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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2016-06/</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/best-places-to-live-in-santa-cruz-if-you-love-to-surf.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/best-places-to-live-in-santa-cruz-if-you-love-to-surf.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>4 Best Places To Live In Santa Cruz County If You Love To Surf </title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Santa Cruz County is widely revered as one of the best places in the world for surfing. No matter where you live, it’s somewhere everyone in the surfing community dreams about visiting one day, but to actually have the chance to live here would be a dream come true for many. Santa Cruz’s waves are great for all levels of surfers, whether you’re just starting out or are already braving the monster waves. If you’re looking to move to Santa Cruz County , here are some of the best places to live where you can make the best of the sun, surf, and sand, just seconds from your doorstep.


Downtown Santa Cruz


Live right in the middle of it all. Downtown Santa Cruz has the beachy vibe you want and the shopping, nightlife, and conveniences of a downtown lifestyle all just a few minutes away. It’s really hard to specify what kind of homes you’ll find here, because there’s such a great mix of everything Chic condos, luxury townhomes, cozy bungalows, character homes, and more. If you can name it, it’s probably downtown.


Downtown Santa Cruz Surf Spot: Cowell’s


Cowell’s is a great spot for beginners to get their toes wet thanks to its gentle waves and low-pressure, communal vibe.





West Cliff Drive


West Cliff Drive is a clean and well-kept neighborhood in West Santa Cruz that’s known for its collection of upscale character homes. Homes in the West Cliff area are typically old-fashioned character homes on the outside, but inside they’re filled with bright and contemporary upgrades with quality finishes. If you’re looking for practical luxury by the sea, then this is where you’ll find it.


West Cliff Drive Surf Spots: Steamer Lane &amp; Natural Bridges


Steamer Lane is where the experts surf, and is easily the most popular spot in the city for its aggressive waves. In the right conditions, the waves at Natural Bridges envy those of Steamer Lane, and there’s much less of a crowd. On the tamer days, Natural Bridges is just a great place to relax and float along with good friends.





Capitola


This charming Oceanside community is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. In Capitola you’ll find quaint character homes, a great coastal setting, and friendly neighborhood setting that you’ll never want to leave. The tightly woven neighborhoods of this community offer every styling of architecture you could think of, whether its French or Modern, Traditional or Mediterranean, Capitola is the place to be if you’re looking for fun architecture and a family-friendly atmosphere. In addition, many of the homes are just a few blocks from the beach.


Capitola Surf Spot: Capitola Beach


Capitola Beach is another great place for beginners to get started in the sport. What’s great about this area is that it’s generally not as busy as Cowell’s in Santa Cruz, and there’s loads of paid parking around.





Pleasure Point


Pleasure Point is the place to be if you love to surf. Homes in this area are particularly known for their excellent walking distance to several world-class surf spots, as well as quaint coffee shops and services along Portola Drive. Many of the homes in Pleasure Point are multi-family properties, so it’s easy to rent out a suite to pay for some of the mortgage.


Pleasure Point Surf Spots: 30th &amp; East Cliff, 36th &amp; East Cliff, The Hook


All three of these destinations offer something different, so whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, you can always enjoy the waves around Pleasure Point.



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    <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jun 2016 09:39:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-baby-boomers-entering-the-santa-cruz-real-estate-market.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/tips-for-baby-boomers-entering-the-santa-cruz-real-estate-market.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Tips For Baby Boomers Entering The Santa Cruz Real Estate Market</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



No matter what age you are, buying a home is always one of the most exciting times in your life. If you’ve been in your current home for several years, it’s probably been while since you purchased your last home. This is where many Baby Boomers are at nowadays; the kids are all grown up with families of their own, and it just doesn’t make sense to keep maintaining a large home anymore. Whether you’re looking to downsize or move into your dream retirement home, there are a few things about buying a home in 2016 that might be different from the last time you entered the market.


Start Your Home Search Online


Years ago, the first step to buying a home was to hire a real estate agent, because back then it was seemingly impossible to find the right home without one. Nowadays, with the entire database of online listings at your fingertips and mobile apps for your phone, it’s easier than ever to search for homes. Now you can find a home you like based on your particular search criteria, check out the photos of the inside, and even take a virtual tour. You can even strengthen your buying power by applying for pre-approval online to help whittle down your budget before your search.


While buying a pair of shoes online is a pretty common concept these days, many buyers who are looking to buy from afar complete their entire transaction online, from start to finish. We’ll expand on that a little later.


Find An Agent Who Understands Your Needs


So, with such a wealth of information available and pages upon pages of real estate agents on Google, how do you know which agent is right for you? You can start the buying process on your own with the abundance of online tools, but eventually you’re going to want, and need, the invaluable experience that only comes when working with a Santa Cruz real estate agent. A real estate professional will provide you with market data, facilitate meetings, and negotiate on your behalf, not to mention deal with the mounds of paperwork. As a Baby Boomer, you’re going to have different needs and considerations than a first-time homebuyer or luxury client. You might be thinking about downsizing, simplifying, or want a space that you can gracefully age into.


So, how do you find the right agent for you? Always start by asking your family and friends for their recommendations. Then, search online for public and private testimonials. Everyone’s reputation is online these days, so you should be able to find a good amount of information to help you make your decision.


Get Ready For A Digital Transaction


The way we buy and sell goods has been revolutionized by the internet over the last decade, and the same can be said about the way we buy homes as well. One of the biggest changes you’ll notice if you haven’t bought a home in a while is that nearly the entire transaction can be done online. From online signatures to bank transfers, nearly the entire process is digital. Your agent can send you a digital version of the contract, which you can sign and email back. Any counter offers can be sent back this way as well. Even the lending process will likely require you to submit your documents digitally, so having access to a printer with a scanner in it will prove invaluable.


If you’re daunted by the digital processes, fret not; a good real estate agent will empathize with you and help you through the whole process. If you’re in the market again for the first time in a long time or are a recent retiree that’s ready to find your perfect home in Santa Cruz or surrounding areas, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with Lauren Spencer at 800.226.4717 or send her a message today Learn more about Lauren, view her testimonials, and check out more of her resources for senior homebuyers.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:30:00 -0700</pubDate>
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