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| Happy Fall! The Hunter’s Moon is coming! The Hunter’s Moon—also known as blood moon or sanguine moon—is the first full moon after the Harvest Moon, which is the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. The Hunter’s Moon will reach the crest of its full phase tomorrow, Tuesday, October 11, at precisely 10:06 p.m. EDT, 9:06 p.m. CDT, 8:06 p.m. MDT, and 7:06 p.m. PDT. Here is a link to our October e-Newsletter Don't miss this month's cover story: "MARKET VALUE - Why The Market (Not Sellers) Determines The Sale Price Of Your Home" Visit our October E-Newsletter online now by clicking the URL above. Then turn to Pages 2, 3, and 4 for more timely articles of interest to today's sellers, buyers and homeowners.
Tap Our Expertise Even if you're not ready to buy or sell a home right now, we would be happy to keep you up-to-date on developments in the real estate industry, mortgage financing and our local market. Simply reply to this e-mail or give us a call! We hope you enjoy this monthly electronic newsletter. Please forward the link above to a friend who would also appreciate the information. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to us. Or, if you would like answers to your specific real estate questions, we'd be happy to help!
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Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 07, 2011
North Coast Comfort
Old 2,300+ foot barn may have served Coast Dairies. Two homes expanded from original farm structures. "Milk Room" has upstairs bedroom, bath & loft with lovely views of flat garden area. "Big House" has kitchen/great room, funky deck, nice yard, 2 bedrooms, newer bath. Extra "Creek Cabin" for solitude, art studio. On Laguna Creek at Hwy. 1. Must contact listing agent for info and showings.
www.5998Laguna.com
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Build Your Dream Home
Views, privacy and quiet are the key attributes describing this property. Much of the pre-development work is completed. New well, septic perc test, & preliminary soils investigations done. Preliminary plans for a barn, second unit and main house all in various stages of completion. Take off from here or design your own view home.
www.1050wilderfield.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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Wednesday, September 14, 2011
New Listing: 302 Moore Creek
Only single level home in Moore Creek Estates. Truly a turnkey gem. New kitchen, baths, floors, paint, grounds, all since 2008. Leaving area. Our loss is your gain! Idyllic setting and 10,000+ foot parcel with dozens of mature fruit trees, gentle terracing, great sun and good privacy. Mature plantings incl. 6 citrus, 2 kiwi groups, 8 apples, 2 pears, loquat, berries and raised bed veggies.
Check out photos and more information at: www.302MooreCreek.com
Check out photos and more information at: www.302MooreCreek.com
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Vehicle Registration Update
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm
Vehicle owners with registration renewal dates between July 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 are being provided a 30-day grace period from the expiration date before late payment penalties are imposed NOTE: The billing notice has not been adjusted to reflect the grace period. Instead, a special insert included with the billing notice indicates that penalties will not be imposed until the 31st day after the expiration date. At that point in time, the penalties are calculated at the regular penalty rate of 60%.
Fee changes include:
· Vehicle License Fee rate decreased from 1.15% to 0.65%, and,
· A $12 increase in the registration fee (from $34 to $46).
Customers are encouraged to utilize the renewal by mail or online Internet renewal program to renew their registration. These alternative service delivery options will automatically waive late fees for first 30 days after expiration date. New registration cards and stickers will be issued as quickly as possible. NOTE: If customers were unaware of the 30-day grace period and included penalty fees in their mailed payment that are not due, DMV will automatically refund the overpayment. Please allow 3-4 weeks for the refund to be processed.
Law enforcement is aware and will not cite vehicles until the first day of the second month after the vehicle registration expires. For example: A vehicle with a registration expiration date of July 10th would not be cited for delinquent registration prior to September 1, 2011
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/newsrel/newsrel11/julyrenewals.htm
Federal Tax Rules Regarding the Sale of Your Home
Curious about the federal tax rules regarding the sale of your home, how the gain on that sale is taxed, and how to determine if the gain from your sale qualifies to be excluded from your taxable income?
