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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Did you lose your home through foreclosure, short sale, or bankruptcy?

Did you lose your home through foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy? 

There may be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the Back to Work – Extenuating Circumstances program, aimed to help people who have lost their home through foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy.

 

SOMETHING GOOD!  Sometimes things just happen that are out of our control. Knowing that many homeowners were adversely affected during the economic situation, this program allows them an opportunity to get back to home ownership.  

The old requirements were that a buyer would have to wait a minimum of 36 months before being able to finance a home purchase.  However, with this new program, the “wait” time has been dramatically reduced to 12 months to those who qualify and meet HUD’s minimum eligibility requirements.

What should you do to find out if you qualify?

 

Contact me and I will send you the requirements.

 

This is still a GREAT time to buy.  Interest rates are still low.  

Take advantage of the market slow down and the great interest rates.

 

Click here to search for your next home in Santa Cruz, Aptos, Soquel, Capitola, Watsonville and surrounding areas..

 

 

What are you doing Sunday for Breakfast? 

Come join the La Selva Beach Firefighters for their annual Firefighters Pancake Breakfast at the La Selva Beach Clubhouse (right next to the La Selva Beach Fire Station).  

Rumor is... they will have pancakes, eggs, bacon, juice, coffee and all the fixin's.

There will be a "Fill the Boot" table, supporting a number of worthy charities.the "fixin's" served by the local firefighters and their families.

Sounds like a fun day!

WHEN:  Sunday, September 22, 2013, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
WHERE:  La Selva Beach Clubhouse, 314 Ave, La Selva Beach, CA
WHAT:  Pancake Breakfast
COST: $7 per person (kids 10 and under eat free)
           

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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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Have you ever considered moving to Oregon? Search for Oregon homes here.

Fixing Doors that want to swing shut!

I recently took a listing for a home in Corvallis, Oregon. It was an older home, built in the 60s - very nice, especially after it was staged thanks to Creative Concepts.  

The house is in great condition - but this one bedroom door would not stay open.  I had voiced this to the lady that was doing the staging and she told me a quick and easy trick that I thought I would share.  Because, hey... I don't think I am the only one with the problem and I had not had a chance to search it on the internet yet.  

She told me to remove the bottom pin from the hinge, lay it on concrete and hit the pin right in the middle.  The purpose is to bend the pin a bit. One strong "ding" should do the job.  Then replace the pin back in the door hinge.  YES!!! It worked like a charm.

I was so thankful and it took me less than two minutes to solve the problem.  I hope you can use this beneficial tip as well.

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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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Celebrate the 4th of July - Monterey Bay Fireworks and Events

Did you know...The Fourth of July has been known as Independence Day since the 18th century?  Did you know... July 4th became a federal holiday in the United States in 1941?

Representatives of all 13 colonies decided to declare their independence from Great Britain in June 1776.  On July 2nd, the Continental Congress agreed with that decision and two days later, the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted.  Since 1776, July 4th has been celebrated as Independence Day.  

Celebrate with us.

mbaykids.com - a great website for parents and kids, pancake breakfasts, 10K, 5K, 1K runs, and more

Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce 

Santa Cruz Sentinel Fourth of July Calendar

APTOS:  “World’s Shortest Parade”  10:00am-Noonish  .6 mile parade... Starts on the corner of State Park Drive and Soquel Drive  

LA SELVA BEACH:  Annual 4th of July Parade

WATSONVILLE:  "Spirit of Watsonville July 4th Parade"  2 p.m. on Main Street 

WATCH FIREWORKS ON THE WATER  

SCOTTS VALLEY - World-class fireworks show at Skypark Parade at 3 p.m., Festivities at 5 p.m., Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

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