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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2013-06/</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/what-most-people-dont-know-about-mortgages-on-their-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/what-most-people-dont-know-about-mortgages-on-their-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>What Most People Don’t Know About Mortgages on Their Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
When it comes to buying their first Santa Cruz home, many people are unaware of the basic facts of how their mortgage works. A survey by Zillow indicated that more than one third of potential first time homebuyers don’t understand the most fundamental details about their mortgages. This lack of understanding could cost you thousands of dollars, so make sure that you understand your mortgage before you make a serious financial commitment.


Here are a few of the important things that many people don’t know about mortgages and how they work:


Mortgage Rates Can Vary Depending on the Day


Did you know that mortgage rates can change daily? Simply by monitoring the changes in these rates, you could enjoy the benefit of saving a lot of money. Even a small percentage of difference could add up to thousands of dollars that you end up saving per year. This is why you shouldn’t choose the first rate you see – take your time to shop around.


The Biggest the Down Payment, the Better


Don’t think you need to save up a lot of money on a down payment? The truth is that the more you can save up for a down payment, the better you will be in the long run. You will own a larger stake in your home, you can take out a smaller mortgage, your monthly payments will be smaller and you will end up paying less interest over the life of the mortgage.


Lender Fees Are Open to Negotiation


When you apply for a loan, you will need to pay lender fees. However, most people don’t realize that they have the ability to negotiate their lender fees. The fees are different from one lender to the next and they are always open to negotiation so don’t be afraid to bargain.


Pre-Qualified Doesn’t Guarantee Financing


You might be “pre-qualified” for a loan, but this doesn’t mean that you have secured financing on your home. Many people think it does, but it only means that the lender has calculated approximately what you can afford. You will not have secured your financing until the lender has officially approved your loan.


These are just a few examples of important mortgage info that most people might not know. If you are looking to purchase a Santa Cruz home, contact me for more information at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com or 831.662.6522.


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

Resources:


negotiate their lender feessave up for a down paymentshop around
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    <pubDate>Sun, 30 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/what-does-the-future-hold-for-the-security-system-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/what-does-the-future-hold-for-the-security-system-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>What Does the Future Hold for The Security System on Your Santa Cruz Home?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Imagine walking into your Santa Cruz home and turning off the alarm, locking your doors, opening the windows and starting your coffee maker, all with a few taps of your finger on your smart phone? What if you had a home security camera that you could monitor from anywhere and a motion sensor that would send you an email when your kids come home from school? What if you could open your blinds or unlock your home for a visitor, even from halfway around the world?


The technology that powers our home security systems is getting more and more sophisticated and in the future, our homes will be more responsive than we could ever imagine. Rather than a simple line of defense that keeps out burglars, it will be a completely integrated and custom designed automated system that responds intelligently to your needs.


Smart Home Technology


At the moment, prototypes are being developed already for integrated home security systems that have individual internet protocols that can address everything from a fridge to a window to a door. This connectivity essentially gives everything in your house an internet address, so that you can control them and monitor them digitally. Once the system is linked up it can be controlled remotely by BlackBerry, Apple or Android.


The 2013 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this year showcased a number of smart phone apps and devices designed to control everything within your home so that you can master the household with the click of a button.


The Future is Still on Its Way


Although the technology is being developed, there is still a long way to go until we all live in automated houses like on The Jetsons. There are many different conflicting operating systems, setups, standards and approaches that will need to be worked out until the dream of a fully automated Santa Cruz home can become a reality.


For more information about homes, feel free to contact me at 831.662.6522 or send me an email at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com. 


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

Resources:


TechnologyThe JetsonsConsumer Electronics Show
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-finding-the-best-mortgage-rate-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-finding-the-best-mortgage-rate-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Tips for Finding the Best Mortgage Rate on Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Taking the time to hunt around for a better mortgage rate on your Santa Cruz home could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Recently mortgage interest rates have been at record lows, which mean that you have a chance to secure a great rate. All you need is to do a little bit of research, take the time to compare prices and ensure that you are getting the best rate. Here are some tips for finding the ideal mortgage rate for you:


Improve Your Credit Score


The better your credit score, the better rates will be available to you when looking for a mortgage. However, if you have bad credit there is no need to panic; there are many ways that you can improve your credit score before searching for a mortgage. Start by ordering your credit report so that you know where you stand. This information is free and can be ordered online. You should check it carefully for mistakes and then work toward making sure that your existing debt is paid down. Create a budget and stick to it so that you can eliminate your debt and improve your score and therefore your mortgage rates.


Save Up a Big Down Payment


Many lenders are willing to offer lower mortgage rates for customers who are able to put down a significant down payment on the home. If you can save up more than 20 percent for a down payment, you will likely be able to negotiate for a much better rate. You will also save a lot on interest over the years because the mortgage amount will be less.


