http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/investing-in-santa-cruz.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/investing-in-santa-cruz.html Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Whether renting or flipping, Santa Cruz offers an impressive home package. The famously beautiful weather is a great place to start when considering the list of bonuses and advantages that Santa Cruz brings to the table. However, the amazing weather works in conjunction with the bounty of nature to offer a truly "active" lifestyle. Santa Cruz is noted for its surfing.In fact it was known to be one of the first areas surfed in California, and is home to several surf and skate companies that are known around the world. Another notable attraction is the Santa Cruz Wharf, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; the oldest amusement park in California.

These attractions and recreational options have created an excellent atmosphere for home investment. Such a desirable area always has a need for quality rental properties, and the home sales market is thriving as an abundance of home buyers are always ready to snatch up new homes that become available. This is also a great area for vacation rentals as Santa Cruz is a noted vacation destination. This area also has a bustling economy and a great education systems that includes the University Of California, Santa Cruz, a college that is modeled after the great universities of England, Cambridge & Oxford.

Santa Cruz simply offers a fantastic residential investment opportunity. For those seeking a great home investment or a income-generating property, take a look at Santa Cruz.

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CJ deHeer is a certified REALTOR;® specializing in the Santa Cruz real estate market. For access to some of the most stunning coastal properties check out www.cjdeheer.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/home-staging-in-santa-cruz.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/home-staging-in-santa-cruz.html Fri, 13 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Staging the home is the art of presentation of a home. In staging your home you should keep a few things in mind. First; the home must be clear of all mess and clutter. Nothing can hold a home back on the real estate market quite like a mess, nothing that is, that is worth mentioning. This is a great time to start early on your packing, get rid of all the stuff that you don't use regularly. Make sure that countertops are clear and clean and try to remove any overly personal items such as pictures and those drawings that are always stuck to the fridge. The idea is to enable the viewer to picture themselves in the home and reminders of its current occupants take away from this ability.

Staging a home is all about creating an atmosphere that viewers feel comfortable in, one that will cause them to stay in the home longer and explore all that it has to offer. Think about what would cause you to linger in a home, maybe ask your friends, definitely ask your realtor. Try to focus on the little things like pleasant smells, trimming back large plants, lit fireplaces and snacks for the guests. You would be amazed at the effect that these small things can have on a home's selling potential.

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CJ deHeer is a certified REALTOR;® specializing in the Santa Cruz real estate market. For access to some of the most stunning coastal properties check out www.cjdeheer.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/real-estate-specialists-the-buyers-agent.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/real-estate-specialists-the-buyers-agent.html Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Historically the sales transaction and the concerns of the buyer were the purview of a single realtor. However, as the industry has progressed so have the needs of each party and so the specialist arose. Buyers have some very particular needs, and specifically the need to feel that their best interests are seen to. Listing agents are representatives of the home's owner and in that role they have a primary responsibility to that owner. How could they properly look after the needs of an interested buyer as well?

So what is it that a buyer's agent does? Primarily the buyer's agent will begin with the location of suitable properties for their clients. This is usually based upon a list of requirements and desires that the client has communicated to the agent. They will then arrange viewings and recap their findings with their clients and assist in deciding upon a good candidate for an offer. This will be based on the wealth of community information that a buyer's agent commands. As specialists, they are experts on their given area which is critical in the education of clients on the areas that they are considering. Once a property is decided upon, the buyer's agent changes significantly, evolving into an overseer-negotiator role. They will typically coordinate the inspections and conduct the negotiations with the listing agent. This includes the execution of the buyers subjects and the closing of the actual contract.

There is an art to representing a buyer. It is a role that has become ever more crucial in an industry where customer service is the single most important thing that an agent can offer. If you are in the market for a home then the buyer's agent is the friend that you need to make sure that you are given the service that you deserve.

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CJ deHeer is a certified REALTOR;® specializing in the Santa Cruz real estate market. For access to some of the most stunning coastal properties check out www.cjdeheer.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/climbing-the-equity-ladder.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/climbing-the-equity-ladder.html Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
If you are looking at this purchase as a source of revenue then there are certain steps that you should take to ensure the home will bring in as much money as possible, thereby allowing you to pay off the mortgage quickly. For this type of investment, the cleaner the better. Nice homes are in high demand, and they fetch a good monthly rate. Enough so that the mortgage payment can be made easily with cash to spare. Also, ask yourself, "am I ready to be a landlord?" This will involve the task of finding and maintaining good tenants, and sometimes having to do what's right for you and your property, not what's right for the renters. If you have the tendency to be "too nice," land lording might not be for you.

No matter what your property is intended for, be sure to cover all the bases. Be as diligent as you were when buying your first home. Even more so, you will be able to apply any lessons you learned during that process on the new home, and avoid any mistakes or area of stress that were present in the first purchase. Many people buy a second house only to find themselves buying yet another. Once you start to climb the equity ladder its kind of hard to stop!

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CJ deHeer is a certified REALTOR;® specializing in the Santa Cruz real estate market. For access to some of the most stunning coastal properties check out www.cjdeheer.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/a-bit-about-mold.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/a-bit-about-mold.html Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0600
One of the most likely places for mold to form is anywhere that moisture is improperly vented. Another area of concern is if a home has ever flooded and was not completely or properly cleaned and dried after. Leaky plumbing and basement crawlspaces are other likely candidates. Mold can be a difficult thing to completely get rid of as the only thing it needs to continue growth is an organic material such as wood, and moisture. Both of these items are usually abundant in any home. The most likely was that moisture finds its way into the home is through faulty or leaky roofs and foundations. Both of these areas should be checked over by an experienced mold inspector on a fairly regular basis if there is any worry of mold beginning to grow, or if these has been mold in the past. Mold can be an expensive problem to deal with so be pro-active about looking for it, it can save you money in the long run.

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CJ deHeer is a certified REALTOR;® specializing in the Santa Cruz real estate market. For access to some of the most stunning coastal properties check out www.cjdeheer.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/unlikely-rooms-can-sell-homes.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/unlikely-rooms-can-sell-homes.html Tue, 13 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0600
Garages can be a huge undertaking and an emotional one at that. In cleaning out a proper collection of "stuff" who knows what forgotten treasures you might run across? But remember, the idea here is to get rid of things that aren't being used. The best idea is to set aside a whole day to dedicate to the cleaning of the garage. First things first, everything comes out. Everything. Sort everything into three piles, one goes to the garbage, one goes to goodwill or a similar organization that can use old clothes and such and the third pile is the keepers.

Once everything is out of the garage you can set about cleaning it. If this is the first time you have really cleaned it, this could take a while. This is a great time to practice your skills as a landlord and evict the countless creepy crawlies that have undoubtedly taken up residence in the rafters and dark corners and still have not paid their rent. Give the floor a good sweep and if necessary maybe pressure-wash anything that is holding a stain. at this point your cleaning of the garage could be done, or if you are a big thinker, there are some options such as garage organization systems that are tremendous for keeping things neat and orderly and add some value to a home as well. Usually these consist of a wall-mounted rack system and incorporated storage shelves and bins. Hopefully when this exercise is complete, you garage will be as attractive as the other rooms in your home and will be a good selling point when buyers come to have a look at your home.

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CJ deHeer is a certified REALTOR;® specializing in the Santa Cruz real estate market. For access to some of the most stunning coastal properties check out www.cjdeheer.com.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>