Beautiful day, warm temps, clear skies.
Thankful to be alive and living in this wonderful place.
Rio Del Mar Beach, Famous Cement Ship, Aptos, CA
Posted in About our Area, Aptos CA Real Estate | Leave a Comment »
One of the most frequent objections homeowners use for not selling over the holidays is….because it is the Holidays!
There are 10 benefits to list and sell at the end of the year.
- By selling now, you may have an opportunity to be a non-contingent buyer during the spring when many more houses are on the market for less money. This will allow you to sell high and buy low.
- You can sell now for more money and we will provide for a delayed closing or extended occupancy until early next year.
- Even though your house will be on the market, you still have the option to restrict showings during the six or seven days around the holidays.
- January is traditionally the month for employees to begin new jobs. Since transferees cannot wait until spring to buy, you need to be on the market during the holidays to capture the market.
- Some people must buy before the end of the year for tax reasons.
- Buyers have more time to look for a home during the holidays than during the regular work week.
- Buyers are more emotional during the holidays, so they are more likely to pay your price.
- Houses show better when decorated for the holidays.
- Since the supply of listings will dramatically increase in January, there will be less demand for your particular home. Less demand means less money for you.
- Serious buyers have fewer houses to choose from during the holidays and less competition means more money for you.
and the bonus reason why is ”people who look for homes during the holidays are more serious buyers”!!
Let us help you find your dream home at the beach……
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This information is being shared with permission of Dianna Kokoszka with MAPS coaching.
Posted in Home Sellers | Tagged buyers market, sell high buy low | Leave a Comment »
Being a homeowner is one of the biggest dreams for the American people. Due to record numbers of homeownership and cheap mortgage rates, individuals who did not own a home previously are now looking for mortgages for financing their ambitions. On certain occasions, the dream of homeownership is associated with a cost that exceeds the mortgage.
For finding out how much your mortgage is going to cost you, a loan mortgage calculator often works as a user-friendly tool. Nevertheless, this tool can’t save you all the time. Similar to other forms of investment, real estate mortgage loans are also subject to scams. Mortgage frauds and scams can make you lose thousands of dollars on interest as a minimum because of excessive fees and other hidden costs. The worst that can happen is that you can lose your home to foreclosure.
According to industry professionals, there are three principal or familiar types of real estate fraud:
1. Identity theft via mortgage request
2. Bait and switch
3. Loan flipping
Read the full article about this serious mortgage problem.
Posted in Home Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage News | Tagged homeownership, mortgage scams, real estate loans | Leave a Comment »
The median price in Santa Cruz County decreased another $20,000 to $515,000 in October. Sales for bank owned properties and short sales actually declined some. The average price declined 3.6% from the previous month but was less than .5% below one year ago at $573,592.
Overall depreciation is now at 13.6% compared to the end of 2008 but at one point this year it was as much as 32.2%.
While the statistics show a overall declines, homeowners can take heart as this may be attributed to seasonal swings. The extension and expansion of the home buyer tax credit should increase demand and pending home sales. Additionally, the unemployment rate in Santa Cruz is lower than the state average and ranks number 13 among the state’s 57 counties. The lower unemployment rate means people are working and can still qualify to buy, also increasing demand. Another interesting factor that effects the local market is the reduced number of REO properties being released by the banks.
All this can potentially lead to a lower supply and more demand. Buyers need to be aware that increased demand can lead to competition for good buys and can lead to multiple offer situations. In the last 2 months, several of my listings have received 9 to 15 offers.
Let us help you get your home sold quickly and for the highest price possible. Call us today!
