Santa Cruz County Sewer Lateral Inspection Program

Santa Cruz County Sewer Lateral Inspection

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE NEW SEWER LATERAL INSPECTION ORDINANCE PROGRAMS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY?

There are two:

The first new sewer lateral inspection program applies to properties located within unincorporated Santa Cruz County and connected to a public sewer main. Interestingly enough, this is actually not a “new” inspection ordinance but one that was lost in the county code until recently discovered and implemented.

The second sewer lateral program is for properties located within the City of Santa Cruz and will not be implemented until July of this year (more information on this one coming soon, so stay tuned on my blog).

The sewer inspection program we are talking about today applies to properties located within the “unincorporated county” of Santa Cruz. The ordinance requires  (among other things) that any property owner selling a home that is connected to a public sanitary sewer main, perform a sewer lateral inspection and any necessary repairs at point of sale. 

Does The Sewer Inspection Ordinance Apply To Me?

To see if this ordinance applies to your property, click here to enter your address on the Public Works interactive sanitation map. If your property is affected, read on.

What Is A Sewer Lateral?

First lets start by answering the question, what is a sewer lateral?   A sewer lateral is the sewer pipeline that runs from your house to the connection at the main sewer line in the street. This line is owned by you, the property owner, and any repairs and upkeep are your responsibility.

Santa Cruz County Sewer Lateral Inspection

What Am I Required To Do?

The county ordinance requires homeowners to have a licensed plumber perform a video inspection of the entire sewer lateral line (house to main street connection) prior to selling the home. You may have any California licensed plumber perform the inspection.

The homeowner is also required to repair any defects found in the sewer line prior to close of escrow.  Unlike some of our other county ordinances, this responsibility cannot be transferred to a buyer at this time. 

What Can I Expect During the Process?

After the video inspection has been performed,  your plumber will complete and submit this form to the County Public Works Department. Your plumber will also submit the video inspection and any repair recommendations. The county inspector will review the plumber’s recommendations and the video footage and will make the final decision on what repairs (if any) are necessary.
This review can take up to 10 days.

What If Repairs Are Needed?

If there are defects found in your sewer lateral either during the plumber’s inspection or by the county inspector, you will be required to repair these defects prior to close of escrow.

What Are Defects In The Sewer Lateral?

Defects can be things like tree root intrusion, cracks, separations at joints, non-standard components, standard components improperly installed, deteriorated lines, material routinely prone to failure, sags in the line, separation at the sewer main connection, etc.  Sometimes these defects can be remedied with spot repairs and other times replacing the entire line may be required.

Santa Cruz County Sewer Lateral Inspection

If the entire line needs replacing due to any defects, there are various options available. The entire line can be exposed and replaced or there are less invasive options available like pipe bursting or pipe liner methods.  

If repairs are needed, a permit will need to be obtained from Public Works by your plumber. Your plumber will complete the repairs and schedule a final, in person inspection with Public Works.  All repairs and the final county inspection must be completed before you can close escrow.

The good news is that there are no fees associated with the inspection review or obtaining the permit and the inspector typically only needs a day or two to schedule the final inspection.

Who Can I Hire To Perform Repairs?

If repair work on your property is needed from the house to the public right-of-way (see diagram above),  it can be done by any California licensed plumber.

However,  if your repair work goes beyond this point and into the street, you will need to use one of the county approved plumbing contractors. Click here to see the list of approved contractors from the county website.

Other Ordinance Requirements:

Even if there are no defects found in your line,  there are still a couple of potential repairs that may be required in order for you to be in compliance with the new ordinance:

  • You must have an accessible sewer clean out on the property at least every 50 feet.  A clean out is a pipe with a cap that allows access to clear blockages in the line.  If no clean out is present, you will be required to install one or more.
  • If the lowest floor of your home is not more than 12″ above the nearest manhole, then you will likely be required to install a backflow prevention device at the clean out. This will ensure that water cannot backup into the home in the case of a blockage or intrusion from heavy rains.

How Do I Prove That I Am In Compliance With The Ordinance?

If no defects were found in your line during the inspection and you were not required to complete any repairs to your sewer lateral- you can simply request a copy of the report reviewed by Public Works stating that no work is required to give to the buyer prior to closing escrow.

If you are required to complete repairs to your sewer lateral- once the work is complete and the inspection finalized, Public Works will provide a letter stating that you are clear to close escrow.

