right-for-you.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/buying-santa-cruz-real-estate-what-type-of-mortgage-is-right-for-you.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Buying Santa Cruz Real Estate:  What Type of Mortgage is Right for You?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
You’ve been watching the news, reading blogs and you know this is the perfect time for you to buy a piece of Santa Cruz real estate.  You want to do all the right things to get the best deal, and you know one of the first steps is to line up your financing.   

To help you pick a mortgage that matches your goals and financial situation, here’s an overview of three of the most popular mortgages available today.

Fixed Rate Mortgage

If you plan on keeping your new Santa Cruz real estate for more than 10 years and you don’t expect your income to change, this is probably the loan for you.  Although fixed rate loans charge a bit more interest, the rate will never change.  This provides financial stability and the security of knowing what your monthly mortgage payment will be.  By locking in the current low interest rates, you’ll save thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. 

ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage)

With the ARM loan, the interest rate is usually very low at the beginning but can increase over time.  If you plan on keeping your Santa Cruz real estate for only a few years (up to 7) or you expect your income to increase, then this might be a better choice for you. If you expect your income to increase, an ARM loan can allow you to buy a more expensive home now. The drawback to this type of loan is that you do not know what your mortgage payment is going to be in the future; if the interest rate jumps dramatically, then so does your payment.  A particularly popular ARM is the 5/1 ARM.  The interest rate of a 5/1 ARM is fixed for a period of 5 years.  In the 6th year, the loan becomes a typical Adjustable Rate Mortgage.  So if you plan to own your home for less than 5 years, the 5/1 ARM may be your best choice.

FHA Mortgage

If your credit is a bit shaky, an FHA loan may be a good fit for you.  The qualifying criteria for FHA loans are not as strict as for traditional mortgages.  Also, because these loans are guaranteed by the FHA, lenders often allow you to provide a smaller down payment than they would allow for other types of mortgages.  If you’re in a time crunch, an FHA loan may not be right for you; processing times are typically longer than other types of loans because of the government paperwork involved.

If you have any questions about mortgages or need a referral to a lender, give me a call today at (831) 662-6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

Please visit my website for more information at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/buying-santa-cruz-real-estate-what-if-the-appraised-value-is-lower-than-the-purchase-price.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/buying-santa-cruz-real-estate-what-if-the-appraised-value-is-lower-than-the-purchase-price.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Buying Santa Cruz Real Estate:  What if the Appraised Value is Lower than the Purchase Price?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
What happens if you have a signed contract to purchase a piece of Santa Cruz real estate and the appraised value comes in lower than your agreed upon purchase price?   Unfortunately, that’s happening more often these days.

Don’t give up  It is possible to salvage the deal.  Here are four options to consider, if you find yourself in this position:

1:  Ask the lender for a review of the appraisal. If you are aware of comparable sales numbers or any other pertinent data that was not considered by the appraiser, provide that information to your lender and ask for a review of the appraisal.  If problems are found with the first appraisal, ask your lender to order a second appraisal by a qualified real estate appraiser.

2:  Ask the seller to drop the price to reflect the appraised value.  The seller is in a difficult situation here.  If you cannot get a loan because the house appraised for less than the agreed upon purchase price, you can walk away from the deal, as long as you have a financing contingency in the contract.  On the other hand, if the seller will not take less money now, most likely, this whole scenario will play out again the next time around.  If the homeowner still needs to sell, he or she may be willing to drop their price to the appraised value.

3:    Pay the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price.If you’re willing to pay the difference between the appraised value and the purchase price, your lender will not protest.  Lenders are more than willing to put deals through, as long as the lenders’ interests are protected. Only pay the difference if you are absolutely positive the Santa Cruz real estate is worth the asking price, and you’ve exhausted all other options.

4:  Walk away from the deal.You like the home or you would not have made an offer; however, there are times when the best option is to walk away.  Buying Santa Cruz real estate is not the time to let your emotions get in the way of sound financial judgment.

