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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2012-10/</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/good-living-in-your-santa-cruz-home-tips-for-increasing-real-estate-wealth.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/good-living-in-your-santa-cruz-home-tips-for-increasing-real-estate-wealth.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Good Living in Your Santa Cruz Home: Tips for Increasing Real Estate Wealth</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you want to make the most the of your Santa Cruz home as an asset, I have one word for you: patience.


If we’ve learned anything over the last years in the real estate market, it’s that get-rich-quick schemes can just as easily turn out to be get-poor-quick scenarios. We are very much back to the good old days of seeing real estate as a long-term investment. And as a long-term investment, it continues to be a solid one. 


Here are a few other tips on how to make the most of your largest asset:


• Go long – It bears repeating: long-term ownership is the key. Build equity, allow the property to appreciate and minimize the costs that come with buying and selling property. 


• Buyer beware – Before you even enter into the world of homeownership, think about how well that Santa Cruz home really fits your budget and lifestyle. If meeting the mortgage payment every month leaves you sweaty with anxiety, the property’s price tag is really beyond your reach. You want to have positive cash flow so you can cover those unexpected expenses that always crop up with a home. 


• Ensure your home is insured – You do not want to discover after the big storm that the tree in your roof is entirely your financial problem. Talk to an insurance agent you trust and make sure you have appropriate coverage for flood, fire and other issues. 


• Snap up low rates – With mortgage interest rates as low as they are right now, refinancing your Santa Cruz home can be a smart financial move. Long-term, 30 year mortgages can mean a reasonable monthly payment that you can meet more easily. Check out your situation with a reputable mortgage professional. 


Buying a house can be an immensely satisfying investment in your future, both financially and personally. But it’s not one to be undertaken impulsively. Think through all the possibilities before taking the plunge. 


If you are considering selling your home or buying a new one, 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:


Patience


Home is insured


Mortgage interest rates
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/should-you-downsize-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/should-you-downsize-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Should You Downsize Your Santa Cruz Home?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are many reasons to consider downsizing your Santa Cruz home. Obviously, if the kids have left the nest, or you’re recently widowed or divorced, moving to a smaller home can simplify your life in many ways. But even if the size of your household has not changed, there are still benefits to living in a smaller house.


• Maintenance will be easier. Take a lesson from monks: The more possessions you have, the more demands they make on you. It’s no different with your Santa Cruz home. It’s easier to clean 1,000 square feet than 3,000 square feet or more. The more plumbing you have, the more chances that something will go wrong with it. The bigger your roof, the more expensive it is to replace, and so on.


• It’s easier to age in a small home. Small homes tend to be only one story. As we get older (and we all are), it’s nice to not have to climb the stairs every day. You may even find a one-story home that has no stairs to negotiate outside, making it wheelchair-accessible.


• Small homes are cheaper to heat and cool. Energy prices increase all the time and always will. While it’s important to have good insulation and tight windows, all things being equal, the smaller your square footage, the lower your utility bills.


• Insurance will be cheaper. The size of your home is one of the main factors determining how much your home insurance costs.


• Taxes will be lower. Again, property taxes are based partly on the square footage of your Santa Cruz home.


While you may not be ready to move into a tiny home, it’s worth considering the benefits of living in a smaller Santa Cruz home. If you want to explore the possibilities, call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Links:


Downsizing your Santa Cruz home


Home insurance costs


Tiny home


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/5-santa-cruz-real-estate-remodeling-investments-that-pay-off.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/5-santa-cruz-real-estate-remodeling-investments-that-pay-off.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>5 Santa Cruz Real Estate Remodeling Investments That Pay Off</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Remodeling and updating Santa Cruz real estate makes a lot of sense in today’s market. Even if you’re planning on staying in your home for years to come, don’t make the mistake of spending your home improvement dollars unwisely. You never know when something like illness, unemployment or a job opportunity in another city may force you to sell.


