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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2015-09/</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/top-4-first-time-homebuyer-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/top-4-first-time-homebuyer-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Top 4 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes And How To Avoid Them</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 

When you make the decision to buy your first home, there’s a whole spectrum of emotions that typically come into play. With so much money on the line and the commitment of a mortgage, it’s no wonder that home buying is regarded as one of the biggest decisionsf your life. It's also one of the most exciting, too Here are a few common mistakes of new buyers to avoid if you’re thinking about purchasing your very first home.


 


Skipping Important Steps


With so much excitement and anticipation of home shopping, all too often many of the little details are either missed or completely disregarded. Things like home inspections and researching the neighborhood are crucial to how you’re going to live in and enjoy living in your home. As eager as you may be, try not to start looking at homes until after you’ve met with a lender to determine your loan eligibility and budget.


Underestimating The Costs


The price tag of the house might be $200,000, but that’s not the same as the true cost of the home and home ownership. Your purchase is an investment and you’ll want to ensure your investment holds its value down the road, so it’s going to take some hard work and financial resources along the way. Just some of the costs you can anticipate are going to be repairs, monthly bills, property tax, municipal services, and closing costs of the transaction, just to name a few.


Developing a long-term financial plan isn’t as fun as house shopping can be, but it’s vital to ensuring you can live sustainably off of what you make. What if in a few years you decide to have a child or two? What if someone gets laid off, or wants to go back to school in five years? Be sure to factor in personal goals and rainy-day savings into your plan as well.


Too Quick To Say Yes


Have you ever bought something and then later decided you didn’t really want it after all? Unfortunately, you can’t return a home like you can a pair of shoes, so it’s really important that you know for certain that it’s the home of your dreams.


You’ll also want to consider your lending options too. Many first time buyers tend to fixate on the lowest interest rate, but depending on how long you want to be in the home, there may be better options for you.


Hiring The Wrong Agent (Or Not Hiring One At All)


Ask your friends, coworkers, and check online referrals to choose an agent that understands your needs and interests. Picking the wrong agent for you is like going to a car dealership and having the salesperson try to sell you a sports car when you’re expecting twins. When you choose an agent that gets ‘you’, they’ve got your best interests as a buyer in mind, and will support you throughout the buying process. Can you really afford to not have an agent?


If you’re ready to buy your first home, let’s have a chat. Visit my about page to learn more about how I can help you find the absolute best home for you.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:44:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/5-reasons-why-you-should-consider-investing-in-solar-energy-for-your-home.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/5-reasons-why-you-should-consider-investing-in-solar-energy-for-your-home.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Investing In Solar Energy For Your Home </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



If you’re looking for ways to save money, reduce your impact on the environment, and add value to your Santa Cruz home, then you should definitely consider switching to solar power. Here are the top 5 reasons why now is the best time to invest in this awesome renewable energy.


1) Save Money Every Month On Your Electric Bill


Recent statistics show that the average electricity bill in Santa Cruz is $88, and the average home requires 573kHw per month. Residents in Santa Cruz are paying nearly 31 more for their energy than the national average. While switching to solar power probably won’t entirely eliminate your dependency on the local power grid, it will substantially reduce it.


2) Reduce Your Carbon Footprint


According to an article on the Forbes website, installing solar panels can decrease your carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 35,180 pounds each year. California is one of the best states to invest in solar energy because of our bright and sunny climate, so why not put those beautiful rays to work for you?


3) Solar Adds Value To The Home


Similar to renovating a kitchen or bathroom, installing solar energy will add value to your home. Solar panels can be set up in the backyard, however its more common to see them added on rooftops. There is an excellent return on investment with solar energy. This is one of those investments that will hold onto the value it’s added to your home for decades to come.


4) Renewable Energy Technology Has Improved


The materials and methods used to produce solar panels has improved over the past few years. Manufacturers and scientists have developed new ways to increase the efficiency of the technology, making now a great time to invest in it.


There’s been some discussion on how the methods of producing the solar panels can be not-so eco-friendly, but California’s very own SunPower has one of the best track records in the world for production.


5) It's Built To Last


The initial startup costs for a solar addition are quite hefty, but it pays for itself in the long run. Many solar panels come with a 25-year guarantee and continue to work even longer than that. I wish we could say the same for other home repairs and additions


Curious About Switching To Solar?


If you’re interested in learning more about solar energy or would like to see if it’s the right fit for your home, here are a few great resources to check out. There's also some great information about federal, state, and municipal funding and grants available for clean energy home upgrades. Check them out below




The Home Energy Renovation Opportunity (HER0)


Go Solar Santa Cruz on the City of Santa Cruz’ website. 