If you’re ready to buy, I can guide you through the process of finding a home, negotiating a contract and getting an appraisal that’ll match or beat the selling price.  Please contact me at (831) 662-6522 or Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com today to get started

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/ways-to-save-energy-and-increase-comfort-in-your-santa-cruz-home-this-summer.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/ways-to-save-energy-and-increase-comfort-in-your-santa-cruz-home-this-summer.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Ways to Save Energy and Increase Comfort in Your Santa Cruz Home This Summer</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save energy this summer. Some improvements to your Santa Cruz home will make your home more comfortable and save energy. Here are some examples.

• Make sure your air conditioner is the right size for your Santa Cruz home. Many people think bigger is always better. Not so. If your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will not reduce the humidity sufficiently. Lower humidity equals comfort in the summer. You may find that you can keep the thermostat a few degrees higher and be just as comfortable, as long as humidity is low.

• Shade your air conditioner. It will have to work harder if it’s out in the sun.

• Keep a/c filters clean.

• Use your window treatments wisely. Always try to close drapes or lower shades on the sunny side of the house. In the morning, you’ll want to keep sun out on the east side, and in afternoon you’ll need to block sun on the west side.

• Minimize sun exposure on the west side of your home. If you’re not home in the daytime to raise and lower shades, the most important thing to do is to keep out that afternoon sun. If you have large windows or sliding glass doors on the west side of your home, be sure to use some kind of insulated window treatment that keeps out sun and heat. There are many options these days, including cellular shades, solar shades, roman shades, as well as the more traditional curtains and drapes.

• Shade the outside of your Santa Cruz home. Yes, keep the sun out before it hits the glass and causes heat to build up. Plant trees on the west side of the house, or for a quicker fix, erect an arbor and plant fast-growing vines. If neither of these is an option, you can invest in some exterior shades. These are all-weather shades that keep out the sun but allow enough light through for an unobstructed view out the window.

If you’re looking for a new home where you can be comfortable and save energy, give me a call at (831) 662-6522.

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/safeguard-your-santa-cruz-home-with-a-house-sitter.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/safeguard-your-santa-cruz-home-with-a-house-sitter.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Safeguard Your Santa Cruz Home with a House Sitter</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Have you ever thought about hiring a house sitter for your Santa Cruz home?  If you’re going on an extended trip, hiring a house sitter could prevent potential problems.  Here are the basics you need to know about house sitters.

What are the benefits of having a house sitter?

• It’s safer.  If you are going out of town for any length of time, your Santa Cruz home is statistically less likely to be burglarized if it’s occupied.

• You’ll save on insurance fees.  If your home is empty for over 30 days, you may not be able to buy homeowner’s insurance for it or the insurance may be very costly.

• Your pets can stay in their home.  Your pets are going to miss you, but at least they’ll be more comfortable in familiar surroundings.  They’ll also have less risk of infections such as kennel cough.

• Your home is maintained.  Whether you have a garden or in-door plants that need to be watered, your house sitter is there to take care of it.  He or she can also cut your grass and get leaks fixed.  Imagine the mess you’d come home to if your ice maker sprung a leak

How much do house sitters cost? 

The cost of house sitters depend on how long you want them to stay in your Santa Cruz home and what you want them to do for you.  For example, you can have the house sitter stay overnight or make daily visits.  

Some house sitters care for your home in exchange for free lodging.  For those who charge, daily rates start as low as $15 and go up from there. If you want your dog cared for and walked daily, you’ll pay extra for those types of services.

How do I find a house sitter?

If you have friends or neighbors who’ve used house sitters, ask them for referrals.  You can also use a house sitter referral service such as House Sitters America or House Carers.

