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        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/weigh-the-options-before-accepting-an-offer-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/weigh-the-options-before-accepting-an-offer-on-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Weigh the Options before Accepting an Offer on Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Selling a Santa Cruz home in this economy can be challenging. There’s a lot of fixing up, cleaning and planning that goes into putting a house on the market. So when sellers get a bite, they might jump on an offer a little too quickly.


If you’re about to put your house on the market, you should be prepared to counter lowball offers and outrageous contingencies. On the other hand, you need to be ready to accept an offer that meets your demands. Take into consideration the following tips so that you’re prepared when a buyer strikes.


• Closing costs assistance – Many first-time Santa Cruz home buyers have barely enough money to cover their down payments. So if you want to close the deal quickly, you might want to have money set aside in case they ask you to help with their closing costs.


• Offer contingent on sale of buyer’s home – Even if the offer is good and you accept it, don’t hang all your hopes on it. Most of the time the contingency is that buyers are waiting to sell their current property. In this economy that could take two months or two years.


• Closing date extension – This will cost you more money. You’ll have to continue with the upkeep of the house and fix any unexpected disasters in between.  Sometimes it’s better to just say no and hope that the buyer agrees to your initial date. However, if the extension isn’t very long or if this is the only offer you’ve had in years, you may be better off accepting it.


• Multiple offers – If you’re lucky enough to have this situation on your hands, just remember that the highest offer isn’t necessarily the best. Be sure to read through the fine print and consult your real estate agent before making a decision. Also remember that you can always counter on the lower offer to see how much they’ll increase their bid.


In such an unpredictable real estate market, there’s a need to weigh your options and talk through offer scenarios with your real estate agent in order to be as prepared as possible to make the best decision.


Thinking of selling your Santa Cruz home? If you’re looking for a professional real estate agent who can help you achieve your real estate goals, please call 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.


For additional information please visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Contingencies


Closing costs assistance


First-time Santa Cruz home buyers


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sun, 04 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-bottom-is-here-and-its-time-to-buy-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/the-bottom-is-here-and-its-time-to-buy-santa-cruz-real-estate.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>The Bottom is Here and It’s Time to Buy Santa Cruz Real Estate</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The latest statistics indicate that the U.S. real estate market is at or very close to the bottom right now.


On January 18, Bloomberg News reported, "Confidence Among U.S. Homebuilders Climbs to Highest Since 2007." Bloomberg said, "The confidence measure, which increased for a fourth straight month, improved in all four regions of the U.S. This is ‘yet another indication of the gradual but steady improvement that is beginning to take hold in an increasing number of housing markets nationwide,’ Bob Nielsen, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a builder from Reno, Nevada, said in a statement.”


The official data on home prices might not show the recovery yet, because they are always months behind, but most other data indicates that in general the housing market has hit the bottom.


Right now, homes in America are the best value they've been in many generations. And right now, mortgage rates are off-the-charts low. In short, now is the time to buy Santa Cruz real estate.


The reasons to buy now are incredibly basic:• U.S. home prices are more affordable than ever – by far.• Mortgage rates are down to record-low levels.• You can often pay below-market prices on short sales and REOs.


Of course, there is no guarantee that this is the bottom. But with prices this low and with very few other great places to invest your money, now’s the time to seriously consider buying Santa Cruz real estate. If you can buy now and hold on to it for a few years, it could be one of the lowest-risk, highest-reward investments you ever make. 


If you're still not convinced real estate is one of the best values out there right now, please give me a call at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.  I will share specific numbers with you about our Santa Cruz real estate market.


For additional information visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Bloomberg News


Mortgage rates are down to record-low levels


Short sales


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/negotiating-repairs-when-buying-a-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/negotiating-repairs-when-buying-a-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Negotiating Repairs When Buying a Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Inspections can turn up repair issues during the Santa Cruz home buying process that can increase your cash outlay as a buyer.  Problems with appliances, plumbing, and HVAC are just a few issues that can crop up.  If you find yourself experiencing repair sticker shock, keep these thoughts in mind: 


• The choice lies with you:  As the buyer, you get to decide whether you want to proceed with the purchase of the Santa Cruz home or not. You are not at the mercy of the seller's demands.  If you can't reach an agreement, then you can opt out of the situation, as long as you’ve included a home inspection contingency in your contract.


