Santa Cruz Real Estate
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Few natural disasters seem as frightening as earthquakes. They appear without warning and are very common. You don’t have to live in fear of earthquakes or their potential danger.

Take precautions and prepare your Santa Cruz home for earthquakes.

• Know your risk. Certain regions have more earthquake activity than others. Be aware of the risk for your area. Make sure you know how your home has been constructed and how it might fare during an earthquake. Then you can take extra precautions to protect you and your family.

• Have a plan. Know the safest place in each room. Teach your children how to find cover in a room and to hold on during an earthquake. Designate a friend or family member as an out of town contact.

• Secure your home. Have your home bolted to the foundation. Keep beds away from windows and heavy objects that might fall on you during an earthquake.

• Take care of hazards. Bolt furniture, like china cabinets and bookcases to wall studs. Install strong latches on your cabinets and drawers so they won’t open during the shaking. Strap your hot water heater to a wall stud.

• Put together a supply kit. You should have non-perishable foods, water, and clothing for each member of your family. Keep a flashlight near your bed. Have written instructions on hand so you can turn off the gas, water, or electricity in an emergency. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher.

• Learn first aid. Take a course through your local American Red Cross and keep it updated. You never know when someone might need your help.

Protect your family by preparing your Santa Cruz home for earthquakes. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more tips on natural disasters in our area.

Links:

1. Seismic risk maps

2. American Red Cross

3. Earthquake safety latch

When you decide to sell your home, you have to prepare it for buyers. This is called staging, and it is extremely important because buyers are judging your home by its appearance and comparing it to other homes they see. The first impression they make of your home is based on the exterior, so you need to take the time to stage the exterior of your Santa Cruz home.

Here’s how.

• Paint. If your paint is chipped or fading, give it a fresh coat. Don’t forget the outside trim.

• Match colors. Look at the colors of your shutters, trim, and door. Make sure they match, and if they don’t, repaint them so you have uniform colors outside.

• Mow the yard. Freshly cut grass does wonders for your home’s curb appeal. This means you may have to mow more frequently, but it is definitely worth the effort.

• Remove debris. Keep your trash cans out of sight. Remove any broken flower pots, bottles, or damaged edging. If you have dogs, clean up after them so buyers can walk around your property without damaging their shoes.

• Plant flowers. Flowers are attractive and inviting. If the plants in your flower bed aren’t flowering, replace them with new plants. Choose bright, vibrant colors and mature plants so they don’t look like you just replaced them.

• Trim shrubs and hedges. Unkempt shrubs and hedges make a home looked uncared for. Keep plants clear of windows and make them uniform height.

I can help you stage the exterior of your Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more tips of preparing your home for sale.

 Links:

1. Flower guide

2. Choosing exterior paint colors 

3. How to trim hedges

The home buying process isn’t complete without a home inspection. Your real estate agent will mention it. The lender will ask about. Even your closer will make sure you had an inspection or understand what service you are waiving. Home inspections are important. No matter how much you trust the seller, there are some things you need to know about your Santa Cruz home before you purchase it.

Here’s what a typical home inspection covers:

• Appliances. You will want to know if the appliances are in working order.

• Electrical. The inspector will make sure the main panel, circuit breakers, lights, and outlets are working.

• Exterior. An inspector will look for defects on the outside of the home, like problems with the wall covering, landscaping, trim, and exterior electrical outlets.

• Garage. You don’t have to worry about what the garage is hiding. You will know if the slab, walls, vents, and entries have any problems that need to be addressed.

• Home structure. The inspector will check the foundation, ceilings, floors, roof, and wall construction for any defects.

• Plumbing. Although inspectors do not check sewer systems, they can tell you if you need to do any work to toilets, showers, sinks, and faucets.

• Roof and attic. The roof inspection is not a guarantee of its condition, but you will know what type of roof you have and how the flashing, vents, and gutters are working.

• Systems. They will also check the effectiveness of your air conditioner, duct work, fireplace, and heating system.

Don’t skip this important step. Many purchase contracts state that the home must pass an inspection. This means that if you discover significant problems with the home, you can ask the seller to repair them, reduce the sale price, or even back out of the deal without consequences. Get a home inspection so that you know everything you need to know about your Santa Cruz home.
Let me help you find the right home for you. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more information about home buying.

Links:

1. Find a home inspector 
2. Types of roofs 
3. Home appliances

Selling your home is a process that begins before you contact a real estate agent or begin marketing your property. As soon as you think you might sell your home, you need to get started preparing it for sale.

 Below is a checklist for selling your Santa Cruz home.