Talk to Your Mortgage Lender


Sit down with your mortgage lender and negotiate with them. Let them know what you are looking for and see what they are willing to offer. You might be surprised to find that your mortgage lender is flexible and is willing to arrange something that suits your needs.


Taking the time to find the best mortgage rate on your Santa Cruz home mortgage takes a while, but when you find it you will be able to enjoy the benefit of savings for as long as you own the home.


If you have any more questions about buying your home, feel free to contact me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Resources:


significant down paymentordering your credit reportCreate a budget
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 26 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-renting-out-your-santa-cruz-property.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-pros-and-cons-of-renting-out-your-santa-cruz-property.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>The Pros and Cons of Renting Out Your Santa Cruz Property</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
If a job change is requiring you to move out of your Santa Cruz property across the country on short notice, you might be considering whether or not to rent out your home or sell it. The decision to rent or sell is a tricky one and it will depend on a lot of factors including your home’s value, the real estate market at the moment and the amount of work involved.


Here are the pros and cons of becoming a landlord, so that you can decide for yourself which option is best for you:


Advantages:


Avoid Selling at a Loss


Depending on the state of the real estate market, it might be advantageous to wait before selling and hold onto the property for a bit longer. If you can wait out a down market, you will be able to sell for a better price in the future.


Build Equity


Every rent payment that you receive can be put toward your mortgage, which means that when you eventually sell the home you will have much more equity in the property.


Avoid a Long Selling Period


Renting out your home means that you will avoid having the property sit empty for a long period of time while waiting for it to sell. Paying two mortgages during that time can really be a strain on the budget.


Disadvantages:


Getting Another Mortgage Can be a Challenge


If you still owe money on your old home, it can be difficult to get a mortgage for a new property. Some lenders might not approve your mortgage application because of your situation.


Rent Money is Still Taxable Income


Although the money that you receive from renting out your home is income that you can put toward the mortgage, it is still taxable so you will need to keep this in mind when calculating the economic benefits.


Your Capital is Held Up


If you haven’t sold your old property yet, you will not be able to get the equity back on it. This might force you to borrow a lot more for your new home which will result in higher monthly payments.


These are just a few of the pros and cons to consider when deciding whether you should rent or sell your Santa Cruz property. For more information about real estate issues, feel free to email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com or phone me at 831.662.6522.


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

Resources:


TaxableEquityBecoming a landlord
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 24 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-decorating-the-guest-bedroom-at-your-santa-cruz-property.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-decorating-the-guest-bedroom-at-your-santa-cruz-property.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Tips for Decorating the Guest Bedroom at Your Santa Cruz Property</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Does your Santa Cruz property have a guest bedroom? A guest bedroom is an excellent room to have, as it means that you will easily be able to host friends and relatives when they come through town. Having your guests sleep on the fold out sofa can be disruptive for both you and for them, so letting them have their own space is ideal.


Decorating a guest bedroom can be a challenge, because you want to create a bedroom that will appeal to a wide range of guests and will be practical during their stay. Here are some tips to keep in mind when decorating your guest bedroom.


Consider Using Two Twin Beds


One idea for decorating your guest bedroom is to using two twin beds rather than one large bed, as this is more applicable for a wider range of guests. For example, if you have a brother and sister or two cousins visiting you they don’t have to share a bed. However, if a couple is visiting you it won’t be too difficult to push the beds together to make a large and luxurious king sized bed.


Don’t Forget Closet Space


Your guests will arrive with a lot of luggage and if they have nowhere to store their things, the suitcases can end up “exploding” all over the room and making a mess. Ensure that your guest bedroom has enough closet space so that your guests can have somewhere to put their clothes and belongings during their stay.


Supply Extra Linens


Keep an extra set of towels, wash clothes and a warm blanket folded up in the closet of the guest bedroom. This way if your guests are cold they can take another blanket, or they can use a towel for a shower without having to ask you.


Make it Homey and Welcoming


Sometimes guest bedrooms suffer from being bleak and boring as they contain nothing but a bed and four bare walls. Even if the room isn’t used all the time, put some effort into decorating the walls with artwork or photographs. It will make the guest bedroom a much more welcoming and enjoyable place to be.


Decorating the guest bedroom at your Santa Cruz property can be a lot of fun and if you keep these tips in mind you will be able to create a space that is welcoming and perfectly suited to your guests.


For more Santa Cruz property advice or answers to your real estate questions, please feel free to contact 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. 


Resources:


closet spaceartwork or photographshost friends and relatives
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    <pubDate>Sun, 23 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-importance-of-a-santa-cruz-home-inspection.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-importance-of-a-santa-cruz-home-inspection.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>The Importance of a Santa Cruz Home Inspection</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Many homebuyers have found the perfect house, signed the dotted line and think they’ve watched enough home improvement shows to know if they’re getting a good deal. And then some make the mistake of skipping a Santa Cruz home inspection in order to save a little cash.


