Santa Cruz Real Estate Blog

Are Open Houses Worth Your Time?

open house in santa cruzReal estate and open houses: the ubiquitous pairing that may not be as necessary as you think. Open houses have been a staple of the real estate industry for decades. When a seller decides to list their home, naturally they wonder when the real estate agent will host the open house at their property.

During an open house event, the real estate agent welcomes the general public–and hopefully, potential buyers or buyer's agents–to view a home for sale. These events are typically held on the weekend for a few hours in the afternoon. 

Here’s the thing: a survey by HomeLight of leading real estate agents across the country found that 63% of them do not always recommend sellers have an open house.

The truth is with our modern marketing tools and the way today’s buyers view properties, we don't necessarily need an open house to woo buyers. 

What should an open house do?

An open house intends to let prospective buyers tour the home when the listing agent is present to answer any questions they may have. Marketing the open house is supposed to increase the home’s exposure. Busy open houses build a sense of excitement and demand, hopefully leading to a more attractive offer in an expedient time frame. While in some markets that’s a great way for a seller to get multiple offers, some buyers are turned off by high demand and decide not to make an offer when they see a highly trafficked open house.

What’s really happening at open houses

We know...

What to Know About Roofing Your Home

Many people do not consider the roofs over their heads until calamity strikes and water is coming through the ceiling. A replacement roof, installed in a timely fashion, is vital for a home's wellbeing and value. Whether the inhabitants are considering selling or simply wanting a safe, dry environment in which to live for years to come, the roof is an essential consideration when it comes to upkeep.

Signs a Roof Needs Replacing

damage roofThe first place to check, when looking to see if a roof needs replacement, is looking at it from the street. If you see curling or missing shingles, shiny edges, then the next place to check is in the attic. Check for light entering in beams through the house's top. Stains and streaks on the wood in your attic can also signal a leaky roof. Also if you notice brown stains on your ceiling inside your home that could be a sign as well, and you might notice something is amiss there first. The next place to check is a home's improvement records. These may be found at the city or county building department. Different roof types last varying lengths of time; check to see that, for example, it has not been 20-25 years since an asphalt shingle roof has been installed or reshingled.

Replacement Options for Pitched Roofs

Asphalt Shingles

pitched roof houseThe most common of America's roofing materials, asphalt shingles are effective in every environmental condition. Because of the wide variety in the quality of shingles,...

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