• The first estimate you get on the potential repair cost may not be the lowest or most accurate: Before you decide to withdraw your offer on the home when the repair estimate comes back beyond your budget, find out if there is a way to get a better price on the repair.  Always go with a reputable company, but talk to a few specialists to see if there is a less expensive way to address the problem.  Maybe the heating system can be repaired instead of completely replaced.  Perhaps if you have the work done in the summer months, your vendor will cut you a break on the pricing because it is during his off-season. Think creatively!


• Counter-offer: The seller may have low-balled what he is willing to toss into the pot on the theory that you would be counter-offering. 


Remember, no home is going to be absolutely perfect.  But doing what you can to negotiate the best situation – with repair professionals and with the seller – can salvage a deal on a Santa Cruz home that at first seemed to be going south. 


Whether you need help finding a home to buy or negotiating the deal, I can help. Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.


For additional information please visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


HVAC


Reputable company


Counter-offer


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/its-not-too-early-to-start-planning-the-vegetable-garden-at-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/its-not-too-early-to-start-planning-the-vegetable-garden-at-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>It’s Not Too Early To Start Planning the Vegetable Garden at Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Sure, it’s still winter outside, but what could be better than dreaming of next summer in your garden? Now is the time to order your seeds, before the rush. Make 2012 the best year yet for gardening at your Santa Cruz home. Here are some advantages of ordering your seeds from home:


• Enjoy a wide selection. You’ll find a wide variety of seeds in seed catalogs, from heirlooms to hybrids. View page after page of vegetables in different varieties, with details on each one’s traits, giving you loads of options.


• Relax in your Santa Cruz home. No need to waste gas and fight the crowds next spring.


• Order online. Most seed catalogs have online ordering. What this means is, if you know a particular cultivar you want, you can do an online search for it and find out who is selling it.


• Buy non-GMO seeds. If you want to avoid buying any seeds that have been genetically engineered, there are seed companies that take a safe seed pledge to never sell genetically modified seed. Do a web search to find them.


• Get inspired! There is nothing like poring over seed catalogs to get a body inspired and rejuvenated during the long, cold nights of winter. Spring will be here before you know it—be prepared and get ready for it now.


Still renting? You need your own Santa Cruz home with a yard you can dig in! I can help make it happen. Contact me today at 831.662.6522 or Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


For additional information visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links


Heirlooms


Safe seed pledge


Genetically modified
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 25 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/get-your-santa-cruz-home-ready-for-its-close-up.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/get-your-santa-cruz-home-ready-for-its-close-up.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Get Your Santa Cruz Home Ready for Its Close-up</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
The winter season makes staging, or the concept of showing your Santa Cruz home at its best, even more important.  Follow these tips to make your home irresistible:


1. Make every surface shine: Shine bathroom fixtures, stove, refrigerator and faucets.


2. Sweep your front porch: Sweep away all those leaves stuck in the corners.


3. Clean, Clean, Clean: Everything from lamps and light fixtures to bulbs and baseboards.


4. Add fresh flowers: Put them on the entry table, dining room table and anywhere else that needs a splash of color.


5. Remove all clutter: Put it in a storage locker or a friend’s garage. Take down all your personal pictures.  Buyers want to picture their belongings in the house, not yours.


6. Burn potpourri: Or bake something to leave out for potential buyers.


7. Leave every light on:  And every interior door open.


8. Warm it up. Adjust the thermostat so your home is warm and inviting.


9. Take advantage of natural light: Encourage showings during daylight hours. Have all curtains and blinds open during the day and closed at night.


10. Wash the windows: Buyers act on first impressions; the strong winter sun can reveal grime and turn away prospective buyers.


11. Create a little atmosphere: Play music softly in the background. Tune the radio to a classical station, and turn it down so that you barely hear it in the background.


12. Show off hardwood floors: Pull up that wall-to-wall carpeting, clean the floors, store the throw rugs and show the wood!


13. Freshen the walls: At a minimum, clean the walls from top to bottom.  If they still look dingy, give them a fresh coat of paint.  That is the quickest and fastest way to freshen up a room.


14. Use the rule of 3 – Three items per surface, in every room.  Make it look uncluttered and clean by doing this.


If you are ready to sell your Santa Cruz home, I can help you get it on the market and sold.  Call me today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com for more information.