Even if a home has already stolen your heart and you’re ready to pay for it “as is”, you need to bite the bullet and hire a home inspector to let you know what repairs and financial repercussions await you.


Why You Should Hire An Home Inspector


You might know a thing or two about home remodeling and repairs. However, most people are not experts on the inner workings. That why it’s important to hire a professional to search for potential furnace issues, electrical wiring mishaps, plumbing weaknesses or roofing deterioration.


While a home might look like it’s in perfect condition on the surface, there could be major issues hiding beneath its façade. That’s why it’s imperative to your pocketbook that you hire an inspector to scrutinize the bones of your home. You’ll want to be able to budget for immediate and future repairs.


When To Schedule The Inspection


Once you’ve signed a contract, you’ll want to schedule a Santa Cruz home inspection before the termination period has ended. Even though you’ve signed your heart away, an inspector could just find something that you just cannot live with or afford to fix.


While you should schedule an inspection after you’ve signed a contract, it’s important to have an inspector or two picked out beforehand. Ask friends and family for referrals and then contact the inspectors for pricing and a list of what they will and will not cover at the inspection. It’s smart to have two inspectors on speed dial in case one is unavailable.


Even if you do know a lot about the structure, plumbing and wiring of houses, don’t let your ego get the better of you. It’s important to shell out the additional money to hire an inspector and cover your assets. You’d hate to end up with a home that needs thousand-dollar renovations every year and not know it.


For more information on hiring a professional for your Santa Cruz home inspection or for a referral, please 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:


Pay for it “as is”Home remodelingSigned a contract
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 22 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/is-emotion-getting-in-the-way-of-selling-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/is-emotion-getting-in-the-way-of-selling-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Is Emotion Getting in the Way of Selling Your Santa Cruz Home?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The best way to approach the sale of your Santa Cruz home is to be completely emotionally detached and to handle the sale like any other business transaction. However, this can be difficult to do. A house holds a lot of memories and you will likely have a strong emotional connection to it. These feelings will make you highly biased, can cause you to ignore your home’s flaws and will skew your perception of what the home is worth. It can also make it difficult to make the move on a sale, even when you have a reasonable offer.


Emotional attachment is detrimental to your house sale, so it is best to distance yourself from the house emotionally during the sale process so that you can prevent your emotions from interfering with your judgement.


Put Away Personal Affects


When you are getting prepared to sell your home, pack up all of your family photographs and put away any personal mementos. Not only will this make the house more appealing when you are showing it to potential buyers, it will also help you to begin emotionally detaching from your home.


Be Critical of Your Home


When it comes to a home that you love, it can be difficult to assess its value realistically because you will be blind to its faults. Ask your real estate agent or a very honest friend to walk through your house with you and point out all of the faults and potential weaknesses that could affect the sale. Keep an open mind and try to put your emotions on the back burner to see the house as a potential buyer would see it.


Capture it On Video


A great way to preserve the memory of your home is to make a video tour of it. This way you will be able to capture what it looked like when you lived there, so whenever you start to feel homesick you can watch the DVD and take a trip down memory lane.


Getting Excited About the Move


Instead of focusing on how sad it is that you are leaving your home, think about all the things that you have to look forward to at your new house. You can start researching the area that you are moving to and find out all of the great activities and attractions you can visit when you arrive.


These are just a few ways that you can keep emotion out of the equation when it comes to selling your Santa Cruz home. If you are looking for more real estate tips, feel free to contact me at 831.662.6522 or send me an email at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


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

Resources:


make the house more appealingassess its valueresearching the area


 
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-credit-score-for-better-financing-terms.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-credit-score-for-better-financing-terms.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>How To Improve Your Credit Score For Better Financing Terms</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
You have found a home and are ready to apply for financing. Your pre-approval amount comes back not as high as you would have expected and at an interest rate significantly above what your friends just got on their loan. This could be because you have an average to poor credit score.


Mortgage lenders base their interest rates on many things, but your credit score plays a large part. Anything between 720 and 850 will typically get you better interest rates. A mediocre score is usually between 660 and 719, and a low score is 659 and under. If you have a lower score than you’d like, below are a few traits for you to follow of people who receive high financial marks.


They don’t max out their cards.


It’s better to keep a low revolving balance on a few cards than to spend every dime allotted on one. The ratio of credit card balance to your credit limit is called credit utilization. The higher your credit utilization, the larger affect it can have one your credit score.


They make payments on time.


This could be the most important tip. If you miss a payment on a loan, credit card statement or monthly home bill, then you could be turned over to collections, which will affect your score negatively.


They stay with one card.


