Santa Cruz Real Estate
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Homeowners’ associations sometimes strike fear in the hearts of home owners. They fear violating a rule and being give a fine. Even though their neighbors serve as HOA members, they may still be intimidated by the HOA’s power to determine what color they can paint their homes and how many vehicles can be parked outside. At some point you may find yourself in violation of a community policy. Here are some tips for how to resolve a conflict with your Santa Cruz homeowners’ association.

• Be polite. A little politeness goes a long way. Refrain from using foul language or insulting the HOA members. The board may be offended and refuse to help you. State your case clearly and ask for their help. Let them know that you aren’t blaming them, but that you need their assistance as a community member.

• Admit your mistakes. If you violated a rule, you are not going to help your case by arguing that you did nothing wrong. Be open and explain how it happened, whether it was a careless oversight or a violation that you didn’t know because you’re new to the neighborhood. People are more likely to help someone who is willing to admit they’re wrong rather than someone who insists they are right.

• Stay away from the courtroom. Whenever possible, try to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom. If you decide to sue your HOA, you will need indisputable evidence that the HOA did something wrong. You always stand the chance of losing your case and being charged with your legal fees and the HOA’s legal fees and costs. Just paying your fine may be a much cheaper solution.

You are a member of a community, so you must be able to resolve conflict with your Santa Cruz homeowners’ association. Let me show you how to negotiate with others. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Links:

1. Resolving Disputes with HOA

2. How to Find a Mediator

3. Dispute Resolution

Buyers look at more than just kitchen appliances and room sizes when deciding what home to purchase. Curb appeal, or the view of your home from the street, is extremely important. If you want your home to sell quickly, you need to put in some extra effort to make your home’s exterior look especially attractive. You can easily do this by improving your landscaping. Here are some tips for choosing plants for your Santa Cruz home for a fast sale.

• Stay close to home. Plants that are native to your area are always a safe choice for landscaping. They are adapted to your region, so you know they can survive there. They are also easier to take care of and better for the environment because they don’t require as much watering. This can be an important consideration if you are selling a vacant home.

• Older is better. You can buy plants at varying stages of growth. Newer, smaller plants cost less and are easy to transplant, mature plants tend to have more foliage. Think about how they will look immediately after planting. You want to sell your home quickly, so you don’t want to wait around for your plants to grow.

• Choose carefully. No matter what types of plants you choose, make sure you find ones with deep green leaves and colorful flowers. You want your landscaping to look as attractive as possible. Choose plants that bloom often, that form hedges, and don’t require a lot of maintenance. The last thing you need right now is a plant that requires a lot of your attention.

Let me help you sell your home quickly by choosing the right plants for your Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com for more landscaping tips.

 Links:

1. Landscaping Tips
2. National Garden Association Landscaping Tips
3. How to Improve Your Yard

For most people with pets, pets are part of the family. Even though they are content with just being with the family, moving can be a difficult experience for them. Moving can disrupt their routines and may mean a change in their lifestyle. Here are 3 tips for helping your pets get used to your new Santa Cruz home.

• Let them explore the new home. Can you imagine what it’s like for a dog to enter a new home with hundreds of brand new smells? There is so much for them to explore and get used to, so give them the chance to do so. Make sure the doors and windows are closed and let them wander through their new home taking in the sights and smells.

• Keep their routine. If you have pets, you already know that they develop routines and don’t like to deviate from them. Do whatever you can to keep your pets on their regular eating, elimination, and exercise schedule. This will go a long way toward helping them adjust to their new environment.

• Introduce them to the neighbors. Your pets can be an ideal icebreaker for you to meet your new neighbors. It gives you a chance to show them that your large dog is really docile or to share with them important information, like the cat is diabetic. This can also be a help if your pet wanders away from home. Hopefully, your neighbors will be willing to catch them and deliver them back to you or will at least let you know where they saw your pet.

Don’t neglect your furry family members when moving in to your new neighborhood. Let me show you how to help your pets get used to your new Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Links:

1. General pet care

2. Humane Society of United States

3. Healthy pets

Moving affects your entire family, especially your children. They must say good-bye to their friends and familiar play spots. They also face new anxiety about meeting new friends and going to a new school. It’s not an easy process, but you can help your child survive their first day of school after moving to your new Santa Cruz home. Here are some tips:

1. Pay attention to your child. You know your children. If your child is friendly and out-going, you may not have to worry much about their ability to meet new friends and thrive in their new school. On the other hand, if your child is shy and reserved, they may not make new friends quickly. These children may require more preparation to make a successful transition.

