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        <title>Santa Cruz Real Estate News &amp; Information</title>
        <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2016-10/</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/3-ways-to-save-for-a-down-payment-while-combatting-rising-rental-costs-in-santa-cruz.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/3-ways-to-save-for-a-down-payment-while-combatting-rising-rental-costs-in-santa-cruz.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>3 Ways To Save For A Down Payment While Combatting Rising Rental Costs In Santa Cruz</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



Touted as the 17th hottest market in the U.S. by Realtor.com, the Santa Cruz real estate market is certainly an exciting place to be a buyer or seller. The allure of the ocean, calm coastal atmosphere, and easy proximity to Silicon Valley draws beach-goers and big-city professionals alike, but unfortunately this beautiful area is becoming less affordable for the average Joe. The median and average home prices in the county have trended upward since 2012, and even the rental market is feeling the crunch of a lack of inventory and high demand. That begs the question, what’s a renter to do when they’re trying to save up for their own home?


Here are a few money-saving tips to help you get in to your very own home sooner than you thought was possible.


1. Re-Think Your Location


Location is everything, and as much as it’s a big factor in the pricing of a house or condo, it also influences how much someone can reasonably demand for rent. Living closer to the beach will likely come at a higher premium than living a little further away from the city, so opting for a more affordable home now could be enough to help you save up enough to get into the market. Plus, you could be saving on your monthly parking expenses by living a little further from the core of the city.


2. Share Your Space With A Roommate


Living with others was great when you were in college and it can really help shave off some of your monthly expenses. Just one roommate can save you around 30 every month just by splitting the cost of rent and utilities. Sure, you’ll have to give up some of your space and privacy, but the advantages can certainly outweigh the drawbacks when you’re saving up for your own nest.


3. Consolidate Your Debt


There are two really important reasons to get a handle on your debt before you start seriously looking for a home. Firstly, pulling all of your debts (credit cards, lines of credit, and student loans) into one low-interest loan can help save you big on monthly interest while paying them down.


The second reason to consolidate your loans is that you’ll always know exactly how much debt your carrying, because it’s all in one place. Plus, you’ll only have one deadline to worry about every month rather than several. Your debt-to-income ratio is one of the largest factors in the mortgage approval process so taking care of your debt now and keeping all of your current lenders happy will really help your chances of getting a home loan down the road.


For even more great money-saving tips, check out our Santa Cruz Lenders section. It’s never too early to connect with a professional about buying Santa Cruz real estate. If you’re thinking about buying a home, send us a message or give us a call at 800.226.4717. We’d be happy to meet with you to go over your goals, wants, and needs.
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    <pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2016 07:28:06 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/gorgeous-home-in-west-santa-cruz-for-sale-191-cypress-park.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/gorgeous-home-in-west-santa-cruz-for-sale-191-cypress-park.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>Gorgeous Home In West Santa Cruz For Sale: 191 Cypress Park</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



This beautiful home in West Santa Cruz is one of the best hidden gems in the market right now. Tucked away on the hillside just off Western Drive, 191 Cypress Park offers a beautiful views with convenience access to UC Santa Cruz and the Cabrillo Highway.


About 191 Cypress Park





This exceptional two-story home offers a Traditional and Craftsman design with a modest floorplan and refined interior features. The three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home was originally built in 1998 but has since had several upgrades to keep it fresh and modern, including granite countertops, maple cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and hardwood floors. The kitchen also includes a gas range, breakfast bar, and a small patio with sliding glass door, which is great for weekend brunches under the sun.


One of the best things about this family home is its abundance of windows, which let in plenty of natural light and cool coastal breezes. Add to that the long covered patio on the second floor with far-reaching views of the nearby greenbelt, and it’s clear to see that this home likely won’t be on the market for long.



Living in Cypress Park, West Santa Cruz, CA


Many of the homes in Cypress Park are nothing short of stunning. In fact, the entire neighborhood shares a unique garden feel that isn’t limited to each individual home, but rather encompasses the entire area. From decorative street lamps to mature trees and small landscaped gardens adjacent to the sidewalk, this area offers a beautiful harmony of nature and contemporary living. There is a bus route along Western Drive, so even though the home is a little removed from the city’s core, it’s still easy to get around with or without a car. You also don’t have to venture too far into downtown for groceries and recreation Just a short drive down the Cabrillo Highway you’ll find a Safeway and New Leaf Community Market, as well as several fitness centers and Natural Bridges State Park.


To learn more about 191 Cypress Park or to find out about other homes for sale in the West Santa Cruz area, get in touch with Lauren Spencer today Send her a message or give her a call at 800.226.4717.
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    <pubDate>Wed, 19 Oct 2016 07:39:00 -0700</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/new-townhome-community-coming-to-scotts-valley.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/new-townhome-community-coming-to-scotts-valley.html</link>
        <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
        <title>New Townhome Community Coming To Scotts Valley</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 



If you’re thinking about buying a townhome in the coming months, then we have exciting news for you A new townhome community has just been announced in Scotts Valley, which will bring 20 beautiful new condos to Lundy Lane near Hocus Pocus Park. The project was originally planned for 2011, however the economic decline had investors worried about its success. Now, with a thriving economy and bustling real estate market, the original developer is excited to make this long-time vision a reality, and it couldn’t come soon enough.


Santa Cruz developer, Brooks Properties, who recently completed De Laveaga Park in Santa Cruz, is spearheading the project in collaboration with Bill Kempf, a local architect who also designed the Pinnacle View townhome community on Lundy Lane. The project should take roughly a year-and-a-half to complete, however some of the units should be available as soon as early Spring 2017.


Brooks Properties is hoping the 1,800 to 2,000 square-foot townhomes will garner the attention of working-class families with a budget in the low $700,000s. Currently there is only one similarly sized townhome on the market, which was built in 2003 and is priced at $749,000.


View Current Scotts Valley Condos &amp; Townhomes For Sale



Santa Cruz Real Estate Market At A Glance – August 2016


In August, the average home price in Santa Cruz County was $815,000 , which is up 14 from August 2015. The average sale price is also up from last year, rising from $800,000 to $948,656, an 18 difference. While August was a busy month with 185 homes sold, many of the homes spent a little bit longer on the market than usual and inventory was also slightly up from previous months.


If you’re looking to buy a home in the Santa Cruz area, put Lauren’s trusted expertise to work for you. Send her a message or give her a call at 800.226.4717 for more information today.


^ Back to New Townhome Community Coming to Scotts Valley
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    <pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2016 13:23:00 -0700</pubDate>
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