Don’t close and open credit cards frequently. Each time you make a change to your line of credit, it affects your score. Even if you don’t want to be tempted to use a credit card, keep the account open and leave the card at home. According to the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), high credit achievers have accounts that are usually at least 11 years old.


Excellent credit could qualify you for a better interest rate, which might save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. So stay on top of your monthly credit bills and keep a low balance on just a few cards to watch your score steadily increase.


For more information on boosting your credit score, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


Links:Your credit score


Credit utilization


Collections
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    <pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/every-santa-cruz-property-owner-should-know-these-preventative-home-maintenance-tips.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/every-santa-cruz-property-owner-should-know-these-preventative-home-maintenance-tips.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Every Santa Cruz Property Owner Should Know These Preventative Home Maintenance Tips</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
One of the important aspects of owning a Santa Cruz property is having the knowledge of how to keep it maintained to avoid costly repairs and serious damage. Over the years weather and use will wear down both the interior and exterior of your property. If you are able to practice preventative care on your home, then you will prolong the life of all of its systems and components. At least every six months or so, you should be performing an inspection of your property so that you can ensure that it is still functioning properly and safely.


Preventative Home Maintenance


What should you be looking for when it comes to preventative home maintenance? Here are a few of the important pointers to keep in mind:


Pests and Insects


Check your home thoroughly for any insects and unwanted pests such as carpenter ants and termites. Make sure that there is no point where the wood of your home is in contact with the soil and trim away and bushes and trees away from the foundation of the property. If you can catch the infestation right away, it could save you thousands of dollars on repairing future structural damage if it is left untreated.


Windows and Doors


Take a close look at the windows and doors of your home to see if you need to repair any leaks to save energy. A draughty door or window can really add to your energy bill over time, so it will be worth it to ensure that everything is sealed properly.


Gutters and Downspouts


Another important home maintenance task is to go around the exterior of your home and clean out all of the debris from your downspouts and gutters. This will ensure that they are draining properly and moving water away from the house. Otherwise, the water can collect on the roof and cause leaks and damage.


Check the Roof


Make sure that you also make a good inspection of the roof at least every six months. Look for any loose shingles or damaged roof tiles. If you spot any damage early, it will be a lot less expensive to fit than the water damage that would be caused in your attic by leaving a leaky roof for a long time.


These are just a few of the most important preventative home maintenance tasks that every Santa Cruz property owner should know.


To learn more, feel free to contact 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.


Resources:insects and unwanted pestsdownspouts and guttersinspection of the roof
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/dont-forget-to-factor-in-these-extra-costs-of-owning-a-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/dont-forget-to-factor-in-these-extra-costs-of-owning-a-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Don’t Forget to Factor in these Extra Costs of Owning a Santa Cruz Home</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Paying for the mortgage isn’t the only expense that you will need to consider when you are buying a Santa Cruz home. There are many other costs that you will have to think about and these can come as a shock if you haven’t planned ahead for them. Some very enthusiastic first-time homeowners will gloss over these costs and later find out that their budget and paycheque is overwhelmed.


Here are a few of the costs that you should consider when you are becoming a homeowner for the first time.


Moving Costs


Once the home purchase is complete, you will have a whole new wave of additional costs concerned with moving into your new home. You might be able to ask your friends for a favor, but usually you will have to spend thousands on a moving company to transport all of your things. You will also have to pay for gas to drive to your new home and perhaps also cover the cost of a hotel stay on the way if you are moving across the country.


Real Estate Taxes


The amount of real estate taxes that you pay will vary depending on the state that you live in. In some high tax states such as Texas you will pay up to 2.98 of your home’s value per year. If you live in a low tax state such as Louisiana, you may only pay 0.17 of your home’s value per month.


Utilities


Don’t forget that you will also need to pay for your heating costs in winter, air conditioning in summer and your lights and internet all year round. Your utilities can really add up, so if you don’t factor them into your budget you will be in for a nasty surprise.


Home Maintenance


You will also need to factor in the costs of repairing your home, such as when an appliance needs to be replaced or something needs fixing. A general rule of thumb is that every homeowner should budget at least 1 of the purchase value of the home to cover remodelling and home maintenance.


Also, don’t forget about landscaping and lawn care. If you pay a landscaping company to take care of your property it could cost around $30-$50 per week. If you do it yourself the costs will be lower, but you will need to pay for the equipment and supplies and spend a lot of your valuable time.


Interest on Your Mortgage


When you are considering your budget for homeownership, you will also need to factor in the amount that you will pay in mortgage interest over the duration of the home loan. The interest rate on your mortgage will of course change over time, depending on the mortgage that you select.


These are just a few of the extra expenses that homeowners need to factor into their budget when buying their first Santa Cruz home.


If you have any more questions about home ownership, 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.


Resources:moving into your new homereally add updo it yourself
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    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:01:00 -0700</pubDate>
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