Plant Your Winter Garden in Santa Cruz County including La Selva Beach

Fall is here.  And now is the time to plant your winter garden and take advantage of our Mediterranean climate in Santa Cruz County.  

There is an abundance of cool-weathered vegetables just waiting to be planted.

Step 1: A quick summer garden clean up is essential. This actually prepares the way for a healthy spring garden as well.  Rake up the rotting fruit, put the withering vines in the greenwaste bin, and throw down a new layer of mulch.  

Step 2: Pick winter vegetables (as opposed to summer vegetables). Snap peas, lettuce, beets, leeks, green onions, kale, chard, carrots, potatoes and some ideas.

Step 3: Give as much sun exposure as possible. Because the daylight is less in the winter, make sure that your garden is getting sun.  

Step 4: Be patient. Plants grow more slowly in the winter. Normally, our wet winter will take care of the watering. (Let's hope for a wet winter.)

For additional information on winter gardens in the Santa Cruz area, visit The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems.  

Are you looking to buy a home, sell a home or invest in real estate in La Selva Beach, Aptos, Watsonville, Santa Cruz?  Contact me at 831-531-8183.

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Family Friendly Fair and Pumpkin Patch (La Selva Beach, Watsonville)

Remember Linus in the "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown?"  

Does that bring back some fun memories? 

Saturday is a day that you can make some new fun memories with your family.  

High Ground Organic Farm in Watsonville will host their 5th Annual family-friendly Harvest Fair and Pumpkin Patch this Saturday, October 5, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

There will be live music, a petting zoo, pony and horse rides, cider pressing, arts and crafts, a pumpkin patch, a hay ride and lots of other fun things.  The proceeds will benefit Linscott Charter School in Watsonville.  

What:  Harvest Fair and Pumpkin Patch

Date:  October 5, 2013

Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Admission Fee: $10/adult; $5/child; 3 and under free

NOTE:  The entrance fee covers pony/horse rides, hay rides, all crafts, music, bee demonstration, animal activities, and apple tasting.

Where: High Ground Organic Farm, Watsonville, CA   Directions

For More Information:  http://www.linscottcharterschool.org/

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Everything to do with LIVING LIFE!

OK - this has nothing really to do with real estate, but everything to do with life. 

When was the last time you laughed?  That deep down belly laugh that was so intense you could barely breathe?  Falling out of your chair?

When was the last time you really had fun.  That peaceful quiet enjoyment of gratitude and thanksgiving?

This was my summer.  As I get older and life goes on for all family members, these times become so much more precious because they are rare.  This summer was filled with lots of family time, both immediate and extended. Lots of travel.  Lots of fun.  Lots of good thoughts.

I hope your summer was just as fun.

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Price Your Home Right the FIRST TIME

I know this is way too much information for some Sellers, however, with a changing market, and more educated Buyers and Sellers due to the internet, I have found that explaining HOW and WHY I came up with the List Price is very much appreciated.  (Disclaimer: This is a much abbreviated version of what I truly do.)

When a REALTOR suggests a LIST PRICE, we have to consider two things: 1. What buyers are willing to pay for the house, and 2. What the appraiser will value the house.

I personally start with homes that I think an appraiser will use in the appraisal.  I find homes that are as close to the "subject property" (a.k.a. Your House).  I consider age of home, square feet, lot size, location, and any special features.  As you know, we can sell a house at any price, but unless the appraiser says the value is there, a lender will not lend on that amount.  So we must be realistic.

Sometimes there is a HUGE discrepancy in the homes that are currently ACTIVE on the market, and those that have SOLD - with the same criteria. Yes, it may be a tough pill to swallow, but wisdom at the beginning of the listing will reap great rewards later.

Next, I think like a buyer.  If a buyer qualifies for a home up to $XXX,000 what would that buyer look at?  And how does the "subject property" compare?

This essentially is the competition.  As you look at the competition, you usually get an idea of how your home compares to the competition.  I have found this to be an invaluable tool.  The lower you go, the quicker the sale.

Now the interest rates have been increasing.  Many Buyers don't realize how much a rate increase affects their payment.  The higher the price and interest rate, the number of Buyers that can actually qualify for the house is decreased.

One thing I tell Sellers often - it is very hard to underprice a home, especially during a selling season.  Buyers have seen what is on the market and they will know when a good deal comes up.  If it is a GREAT deal, there most likely will be multiple offers which will increase the sales price.

We have July and August for the big push for Buyers.  Hopefully, the increase in interest rates will get Buyers to act now.

I hope this helps a bit.

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