24 Feb 2023

Curious about Market Conditions for Early 2023? 

How’s the market for January – February 2023? FRIGID. Most indicators are quite low relative to a year ago, to put it mildly. Our newsletter will give you more detailed statistics for the county and cities for both single family residential and condos. It’s quite sobering to see the reduction in almost every indicator and cause to pause: For Santa Cruz County:  Single Family Residential Change from Jan 2022: -7.0% Median sales price drop -10.2%

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County | Read moreLeave a comment
24 Feb 2023

Why So Many Multifamily Buildings Under Construction in Santa Cruz County? 

And what about all this building activity? Did you know: Since 1969, California has required all jurisdictions to plan and meet the housing needs of all people in their community? Clearly there are a few unmet housing needs as our housing shortage and affordability issues are easy to see both locally and statewide. Welcome to the Santa Cruz County 6th Cycle Housing Element new cycle starting January 2023.  Based on “Regional Housing Need Determination, there

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County | Read moreLeave a comment
26 Jan 2023

What’s the temperature on the foreclosure market and inventory for 2023?

Foreclosures? With the rapid rise in interest rates, we have seen in the latter part of 2022,one might wonder if that will precipitate a foreclosure storm. Unlikely. Let’ssee what the data brings to light.Attom Data has been tracking foreclosures for decades. They are claimingthe current market is shielded from a foreclosure storm by several keyfactors. First, changes in the lending practices initiated by the Dodd Frank Actin 2010 greatly reduced foreclosures. Even before the pandemic

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County | Read moreLeave a comment
25 Jan 2023

Is the Power of Negotiation Relevant in Real Estate?

First: I tend to write as though I am an expert sounding a bit all-knowing. Please consider I am as fallible as anyone, and the truth is I am always practicing and improving. I am better today than yesterday and will be even better when I meet you. As a trained and focused negotiator, I am intently focused on my fiduciary duty: getting the absolute best price for my clients. Since most agents are not

By Christine Schneider | | In Home Buying Tips and Advice | Read moreLeave a comment
15 Dec 2022

Where is real estate going in 2023?

Let’s see what others are saying and a few statistics:  November Santa Cruz County Market Stats: SFR (Single Family Residential) Sales were down 45.5 % year over year Median Price for SFR resale homes was down 0.8% year over year Median Price for SFR resale home in November was down 7.3% from October Average Sales Price fell 3.6% year over year.  Inventory was up by 104.9% year over year.  Sales Price to List Price Ratio

By Christine Schneider | | In California Real Estate Trends, Uncategorized | Read moreLeave a comment

Is now a bad time to buy in Santa Cruz County Real Estate Market?  

First, your timing on buying a home can be variable or fixed. If it’s fixed, book your trusted advisor call with us so we can collaborate to create the best strategy for your home purchase. With a knowledgeable advisor who is a skillful communicator and a high-level negotiator, you can optimize your buying experience. If its variable, well, you might want to be patient, especially if you are all cash or have a large down

By Christine Schneider | | In California Real Estate Trends, Home Buying Tips and Advice | Read moreLeave a comment
19 Oct 2022

Will the market drop in 2023?

Fannie Mae sure thinks so.  They expect home prices to fall next year. As the Federal Reserve policymakers struggle with inflation, Fannie Mae’s predictions are: National home prices to decline by 1.5 percent in 2023, and home sales predicted to fall by 21 percent. While the fight to control inflation by tightening the monetary policy continues, the slowing effect on the housing market of the higher mortgage rate environment is predictable and evident. Prices are

By Christine Schneider | | In California Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
11 Aug 2022

Who Moved My Cheese?

 “Will the housing market crash?” (Question asked more now than ever on Google) The actual issue now is not are we in a downtrend real estate market, it’s how long will it last and how intense will it be?You are probably wondering: Will it turn around soon?Well, it is possible - though likely a unicorn event, and I don’t see a lot of unicorns on the street.If you are frozen with fear, that’s path to

By Christine Schneider | | In California Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
7 Jul 2022

8 Things That Can Hurt Your Home Value

Many things can drive down the value of your home. As a homeowner and a seller, you should be familiar with these factors. Some of them, like market situation, interest rates, and the economy, are beyond your control, while others are very much under your influence. So, to get the highest possible ROI, you must know the dos and don'ts of real estate when it comes to selling. To make this process easier for you,

By Christine Schneider | | In Home Selling Tips and Advice, Uncategorized | Read moreLeave a comment
31 May 2022

Pros and Cons of Different Roof Types

Roof types are an important aspect of your home's design. They can go a long way in helping you determine the look and feel of your living space. If you are looking to remodel or even just update your roof, then it is important that you know about the different kinds of roofs available today. Asphalt Composition Shingles Roof A composition shingle consists of thin layers of asphalt or other materials with a paper face.

By Christine Schneider | | In Uncategorized | Read moreLeave a comment
26 Apr 2022

Negotiation Skills of a Successful Real Estate Agent: A Dive into Tactical Empathy

After more than a decade in the real estate industry and working as a broker in central California, I have fine-tuned my answer to these questions and would like to share my insights into how real estate agents can use “tactical empathy” to negotiate on behalf of their clients.

