Santa Cruz Real Estate
• • • • •

Choosing a Santa Cruz condo isn’t much different from choosing a single family home. You want something that fits in both your lifestyle and your budget. Finding the right condo takes some time and careful consideration. Here are a few questions to ask before you buy a condo.

1. Is it in a good location? You want a Santa Cruz condo that fits with your lifestyle. Find out how far it is from work, your children’s school, hospitals, shopping, and entertainment facilities. It just doesn’t make sense to buy something far away from where you work and play.

2. Do I like the floor and the view? Think about how the floor you choose will fit into your life. You may love the view from a second floor unit, but do you really want to carry groceries up the stairs each week? A first floor Santa Cruz condo may be convenient, but are you willing to deal with the street noise? Likewise, find out what is planned for nearby lots. Your view of the woods can easily turn into a view of a shopping mall parking lot.

3. What kind of amenities will I receive? Find out exactly what you get with your unit, like the number of parking spaces. You also want to know the location and conditions of common areas. If the swimming pool is only open during hours when you’re at work, you probably want to find something more convenient.

4. Will I get along with the neighbors? Find out if the units above, below, and next to yours are occupied by the owners or rented out. This makes a big difference in what you can expect when you live there. For example, if the unit above you is rented out to weekly vacationers, you may have to deal with noise in the middle of the night.

If you think the condo lifestyle is for you, I can help. Let me help you find a Santa Cruz condo. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

 
LINKS:

1. Find local entertainment

2. Make your home quieter

3. Swimming pool safety

No one wants to pay more than they have to for Santa Cruz real estate. After all, investment potential is one of the greatest benefits of home ownership. You want your home to go up in value while you own it. The less you pay for your home, the more you stand to earn from it. Here are a few tips for getting the best possible deal on your home.

1. Buy at the right time. You find better Santa Cruz real estate prices during certain times of the year and market conditions. For example, in a slow real estate market, sellers are usually more willing to negotiate to sell their home. Likewise, pay attention to the climate of a region. If you want to buy a home in the south, look during the middle of the summer when the hot, humid weather keeps buyers away. The same is true of New England winters.

2. Hire a Santa Cruz real estate agent.  A real estate agent is usually the simplest way to find a great deal. Agents have access to thousands of homes for sale. They know the home values of the area where they work.  Real estate agents are also trained to negotiate with sellers. All this goes a long way toward finding you the best possible real estate deal.

3. Have your credit in order for best loan rates. The better your credit score, the better your loan terms will be. This translates into lower, more affordable payments. If your bank pre-approves your loan, you have even more bargaining power with the seller and may get a better price or sale terms.

4. Look at more than just the price. Just because a home has an attractive sale price doesn’t automatically make it a good deal. Major repairs can easily add up and cost you more in the long run. A slightly higher priced home in pristine condition is often a better value than one in need of some work.

Now is a good time to get the Santa Cruz real estate of your dreams at a great price. Let me help you find your next home. Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Current weather conditions

2. Why hire a real estate agent

3. Raise your credit score

Living in a Santa Cruz condo doesn’t mean you have to give up gardening. In fact, it’s quite easy to grow your own vegetables and flowers with some containers and a small porch or patio. This is called container gardening. Container gardens are easy to set up and maintain and are a great way to keep fresh vegetables at your fingertips.

Here are a few simple tips to help you grow a successful container garden.

• Start with the right supplies. To get a container garden started in your Santa Cruz condo, you will need containers, a growing medium, and your plants. Choose high-quality containers based on which plants you want to grow. Lettuce, peppers, radishes, and herbs will work in a container that is 8 inches deep with a 6-inch diameter. Bushel baskets and wooden tubs are better for larger plants like tomatoes, squash, and pole beans.

• Plants in containers need adequate drainage. Make sure your containers have drainage holes and line the bottom of the pots with newspaper and a layer of rock. Container gardens need a lightweight soil mix so your plant roots get the right balance of air and water. Packaged potting soil from your local garden center is a good choice.

• Choose your plants. Once you have your containers and growing medium ready, you can add your plants. Certain plants grow better in containers than others. Lettuce, peppers, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, and pole beans all grow well inside containers.

• Maintain your garden. Your biggest concern with your container garden will be water. Containers can dry out very quickly, and you may have to water your plants every day. You can add a water-soluble fertilizer to your plants, but be careful not to over-fertilize. Make sure your plants get enough sunlight, and move the containers around as you need to.

Container gardening is just one way to enjoy the condo lifestyle. I can help you find a Santa Cruz condo with the perfect patio. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Garden containers

2. Lowe’s Garden Center

3. Popular container plants

When you sell your Santa Cruz home, you want it look as good as possible. To do this, your real estate agent will help you stage your home or, if needed, help you find a professional to stage your home. This means de-cluttering your home, re-arranging furniture, and de-personalizing each room.

