Santa Cruz county is an area with a few streams and river and creeks. When they get contaminated, they create problems down stream in the ocean at the beaches. This can lead to beach closures. To find out where there are Santa Cruz beach closures to be concerned of, follow the link. If you are going to the beach be sure to take spare change for a parking meter or money for a day pass. Also be sure to take water and sun screen. Having a beach house by the water where you walk may be an eventual goal. Follow the links to one of the beach communities and see what is of interest. Give me a call if something is interesting at 831-818-7524.

Currently the Santa Cruz Main Beach by the San Lorenzo river is closed due to high bacteria counts. Most of the county beaches are open in Santa Cruz though. Follow the link for the locations of some beaches. The main beach west of the wharf, by lifeguard tower 2 is also closed.Further south in Capitola where Soquel Creek flows to the ocean and is blocked off, it also has high bacteria counts and is closed. In Rio Del Mar where Aptos Creek flows to the ocean, there are also stagnant pools and these areas are also closed.

Swimming in these locations most often is done by young kids where they can come in contact with disease-causing organisms. Oftentimes this water is settled in by birds, who leave their droppings, which can lead to seriously high levels of bacteria. Another cause of beach closures is due to septic tank and leach field system failures in the San Lorenzo Valley.

This problem is most often times a problem in the winter when there is higher water flow. So more of the problems occur during the warmer times when the creeks and rivers are flowing slowly and the contaminants build up.

Most Santa Cruz County beaches are open, be safe, have fun.

Cut Bait or Fish… this is a home buyer story

Well that’s an old saying, but has some truth to it. For those who don’t know it means, it means do something or don’t talk about it. I’m thinking that is what you the buyers should be doing. But in this case move through the fear and act on these great deals. A year or three from now you will look back an bemoan your lack of action. Go ahead, it is OK to buy.
You know you have been thinking “I should buy a house, the prices are down.” Depending on where you want to buy in Santa Cruz county , they are down 10-30%. Without the benefit of a crystal ball, I’d guess there might be another 5-10%, of downtrend depending on the area, with most of that being in the north and south regions of the county. That does not mean that you can’t go and get that right discount right now. Banks and sellers are willing to sell, so it is time to “go fish.”

Speaking on that topic, one of my favorite fish, salmon is not likely to be fished this year. It is an unfortunate situation that is not well understood as to why there is such a very limited number of salmon in the runs this year. The DFG is likely to cancel the whole salmon fishing season .So from an economic stand point, Santa Cruz fishermen are likely to have the year off. Not something they wanted. Slip rent still is costly as is the rising cost of fuel. It is a very difficult time to be a fisherman no doubt, also because the rock fish have been over fished. Maybe it is global warming that is affecting the sea life as the arctic ice shelf is melting at an unprecedented rate? Recently even Orca killer whales have made it into Monterey Bay because the salmon are scarce in the waters they normally inhabit, in the Washington area.

No doubt fisherman love what they do, but some will fall by the wayside, and take other jobs. Others who enjoy what they do, like me, will find a way to keep on fishing, even though things are tough. I have been helping people “fish” the right house in a sea of choices for 20 years. These are times that I see rare opportunity, when others see peril.

Now back to “fishing” for that great deal in real estate. Here are the things that you need to start thinking about as you decide to move from “cutting bait” to “fishing.” Both things are necessary, so if you don’t have enough “bait- down payment”, lets talk and devise a plan and a timeframe. So here is what you need to do:

1) Make sure you have enough bait- save up for a down payment of at least 10%
2) Check to boat to make sure it is seaworthy- talk with a lender, some one experienced like

Woodward-O’Connor Mortgage so there is smooth sailing in the rough seas of lenders.
3) Check you gear- do you have time to go out and troll for the right home now?
4) Is your skipper and crew ready-,yes, Gregg Camp- to help you fish?
5) Is your navigation and fish finder top notch and in sound order- search easily for the home you want. Yes!
6) Is the weather right for fishing for that great deal on a home or investment vacation rental? Yes!
7) Then it is time to “go fish” for a great deal on a home or condominium or investment vacation house.

Well then call for an appointment and lets get started before the other fisherman catch your fish and the one you wanted gets away. Call Gregg at 831-818-7524. Read my other blogs.

Some factors to consider when you are going to make an offer on a short sale property

Often times, there can be some real great deals, there can also be lots of aggravation. Just as with an REO, you are dealing with someone who is most likely losing money. No matter who that is, they often don’t like it, and can be stubborn.

Here are some things to consider

1) They can be a no better deal than a regular house if the bank or banks refuse to price the home at market price. Talk to an experienced agent and find what is a good value and a great one.

