Santa Cruz Real Estate
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If you’ve considered selling your home in a slow real estate market you may wonder if you can get a fair price for your home. Fortunately, you don’t have to be afraid of the rising foreclosure rate. Smart sellers know how to compete with foreclosures when selling their Santa Cruz home.

1. Smart sellers ask for what their home is worth. You need to set your asking price based on the market value of your Santa Cruz home. The bank wants to get as much money as possible for their properties. Their asking price for foreclosures is as close as possible to the current market value of the home.

2. Smart sellers make sure their home is in its best possible condition.  Before your home goes on the market, touch up paint, replant the garden, and service appliances.  If a foreclosed home is selling for significantly less than other homes in the area, it is usually because the home needs major repairs.

3. Smart sellers give information to their potential buyers.  Tell potential buyers about home improvements and repairs, renovations, and the condition of major appliances. Don’t keep information from your buyer. Foreclosures are sold “as is” which means the bank is not making any guarantees about the property’s condition. Furthermore, lenders are exempt from disclosure laws so they aren’t required to tell buyers about any major problems with the home.

4. Smart sellers do what they can to expedite the closing. You should make the selling process as easy as possible for your buyer. Buying a foreclosure is a complicated process that can take weeks or months to complete. Most buyers simply cannot wait that long and deal with the extra paperwork involved.

5. Smart sellers know they may need to adjust the price.   If your home stays on the market while others sell, you may need to adjust your asking price or offer something extra, like a home warranty, to the buyer. The real estate market is constantly fluctuating, and it is possible for your home’s market value to decrease while it is on the market.

Don’t let competing foreclosures keep you from selling your home. 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. Paint 

2. Appliances 

3. Home warranty

Buying a new home is a big decision. Your home is your greatest financial asset. It is also your refuge from the world and a place where you can relax. You will ideally spend a considerable amount of time in your home, so you want to buy the right one for you and your family. Make sure you avoid these common mistakes when buying Santa Cruz real estate.

1. Buying a home you cannot afford. If you cannot afford to pay for your home, you risk losing it in a foreclosure. To determine if you can really afford a home, you have to look at more than the asking price. Not only do you need to make your monthly mortgage payment, you also need to pay for your home’s regular maintenance.

2. Buying a home without doing your homework. Appearances can be deceiving, especially with homes. What appears to be beautiful stucco can disguise a rotting wood frame. A fresh coat of paint can cover mold and water damage behind a wall. This is why you should always have a home inspected before you buy it.

3. Buying the first home you see. Sellers do their best to make sure their homes look as appealing as possible. It’s easy to fall in love with just about any home you see. Remind yourself that there are plenty of other homes for sale and make sure you see them all. There’s no point spending your hard earned money when you haven’t seen all the available possibilities.

4. Buying a home that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. If you spend a considerable amount of time in your backyard entertaining guests and relaxing on weekends, you want a home that gives you the space to do that. Likewise, if you’e rarely home except to sleep, you don’t want to spend your weekends mowing an oversized yard.

Let me help you avoid mistakes when buying Santa Cruz real estate. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Maintenance

2. Stucco 

3. Backyard entertaining  

It seems like everyone is going green and doing their part to conserve resources. One simple way you can help out is to cut back on your water use at home, especially in the bathroom. Consider how much water is used there. In fact, a family of four can easily use 8,000 gallons of water just by flushing the toilet.

Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks to help you save water in the bathroom of your Santa Cruz home.

• Turn off the water. Show your children how to turn off the water while they brush their teeth. Explain to them that there’s no reason to let water run if they are not actually using it. Encourage everyone in the family to take shorter showers. You can even make it a competition to see who can take the shortest showers each week in your Santa Cruz home.

• Install a flush regulator. Your local home improvement or hardware store should carry a flush regulator that lets you control how much water you use. You can also do the same thing by filling a 2-liter bottle with water and placing it inside your toilet’s water tank. This simple addition reduces the amount of water your toilet can use.

• Purchase a dual flush toilet. Dual flush toilets look like standard toilets, but they have two separate flushes: half and full. These toilets use between 40-70% less water than traditional toilets. You can find dual flush toilets at your local plumbing supply store or through an online dealer.

Small conservation changes at home can make a big difference in our world. Let me help you find a green Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Home improvement

2. Dual flush toilets

3. Showers

Whether you are seriously looking for a new home or just curious about what’s for sale, an open house can be a fun way to spend a weekend afternoon. Before you head out for an afternoon of home looking, know the dos and don’ts of an open house for Santa Cruz real estate.

• DO talk to the real estate agent. The Santa Cruz real estate agent is there to answer any questions you have about the home and neighborhood. Ask about the neighborhood amenities, school zones, shopping and theatres.

• DO follow reasonable requests. If the agent or homeowner asks you to stay out of a particular room, do what they ask. Pay attention to the open house time frame - arrive after the event starts and leave before the event is over. You are a guest in the home.

• DO walk around the home. The whole point of an open house is to give you a chance to see inside available homes. You do not need permission to walk into bedrooms or through the garage. As you walk through the home, make notes about what you like and don’t like.