1. Repairs. Walk around both inside and outside your home with a notepad. Make a list of everything that needs to be repaired. Look for cosmetic problems, leaky faucets, chipped paint, and anything else that stands out. Repaint your rooms in neutral, earth tone colors.

2. Clean. Clean your home from top to bottom. Remove cobwebs. Clean the ceiling fans. Wipe down the switch plates and spot clean walls. Scrub walls and floors. Clean appliances.

3. De Clutter. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for you to get rid of the clutter in your home. You don’t want to move all of it with you to your new home, and your buyers may be so distracted by your “stuff” that they don’t see the potential of your home.

4. Photographs. Buyers don’t want to see your family living in your home; they want to find a home their family can comfortably live in. Go ahead and pack family photographs and heirlooms.

5. Have a plan. What are you going to do when you home sells? Do you need to start looking for a new home? Are you planning to rent? Don’t wait until closing to figure out where you are moving. Set a timeline for packing your belongings.

6. Decide to use an agent or FSBO. Take your time reviewing the pros and cons of using a professional real estate agent or selling your home on your own.

7. Find your paperwork. You will need copies of past appraisals, deeds, insurance policies, and receipts for repairs. Know your mortgage information.

8. Set your sale price. Buyers will be reluctant to look at your home if they don’t know what you’re asking for it. Talk to professionals about your home’s value, and be realistic about your price. Set your price as a range, so you know both your bottom line and what you would like to get.

I have more ideas for your checklist for selling your Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com for more tips.

 
Links:
1. Moving tips 
2. Professional home cleaning
3. 4-box de-clutter system

1. Clean. I’m sure you’ve already cleaned every part of your home to prepare it for sale. Make a game of it, though, and take out every type of cleaner you have and use it in each room.
2. Plant a container garden. The best part of a container garden is that you can take it with you. Plant some herbs or easy to grow vegetable plants, like tomatoes or cucumbers.
3. Sort through your magazines. Now you have the time to go send magazine articles to friends and cut out coupons or recipes. Throw out the magazines when you’re finished.
4. Clear the pantry. You don’t want to take all your excess food with you when you move. Clean out the pantry, and donate supplies to your local homeless shelter or food pantry.
5. Clean out your makeup stash. Weed through the kids’ toy box. Do any small task that will lighten your moving load.
6. Finish crafts. Go ahead and finish the quilt or scrapbook you’ve been working on. This will help clean out your craft closet and will make packing your craft supplies that much easier.
7. Empty your medicine cabinet. Do you really need that bottle of pain medication from your surgery 12 years ago? Toss anything that’s out of date or that you no longer need to keep.
8. Save your digital photos to a disk. Choose only the photos you want to keep and save them to a CD or flash drive. You never know when something bad might happen to your computer during the move.
9. Have a yard sale. You need to clean out your closets anyway. You might as well make some money off the items.
10. Throw a barbeque. Take the proceeds of your yard sale and have a barbeque for you and your neighbors. Think of this as a going away party for you and your family.

1. Advertise your yard sale
2. How to save digital files to CD
3.  Container gardening

Pictures are one of the most important parts of your home’s marketing plan. They are the first thing potential buyers see and can be a deciding factor in whether or not they actually walk through your home.  In fact, pictures can make or break your deal. Here are some tips for taking the best possible pictures of your Santa Cruz home.

• Choose the right time of day. Lighting is the single most important factor in taking a good picture. Shoot on a bright, sunny day. Use natural light, when possible, inside your home. If your home has a beautiful view of the sunrise or sunset, take a photo of the view during that time.

• Prepare your home. Make sure your home is clean and the yard is free of debris. Keep the pets and children out of your photographs. Remember, this is your buyer’s first impression, and they want to see your home.

• Find the right angle. Don’t take flat pictures, like a dead-on photo of the front of your house from the street or a single shot of the bedroom from the doorway. Angles create definition. Get creative. Stand on chairs or ladders for interesting photographs.

• Use a digital camera. Digital cameras are surprisingly affordable. You can take as many pictures as you want, choose the best shots, and easily upload or email them without the time-consuming scanning process.

• Take your time. Don’t rush through the task of photographing your home. Spend time in each room determining its best features. Take several pictures of each room from as many angles as possible. You want the best possible pictures.

Let me help you sell your home for top dollar. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more tips on taking pictures of your Santa Cruz home.

 3. Digital camera reviews

In a declining market, sellers usually add incentives to sell their home. These may include paying a portion of the buyers’ closing costs, reducing the sale price, or offering a home warranty. Many sellers and buyers are unaware of the advantages of home warranties, so below is listed Santa Cruz home warranty frequently asked questions.

