I’ve been having a lot of conversations about mortgages lately.  Conversations about refinancing, about loans that help my clients buy and sell at the same time, and conversations about whether it makes sense to pay off your mortgage early or even make extra payments if you have additional funds.  I love talking about mortgages and […]

How to Move Up with Ease When you are ready for a new home but also have one to sell, or want to rent-out your current home, the stakes are much higher. This time around, you’ve got more to think about, plan, and “get right” than when you bought your first home. In this article […]

I get this question from both new clients who are about to buy their first home as well as clients that have owned their home for a while, “How long should I plan to hold on to my home before I sell?” Whether you want to make a quick profit from the rising real estate […]

As a homeowner, it’s fun to enjoy all the great things about your home—place to relax, entertain, or spend quality time with family.  But what about when something goes wrong?  Do you know what needs to be done in case of an emergency or other urgent situation in your home? Here are 5 musts that […]

You’ve heard the stories.  A fixer upper in a not so in-demand neighborhood and it got 40 offers, 32 of which were cash.   There’s so many stories like that I could share with you about how hot the market is right now for sellers and you’ve probably heard a few doozies from friends and family […]

Selling your home in the spring is usually best for most homeowners.  The time of year isn’t just blooming with flowers but also buyers! Starting in March and going through July, the real estate market is in full force throughout Santa Cruz County. Just about anyone who is looking for a home is hitting open […]

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gas, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. You must have a CO detector if you have fuel-burning appliances in your home. And if you have such appliances on more than one level of your home, you should have a carbon monoxide detector on each […]

Being a homeowner can be exciting and fun, with lots of freedom to make it your own space! As a homeowner, though, you’re the one in charge of any repairs, maintenance, finances, and improvements over the long haul.  Whether you’re a first time homeowner or you’ve owned many, it’s important to stay informed and organized […]

You love your neighborhood and everything about where you live, but you wish you could make some changes to your home.  You’re not alone with this thinking. But many homeowners don’t move forward since they believe that financing and lack of cash is a roadblock for them when it comes to renovating their current home. […]

As a homeowner, you should have gained some equity in your home since living there and paying your mortgage down. Have you ever considered using this equity to finance some of your needs if you don’t have the cash flow? A home equity loan or line of credit are two ways to get the necessary […]