A staged home is more appealing to buyers and helps to highlight your home’s positive features. However, staging is not meant to cover major flaws in your home. Some things just have to be repaired.

1. Roof problems. It doesn’t matter how pretty your Santa Cruz home is, your buyer is going to expect you to fix roof problems or adjust your price to cover them. Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home.

2. Cracked tile. Of course, you can use throw rugs to cover cracks in your tile, but chances are your buyers are going to look under them. Then they may think you are trying to hide a serious problem like a shifting foundation. Save yourself the headache and have your floors fixed.

3. Broken windows. You have to expect your buyers to walk around your home checking out the views from the windows. They’re going to notice any cracks. If you have the budget, consider upgrading your windows and making your home more marketable. At the very least, you should have the glass replaced.

4. Torn screens. If you have torn screens, your buyers may think you don’t take care of your property. Yet, screens are fairly easy to fix on your own. With the right supplies from your local hardware store, you can have new, sleek screens in less than a day.

As your agent, I will make sure your Santa Cruz home is ready to sell fast. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

 LINKS:

1. Common roof problems

2. New windows

3. How to repair a screen

Selling your Santa Cruz real estate in a slow real estate market isn’t easy, but it can be done. Pricing your home right is the key to selling it within a reasonable amount of time. Sometimes this means lowering your price while it’s on the market. Of course, you want to get as much money as possible, so how do you know when it’s time to lower your asking price?

1. No one is looking at your home. If you expect your home to sell, you need to have people look inside it. Most buyers search for homes within a certain price range. If you aren’t getting any showings, chances are it’s because your home is overpriced compared to other homes in the area. In this case, you may need to lower your price so buyers will look at your home.

2. Comparable homes are selling for less. Your home will sell for whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it. If the homes around you are selling for less than your asking price, it may be time to lower it. No one is going to pay more for your home when they can get the same thing for less. Pay attention to what homes are selling for in your community and adjust your price accordingly.

3. You are getting a lot of negative feedback. Buyers are a great source of information about other homes in your price range. After all, they’re spending their free time looking at countless homes similar to yours. Your real estate agent can find out exactly what buyers think of your home. Perhaps homes comparable to yours have updated kitchens or more attractive landscaping. With this knowledge, you can choose to either remodel or lower your price.

I can help you sell your Santa Cruz real estate in a slow market. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Home values 

2. Kitchen remodel

3. Landscaping

For many people, the most difficult part of moving is packing the belongings in their Santa Cruz home. This can be an overwhelming chore. Yet, you can make this task easier by following a few simple tips as you pack your home.

• Start with the right supplies. You will need boxes in a variety of sizes, packaging tape, newspaper, bubble wrap, plastic zipper bags, and blankets. With these packing supplies you can pack everything in your Santa Cruz home safely and securely.

• Create a plan. Your packing plan starts with a deadline, and your goal is to have everything packed by that date. Break down the packing task into smaller assignments that can be completed each day. Start by packing items you do not use on a regular basis. Work your way around your home, packing one room at a time.

• Use the right boxes for the job. Standard size boxes are easier to stack and take up less room in the moving truck. Pay attention to the box weight as you fill them, and pack books and other heavy items in small boxes. Make sure each box is filled to its capacity and can be easily carried. The sides of each box should not bulge, nor should they cave in.

• Breakables. Always pack fragile and non-fragile items separately. Line each box with cushioning like bubble wrap. Wrap each breakable item separately and place them in boxes according to their weight. Heavier items should go on the bottom. Fill all empty space in the box with packing peanuts or newspaper so nothing can move around inside.

• Discard anything you cannot ship. Some items will have to stay behind. Do not bring anything from your refrigerator with you. Eat what you can while you’re still in your home. Donate anything you can to a local shelter or to friends. Likewise, dispose of hazardous chemicals and cleaning products before you leave.

Don’t go through the home buying process alone. Let me help you find your next Santa Cruz home. Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Moving supplies

2. How to wrap breakables

3. How to dispose of hazardous chemicals

In some ways, selling Santa Cruz vacant land is no different from selling a home. You still have to prepare it for sale, and you still need to make it look as good as possible. This process of cleaning and beautifying is called staging. Here are a few tips for staging your land.

1. De-Clutter. Your buyer wants to actually see your Santa Cruz vacant land, and clutter only blocks their vision. Remove fallen tree branches,  trash, and junk like car parts and damaged buildings. Cut back large brush. Clear paths so potential buyers can easily walk around the property.

2. Highlight the positive features. Do you have a section where birds like to feed? Keep it stocked with bird feeders. Is there a section filled with colorful wildflowers? Don’t cut down this section when you mow. Does a group of trees form a canopy? Place a picnic table under their shade. Point out these positive features to your buyers.

