Santa Cruz

Blocked Summertime Noises Using These Simple Techniques

I tried a variety of noise-cancelling devices, including white-noise makers, ear plugs, and noise-canceling headphones, but none of them seemed to work. 

BUILDING WORK

When dealing with extremely loud noises such as construction or road construction, you should start by lowering the decibels. When jackhammers and electrical saws cause your ears to become damaged, full, The Best White Noise Machineor ring, the noise is simply too loud and may be harming your hearing.

According to Sam Nicolino, the engineer who invented the white-noise devices LectroFan EVO and Sound+Sleep, the moderate rhythms of the white-noise machine should fill the room rather than sit in a nook.

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Exemption from Reassessment Retained for Rebuilt Property Destroyed by Disaster up to 120% of Value of Original

In a Governor-declared disaster an exemption from reassessment will be retained for reconstructed improvements which are comparable to the improvement replaced if similar in size, utility, and function and within 120% of value of original property.

This law allows owners of property substantially damaged or destroyed in a Governor-declared disaster to reconstruct comparable improvements onsite with a return to the former improvement's base year value.  While existing law effectively allows this in a form of a new construction exclusion, this law adds a new provision specific to post-disaster reconstruction following a Governor-recognized event and allows a more generous comparability definition.  Specifically, it defines the term "comparable" using the same 120% definistion used when a victim of a major disaster decides to reconstruct replacement property on site of the damaged property.  Under this definition, reconstructed improvements will be found comparable to the improvement replaced if similar in size, utility, and function and withing 120% of value.  This law applies to real property damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity on or after January 1, 2017.

Assembly Bill 2013 is codified as Tax and Revenue Section 70.5. Effective January 1, 2021.

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Price Gouging: Increases the Scope of What Constitutes Price Gouging in the Sale of Goods or Services.

crime of price gougingThis law amends the crime of price gouging to 1) include where a person, contractor, business, or
other entity to charge a price that is more than 50% greater than either the amount the seller paid for the goods or the seller’s costs in selling or providing the goods or services; and 2) provide that the protections against price gouging may also apply to a timeframe prior to a date as set in the proclamation or declaration. It does not affect provisions of Penal Code 396 pertaining to the price of rental housing.

This law expands the crime for price gouging to also include selling or offering to sell those goods or services for a price 10% greater than the price charged immediately prior to a date set by the proclamation or declaration of emergency.  It makes it a crime for a person, contractor, busines, or other entity who did not charge a price for the goods or services immediately prior to the proclamation or declaration of emergency to charge a price that is more than 50% greater than the seller's existing costs, as specified.  It authorizes the Governor or the Legislature to extend the duration of these prohibitions for periods greater than 30 days, and during the extension, authorize specified price increases that exceed the otherwise permissible amount, as specified.

Senate Bill 1196 is codified as Penal Code 396.  Effective January 1, 2021.

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This Home is 5 Minutes to Natural Bridges Beach and West Cliff Drive

This comfortable single level lower Westside Santa Cruz is just a 5 minutes to Natural Bridges Beach and West Cliff Drive. Hop on your bike and go wine tasting at the Swift Street wine district, after a day of surfing at Natural Bridges. As you enter the private courtyard, you'll notice this home is set up for enjoying the fine weather here by the coast. Lounge around the fire pit, sipping wine in the afternoon, or roasting marshmallows. The vaulted ceiling gives one these sense of being light and spacious as you enter the living room to start working on dinner in the remodeled kitchen. The master suite is spacious enough for a king sized bed, and has access to the outdoors and hot tub in the back yard. The other 2 bedrooms have a queen sized beds in them.The saltwater Jacuzzi tub, included, is heated to a pitch-perfect 101 degrees year-round, for a warming way to end the evening after a day of enjoying the events and activities that Santa Cruz has to offer. Call Gregg, 831-818-7524 for more information.

710_Modesto westside santa cruz home for sale

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Alzheimer's Breakthrough Sheds New Light on the Disease

If you suffer from Alzheimer's or know that a loved one is struggling with the condition, it's important to note that new scientific breakthroughs may provide the public with key insights regarding the disease. Learn more about the efforts of researchers and how their findings could revolutionize the approach to curing the disease by reviewing the following outline:

cholesterol treatment

Beta-Amyloid And Alzheimer's Disease: A Brief Overview

To fully understand the scientific breakthroughs that have transpired in the field of Alzheimer's research, one must first grasp the relevance of beta-amyloid within this sector. As Lund University's researchers understand, toxic clumps of beta-amyloid are believed to be the root cause of Alzheimer's. In the past, researchers thought that beta-amyloid should be eliminated. However, new findings indicate that the protein should be stabilized. 