2. Visit the school. Schools are not open just when students are there. Call the school and ask for permission to walk through the campus when it is empty. You can walk with your child around the school and point out important places like their classroom, bathrooms, pick-up location, and the office. They will have an idea of where they are going and will be less anxious about getting lost.

3. Meet the neighbors. Go out for a walk around the neighborhood. Stop at the local park. Meet parents and their children. Ask around for the names of the friendliest and out-going children in your new neighborhood. This way your child will already know someone at their school and have someone to ask questions during the school day.

4. Keep reading bed-time stories. Even in the midst of your moving chaos, take the time to maintain established routines with your children. They are under a lot of pressure to adjust to new surroundings and fit in at a new school. This is when they need something familiar to count on to help them through the transition.

Let me share with you more tips on helping your child survive their first day of school in Santa Cruz. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Links:

1. How to Tell Good Bed Time Stories
2. Helping Your Child Settle After a Move
3. Adjusting to a Move

Just when you think you’re almost done buying your new home, you have to face the closing table. This can be an overwhelming experience as you sit there signing paper after paper. Even though the title closer will briefly explain each piece of paper, you may still be unsure what you are signing. Here are more terms you may need defined which cover government and other charges for your Santa Cruz home.

• Escrow Account Deposits: An escrow account is used when your lender will be including your homeowners’ insurance and property taxes for you. This amount is added to your mortgage payment. At closing, the lender may require that you make a deposit to cover part of the premium, and that will be shown here.

• Government Recording and Transfer Charges: This fee covers the cost of recording the new mortgage, deed, and taxes on your mortgage. The taxes may be called tax stamps.

• Lead-Based Paint Inspection: Some homes built before 1979 must be inspected for lead-based paint. This is the cost of the inspection.

• Pest and Other Inspections: The most common pest inspection is for termites, and most lenders will require this. This fee shows the cost of the pest inspection.

• Survey: A survey is a document that shows exactly where your property line is located. It protects both you and the lender by giving a record of your property boundaries. Most lenders will require a survey of the property, and the cost will be listed here.

Let me help you understand the closing costs for your Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com for more information about settlement fees.

Links:

1. Lead-Based Paint
2. Pest Inspections
3. Escrow Accounts

You don’t have to be afraid of the closing table. Even though you will spend what seems like hours signing countless sheets of paper, you can rest assured that the transaction is running smoothly when you know the terms used on the documents. Do yourself a favor and know what you’re signing. Here are definitions for title charges you will see at your Santa Cruz home closing.

• Attorney’s Fees: Attorneys may be used by either the buyer or seller to examine the title, write part of the contract, or review the transaction terms. Anytime an attorney is part of the transaction process, their fees will be listed here.

• Buyer’s Title Insurance: This is the cost of the buyer’s title insurance.

• Document Preparation: The title company may charge you this fee to cover the cost of preparing the legal documents that pertain to the closing.

• Lender’s Title Insurance: This covers the cost of the lender’s title insurance.

• Notary Fee: The title company will use a notary public to swear that you did sign the documents. This fee covers that cost.

• Settlement or Closing Fee: The settlement agent or escrow holder receives this fee.

•  Title Examination: Someone has to go through land records to verify the property records and ownership. This fee covers the cost of searching for an examining the property’s title.

• Title Insurance: Title insurance is an insurance policy that protects buyers and lenders from title problems like liens, title problems, or inaccurate public records. This fee is the entire cost of the premium and ensures the policy is in effect for the entire time you own the property.

I can help you understand closing costs for your Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com for more information about title charges at closing.

Links:

1. Title Insurance

2. Find a Real Estate Attorney

3. Closing Costs

The closing table can be a confusing place. You have what seems like mountains of paperwork pushed in front of you. You sign countless pages, often not completely understanding what is written. People often leave the closing wondering if anyone took advantage of them. You don’t have to worry about that any more. Know what you’re signing. Here are definitions for lender fees charged as closing costs for your Santa Cruz home.

• Appraisal Fee: This covers the cost of the appraiser who assesses the home’s value.

• Assumption Fee: If the buyer agrees to take over a seller’s existing loan, this fee is charged to cover the transfer costs.

