Santa Cruz County Home & Community Information: January 2010

55+ ADULT COMMUNITIES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA

For seniors and people over 55+ in Santa Cruz County there are a many adult communities 55+ for you.  In Santa Cruz City there is a lovely historic building that houses a co-op condo residence called Piedmont Court located on High St in Santa Cruz. 

Built in 1912 Piedmont Court exudes period charm and is a beautiful and comfortable place to call home.  Piedmont Court is made up of 1 bedroom and studio units.  A 1 bedroom unit in this 55+ adult community sold in December 2009 for $210,000. 

Another adult community 55+ is located in Watsonville, the Adult Village.  This is an adult community of about 600 single family homes, mostly 2 bedrooms and single level.  This adult community 55+ is located within walking distance to shopping, bus lines and ammenties making it a very convenient location for senior residents.  In 2009 the average home price in the Adult Village was $231.584.

Other adult community 55+ options for Seniors in Santa Cruz include several mobile home parks for ages 55+ and 62+.  One very nice senior park is Tradewinds Mobile Home Park located on Jade St in Capitola.  Tradewinds in a 55+ park and a co-op which means that the residents own the park together and the land is not leased.  This makes obtaining a loan for a mobile home there somewhat easier and is more desirable than a park where you lease the land.  Tradewinds is within walking distance to 41st Avenue, a hub of shops, entertainment, restaurants and transportation.

Sorrento Oaks Mobile Home Park is another lovely Adult Community 55+ in Santa Cruz.  It is a  cooperatively owned park by the residents.  Sorrento Oaks Mobile Home Park is located off 7th street near the upper Yacht Harbor in Santa Cruz.  The mobile and manufactured homes here are well maintained with many residents showing off their 'green thumb' on their patios.  In 2009 sale prices in this adult community 55+ ranged from $117,000 to $150,000.

  From Sorrento Oaks one can walk to the beach or Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. 

There are many more Adult Communitity 55+ senior mobile home parks in Santa Cruz County in various prices ranges and locations.  For more details please feel free to contact me anytime! 

Start Here to Search for Your Santa Cruz Home!

GOLF FANATIC?  SANTA CRUZ OFFERS GOLF COURSE HOMES AND LIVING FOR YOU!

If you love to golf and be outdoors, Santa Cruz County offers some lovely options for you.  There are world class golf courses in Santa Cruz County and nearby, one of the best being Pasatiempo Golf Club designed by Alister Mackenzie and originally opened in 1929.  Pasatiempo Golf Club is located between Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley.  Golf course homes in Pasatiempo range from classic 1950's ranchers to new luxury homes with golf course views.  Homes on the golf course in Pasatiempo start at about 1 million dollars and range to over 2 million.  Contact me for a list of homes for sale or start here to search for your golf course home.

Seascape Golf Course in the Aptos area  has many golf course homes with fairway and green frontage.

This golf course home for sale on Saint Andrews Dr in Aptos has views of the fairway of Seascape Golf Course.  Homes on the golf course in Seascape start at about $900,000.

For more modestly priced homes on the golf course  one can go to the Pajaro Valley Golf Club in the outskirts of Watsonville.  There are a few homes with golf course views starting in the mid-$400,000 range.

Santa Cruz offers many great golfing opportunities and fun golf tournaments.  Start here to

 Search for your Santa Cruz Golf Course Home!

And please feel free to contact me anytime for more info about golfing in Santa Cruz County!

HOME PRICES IN APTOS, CA - REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT

Aptos, CA is located in Santa Cruz County between Capitola and La Selva Beach & Watsonville.  This 95003 area code consists of Aptos and the smaller communities within it:  Rio del Mar, Seascape, Seacliff. 

Home prices in Aptos have a wide range because Aptos has ocean front multi-million dollar beach homes, small beach cabins, mountain estates, horse property, vineyards, really something for everyone.  Aptos is on the Southern end of Santa Cruz County, closer to Monterey and is a bit reminiscent of Carmel as a sleepy beach town with lovely properties.  People from places like Modesto, Stockton, Sacramento love to escape the heat in the summer months in their areas and flock to the beaches of Aptos and Nature's Air Condition: the fog.