Are There Any Exemptions?

Yes. There is a basic exemption is for homes (and sewer laterals) that are less than 20 years old or sewer laterals that were replaced less than 20 years ago with a permit and meeting current requirements. If your property meets either of these criteria, you do not need to perform an inspection. For a full list of exemptions, click here.

What Is The Purpose Of This?

The Purpose Of This Ordinance Is To:

  • Improve private sewer infrastructure
  • Protect the environment and local waterways from the leakage of raw sewage into the groundwater and soil
  • Minimize the infiltration and inflow of water into the sewer system 
  • Minimize the creation of sinkholes in streets and ground
  • Minimize future costs to property owners for sewer lateral  repairs by catching issues early on

What Now?

If you are planning to sell your property, you will want to get this process started as early on as possible to avoid any potential delays in selling your home.


Wow- This All Sounds A Little Overwhelming!

Don’t worry- that’s what Realtors  are here for!!! If you are thinking of selling and not already working with a Realtor®,  please contact meI would love to help you through the process or answer any questions that you may have!

Want to stay up to date on local information and events?  *Subscribe to my blog on the top left hand side of this post

 


For more information, including frequently asked questions and a video slideshow and more,  visit the Public Works Website.

Not sure if you are in the unincorporated county?  Click here to search your property address.

*** Since this ordinance has been newly adopted, please be aware that the rules and procedures may change as the county works through implementing their new system. Always double check with a licensed plumber, or the Public Works Department to ensure that you are using the correct forms and procedures.

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May Santa Cruz County Real Estate Market Update

Home Sale Information for Santa Cruz County

Prices

Big news for the Santa Cruz Real Estate Market- the median sales price for Santa Cruz County single-family, re-sale homes set a new high of $950,000 in April. It was up 6.1% from last year. The average sales price rose 3.7% and went back over $1,000,000.

The sales price to list price ratio continues to hover just below 100%. It was 99.8% last month.

Sales

Home sales were down, year-over-year, for the ninth month in a row in Santa Cruz County. There were 111 homes sold in Santa Cruz County last month. The average since 2003 is 158.

3 month moving average for Santa Cruz home prices
3 month moving average for Santa Cruz home prices

Inventory

Inventory continues to expand in Santa Cruz County. It has been higher than the year before ten months in a row. Last month, it was up 30.4% over last year.

As of May 5th, there were 330 homes for sale in Santa Cruz County. The average since January 2003 is 681.

Days of Inventory was at eighty-six. The average since 2003 is one hundred and thirty-nine.

Days of inventory chart for Santa Cruz County
Days of inventory chart for Santa Cruz County

Time It Takes To Sell A Home In Santa Cruz

It took only thirty-eight days to sell a home last month in Santa Cruz County. That is the time from when a home is listed to when it goes into contract.

Santa Cruz County Home Sales
Santa Cruz Home Sales to Date

Condos In Santa Cruz

Prices for re-sale condos were up last month from the month before. The median sales price rose year-over-year by 4.7%. The average sales price rose 6.5%.

Condo sales were up 17.6% year-over-year. 

Inventory continues to expand. It has been higher than the year before ten months in a row. 

As of May 5th, there were 82 condos for sale in Santa Cruz County. The average since January 2003 is 141.

Days of inventory rose to fifty-nine.

It is taking forty-seven days to sell a condo.

If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, please contact me today!

To read my full Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Update, view in depth information by area or to receive this market update in your inbox monthly, click here.

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Aptos New Leaf is Now Open!

New Leaf Aptos
New Leaf Aptos

Aptos New Leaf is now open! After a long wait, a lot of hard work and much anticipation, New Leaf officially opened its doors in the Aptos Village today!

Housed in the historic Hihn Apple Barn, built in 1891, the newest New Leaf location offers fresh local and organic produce, hundreds of local products, meat and sustainably-sourced seafood.

Best of all, it is my personal favorite healthy dining spot! Seriously, my favorite restaurant on the Westside is New Leaf. They offer a pizza bar, salad bar, hot bar, juice bar and coffee bar. In addition, this location will have one dining option that none of the other stores do- a specialty wok and ramen bar! I can’t wait to check it out!

