santa cruz: La Selva Beach - a great place to live, a great place for vacations - 10/07/13 07:49 AM
La Selva Beach - a great place to live, a great place for vacations
La Selva Beach is a quaint community in the Santa Cruz and Aptos and Watsonville area. La Selva is Spanish for "the jungle" because of the dense conifer woods in the area.  Home to both La Selva Beach and adjacent to Manresa State Beach, it is a perfect place to live or own a second vacation home. With a library, fire station, and a corner market store, this community has all you need for relaxation!
It is a less visited beach and many enjoy the quick access for … (2 comments)

santa cruz: What does "Walk Score" mean and why it is important? (Santa Cruz area) - 10/05/13 06:33 AM
As you search for homes, you may have seen "walk score" and a score listed.  What does "Walk Score" actually mean?
www.walkscore.com is a website that figures how close amenities are for walking.  It includes the closest restaurants, grocery stores, coffee shops, schools, parks, shopping, banks, public transportation, etc.  
In some areas of the country, the Walk Score is very important and is a big influencing in purchasing real estate. What is the Walk Score of your current home?  And here is a Just For Fun question... What is the Walk Score of the White House?
There are many homes in … (2 comments)

santa cruz: Are we up for another beautiful day at the beach? (La Selva Beach, CA) - 10/05/13 02:26 AM
What a gorgeous fall we ared having.  Big blue sky, gentle breeze, whales in the Monterey Bay. OK, we are spoiled just a bit. (Click on picture)
Are you thinking of moving to Santa Cruz or Monterey Counties? Or looking for a vacation home to get away from the hustle of everyday life?  Is your company looking to purchase a place to have company retreats?
We have some magnificent homes on the market right now.  From $7,000,000 5 bedroom 7 baths estates with ocean views on acreage to $2.4 million beachfront home, and some lesser priced homes just a few blocks … (3 comments)

santa cruz: Santa Cruz & Monterey Counties Housing Statistics Hot Off the Press - 10/04/13 08:14 AM
Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties Housing Stats are here, hot off the press.  (Includes Santa Cruz, Aptos, Watsonville, La Selva Beach)
As normal, the local housing market appears to be going through the seasonal slow down.  The median prices are still better than 2012 for both the single family residence and condos/townhomes. However, the market statistics seem to relay that the single family market is softening.  
Compared to 2012, Monterey County is showing 17% less inventory.  Santa Cruz is down 7%. Days on market are less than 2012 as well.  
Due to the government shut down, buyers are choosing lenders … (3 comments)

santa cruz: Plant Your Winter Garden in Santa Cruz County including La Selva Beach - 10/03/13 03:41 AM
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, … (3 comments)

santa cruz: Whale Sightings at La Selva Beach (Monterey Bay) - 09/30/13 05:20 AM
Whale Sightings at La Selva Beach (Monterey Bay)
While at a party on the beach last Friday, I was blessed to see a humpback whale breach in Monterey Bay. This was the first time I have witnessed a whale in the bay and it was spectacular. Time froze as all attention was drawn to the water - for several minutes. Apparently, the anchovies are to blame.  Whatever the reason, tourists and locals have taken the time to enjoy these wonderful creatures. Whale Sightings
We can see things on television or on the internet, however, there is nothing like real life experiences.  Those animals are … (2 comments)

santa cruz: FORECLOSURES - Don't wait! Buy One Today! Santa Cruz area Foreclosures - 09/27/13 05:48 AM
FORECLOSURES - BUY ONE TODAY!
Many people think that buying a foreclosure can/will save them money.  They are right. With a slight drop in interest rates, now is the time to take advantage of the low prices.
Currently, there are 17 foreclosures listed in Santa Cruz County and 21 foreclosures listed in Monterey County (per local MLS). 
 