Statistical Highlights for Single Family Homes:
* Inventory decreased 9.9% from Sep ‘09, & down 28.2% from Oct ‘08
* Unit sales increased 13.5% from Sep ‘09, and up 27.3% over Oct ‘08
* Days on the market increased to 109 from Sep, prior year 99
* Median price decreased 3.7% from Sep ‘09 but up 4.0% compared to Oct ‘08
* Sales price vs. listing price ratio decreased over Sep ‘09 to 96.7%
* 4.7 mo’s of inventory available at the end of Oct ‘09 as compared to 8.4 in Oct ‘08
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(These statistics are believed to be accurate but not guaranteed)
Posted in Housing Market Updates, Santa Cruz Real Estate Stats | Tagged average price, bank owned, depreciation, homeowners, housing inventory, median price | Leave a Comment »
The median price in Santa Cruz County increased to $535,000 after a one month dip in August. Sales are still being driven by bank owned properties and short sales.
The average price was the highest it has been all year at $595,425 and unit sales are 13% higher than they were one year ago.
This increase seems to be driven by the fact that the lower end is finally drying up with one-third the inventory of a year ago and almost 20% of September sales were in the $500,000 price range.
Statistical Highlights for Single Family Homes:
* Inventory decreased 5.1% from Aug ‘09, and down 25.1% from Sep ‘08
* Unit sales decreased from Aug ‘09, but increased 6.5% over Sept ‘08
* Days on the market decreased to 86 from Aug, prior year 99
* Median price increased 7.5% from Aug ‘09 and increased 17.2% compared to Sept ‘08
* Sales price vs. listing price ratio increased over Aug ‘09 to 98.1%
* 5.9 mo’s of inventory available at the end of Sep ‘09 as compared to 8.5 in Sep ‘08
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(These statistics are believed to be accurate but not guaranteed)
Posted in Housing Market Updates, Santa Cruz Real Estate Stats | Tagged bank owned, home sales, median prices | 1 Comment »
Just listed close to La Selva Beach in Santa Cruz County. A wonderful contemporary home with attractive landscaping and a mature tree lined quiet street. Amenities include: Oak floors; Decorator lighting; Designer colors; Custom draperies; Granite countertops; Black Chrome Gas Range/Convection Oven and matching appliances; High ceilings and Skylights throughout; French doors in Master Bedroom off private deck; Double Jacuzzi tub w/large glass brick shower in Master Bath. 3 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths, 2100+ square feet, 2 Car Garage.
Come by the Open House on Sat/Sun, September 26/27, from 1-4pm or call Carol directly at 800-318-7052.
Posted in Just Listed | Tagged 3 bedroom home, Homes For Sale, just listed in santa cruz | Leave a Comment »
Americans lose more than $1B to identify theft each year. There crooks thrive on paper trails that we all leave. So cover your trails!
Here are some tips on what you should keep and what you can destroy:
1- The IRS has 3 years to challenge information in your return and 6 years to conduct an audit based on unreported income. Keep tax returns and supporting records, like W-2’s and 1099’s for at least 7 years.
2- Most brokerages and mutual fund companies send annual statement summarizing the year’s transactions. Once you have these, you should destroy your monthly and or quarterly statements.
3- Keep bank statements that back up information on your tax returns for up to 7 years. Other bank statements can be destroyed after reviewing for errors.
4- Keep credit card statements for big purchases, like jewelry or large appliances. You might need them for warranties. Other monthly statements can be destroyed once you’ve reviewed them for errors or unauthorized purchases.
5- While many people say to save pay stubs, it’s a huge mistake. They contain everything an identity thief needs to open an account. Keep 3 months of history only if you are applying for a mortgage.
6- Destroy ATM receipts after your balance your bank statement.
7- If canceled checks have no significance for tax or other purposes, these should be destroyed after 1 year.
8- Keep retirement plan contributions records such as Roth IRA’s indefinitely. Without them, you may find yourself paying taxes again when the money is withdrawn. Some financial institutions keep records of IRA contributions, but it’s best not to count on it.
9- Insurance policies, wills and other legal documents should be kept indefinitely.
One of the best ways to destroy documents is with a shredder, but your can burn them, soak them in water for a while then mix into a mash, tear them into tiny pieces or use your imagination.
For the documents you are saving, you may want to consider a fireproof box or something similar to stash them in. You may also want to put them in a safety deposit box.
Posted in Home Buyers, Home Sellers | Tagged identity theft | Leave a Comment »
