Santa Cruz Real Estate Blog - Paul Burrowes

Santa Cruz County 2023 Housing Element

The County of Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors adopted the November 14, 2023 (see documents below) and has been forwarded to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for certification, a 60-day process.

Housing development is affected by public regulations and other forces. This chapter discusses governmental and non-governmental constraints on housing in Santa Cruz County. Governmental constraints include policies, requirements, or other actions by various government levels that affect land ownership, housing ownership, and development. In addition to local standards, the County follows state building and design laws, the Uniform Building Code, Subdivision Map Act, energy conservation requirements, and other regulatory…

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Outgrown and Overjoyed: The Emotional Journey of Moving to a Bigger Home

Going on the adventure of moving to a bigger home symbolizes a significant milestone, especially when buying a home for a growing family. It’s a time filled with excitement and the anticipation of new beginnings. This move, often seen as a home upgrade, brings with it a mix of emotions and practical challenges. As families expand, their needs evolve, making the transition to a more spacious environment not just desirable but essential. This introduction to a larger living space opens doors to countless possibilities, fostering growth and nurturing aspirations.

Recognizing the Need for More Space and Moving to a Bigger Home

Life evolves, and so do our living spaces. A growing family often marks the first sign that your current home may no…

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Will California Housing Market Rebound in 2024?

The Federal Reserve Has Spoken

Last Wednesday, the Federal Reserve announced its plan to maintain the federal funds rate at current levels. However, it predicts up to three rate cuts in 2024 if inflation keeps creeping toward the 2% target. This forecast signals potential rate relief on the horizon.

What does this mean for prospective homebuyers? Simply put, lower rates. The Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, but its management of the federal funds rate influences lenders’ decisions. So, if the predicted 0.75% in cuts comes to fruition, spread across three meetings next year, mortgage rates could take a sizable dip.

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California Dream Home Checklist Must-Have Features for West Coast Living

The charm of California, with its golden beaches and towering redwoods, captivates the hearts of many, from long-time residents to expats discovering its charms for the first time. Understanding California living, especially if you’re an expat, involves more than just adapting to a new environment. It’s also about embracing a lifestyle. This journey towards creating the ideal Californian living experience begins with crafting a California dream home checklist. Whether the panoramic views or the culture draws you in, this checklist guides you to realize your vision of the perfect home in the Golden State.

Embracing the Golden Opportunity: Why the World is Moving to California?

California, synonymous with opportunity, has become a magnet for…

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SB-35 Affordable Housing Streamlined Approval Process

Under SB 423, all the provisions of SB 35 will be extended until 2036 and expanded to cover mixed-income housing developments.

In September 2017, the state enacted SB 35 to increase affordable housing. There is potential disagreement between the state’s requirements and the desires of the local community.

To be eligible for streamlining, the project must meet all of the following criteria: Affordability: At least 50% of the proposed residential units must be dedicated as affordable to households at 80% AMI for either rental or ownership projects.

The Housing Accountability Act bars cities from rejecting projects or decreasing density based on “objective standards.” Furthermore, the state has recently upped the density bonus — a reward system…

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Santa Cruz Housing Market Opportunities

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines hoping for interest rates to drop or home prices to become a little more affordable, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re going to be waiting a long time.

Much like many markets across US metropolitan areas, the Bay Area housing market has been in a state of freeze. Sellers are unmotivated to sell, as they’d be pushed into much higher interest rates upon repurchase, and buyers are struggling to cope with high interest rates.

As discussed in our previous article, interest rates and inventory in the Santa Cruz housing market are making it difficult to transact and holding housing prices high. What’s going to happen when rates inevitably drop?

Due to extreme supply constraints, we can…

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8 Home Improvements That Add Little Value

If your house isn't brand new, you probably have a list of improvements you'd like to make. Renovating your home can increase its usability, coziness, and aesthetic appeal. And if you ever decide to sell the property, all of these criteria are critical. While some renovations are worth your time and money, some aren't, and if you decide to sell your property, you may be dismayed to realize that you won't recoup your investment. There is nothing wrong with making your ideal home a reality. But you have to be aware of the home improvements that do not add value.

Upgrades on utilities

You can't ignore the maintenance that comes with owning a home. It is critical to upkeep the boiler, plumbing, and electrical wiring in a home. You should invest some…

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How Much House Can I Afford? Quick Guide To Home Affordability

By Richard Stevens
Digital Content Manager
New Silver Lending, LLC

Calculating how much house you can afford is relatively straightforward if you just want a basic estimate based on your current salary. For instance, one quick rule thumb is to multiply your annual salary by 2.5 (or 3 if you have a good credit score). With that being said, you can also achieve a more accurate estimate, using some simple debt-to-income ratios.

The goal of this post is to outline the debt-to-income ratios that most US banks use when calculating your recommended mortgage amount. We will be using several user-friendly charts and examples to help solidify a few key points.

Table of Contents

1. Quick Rule Of Thumb: Multiply Your Annual Salary By 2.5 or 3
2. The More…

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