Foreclosures in Watsonville, including Corralitos, Freedom, La Selva Beach, Pajaro and Royal Oaks (95076, 95077)
Foreclosures in Aptos, including Rio Del Mar, Seacliff, and Seascape (95001, 95003)
Foreclosures in Capitola (95010)
Foreclosures in Santa Cruz
Foreclosures in Soquel (95073)
 
Contact me to … (0 comments)

santa cruz: Did you lose your home through foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy? - 09/24/13 05:38 AM
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 … (0 comments)

santa cruz: Support Aptos/La Selva Beach Firefighters Pancake Breakfast Sunday - 09/19/13 07:04 AM
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 
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 … (1 comments)

santa cruz: The "Swinging Door" Easy Solution - 07/24/13 11:29 PM
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 … (4 comments)

santa cruz: Mr./Ms. Seller, this is how we do it in Santa Cruz CA - 07/09/13 02:31 PM
Mr./Ms. Seller, this is how we do it in Santa Cruz.
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.
(6 comments)

santa cruz: Don't Use a Paint Brush... when touching up paint - 06/14/13 07:51 AM
Don't Use a Paint Brush... when touching up paint.
by Terri Woods 
I recently received a repair addendum from a prospective buyer of one of my luxury home listings in North Albany, OR.  The home is decorated as a beautiful luxury home would be expected, with large pictures and mirrors.  In the repair addendum, the buyer asked for the nail holes to be repaired by a professional painter.  And I fully understand why.
In my years as an agent, I have seen Nail Hole Repairs Gone Bad!  Normally, after the inspection has been fully negotiated, the well-meaning seller starts to pack, … (3 comments)

santa cruz: A Luxury Home Service to the Buyer's Agent - 05/19/13 10:04 AM
A Luxury Home Service to the Buyer's Agent
by Terri Woods 
 
I specialize in Luxury Homes and I wanted to share something that has been greatly appreciated by many Buyers' Agents.
When I have a Buyer's Agent show one of my Luxury Home listings, I ask the agent to leave all the lights "ON" and explain that I will turn them off.   
Why do I do that?  As I was showing a buyer a house that was not my listing, it took me AND the buyer several minutes to locate the light switches in this home.  It really made … (0 comments)

santa cruz: INSPECT YOUR NEW HOME OR ELSE... - 04/06/13 05:48 AM
Do I need an inspection even if I am buyer new construction?  YES and YES and YES!!!  I just read a blog post, http://activerain.com/blogsview/3684902/you-re-choking-me- in which the inspector found the duct partially blocked. That partially blocked duct would have probably been found if the seller had had an inspection when they purchased the home. 
 Which leads me to my blog topic of getting an 

inspection when purchasing a new home.
I encourage agents and buyers to get a home inspection, even when purchasing a brand new home.
The benefit is for everyone.  The builder has access to their contractors and can quickly … (3 comments)

santa cruz: Watsonville, La Selva Beach (Santa Cruz, CA) Home Prices April 2013 - 04/04/13 11:06 AM
Watsonville and La Selva Beach Home Prices for April 2013 (watsonville) http://www.greatmontereybayhomes.info/mimarket/zip/95076/
Watsonville and La Selva Beach (Santa Cruz County) Home Prices for April 2013
Real Estate Market Data for Watsonville and La Selva Beach (Santa Cruz, CA) provided by Terri Woods of Keller Williams Realty DRE 01917591
The medium home values for single family homes increased 24.32% from the previous month.  If you are a Seller, now is the time for a Highest Price Analysis.  If you are a buyer, don't wait.  Interest rates are low and price
Visit my website www.GreatMontereyBayHomes.info to search for homes or to be notified when … (0 comments)

santa cruz: Personal Property in Real Estate Transactions - a different side - 04/03/13 01:41 AM
I recently read a blog post concerning Personal Property in a transaction.  The situation was comical and I do appreciate her take on why personal property should not be included in a transaction.  And, I read through several comments from agents who also agreed.  
While I am not trying to be disagreeable, I sell real estate in the real world and know that there are times in which personal property does become an important part of the transaction, whether value is assigned or not.  
Oregon allows agents to list personal property to be included in the contract, without value. … (4 comments)

 
Terri Woods, Selling Homes and Land in Oregon (Benton, Linn and Douglas Counties)

Terri Woods

Selling Homes and Land in Oregon

Days Creek, OR

More about me…

Benton, Linn and Douglas Counties

Address: San Antonio, Texas, Bexar and Comal Counties

Mobile: 210-802-8422



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