Send me a message if you'd like to learn more about how investing in solar energy can enhance your home's value and other real estate market data.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:51:41 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/modernizing-your-light-fixtures-ceiling-light-fixture-trends-that-can-improve-your-homes-value.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/modernizing-your-light-fixtures-ceiling-light-fixture-trends-that-can-improve-your-homes-value.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Modernizing Your Light Fixtures - Ceiling Trends That Can Improve Your Home's Value</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Have you been thinking about doing a renovation lately? Before you spend thousands of dollars on an all-out renovation, consider switching up your lights first. Something as simple as updating your home's lighting can have a significant effect on the interior 'feel' of your space. Here's a quick rundown of some of the most common types of contemporary types of lighting that will add light and a dash style to your home. What a bright idea


Interior Lighting 101


It all starts with a plan. How do you want to use the space? How is the room currently styled? Is there anything you'd like to highlight in your space, like a picture or furniture? These are all important considerations when choosing your lights. As a general rule of thumb, you should budget for a minimum of three lights per room.


Flexible Track Lighting


While track lighting is more commonly used in kitchens, it's a great way to highlight anywhere in your home. The light fixture hangs from the ceiling on a elongated strand, the track, with multiple smaller lights that hang of the strand and can be pointed wherever you'd like to shine a little extra light. These are a great way to liven up your home's accent features and add couple extra lumens to your space.


Pendant Lighting


Pendant lighting is commonly used in dining areas or hallways, where the light shines down in one direction, such as the table. These light fixtures hang from the ceiling by a thin cord or tube attachment and have a larger shape to cover the top of the bulb. They can come in a range of sizes and styles to match the rest of your decor. Pendant lighting is a functional and stylish way to accentuate specific parts of the home, like the dinner table, kitchen island,and even seating areas. 


Flush Mount Ceiling Lighting


Flush mount lighting is a great way to add a stylish feature to a room and bring in a lot more light too These lights are typically positioned tight against the ceiling (hence, 'flush'), and disperse light over a large area. Plus, they come in a wide variety of shapes and designs, so they're even a great alternative to a chandelier.


Updating Light Fixtures Can Help Sell Your Home


When done properly, lighting can showcase some of the beautiful elements in your home and actually make your space feel bigger than it is. If you're looking to sell your home, adding a little bit of light or changing outdated fixtures could improve the first impression of your home to buyers. If you'd like a little more information about setting up your home to sell, I'd love to chat with you I can refer you to home stagers and help you find the resources you need to set your home up for success.




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 Modernizing Your Lighting
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:21:08 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/is-an-hoa-community-right-for-you.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/is-an-hoa-community-right-for-you.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Is An HOA Community Right For You?</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
There are a lot of factors to consider when buying a home that go beyond the details of a listing. Is it close to great schools? What’s the crime rate like? Is there any recreation nearby? Questions about the community are something that real estate agents are asked every single day. A community with a homeowners association, for instance, can answer a lot of these questions just by the nature of their organization, but they aren’t for everybody. Here are a few of the pros and cons to help you decide if an HOA neighborhood is right for you.


Pros To Living In An HOA Community


Community Appearance and Exterior Aesthetics


Homes in an HOA community are required to abide by the standards set by the association. Everything from the number of cars in the driveway to the color of the front doors and weeds growing on the lawn are usually dictated by the HOA. Failure to follow these rules will result in a fine, so there’s a little added incentive for owners to maintain their properties than there is in non-HOA neighborhoods.


Lower Maintenance and Access To Recreation


HOA fees will typically include services like garbage and snow removal, landscaping, and facility maintenance of the neighborhood's common areas. While every HOA offers their residents a different assortment of member-exclusive amenities, they usually include a swimming pool, tennis courts, walking trails, and community gathering center, just to name a few. The more upscale and private HOA’s usually include a gate at the main entrance for added privacy and security.


Association Management


A part of the HOA’s job is help with conflict resolution between neighbors. Instead of talking to your neighbor directly about the loud muffler on their car or the offensive music coming from their teenager’s room, you can take it up with the homeowners association. They’ll approach your nuisance neighbor on your behalf and will usually keep the complainant anonymous.


Like-minded Neighbors


One of the biggest things that draws people to an HOA is that they believe it attracts neighbors who share a similar mindset to their own. The same reasons that would attract you to move into an HOA community are also what attracted them to move there too.


Cons To Living In An HOA Community


HOA’s Cost More Than Regular Communities


The costs of living in an HOA is one of the biggest deterrents for prospective buyers. In addition to your mortgage, you can expect to pay association fees that can range in price depending on community’s services.


No Home Customizations &amp; Restricted Use


The second-largest factor that can dissuade people from choosing to live in neighborhoods with an HOA is the lack of freedoms. Some homeowners feel that they have a right to do whatever they want with their property, and don’t want to live in a place that tells them otherwise.


Ultimately the type of neighborhood you should move into comes down to personal and lifestyle preferences. If you’re looking to buy a home in a well-kept neighborhood and have a simple lifestyle, then an HOA might be an excellent option for your family.


If you’d like to learn more about HOA communities in Santa Cruz, contact me and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. No matter what kind of neighborhood you’re looking for, we can find the perfect place for you to call home.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 04 Sep 2015 14:46:45 -0700</pubDate>
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