Let's take a look at Home Prices in Aptos, CA over the past 2 years:

Graph of Median Home Prices in Aptos, Rio Del Mar/Seascape, Seacliff, CA 2008-2009

As you can see in the graph above home prices in Aptos have gone down fairly consistently from the beginning of 2008 and about bottomed out in January of 2009 and since then have started to increase monthly.  The median home price for Aptos, Seacliff, Seascape/Rio Del Mar the entire year of 2009 was $659,167.  For 2008 the median home price for these areas was $723,833.

Graph of # of homes sold in Aptos, Rio del Mar/Seascape/Seacliff 2008-2009

The graph above illustrates the increase in the number of homes sold in Aptos since the beginning of 2009.  The drop in median home prices has resulted in more people being able to afford homes in the Aptos area and more homes selling.  In 2008 there were 188 homes sold in Aptos and in 2009, 201 homes were sold.  Demand for homes has begun to increase in Aptos leading to a likely gradual rise in median home prices here.

For more detailed information about home prices in a specific area or price range in Santa Cruz County contact me.  Here are some other posts I have written about home prices in other parts of Santa Cruz County:

Santa Cruz County Home Prices

Soquel Home Prices

Capitola Home Prices

Live Oak Home Prices

* All information and graphs from Clarus Market Metrics and ProMLSListings

WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ 2 BEDROOM HOME FOR SALE IN FANTASTIC NEIGHBORHOOD!

*This home SOLD in July 2010 *  For information about other Santa Cruz Homes for sale or to see what your home is worth call Jessica at (831) 419-9345 or email cjess4homes@yahoo.com

Westside Santa Cruz 2 bedroom Home for sale is located in an excellent neighborhood on the Upper Westside of Santa Cruz close to UCSC.  Mira Vista Dr is a quiet street with lovely properties, this would be a great family home with the nice backyard and there is room to expand up or out.  Expanding up would have potential ocean views! and increase the home's value.

This Westside Santa Cruz Home for sale features 2 bedrooms, 1 recently updated bathroom, 2 car garage and a great backyard with fruit trees.  This is a classic clean home built in the 1950's on a large lot of 6,621 SF that allows for easy expansion.  

Westside Santa Cruz 2 bedroom home for sale is close to shopping, we have a new Safeway on the Westside of Santa Cruz as well as a new branch of New Leaf Market, a Santa Cruz favorite.  There are some great restaurants nearby like Ristoranti Avanti, Sushi Totoro, Hawgs as well as fun places to grab a quick drink and chat with friends like Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room & Cafe and the Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery.

   I call Westside Santa Cruz home myself & I love living here.  There are so many great activities and  amenities all within walking distance of your home!  Feel free to contact me anytime for information about the area and schools and start here to

 Search for your Santa Cruz Home!

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HOW FHA LOAN CHANGES WILL AFFECT LOW DOWN PAYMENT BUYERS IN SANTA CRUZ

FHA loans have become very popular loans for home buyers with low down payments.  With an FHA loan you can buy a home with as little as 3.5% down payment.  I have helped quite a few buyers purchase homes and condos in Santa Cruz in the past couple of years with FHA loans and it has gone really well.  They have mostly been 1st time buyers but not all.  Before the credit crunch FHA loans were not used often in Santa Cruz County because there were so many other programs for buyers with low down payments.  Now it seems they are pretty much the only way to go for buyers with low cash reserves. 

There have been and will be more changes coming to FHA loans that will affect buyers with low down payments.  It is going to become more expensive to obtain these loans in the future but the good news is that they are not raising the minimum down payment amount from 3.5% for now.

Here are a few of the changes coming up in FHA loans:

Mortgage insurance is required on FHA loans that have less than a 20% down payment.  The mortgage insurance premium is going to be increased this year from 1.75% to 2.25%. 

