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... 10/16/2010

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... 10/06/2010

Mortgage Rate Outlook Sep. 3, 2010 -- The economic news has certainly been nothing to cheer about over the last month or two, but at least some important indicators don't suggest that any double-dip recession is imminent. HSH's overall mortgage monitor -- our weekly Fixed-Rate Mortgage Indicator (FRMI) -- dipped back by another two basis points, closing our survey at an average 4.76%, a new low. The FRMI includes rates for conforming, jumbo, and most recently the GSE's "high-limit" conforming products and so covers much of the mortgage-borrowing public. For borrowers who don't need a long-term, fixed rate mortgages, a viable choice might be a Hybrid 5/1 ARM, which ended the week at an unchanged average rate of 3.73%. The Federal Reserve released the minutes of its August 10 meeting, and... 10/05/2010

TIPS FOR A FIRST TIME HOME BUYER - BASIC OUTLINE OF THE HOME BUYING PROCESSIf you are a first time home buyer or it has been many years since you have purchased a home, the process can seem daunting.  In this post I will provide a simple outline of the steps to buying a home and what you can expect.  (Well in Real Estate I have learned to expect the unexpected but that is another story)BASICS STEPS TO BUYING A HOMEContact a local lender to find out price range you qualify to buy a home in.  Ask your local lender about what loan is the best for you, FHA, VA, FHA 203k loans, Conventional loans . . . Make sure you have the funds to cover both your downpayment (which can be as low as 3.5% with an FHA loan) and your closing costs (closing costs vary depending on loan and typical fees for you... 10/01/2010

Santa Cruz County  - September Events Dinners in the Vineyard Series! Hunter Hill Winery, 7099 Glen Haven RoadSoquelPhone: 831.465.9294 (reservations required)hunterhillwines.com/events.htmlEnjoy a beautiful table in a lovely setting -wonderful food, wines, live music & conversation. Dinners by Michaels on Main.Date: September 19, 2010Time: 5:00 p.m.   Monterey Bay Birding Festival Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main StreetWatsonvilleVIEW MAPPhone: 831.600.8893montereybaybirding.orgCome see 200 species of birds in one of the world's most picturesque areas of California on the Monterey Bay.Date: September 23, 2010 - September 26, 2010Time: Thurs. - Sat. 6:30am - 9pm, Sun. 6:30am - 3pm   Farm-to-Table Dinners at Chaminade One Chaminade LaneSanta CruzPhone: 800.283.6569chaminade.comLocal fa... 09/22/2010

Figuring Out the Numbers:Not only does owning a home give you a haven for yourself and your family, it also makes great financial sense because of the tax benefits - which you can't take advantage of when paying rent. The following calculation assumes a 28 percent income tax bracket. If your bracket is higher, your savings will be, too. Based on your current rent, use this calculation to figure out how much mortgage you can afford.Rent: _________________________Multiplier: x 1.32Mortgage payment: _________________________Because of tax deductions, you can make a mortgage payment - including taxes and insurance - that is approximately one-third larger than your current rent payment and end up with the same amount of income. For more help, use Fannie Mae's online mortgage calculators.   F... 09/20/2010

SANTA CRUZ HOMES FOR SALE UNDER $500,000 Santa Cruz County is a geographically stunning place and is located near economically strong areas like Silicon Valley, San Jose and San Francisco.  This is why our home prices are higher than other areas of the Country but finding homes for sale under $500k in central Santa Cruz beach areas is now possible whereas a few years ago it was not.  Go here for a current list of SANTA CRUZ HOMES FOR SALE UNDER $500,000 The median price for a home in Santa Cruz County as of August 2010 was $517,000. The median home price of $517,000 is for ALL of Santa Cruz County.  If you are looking to buy a home in the central beach locations like Rio Del Mar, Seascape, Seacliff, Capitola, Santa Cruz City then the median price is closer to $625,000.  A few years ago ... 09/20/2010

Adding to the exceptional education system in Santa Cruz County, Cabrillo College gives students the opportunity to excel in school and the future. The state of the art campus hides among a redwood forest right off Hwy 1. This top-ranked junior college offers associate degrees and certifications in over 70 fields of study and with a student population of 17,000; the college has reached amazing heights since its establishment in 1959.   The mission statement depicts the exact goals and aspirations the college implements to its students and the Santa Cruz community. "The mission of Cabrillo College is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world." W... 09/09/2010