Here are some of the features of the new store:

  • Farm-fresh local and organic produce, with fresh grab-and-go cut fruit
  • Full-service meat and seafood department with a wide selection of sustainably raised meat and sustainable seafood
  • Extensive deli with made-to-order sandwiches
  • Pizza bar
  • Wok and ramen bar
  • Fresh sushi rolled daily
  • Made-from-scratch soup and salad bar
  • Everyday grocery staples, including bulk items and local products
  • Fully stocked wellness department with local products with supplements and body care, and knowledgeable assistance from wellness experts
  • Full-service organic coffee bar
  • An award winning juice and smoothie bar using fresh, organic ingredients
  • Straus organic soft serve ice cream
  • Award-winning local and organic cheeses, indulgent bakery goods and a wide selection of local and exclusive beer, cider and wine
  • Indoor and outdoor seating and bike parking

Aptos Village

If you haven’t checked out the new Aptos Village, it has really come together nicely! After YEARS in the making, the nearly completed project has a pedestrian friendly design that houses retail shops and restaurants along with homes and condos. New Leaf is the central hub and is surrounded by a gorgeous park like setting that allows visitors to picnic, relax and come together as a community.

In addition, there are many other local favorites that will be opening in the Aptos Village soon, like Cat and Cloud Coffee, Penny Ice Creamery, Sockshop & Shoe Co. and more. The restaurant Mentone, by star chef David Kinch of Manresa, will also be opening later this summer. The menu will feature casual Mediterranean influenced food including lavish pizzas and plenty of highly authentic pesto. Yum!

I am really excited that Aptos New Leaf and Aptos Village is now open. It is going to be an awesome addition to the community of Aptos and a fun place to live!

For more information on the new homes or condos still available for sale in the village- call, email or text me.

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April Santa Cruz County Real Estate Market Update

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REAL ESTATE MARKET BEGINS TO FIRM

The real estate market in Santa Cruz County is beginning to heat up for three reasons.

First, the rain has finally stopped and spring is upon us! This is the time of year when the market typically becomes more active. Two, mortgage rates are at 15-month lows. Third, IPOs have started creating instant millionaires.

While Santa Cruz County won’t be impacted as much as Silicon Valley and San Francisco by the IPO millionaires, some of them will be able to afford second homes by the beach.

We expect 2019 to be a very strong year for the real estate market in Santa Cruz County.

Home sales were down, year-over-year, for the eighth month in a row. There were 108 homes sold in Santa Cruz County last month. The average since 2003 is 158.

Sales prices, meanwhile, bounced back after dropping in January. The median sales price for single-family, re-sale homes was up 2.4% in March from last year. The average sales price fell 12.2%.

Inventory continues to expand. It has been higher than the year before nine months in a row. Last month, it was up 28.6% over last year. 

As of April 5th, there were 265 homes for sale in Santa Cruz County. The average since January 2003 is 681.

It is taking fifty-two days to sell a home. That is the time from when a home is listed to when it goes into contract.

Prices for re-sale condos were down last month from the month before. The median sales price fell year-over-year by 5.5%. The average sales price fell 3.7%.

Condo sales were down 2.6% year-over-year. 

Inventory continues to expand. It has been higher than the year before nine months in a row. 

As of April 5th, there were 60 condos for sale in Santa Clara County. The average since January 2003 is 141.

Days of inventory rose to forty-nine.

It is taking sixty-five days to sell a condo.

If you are planning on selling your property, call me for a free comparative market analysis.

To view more details, Santa Cruz real estate market stats by city, or to to receive this information in your inbox monthly, click here.

To keep up with everything else happening in Santa Cruz, click the subscribe button and you will automatically receive information like this, a list of weekly local events and more.

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Events In Santa Cruz This Week!

copy-of-april-graphics-1

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING FUN TO DO THIS WEEK? 

Check out these great events in Santa Cruz

SATURDAY, 4/6:

 (*Free Events)

7th Springtime Rod & Custom Swap Meet
7 AM – 2 PM in Aptos
Public event hosted by californiacarshows.com   

Aptos Farmers Market *
8AM- 12PM at Cabrillo College 6500 Soquel Dr.