• DON’T look in medicine cabinets or drawers. It is simply impolite to look through the homeowner’s personal belongings. You have no reason to look at anything other the room layouts and closet sizes. Put yourself in the owner’s shoes—would you want people rummaging through your sock drawer?

• DON’T try to negotiate at the open house. This is not the time to make offers. If you are seriously interested in the home, call your Santa Cruz real estate agent after the open house is over and let her negotiate for you.

• DON’T take anything from the home. The homeowner is taking a great risk in letting strangers walk through their home. Respect their home and property. Stealing is never appropriate behavior.

If you’re looking for Santa Cruz real estate, open houses are a great way to explore what is available. Let me help you find open houses that meet your needs and price range. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Find a movie theatre 

2. Closet organizers

3. Garage organizers

 
Have you thought about re-decorating your home? Are you afraid you don’t have the money to complete the look you want? Don’t wait any longer. Dust off your paint brushes and sewing machine. Here are some tips for decorating your Santa Cruz home on a shoestring budget.

• Choose a look. Watch home decorating television shows, read magazines and books, and look at store displays for ideas you can use at your Santa Cruz home. If you know what you like, you can often recreate these looks with less expensive materials.

• Give old items a new purpose. Many items in your home can be transformed to fit with your new room. Refinish or paint tables and cabinets. Recover pillows. Replace the hardware on your cabinets and drawers for an updated look.

• Paint is an economical way to transform the look of any room in your home. Add a few coats of paint to create an entirely new look. Bright tropical colors can liven up a room, while soft, pastel colors create a sense of serenity.

• Rearrange your rooms. You may be surprised by how much you can change the look of your rooms by rearranging furniture and artwork. Consider switching furniture between rooms for a brand new look.

• Cover your furniture with slipcovers. Slipcovers are quicker and cheaper than buying new furniture. They come in a wide variety of colors and fabrics, so you can find one that will match your new décor.

• Shop discount stores. Discount department stores offer everything you need for your home at a lower cost than their counterparts. You can find linens, drapes, candle holders, decorative accessories, and much more.

• Old calendars and art books are a great source of beautiful artwork for your walls. Add inexpensive frames, and you have can have the look of elegant art for a fraction of the cost.

You don’t need a big budget to decorate your home. Thinking of buying or selling your Santa Cruz home?  I can make the process easier.  Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Home decorating television shows

2. Hardware

3. Slipcovers

Whether you are facing retirement or have already said good-bye to your working years, you may be wondering if you should sell your home and move. Although this is not an easy decision, there are some important points that can help you make up your mind. Before you buy a Santa Cruz home for retirement, ask yourself these four questions.

• What activities do I enjoy? Make sure you buy a Santa Cruz home in a location that gives you the opportunity to do what you like. If you enjoy sailing, find a home near the ocean. Likewise, if you prefer to spend your time fishing, look for a place near a river or lake.

• Will my family be able to visit me? Your children and grandchildren will want to visit you after you move. They also need to be able to reach you easily in the event of an emergency. Consider the location of airports and train stations and the cost of tickets as you choose a home.

• Do I like the area year-round? Unless you plan to split your time between two homes, you need to make sure you like the area year round. In many popular retirement spots, everything seems to shut down in the “off season,” limiting your social and cultural activities. You also need to make sure you can live with the weather. For example, Florida is beautiful during the winter, but are you prepared for the summer heat?

• Can I afford to live here? Check the cost of living and government taxes. States like Washington, Florida, and Texas have no income tax. Oregon and Pennsylvania don’t charge sales tax on certain items. Georgia and South Carolina tend to have lower gas prices. Choose a place that works best with your budget.

Are you planning to move after you retire? I can help you find a Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Fishing 

2. Airport codes 

3. Cost of living

If you own a home, you need homeowners insurance. This important insurance policy protects your home and personal belongings if they are damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster or theft. However, you don’t have to pay a fortune for adequate insurance coverage. Here are 5 ways to save on homeowner’s insurance for your Santa Cruz home.

1. Raise your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you pay before your insurance company pays for a claim on your Santa Cruz home. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium. If you can afford to raise your deductible from $500 to $1000, you can save as much as 25%.

2. Buy your auto and homeowners policies from the same company. Many insurers will give you a discount for purchasing more than one policy. You can save as much as 15% with these combinations, but make sure it really is less than purchasing separate policies from difference companies.

3. Make sure you are insuring your home, not your property. When you bought your home you paid for both the house and the property where it is built. Your property won’t be destroyed in a disaster, so you don’t need to insure it. When buying insurance, consider what it would cost to rebuild your home, not what you paid for it.

4. Reassess the value of your personal property every year. You need insurance to protect you from loss, but you don’t want to pay for more insurance than you need. There’s no reason to insure your 65-inch television for $2,000 if it is now worth only $500.

5. Secure your home. Your insurer will usually give you discounts for security features like deadbolts, smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and monitored security systems. Some companies also give discounts for storm shutters and reinforced roofs to protect your home from natural disasters. Ask your insurer about steps you can take to improve your home’s security and lower your insurance costs.

