Everyone knows that first impressions are important. By carefully staging your Santa Cruz home, you can positively influence the feelings your potential buyers have when they are viewing the property.

Staging is the art of decorating and arranging the spaces within your house to make it more appealing to buyers. If you can adapt the rooms to create an attractive and welcoming zone that homebuyers can see themselves in, they will be more likely to buy your property.

One of the most important rooms to stage is the living room, because it is such a central part of the house. This is where a lot of the social activity occurs, so it should appear comfortable and welcoming. Here are some tips to keep in mind when staging your living room before the next…

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In almost every Santa Cruz home, there are awkward spaces that are difficult to utilize. In older houses especially there are rooms, closets and nooks that once had a purpose that is now outdated. So before you try to cover it up or fill it with junk, take a look at the smart solutions below to see how you can revitalize those problematic spaces and turn them into something useful.

The space under the stairs
While this is likely to be more of a hiding spot for dust-bunnies than teenage wizards, it is valuable space that you don’t have to board up. Use it for storage! Create cabinets, or if it’s near the kitchen, build in a wine refrigerator or display shelves for china. Build in a coat or shoe closet if the stairs are in the front entryway.

The…

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Once you’ve found a house you are interested in buying, it’s difficult to know when to make an offer. If you like the Santa Cruz home, there are likely other buyers who like it too. You’re not the only one who can spot a good buy. If you take too long to make a bid, someone else could beat you to the prize.

If the property you are looking at is in good condition, priced right and is in a good location, it will likely be snapped up quickly. This means that you should place your offer as soon as possible — as long as you have cancellation rights.

Advantages of immediately making an offer

Of course, the main advantage of placing a bid quickly is to prevent anyone else from buying the [city} home that you love. The seller may accept your offer and…

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Back in the 50’s and 60’s, you could just leave your house open and any Santa Cruz real estate agent could come in and show the home at any time. There were almost no security issues. Now, because of safety problems, we have the handy, dandy lock box.

Lock Box History

Attached to a door handle, gate, water or gas meter, lock boxes hold keys to a house for sale. They were invented in the 70’s, and opened by a key that your REALTOR possessed. In the 90’s, the electronic lock box replaced the older key model. The electronic type is what most property professionals use today to make sure your home remains safe while it's for sale.
In 2008, the electronic lock box took another big step forward in technology, and can:

• Alert as many as five emergency…

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When deciding to sell a piece of Santa Cruz real estate, there are certain things you must disclose about the property to the buyer before the sale can go through. Disclosure laws are put in place to protect the buyer from unknowingly purchasing defective property. Not disclosing certain information about the property can jeopardize the sale, or worse, invite a lawsuit.

Some laws are different depending on where you live. The best way to know what you need to disclose in your area is to check with your REALTOR or property attorney and fill out the seller disclosure form.  The main items that need to be disclosed are any defects with the home. This includes, but is not limited to, plumbing problems, water leaks, cracks in the foundation, insect…

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From building a nest egg for retirement to generating more income on a daily basis, there are many reasons people look toward Santa Cruz real estate for a secure investment. If you’re looking to put your money into the property market, you have several options. Below we’ve outline three types of property investing depending on your time and desire to be actively involved.

1. Purchasing Rental Properties
If you don’t have time to play the Santa Cruz real estate game and want to make sure you’re making a solid investment with a long-term payoff, then purchasing rental properties might be your ticket. Look for homes that need little work. Check the comparable rentals in the area to make sure you can charge more than what your mortgage payments will be.…

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Buying a Santa Cruz home can be a great investment. And growing that investment by making it more valuable before you sell means more money in your pocket. While a lot of projects can be expensive and time consuming, there are a few quick and easy upgrades to make your property worth more to buyers.

Update Kitchen Cabinets
You don’t need to completely replace kitchen cabinets to make them appealing. Switching out the doors and drawer fronts can make them appear new. You can also add a fresh coat of paint and replace the hardware on the front of the cabinets to create a new look.

Replace the Front Door
The entry point of your Santa Cruz home is the first and last thing potential buyers see. If your front door is old, outdated or looks like it has…

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Selling your Santa Cruz home can be an exciting, yet frustrating process. Receiving an offer only to have it be too low or fall through can be disappointing and discouraging. While real estate contracts can vary across the country, be sure to take a hard look at the following sections before accepting an offer.  

1. Purchase Price – This is what the buyer wants to pay. Your real estate agent can help you determine whether it’s a price you can negotiate on or the offer is too low and you should disregard it.

2. Earnest Money – Buyers put a deposit of earnest money into a third-party escrow account in good faith that the transaction will go through. The general rule is, the larger the deposit, the more serious the offer.

3. Financing – Your buyers’…

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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…

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As the weather gets warmer, the desire to get outside and enjoy the fresh air begins to take hold. Having a place to entertain or just unwind can add a new dimension to your Santa Cruz home.

First, you have to decide what type of space you want to create. Whether you want to have an outdoor living room, a vacation-like spot or a place to meditate and enjoy nature, how you extend your living space is limited only by your imagination — and possibly your budget. Start with your vision and make a list of the things you want to have there. Then go for it!

Choose a Theme
• Vacation spot - Decorate with bright colors for a festive, tropical look.
• Zen garden - Add a water feature, such as a fountain, for a calming effect.
• Nature hideaway - Surround a…

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