Last year’s IRS bulletin “Selling Your Home” for use in preparing your 2010 tax return includes a worksheet for calculating your home’s cost basis, used in determining the size of your gain on the sale of your home. It also describes the criteria used to qualify your home sale for exclusion from your taxable income.
Please follow this link to the IRS publication 523 “Selling Your Home” posted on the IRS site
Monday, August 01, 2011
How to Make your Home Look More Expensive
It’s pretty rare to come across a homeowner who doesn’t want his or her home to come across as expensive or even possibly luxurious to some extent. Your home is most likely your largest investment, your pride and joy, and so why wouldn’t you want it to look its finest. It can be seen as a reflection of who you are, and especially when used to entertain guests it can be utilized to potentially “show off” just how hard you’ve been working. The tricky part in this whole expensive appearance scheme is the financial aspect. The cost of your home itself may have burned through your home budget alone, and so the money left over for its interior decorations may be limited. For those of us who aren’t fortunate enough to spend infinite amounts of money on interior designers and on the most lavish foreign furniture and paintings, we have to make some clever choices. Just like with clothing, an impeccably dressed person does not necessarily have to buy their garments from the top fashion designers to look good. And the same can be said for homes! The price tags of a couch or dining room table are not the only indicators of class and luxury. How you arrange your home, and how you choose specific things to compliment its layout can make a world of difference with just how pricey your abode appears. And even if your bank account does allow you to afford the more luxurious décor items, you too can make use of these tips to making your home appear more expensive:
- MAINTENANCE. It seems so logical, but often homes can go without a good cleaning for a lengthy period of time. Keeping your home clean and tidy is most definitely the simplest way to looking more expensive. Clutter and mess absolutely degrades its worth. WALLS. The quality of your walls says a lot about the quality of your entire home. A fresh coat of paint is always refreshing to see, and be sure to cover chipped areas and to remove marks.
- FRAMES. Posters and pictures taped up on walls just looks sloppy. Buying frames for your posters and pictures that are worth displaying looks absolutely polished and presentable. Nice looking frames need not be expensive either. This also goes for people who have not displayed anything on their walls. Hanging framed posters and pictures and pieces of art always looks very appealing.
- TEXTURE & PATTERNS. From your pillows to your rug, opt for regal looking patterns, most likely in deep tones. Window drapes in one room, like your family or living room, just screams luxury, and if it’s not too daring for you, a faux fur rug can do wonders. Neither has to be pricey, but just be careful not to go crazy on the patterns. Stick to a few specific things to decide to pattern up.
- LITTLE THINGS. Focusing on small, cheaper house items can really spruce up your home. Opt for more expensive looking garbage bins, coasters and the like. For instance, choose a more visually pleasing material like glass or wood over plastic.
- WHITE. When in doubt, choose white. If you’re having a hard time choosing the color scheme for a room or aren’t savvy with prints/patterns, white is the way to go. It completely opens up and refreshes any room.
- ONE PIECE. If your budget allows, splurge on one expensive item in your most popular room. If possible, splurge on at least one item for each of your rooms used for entertaining.
Friday, July 01, 2011
The REAL 4th of July
Remember, this is what the 4th is about...
(Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776)
The Unanimous Declaration
of the Thirteen United States of America
When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. –Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Notice of Availability of Senior Citizen Exemption
Attention Property Owners in the Santa Cruz City Schools
Elementary and High School Districts
Notice of Availability of Senior Citizen Exemption
From 2011-12 Parcel Taxes
Seniors can apply for exemption from the parcel taxes currently in effect by filing an application with the District between May 1 and July 1 each year. Seniors can request that an application be mailed to them by calling the District's Business Office at 831-429-3410, ext. 223. Seniors can also download the application and instructions from this website during May and June each year. The parcel tax exemption program is for property owners who are 65 years of age or older on July 1st preceding the tax year. The exemption is for the principal place of residence only and applies to one parcel only. Exemptions which are approved are effective for the life of the parcel tax, unless ownership of the property changes. Applications are due on or before July 1st.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Mother’s Day is Sunday May 8th
Upcoming Local Events
Presented by the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation
- The Hidden Gardens of Bonny Doon Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m… Buy Tickets…
- Annual Bonny Doon Art & Wine Festival Saturday, June 4-- 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Bonny Doon Airport Gardens, Empire Grade Road…Buy Tickets…
Here is a link to our May e-Newsletter
Don't miss this month's cover story: "PRE-LOVED - Why Resale Homes Stand out In Today's Market"
Visit our May E-Newsletter online now by clicking the URL above. Then turn to Pages 2, 3, and 4 for more timely articles of interest to today's sellers, buyers and homeowners.
