Scotts Valley, Ca is a nice community located about 15 minutes north of the Santa Cruz beaches in Santa Cruz, CA.Recently the Scotts Valley Senior Center held it's second annual Wine and Chocolate Festival. The day was sunny and the crowd was steady throughout the day.My date was a spry 86 year old who was not told of the surprise. She was surprised and please to learn of the wine and chocolate.

We tried the different vendors one by one. She sampling the chocolates, me the wine and chocolate pairings suggested by the winemakers. Their were about 6 wineries represented and about 10 chocolatiers. The event was a very fun affair that raised $1700 for the Scotts Valley Senior Center. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist(SRES), supporting such an event was a…

Read Full Post

The Santa Cruz county local chapter of the Alzheimer's association is doing their annual Memory Walk to raise funds for this dreaded disease. It currently affects 50% of the people over 85.

As you and I get older, this is likely to affect us. Currently when a loved one gets this disease it spiritually, emotionally and financially bankrupts the surviving family members and spouses.

Please support this endeavor that I support in my community of Rio Del Mar in the Santa Cruz, Ca area. There are some fine memory care facilities in Santa Cruz County, but with Santa Cruz, Ca real estate so expensive the cost of care is higher here than in other lower cost states. You can donate on line with your credit card  on the link above or by mailing a check made payable…

Read Full Post

California Home Sale Price Medians by City in Santa Cruz County.

See the Santa Cruz home price changes year to year in the area you live in.
Search for Santa Cruz real estate active properties here.

Home Sales Recorded in April 2009

TABLE OF SOLD PROPERTIES BY CITY IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY County / City /Area # Sold April 2009 April 2008 % Change Yr.to Yr. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 163 $404,000 $591,500 -31.70% APTOS 19 $650,000 $684,750 -5.07% … Read Full Post

The Santa Cruz home prices when viewed from last years perspective. There are some great deals out there now. While prices are down, sellers with competitive prices are selling. I am finding in many cases for the homes in the Santa Cruz, Live Oak area that are around $500,000 are in many cases having short market times and multiple offers. While these home are generally bank owned homes or short sales, which can be found on my site, they provide an opportunity for someone to move from renter to owner with these great interest rates. Many buyers are surprised at this surge in market activity and start to realize that they need to be aggressive in their pursuit.The market has changed.

TABLE OF SOLD PROPERTIES BY CITY IN SANTA… Read Full Post

 

Santa Cruz County housing sales while down in price, are up in activity.

While the prices reflect the fact that many of the bank and short sale properties are continuing to drive prices down, it has spurred many cautious buyers into the market. Watsonville real estate continues to dominate the sale for the county, and that is a good thing.

There are some teriffic values, but once people venture out of their shells, they often find for the great deals, several others there waiting with cash in hand or other offers. Smart buyers get approved in advance and work with a knowledgeable agent on how to position themselves for success.

 

TABLE OF SOLD PROPERTIES BY City IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

… Read Full Post

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…

Read Full Post

 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…

Read Full Post

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…

Read Full Post