Seller credits to the buyer on FHA loans were allowed up to 6% and that is going to be changed to only 3%. 

Home buyers with less than stellar credit (580 credit score) may be required to put up to 10% down payment in order to purchase a home.

Another rule that has changed recently is the 90 day flipping rule.  Buyers will no longer have to wait 90 days to purchase a home that has transferred title in the previous 90 days.

For buyers with a low down payment looking to purchase a home this year these changes can really affect the amount you can qualify for.  Check with your local FHA lender to see what you can qualify for with these new rules.  I know several great FHA lenders that can help you, contact me and I will forward their information.

Start here to Search for your Santa Cruz Home and receive up to date info about homes for sale in Santa Cruz including Foreclosures.

SANTA CRUZ GENERAL CONTRACTOR - IMPROVE YOUR HOME CONSTRUCTION

  Improve Your Home Without the Headaches!

  CALL: Jeff Peters - Santa Cruz General Contractor at (831) 588-7467

  Improve Your Home Construction specializes in:

  -Kitchen/Bath Remodels  -Full Home Construction  -Decks/Pergolas/Fences

  -Custom Woodwork   -High quality Finish Work   -Movie Theater Rooms

  -Paint/Texture/Sheetrock repair  

  They work with the Homeowner to bring their Vision to Life!

  VISIT IMPROVE YOUR HOME CONSTRUCTION WEBSITE  to see more photos of their work and read client testimonials!  Call (831) 588-7467 for a FREE Estimate.

                            BEFORE                                                                              AFTER

Jeff Peters - Owner and licensed General Contractor has 20 years of experience and produces quality construction and remodels in the Santa Cruz County area.  Jeff has made it a quest of his to learn all aspects of building a home in order to be a highly skilled contractor and save his customers time and money.  Improve Your Home Construction's mission is to provide their customers with a quality job done on time AND on budget.

Call Jeff today at (831) 588-7467 for a FREE estimate for your next home improvement project. 

CL # 937205

HOME PRICES IN LIVE OAK, CA - A Neighborhood in Santa Cruz County

Live Oak is a part of Santa Cruz County, CA that lies between the Seabright/Yacht Harbor area and Capitola, CA.   According to the 2000 census there were almost 17,000 people living there at that time.  Live Oak is not its own city like Capitola or Scotts Valley but it is an area in Santa Cruz that has its own characteristics and attributes.  There are some lovely beaches in Live Oak, like Sunny Cove at the end of 17th Ave.

Within Live Oak there are suburban type neighborhoods with more moderate home prices for the Santa Cruz area.  There are also ocean front beach homes that sell for millions of dollars.  In 2009 the highest home price in Live Oak was a beach front home that sold for $5,125,000.  The lowest home sale in 2009 in Live Oak was major fixer for $150,000.

Let's take a look at home prices in Live Oak over the past 2 years 2008 & 2009.

Graph of Median Home Prices in Live Oak 2008-2009

As the graph above illustrates home prices in Live Oak have fluctuated throughout the past 2 years showing a slight trend downward.  The median Live Oak home price in 2009 was $595,000 which is down from 2008 when the median home price was $650,000.  With the drop in home prices the number of sales started to grow in 2009:

Graph of # of Sales in Live Oak in 2008-2009

The total # of single family homes sold in Live Oak in 2009 was 145 which is way up from 2008 when only 100 homes were sold in Live Oak.  As home prices decreased more First Time Home Buyers have been able to afford homes in Live Oak and there has been interest from investors as well.  Currently there is not a lot of inventory and demand has risen with the first time buyer tax credit and great interest rates. 

For those interested in buying a home in the Live Oak area visit here to Search for Your Live Oak/Santa Cruz Home and you will receive accurate and up to date information about homes including foreclosures.

