Column: MC Dwyer Archives - San Lorenzo Valley Post

Fall Trends in the Market | Real Estate

November 9, 2023November 30, 2023 slvpost.comboulder creek, real estate0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Last week, the MLS numbers I watch showed a few new trends: the number of homes taken off the market was similar to the depths of previous holiday seasons. Encouragingly, about 20 homes sold compared to 30 new listings in the region I track (SLV, SV & SC): not too long ago there were far more new… Read More

old country road boulder creek mc dwyer realtor

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Mortgage Rates and Real Estate Cycles

September 15, 2023October 4, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer By late August, mortgage interest rates were at their highest levels since the early 2000s. The latest bump upward in rates unfortunately disqualified more would-be first-time home buyers. Overnight, we went from expecting multiple offers on one of our more affordable listings, to being happy to get one offer to our seller at list price. Now more… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Real Estate Update | Water and Waste Treatment Systems in Trouble in Boulder Creek

August 11, 2023September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer For about the last 5 years, Big Basin Water Company (BBWC), which serves around 500-600 customers, has regularly run out of resources to operate properly. The company, owned by Jim and Shirley Moore, is the definition of a mom and pop outfit, complete with their son as Chief Operator. Sources including the Moores, say they fell behind… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

May Real Estate Update

May 7, 2023September 28, 2023 slvpost.comreal estate0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Local average home prices are about 10-20% lower than a year ago, varying widely depending on location, price range, and condition. Softer prices are largely the result of fewer pandemic-motivated buyers as well as the impact of higher mortgage rates dampening buyers’ financial capacity. When looking at the chart below, remember some towns are so small that… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate Water

New Septic Regulations Taking Effect July 2023

April 7, 2023September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer The Santa Cruz Association of REALTORS recently held an educational event about point-of-sale septic regulations taking effect in Santa Cruz County in July 2023. Mark Kinder of Affordable Septic, who’s installed thousands of systems, explained everything we need to know about septic system repair and the new regulations. The State Water Resources Control Board oversees all California… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Real Estate by the Numbers

March 1, 2023September 28, 2023 slvpost.comreal estate0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer 2022’s home price gains are getting erased as prices dropped compared to last January: around 10% in Santa Cruz County, 6% in Santa Clara County, and 13% in San Lorenzo Valley. Although the SLV figure isn’t statistically reliable because only 10 homes sold in January, it illustrates the trend. The Mercury News reports home prices across the… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Bright Spots in the Real Estate Outlook

February 7, 2023September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer We Santa Cruz Mountains residents are still recovering from this winter’s brutal onslaught of back-to-back atmospheric river storms. We’ve been through evacuations, multiple road closures (some of which will last for years), fallen trees and branches, slides, floods, property and electronics damage*, intermittent loss of internet and cell phone coverage, and frequent/lengthy power outages across the County.… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

New Beginnings

January 12, 2023September 28, 2023 slvpost.comreal estate0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Reflecting back on all the people I helped last year, helping one person was essential, and the effort was one of the most challenging projects of my career: my client was living in an unsafe home on acreage. Sometimes we are called on to serve. This was a referral from a local business owner, so I was… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Real Estate

Santa Cruz County Real Estate Update

December 6, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer ‘Tis the season of mittens, hats, warm boots, heavy coats and (hopefully wet) umbrellas left by the front door. As we light the hearth this winter, the indistinct tinkling of children’s laughter as they play outside reminds us to pay attention to how much smoke we’re creating. A quick computer search will give you tips on how… Read More

Santa Cruz County septic regulations LAMP

Column: MC Dwyer Local News Real Estate

Supervisors Amend Septic Regulations

November 10, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Last month I discussed the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) intent to pass potentially disastrous point-of-sale (POS) septic regulations as part of their answer to the state-mandated Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) for septic systems. The BOS’s plan as written was poised to add more pain and suffering to the CZU fire-damaged property owners who… Read More