3. Make minor improvements. Repair any damaged section of fence around your property. Dig a pond and use the dirt to fill low areas so they are level with the rest of your land. Keep the grass mowed. These small efforts can make the difference between whether or not a buyer chooses your property.

4. Mark property boundaries. When you’re looking at vacant land, it’s difficult to see the difference between 5, 10, or more acres. At the very least, you should place stakes (like those used by a surveyor) to show where the property begins and ends. Your buyers will want to know exactly what they are purchasing.

Make sure your Santa Cruz vacant land is ready to sell. Let me help you sell your property fast and for top dollar. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. How to clear paths 

2. How to build a bird feeder 

3. How to dig a pond

Home equity is the difference between what your Santa Cruz home can sell for and what you owe on it. Generally, the longer you own your home, the more equity you build. This is money you can use before you sell your home through a home equity loan. Just keep in mind that a home equity loan is secured with your home. If you can’t make the payments, you can lose your home. This is why you have to use your home equity in smart ways.

1. Remodel your home. If you’ve wanted to add on a family room or modernize your kitchen, consider using your home’s equity to fund the project. Home improvements usually increase your home’s marketability and value.

2. Make needed major repairs. Your home’s equity can be a funding source for major repairs like plumbing problems and re-roofs. Once again, this is an improvement for your home that will help keep its value up.

3. Buy another property. Real estate is still a safe investment. You can use your home equity to buy a second property when home values are down. When the market recovers, you can sell the investment property for a profit. This also works if you have to move out of town and are still trying to sell your home. If you can afford the payments, use your home’s equity to purchase your new home until the current one sells.

4. Pay for unexpected medical expenses or job loss. You never know when a medical emergency or job loss will leave you in debt. A home equity loan can give you the money you need to get through this difficult time.

It’s easy to build equity in your Santa Cruz home when you find the right deal. Let me help you find your perfect home and negotiate a great price and terms for you. Call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Kitchen remodel

2. Guide to roofs

3. Find a home equity loan

If you’re like many buyers, you probably think that a foreclosure is the best real estate value you’ll find. While it’s true that Santa Cruz real estate in foreclosure is often priced lower than similar properties for sale, foreclosures aren’t right for everyone. Before you decide to buy a foreclosed property, do some research and make sure it really is your best deal.

• Price. Santa Cruz real estate in foreclosure is often priced lower than other properties on the market. This is because the bank is only interested in getting back the money they loaned the seller. However, if the seller has more than one mortgage because they took out a home equity loan, the home can be priced even higher than the current market value. Don’t assume that a foreclosure is automatically a better deal.

• Inspections. Foreclosures are sold as-is. The bank will not make any repairs to the property. If it has been well maintained by the seller, this makes the home an excellent value. Unfortunately, sometimes sellers damage homes before they move out or don’t take care of their homes while they live there. In that case, you may have to spend considerable time and money making needed repairs.

• Negotiations. When the bank is eager to sell the property, they are sometimes willing to negotiate terms like down payment and closing costs. However, since the bank’s only goal is to recoup their costs, you won’t have the same bargaining power with them that you would with a traditional seller.

• Closing Time. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage of a foreclosure is the length of time it takes to close. The bank will usually require additional paperwork and qualifications that can delay closing. If the seller had more than one mortgage, you will have to wait until the bank decides how much each lender receives from the sale.

Right now is a great time to find a deal on Santa Cruz real estate. Let me help you find one. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Home equity

2. Home inspections 

3. Common closing costs

When you buy a Santa Cruz home, you need to know exactly what you’re buying. Imagine how frustrated you’d be to find out that the hot water heater wasn’t working—in the middle of a shower! This is why you should have a home inspection before you buy your home. A home inspection is an important part of buying your home. Before you hire a home inspector, ask candidates a few questions to make sure you hire a trustworthy inspector.

1. What does your inspection cover? Not all inspections are the same. Ask for copies of previous home inspections so you can see exactly what they will check inside the Santa Cruz home. If you are concerned about something specific, like a leaky faucet in the bathroom, mention that to the inspector so they can check it out.

2. Are you licensed or certified? If you live in a state that licenses home inspectors, ask to see their license. At the very least, choose a home inspector who belongs to American Society of Home Inspectors. This shows a level of professionalism and education that you can trust.

3. What kind of report will you give me? You should expect a written report detailing what the inspector found. Most inspectors will give you a typed report within a week of the inspection. Make sure the inspector will be available to explain anything on the report that doesn’t make sense to you.

4. Will I be able to attend the inspection? If the inspector refuses to let you be present during the home inspection, find someone else. This is your chance to know exactly what you are buying and what potential repairs you or the seller will have to make.

As your real estate agent, I will guide you through the home buying process. Let me help you find your new Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Home inspection 

2. American Society of Home Inspectors

3. Easy household repairs