For a more detailed look at a specific neighborhood or price range in Live Oak or Santa Cruz please Contact Me.  I also wrote a recent blog about Santa Cruz County Home Prices as a whole and as well as Capitola Home Prices and Soquel Home Prices.

* All stats and graphs from Claurs Market Metrics and MLSListings.com

SANTA CRUZ WINTER STORMS ARE HERE!

The last few days Santa Cruz, CA and all of California has been hit by some pretty strong winter storms.  In general the weather in Santa Cruz is pretty mild year round.  Our summers never get too hot because of nature's air conditioning: the coastal fog.  Winters we do get rain but not a ton like further North in California or in Oregon and Washington States.  The weather in Santa Cruz is pretty ideal but when a winter storm hits many love to go down to the beach and watch the ocean.  It becomes a roiling mass of waves and white caps often crashing over seawalls and cliffs in dramatic fashion.

I went down to West Cliff Dr this morning to see how this winter storm was affecting the ocean.  I saw several fallen trees on the way and power lines down.  One tree fell right on a car and a home, luckily no one was injured.  I took a few more pics along the way:

Stay dry out there everyone!

Search for Santa Cruz Homes

ARTISTIC SPANISH STYLE 4 BEDROOM HOME FOR SALE IN APTOS, CA

This is a really unique home for sale located in the Aptos Hills in Santa Cruz County.  The home was custom built in 1966 and has some great features and originality.  It has been lovingly cared for over the years and is in great shape.  This 4 bedroom home for sale is set on just over 1 acre so there is plenty of room for gardening and outdoor entertaining.  Offered for the first time for sale for $697,500.

The living room in this 4 bedroom home for sale has dramatic two story windows letting in light and views.  Beautiful dark hardwood floors compliment the white walls and dark window trim. 

The back yard has terraced brick walkways and

patio areas keeping true to the Spanish Style

of the home. 

Beautiful setting for summer BBQs and fun.

This 4 bedroom home for sale would be a great place to raise a family and serve as a sanctuary for one to come home to. 

There are many great properties in Santa Cruz County and Aptos.  Start here to Search for your Santa Cruz County Home. You will find accurate & up-to-date information about homes for sale in Santa Cruz County & Aptos as well as Foreclosures.

Feel free to Contact Me for more information about this home or any others in Aptos or Santa Cruz County.

HOME PRICES IN CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA - REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT

In this article I will take a look at home prices in Capitola, CA over the past year of 2009.  This is a follow up to a recent blog I wrote about Santa Cruz County Home Prices that took a look at home prices in Santa Cruz County as a whole.

Capitola, CA is a small city in Santa Cruz County of about 2 square miles and a population of 10,500, which probably triples in the summer months with all the visitors.  Capitola is a picturesque beach town with a European feel and look.  There are some great events in the fall like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival  and the Begonia Festival.  Homes in Capitola range from small beach homes built early last century as summer cabins to large, modern ocean view homes.  Home prices in Capitola can also vary widely as there are multi-million dollar homes and property that sells for a more modest price.  Let's take a look at the median home prices over the past year of 2009.

Graph of Median Home Prices - Capitola, CA 2009

There are a relatively few single family homes sold each month in Capitola (about 3-5) so as you can see in January 2009 the median home price was much higher because of an higher than average sale.  In 2009 the median home price for the entire year was $628,000.  That is higher than Santa Cruz County as whole which in Dec 09 hit a median home price of $550,000.  There were 56 closed sales in Capitola in 2009 which is up from 2008 when there were 47 closed sales.

Graph of # of Homes Sold in Capitola, CA 2009

Home prices in Capitola are down from 2008 but seem to have held pretty steady in 2009.  The months supply of inventory in December 2009 was only 3.3 percent which indicates that homes are selling faster and there is less inventory.  With these conditions historically home prices have tended to rise.

Certain neighborhood and prices ranges in Capitola have different characteristics, if you have one that you would like more detailed information about please contact me or call 831-419-9345.

 To read about less expensive Capitola Real Estate visit here:  Capitola Condos