Santa Cruz County Home & Community Information

WHAT IS MY HOME WORTH IN SANTA CRUZ?  DETERMINING YOUR HOME'S VALUE & SELLING YOUR HOME

To determine your home's value in Santa Cruz County one must take in a variety of considerations.  In a beach community like Santa Cruz, Rio del Mar, Aptos, Seacliff, Capitola . . . proximity to the beach and presence of an ocean view drastically affect a property's value.  There can be a 1 million dollar plus difference between an ocean front home and a home one block away from it.  An ocean view can really up your home's value but it is just one of many factors to consider in finding your home's value.  Find out What Your Home is Worth

Another factor to consider in the size of your home and the size of your lot (or the usable land on your property).  Some properties in the Santa Cruz Mountain areas may have many acres but if there is not much usable land then the value might not be as high.  Having a one acre property in town will be worth much more than a 1 acre property in the mountains.

The age or construction quality is taken into consideration when determining your home's value.  If your home is older but built with quality and well kept up it can be worth as much as a newer home.  What is my Home Worth?

Of course there is the old saying "location, location, location" when it comes to determining your home's value.  Certain neighborhoods or areas will draw a much higher price.  Established neighborhoods on the Upper Westside of Santa Cruz, Pasatiempo, Seascape, Capitola (like Depot Hill or the Jewell Box) have higher home values on average than other parts of Santa Cruz County.  Even if you have a below average quality home in these areas it can sell for more than a nice home in another neighborhood.

When you are getting ready to sell your home do your best to highlight your home's best features to get the most value out of your home.  Go here for Tips for Preparing Your Home for Sale

When marketing a home for sale I use all the latest technology combined with traditional methods in order to present your home in the best light and to get as much exposure for your property as possible.  Feel free Contact me directly at (831) 419-9345 with questions about selling your home or your home's value.

TRANSFER YOUR PROPERTY TAX BASE - GOOD INFORMATION FOR SENIORS DOWNSIZING IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Ahh Property taxes, twice a year all homeowners get to write a nice check to their local tax assessor's office. In California, property taxes are based on the sales price of your home and cannot go up more than 2% per year thanks to Prop 13 passed in 1978.  This means if you purchased your home in Santa Cruz in 1985 for $150,000 your property taxes are going to be Much Less than someone who purchased a similar home in 2006 for $650,000.

For seniors and people over 55 looking to downsize in Santa Cruz, transferring your original property tax base to your new home is going to save you A LOT of money.  Proposition 60 allows people over 55 to transfer the assessed value from their original home to their new home.  For example:  You bought your home in 1985 in Santa Cruz County for $150,000.  In 2010 you decide you want to downsize.  You sell your home for $650,000 and buy a small condo for $400,000 in Santa Cruz County.  Since you bought in the same County and a property of lesser value than your original home you are able to keep your assessed property value from your original home and save $$$.

Proposition 60 is great for seniors looking to downsize.  Here are a few quick guidelines to see if you can qualify to transfer your property tax base:

*You must be 55 or older

*Both properties must be Primary Residences

*You must buy and sell in the same County.  Some Counties in California allow you to transfer your tax base from another County but as of now Santa Cruz County does not.

*You must buy a home of equal or lesser value than your original home.  Let's say you sell your home for $600,000, you cannot buy a new home for $800,000 and transfer your property tax base to it.

*The replacement property must be purchased within 2 years of the sale of the original home.

For more information and to see if you qualify to transfer your property tax base contact the Santa Cruz County Assessor's office. 

If your are thinking about downsizing and would like to know the value of your home and options for buying a smaller home please feel free to contact me at (831) 419-9345 ~ Jessica

55+ Adult Communities in Santa Cruz