Westside Farmers Market *
9AM- 1PM (live music starting at 10AM)
Corner of Western Dr. and Mission St. ext.
more info

Home Depot Building Workshop *

9am- 12pm- Home Depot Capitola

Free public event for kids, 1st Saturday of each month

 

Roaring Camp Model Railroad Exhibit *

9 am (Sat and Sun)

Roaring Camp Railroad

more info

 

Community Poetry Circle *

10am- 12pm

Santa Cruz Library (Downtown)

more info

 

Family Lagoon Watch *

10 am – 12 pm

Live Oak Library

more info

 

Tales to Tailes *

10 am- 11:30 am

Downtown Santa Cruz Library

more info

 

Ukulele Club Performance *

10am- 12pm

Yacht Harbor Beach outside of The Crows Nest and Kind Grind

Free public event

 

Santa Cruz Bonsai Kai 31st Annual Exhibit

10 am- 5 pm (Sat. and Sun.)The Museum of Art and History

705 Front St., Santa Cruz

more info

 

Santa Cruz Veg Fest

11 AM – 6 PM at the Cocoanut Grove

400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz

Ticketed event hosted by Santa Cruz VegFest, Staff of Life and MAH

more info

 

Family Craft Time at the Library *

11 am- 4 pm @ Branciforte Library

11 am- 1 pm @ Garfield Park Library

1pm- 3 pm @ Aptos Library

1 pm- 4:30 pm @ Live Oak

1:30 pm- 4:30 pm @ La Selva Beach Library

more info

 

Origami Club *

1 pm- 3 pm

Aptos Library

more info

 

Adults Arts & Craft Workshop *

2 pm- 4 pm

Scotts Valley Library

more info

 

Santa Cruz Ballet presents Thorton Wilder’s Our Town

2 pm (Sat and Sun)

Cabrillo Crocker Theater

more info

 

Hank DeDiego Zumba for Autism 2019 

5 pm- 10  pm

1840 41st Ave 120-320, Capitola, California 95010

Ticketed event hosted by ZUMBA for Autism – Santa Cruz

more info

April in Santa Cruz Music Festival

7:30 pm

Professor Karlton Hester with Quantum Elders Hip-Bop Ballet

Presented by the department of Music at UCSC- Music Center Recital Hall

more info

 

Sunday 4/7:

(*Free event) 

 

Boardwalk Fun Run

6:30 am- 11:30 am

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Kid friendly ticketed event

more info

 

Downtown Makers Market *

10 am- 5 pm

Pacific Ave.

more info

 

Live Oak Farmers Market *

9AM- 1PM

15th & Eastcliff Dr., Santa Cruz

more info

 

Ukulele Club Performs *

10 am- 12 pm

Capitola Band Stand

Free public event

 

Seacliff History Tour *

11 AM – 12 PM

Public event hosted by Seacliff State Beach

more info

 

Tim Bluhm Band

Flynn’s Cabaret Steakhouse

6275 Highway 9, Felton, California 95018

8PM- 11pm

Paid event hosted by  Folkyeah Presents

more info

Monday 4/8:

(*Free Event)

 

Toddler Story Time *

Garfield Park Library (Westside) & Live Oak Library

10am- 11am

  • Do you have an upcoming event in Santa Cruz that you would like me to include? Send me a message!

 

 

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March Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Report

market-report-pic-march-2019The number of home sales were
down, year-over-year, for the seventh month in a row.

There were 84 homes
sold in Santa Cruz County last month.
The average since 2003 is 158.
Sales prices, meanwhile, bounced back
after dropping in January.
The median sales price for single-family, re-sale home was up 14.9% in February from
last year. The average sales price rose
12.8%.

Inventory continues to expand. It has
been higher than the year before eight
months in a row. Last month, it was up
8.9% over last year.
As of March 5th, there were 209 homes
for sale in Santa Cruz County.
The average since January 2003 is 681.

It is taking sixty-three days to sell a home.
That is the time from when a home is
listed to when it goes into contract.

Prices for re-sale condos were down last
month from the month before, but they
were up year-over-year by 0.2%. The
average price gained 8.6%.
Condo sales were up 50% year-over-year.
Inventory continues to expand. It has been
higher than the year before eight months in
a row.

As of March 5th, there were 59 condos for
sale in Santa Clara County. The average
since January 2003 is 141.

Days of inventory dropped to forty-four.
It is taking sixty-four days to sell a condo.

If you are planning on selling your property,
call me for a free comparative market
analysis.

Click the link below to read my full market report or to sign up to receive it monthly:

http://rereport.com/scc/print/AmberGrewerSZC.pdf

If you are considering selling your property, call me today for a free market analysis.

