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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2012-09/</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/up-the-curb-appeal-of-your-santa-cruz-home-before-the-weather-turns-cold.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/up-the-curb-appeal-of-your-santa-cruz-home-before-the-weather-turns-cold.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Up the Curb Appeal of Your Santa Cruz Home before the Weather Turns Cold</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Before buyers ever set foot inside a Santa Cruz home, the very first thing they notice is its curb appeal. As autumn approaches and plants start to die, it becomes harder to keep your yard looking fresh. Take advantage of this warm weather to prep your property for the fall with the tips below.


1. Keep your lawn in tiptop shape. Adding grass seed, fertilizing your lawn and using some old-fashioned elbow grease may be all that’s necessary to set your house apart and signal to buyers that you care about keeping it well maintained.


2. Declutter your yard. The same advice you’ve always heard about staging the inside of your house is also true when it comes to your yard. Pick up the toys, pack away the yard gnome collection and store the boat or RV elsewhere.


3. Maintain the landscaping. Make sure your mulch looks fresh and your plants are tended to. If you can, try to keep some color in your landscaping with hardy cold-weather flowers like mums.


4. Touch up any faded or peeling paint. If you’ve been meaning to paint the exterior of your home for the past couple of years, now is the time to do it. It can be expensive but it’s necessary when putting your Santa Cruz home on the market.


5. Update outdoor fixtures. Replace any dated outdoor fixtures, including shutters, the mailbox and anything decorative. Also, consider installing solar-powered accent lighting in your landscaping and along the sidewalk.


6. Replace that dated roof. It may have a couple of years of use left, but nothing will be a stronger signal that you care about the upkeep and appearance of your property than a brand new roof. Also, clean out the gutters.


7. Tend to your sidewalks and driveway. It may not make sense to replace them, but ensure you get any cracks sealed and repair all damaged sections.


If you’re trying to sell your Santa Cruz home and would like even more ideas, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links:


Fertilizing Your Lawn


Staging the Inside of Your House


Paint the exterior of your home


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/save-money-when-remodeling-santa-cruz-homes-for-sale.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/save-money-when-remodeling-santa-cruz-homes-for-sale.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Save Money When Remodeling Santa Cruz Homes for Sale</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
When looking at Santa Cruz homes for sale, buyers prefer high-end features and upgraded appliances — even in houses that are modestly sized. If you’re selling soon then it’s understandable that you don’t want to overspend on renovations. Fortunately, using some of the following money saving tips, you can make upgrades and get a high-end look without breaking the bank.


• Don’t overlook recycling and salvage centers. You could get a significant discount by purchasing second-hand kitchen appliances. Just make certain that you get them inspected by a professional before putting them in your kitchen.


• Buy smaller plants and trees. You may be tempted to buy full-sized plants with burlap root balls. However, those can come at a steep price. Instead, buy younger trees and shrubs and let Mother Nature do her work. In a few years, you’ll have exactly the same look at a significant discount.


• Forego the jetted tub. Buyers are hoping to find Santa Cruz homes for sale with upgraded bathrooms and centerpiece soaking tubs. You can get a great bathtub at substantial savings if you leave out the jets. You’ll save on the actual tub as well as the cost to install and properly plumb it.


• Think outside the box when it comes to dark hardwood flooring. Oak floors can be easily stained to get a rich, dark look for a fraction of the price of more expensive mahogany. It’s an easy and much cheaper way to get a modern, luxurious look.


• Consider going with a square edge or a remnant piece for countertops. A square edge can be cheaper than a rounded edge, but still give your kitchen an attractive, modern look. For bathrooms and other smaller countertops, take a look at remnant pieces.


• Use stock cabinets and bookcases for built-ins and other cabinetwork. Then just paint or stain them to match. Custom cabinetry comes at a steep price, but with a little creative carpentry you can get a similar look for less than half the price.


If you’d like more advice on affordable remodeling projects to make your property competitive with other Santa Cruz homes for sale, 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:


Purchasing Second-Hand Kitchen Appliances


Plants with burlap ball roots


Floors Can Easily Be Stained
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 28 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/considering-selling-your-santa-cruz-home-get-the-scoop-on-the-38-percent-real-estate-tax-in-the-heal.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/considering-selling-your-santa-cruz-home-get-the-scoop-on-the-38-percent-real-estate-tax-in-the-heal.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Considering Selling Your Santa Cruz Home? Get the Scoop on the 3.8 Percent Real Estate Tax in the Healthcare Bill</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you’re considering selling your Santa Cruz home, you may have heard rumors that there is a new tax going into effect in January, 2013. Here’s the rundown on what the tax really is – and isn’t. 


