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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2015-08/</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/free-things-to-do-in-santa-cruz-this-september.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/free-things-to-do-in-santa-cruz-this-september.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Things To Do In Santa Cruz This September</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

The summer is winding down, and for many it’s time to get back to the routine of things. Kids are back in school, students are off to college, and vacations have been taken. But don’t fret; there’s still 22 days of summer left in September, and plenty of fun events to keep the excitement going. Prolong your summer fun with some of these events and activities that are great for the whole family


Fridays at the Museum - FREE


Every first Friday of the month, enjoy free admission to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art &amp; History. They extend their hours every Friday and feature live music, no-host bar, and art activities for all ages. Learn more about the event at the museum's website.


Capitola Begonia Festival - FREE


This is the 63rd year for the annual festival that features a sand sculpting competition, fishing derby, row boat races, art workshops for kids, and a parade of nautical-themed begonia-covered boats, floating their way down Soquel Creek. Get some friends together and enter the boat building competition or watch the silliness unfold from the sidelines. The festival takes place on Labour Day weekend, September 4-7, at Capitola Village. Visit the Begonia Festival website to learn more.


Santa Cruz Greek Food and Cultural Festival - FREE


It’s the 35th year for this annual festival celebrating the best in Greek cuisine and culture. Try the amazing and award-winning dishes, wines, and spirits. There’s also a live band and dance floor. Visit the Live Like A Greek website to learn more about this fun festival that takes place September 11- September 13.


Annual Coastal Cleanup Day - FREE


On Saturday, September 19, join the community in cleaning up the beautiful California coastline. Last year, the crew was able to remove 24,379 pounds of garbage and debris. If you’re interested in helping out with this terrific initiative, get in touch with the crew at Save Our Shores by visiting their website and volunteering for the event.


Annual Santa Cruz County Fair


It’s that time of year again The annual county fair takes place at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville for five fun-filled days of safe and affordable all-ages entertainment, from September 16-20. From carnival rides to concerts, livestock events to jam-making contests and everything in between. Adults are $10 in advance and kids are $5. Check out the full even schedule or learn more about the fair at the Santa Cruz County Fair website.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2015 14:58:01 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/want-to-work-from-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/want-to-work-from-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Want To Work From Your Santa Cruz Home?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

Here are some tips on how to setup your home office for success.


Residents of Santa Cruz are spending more time working from home than ever before. As technology has evolved over the years and job markets have shifted, homebuyers are in search of good home office spaces now more than ever. It's critical that if you're going to work from home, you establish a space that nurtures productivity and creativity. Here a few expert tips on how to set up the home office of your dreams.


Find the Perfect Home &amp; Office


On our real estate quest, we're going to be doing double-duty by searching for your perfect all-in-one home and office. Something to look for when browsing the Santa Cruz listingsis a decently-sized den or room that includes an ample amount of natural light and space.


If your current home office is a bit cramped, try adding mirrors and painting with brighter colors. You can actually trick your mind into thinking the room is bigger than it is.


Decorating Your Home's Office


Experts suggest implementing a clean, minimalist design approach to your office, like all beige or white. After establishing this clean-cut look, you can add subtle pops of color to break keep the atmosphere and keep it simple, yet cheerful.


Be sure to purchase furniture with storage. It's extremely easy for the home office to fall into disarray when you don't have a place to put everything. Help yourself stay organized by proactively buying stylish yet storage-friendly equipment.


Keep it cozy. One of the best parts about working at home is that you have complete control over your surroundings Include simple elements like plants and photos that will boost your office's homey atmosphere just enough so it's not your living room, nor a drab office cubicle.


It's All About The Chair


A good chair is the key to productivity and future back-health.


Another thing to consider is your flooring when buying an office chair. That will help you determine if you need one with feet or rollers, and if you're going to need a mat to go underneath it so you don't damage your floors.


High Demand For Home Office Spaces In Santa Cruz, California


Prospective homebuyers get weak at the knees when they see a clean and organized office space. It's inspiring, and it can make them want that office space too. When getting ready to sell a home, a majority of a seller's concerns are placed on beautifying the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. If you start out with a terrific office space from day one, you're setting yourself and your home up for success in the long run.


Interested in learning more? Contact us for more information about home office spaces. Together, we can identify your needs and find the perfect home in Santa Cruz to suit your work and lifestyle requirements.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2015 08:19:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/is-it-better-to-buy-or-rent-in-santa-cruz-this-year.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/is-it-better-to-buy-or-rent-in-santa-cruz-this-year.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Is It Better To Buy Or Rent In Santa Cruz This Year?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Whether you’re looking to rent or have been renting in Santa Cruz recently, it'll likely come as no surprise to you that rental prices have skyrocketed over the past few years. It comes down to the fundamental principles of economics. When demand is high and supply is low, prices will trend higher than usual. Unfortunately, this doesn’t bode well for students, seniors, singles, and small households.


Recent market statistics shows that in July, the median home price was $725,000, and around 44 of homes on the market were priced at over $1 million. On the bright side, that means somewhere in the remaining 56 of the market there are affordable homes—you just have to look for them


Are You Student Looking To Rent In Santa Cruz? Consider Buying A Home Instead


With the beginning of the semester right around the corner, right now is the busiest time of year for students looking for a place to live in September. The idea of buying a home might be a bit daunting at first, but it could have serious payouts in the long run.


Take this home for example: a four bedroom, three bathroom home for sale in the in the western portion of the city, with a mere 15-minute commute to the University of California in Santa Cruz.




Home cost: $559,000


Mortgage payment: $2,974


Mortgage duration: 30 years


Interest rate: 5.5




If you bought the home and chose to split the mortgage payment between three out of four bedrooms, your renters would cover the mortgage payment and you could live in the home for free. If you charged a little bit more or contributed a little bit yourself, then you could subsequently pay down the mortgage faster. Once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll have already started building some equity and could choose to either sell or continue to rent out the home.


With some single-bedroom units renting out at $1,600 per month, you'd be saving nearly 38 if you bought the home mentioned above, instead of renting for this price.


Investing in Santa Cruz Real Estate


Whether you’re currently a renter or homeowner and are looking to purchase an investment residence, homes for sale in Santa Cruz are an ideal choice. If you're looking to rent out the home, now is an even more ideal time to buy. With such a hefty demand for rental properties, it should be easy to find great renters so you can start paying down the home almost right away.


The above calculations have been simplified to give you an idea of what could be accomplished if you find yourself crunched by the rental squeeze. If you’d like to learn more about buying investment homes in preferred rental communities, contact me and I’d be happy to discuss them with you.




Questions About Santa Cruz?



We're experts in the community and real estate market of Santa Cruz—this is where we live, work, and play. So let us know your questions about our community and county and we'll be happy to fill you in on all you want to know


Lauren Spencer has consistently been voted best local REALTOR in Santa Cruz and is always happy to offer her advice and expertise. Call her at: 800.226.4717.



Connect With Our Team Today:   Send Us An Email




^ Back To Learning More About Buying Or Renting In Santa Cruz
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    <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2015 09:24:00 -0700</pubDate>
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