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February Santa Cruz Real Estate Market Update- Sales Price to List Price Ratio Continues Falling and Prices are Rising

 
copy-of-market-report
The real estate market in Santa Cruz County continues to soften. The sales price to list price ratio is at its lowest level since January 2012: 97.0%. The average sales price for single-family, re-sale homes set a new record high last month. It was up 17.6% year-over-year.
 
The median sales price went back over $900,000 after spending two months below that mark. It was up 10.2% year-over-year.
 
Sales of single-family, re-sale homes continued to decline. They were down 32.9%, year-over-year.
 
There were 108 homes sold. The average number of homes sold monthly since January 2003 is 160.
 
Inventory was up 37.1% compared to last December. The number of homes for sale as of the fifth of January was 240. The average is 691.
 
Inventory continues to be problematic. Although inventory has been higher than the year before for the past six months, it is still far below the norm. Since January 2003, Santa Cruz County has averaged 140 days of inventory. Last month it was 67.
 
The time it takes to sell a home, meaning from when homes are listed for sale until they go into contract, was flat at 51 days. The average since January 2003 is 64 days.
 
The median price for condos was down 1.8% year-over-year. The average price was up 4.9%. Condo sales were down 42.4%. There were 19 condos sold last month.
 
Condos have averaged 224 days of inventory since 2003. Last month it was 114. The number of condos for sale as of the fifth of January was 72. The average is 147.
 
Condos took sixty-four days to sell in December. The average is sixty-five days.
 
To read the full market report (specific city reports) or to sign up to receive the report automatically each month, visit:
http://rereport.com/scc/print/AmberGrewerSZC.pdf
 
For the complete annual report, which includes charts and graphs for each city in the county, click on the following link:
http://rereport.com/scc/print/AmberGrewerSZCannual.pdf

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What’s Ahead for Real Estate in 2019?

january-2019-mvp-instagram-image

As we begin another year, everyone wants to know: “Where is the housing market headed in 2019?”

It’s not only buyers, sellers, and homeowners who are impacted. The real estate market plays an integral role in the overall U.S. economy.  Fortunately, key indicators point toward a stable housing market in 2019 with signs of modest growth. However, shifting conditions could impact you if you plan to buy, sell, or refinance this year.

HOME VALUES WILL INCREASE

The value of real estate will continue to rise. Freddie Mac predicts housing prices will increase by 4.3 percent in 2019.While the rapid price appreciation we witnessed earlier in the decade has slowed, the combination of a strong economy, low unemployment, and a lack of inventory in many market segments continues to push prices higher.

“Ninety percent of markets are experiencing price gains while very few are experiencing consistent price declines,” according to National Association of Realtors (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.2

Yun predicts that the national median existing-home price will increase to around $266,800 in 2019 and $274,000 in 2020. “Home price appreciation will slow down—the days of easy price gains are coming to an end—but prices will continue to rise.”

What does it mean for you? If you’re in the market to buy a home, act fast. Prices will continue to go up, so you’ll pay more the longer you wait. If you’re a current homeowner, real estate has proven once again to be a solid investment over the long term. In fact, the equity level of American homeowners reached an all-time high in 2018, topping $6 trillion.3

SALES LEVELS WILL STABILIZE

In 2018, we saw a decline in sales, primarily driven by rising mortgage rates and a lack of affordable inventory. However, Yun isn’t alarmed. “2017 was the best year for home sales in ten years, and 2018 is only down 1.5 percent year to date. Statistically, it is a mild twinge in the data and a very mild adjustment compared to the long-term growth we’ve been experiencing over the past few years.”2

Yun and other economists expect home sales to remain relatively flat over the next couple of years. Freddie Mac forecasts homes sales will increase 1 percent to 6.08 million in 2019 and 2 percent to 6.20 million in 2020.1

“The medium and long-term prospects for housing are good because demographics are going to continue to support demand,” explains Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist for LendingTree. “With a slower price appreciation, incomes have an opportunity to catch up. With slower sales, inventory has an opportunity to normalize. A slowdown in 2019 creates a healthier housing market going forward.”4

What does it mean for you? If you’ve been scared off by reports of a market slowdown, it’s important to keep things in perspective. A cooldown can prevent a hot market from becoming overheated. A gradual and sustainable pace of growth is preferable for long-term economic stability.

