UCSC is celebrating its 50th year in 2015. The University  will be hosting its now annual Alumni Weekend event this weekend, April 23rd to the 26th. To mark the historic occassion of UCSC turning 50, several unique events are planned for those alumni returning home. UCSC has put together a photo memoir of the different decades since the founding of the college. This is a great chance to see how the campus has changed in its 50 year history, from the 60's onwards, maybe even find yourself among the photo collection. This collection is hosted online, so if you are unable to attend the alumni weekend in person you can still experience some of the 50 year history of the university.Several events are planned over the course of the weekend, enough to pique the interest of any returning slugs.... 04/21/2015

Recently there has been a resurgence in the number of homeowners who are working on big ticket remodels for their homes. These big ticket projects include attic bedrooms and basement remodels, which costs between $49,000 and $62,000 signaling that homeowners are beginning to have confidence once again in taking on these time-consuming and pricerier updgrades. The California Association of Realtors has released new data on just which remodel projects homeowners are working on. The survey found that attic bedroom and deck additions to homes are the most popular type of projectst that home owners are currently working on. The survey also found that all project types saw year over year increases in the number of projects being worked on, possibly signaling a trend. For the full list of big ... 04/10/2015

With a 4 day weekend around the corner, Vegas a Bob is not sure what he is going to do.     Vegas Bob has a 4 day weekend coming up starting on "Good Friday" all the way to Monday.   So what is Vegas Bob going to do?   I suppose I could go surfing because I will be staying in Morgan Hill, but I have never surfed the ocean before.   I have done a lot of water skiing and have surfed the waves of the Pacific Coast on a Kyak, but never on a surf board.   I could watch some music bands in Santa Cruz and pick up some Santa Cruz T-Shirts for the family.   Does anyone have any ideas what VB could do for the 4 day weekend, I am open for suggestions ;o) 04/01/2015

Staging your home for potential buyers to get a feel for what it might be like to live there for them is one of the ways in which sellers can not only increase the likelyhood their home will be sold but may also increase the price buyers are willing to offer.  The California Association of Realtors has released some new data on just how effective staging your home while selling it can be. For the full list, see the graphic below.    If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email me to find your new home here in Santa Cruz and make sure to check out my website!    03/29/2015

SANTA CRUZ HOME FOR SALE ON LARGE LOT 354 GOSS AVENUE, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95065   Sunny and bright Prospect Heights home for sale - great Santa Cruz home on extra large lot of just over 10,000 square feet.       Recently landscaped with drought tolerant plants, fences, sidewalk and the best of all - many raised beds for your veggie gardens!  Just in time for spring and already planted for you!  There is also a detached shed for your tools and toys.  This truly and urban garden oasis.       This is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom single level home originally built in 1946 with plaster walls.   The home features granite in the kitchen and bathroom, double pane windows, built in desk in kitchen, inside laundry room, front porch.       Located in Prospect Heights, this Santa Cruz home for sale is in a ... 03/26/2015

As the weather begins to warm up here in the central coast you may be thinking about new ideas for that garden you have been neglecting during the winter months. Just in time to help you plan for that beautiful new garden of yours is the Smart Gardening Fair being held April 7th. The Smart Gardening Faire will be put on by the UC Master Gardeners of Monterey Bay. This event is for the whole family, with events and activities for everyone of all skill levels. This is a fantastic opportunity to come and ask experts in the field various questions you may have on how to make your garden beautiful. With the California drought showing little sign of letting up this is the perfect event to ask how to make the most of your water supply.  For more info about the Smart Gardening Fair check out UC... 03/20/2015

The California Association of Realtors has released new data regarding the challenges that home buyers seeking a mortgage are facing. These challenges not only affect first time buyers as one might expect but also those who have gone through the process before.  Of those surveyed 54% reported that they did not fully understand all the loan options available to them and that their loan agent was not clear in explaining the mortgage process. For the full list of all the problems facing mortgage seekers check out the infographic below. If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email ... 03/17/2015