You don’t want to sink a lot of money into expensive upgrades or additions that you won’t recoup when it’s time to sell. So here are five tips to make sure your investment makes good financial sense.


1. Keep pace with the neighbors, but don’t pass them. Any real estate expert will tell you that it’s hard to get the maximum value out of a home when it’s the nicest one in the neighborhood.


2. Remodel instead of adding on. Before you spend the cash on an expensive addition, consider reconfiguring your current space to suit your needs. Removing walls can open up and modernize the look and feel of your home without the huge price tag.


3. Don’t overlook maintenance and repairs. Replacing appliances, redoing a roof or changing out old windows can be very attractive to smart buyers — and will save you from surprises when it comes time for an inspection.


4. Be smart with technology upgrades. That theater room you’ve always wanted may seem like a no-brainer. However, technology changes so quickly; make sure you’re not spending big bucks on equipment that will quickly be out of date.


5. Avoid over-personalization. A humidity-controlled wine cellar or a completely outfitted home library may make sense in high-end neighborhoods. However, if you’re in a more modest neighborhood, don’t spend a lot of money on features unlikely to appeal to buyers in your price range.


Don’t get carried away with remodeling fantasies. Make smart decisions that pay off when it comes time to sell your Santa Cruz real estate.


If you’d like more cost-effective tips on home upgrades, 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 home page at www.MySanta CruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


It’s Time to Sell


Removing Walls


Redoing a Roof


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/remodeling-decisions-what-you-need-to-know-about-remodeling-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/remodeling-decisions-what-you-need-to-know-about-remodeling-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Remodeling Decisions: What You Need to Know About Remodeling Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you’re considering remodeling your Santa Cruz home, whether it’s a project as small as adding a bay window in the kitchen or as big as adding on a new bathroom, here are a few items you should consider before making the decision to remodel:


• Budget for success – However much you think the renovation might cost, realize that it will likely cost more. Keep that in mind when considering whether you can truly afford to make the changes.


• Put your money toward your priorities – If you live to travel, and you spend very little time in your Santa Cruz home, is the best use of your funds really a renovation? Think about the return on investment as it applies to your happiness. 


• Remodeling only goes so far – If you want to rip out the kitchen and both bathrooms and add three bedrooms, what you may really want is another house. Both remodeling a home and buying a new home require a financial commitment. To help you decide whether you should remodel or move, recognize your goals. Do you prefer to stay where you are because you love your current neighborhood and the easy commute to work? Or would you rather move to a new area?


• Understand the upheaval – Depending on the extent of the renovation, areas of your home may be out of commission and uninhabitable for stretches of time. If you renovate your kitchen, for instance, cooking is off limits or severely constrained for some time. Can you handle the mess? 


• Now and the future – When you are looking at your budget, consider how secure your current income is.  For instance, if the contract for your position is up in a few months, make sure that renewal is likely before setting your remodeling budget.


• Invest wisely – If you are planning on staying in your house over the long-term, and want to make it more comfortable, then renovation can make sense. If you are planning on selling the house, consider whether the changes you want to make will increase the value and be worth the headaches that will come with all the work. 


If you’d like more information about renovations that can increase the value of your Santa Cruz home, give me a call today 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:


Bay window


Happiness


Remodel or move
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 24 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/property-evaluation-ways-of-looking-at-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/property-evaluation-ways-of-looking-at-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Property Evaluation: Ways of Looking at Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
When you are pondering the value of your Santa Cruz home, you may want to evaluate your property from a few different angles to get a good feel for its worth. 


• Value: As the credit card commercials imply, the cost of something isn’t necessarily the same as its value (which can be “priceless”). Value takes into account how individual buyers might use a property. For instance, the home being in a good school district is probably more valuable to a family with children than to a bachelor. On the other hand, accessibility to nightlife is most likely more valuable to the bachelor than to a family with children. You may value the wide lush lawn of your Santa Cruz home while other people see that asset as a detriment, because that lawn always needs mowing. 