MORTGAGE RATES WILL RISE

The Mortgage Bankers Association predicts the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates three times this year, resulting in a rise in mortgage rates.5 While no one can predict future mortgage rates with certainty, Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale estimates that the rate for a 30-year mortgage will reach 5.5 percent by the end of 2019, up from around 4.62 percent at the end of 2018.6

While mortgage rates above 5 percent may seem high to today’s buyers, it’s not out of line with historical standards. According to Hale, “The average mortgage rate in the 1990s was 8.1 percent, and rates didn’t fall below 5 percent until 2009. So for buyers who can make the math work, buying a home is likely still an investment worth making.”7

What does it mean for you? If you’re in the market to buy a house or refinance an existing mortgage, you may want to act quickly before mortgage rates rise. To qualify for the lowest rate available, take steps to improve your credit score, pay down existing debt, and save up for a larger down payment.

AFFORDABILITY ISSUES WILL PERSIST

Although the desire to own a home remains strong, the combination of higher home prices and rising mortgage rates will make it increasingly difficult for many first-time buyers to afford one.

“Buyers who are able to stay in the market will find less competition as more buyers are priced out but feel an increased sense of urgency to close before it gets even more expensive,” according to Hale. “Although the number of homes for sale is increasing, which is an improvement for buyers, the majority of new inventory is focused in the mid-to-higher-end price tier, not entry-level.”6

What does it mean for you? Unfortunately, market factors make it difficult for many first-time buyers to afford a home. However, as move-up buyers take advantage of new high-end inventory, we could see an increase in starter homes hitting the market.

MILLENNIALS WILL MAKE UP LARGEST SEGMENT OF BUYERS

“The housing market in 2019 will be characterized by continued rising mortgage rates and surging millennial demand,” according to Odeta Kushi, senior economist for First American. “Rising rates, by making housing less affordable, will likely deter certain potential homebuyers from the market. On the other hand, the largest cohort of millennials will be turning 29 next year, entering peak household formation and home-buying age, and contributing to the increase in first-time buyer demand.”4

Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com, predicts the trend will continue. “Millennials are also likely to make up the largest share of home buyers for the next decade as their housing needs adjust over time.”6

What does it mean for you? If you’re in the market for a starter home, prepare to compete for the best listings. And if you plan to sell a home in 2019, be sure to work with an agent who knows how to reach millennial buyers by utilizing the latest online marketing techniques.

 I’m HERE TO GUIDE YOU

While national real estate numbers and predictions can provide a “big picture” outlook for the year, real estate is local. And as local market experts, we can guide you through the ins and outs of our market and the local issues that are likely to drive home values in your particular neighborhood.

If you would like to subscribe to my specialized local monthly market update visit: http://ambergrewer.rereport.com/market_reportshttp://ambergrewer.rereport.com/market_reports

*Click “Subscribe to Report” in the upper right hand corner

 If you’re considering buying or selling a home in 2019, contact us now to schedule a free consultation. We’ll work with you to develop an action plan to meet your real estate goals this year.

START PREPARING TODAY
If you plan to BUY this year:

  1. Get pre-approved for a mortgage. If you plan to finance part of your home purchase, getting pre-approved for a mortgage will give you a jump-start on the paperwork and provide an advantage over other buyers in a competitive market. The added bonus: you will find out how much you can afford to borrow and budget accordingly.
  2. Create your wish list. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need? How far are you willing to commute to work? What’s most important to you in a home? We can set up a customized search that meets your criteria to help you find the perfect home for you.
  3. Come to our office. The buying process can be tricky. We’d love to guide you through it. We can help you find a home that fits your needs and budget, all at no cost to you. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today!

If you plan to SELL this year:

 Call us for a FREE Comparative Market Analysis. A CMA not only gives you the current market value of your home, it will also show how your home compares to others in the area. This will help us determine which repairs and upgrades may be required to get top dollar for your property, and it will help us price your home correctly once you’re ready to list.

  1. Prep your home for the market. Most buyers want a home they can move into right away, without having to make extensive repairs and upgrades. We can help you determine which ones are worth the time and expense to deliver maximum results.
  2. Start decluttering. Help your buyers see themselves in your home by packing up personal items and things you don’t use regularly and storing them in an attic or storage locker. This will make your home appear larger, make it easier to stage … and get you one step closer to moving when the time comes!