2) It often takes a week or more to get an answer from a lender or lenders on your offer. They will at times give no response to the offer as to what they will accept.As a buyer you may feel hung out to dry.

3) The listing agent has not control over the banks, and in many cases, is inexperienced as they have not been around long enough know what it was like back in the early 90’s. Pick and experienced agent to work with and you will have a better chance for success.

4) Consider only real sellers, and REO owned homes as their motivations and control are primary.

Then why should anybody ever take the time to purchase a short sale home? Talk with an experienced agent and see what you best options and goal are. For the right person, they can be the right choice.To see some of the short sale or foreclosed properties that are available. Before you get too far down the path get yourself to a lender. Many have gone out of business, but get a seasoned one like Woodward-O’Connor Mortgage. You want a local lender who uses local appraisers. They will know the values, which are difficult to determine right now, as there are few comparables. If something is interesting, give me a call at 831-818-7524

To read some of my other blogs, go to my other blog

 

Santa Cruz trademark “Surf City” lawsuit to end.

A Santa Cruz businessman has been fighting to use the name “Surf City, USA” for the past several years. The moniker has been used for Santa Cruz for approximately a century. In keeping with laid back Santa Cruz’s demeanor, no one thought to trademark it. I am guessing the feeling was it was like “windy city” or “motor city” or other monikers that are used for quite awhile and have no particular “ownership” claimed by anyone. While I can’t speak for the aforementioned names being trademarked or not, the point is made.

The feud was started because a southern California city, Huntington Beach, filed for that trademark in 2005, and since Santa Cruz was unaware of the claim didn’t challenge it. They then informed a local businessman who sells T shirts to tourists on Santa Cruz wharf to cease and desist from selling the “Surf City USA” T-shirts. Noland, the gift shop businessman fired back, essentially, buzz off. Santa Cruz has been called “Surf City” long before Huntington Beach and long before the name was memorialized in the Beach Boys song of the same name. They did not have Santa Cruz in mind when they penned the song. Nevertheless, that was only in the 60’s. To read more of the interesting history of Santa Cruz, and Huntington Beach, California, follow the links.

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz  are working on a multi-layer thin film deposition material for solar panels. The creation of this new material is being built one nano layer at a time, with different layers having different properties. The material is a custom composition that does not exist in nature.

While solar is the natural application that is hot at the moment, this process has the potential of a 3 times increase of efficiency. While this potentially has a great green effect on housing, there are other applications that show promise as well in the formation of hydrogen wherever there is sunlight.

As the real estate in Santa Cruz and other high cost areas is unlikely to significantly change, this could potentially open up for real estate development other areas that have plenty of sunlight, but other limitations. The desert is one such area hypothesized as a potential use for this technology. As real estate valuation is a function of location, and supply and demand, the costs for a growing nation can potentially be mitigated by development in the vast desert areas of Nevada and Arizona. In the meantime, property in Santa Cruz continues to be a sought after commodity and is out of the financial grasp of most of the general populace. If you want to see what values are now, follow the prior link.

While the desert is a beautiful, I suspect that most will opt for the beautiful environs of Capitola or Aptos, at least while people are younger. The desert heat seems to be welcomed by our seniors, as evidenced by the fast growth in Arizona and Nevada, though I suspect water will be the problem that will rein in growth. Wouldn’t it be nice to generate water from sunshine? Stay tuned.

Santa Cruz County interest on deposits for rentals is due as of January 1,2008.

In many parts of the state and nation tenants deposits are not required to have interest paid on them. In Santa Cruz County, the unincorporated areas, the deposits earn .34% interest for the time held in 2007. This interest rate varies throughout the years, and is interesting to note the changes that mimic the interest rates. In the city of Capitola and Santa Cruz, the guidelines are slightly different, but the rates are the same. Watsonville has interest that is needed to be paid on deposits as well. To see the rates and information regarding these ordinances go to http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/DAInternet/interest_sec_dep.asp You will note that the City of Scotts Valley does not have this requirement. Many county’s have different ordinances regarding tenant laws and many do not require interest payments, which are comparable to what would be yielded in a savings account. State law does not require interest payments on residential real estate investments that are rented out to tenants.

For owners of real estate investment property, this is a bookkeeping event that one has to administer. To determine what is owed a tenant, take the rate times the amount for the annual dollar amount. If they tenant has been there less than a full year, either use number of months or use a per diem rate and multiply by the number of days. A simple example is if a tenant had $2000 as a deposit and were there for a year, at the current rate of .34%, they would be due $6.80 for 2007. If you want to look for investment property in Santa Cruz follow the link and either search for multi-residential or commercial. Commercial deposits receive no interest.