• Credit Report: Lenders check your credit history before approving you for a mortgage. This covers the cost of your credit report.

• Items Payable in Connection with Loan: The lender charges these fees to process and approve a mortgage.

• Lender’s Inspection Fee: This fee usually applies to new constructions. It covers the cost of inspections performed by the lender, but does not include pest inspections.

• Loan Discount: Sometimes lenders discount their loan origination fee by one or more percentage points, but they charge this one time fee to do so.

• Loan Origination: You may hear this fee called “points”. It covers the lender’s administrative costs, and is usually a percentage of the loan amount.

• Mortgage Broker Fee: This fee covers any fees or commissions paid to the mortgage broker.

• Mortgage Insurance Application Fee: Mortgage insurance protects the lender and pays a portion of your mortgage in case you die or default on your loan. This fee pays for mortgage insurance processing.

Let me help you take the confusion out of closing costs. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com for more explanations about lender fees for your Santa Cruz home.

Links:
1. Compare Loans
2. Mortgage Insurance Explained
3. Get Your Free Credit Report

What do you do when your home has been sitting on the market without any bites from potential buyers? You have to figure out why no one is interested in your home. Even if you have followed your realtor’s advice and invested additional time and money preparing your home for sale, you may need to ask if you are preventing your Santa Cruz home from selling.

• Are you asking too much? It doesn’t always matter that the home two doors down sold for $15,000 more than what you’re asking. People are looking at your home and deciding if it’s worth to them what you’re asking. Be honest with yourself and stay realistic about the current market. Listen to your realtor’s recommendations, but also follow your own instinct. Keep your asking price flexible.

• Are you marketing your property? Your realtor will list your property in the MLS and show your home to potential buyers. However, you don’t have to leave all the marketing to your realtor. Post fliers around town in the grocery store or at work. Tell all your friends and family that your home is for sale. Post information about your home on the internet. Let as many people as possible know that you’re selling.

• Are you sure your home is in its best shape? Sometimes it’s difficult for homeowners to see flaws in their own homes. You may ignore the leaky faucet in the hall bathroom, especially if you rarely use that bathroom. However, buyers are looking at the entire home, and these minor repairs can be a major turnoff. Ask a friend to walk through your home with you and listen to what they point out. Take the time to follow through with their advice.

Don’t prevent your Santa Cruz home from selling. Let me help you sell your home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Links:

1. Do It Yourself Home Repairs

2. How to Market Your Home

3. Home Values

Every seller wants to make as much money as possible from the sale of their home. This is certainly possible if you are willing to go the extra mile to prepare your home for sale.

Here are more tips for selling your Santa Cruz home for top dollar.

6. Odors. Nothing turns away a potential buyer quicker than strong odors inside your home. Refrain from cooking with strong ingredients or spices like onions or garlic. Take out the trash daily. Use candles and air fresheners. Have your carpets cleaned by a professional.

7. Get listed. Most realtors use the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to find homes for buyers. For maximum exposure to potential buyers, make sure your home is listed in your local MLS and on www.realtor.com.

8. Price it right. If you want people to even look at your home, you need to make sure you are asking a fair price. Your realtor or an appraiser can help you determine a price range. Just be prepared to adjust the price if you don’t have many showings.

9. Neutralize the color scheme. Neutral colors sell homes. Even if you have to paint every room inside your home, take the time to repaint in shades of white or off-white. These colors look clean and fresh, make your rooms look more spacious, and help buyers imagine themselves living there.

10. Get an agent. A good real estate agent is worth the investment. They understand the market conditions and the neighborhood. They can help you prepare your home for sale. They can negotiate the best price for you. Best of all, they have connections with buyers and buyers agents that you probably won’t have on your own.

Let me help you sell your Santa Cruz home for top dollar. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Links:

1. Professional Carpet Cleaning

2. Paint Color Schemes

3. Air Fresheners

Lauren was mentioned in an article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on Monday May 5, 2008 for her involvement with Santa Cruz LeTip business networking group as one of their new officers.  Lauren has a vast network of contacts in the community having lived in Santa Cruz County for over 40 years.  Lauren is also a real-estate veteran in Santa Cruz County with over 22 years of experience and is consistently recognized as one of the top listing and selling agents for Coldwell Banker.

If you have been considering selling your home or buying a new one, please give Lauren a call to discuss the market and your specific questions at 831.662.6522 or e-mail Lauren at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Santa Cruz Sentinel