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Santa Cruz, CA Real Estate News

By Mike Young, FHA 203k Consultant 828-469-7462
(203kOnLine.com, covering the USA)
Lenders from anywhere actually can benefit form the FHA 203k loan program by being prepared for the volume if they do some simple things. 1) Build your team wisely. Don't wait  until you have some orders before you seek your "203k consultant". Interview them and see what they do for you to make these happen faster. If all they do is provide a bid spec and a draw request, I would keep looking. We have trained a good number of consultants across the nation since 1995 and we always teach them to "provide more than you expect".  2) Be prepared in your "back office" for the underwriting portion before you get your first order. Our consultants nationally will provide you with a more consistent product for your underwriting staff so you "know" that all of the pieces are there when you get the ...
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By Jessica Wallace, Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345
(Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz)
SANTA CRUZ HOMES SALES - REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT Looking back at Santa Cruz County Homes Sales over the past 2 years we have seen some changes, both good and bad.  Comparing 2009 to 2010 in the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market may tell us a bit about where we are heading for 2011. With the First Time Home Buyer tax credit last year and record low interest rates, First Time Home Buyers made up a lot of the Santa Cruz home buying market.  Even with those incentives there were still less Santa Cruz Home Sales in 2010 than in 2009.  In 2010 there were 1588 home sales in Santa Cruz County.  In 2009 there were slightly more Santa Cruz homes sales - 1754. A positive trend in the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market comparing 2009 to 2010 is that the average days on market has gone down.  In 2009 the a...
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By Seb Frey, Helping Long-Time Bay Area Homeowners
(Compass)
  Sweet Beach Retreat! Prime Pleasure Point - 4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths! 2911   Calla Drive,  Santa Cruz  95062         offered at $775,900 Year Built 1962 Sq Footage 2002 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Floors 2 Building Style Traditional Neighborhood Name Pleasure Point Zoning R-1-5-PP Parcel Number: 028-293-012 Parking None Lot Size 4661 DESCRIPTION Wowza! Prime Pleasure Point - a hop, skip, and a jump to the waves and some of the best surfing around! This updated custom home is loaded with amenities such as radiant heat floors, granite counters, and custom wood cabinets. The stately master suite boasts a private balcony and a wall-mounted fireplace - complete with peeks of the ocean! Luxury size, location and amenities, incomparable value!   Location: 2911 Calla Drive Santa Cruz 95062 (map) Cross...
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By Patti Lyles, DIVORCE, SHORT SALE, FORECLOSURE SPECIALIST
(Century 21 Showcase, REALTORS®)
 There is a lot to do within walking distance of any house.  Seabright beach is sheltered from the prevailing wind and fog you routinely get in San Francisco and Monterey.  Our summer temperature, generally in the 70s, is perfect for those folks escaping hot and humid summer weather elsewhere yet don't want to be in the cold and wind that is common to many other areas of the coast north of Santa Barbara. Seabright NeighborhoodThe Seabright Neighborhood itself is an attraction. This is a unique place to enjoy walks or bike rides. The "Point" is a wall of limestone between the San Lorenzo river and Seabright Beach. Walk out to the end and you'll see a beautiful view of the Boardwalk, Seabright Beach, the Santa Cruz Wharf, the mountains and the two lighthouses here in Santa Cruz. Walk the ...
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By M.C. Dwyer, MC Dwyer-Santa Cruz Mountains Property Specialist
(Melody Russell Team at eXp Realty of California, Inc.)
Yet another reason to own real estate here in the  Santa Cruz Mountains!   I enjoyed a gourmet meal of Chantrelles over wild rice last night, thanks to the generosity of a close friend.    I have to admit I was happy to wake up this morning! - collecting wild mushrooms takes skill and knowledge.   To learn more about these delicious wild edibles, go to the fair this weekend! http://www.scfungusfair.org/
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By Jessica Wallace, Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345
(Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz)
SANTA CRUZ OCEAN VIEW LUXURY FORECLOSURES HOMES FOR SALE While the majority of foreclosures in Santa Cruz have been on the lower end of the real estate market, there have been a few ocean view luxury foreclosures that have sold recently.  These Santa Cruz ocean view foreclosures can offer a deep discount for bargain home hunters that want to buy a luxury or higher end home.  Sometimes the discount on these luxury foreclosures can be $500k + or more. I predict that there will be more Santa Cruz ocean view foreclosures in the coming year.  For someone looking to buy an ocean view home in Santa Cruz this will be a great opportunity to buy a luxury home for much less.  For information about Santa Cruz ocean view luxury foreclosure homes for sale or ones that will be coming on the market, co...
