Every January, the Consumer Electronics Show or CES takes place in Las Vegas. The industry extravaganza brings together tech aficionados and industry people alike. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the show, which originally debuted such iconic products like the VCR and CD player.

In addition to being the 50th anniversary, CES 2017 also ushered in a series of emerging trends that will be interesting and beneficial for homeowners in the future. Let’s take a look at some of the top home tech trends for 2017:

Move Over Siri, Alexa is Here

Last year, Amazon debuted their AI voice assistant technology. “Alexa” was the personality attached to the breakthrough wireless voice command Echo device. This year, we are seeing an entirely new wave…

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Kitchen Trends to watch for in 2017

Renovating your kitchen is a great way to improve your life and add value to your home. Typically, kitchen trends change more quickly than other rooms in the home, so it’s easy to become a little overwhelmed when it comes to planning your kitchen remodel.

You might be asking yourself, which trends are worth investing in and which should be left behind? Here’s our guide to 7 of the biggest kitchen trends to watch for in 2017:

1. Function Over Form

Many hardware and cabinet designers are streamlining their products, creating hydraulic cabinets and drawers with damping. This modern take on cabinets and drawers allows homeowners to open and close their drawers with the push of a button. These futuristic features are great for maximizing space in…

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Gardening isn’t just a therapeutic hobby with lucrative results, it’s also a fantastic way to spruce up your backyard, get active, and enjoy the summer sun. Spring is officially here and it’s the perfect time to start the planning process for your garden. Whether you’re looking to sell soon or are just wanting to spruce up your space, these tips can help you get the garden of your dreams and boost the value of your home.

Backyard Landscaping Can Boost Curb Appeal

Although the backyard isn’t necessarily visible from the front of the home, it’s still nice to peer out the back window and see an inviting space where you can enjoy all of the wonderful sunshine California receives. If you’re thinking about selling your home, it’s not just important, it’s…

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home diy projectsWhen it comes to doing home repairs, it seems you have two options: you can save some money and do the repairs yourself, or hire a professional. There is an endless supply of handy tutorials and do-it-yourself guides on the internet for empowered homeowners who enjoy fixing things themselves. However, there are some instances where it’s best for your safety, sanity, and finances, to leave it to the professionals. Here are four household renovation projects that are probably best left to the professionals.

Removing Trees From Your Property

Tree removal often requires climbing, power tools, and heavy machinery to fully remove a tree and its roots. If it’s a tall tree, like many in Santa Cruz, then the danger alone is enough to offset the cost of…

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Top Tech Trends For Your Santa Cruz Home

As technology has evolved, so too have our daily habits. Learn more about how to make your home more interconnected with these ultra-modern, high-tech gadgets that can help simplify your living an add value to your home.

Phillips Hue LED Light Bulbs

Remember the ‘Clapper’? Imagine that, but modernized. Hue light bulbs allow you to fully customize the light in your home. Did you forget to turn the lights off? Want to change the mood of the room? Well, there’s an app for that. The bulbs come with a fully selectable spectrum of colors and light that’s programmable through the smartphone and online app.

Bluetooth Deadbolts & Locks

Has your kid lost their home keys again? Are you sick of fumbling…

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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…

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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…

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Find the perfect home office when looking at homes for sale in Santa Cruz

Here are some tips on how to setup your home office for success.

Residents of Santa Cruz are spending more time working from home than ever before. As technology has evolved over the years and job markets have shifted, homebuyers are in search of good home office spaces now more than ever. It's critical that if you're going to work from home, you establish a space that nurtures productivity and creativity. Here a few expert tips on how to set up the home office of your dreams.

Find the Perfect Home & Office

On our real estate quest, we're going to be doing double-duty by searching for your perfect all-in-one home and office. Something to look for when browsing the Santa Cruz listingsis a decently-sized den or room that includes an ample amount…

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When you first bought your home, it had just enough room for you, your spouse and perhaps a couple of children. However, one thing has lead to another and you have ended up having three little ones (although some days it feels like three dozen). Also, you have been considering moving your ailing mother in with you so that she doesn’t have to live in a home. You are quickly running out of space for everyone and the house is starting to feel a bit cramped. Should you build a house extension, or sell the home and move to a larger Santa Cruz property?

There are a number of advantages to each option, so here are a few things to consider when deciding whether to expand the house you have or move to a new one.

Is Extending the House Possible?

Of course,…

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Every homeowner is constantly thinking of improvements they’d like to make to their house; however, there’s always the thought of whether or not it’s a smart investment. Well, if you’ve been pining for a fireplace in your master bedroom or are sick of your outdated kitchen appliances, rest assured that the renovations below will appeal to future buyers — and make your living space a little more lovable for you.

A Fireplace

Whether you have one or none, adding another fireplace to your home will only increase its coziness quotient. Especially if you live in a colder climate, there’s nothing so inviting as a roaring fire in the kitchen, living room or bedroom. If you live in a warmer climate, consider an outdoor hearth to extend your living space…

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