The History Of Beta-Amyloid

For quite some time, members of the scientific community have thought that beta-amyloid appeared almost immediately in cases of Alzheimer's. It is for this reason that the phrase "popcorn plaques" was coined. Now, however, infrared spectroscopy images reveal information that contradicts this basic assumption. Specifically, researchers are now able to note molecular, structural changes that take place in the brain. 

In discussing the images, professor of experimental neurology...

Prop 19 - Allows to Move Your Tax Base Without Penalty to Other Counties in California

TAX SAVINGS FOR OLDER HOMEOWNERS

Thanks to Prop 19, seniors, retirees, and all homeowners aged 55+ can move closer to family, medical care, or to a home that better meets their needs anywhere in California without a
tax penalty.

 Prop 19 removed unfair location and price restrictions, allowing older homeowners to transfer the tax base of their home to a new home.*

SAVINGS FOR HOMEOWNERS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES

Prop 19 also removed unfair restrictions on Californians with severe disabilities, allowing homeowners to move to a replacement home anywhere in California without
a tax penalty.*

 Under Prop 19, homeowners with severe disabilities can transfer the tax base of their existing home to a replacement home up to three times.

HOUSING RELIEF FOR VICTIMS OF WILDFIRE AND NATURAL DISASTER

After wildfires destroyed more than 24,000 family homes in the past few years, wildfire victims have faced massive property tax hikes when relocating to another home.

 Prop 19 allows ...

Stillwater Cove, Ocean View Homes in Pebble Beach

Individuals who have thought about purchasing Ocean view homes in Pebble Beach should know that doing so will grant them access to one of the region's most scenic areas: Stillwater Cove. Filled with numerous attractions and recreational activities, this region will keep you and your family active and alive during vacation season or throughout the entire year should you choose to settle here permanently. 

stillwater cove in pebble beach

Beautiful Beaches

One of the biggest benefits of buying Ocean view homes in Pebble Beach is that doing so situates you near the public beach at Stillwater Cove. The beach extends out below the community's golf course and is filled with beautiful white sand. Individuals who enjoy the active lifestyle can scuba dive when they visit the beach, and touring companies will oftentimes make kayaking tours available. Those who prefer to rest and relax on the beach can sunbathe and take in the beautiful scenery without moving a muscle!

Tourist Attractions

stillwater cove fishing in pebble beach...

How an SRES Real Estate Broker Can Help With Aging In Place

Whether it is you or a loved one, transitions can be difficult, especially if those transitions are part of the aging process. Having knowledgeable people on your team can make the that transition easier. For seniors who want to age in place, working with a real estate agent who specializes in the concerns of senior clients can be a plus. A senior real estate specialist or SRES is an important team player when determining how you will spend your golden years. They receive training about the resources available to senior clients and have a well-developed sensitivity to those clients' concerns. 

seniors real estate specialist in santa cruz caWhether it is you or a loved one, transitions can be difficult, especially if those transitions are part of the aging process. Having knowledgeable people on your team can make the that transition easier. For seniors who want to age in place, working with a real estate agent who specializes in the concerns of senior clients can be a plus. A senior real estate specialist or SRES is an important team player when determining how you will spend your golden years. They receive training about the resources available to senior clients and have a well-developed sensitivity to those clients' concerns. 

Aging in Place

Aging in place is a choice...

Termination of Tenancy Right for Crime Victims Expanded : Landlord/Tenant

This law extends existing provisions of law authorizing a tenant to terminate a tenancy when the tenant or a household member is a victim of domestic violence or elder abuse to also include a crime that caused bodily injury or death, the exhibition, drawing, brandishing, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon or instrument, or that included the use of force or threat of force against the victim, and expands these provisions to apply if an immediate family member of the tenant is a victim of an eligible crime.

This law extends the existing law as follows:

  1. Adds a crime that caused bodily injury or death, that included the exhibition, drawing, brandishing, or use of a firearm or other deadly weapon or instrument, or that included the use of force against the victim or threat of force against the victim to the existing list of eligible crimes for which a tenant may terminate the lease if the tenant or a household member is a victim.
  2. Authorizes a tenant to terminate a lease if an immediate family member was a victim of an eligible crime.
  3. Authorizes any other form of documentation that reasonably verifies that the eligible crime or act occurred to be given to the landlord.
  4. Adds a victim of violent crime advocate to definition of qualified third party that may sign documentation to be provided to a landlord.
  5. Requires the tenant to provide a specified written statement to the landlord if the tenant is terminating tenancy because an immediate family member is a victim of an eligible crime, the tenant did not live in the same household as the immediate family member at the time of the eligible crime, and no part of the crime occurred within the dwelling unit or within 1,000 feet of the dwelling unit of the tenant.
  6. Requires the notice to terminate the tenancy to be given within 180 days of the date that the newly added eligible crimes occurred.
  7. Prohibits a landlord from requiring a tenant...