Seabright is a very popular neighborhood in Santa Cruz CA.   Why is Seabright such a great place to live? Well to start with it has one of the largest white sandy beaches. This beach has life guards in the summer time, they allow dogs on a leash and bonfires at night. Seabright State Beach starts at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and you can walk till you reach the whole in the rock cliff just before the San Lorenzo River empties into the ocean by the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  Seabright also has beach on a cove called Castle Beach.  This is a little history about Castle Beach. It now called Twin Lakes State Beach. This beach is a easy walk for people on Vacation and people that own beach homes on Mott and Cypress.   Across from the beach is The Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History  http... 03/05/2015

With the rise of smart phones is coming a push to incorporate this technology into everyday objects to create an internet of things. What is the internet of things you ask? This is a phrase used to describe the incorporation of connective technologies into everyday objects, from your washer and dryer to your thermostat and fridge. This devices are connected to the internet and to each other, enabling you to monitor your home while you are away or automate certain tasks, such as reducing or increasing your thermostats temperature.  Who would want these kinds of devices in their home? Almost half of current home owners according to a new survey by the California Association of Realtors nearly half of respondents would want to incorporate some smart technology into their home or would want... 03/04/2015

SANTA CRUZ VICTORIAN HOME FOR SALE1104 KING STREET, SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 Chance of a lifetime to own a classic Santa Cruz Victorian home!  These do not come on the market often and this is a real opportunity to live in a one of a kind home.  This property is located on the Westside of Santa Cruz and features an extra large lot (13,000+ square feet).   Built circa 1888, this Santa Cruz Victorian home for sale exudes charm and character.  The interior has amazing trim, details and moldings.  The 12 foot ceilings make the home feel extra spacious. The parlor has tall bay windows that let in lots of light.  The living room has a beautiful fireplace and there are redwood hardwood floors in the home.  The master bedroom also has a fireplace plus a walk in closet.  Upstairs there is a lovely c... 02/26/2015

Santa Cruz is not only known for its great beaches but also for its beautiful and plentiful walking and biking trails. Recently a new trail has opened to the public, the Arana Gulch Multi-Use Trail. Arana Gulch is the result of a new plan by the city of Santa Cruz to balance the needs of preserving the environment with the need for public open space. The city of Santa Cruz has spent considerable time and money coming up with their plan for Arana Gulch and as of January that plan is now complete. The Arana Gulch Multi-Use Trail will allow residents and visitors to experience the natural beauty of Santa Cruz while maintaining a balance with the local eco-system. 90% of Arana Gulch will remain in accessible to people as a means of protecting the native flora. The Multi-Use trail was design... 02/16/2015

With another turn of the calendar page we are once again getting to experience the fun evening that is Frist Friday in Santa Cruz. For those who do not know, First Friday occurs on, you guessed it, the first friday of every month in Santa Cruz. First Friday is an excellent chance for locals and visitors alike to experience what Santa Cruz has to offer. Various locations around town play host to events ranging from poetry, current trends in hardware design, as well as art galleries of various forms.  Up first, the Museum of Modern Art & History (MAH) will be once again be opening their doors free to the public. The theme of this First Friday will explore the issues of open space in Downtown Santa Cruz. The MAH invites patrons to come and experience what an open space downtown may look li... 02/06/2015

The National Association of Realtors has released some new data on the demographics of homebuyers since 2006. Despite fluctuations in the market, the general demographics of first time homebuyers have remained relatively unchanged. There is data that some may find suprising or new. In terms of household composition, married couples still lead the pack making up 52% of first time buyers. Of interest, single female first time home buyers make up 22% of buyers while single males make up only 12% of buyers, a margin of almost two to one.  The average age of first time homebuyers has also remained in a constant range since 2006, from about 30 to 32. It will be interesting to see how this number may shift as millenials begin considering or not considering buying their first home.  If you are ... 01/30/2015

