Are you looking for something to do around your Santa Cruz home this weekend that will also help the environment? Why not do a quick green renovation at home. Incorporating green products and practices in your home save our natural resources and are better for your health. Here are a few simple projects you can work on this weekend.

1. Floors. You can easily replace the floor in a room during a weekend. Bamboo and cork floors are excellent environmentally-friendly choices because they are renewable sources. They come in a variety of colors and styles so you can find something that will match your current décor.

2. Paint. Painting a room is a quick and easy way to change its look. However, traditional paint is loaded with toxic fumes that can aggravate…

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As most Santa Cruz real estate agents will tell you, remodeling, decorating or repairing your home can go a long way towards getting it sold.  For that matter, it can add value to your property in case you want to sell later – that is, if you don’t choose the wrong places to buy cheap:

• Windows – Never buy a window based on which one is cheapest.  You want windows that look good, and, as most Santa Cruz real estate agents will recommend, you want energy-efficient windows.  During 2009 and 2010, you may be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency of up to $1500 when you purchase Energy Star windows.

• Paint – Paint is one of the biggest places people skimp when it comes to cost, and a big no-no.  Cheap paint may take several coats to look…

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From birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and weddings, your home has seen many great days. But, you also may find yourself making repairs more often, and you could begin to get the feeling you need a change. This change can come by remodeling your Santa Cruz home or selling it. Before you make a decision, consider a few very important factors.
 
• What does remodel mean to you? — If your idea of a remodel is as simple as replacing flooring and adding fresh paint, that should be an easy fix. But if a complete demolition job is involved, you'll probably save yourself money and a lot of headaches by buying a new home.

• Factor in finances – Whether you plan to remodel your Santa Cruz home or move, money is involved. Figure out if it financially makes…

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Selling a home requires preparation. While there are many things to consider, one of the first things you should do is to ensure that your home makes a great first impression. That's why it's important to de-clutter in an effort to prepare your Santa Cruz home for sale.

1.  Start with the kitchen
Potential buyers will open drawers and cabinets.  So, be sure to de-clutter your pantry, cupboards and drawers. Throw away trash and unsightly items.  Organize things such as pots, dishes and utensils for a fresh, tidy appearance. 

2.  Organize your closet
We've all been there. You have company coming over and the quickest way to clean up is to throw everything in a closet. While this may be okay if you're having a visit from friends, it's not okay if you're…

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If your Santa Cruz home has been sitting on the market for more than three weeks, it's already an "old property." Being an old property hurts sales because buyers looking in that community wonder what is wrong with your home that's keeping it from selling. Even in today's slower market, that holds true. It's human nature to think something must be wrong with an item that hasn't sold quickly. There are things you can do, however, to spruce up your home to make it more appealing and help it sell faster.

A second look from potential buyers can be a life-saver to you when selling your Santa Cruz home. If a previous looker was on the fence, just a few little changes might make them reconsider. Ask your real estate agent to share negative comments from…

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Even if you don't have the money for extensive remodeling, you can still live greener in your Santa Cruz home with just a few simple changes. Every little improvement we make in the way we live is a step in the right direction toward making our world healthier.

Low-Cost Ways to Green Up Your Home

• Catch the rain: Conserving water by putting in new low-flow fixtures is one way of helping to conserve the planet's resources, but it isn't the only way. You can build a rain water reservoir using old barrels or other large containers to catch rain and use it for watering your garden or washing your car.

• Light up your life: Change the incandescent bulbs in your light fixtures to the new florescent bulbs designed for use in a regular light socket. They last…

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The environment is a major news issue and everyone is thinking green. Sometimes it seems difficult to go green in your everyday life, but just a few simple steps can move you down the path to a green Santa Cruz home.  You won't even have to break a sweat or crack open a can of paint.

In the Laundry Room

Pick machines for your Santa Cruz home that have an Energy Star rating for peak performance to conserve water and electricity. According to Planet Green, an Energy Star washer saves enough water over the machine's life to provide drinking water for six people for a LIFETIME. It will also save you hundreds of dollars in utility bills over an average 11 year machine lifespan. Use natural drying when possible. Hang clothes on a clothesline in the sun on…

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If you're thinking of listing your Santa Cruz home for sale and know it needs a little sprucing up, here are a few tips on the smartest home improvements you can make to help sell your home faster and for more money.

• Kitchen remodeling stands at the top of any list of most attractive projects for re-sale value. Crisp clean new cabinets, fresh tile and countertops all make for buyer approval and is money well spent.

• Bathroom remodeling is a good bet but not nearly as good as adding additional bathrooms, unless your home already has a lot of them.

• Adding central heat and air to replace floorboard or radiator heat is a huge selling point for any Santa Cruz home for sale.

• Installing a deck or patio. This one hovers close to the middle of the…

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To get a Santa Cruz home to sell during a buyer’s market, it needs to look better than the other houses on the street.  Making just a few quick changes can make all the difference when trying to best the competition.  Here are a few things to do to make your home stand out:

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Few things can spruce up a Santa Cruz home like a fresh coat of paint.  Be sure to pick a neutral color.  Potential buyers won’t be able to see themselves decorating and living in the home if they see too much of someone else's personality in the wall color.  Most home improvement stores will have color cards you can look through, this will help you find the most neutral color you can live with.  While you’re at it, get rid of all the knickknacks and other items…

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Okay, maybe you are stuck here for awhile. The housing market is stagnant and you just don't have the desire to fight with trying to sell your Santa Cruz home. As long as you are going to be staying, you may as well make the best of it.

Taking this time to make improvements will not only make living there nicer, it will make selling it later when the market improves easier.  If it seems like an expensive endeavor, take heart.  There are tons of do-it-yourself home improvement projects that won't break your bank but will make your home nicer to be in—and worth more.

• Tiling bathroom and kitchen floors

• Changing water fixtures

• Adding a deck

• Creating a home theater

• Refinishing cabinets

Tips and Tricks

There are many websites that offer…

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