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…

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Most of us want to do everything we can at our Santa Cruz home to be ready for an emergency.  There are a few things that most experts agree should be in every emergency kit.  Here is a quick list:

• Durable container: You’ll need to buy a plastic container that will securely latch and will be waterproof to keep food and clothing dry.

• Radio: A small radio is all you’ll need to keep in tune with the latest in weather news and emergency broadcasts.  It would be a good idea to pack extra batteries, or invest in a hand-crank radio to be sure you always have access to the news.

• Light Source: Pack a few flashlights and several sets of batteries in case of a power outage.  For added back-up, put in some candles and matches.

• Water: Pack bottled…

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A good way to save money in your Santa Cruz home is to improve your home’s energy efficiency.  You can save four to nine percent a year on water heating costs by installing a water heater jacket.  They’re quick and easy to install, here’s how:

Prepare to Shop

Before you go shopping, make sure you know if your water heater is gas or electric.  The access panels and materials can be different between the two.  The installation of a water heater jacket on a gas heater is more difficult.  You may want to have a professional do the installation on a gas water heater.

Write down your water heater model number.  Most water heater jackets list the compatible water heater models on the packaging.  Choose a jacket with a value of  R-8. 

Installation

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Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become an increasingly important element in home buyers' decision-making, and buyers have become more attuned to mold, radon and other issues that affect air quality.

Many air quality dangers once were invisible and difficult to quantify, but thanks to evolving technology, detecting and rating IAQ has gotten easier. In addition, new programs have emerged to inspect and rate homes' IAQ. One such program is the EPA’s Indoor airPlus.

Eric Werling, the Indoor airPlus coordinator, presented the April 2010 Webinar and discussed the one-year-old rating and home labeling program.

Indoor airPlus is a sister label to ENERGY STAR® and to get the label, a home first must meet ENERGY STAR® requirements. Gaining the Indoor airPLUS…

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Green homes are great for the environment and will save you money over time. The EPA has identified components that qualify buildings as green to help in the process of finding Santa Cruz real estate that is environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

The cost of running a home can add up over time, but buying a home that is properly insulated, made out of sustainable materials and reduces waste provides many benefits to the homeowner.

• Energy Efficiency - According to the EPA, as of December 2012, buildings account for 68% of total energy consumption Green homes can reduce these two numbers with energy efficient appliances, well-sealed, double-glazed windows, and good insulation. Using alternative energy sources, such as solar panels, will also…

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You’ve got a contract on your Santa Cruz real estate and have a closing date set. Whether or not everything goes smoothly comes down to the home’s appraisal. Waiting to hear that all is well can be frustrating enough, but when the news is unfavorable, it might seem like the end of the world.

Just because your home receives poor marks doesn’t mean that you didn’t take care of it — it could be you received a bad Santa Cruz real estate appraisal. While most appraisers are completely competent at their jobs, some might be unfamiliar with an area or use inappropriate comparisons. Below are common appraisal problems of which you should be aware.

• Inconsistent appraisals – If the appraiser finds issues that don’t makes sense, like claiming the home needs…

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You’ve finally decided you want to buy a piece of Santa Cruz real estate.  What do you do now?  Here are a few tips for getting the best deal for your money:

Check Out Your Credit
The first thing you’ll want to do is order a copy of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus:  Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. 

Look for inaccuracies in:
• Name
• Address
• Creditors
• Late payments
• Delinquencies

After you’ve reviewed your credit report and know your credit score, you’re ready to make improvements to your report.  You can send a written “Notice of Correction” to the credit bureaus.  It can be up to 200 words.  If needed, you can explain why you fell behind on a particular debt, and every time a lender accesses the report, they’ll see your…

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