Need help finding a house sitter?  Give me a call at (831) 662-6522 or send me an email at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Sun, 24 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/purchasing-santa-cruz-real-estate-as-income-property.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/purchasing-santa-cruz-real-estate-as-income-property.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Purchasing Santa Cruz Real Estate as Income Property</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
With home prices nearing their bottom, now might be a great time to buy Santa Cruz real estate as income property. Many more people will be looking to rent now that pre-approved mortgages are harder to come by. But, before you become a landlord, you’ll want to make sure your potential rental property won’t remain vacant for long. 

6 tips to help you evaluate your Santa Cruz real estate investment:

1. Determine if your area has a strong rental market. See what kind of homes are for rent and track how long they remain vacant. If the same properties are listed week after week, it might not be the best area to purchase a rental.

2. Get a feel for the stability of the population.  It's good to find a rental property in a transient community because residents are less likely to purchase their own homes, and more likely to rent, if they know they're only going to be there for a couple years.  In particular, look for areas with military installations or colleges nearby.

3. Keep an eye on Craigslist and the local Classifieds. Track how many rentals are available at any given time, and get an idea of the size of houses most commonly listed. You won’t want to be trying to rent a 1-bedroom house in a neighborhood that is full of young families.

4. Make sure your potential rental property is located in a good school district. Potential renters with children could be turned off by the quality of the local schools if they have a poor reputation.

5. Check around with local property management companies. They’ll often have the best information about what sort of properties are the easiest to rent out. You can also check their websites to see the properties they have available. 

6. Find a house that’s in good shape. Would you live there? If not, either move on to a different property or immediately fix it up.

Owning a rental home can be a great investment. Do your homework, and purchase a home people will be clamoring to rent — not one that continues to sit vacant. 

If you have questions about purchasing Santa Cruz real estate as income property, please call me at (831) 662-6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/selling-santa-cruz-real-estate-5-tips-to-pick-a-powerful-listing-agent.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/selling-santa-cruz-real-estate-5-tips-to-pick-a-powerful-listing-agent.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Selling Santa Cruz Real Estate:  5 Tips to Pick a Powerful Listing Agent</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Here are five tips to help you identify the best Santa Cruz real estate agent to get your home sold as fast as possible and for the most money.

1. Hire a full-time Santa Cruz real estate agent.  Part-time agents typically have less experience and fewer sold properties under their belts than full-time agents.  Because part-time agents usually have another job, they don’t have as much time to take care of your needs and market and show your home to potential buyers.  Full-time agents have bigger networks they can enlist to help find a buyer for your home.

2. Find a skilled negotiator.  A seasoned Santa Cruz real estate agent understands the psychological nature of selling a home.  They advise you during the contract negotiations to ensure you get the best deal while alleviating your stress.

3. Pick an aggressive marketer.  Without a well-implemented, far-reaching marketing program, your house will sit on the market these days.  You want an agent who promotes your home both online and offline, in order to reach the greatest number of potential buyers.  Simply having your home listed on Realtor.com is no longer enough of an online presence.  You want your home showcased on multiple websites with a lot of professional photos and, ideally, a video tour.

4. Choose an agent who knows your neighborhood.  Each neighborhood has different pros and cons which must be promoted or overcome by the agent.  An effective agent knows how to price your property because they know the local competition, which homes that have closed recently are similar to yours and how much they’ve sold for.

5. Ask for home staging services.  Home staging is no longer a “nice to have;” it’s now a “must have,” if you want to sell your home for the most money in the least amount of time.  Many agents are now professional stagers or have a home stager on their teams.  

Choosing a powerful listing agent is your first step toward a successful home sale.

If you’d like to work with an agent who is a skilled negotiator, an aggressive marketer, provides home staging services and works full time, give me a call today at (831) 662-6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-home-improvement-make-your-yard-a-refuge.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-home-improvement-make-your-yard-a-refuge.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Santa Cruz Home Improvement:  Make Your Yard a Refuge</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
What’s the best thing about owning your Santa Cruz home?  Many people say it’s their yard.  No matter your lifestyle, there are things you can do to improve your outdoor space and your quality of life. Here are a few ideas to help you get more enjoyment from your yard:

• Relax:   Buy a lounger for sun bathing or a hammock for shade bathing

• Enjoy meals outdoors:  Add a picnic table to make eating outdoors easier.

