Take a drive north of Santa Cruz along Highway 9 and you'll encounter a string of charming small towns, majestic parks, and rustic mountain homes.

The San Lorenzo Valley between Santa Cruz and the Bay Area is a treasure trove of galleries, museums, quaint stores, hiking trails, and spacious properties shaded by tall Sequoia trees. It's along these winding rounds that you'll find the perfect sanctuary from urban life.

Here you'll find a chain of closely-connected communities: Ben Lomond, Boulder Creek, Brookdale, and Felton, each with its own unique character.

A Great Place to Live

The San Lorenzo Valley is home to a great mix of people, from professionals who commute to work at the nearby tech hubs, to artists, to families with deep roots

With beautiful beaches, a charming small-town atmosphere, and plenty of real estate options, it's little wonder why Santa Cruz is one of the most popular coastal communities in California. When you invest in Santa Cruz real estate at the right time, at the right price, it is proven to be a solid investment— whether it's you're looking for something to rent out to long-term tenants or a part-time residence for yourself and short-term renters.  

Before you commit, here's what you need to know about the dos and don't of buying an investment property: 

Considerations Before Buying Your First Investment Home

Before jumping in head-first with your first investment property, there are a few things you should be aware of.

Owning investment

Now that the holiday season is behind us, most will be looking forward to the year ahead, and to express our best hopes and plans, a few New Year's Resolutions are in order.

So, what can you do for your Santa Cruz home in the year ahead? After all, a house is not just a place where you spend a lot of your time - it's also a shelter, an investment, and a home.

With that in mind, here are some things you can do to keep your home comfortable, efficient, and looking good. And these aren't going to be big, daunting, and expensive projects or renovations either - just a few ounces of prevention, a bit of organization, and a good habit or two.

Snoop Around

The key to long term maintenance is catching problems before they arise, or when they're