Santa Cruz Beach Home for Sale 750 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz *Welcome home to your Santa Cruz Beach Getaway!  This Mediterranean style home is located walking distance to the beach in Santa Cruz.  Enjoy barbecues and hot tubs in your sunny backyard and the Santa Cruz lifestyle.  This home was originally built in 1949 and has a real charm and character to it.   The kitchen in this Santa Cruz beach home is clean and bright and features corian countertops, gas stove, window above the sink.   Beautiful hardwood floors and plaster walls add to the ambiance of the home.  The living room has a gas fireplace and large windows that let in the light. This home by the beach in Santa Cruz has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The backyard has a stamped concrete patio and is fully fenced.  There is a bonus s... 01/26/2015

When it comes to selling your home the open house tour is a natural way of enticing buyers to check out your property and hopefully make a sale. In the infographic below you will find many useful tips and reminders on how to make sure your home and belongings are safe while your are out and about during an open tour of your home.  If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email me to find your new home here in Santa Cruz and make sure to check out my website!  01/17/2015

  No Speed Limit in California by Robert Vegas Bob Swetz 1-6-2015   Vegas Bob just heard the craziest news in the state of California. The state of California has been talking about getting rid of the Speed Limit through out the whole state.   Now for some reason Vegas Bob is really having a tough time believing this latest breaking news. Since Vegas Bob has been back driving around the Bay Area, he is wondering "Why" the state of California even has a Speed Limit. What Vegas Bob has noticed while driving in California is ... If the Speed Limit is 30 mph, then the Californians are driving 40 to 45. And if the Speed Limit is 45 mph, they are driving 55 to 60. And if the Speed Limit is 65 mph, they are driving 75 to 80 ;o/     So the only thing Vegas Bob can think about Californians driv... 01/06/2015

The California Association of Realtors has released new data on some of the tech trends among home hunters. Those surveyed reported that not only had technology made them smarter buyers but also enabled them to better interact with realtors. Check out the infographic below to see all the tech trends CAR discovered.  If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email me to find your new home here in Santa Cruz and make sure to check out my website!  01/03/2015

The California Association of Realtors has released new information on what millenails are looking for in their agents when looking for homes. The number one attribute that millenials are looking for in their agents is responsiveness, likely in the form of timely email response.  For the full rundown of the CAR survery on millenails check out ther infographic below.  If you are interested in more information about Santa Cruz, such as local events please feel free to contact me at pete@petecullen.com. With such great growth coming to Santa Cruz, now is the time to make this amazing place your new home. Feel free to email me to find your new home here in Santa Cruz and make sure to check out my website!    12/20/2014

Santa Cruz Art League: Small Wonders Santa Cruz Art League  will be hosting their newest exhibit Small Wonders from December 12th until January 4th. Small Wonders will feature the works of several local artists as they each submit up to three pieces of art for the exhibit. This will be a great chance to come out and see the local work of the talented artists that call Santa Cruz home. If you are looking for a unique gift for theis holiday season this is also an excellent chance to purchase a one of kind artwork. To view the exhibit and learn more about the Santa Cruz Art League checkout their locatio at 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz.  The Santa Cruz Art League was founded in 1919 by eleven artists looking to share their art and motivate one another in their artistic goals. The art league now... 12/13/2014

As the holidays approach and the festivities increase there are numerous events taking place in the runup to the end of the year. The Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train is one such event occuring this weekend, December 7th and many other weekends through December.   The Holiday Lights Train is a staple of the winter events in Santa Cruz as the train winds its way from the beach in Santa Cruz up to the mountains of Felton. Along the way the train passes many of the historic Victorian homes that line Chestnut street as residents put forth their best holiday efforts with light decorations. The Holiday Train is a great opportunity to take your family out to enjoy the cool winter weather and experience one of the unique events that Santa Cruz has to offer. The cost for the train ride will run b... 12/07/2014