- "Long-Term Homeownership"
- "New Thinking To Make A Room Pop"
- "True Comps?"
- "Know Your Mortgage Options"
- "Knowing When You're Ready To Buy Your Next Or First Home"
- "Know Your Coverage"
Tap Our Expertise
Even if you're not ready to buy or sell a home right now, we would be happy to keep you up-to-date on developments in the real estate industry, mortgage financing and our local market. Simply reply to this e-mail or give us a call!
Oh by the way, did you know you can now get an automated investment analysis of your neighborhood - complete with Active, Pending and Sold homes all mapped out - sent directly to your email inbox every month? Now you can always know the value of your home. Try it today. It's informative, it's accurate, and it's free. Oh, and please tell a friend or neighbor too!
Check it out and see what you think at Free Market Snapshot
P.S.: Remember to visit my blogs for Local and National real estate and related information and updates!
We hope you enjoy this monthly electronic newsletter. Please forward the link above to a friend who would also appreciate the information. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to us. Or, if you would like answers to your specific real estate questions, we'd be happy to help!
Frank Murphy
831-457-5550
1414 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, California 95062
Frank@FrankMurphy.net
www.LiveInSantaCruz.com
April Newsletter
Tax Reminder:
Taxpayers have an extra weekend to file this year because of a District of Columbia holiday. The deadline for 2011 is Monday April 18, instead of Friday April 15.
Remember to file your taxes or file an extension.
Click here for more information.
Upcoming Local Events
Presented by the Bonny Doon Community School Foundation
- The Hidden Gardens of Bonny Doon Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m… Buy Tickets…
- Annual Bonny Doon Art & Wine Festival Saturday, June 4-- 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Bonny Doon Airport Gardens, Empire Grade Road…Buy Tickets…
Here is a link to our April e-Newsletter
Don't miss this month's cover story: "PRICE: How To Sell Your Home And Get Top Dollar In Today's Market"
Visit our April E-Newsletter online now by clicking the URL above. Then turn to Pages 2, 3, and 4 for more timely articles of interest to today's sellers, buyers and homeowners.
- "6 Reasons Overpricing Doesn't Pay"
- "8 Inside Tips For Serious Sellers"
- "Get The Best Appraisal Possible"
- "Easy Green Home Improvements"
- "Sure-Fire Ways To Boost Your Savings"
- "Options Available To Help You Keep Your Home"
- "Choosing Color Wisely"
Tap Our Expertise
Even if you're not ready to buy or sell a home right now, we would be happy to keep you up-to-date on developments in the real estate industry, mortgage financing and our local market. Simply reply to this e-mail or give us a call!
Oh by the way, did you know you can now get an automated investment analysis of your neighborhood - complete with Active, Pending and Sold homes all mapped out - sent directly to your email inbox every month? Now you can always know the value of your home. Try it today. It's informative, it's accurate, and it's free. Oh, and please tell a friend or neighbor too!
Check it out and see what you think at Free Market Snapshot
P.S.: Remember to visit my blogs for Local and National real estate and related information and updates!
We hope you enjoy this monthly electronic newsletter. Please forward the link above to a friend who would also appreciate the information. If you have any comments, please e-mail them to us. Or, if you would like answers to your specific real estate questions, we'd be happy to help!
Frank Murphy
831-457-5550
1414 Soquel Avenue
Santa Cruz, California 95062
DRE License #01014048
Frank@FrankMurphy.net
www.LiveInSantaCruz.com
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