Blog

2021 Santa Cruz Holiday Gift Guide – Shop Local!

Whether locally made, sourced, or curated, there are a ton of options just down the street - so before browsing Amazon, think of supporting your neighborhood artisan!

How Capitola Became the Beach Hub it is Today

Before Capitola became the bustling seaside hamlet we know today, it was sought out for its convenient location on the coast. However, it didn’t take long for word of idyllic weather and soft sandy beaches to reach eager vacationers inland. 

Why Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You a Small Fortune

Strock Real Estate Property Photo Many people are sitting on the fence trying to decide if now’s the time to buy a home. Some are renters who have a strong desire…

Patience Is the Key to Buying a Home This Year

Strock Real Estate Property The question many homebuyers are facing this year is, “Why is it so hard to find a house?” We’re in the ultimate sellers’ market, which means real…

The Power of Mortgage Pre-Approval [INFOGRAPHIC]

Strock Highlights Mortgage pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your finances and, based on factors like your income, debt, and credit history, determining how much you’re qualified to borrow.Being pre-approved…

Experts Say Home Prices Will Continue to Appreciate

Strock Real Estate Property Photo It’s clear that consumers are concerned about how quickly home values are rising. Many people fear the speed of appreciation may lead to a crash…

4 Big Incentives for Homeowners to Sell Now

Strock Real Estate Property Photo The housing market keeps sailing along. The only headwind that could take it off course is the lack of inventory for sale. The National Association of…

3 Graphs Showing Why You Should Sell Your House Now

Strock Real Estate Property Photo There’s no doubt that 2021 is the year of the seller when it comes to the housing market. If you’re a homeowner thinking of moving…

Are There Going to Be More Homes to Buy This Year?

If you’re looking for a home to purchase right now and having trouble finding one, you’re not alone. At a time like this when there are so few houses for sale, it’s normal to wonder if you’ll actually find one to buy. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), across the country, inventory of available homes for sale is at an all-time low – the lowest point recorded since NAR began tracking this metric in 1982. There are, however, more homes expected to hit the market later this year. Let’s break down the three key places they’ll likely come from as 2021 continues on.

How Much Leverage Do Today’s House Sellers Have?

The housing market has been scorching hot over the last twelve months. Buyers and their high demand have far outnumbered sellers and a short supply of houses. According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales are up 23.7% from the same time last year while the inventory of homes available for sale is down 25.7%. There are 360,000 fewer single-family homes for sale today than there were at this time last year. This increase in demand coupled with such limited supply is leading to more bidding wars throughout the country.