Nicknamed as the city on the hill, University of California, Santa Cruz enriches the lives within the Santa Cruz community. It hosts some of the most excellent educational attributes that are recognized both nationally and international. Since its establishment in 1965, the student population has increased to 15,000 undergraduates and 1,500 graduates, who are led by an exceptional teaching and administration staff. Over the years, the university has contributed some of the most advanced research in various departments of biology including molecular, organic and marine. Furthermore the Astrophysics and other science departments earned many prestigious awards for research and outstanding work in other specific fields. The UC Santa Cruz campus is the largest of the UCs and praised as one o... 09/07/2010

City of Santa Cruz - First Time Home Buyer Options The First Time Homebuyer (FTH) Program provides low- and moderate income first time homebuyers with a "silent" second mortgage. Silent second mortgages require no monthly payments until one of several events occur at a point in the future. Designed to fill the gap between what a first time homebuyer can borrow from a mortgage lender and the purchase price of the home, the FTH Program may be utilized to satisfy down payment requirements of the first mortgage lender as well as pay the borrower's closing costs and other fees associated with a mortgage loan. Depending on circumstances, several FTH Program funding sources may be layered together in a series of secondary loans. Interested first time homebuyers must first select a property to... 08/24/2010

Santa Cruz Condos - Market Overview August 2010   The best that can be said about last year is its over! Condo sales were up 12.8% from 2008.The median price dropped 16% from 2008. The good news in all this is that prices bottomed out in the first quarter and started strengthening the last nine months of the year. The year ended with inventory at its lowest level since March 2005, a sign that prices should keep firming.Another positive indicator, as we start the New Year, is Days of Inventory, which is how long it would take to sell all the homes on the market at the current rate of sales, which ended the year at 97 days.  We have to go back to the boom years of 2004 and 2005 to see numbers that low.Buyers are out there, but they're looking for bargains. Which begs the question, what is... 08/18/2010

Santa Cruz golf courses provide the best setting for the game of precision and concentration, each golf course invites players the test their capabilities of club-to-ball accuracy. The world of golf is a unique balance of strength, technique and astounding patience. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just picking a club for the first time, the smell of fresh cut grass and the thrill of a par four will keep you returning to the course again and again. Santa Cruz, California offers some of the best courses in California. One of the most popular courses is tucked away in the peaceful seclusion of the Santa Cruz Mountains, DeLavega Golf Course attracts golfers to play an 18 hole, par 72 course. DeLavega ranks as one of California’s top golf courses and once you see the amazing landscape,... 07/30/2010

SANTA CRUZ 55+ SENIOR MOBILE HOME PARK - SORRENTO OAKS Santa Cruz has many lovely senior 55+ mobile home parks and Sorrento Oaks is one of the best.  This 55+ mobile home park is located near the Upper Yacht Harbor in Santa Cruz.  It is an easy walk to beaches, harbor, Crow's Nest Restaurant and more.  There are many fun activities nearby for Active Adults like kayaking in the Harbor, stand up paddle boarding, sailing, golfing, biking . . .        Sorrento Oaks Santa Cruz mobile home park 55+ that is owned as a cooperative park with low monthly dues.  The park has a nice clubhouse and is well maintained and clean.  Many of the mobile or manufactured homes have lovely gardens and plants outside.             There are a mix of styles of homes in Sorrento Oaks 55+ senior mobile home park. ... 07/28/2010

"Shakespeare Santa Cruz strives to cultivate the imagination, wit, daring, and vision that the greatest playwrights demand of artists and audiences alike." –Shakespeare Santa Cruz Acclaimed by USA Today as “one of the nation’s top ten most influential” Shakespeare companies, Shakespeare Santa Cruz has entertained audiences through a true repertory style since 1981. This professional company dazzles audiences with Shakespeare’s masterpieces that are performed on the University of California, Santa Cruz’s main stage and outdoors among the redwoods in Festival Glen. Each summer, professionals from all over the country flock to Santa Cruz to audition for roles in the four plays. This season, the wide variety of shows invites all spectators to experience the best of Shakespeare.   The four p... 07/27/2010