The new tax is called the ‘‘Unearned Income Medicare Contribution.” It is a 3.8 percent tax on the net investment income of high-income taxpayers. The tax will apply to those with an adjusted gross income of more than $200,000 ($250,000 for joint filers), with no indexing for inflation.


The Good NewsOdds are that you will never pay this tax. 


Why You Most Likely Won’t Pay the New TaxThe tax will apply to capital gains, not sale proceeds. Because of the current exclusion of gains on home sales — up to $500,000 (joint) or $250,000 (single) on a primary residence — the vast majority of home sellers will not be required to pay this tax. 


Here’s an example: A couple with an adjusted gross income of more than $250,000 (which qualifies them for the tax -- more than 90 of households make less than that) decide to sell their house. They purchased their Santa Cruz home long, long ago for $50,000. They sell the house, miraculously, for $549,000. Because that profit of $499,000 is under the $500,000 profit exclusion amount allowed for couples, they owe no tax. 


The Bottom LineThere are plenty of other taxes that are worth getting upset about; this isn’t one of them. 


If you're looking for more information on selling a Santa Cruz home, I can help. Give me a call today 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:


Rumors


Capital gains


90 of households make less than that
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 26 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/marketing-mistakes-sellers-make-when-listing-santa-cruz-homes-for-sale.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/marketing-mistakes-sellers-make-when-listing-santa-cruz-homes-for-sale.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Marketing Mistakes Sellers Make When Listing Santa Cruz Homes for Sale</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
When it comes time to sell your house, you want to do everything possible to sell quickly and for top dollar. An aggressive marketing strategy can help drive showings and generate offers. However, potential buyers can become annoyed if Santa Cruz homes for sale don’t live up to their advertised images. Below are some common mistakes sellers make and how to avoid them.


• You don’t post any photos online. Almost all buyers start their searches for Santa Cruz homes for sale online. If you don’t have any photos, many buyers will skip your house entirely. Instead, ensure you at least take photos of the major rooms and outside front, and post them online.


• Your marketing photos don’t match the house. Nothing upsets buyers like deliberately deceptive photos. Don’t make the mistake of staging your house impeccably for the photos and then letting the clutter pile back up. There’s nothing wrong with showing your house in the best light, but if it doesn’t live up to the photos, buyers will be automatically disappointed.


• You don’t mention major problems up front. If your roof is leaking or your foundation needs to be repaired, your ads should reflect this. Nothing frustrates buyers like taking the time to see a property only to find out down the line that it needs some serious TLC. Instead, mention in the ad that your home needs TLC, so you can market to those buyers willing to take on impending projects.


• You don’t put away your pets or leave the house during showings. Buyers are really turned off when the owners — or their pets — tag along while they’re looking at the property. Buyers want to be able to discuss a house openly. Even if you think you can best explain its amazingly unique features, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by sticking around.


Don’t get carried away and exaggerate the qualities of your house. Buyers searching for Santa Cruz homes for sale want the truth and are more likely to purchase your property if it proves to be exactly as it’s portrayed.


If you are thinking about selling and would like to discuss marketing strategies, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.


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

Links:


Santa Cruz homes for sale


Take photos


Staging your house
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-get-an-accurate-santa-cruz-real-estate-appraisal.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-get-an-accurate-santa-cruz-real-estate-appraisal.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>How to Get an Accurate Santa Cruz Real Estate Appraisal</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
In these times of tighter controls on mortgages, making sure your Santa Cruz real estate appraises at an accurate value is crucial. Mortgages have fallen through because of low real estate appraisals.


Here are three tips to help you get an accurate appraisal on your home:


1. Give the Full Story – If you and your Santa Cruz real estate agent have done the research on comparable properties in the neighborhood, be sure to have your agent pass that information along to your appraiser. Also send along information about upgrades you’ve made on your home and amenities that might be overlooked. No one knows your home better than you do.