• Grow a garden:  Whether it’s a vegetable, herb or flower garden there is nothing more rewarding than eating food or smelling flowers that you grew yourself. Start small if you’ve never gardened before. Like anything else, it’s easy to get burned out if you bite off more than you can chew. A few of your favorite vegetables and herbs will ensure success this year and have you planning more for next year.

• Install a water feature:  You can put in a fountain or a pond. These needn’t be elaborate constructions, as there are small ready-made versions available.

• Go green by adding a clothesline: Believe it or not, there is something very satisfying about hanging your clothes out on the line and letting nature do its job. It’s using low-tech solar and wind energy to save you money. Your clothes, towels and sheets will have a truly fresh smell, as opposed to the cloying smell left by fabric softener.

• Invest in Solar-powered lighting:  Options range from path lights that have built-in solar collectors, to string lights, to glow-in-the-dark globes that make your yard a magical nighttime delight. With no power cords to trip on, installation is a snap, and, of course, none of these features will add to your electric bill.

Day or night, there is nothing like having your own outdoor space. If you’re looking for a new Santa Cruz home with a yard you can make your own, call me at (831) 662-6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

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

hammockhttp://www.twinoakshammocks.com/

fountainhttp://www.homeandgardenideas.com/outdoor-living/landscaping/fountains-and-ornamentation/installing-outdoor-fountain 

solar-powered lightinghttp://www.solarhome.org/infobenefitsofsolarlighting.html
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    <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/save-money-save-energy-save-the-earth-at-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/save-money-save-energy-save-the-earth-at-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Save Money, Save Energy, Save the Earth at Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Saving money and saving the planet go hand-in-hand. It’s all about being thoughtful, creative, and into DIY – doing it yourself. Here are some ways you can save money, save energy and save the earth in your Santa Cruz home.

• Be seasonal. Dress, cook and eat according to the weather. If it’s hot outside, dress accordingly, and keep the thermostat in the high 70s. Don’t use the oven in summertime; eat and drink cold fare. When it’s cold, wear a sweater, and keep the temperature in your Santa Cruz home in the high 60s. Winter is the time to bake and to eat warm, hearty food.

• Use a clothesline. The clothes dryer is an energy hog. Let the sun and wind do it instead. Go ahead and fluff the wet laundry briefly in the dryer on the air fluff cycle before hanging it. You’ll be surprised how fast your sheets will dry, and how smooth your clothes come out, compared to the rumpled look they get from the dryer. And the truly fresh scent beats the cloying smell of fabric sheets any day.

• Keep air filters clean. Professionals recommend that you check the filters on the air conditioner and furnace in your Santa Cruz home once a month, and clean or replace when needed. This will keep your heating and cooling systems working efficiently and extend their life.

• Grow your own. Farmer’s markets are great, but there’s nothing like going right outside the door of your own Santa Cruz home to get the freshest ingredients for your meals. Even if you’re an apartment dweller, you can grow fresh herbs (and more) in pots. 

• Use cloth diapers. If you don’t want your child to live next to the disposable diaper landfill in 20 years, don’t create it today.

• Get rid of the gas-hog. Still driving an SUV or truck? Don’t be fuelish. Trade it in for a used car that gets over 30 mpg. 

There are more money-saving tips on my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.

Grow your own

Keep air filters clean 

Over 30 mpg 
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    <pubDate>Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/invite-birds-to-your-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/invite-birds-to-your-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Invite Birds to Your Santa Cruz Real Estate</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The sound of birdsong is only one of the benefits of having birds frequent your Santa Cruz real estate. Depending on the type of birds you attract, they may also reduce the insect pest population. Here are some ways to attract birds to your property:

• Install a bird bath. Finding a good place to take a bath can be a challenge for birds, especially in dry weather. If they can find it in your backyard, you’ll have the joy of watching them bathe. If you have a cat, just make sure that you’re not creating mayhem; keep her inside, or get a hanging bird bath that will be inaccessible to her. Bird baths come in a wide range of styles and materials, from ceramic to metal to resin and more. Keep it filled, because the birds will come to rely on it.