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By Jessica Wallace, Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345
(Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz)
HOMES FOR SALE IN PLEASURE POINT, SANTA CRUZ, CAPleasure Point is a neighborhood located in Santa Cruz, adjacent to Capitola starting at 41st Avenue and going north from there.  Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz is a quintessential beach neighborhood steeped in the surfing culture of Northern California.  The Pleasure Point neighborhood is a mix of Santa Cruz locals and visitors.  Homes for sale in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz range from small beach cottages to ocean view multi million dollar homes.   The types of homes for sale in Pleasure Point vary widely.  The lowest priced home sale in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz in 2010 was a small 2 bedroom beach bungalow that sold for $420,000.   The highest priced home sale in Pleasure Point in 2010 was an incredible 5 bedroom, ocean view luxury home tha...
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By Pete Cullen ~ Broker Associate, GRI,CRS, Serving The Entire Monterey Bay Area
(Bailey Properties, Inc.)
The annual Holiday Parade will be happening in downtown Santa Cruz, CA Saturday, December 4th for a day packed full of family fun. The parade will go on from 10:00 am until noon on Pacific Avenue, with a special appearance by Santa Claus, who will be at Marini's Candies from 2:00-6:00pm. Antique cars, dancers, and various bands will be performing during the parade, with those among them being Mountain Community Theater, Santa Cruz High Cardinal Regiment, and Save Our Shores being a few of the groups participating. Visit www.downtownsantacruz.com for more information about this holiday event.   Also, this coming Thursday, December 9th, the street will be filled with snow for kids to frolick to raise food for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Just for a small monetary donation or non perishab...
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By Susan Bolster-Grant
(Sereno Group)
Downtown Santa Cruz - Holiday Carriage Rides December Carriage Rides$5 Tickets available at Hat Company (1346 Pacific Ave.)Schedule:Friday Dec. 10th & 175h 5-8:30pmSaturday Dec. 11th & 18th 3-7pmSunday Dec. 5th, 12th, & 19th 1-5pmPlus Dec. 21st, 22nd, & 23rd from 4-7pm Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade Pacific Ave.Downtown Santa CruzVIEW MAPPhone: 831.429.8433downtownsantacruz.comJoin us Downtown this Saturday, December 4th from 10am-12pm along Pacific Avenue for our Annual Holiday Parade!  See antique cars, dancers, Santa and more!!!After the parade, stay downtown for additional winter holiday events and activities!!! FREEDate: December 04, 2010Time: 10am - noon   Snow Night - December 9, 2010 Join in the fun on December 9! A favorite with the little ones, each year the street gets f...
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By Susan Bolster-Grant
(Sereno Group)
Two Important Statistics DeterminingMarket Momentum Sales momentum for single-family, re-sale homes in Santa Cruz County dipped into negative territory in September for the first time since January 2009. This trend continued in October. We calculate... sales momentum by using a 12-month moving average to eliminate seasonality. By comparing this year's 12-month moving average to last year's, we get a percentage showing market momentum. In the chart below... are two of the most important statistics determining market momentum. The blue shows momentum for home sales while the red line shows momentum for pending home sales. Sales momentum peaked in July and has been trending down ever since. Pending sales, which normally track closed sales closely, have jumped out of the norm due to the lar...
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"Mixed Nutz!" The Nutcracker Re-Mixed Theater Arts Mainstage Presented by:  Theater Arts Dept Event Date Range:  Friday, November 19, 2010 - Sunday, December 5, 2010 Division Home Page Listing Placement:  Right Column "Tandy Beal's astonishing and gorgeous staged spectacle 'Mixed Nutz! is the ideal holiday experience."- Wallace Baine, Santa Cruz Sentinel TICKETS on sale now! Mixed Nutz! playfully maintains the true spirit and basic story of the traditional Nutcracker: festively dressed party-goers enter for an evening of holiday merriment, young Clara receives a toy nutcracker as a special gift, and magic starts to unfold... with entertaining side trips in Candyland, a visit by the Sugar Plum Fairy, a Waltz of the Flowers, and much more. Mixed Nutz! is a co-production of Tandy Beal & Co...
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By Jessica Wallace, Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345
(Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz)
THE TASTE OF SANTA CRUZ - A FAVORITE NOVEMBER EVENT! The Taste of Santa Cruz is almost here - November 3rd from 5:30-9 at the Coconut Grove at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. The Taste of Santa Cruz is very popular annual event that benefits the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors Housing Foundation.  The Housing Foundation gives out grants to First Time Home Buyers for closing costs assistance when buying a home.  These closing costs grants can also be used in conjunction with some of the Santa Cruz First Time Home Buyer Assistance programs. The Taste of Santa Cruz features local restaurants and wines for attendees to sample.  There is always a ton of delicious food and drink and it is a great place to meet other local Santa Cruz business owners.  The Taste of Santa Cruz features a silent ...
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By Pete Cullen ~ Broker Associate, GRI,CRS, Serving The Entire Monterey Bay Area
(Bailey Properties, Inc.)