By Christine Schneider | | In Home Buying Tips and Advice, Home Selling Tips and Advice | Read moreLeave a comment
24 Nov 2021

City of Capitola: Vacation Rentals Ordinance (November 2021)

The City of Capitola has been impacted by an increase in tourism along the Central Coast, and property owners are pursuing the opportunity to transition their homes into vacation rentals. Before jumping in, however, residents need to familiarize themselves with the City of Capitola’s rules and regulations regarding new and existing vacation homes.

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County, California Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
24 Nov 2021

City of Santa Cruz: Vacation Rentals Ordinance (November 2021)

Due to the city’s growth in popularity over the years, investors and homeowners are looking to leverage their primary, secondary, and investment homes by renting them out to tourists. However, this increased popularity has led to more city regulations. Anyone considering turning their home into a vacation rental needs to keep the following information in mind.

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County, California Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
24 Nov 2021

Santa Cruz County: Vacation Rentals Ordinance (November 2021)

Located along California’s Central Coast, approximately 70 miles south of San Jose, Santa Cruz County enjoys a $1.1 billion annual tourism industry. Its beautiful beaches, stunning trails, and family activities bring visitors from all around the globe. As a result, more homeowners are interested in turning their properties into vacation rentals! Before venturing down this path, however, it is essential for people to understand what is permitted regarding vacation rentals in Santa Cruz County. Santa

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County, California Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
22 Oct 2021

Here’s What You Need to Disclose When Selling Your Home

If you're a resident of the Golden State, you are required by law to disclose specific details about your property to prospective buyers. You can share this information via the State of California, Department of Real Estate, Disclosures in Real Property Transactions form. You can use this form, also known as the real estate transfer disclosure statement (TDS), to "describe the condition of property and, in the case of a sale, to a prospective buyer

By Christine Schneider | | In Home Selling Tips and Advice | Read moreLeave a comment
22 Oct 2021

Keeping Your Property Safe for Visitors

Did you know that you are responsible for anyone who steps foot on your property, whether you invited them or not? If you’re like most homeowners, you may not be aware of your responsibility to keep children and others safe in your neighborhood. You may believe that the safety of neighborhood children, as well as other visitors to other properties, is the responsibility of their parents (or other property owners). However, according to state law,

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County, How to | Read more1 Comment
23 Aug 2021

How Direct Air Technology Can Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

The global temperature is rising and poses an enormous risk to the world around us. CO2 emitted by fossil fuels is one of the largest contributors to the problem, accounting for 65% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To ensure our future's security, scientists have been assessing how to reduce global warming, limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C or less per year, and the recent increased use of carbon capture technology is one possible solution. However, the effectiveness of this technique is still controversial. Here's what we know so far.

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23 Aug 2021

Discussions Continue in Santa Cruz County About Loosening ADU Ordinances

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has been discussing the need for changes to the accessory dwelling unit (ADU) handbook for months with the expectation that outstanding issues would be resolved at this month’s meeting. However, the discussion will continue as the board rejected proposed recommendations at the August 10 gathering.

By Christine Schneider | | In All About Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Legislation and Your Real Estate | Read moreLeave a comment
19 Jul 2021

Exercising Care and Caution with Cash-Out Financing

In 2020, the United States witnessed a real estate phenomenon. Interest rates dropped, home prices rose, and U.S. homeowners pulled out nearly $185 billion from their homes' equity through cash-out refinancing, representing the highest amount of equity pulled out since 2007. However, analysts are now warning homeowners to be cautious when pursuing a cash-out refinance. Here's why.

By Christine Schneider | | In California Real Estate Trends, Home Buying Tips and Advice, Investment Property in Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
16 Jul 2021

California Moratorium on Evictions Extended Until September 30, 2021

We recently wrote about the numerous moratoriums implemented by varying levels of government, including both federal and state agencies. The situation has continued to evolve, and governments are responding. Mostly recently, on June 28, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation, AB 832, extending the state’s eviction moratorium through September 30, 2021 and providing debt relief for “Californians that have suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic.”

By Christine Schneider | | In California Legislation and Your Real Estate, California Real Estate Trends | Read moreLeave a comment
16 Jul 2021

Understanding Legal Tools Prevents Trespassers from Taking Your Property

Most homeowners are unaware that their property could be legally taken from their possession by a trespasser. It sounds outlandish, but unfortunately, such a shocking transfer of ownership can happen, and property owners should be educated on their state’s laws regarding this process. Knowing the rules can help homeowners reduce the risk of losing their property unexpectedly or being taken advantage of.

By Christine Schneider | | In How to, Uncategorized | Read moreLeave a comment
25 Jun 2021

Is your neighbor obstructing your view? Here’s What You Can Do

A property’s value is often related to the view it offers residents. A home facing an ocean or lake often sells at an exponentially higher rate than its neighbor across the street. This is due to the simple fact that residents reap the benefits of waking up to a luxurious coastal view every morning. Unfortunately, pristine views are not guaranteed, and occasionally a neighbor can obstruct yours. Has this happened to you? If so, what

By Christine Schneider | | In Home Buying Tips and Advice, Home Selling Tips and Advice | Read moreLeave a comment
24 Jun 2021

According to NASA, Indoor Plants Improve Air Quality! Here’s What Homeowners Need to Know

Typically, we think about air pollution as something that affects us most when we are outside — you probably imagine the kind of smoggy air you can see and smell, especially in cities with sizable manufacturing industries. It might surprise you to know that indoor pollution, which is less obvious, can be much more insidious and just as bad for your health — or even worse! These plants can help.

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