Santa Cruz county recycling of Christmas stuff

Christmas can be a delightful time for all, even for the environment. Granted we drive around a lot which isn’t, but at least we have fun wrapping and unwrapping gifts and being responsible.

The deluge of boxes and paper can be recycled with some forethought. The wrapping paper is not good for woodstoves with catalytic converters, but is good for wrapping other smaller gifts. Unwrap carefully and you can re-use the paper and the bows or ribbons. The less of this stuff that ends up in the land fill means the county won’t have to buy more real estate to expand the land fill and it lasts longer. For the old stuff that needs to go because you got a new computer or blender, there is Grey Bears which recycles and help seniors as well.

Boxes can be recycled by breaking them down and putting them in the recycle bin, or you can save them, and use them again for a birthday or other holiday gift. For those of you with kids, talk with their teachers and see if any of the stuff can be used in class room art projects. Remember those when we were in grade school? If you want to see where schools are near  your house go to www.propertyinsantacruz.com and click on the map section or on your town and go to the map.

The one over looked recycling of the day that can be very helpful is called re-gifting. That box modeling clay you will never you use would be a great re-gift for a 6-10 year old. That picture frame with the flamingo motif would be great for the 20 something girl who is on her own and likes a bit of whimsy. How about that real humdinger gift - a portrait of our venerable Mr. Bush, keep that one for a white elephant gift party. You’re sure to be a hit. Everyone will be envious. Just remember to label who the gift came from so you give it out of your circle of friends or family. Now that is a great modern way to recycle and get what would be clutter out of your closet or attic!

Now what about that tree? Many municipalities and fire departments have drop off stations or pick ups. Soquel and Aptos and Scotts Valley fire departments all will take them. If you want to help a local organization, the Surfrider Foundation is having a Christmas tree pick up and clean up, for a donation with a unique service. The city of Santa Cruz and Watsonville are slated to pick up at curbside January 7-11, Capitola, Unincorporated Santa Cruz County and Scotts Valley January 2-22. Trees need to be cut up to no more than 3 foot lengths. These trees will be chipped and mulched. Call the organization or fire departments to confirm hours and exact locations. It is a good thing to do for all concerned.

     

As I sit in front of my computer thinking of what I will be working on today, I can’t help but be thankful. In the past two hours the temperature has risen two degrees to a balmy 39 degrees. I am thankful I am inside and have shelter overhead. Today I will be working on getting things for our Adopt-a-Family. The Adopt-a-Family family is a program that our office at David Lyng Real Estate supports. I am the office representative to assist 4 families. What this program does it provide a way for a number of families to receive gifts and presents during the holidays. In a society bloated with excess, these members do not have material excess. So I am, with the help of many fine agents in my office, to bring some basic needed items and hopefully some cheer and solace, to their holidays.

Some people relish being on a short list. This would be a long list as you need to qualify in a bad way to get on it. The long part of the list is the number of people that could actually qualify in my area. It is almost a paradox in the real estate business I am in.

With people needing high incomes to qualify for homes on one hand, and to qualify for this list, low incomes. Both part of the same relationship, at different ends. These are people whose incomes are even below the level designated locally as “low income” needed for Measure J and Measure O, a local housing assistance to purchase program. More about housing assistance in another blog though.

So I ponder about the people, of whom I have a thumbnail sketch of. Who are they, and I wonder of their life and circumstances? I have had low parts of my life as many have; holidays can be a difficult time. I do enjoy helping people buy homes, because as a realtor, that is one aspect of my job. It is the “home” aspect that we all like; the place to call ours, to do what we want. Just having a home is a challenge, financially now for many. These folks though do not have that problem, theirs is often far more basic, where can I live on my meager income in this high cost area? Theirs is a more basic one as in    “we need clothes for our children, for ourselves, dishes and the like”. They are not asking for the X box or I pods, but shoes and socks, jackets to ward off the cold.

Many of us have excess of material things and a dearth of spiritual things like compassion, giving or caring for others. It is a time of year we are reminded by going to the store and hearing and seeing the Salvation Army reminding us there is a need for donations large and small.

So I ask of you to look inside your soul, closet, and clean out unused, unneeded things. Another charity I support is the Second Harvest Food Bank, and they can use items you have in your pantry you won’t be using. Please open your hearts and wallets and closets and help those without. The true spirit of Christmas is not the getting as I used to think as a kid, but the giving. If you would like to participate, send me an e-mail. I hope your holidays are spent with reflection and compassion and appreciation. Life is a big family.

                        

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