The 6th annual “A Taste of Santa Cruz” will be November 4, 2010 at the Coconut Grove Grand Ballroom. Host by the Santa Cruz Association of Realtors Housing Foundation, “A Taste of Santa Cruz” invites the best of local restaurants and wineries to offer samplings of delicious food and excellent wine. This event brings the community together to raise funds for the SCAOR Housing Foundation’s Housing Cost Assistant Grant Program. The grant provides financial aid for first time, low income home buyers in Santa Cruz County pay for closing cost. 100% of the proceeds from the event go towards funding the Closing Cost Grant Program.   In the past five years, “A Taste of Santa Cruz” has raised over $240,000 that directly helped over 100 families throughout Santa Cruz County achieve their dream of...
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By Jessica Wallace, Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345
(Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz)
THE CORE FALL BALL - SANTA CRUZ YOUTH ORGANIZATION FUNDRAISER The CORE is a local non-profit youth organization in Santa Cruz.  The CORE has been around since 2002, mentoring the youth of Santa Cruz and providing positive experiences for teens.  It is a great youth organization to support and this year they are hosting their first Fall Ball. The Core's Fall Ball will take place on Saturday October 30th at the Hollins House in Scotts Valley at the Pasatiempo Golf Club.  It is a black-tie event - so no flip-flops!  (We in Santa Cruz tend to have a pretty relaxed dress style) Those who attend the Core's Fall Ball will be treated to a 5 star dinner, entertained by the stand up comedy of Michael Mancini and be able to dance to Island Breeze and the Hula Dancers. Tickets to the Core's Fall Ba...
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By Sandy Wallace - REALTOR®, Santa Cruz CA Homes for sale
(eXp Realty)
Visionary Cash Buyer Turns Dump To Lovely Duplex on Seabright Ave One of my specialties as a Realtor is finding a property that generates good cash flows for investors. The property shown here is an example.  I can find you a great property too.  go to Foreclosures, fixers, and Short Sales and there I will help you find homes available now and that have not even hit the market yet. More about Seabright neighborhood and the big fixer upper that was turned into a very profitable, positive cash generating income property. This is the before and after story that will amaze you on how well it has turned out. This went from the "Mystery House" to the hip beach duplex that is for rent in Seabright. You can watch the before the remodel videos and look at the before and after photos.  They tell...
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By Susan Bolster-Grant
(Sereno Group)
Oct. 1, 2010 -- After near stasis for the past six weeks, mortgage rates again managed a bit of a decline amid mixed economic messages. Increasing speculation that the Fed will initiate substantial purchases of Treasury bonds (so-called "quantitative easing") to kick-start the economy from its bare expansion helped to drive interest rates a bit lower. HSH's overall mortgage monitor -- our weekly Fixed-Rate Mortgage Indicator (FRMI) -- saw the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages shed five basis points to begin October at 4.70%. Important to first time homebuyers and low-equity refinancers alike, 30-year FHA-backed mortgages sported an average of 4.40% for the week. The overall average for Hybrid 5/1 ARMs declined by six basis points (.06%), finishing our national survey at 3.61...
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By Susan Bolster-Grant
(Sereno Group)
Local Farmers Markets A farmer's market is one in which farmers, growers, or producers from a defined local area sell their own produce directly to the public. They are usually held out-of-doors, in public spaces, and all products sold have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the farmers. In addition, farmers' markets often feature produce that is grown naturally or organically, meats that are raised humanely on pasture, handmade farmstead cheeses, eggs and poultry from free-range fowl, as well as heirloom produce and heritage breeds of meat and fowl. Farmers markets have continued to rise in popularity, mostly due to the growing consumer interest in obtaining fresh products directly from the farm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural ...
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By Susan Bolster-Grant
(Sereno Group)
Statistics: Two Principles to Follow  Knowing how the market is trending is important in making astute decisions whether one is a buyer or a seller. For instance, if prices are trending upward, a buyer may decide to accelerate the purchase, while a potential seller may decide to delay.  With the proliferation of real estate statistics on the Internet, the "noise" level is increasing making it more difficult to know which statistics are important and which are irrelevant. In this month's report, we are going to start a primer on real estate statistics to help you separate the wheat from the chaff. The first two principles of real estate statistics are: 1. Know the source of the raw data used, and 2. Understand the methodology used to crunch the raw data. There are only two accurate sourc...
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By Jessica Wallace, Santa Cruz Realtor (831) 419-9345
(Coldwell Banker - Santa Cruz)
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SCHOOLS - INFORMATION ABOUT SANTA CRUZ SCHOOL DISTRICTS For families relocating to the Santa Cruz County area the topic of the quality of local Santa Cruz County Schools is paramount.  Your child's education is very important and doing research on Santa Cruz schools and deciding where to buy a home based on the schools is understandable.  While some Santa Cruz County schools might be better than others they are more alike than they are different in my opinion.  I am a local Santa Cruzian and attended Santa Cruz public schools ( Soquel Elementary, New Brighton Middle School and Soquel High School)  I received a great education and went on to graduate from UC Davis. Finding accurate information on the web about Santa Cruz County schools is sometimes difficult.  I recomme...
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