• Put up some bird houses. Whether you have a wide open space suitable for purple martins, or a small city lot, you should be able to attract some tenants to the appropriate bird house.  Not all birds are cavity nesters, but some that are include chickadees, wrens, bluebirds and nuthatches. If you dabble in woodworking, building a bird house is a great first project for kids.

• Grow a variety of plants. Birds will not be attracted to a bare lawn. Good bird habitat includes trees, shrubs and flowering plants that provide cover, shade and food such as insects or berries.

• Put up a bird feeder. This is especially important during winter months, but some people feed birds year round. Hummingbird feeders are popular in summer, as nothing inspires wonder like watching tiny hummingbirds hover in mid-air. Alternatively, you can plant flowers that attract hummers. In general, they are said to prefer red, tubular flowers, but they can be seen visiting many types of flowers, including irises, honeysuckle and salvias.

• Be still. Sit outside, not too close to your bird bath/bird house/bird feeder, and observe. If you’re quiet and make no sudden moves, your birds will become accustomed to you and eventually feel at home. You may be surprised at the variety of birds you can attract.

If you’re looking for Santa Cruz real estate that has a nice yard for birds and humans, I can help.  Give me a call at (831) 662-6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Sat, 16 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-real-estate-investing-buying-a-short-sale-steps-6-through-10.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/santa-cruz-real-estate-investing-buying-a-short-sale-steps-6-through-10.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate Investing:  Buying a Short Sale Steps 6 through 10</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you haven’t read “Santa Cruz Real Estate Investing:  Buying a Short Sale Steps 1 through 5,” start there.  This blog post provides steps 5 through 9 of the short sale process.

6.  Visit the Santa Cruz real estate on your short list.  You’ve already searched for short sales, researched them and narrowed your list to a few short sales that meet your criteria and have the best chance of making it to closing.  Now it’s time to personally visit the few on your short list.  Your primary purpose in visiting the property is to get an estimate as to how much it’s going to cost you to repair the home.  As a real estate investor, you want a property that needs some work so that the average home buyer won’t want it, and you can get it at a lower-than-average price.   But, you also want a property that is in good enough condition that the cost of the property plus repairs still gives you a good return on your investment.

7. Get a home inspection.  Since short sales are typically sold “as is,” it’s crucial that you have a licensed home inspector evaluate the condition of the short sale that you’ve decided is the one you want to buy.  An inspection will find problems you might not have been able to see in your initial visit to the home.  It will also give you a more precise idea of how much it’s going to cost you to repair and renovate the property.

8. Make an offer.  Now that you've found the short sale you want to buy, you’re ready to prepare an offer.  Have your Santa Cruz real estate agent prepare all the documentation and submit the offer to the seller’s agent.  The seller’s agent will submit the documentation to the lender.  Hopefully, you’ve chosen a short sale with only one lender, but if there is more than one lender, remember that all lenders have to agree on the terms of the sale.

9. Make a counter offer or walk away.  After getting your offer, the lender has his real estate agent evaluate the offer.  More than likely the lender will make a counteroffer.  That’s the time for you to do a final evaluation.  Double check your numbers using the higher purchase price and ask yourself, “Is this property really going to give me the profit I want?”  If the answer to this question is no, or if you’ve already reached the maximum you’re willing to pay for the property, it’s time to walk away.

10. Finalize the deal.  After you, the seller and the lender have all reached an agreement, get everything in writing and officially record it.  Go to closing, and the property is now yours.  Congratulations

If you’re a Santa Cruz real estate investor looking for a well-priced property to invest in, I can help.  Give me a call today at (831) 662-6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.

For more information, please visit my website at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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