• Cost: The cost of the house for the sellers is the price paid for the home plus improvements made during their tenure. Remember, the sellers’ cost is unlikely to be the same as the fair market value. Not all changes to a home necessarily add to its fair market value; in fact, quirky renovations can make properties more difficult to sell. 


• Fair market value: The fair market value of a property is determined, in part, by looking at similar properties sold in the area in the last six months. This Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) considers items such as number of bedrooms and baths and the neighborhood in which it’s located. A basic CMA may not factor in everything that goes into setting a price for the property. For example, if your Santa Cruz home is in significantly better condition than comparable properties or has a spectacular view, those factors will most likely increase your home’s fair market value.


If you’d like a Comparative Market Analysis for your home, including all the special factors that set your home apart from other homes in your neighborhood, give me a call today 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:


Schools


Comparative Market Analysis


Spectacular view


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 20 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/let-the-bidding-wars-begin-how-to-get-great-offers-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/let-the-bidding-wars-begin-how-to-get-great-offers-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Let the Bidding Wars Begin How to Get Great Offers on Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you are considering selling your Santa Cruz home, you may be dreaming of the magic sale. In this scenario, before the house is even on the market, someone knocks on the door and offers twice the asking price in cash, and maybe throws in a leer jet ride or a pet pony. 


In real life, marketing and hard work will serve you better. Here are a few tips on getting the best price for your Santa Cruz home: 


• Consider your target market: If you have an investment property, your most likely buyer is very different from those looking to buy a single-family home. Investors may be looking at rental rates in your neighborhood; single-family homebuyers may be more concerned with school systems. Know who will be looking at your home, and give them the information that is most important to them.


• Be online: You must have your property listed online if you expect anyone to find it these days. In particular, look for websites that allow you to upload pictures, comment on features, and are updated frequently (daily, preferably). 


• Negotiate online: It’s a fast-paced world, and being able to zip offers and counter-offers back and forth can speed negotiations.


• Spread the word socially: Word of mouth is now electronic, and that buzz on your Santa Cruz home can be far reaching. Some social media dashboards allow you to manage Facebook, Twitter and other connections from one spot, so you don’t have to spend all your time updating different sites. 


You may not be the kind of person who can sell sand in the desert, but putting together a strategic marketing plan that takes advantage of the electronic world can help you generate the kind of offers that dreams are made.


If you are considering selling your home, let me show you my proven marketing plan that gets homes sold fast. Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Rental rates


School systems


Social media dashboards


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:07:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/halloween-safety-tricks-for-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/halloween-safety-tricks-for-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Halloween Safety Tricks for Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
As October comes to a close, watch for ghosts, goblins and witches rushing across the lawn of your Santa Cruz home, demanding candy and giggling from sugar rushes. As you seek to soothe the trick-or-treaters and avoid teenagers lobbing rolls of toilet paper through your trees, implement the following safety tricks to keep you and your family safe for the season.


• Playing with fire – No matter how encased in pumpkin the little candles inside Jack-o’-lanterns may be, they can cause damage if not supervised. Never leave a candle burning unattended. When you extinguish the candle, be sure it is completely out and won’t spark back up again the moment you step away. Consider using battery-powered lights instead of candles, if you want that orange fangy glow on the porch of your Santa Cruz home when you’re not around. 


• Decorate with style and safety – If you string cobwebs and ghouls throughout your Santa Cruz home, be aware of where you are putting those decorations. Choose supports that are appropriate to the weight of the object; you don’t want weighty skeletons collapsing onto little ones. Also, consider where any space heaters might be in use and keep creepy crepe paper decorations, curtains, costumes and poltergeists at least three feet away.


• Light the way – You know the twists and turns of the path to your home, but your neighbors’ kids, particularly when sealed up in masks and ghostly sheets, may have a hard time finding their way. Avoid scraped knees and keep the blood all fake this season by leaving outdoor and porch lights on. Spooky imaginations will still be able to find plenty lurking in the shadows.