For additional information visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Clean, Clean, Clean


Use the rule of 3


Wash the windows


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-reasons-to-buy-a-newly-constructed-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-reasons-to-buy-a-newly-constructed-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Five Reasons to Buy a Newly Constructed Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
A brand new Santa Cruz home is better than a used home, isn't it? For most people, that's a matter of preference. If you’re unsure which you prefer, consider these five reasons to buy a newly constructed home:


1. You want to pick out everything: Do you want granite or cement countertops? Perhaps you'd like a skylight in your family room or a fireplace in your master bedroom. You get to choose all the fixtures, flooring and faucets. Plan to spend a lot of time making these choices and probably some additional money for upgrades.


2. You want a Santa Cruz home that comes with high-tech and energy-efficient features: You’ll save energy and money with low-flow toilets and shower heads, energy-efficient appliances and higher-efficiency HVAC, doors and windows. New homes are able to handle today's hottest electrical components and gadgets.


3. You want a home that no one else has ever lived in: This is one of the American dreams. Our culture is built around having to own the newest and best. There’s also no wear and tear on the home.


4. You want a planned community. A well-planned community offers a variety of housing choices, plus recreation and other amenities. For many, it's the perfect choice for today's busy lifestyles.


5. You want a new home warranty. Most new homes come with a builder’s warranty which covers "house settling" problems and defects. So if your roof starts leaking or the furnace breaks during the warranty period, your builder will pick up the tab for the repair.


Whether you’ve decided buying a pre-owned or new Santa Cruz home is right for you, I can help. Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


For additional information please visit my homepage at www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Reasons to buy newly constructed home


Planned community


New home warranty
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:32:01 -0800</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-reasons-to-choose-a-resale-santa-cruz-home-over-new-construction.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/five-reasons-to-choose-a-resale-santa-cruz-home-over-new-construction.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Five Reasons to Choose a Resale Santa Cruz Home Over New Construction</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
You’ve decided you want to buy a Santa Cruz home, but you’re not sure if you should buy a previously-owned home or a newly built home.


Here are five reasons why buying a pre-owned Santa Cruz home might be right for you:


1. You want big trees – The cost of landscaping a newly built home can be exorbitant, especially if you want big trees immediately. When you buy a resale home, you get the benefit of bigger trees that have taken years (even decades or centuries) to sink deep roots and grow broad, shade-providing canopies.


2. You want an established neighborhood: Who wants to deal with the noise and dust until all the construction is completed? No one! What if all the homes don’t sell? You could end up living in a partially finished neighborhood without all the promised amenities. When you buy a pre-owned home, you know what you’re getting – just ask the neighbors and check the crime stats.


3. You don’t want to have to deal with a home builder. Not only do you have to deal with the builder while the home is being built, you’ll also be dealing with him or her for years afterwards. There are invariably things that need to be fixed, even after you move into your newly constructed home. If you decide to build a new home, hire a real estate agent to represent you before you begin the process of looking at home construction, and thoroughly research the builder before signing anything.


4. You don’t want to pick out everything: Most people think they want the opportunity to pick out all the light fixtures, flooring, countertops, and on and on, but the reality is that it’s very time consuming. It’s also hard work if you don’t enjoy or have a knack for decorating.


5. You want a definite move-in date: When you’re building a new home, there are invariably time delays. They can be caused by bad weather, slow supply delivery, overbooked subcontractors.  Unfortunately, you have no control over any of these.


Whether you’ve decided buying a pre-owned or new Santa Cruz home is right for you, I can help. Give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


To receive property updates visit www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Cost of landscaping


Check the crime stats


Home builder
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/check-out-the-attic-in-your-santa-cruz-home.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/check-out-the-attic-in-your-santa-cruz-home.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Check Out the Attic in Your Santa Cruz Home</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you have easy access to your attic, a quick inspection will either put your mind at ease or alert you to situations that need to be remedied before they cause problems. Why is now a good time to check your attic? If you’ve ever been in an attic in the summer, you know why you should do it now.


Here are just some of the things you should check out in the attic of your Santa Cruz home:


• Insulation. Is it adequate? Has it shifted around into peaks and valleys? Is it properly installed? Are there gaps that need to be filled?• Ducts. Are there open joints in the ductwork? Are the ducts insulated?• Ventilation. Are vent openings blocked? If you see frost on roofing nails, or rust stains or mildew around roofing nails, it means the attic needs more ventilation.• Leaks. Do you see evidence of past or current roof leaks? Look for delaminating plywood or warped roofing boards. Check around the chimney and vent stacks to see if they need to be sealed where they penetrate the roof.• Vent stacks. Do they terminate in the attic? Ideally they should vent out above the roof. If they vent into the attic, they need to be capped with an air admittance valve (AAV).• Exhaust fans. Check to see where kitchen and bath fan ducts are. Do they vent into the attic? They should vent above the roof; otherwise they are adding excess humidity to the attic of your Santa Cruz home.• Electrical wiring. Are there open electrical junction boxes or makeshift wiring? These are a fire hazard and need to be addressed.• Structural problems. Check the rafters and trusses for cracked, broken or sagging members.


