In Santa Cruz County we celebrate the migration of animals. Many here are enamored with the natural beauty that Santa Cruz California has to offer. While I am most often involved with Rio Del Mar Beach real estate and enjoy strolling along the beaches, the time is great to clear the mind and view some of the migratory birds that make the beach their home.

Seacliff State Beach is connected to Rio Del Mar beach and has some nice oceanfront beach homes. From there many can watch the bird, egrets, sand pipers, pelicans and many other birds as they interact with the ocean in front of them. There is a nice walkway to enjoy this too which is great to get exercise for the body, ad you exercise your mind. In the Seacliff State Beach park they have an exhibit as…

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 We agents have had this dilemma at different times in our careers. This is about the 3rd cycle like what we are facing that I can remember. Sure things are a lot worse all over, but many will remember the Resolution Trust Company the government had to set up to take over banks and sell homes- assets.

The problem many face are what to do with an tenant in a rental. Santa Cruz California has rental laws locally and statewide that offer protections for renters. It is murky waters when a tenant gets served a notice that the house is being foreclosed on. The tenants are innocents in this situation. The pay their money on time ( hopefully) and have in exchange from the landlord (hopefully) a safe and suitable place to call home.

So what does one do and how…

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The big 3 automakers have some great cars and engineers, some great designs too. It seems that forward thinking leadership is generally lacking though. Sure there are some cool concept cars that come out at times, but much of the really interesting stuff seem to stay in the back rooms.

The leadership of GM notably has grown bloated as I think many of the American automakers seem to be. Ford has realized I think in the past few years it needs to get on board with higher fuel efficiency and that it had nothing in the back room to do it. Thank you Toyota, and it has some hybrids that seem to be popular.If you can't beat them join them.

While I think the American automakers can make great cars, energy efficient, and affordable, it takes some innovative ideas…

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The changing of chain stores in our largest mall in Capitola is a sign of the times. Sometimes business take on too much debt with expansions, other times their product mix is poor. Is it a surprise that in this stock market meltdown that Walmart is doing well?

My own experience was that Mervyn's, which had the mid priced name brand merchandise was usually about 20% higher than I would have expected. I will not miss them, as Kohl's is a competitor in the same product space/price as Target. I think they will do well, as well as also bringing another national name brand to the Capitola Mall.

The mall has a good mix of stores with Gottschalks and Macy's and Sears anchoring the shopping center, as well as Ross in a stand alone store. Capitola Beach homes are…

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Santa Cruz is a beautiful spot to visit any time of year. With millions of tourists, Santa Cruz is often on the list for those who put it on their itinerary when they visit San Francisco or have business in Silicon Valley.

While our tourism is highest during the summer, the winter time is quite pretty as well, and less crowded. Santa Cruz beach homes are often in demand for rentals when people come back once they have determined that yes, this is a cool spot to visit or live. While Santa Cruz was on the top 10 a few years ago as a vacation spot, it is good once again to be recognized by a national magazine, Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Magazine- Top places to enjoy Christmas Some of the Top 10 places are in the states and world wide. Here is the…

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I co-sponsored the recent Santa Cruz Seniors Symposium, which was important to me as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. The workshop was put on by Dan Nicholas, who is a long term care insurance specialist.

The workshop was well attended as people wrestle with the huge silver tsunami that will be sweeping our generation soon. Many in the general public do not know to get this insurance, and the goverment has been doing this care in a costly manor.

For those who have older parents, the cost that you are facing for long term care are staggering and can lead to financial wipe out and destitution unless one is very well to do, or you have planned ahead and have gotten long term car insurance. The fact is many who have gotten long term care have it kick in…

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 Alzheimers' is a disease that affects more and more of us.It is one of those diseases that is tragic in more ways than most. While I won't go into all the ways, suffice to say that it is a disease that robs the living almost as much as the afflicted, emotionally, physically and monetarily. For an interactive tour of what goes on in the brain of an Alzheimers patient check out the link. It is pretty informative.

Today is National Memory Screening Day ,follow the link to see the closest location for you for screening today November 18th, 2008. There is no location in Santa Cruz, California, but nearby in Freedon,Ca you can take you loved one for testing today at

Name of Organization: Kmart Pharmacy … Read Full Post

Santa Cruz Homebuying Sale Prices

Home Sales Recorded in September 2008-Santa Cruz home sales medians.The number of Santa Cruz home buyers,buying single family residences and condos.

The Watsonville market is teeming with first time homebuyers and investors and their activity has surpassed the sales unit total of Santa Cruz home buyers.The market there is flooded with foreclosures and short sales of bank owned homes,which leads to great Watsonville home buying opportunities. The prices are really great and offers many who can't buy in Santa Cruz, the opportunity to get out from renting and become a home owner.

Some of the other areas are seeing activity as Santa Cruz first time homebuyers start to get over their fears and venture out. The opportunites…

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