10 Questions to Ask Your Lender 1. What are the most popular mortgages you offer? Why are they so popular? 2. Which type of mortgage plan do you think would be best for me? Why? 3. Are your rates, terms, fees, and closing costs negotiable? 4. Will I have to buy private mortgage insurance? If so, how much will it cost, and how long will it be required? (NOTE: Private mortgage insurance is usually required if your down payment is less than 20 percent. However, most lenders will let you discontinue PMI when you’ve acquired a certain amount of equity by paying down the loan.) 5. Who will service the loan — your bank or another company? 6. What escrow requirements do you have? 7. How long will this loan be in a lock-in period (in other words, the time that the quoted interest rate will be h... 07/15/2010

Stretching 276 miles down the California coast, the Monterey Bay National Sanctuary exemplifies some of the best marine life the United States offers. Beginning in the north of Marin and extending South to Cambria, this federally protected coastline is considered a marine national monument and is protect for research, education and public use. In one of the most lush and rich parts of the MBNS resides the exceptional city of Santa Cruz. The city host some outstanding marine research and recreational facilities. Among the most prestige marine laboratories in California, UC Santa Cruz Long Marine Lab is home to highly advance marine biology and ecology research program. The facility attracts scientists from all over to explore within labs, which contain running seawater systems, large mar... 07/15/2010

Luxury Tour at a Great Price   Chamber Travel- Bali and Java     Second Departure - Oct 6      The intrigue and elegance of the Chamber's Bali and Java trip are now available on a second departure date, October 6. This second departure is identical to the September 2 tour. It features the same remarkable price - as low as $2,590 (plus fuel charges and taxes) per person, double occupancy for 12 days including air, lodging, transfer, guided tours, and many meals. .  Why have so many of the Chamber 900 former travelers chosen to go to Bali? Here are some very good reasons: World heritage sites like Borobudur and Prambanan, reflecting the Buddhist, Hindu, Moslem, and Christian heritage of these cultures and the remarkable history of their architectural monuments. We'll visit the largest Bu... 07/12/2010

Pleasure Point is the ultimate beach town with world class surf and funky cottage style homes. Its a very desirable place to live with the most attractive homes selling for over 5 million. Like most of Santa Cruz County there is a broad mix of styles and structure which also provides for a wide price range. Overall most properties in Pleasure Point don't stay on the market long. One of my listings on Palisades was only on the market for two weeks before getting offers over the asking price. Pleasure Point is a world famous surf spot hosting an array of contests from beginner to the professional level. Other surf spots in the Pleasure Point Community include Sewer Peak, First Peak, Second Peak, Once in a Whiles, 38th Ave, the Drain Pipe, the Hook, Santa Marias, and Wind and Sea. Pleasure... 06/08/2010

If you have ever been to Santa Cruz, California, you surely remember the uniqueness of Pacific Avenue and the downtown area. Downtown Santa Cruz has an awesome mix of shops with an abundance of locally owned businesses. Santa Cruz has always had a wealth of talent, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit and the community is welcoming, having the "keep it local" spirit. A recent addition to downtown Santa Cruz, Nextspace, is a place where this entrepreneurial spirit can thrive. Offering space to work and services, its a great situation for a small business owner trying to get their ideas off the ground and running. During the day, downtown Santa Cruz can be lined with shoppers and people grabbing a bite to eat while a wealth of lounges and great restaurants makes for great nightlife acti... 06/03/2010

With this blog I will be continuing my tour of the beach-side communities in Santa Cruz County. At the edge of town on the westside of Santa Cruz lies a hidden gem for locals and out-of-towners alike. The Swift Street Courtyard is an excellent destination for some local wine tasting, organic brew, baked goods and grabbing lunch. A full day could be spent in and around this complex due to of all its amenities. The Swift Street Courtyard is a wine connoisseur haven including Bonny Doon Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard, Vino Tabi, Pelican Ranch Winery, MJA Vineyards, and Sones Cellars with Hillcrest Terrace Winery just across the street. This complex provides award winning wine tasting and the convenient layout makes it even more desirable. Whether you leisurely stroll through or hav... 05/20/2010