2. Stay Calm and Out of the Way – Having the sellers at his elbow during the appraisal can be distracting for the appraiser. After making sure your home looks its best and your agent is available for any questions, clear out and let the appraiser do his job in peace.


3. Appraisals can Impact Offer Quality – When reviewing offers on your home, the temptation is to take the highest one and run with that. But being greedy may not end in the sale you want. For instance, if a bidding war on your home amps up the price beyond its value, your best bet may be a lower cash offer as it won’t be nixed by the lender if the house fails to appraise high enough.


If you're planning to sell your Santa Cruz real estate, 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:


Real estate appraisals


Amenities


Bidding war


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 22 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/hiring-a-contractor-to-work-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/hiring-a-contractor-to-work-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Hiring a Contractor to Work on Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If it’s time to hire a contractor to add onto or remodel your Santa Cruz home, you need to ensure that you’re hiring a professional you can trust. Here are some important questions to ask when you call:


• How long have you been in business?• Are you bonded and insured?• Have you completed a job like this before?• Do you have a list of references I can contact?• When can you start my project?


If you find the contractor easy to talk to, set up a time to meet in person. When that time arrives, if the contractor does not show up, or if he or she is late and does not call you, this is a red flag; don’t work with him or her.


When meeting in person with contractors, ask for their permanent business address; if it is a PO Box, ask why. Find out if they are licensed to work in your area. Make sure their licensing is sufficient for your project. Here are additional questions to ask:


• Do you use dust control procedures?• What kind of cleanup happens at the end of each day?


When you find a contractor you like and want to hire him or her to work on your Santa Cruz home, get everything in writing. Make sure your concerns are covered in the contract. Before work starts, cover these details:


• Agree on a designated smoking and eating area for the workers. • Let them know where it’s ok to park.• What time will workers arrive? When does the workday end? Are weekends possible? • In case of an after-hours emergency (fire, smoke, water), who is the contact?• Who is the contact person and when will they be on site?• For safety, agree that you’ll keep kids and pets out of the way.


If it all sounds like too much and you’d rather sell and find a new Santa Cruz home, I can help Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links


Bonded and insured


Dust control


Safety
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/could-your-santa-cruz-home-qualify-for-green-building-certification.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/could-your-santa-cruz-home-qualify-for-green-building-certification.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Could Your Santa Cruz Home Qualify for Green Building Certification?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If so, you could ask for more money when it comes time to sell. In California, a green certified home carries a price premium of 9 over a conventional home. With energy prices increasing, along with awareness of environmental issues, green buildings are the wave of the future no matter where you live.


If your Santa Cruz home has many of the following features, it might make sense for you to look into getting it certified as a green building.


• Oriented to optimize passive solar • Highly energy-efficient windows• ENERGY STAR appliances• Water Sense fixtures• High indoor air quality• High-efficiency HVAC• Well insulated• High percentage of local materials


There are national certification programs such as the National Green Building Program, which has four levels available for homes: Silver, Bronze, Gold or Emerald. There’s also the US Green Building Council’s LEED certification. There are also regional and state programs that certify green homes.


It goes without saying that homes with green features are also more comfortable and affordable to live in. If your Santa Cruz home has some green features, it could pay off in the long run to add more -- and get certified.


If you have questions about getting your Santa Cruz home certified as a green building, give me a call at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links


National green building program


LEED certification


State and regional


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/checklist-for-buying-your-first-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/checklist-for-buying-your-first-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Checklist for Buying Your First Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you’re a first-time Santa Cruz home buyer, you may be looking at the process, scratching your head and wondering exactly how this works. Here’s a quick checklist of the major steps involved in your new purchase:


1. Hire a real estate agent – A professional real estate agent will guide you through the entire process from finding a home to closing on the home.


2. Find a Santa Cruz home – Your agent can help with this. Talk with him or her about the price range, neighborhood and amenities you’re interested in.


3. Consider disclosures – By law, the home seller must disclose flaws in the property and other details about the area (e.g., if it’s in a flood zone). Carefully review the disclosures and consult with your agent to determine if anything you learned in the disclosures makes this house undesirable for you.


4. Make an offer – When you’ve found a home you’d like to buy, submit the offer through your real estate agent. If the offer is accepted, you’ll need to sign a contract. The contract will have contingencies for exit if the house is not all you thought it to be, but it is a legal document, so take your time to thoroughly review and understand everything in it before signing.


