Santa Cruz County Home & Community Information

SANTA CRUZ FHA LOANS - HOW TO BUY A HOME WITH AN FHA LOAN

Buying a home with a FHA loan in Santa Cruz has become much more popular over the past few years.  FHA loans are great for first time home buyers or those without a large downpayment because the current minimum down payment for an FHA loan is only 3.5%.  Also, Santa Cruz FHA loan limits  have been raised.  If you want to buy a home using an FHA loan the loan limit is  $729,000 for all of Santa Cruz County.

I have helped many buyers purchase a home with an FHA loan over the past few years in Santa Cruz County.  Something to keep in mind when you are shopping for a home with a FHA loan is that there are certain property requirments that must be met.  This means you cannot buy a 'fixer' with a regular FHA loan unless you are using the special FHA rehab loan program or the FHA 203k loan.

A few things to check for when looking at a home to purchase with an FHA loan:

Broken windows

Exposed Wiring

Obvious Termite Damage

Older roof in obvious need of repair (the roof should have at least 2 years of remaining life)

The home must have a heat source (wood burning stove is not enough)

Lack of a appliances/stove may be an issue

If the above items are present in a home, it may be a harder to obtain an FHA loan on the property.  These are just a few issues that can arise during an appraisal of a FHA home.  If you are looking to buy a foreclosure or short sale home in Santa Cruz often times the condition may not be up to par.  If you find a home that you really want but do not think it will pass a regular FHA appraisal then you can try for a FHA Rehab loan or FHA 203K loan.  I have had clients use these rehab loans with much success.  The process does take longer than a regular FHA loan but can be well worth it.  Contact me for a referral for a lender that specializes in FHA 203k loans in the Santa Cruz County area.

Buying a home with an FHA Loan in Santa Cruz can be a great option for you.  For more information about how to buy a home with a FHA loan please feel free to contact me.

Read my related articles:

Santa Cruz County First Time Home Buyer Programs

Santa Cruz Homes for sale under $500,000

FHA Approved Condos Santa Cruz

HOMES FOR SALE IN PLEASURE POINT, SANTA CRUZ, CA

Pleasure Point is a neighborhood located in Santa Cruz, adjacent to Capitola starting at 41st Avenue and going north from there.  Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz is a quintessential beach neighborhood steeped in the surfing culture of Northern California.  The Pleasure Point neighborhood is a mix of Santa Cruz locals and visitors.  Homes for sale in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz range from small beach cottages to ocean view multi million dollar homes.  This is one of the best priced Santa Cruz Beach Homes for Sale

The types of homes for sale in Pleasure Point vary widely.  The lowest priced home sale in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz in 2010 was a small 2 bedroom beach bungalow that sold for $420,000.   The highest priced home sale in Pleasure Point in 2010 was an incredible 5 bedroom, ocean view luxury home that sold for $3.8 million dollars.  Homes for sale in Pleasure Point offer everything from entry level beach cottages to luxury oceanview homes.  The average price of a Pleasure Point home for sale in 2010 was $807,000.  Contact me for a current list of homes for sale in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, including foreclosures in Pleasure Point.

What is it like living in Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz?  You will most likely become a surfer if you aren't one already.  There are many world class surf spots only steps away.  World class surfers also live in Pleasure Point but there are some great surf breaks for beginners and those who want to learn how to surf as well. 

In Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz, you get to know your neighbors well, there is a sense of community.  Most of the property lot sizes are not very big, especially nearer to the beach so you are close to your neighbors.  There are many local restaurants and shops where you will run into friends and acquaintances like Coffeetopia, Pink Godzilla Sushi, Rock of the Sea, Cliff Cafe and many more.  Of course the area is peppered with surf shops like O'neills and Billabong.

 Life is good in Pleasure Point and Santa Cruz.  For a list of homes for sale in Pleasure Point and Santa Cruz please feel free to contact me.  I am also happy to answer any questions about the area, schools, community events  . . .

Read my other related posts:

Capitola Condos for Sale

Santa Cruz First Time Home Buyer Programs

CHEAP HORSE PROPERTY IN AROMAS, NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY

The place to look for Cheap Horse property is Monterey County and Aromas Prunedale areas.  If you ever dreamed of owning acerage with room for horses, gardening, hobbies there are some great buys in North Monterey County most of them foreclosures or short sales.

This lovely cheap horse property in Aromas just sold for under $400,000!  Over 5 acres with a barn, tennis court and lots of useable land and views!

The single level home has a great floor plan with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with a huge wraparound deck great for entertaining.  The oak studded acreage on this cheap horse property is in peaceful and quiet neighborhood.

This cheap horse property was sold as a foreclosure.  There are other great inexpensive horse properties with acerage available in North Monterey County and Santa Cruz County.   Contact me for a list of cheap horse properties or homes with acreage, there are many including foreclosures.