Santa Cruz has the third-highest wellbeing in the country

Santa Cruz has been ranked as having the third-best well-being index in the country! This year’s rankings, by Gallup-Healthways, examined 189 communities across the country and ranked them based on the five elements of well-being, purpose, social, financial, community, and physical. While this is no surprise to people who live and work here, getting ranked as the third-best for well-being in the country is a great way to encourage new residents moving to Santa Cruz as well as giving current residents living in Santa Cruz something to be proud of.

Why Was Santa Cruz Ranked So Highly?

It’s no wonder that Santa Cruz was ranked so highly in this research since Santa Cruz experiences gorgeous weather and is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and…

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Remove pet odors from your home

Your home wouldn’t be the same without Fido or Fluffy. They’re part of the family. Living with animals provides years of joy, happiness, entertainment, and love, but it also takes a toll on your furniture and home.

Before listing your home, we recommend taking some time to address any pet odors that may be present.

Start with the Carpets

If your home is carpeted, it’s important to get rid of any smells or stains that will be a turn-off to most homebuyers. Many people believe that steam cleaning the carpets is the best idea, however, the heat from steam cleaning will only set pet urine stains. The best way to remove pet odors from carpet is with a HEPA vacuum. These special devices are designed to trap micron-sized particles. The filters in a…

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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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affordable housing for artists in Santa Cruz, CA

When you think about Santa Cruz housing, the words “low-income” often don’t cross your mind. But that’s soon to change with the amazing affordable housing options created by the Tannery Arts Center.

After the Ghost Ship warehouse fire in Oakland, where 36 artists lost their lives, communities in California and around the country are looking for better options to serve artists and low-income individuals. One of the most significant steps towards this type of sustainable and safe affordable housing is located in Santa Cruz with the Tannery Arts Center.

What is the Tannery Arts Center?

Formerly the Salz Tannery, this area, located on River Street, was once home to the thriving leather industry that Santa Cruz was built on. The tannery operated…

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Christmas gifts for the home

A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency found that the average American spends 87% of their life indoors. That means most people spend twenty-one hours per day inside. Naturally, a lot of that time is spent at home.

So, this holiday season, consider giving your friends and family something that they can use every day in their Santa Cruz home. These practical gifts will not only garner use, but also add a little bit of every day luxury into your loved ones' lives.

Here's an idea for each room of the house.

Kitchen

Buying gifts for those who love to cook can be easy as pie if your foodie is big on kitchen appliances. Take a stroll through the aisle of Macy's kitchenware section and start weighing the pros and cons of a trendy…

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While Black Friday is considered to be the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season, those with a proactive mindset are likely already halfway done. From Playstations to VR headsets and drones to fitness trackers, this year is all about the tech, especially in California where we're at the epicenter of it all. Beyond the gizmos and gadgets, there’s another emerging trend that we couldn’t be more excited to promote, and that's locally produced handmade goods.

Santa Cruz is filled with homegrown talent; you just have to know where to find it. Give back to the local economy, support arts and culture, and give awesome gifts your friends will remember for years to come, it’s a win-win!

Check out this year’s hot Christmas craft fairs in Santa…

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The leaves are turning color, the kids are back in school, and the hearty soup recipes are coming out of the cupboard. It’s time to bench the surfboard and the bikini in favor of your favorite reading spot and a cup of tea, but why not bring a bit of festive fall spirit into your home while you’re at it?

Here are five easy ways to do it.

1. Candles

In the season with the warmest hues, what could be warmer than candles? Maybe pick up a candle with a festive scent. Perhaps pumpkin spice? Apples and cinnamon? There are plenty of options to choose from. Alternatively, try dressing up a mason jars with leaves or a coat of paint to make your own crafty candle holder.

2. Centerpieces

If ever there was a season for centerpieces it’s fall. Zip…

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best places to live in santa cruz county if you love to hike

From clean Ocean air to the cascading slopes of the coastal mountains, Santa Cruz has everything an outdoor enthusiast could ask for. This area is home to some of the best hiking trails in the great state of California, which could be just minutes from your home in the Santa Cruz area! Here’s your exclusive guide to where you should live in Santa Cruz County if you love to hike.

Boulder Creek

This small mountain town is an idyllic escape from the busy city and your gateway to endless hiking trails with everything from easy walks to multi-day trips. Just one hours from Silicon Valley and half-hour from Santa Cruz, residents are immersed in an autonomous community where the past comes to life with unbeatable charm. The downtown consists of…

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As much as we love to help you find homes in the city, we love to help you find homes away from home as well. Sometimes, a little getaway from the everyday motions are just what you need to hit your personal reset button. Fortunately, for residents of Santa Cruz, there’s no shortage of ways to kick back, relax, and get back to nature by the beach, in the forest, or near town.

Here are some of our most recommended places to camp this summer, whether you’re a tenting weekend warrior or a well-equipped ‘glamper’.

Sunset State Beach Campground

Sunset Beach offers great access to the beach and plenty of sites for whatever style of camping you prefer. If there’s one thing that everyone can agree on, it’s that Sunset State Beach is one of the most…

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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…

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