Sources:

  1. Freddie Mac Economic & Housing Research Forecast –
    http://www.freddiemac.com/research/pdf/201811-Forecast-04.pdf
  2. National Association of Realtors 2019 Forecast –
    https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/2019-forecast-existing-home-sales-to-stabilize-and-price-growth-to-continue
  3. Bankrate 2018 Year in Review –
    https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/year-in-review-for-housing-market/
  4. Forbes 2019 Real Estate Forecast –
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/alyyale/2018/12/06/2019-real-estate-forecast-what-home-buyers-sellers-and-investors-can-expect/#a98b80a70d9a
  5. Mortgage Bankers Association Forecast –
    https://www.mba.org/2018-press-releases/october/mba-forecast-purchase-originations-to-increase-to-12-trillion-in-2019
  6. com 2019 National Housing Forecast –
    https://www.realtor.com/research/2019-national-housing-forecast/
  7. FOX Business –
    https://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/where-mortgage-rates-are-headed-in-2019

 

 

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Make Your Property More Attractive for Homebuyers

525-shadowmere-way-aptos-ca-large-006-3-entry-1500x997-72dpiEnsure a Good First Impression

Homebuyers make up their minds about a property in the first few minutes. Make sure your home makes that vital first impression. New paint does wonders. Make sure the front yard is flawless with manicured lawns and attractive foliage. Add a hanging basket or some flower pots at the door. The front door is also critical, make sure the hardware is presentable.

Make them Feel Welcome

Don’t forget buying a home is in many ways an emotional decision, so it’s important to give buyers that warm and fuzzy feeling! Keep the temperature in the home at a comfortable level. Light some candles in the bathrooms and make sure it smells nice and clean. Have fresh flowers around the house.

But don’t make it too personal

Make them feel welcome, but don’t go too far. Too much personality, for example in the form of personal possessions and family photos makes it hard for buyers to visualize living in the space.

Clear out the Clutter

Make sure your property is clutter-free for all your viewings. This will make your home look and feel bigger, and the buyers will be able to imagine how they could make the space their own. Make sure that there is a clean, logical flow through the home by getting rid of all excess furniture. Less is more.

Improve Lighting

This is another way to make your home seem more spacious. Open all your curtains and flood the space with natural light. Make sure the darker rooms are also lit. Invest in some light fixtures and fittings, and place them strategically to illuminate even the gloomiest of areas.

Decorate to Sell That House

Slap on a fresh coat of paint in a neutral color to give it that blank canvas look but do not be too sterile. Have some contrast in the trim as well as the ceiling. Neutral colors make properties appear lighter and brighter, so take advantage of this inexpensive and easy option. You may also add color with decorative window coverings, rugs, and towels.

Clean Up Your Act

Your home should be spotless. Make sure the beds are made and the countertops are free of clutter. The dishes should be put away and nothing should be scattered on the floor. Don’t forget to tidy your garden too: Cut the shrubs back, sweep the patio, and wipe down the backyard furniture.

Those Minor Repairs You Put Off

It is easy to forget things such as broken doorknobs, cracked tiles, holes in walls and damaged but buyers will notice them first thing as they are walking around your home.

Maximize Your Space

The golden rule of selling is to make your space look and feel bigger and better than what your competitors have to offer. We’ve already mentioned that lighting your home, both naturally and artificially, can maximize your assets, but getting rid of bulky furniture can also be a great way of making the most of what you have. Large pieces of furniture make a space feel smaller, so put these items into storage and dress your home with more compact pieces.

Don’t Forget Your Floors

Make the investment of improving and investing in those floors. Worn carpets and damaged vinyl floors need to be replaced, and wooden floors especially should undergo some maintenance. This is not chap by any means, but the prospect of selling your home for the best possible price will likely outweigh the cost.

Remove Pets During Showings

You do not need to remind the potential buyer that the previous owner kept pets.

Try to remove your pets from your home when you are showing the home. Having a pet in the house or yard can create complications for your agent while trying to show the house, and puts your pet at risk of accidentally getting out during the showing. There are also liability issues to deal with as well. They may react differently to stranger and it may cause them stress. All pet-related damage should be repaired prior to showing the home. Make sure to also remove all odors and stains. New visitors will notice smells when they come to view the house. This is not something you want to happen. Have your carpet and floors professionally cleaned or replaced. Pick up any messes in the backyard and have any sod replaced and other damage repaired.

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