Eco Friendly Bridges May Save Time and Money for Carmel Valley Home Builders

Carmel Valley is an incredibly beautiful area with unique terrain. The terrain is one of the appeals of living here, but it also means that Carmel Valley homes for sale are often on steep hills or otherwise face potential access challenges created by the terrain itself. 

However, there is a solution. New research shows that glulam timber bridges can last between 75 and 90 years under ordinary use at the relatively low traffic levels you are likely to see on county and township roads in parts of Carmel Valley

These are bridges built from glulam, an engineered wood product that combines wood strips with glue to create a superior structural component compared to unmodified wood timbers. They are also cost effective. 

The research was conducted at J. Lohr Structures Lab. They calculated the typical load and stress tested the bridge to simulate use over a long time frame. The amount of stress incidents the structure survived suggests that such bridges can last for decades.

The bridge they tested was donated by Gruen-Wald Engineered Laminates of Tea. The U.S. Department of Transportation and the South Dakota Department of Transportation worked together as co-sponsors. 

Such bridges take less time to build than other alternatives. This is beneficial to the community by keeping road closures to a minimum. As we've seen with Big Sur fires or the slide that took out the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge, getting a community back and thriving depend, on speed and cost. For smaller roads and private residences these glulam bridges may one day have their day.

This type of bridge also fits in well with the aesthetic of ...

Upgrading Home to Pro, Perfect for Happy Aging

Once upon a time your house was filled with the laughter and happy chaos of children but now they have all grown up and moved away from the family home. Should you be looking for other Pacific Grove homes for sale? Why not consider instead remaining in your familiar home and neighborhood and upgrade and redesign the spaces to better meet your needs as you grow older.

Many older adults choose to downsize to smaller homes once their children move out on their own but many more choose the option of upgrading their current family to make it more “user friendly”. The facts are that with aging the body sometimes just can’t do what it once did, as well as it did. That does not mean however that you need to move away from the treasured family home and all the memories made and stored there. Upgrading the family home to meet your current and future needs is a viable and acceptable option.

Upgrading and Redesigning for Better Functionality

Your family home likely had more than one storey to it, with numerous bedrooms and likely more than one bathroom. Even though your kids have moved out you know they will be back, filling the house once again during holiday gatherings, or simply for surprise visits. And if they should have children of their own in the future you will definitely need those rooms and extra bathrooms. 

For now, for you and your partner, the house can be redesigned to make your everyday life easier. Simple additions and adjustments can make for less strain and chance of injury, ease of movement, and better accessibility.

Ideas and Tips to Help You with Your Redesign Plans:

As you may already be aware aging does not always happen as gracefully...

Foreclosure and Forbearance Protections: Small Landlords and Homeowners

Urgency legislation that took effect immediately on August 31, 2020.  Requires servicers to comply with applicable federal guidance regarding COVID-19 forbearance.  Servicer must comply with special notice and information requirements if a forbearance is denied.

A mortgage servicer shall comply with applicable federal guidance regarding borrower options following a COVID-19 related forbearance as provided by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the Federal Housing Administration of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Riral Development division of the United States Department of Agriculture.

With respect to a nonfederally backed loan, a mortgage servicer is required to review a customer for a solution that is consistent with the guidance to servicers as provided by the above entities. However, It is the intent of the Legislature that a mortgage servicer offer a borrower a post forbearance loss mitigation option that is consistent with the mortgage servicer's contractual or other authority.

A borrower who is harmed by a material violation of this law may bring an action to obtain injunctive relief, damages, restitution, and any other remedy to redress the violation and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs to the prevailing party.

If the mortgage servicer denies a forbearance request, they are required to explain why if the request was made before April 1, 2021. The servicer must specifically identify any curable defect in the written notice; Provide 21 days from the mailing date of the written notice for the borrower to cure any identified defect; Accept receipt of the borrower's revised request for forbearance before the aforementioned 21-day period lapses and; Respond to the borrower's revised request withing five business days of receipt of the revised request.

This law applies only...

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