Santa Cruz Real Estate's Blog: All Categories

Capitola's annual Begonia Fesitval happens at the end of August over the labor day weekend. This is a fun family event that starts off Friday night with movies at the beach. Bring your beach chairs and sweatshirts and blankets for this fun event.

Sautrday August 30th is the always fun and creative Sand Castle competition that starts at 8:30 for registration. Be sure to have fun, bring your tools and toys to make a great scuplture and a camera in a zip lock bag to record your artful creation and those of the competition. A great family event. Judging is around noon.

For those who just wish to watch, there is plenty to look at, in addition to the Sand Castle Competition, there is the the art of young local artists on display from 9-12. For a schedule of…

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California Property management and undocumented aliens- California AB 976

In California, we have many undocumented aliens. Right or wrong as it maybe that they are here, they do work that many others don’t or won’t do. They often bring their culture with them and are a valuable part of California life. Because of cultural differences and a reasonable fear of authorities, many live a cash existence. This has some good and bad consequences, namely they do not establish a credit history, which most landlords rely on in evaluating the decision to rent. The plus side is, they don’t have the credit card debt that most Americans have. As a landlord you have to balance many factors in deciding to rent your property. You want a good quality tenant who is…

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Capitola California has been a beach town for well over 100 years and has many interesting neighboring areas,including Pot Belly Beach to the south. Many from all parts of the San Francisco Bay have surrendered their summers to Capitola's shores. Capitola used to be a beach town that had a grand hotel and quite a lively business up until the late 1920's. It tragically went down to fire as many did in that day.

Up the streeet at the top of the hill was the train depot that brought passengers from afar. Of course, before that, it was all horse and buggy. The train depot would later be reinvigorated to spendor as the Inn at Depot Hill. The hill or plateau above this town became known as Depot Hill. You can learn more of Capitola and its' communities,…

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Santa Cruz real estate market has opportunitie and pockets of strength

The Santa Cruz real estate market has pockets of strong life.It is what you are looking for and where that determines the strength. There are many first time buyers looking, which great. These sales median prices are from June 2008 versus a year ago and show  trends, some surprising. Look at the month before Santa Cruz real estate statistics .

Santa Cruz vacation and retirement buyers are looking as well and seem to be more interested in the ocean fronting properties. We have more Santa Cruz beach houses available and those nearby in other areas, which gives more choice than normal. This is a great time to show for that retirement home at a discount.

First time buyers have a great…

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Santa Cruz, California Home Sale Prices

Median Home Price by city in Santa Cruz County-    Home Sales Recorded in May 2008

Reporting single family houses and condos sales as a percentage of change is from the same month last year in the cities of Santa Cruz County,California.   The Santa Cruz real estate market is not as bad as the statistics read at first glance.This is the year to year data for the month of May 2008 against one years agos sales prices. One thing I have noticed is more activity as buyers, yes you reading this- are starting to move out of the negative paralyzed by fear -zone that the media portrays so well, and buy. Pat yourself on the back. If a few years you will see the wisdom of your faith.There are some terriffic values and… Read Full Post

Most recently we have had a number of weather events in the media. Flooding in Iowa, and fires here in Corralitos and just this week in Bonny Doon. Real estate in Bonny Doon is varied as the terrain. The area is ruggedly beautiful in areas and gently beautiful in others. There is a wide array of land from towering redwoods to rolling farmland to beautiful vistas over the valley towards Loma Prieta. This is truly a beautiful place if you want some peace of mind and don't want to be too far out.

Bonny Doon is located about 20 minutes north of Santa Cruz. It is a quiet little community that revolves around the Bonny Doon Fire and Rescue Department( all volunteer) and the school. The latter doubling as a meeting center. The fire that just scorched a bunch of…

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So today is another day in life . For some it is a special day they get to be treated like a king, for others it is a day to sell something. While in real estate we'd like to think a kind wife would buy her husband a beach house or the ski chateau, but that happens with rare frequency. Maybe it shouldn't ,and this should be a mothers and fathers day gift to each of you?

As Lexus has tried to sell the idea of buying a 50 or 60 thousand dollar car as a gift, that is more plausible to most, from a financial standpoint. In the Santa Cruz area, almost any real estate is going to cost you $300,000 as a minimun. So if we were to consider what you would pay, cash, for the Lexus, that would be a good down payment on an entry level condominium. So instead of 5…

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You know these stamp changes are a pain. At least postage does not change as fast, and as often as gasoline. I mail letters and sometimes colorful postcards of new real estate listings in Santa Cruz to clients. Since what I mail varies; I have a variety of stamps. Then the postage changes and I have more stamps to make up for the one or two cents that I am short for a first class. So I have a bunch of stamps.In fact a messy drawer full of stamps.

When I mail here in Aptos, there is often a line. It is better in Capitola, and they are always helpful. Just the other day I was in the Santa Cruz post office and I mentioned I had a drawer full of stamps, some of which had no denomination. So does anyone know the value of the stamp with the statue of liberty…

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