5. Obtain an appraisal – Appraisals are required to ensure that the home value matches the home financing so that your loan may be approved.


6. Get an inspection – A home inspection turns up any hidden surprises that may change the value of the home. While the sellers must disclose, they may not know that, for instance, the foundation is cracked. 


7. Secure your loan – Unless you are one of the lucky few who can buy a house outright with cash, you’ll need to go through the process of getting your home loan approved. 


8. Participate in the final walk-through – The final walk through gives you the opportunity to make sure that everything is as you expected and in line with the contract. For example, if the owner agreed to leave the fancy stainless-steel refrigerator, and then ended up moving it, you want to get that ironed out before closing.  


9. Attend the closing – Signing stacks of papers and handing over a cashier’s check or wiring the funds ends with you having a new home  If all the other steps have gone well, there shouldn’t be any surprises at the closing table.


If you're looking for more information on buying a Santa Cruz home, 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:


Hire a real estate agent:


Cashier’s check
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 16 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/7-troublesome-areas-to-check-out-when-buying-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/7-troublesome-areas-to-check-out-when-buying-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>7 Troublesome Areas to Check Out When Buying Santa Cruz Real Estate </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
When it comes to buying Santa Cruz real estate, people focus on the basic questions: Are there enough bedrooms? Is it in a good neighborhood? How is the school system? While these are important points, you also need to focus on the quality of the house itself.


The quality and maintenance of a house can be overlooked when buyers get excited about investing in a home. Fortunately, there are a few areas you can check to get a quick idea of how the Santa Cruz real estate was built and how well it’s been maintained.


1. Look at the foundation. A few small cracks may not be a big deal, but multiple cracked areas could spell trouble. Also, try to see the home on a rainy day, so that you can look for water pools that could turn into basement leaks.


2. Take a look under the kitchen sink and bathroom vanities. Any signs of water damage could mean more serious plumbing issues.


3. Don’t overlook the utilities. Rusty water heaters, beat up furnaces and older air conditioners could mean costly upgrades in the near future.


4. Peek into the attic. You want to see plenty of insulation, neatly run electrical lines and absolutely no sign of any moisture. If something looks off to you, make sure your home inspector really checks out the area.


5. Inspect the sidewalk, driveway and deck. Landscaping, concrete and wood decking in need of repair can lead to big bills down the road.


6. Examine everything you can see on the outside. Look at what you can see of the roof. Are there any shingles missing? Has part of it discolored? Are the gutters in good condition? Also, examine all of the brick and siding.


7. Open the electrical box. You want to see everything neatly organized and the area each breaker covers clearly indicated.


Remember, buying a home is a huge investment. Do your research and have everything checked out by a professional.


If you’re looking to buy Santa Cruz real estate, I can help.  Please call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.


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

Links:


Investing in a Home


Look at the Foundation


Electrical Box


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-updates-to-help-your-santa-cruz-home-sell.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-updates-to-help-your-santa-cruz-home-sell.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Five Updates to Help Your Santa Cruz Home Sell</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you’re putting your Santa Cruz home on the market, you know you want to make it irresistible to buyers. Here are five updates to consider:


1. Replace or paint garage doors. If you have an attached two-car garage, it is a very prominent feature of the front of your Santa Cruz home. You probably don’t even notice the garage doors anymore, but buyers will. If your garage doors are showing their age, consider painting or even replacing them for a new look.


2. Replace old windows. If your windows are single pane, this is a must. New double-pane windows will not only look great, they will increase the comfort and energy efficiency of your home significantly. In these energy-conscious times, buyers are not interested in a home with drafty old windows.


3. Refinish hardwood floors. If you’ve got them, hardwood floors are an asset. Get them looking their best before showing them off.


4. Paint. This is one of the least expensive ways to transform your home, both inside and out.


5. Update the kitchen. Some of the most attractive features in modern kitchens include:o Pull-out shelving in cabinets. These are a boon to an aging population. Never again throw your back out while groping for things in the back of cabinets.o Islands are still a popular feature.o Standout range hoods are becoming a focal point in fashionable kitchens.


If you want more information on how to get your Santa Cruz home sold, call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links:


Double-pane windows


Pull-out shelving


Standout range hoods
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 12 Sep 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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