• What is a home warranty? A home warranty is a policy that covers the repair or replacement of home systems and appliances. They are typically annual policies that can be renewed and usually cost between $250 and $500.

• Who pays for a home warranty? Either the seller or the buyer can pay for the home warranty, but sellers usually cover the cost as an incentive for selling their home. Sometimes real estate agents offer home warranties as a closing gift.

• What is covered? This will depend on the terms of your warranty. Most warranties cover the air conditioner, dishwasher, furnace or heating system, water heater, ductwork, garbage disposal, inside plumbing, electrical systems, range and oven, and telephone wiring. Check with your home warranty for your specific coverage.

•  What is not covered? Again, this will depend on the terms of your warranty. However, most warranties do not cover outdoor sprinklers, certain faucet repairs, refrigerators, washers and dryers, garage door openers, spa, and pools. Check with your home warranty for your specific coverage.

• How do I file a claim? If you have to file a claim, contact your home warranty company. They will call a service provider who will set up an appointment. You will have to pay a small service fee that is usually less than $100.

Let me help you find the home for you at the best price. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more information about Santa Cruz home warranties.

Links:
1. Average age of household appliances  

2. Swimming pools

3. Home appliances

If you are getting a mortgage on a home, your lender will require an appraisal. This is performed by a licensed appraiser who evaluates your home and determines its value. Here is a guide to your Santa Cruz home’s appraisal terms.

• Age: The actual age of your home is how long since your home has been built. The effective age is the adjusted age of your home based on improvements and repairs.

• Adjustments: Comparison homes are usually not exact replicas of your home. The appraiser will make adjustments for things like premium views or swimming pools to bring the home values closer together.

• Appraisal: This is the estimated value of your home based on the appraiser’s documentation.

• Comparison approach: A type of appraisal in which your home is compared with others in your area. Most appraisers use this approach because the market determines what your home will sell for.

• Cost approach:  A type of appraisal in which your home is valued based on how much it would cost to replace it if it was destroyed. This is typically used on newer constructions.

• Depreciation: Depreciation is a loss in value due to age or condition.

• Easements: Your electric company or local government may have an easement, or right to use your land.

• Encroachments: When you or your neighbors have items like fences resting on each other’s property, it is called encroachment.

• Market value: This is the highest price you could expect to get for your home under normal circumstances.

• Remaining economic life: This is the time from the appraisal when improvements become useless or valueless.

• Subject property: Your property is called the subject property.

Let me help you through the process of buying your next home. Call me today at 831.662.6522  or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more information on appraisal terms.
 
Links:
1. Find an appraiser

2. Types of easements 

3. Home improvement calculator

You can do many simple repairs around your home to save you money. Whether you are making repairs around your home to prepare it for sale or repairing items after buying a home, you must use the right tools for the job.

Here are 10 tools you must have to complete your Santa Cruz home repairs.

1. Cordless drill.  A cordless drill gives you a quick way to install screws in walls, put together furniture, or to remove screws effortlessly.

2. Hammer. You should have a medium weight hammer on hand for tapping pieces into place, installing nails, or even removing wall sections or nails you no longer need.

3. Level. If you want to hang anything evenly, you will need a level. Use a level to measure holes for hanging cabinets, towel bars, and even pictures.

4. Pencils. You will use pencils to mark studs or drill holes or to make notes while you’re working.

5. Pliers. Pliers are essential for removing staples and nails. You can also use them to remove screws. Keep an assortment of different sized pliers on hand.

6. Putty knife. If you are covering nail holes or wall cracks, you will need a putty knife to spread the spackling. You can also use a putty knife to remove wall paper, adhesives, or to remove spilled paint or caulk.

7. Screwdrivers. At the very least, you need a regular and Phillips head screwdriver with a medium tip. You should also have a set of small screwdrivers on hand.

8. Tape measure. A good tape measure will come in handy any time you need to measure. You will use it when you replace flooring or to determine how much paint you need for a room.

9. Utility knife. This knife is basically a razor blade with a handle. You can use it to remove wallpaper, scrape paint, or remove tape after painting.

10. Vice grip. Vice grips help you hold items, and they are especially useful if you are removing screws, untwisting something with sticky adhesive or just need to hold something while you work.

Let me help you prepare your home for a fast sale. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com  for more tips on tools you must have for your Santa Cruz home repairs.

Links:
1. Cordless drills
2. How to use a level
3. Find home tools