If your imagination is running wild this season with thoughts of selling your home or buying a new one, I can help take the fright out of the process. Give me a call 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:


Jack-o’-lanterns


Battery-powered lights


Cobwebs


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/market-trends-report.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/market-trends-report.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Market Trends Report</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
For a complete market trends report CLICK HERE


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 14 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/autumn-curb-appeal-for-your-santa-cruz-real-estate-not-just-for-the-rich-and-famous.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/autumn-curb-appeal-for-your-santa-cruz-real-estate-not-just-for-the-rich-and-famous.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Autumn Curb Appeal for Your Santa Cruz Real Estate, Not Just For the Rich and Famous</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
It’s easy to make your Santa Cruz real estate look great in the spring and summer, but autumn lawn care and curb appeal is just as important. By taking the following steps, your property will be just as appealing to prospective buyers during the fall and winter as it would be during spring and summer:


1. Rake and dispose of leaves and pine needles. A yard that needs leaf removal can cost a seller. Leaving a mess of leaves that need to be raked can make a buyer think the house needs work, whether it does or does not.


2. Consider planting ornamental kale and cabbage in containers. Ornamental varieties from the cabbage family will add color and withstand the chills of winter.


3. Clean out the gutters. Clean, leaf-free gutters tell potential buyers that you’ve kept up with the maintenance on your Santa Cruz real estate.


4. Keep decks and patios in good repair. Treat the wood, wash down the deck, repair any loose boards or hand rails. Spray-wash any moss or algae that might be growing due to wet weather.


5. Add adequate lighting. Many prospective buyers meet their Santa Cruz real estate agent after work for home tours. It is helpful to install solar walkway lights to illuminate paths and the driveway.  Also turn on outside lights and consider adding a few temporary spot lights to focus on the home’s architecture or landscaping.


6. Set out your patio or garden furniture during fall and winter months. Keep them clean and inviting. The buyer will look at the back deck or patio and quickly see it is a place to be enjoyed.


7. Make the front door the focal point. Hang a large wreath that showcases the striking colors of autumn like browns, golds, oranges and reds. Buy one or make your own with dried or fresh autumn leaves, berries and pine cones.


Want more tips on how to sell your home no matter what season it is? Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


Links:


Planting ornamental kale and cabbage


Clean out the gutters


Keep decks and patios in good repair


 


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 12 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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<item>
    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/what-happens-after-you-sign-a-santa-cruz-real-estate-contract.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/what-happens-after-you-sign-a-santa-cruz-real-estate-contract.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>What Happens After You Sign a Santa Cruz Real Estate Contract?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Buying a new home isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. When you find the Santa Cruz real estate of your dreams and place an offer that is accepted, don’t assume the marathon is over -- there are many more miles you must travel before closing.


Here are four steps to take after the contract is signed:


1. Be prepared for your earnest money or escrow deposit to be cashed. This money can be anywhere from $1,000 to three percent of the price of the home.


2. Go over disclosures with a fine-tooth comb. Your agent will help you identify any red flags. Then you want to familiarize yourself with the home’s history, zoning district and past building permits. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand.


3. Negotiate with your bank. It’s time to lock in an interest rate with your lender. You might have gotten pre-approved beforehand, but now you actually need the loan.


4. Schedule a property inspection. Attend the inspection, and come prepared with a list of questions for your home inspector. The point of this appointment is not just to highlight major issues, but also to familiarize yourself with the short and long-term maintenance of your new Santa Cruz real estate.


Don’t get derailed by unexpected costs and time-consuming tasks that come after you sign a contract. You’ll want to be mentally and financially prepared so that you can close smoothly and move into your new Santa Cruz real estate quickly.


If you’d like more information about what happens before closing, 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:


Disclosures


Building permits


List of questions for your home inspector
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 10 Oct 2012 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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