It doesn’t take much to save a lot of money on your homeowners insurance. If you’re ready to buy or sell your Santa Cruz home, give me a call.  I’d love to help.  Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Insurance deductible

2. Compare insurance policies

3. Security systems

With their original floor plans and fascinating histories, historical homes can make interesting places for your family to live. However, buying a historical home can be different from buying a traditional home. You have to consider more than just the neighborhood and home features. Before you buy a historical Santa Cruz home, be sure to ask these four questions.

1. What are the local historic district regulations? Historical homes are usually registered with a historical building organization, such as the National Registry of Historical Homes, that sets standards for what qualifies as a historical home. These organizations have rules that specify everything from what paint colors you can use to acceptable window upgrades. Make sure you can live with these rules.

2. Will the home need any renovations or restorations? Home repairs for a historical Santa Cruz home can be costly. Not only will you have to find specific materials, but you will also have to find workers who are skilled enough to complete work on delicate properties. Include the potential costs for this work in the home’s asking price and make sure you can afford it.

3. Can the home be repaired or restored with appropriate materials? Historical homes are subject to standards that govern the home’s appearance, and this can limit the work you can do on the home. For example, if you want to paint your home’s exterior, you may be required to use certain colors to maintain the historical designation.

4. Will the home retain its value? Your home is probably your most significant financial investment. It simply doesn’t make sense to buy any home that will decrease in value. Look at the neighborhood and the values of other homes in the areas so you can make the best possible financial decision. Just because a home has a notable history doesn’t automatically mean it will hold its value over time.

If you’re looking for a unique home for your family, a historical Santa Cruz home may be right for you. No matter what type of home you’re looking for, I can help you find the perfect home to meet your needs.  Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. National Registry of Historical Homes  

2. Home repairs

3. Paint

Do you drive by the older, more historic part of town and dream of owning that beautiful Santa Cruz historical home?  Historical homes can be great, but they need to be right for you.  There are many historical homes on the market today, but a lot of them are fixer uppers.  This means either you need to be handy, or you need to have the money to get it restored.  Another option is to buy an already restored home.

Affordability

Many historical Santa Cruz homes offer the buyer affordability, and you can usually find one to fit your budget.  However, you need to be aware that you’ll probably have to do some renovating and repair work to a less expensive historical home.  Some renovations or repairs are minor - cleaning and putting fresh varnish on wooden cabinets, for instance.  Other repairs or renovations can include anything from putting down new floors to tearing out walls.

Advantages

If you have a large family, historical homes are great.  In general, older homes have more bedrooms, which are usually larger than those in newer homes.  This type of home usually has a larger yard too, which is great for kids and pets.

Disadvantages of Older Homes

The interior of older homes are quite different from newer homes.  Homes made in the early 1900’s have very small kitchens, a definite draw back in older homes.  You may also find that older homes have fewer bathrooms and closets than newer homes.

Location

You need to pay attention to the location of older homes.  Some historic homes are in older, run down neighborhoods.  Others are on quiet streets and in centrally located neighborhoods.
Searching for that perfect historical Santa Cruz home can be challenging. You want to find a home that is close to work, beautiful, with the amenities you need. You want to locate a home that doesn’t need a lot of repair. Once you’ve found the perfect historical home and gotten it into shape, you will have a truly distinctive home.

If you’re interested in buying an historic home, or any other type of Santa Cruz home, I can help make the process easy and profitable.  Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

Links:

1. Restoring historic homes

2. Buying an historic home

3. Old house interiors

If you’ve been invited to a housewarming party for a Santa Cruz home, you may wonder what to bring as a gift. Finding the right balance between a useful and personal gift can be tricky no matter how long you’ve known the new homeowner. However, some housewarming gifts are never appropriate. Steer clear of these housewarming gift mistakes.

1. Leave the recycled gifts at home. If you choose to give a recycled gift to friends, you will most likely get caught. When you do, you will appear cheap and inconsiderate. Re-gifting only works for company parties and acquaintances, not close friends.

2. Stay away from the live plants on the clearance rack. Not everyone has a green thumb. In fact, most people don’t do well with live plants. If you choose to give your friends a live plant for their Santa Cruz home, select only fresh, in-season plants that are easy to grow.

3. Say no to live pets. Pets require a considerable amount of work, and anyone who has just moved will be busy getting settled for the next few months. Besides, if your friends want a pet, they probably already have one or will get one on their own.

4. This isn’t the time to show off your fabulous sense of humor. Avoid gag gifts. The hosts don’t want to clutter their new home with useless trinkets, no matter how funny they are.

5. Make sure the hosts will be comfortable opening your gift in front of their guests. Regardless of how well you know the hosts, they will not appreciate opening personal gifts like lingerie. This is a housewarming party, not a bridal shower.

6. Don’t bring anything that conflicts with the homeowner’s personal beliefs. Wine or liquor isn’t an acceptable gift for people who don’t drink alcohol. Certain food products are offensive to some religious groups. Find out this information before you go shopping.

Are you ready to host your own housewarming party? Let me help you find the perfect Santa Cruz home. Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at lauren@laurenspencer.com

LINKS:

1. Plants that are easy to grow 

2. Re-gifting 

3. Wine