Once you do an inspection of your Santa Cruz home’s attic, you’ll feel like you really have a firm grasp of its integrity. You’ll be able to face any issues you find and prevent bigger problems in the future.


For more home maintenance tips like these view www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links


Insulation


Ducts


Air admittance valve


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2012-could-be-your-year-to-buy-a-second-home-in-santa-cruz.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/2012-could-be-your-year-to-buy-a-second-home-in-santa-cruz.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>2012 Could Be Your Year to Buy a Second Home in Santa Cruz</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
If you've ever dreamed of purchasing investment property, owning a vacation home or buying a home in Santa Cruz for a family member, this could be the year to check that off your bucket list.  With record low interest rates and decreased prices, it is a buyer’s market, particularly in the second-home market. 


Before you sign on the dotted line of another mortgage, be it for a beach condo in Florida or a home in Santa Cruz that you plan to rent, be sure to:


• Check your credit. The same rules apply for a getting a mortgage on a second home as on a first.  Good credit means better loan terms.


• Save for a down payment. The more money you can put down, the lower your mortgage.  If you put 20% down, you can save money by avoiding Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) requirements


• Check your budget.  It may be cheaper to rent that ski villa or palm tree paradise for a month than pay a mortgage year round. Consider what you really want in a second home, and what you are willing to pay for that. 


• Check your time.  Choose a second home carefully and make sure that you will really use it, or can rent it when you are not using it. There is no sense paying for a second home that remains shuttered and locked. 


Once you consider the basics of your situation, you can begin looking for a second home with the confidence that you can afford the time and expense it requires.  Your second home could be just around the corner – or palm tree.


If buying a second home in Santa Cruz is on your bucket list, give me a call today at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


For additional information please visit www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Good credit


Private Mortgage Insurance


Ski villa


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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            <guid>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/brush-up-on-santa-cruz-real-estate-agent-acronyms-before-buying-or-selling.html</guid>
            <link>http://www.blog.mysantacruzrealestate.com/blog/brush-up-on-santa-cruz-real-estate-agent-acronyms-before-buying-or-selling.html</link>
            <author>lauren@laurenspencer.com (Lauren Spencer)</author>
            <title>Brush Up on Santa Cruz Real Estate Agent Acronyms before Buying or Selling</title>
            <description> <![CDATA[ 
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home, finding the perfect Santa Cruz real estate agent can be tough. The process is often overwhelming and you want to ensure that you have the right person by your side — someone who’s trustworthy, hard-working and knows what they’re doing!


That is why it’s extremely important to do your research thoroughly when it comes to Santa Cruz real estate agents. You need to interview several agents, follow through on referrals and ensure they have the proper credentials.


All the acronyms after agents’ names can be confusing, so here are a few that describe specializations you might need:


• SRES – This stands for Senior Real Estate Specialist. The SRES designation is for agents who work with buyers and sellers over the age of 55. If you’re over the age of 55 or are helping your parents who are over the age of 55 buy or sell, you may want to find an agent with an SRES designation.


• NAR’s Green Designation – This designation means the agent has had training in green building qualifications and sustainable business practices. Look for an agent with these acronyms if green living is on your home checklist.


• SFR -- This acronym stands for Short Sale &amp; Foreclosure Resource – As the certification indicates, these are agents who specialize in short sales and foreclosures. With the economy forcing many homeowners into one of these categories, it could be valuable to have an expert with this designation to help you successfully navigate the tricky processes.


Just because agents have an acronym or two or three after their names doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for you. However, the designations can give you some clues as to their level of knowledge and areas in which they specialize.


If you have more questions about real estate acronyms and designations or are looking for a qualified, professional Santa Cruz real estate agent, please call me at 831.662.6522 or email me at Lauren@LaurenSpencer.com.


For additional information please visit www.MySantaCruzRealEstate.com.


Links:


Interview several agents


Green building


Home checklist


 
 ]]> </description>
            <pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:01:00 -0800</pubDate>
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