Column: MC Dwyer Archives - Page 2 of 5

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

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Fall Real Estate Update

November 4, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer As the bigleaf maple leaves turn yellow and brown, one by one they break loose, spinning and swirling down onto the ground. And so it goes with home prices: we are reminded that what goes up, often comes down. In their determined fight against inflation, the Federal Reserve has been putting the brakes on our economy. Based… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Local News Real Estate

Question Authority: County’s Local Agency Management Program Impacts Homeowners

October 6, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com1 Comment

By M.C. Dwyer Did you know that, on August 23, our elected Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted a Local Agency Management Plan (LAMP) to completely change the way our septic systems can operate? This cleared the way for the BOS to simply vote approval on September 13…which could have resulted in insufficiently developed regulations being implemented starting… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

San Lorenzo Valley Home Prices Hold Steady

September 7, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Did you know the unemployment rate is down to just 3.5% — tied for the lowest rate since 1969? This helped push wages about 5% higher than this time last year and may reduce chances of recession. Meanwhile, the stock market (a source of buyers’ down payments) recovered to about a 10% loss for the year, a… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Fire Recovery Local News

CZU Fire Rebuilding by the Numbers

August 16, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer As we approach the two year anniversary of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, I submitted questions to Santa Cruz County’s Recovery Permit Center at the Planning Department regarding the pace of rebuilding in the CZU zone. The following responses were provided via email from Carolyn Burke, Assistant Director at the Permit Center. Is it true that out… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Pandemic Fueled Housing Market Frenzy Recedes

August 8, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer For the past few years, home sellers drove the market. Many homes sold for profitable premiums, leaving home buyers frustrated and battered by competition. In just the past few months, the pendulum is swinging back towards the center due to rapid economic changes: higher inflation and mortgage rates, and recession concerns. After the cost of home ownership… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Inflation and “The Fed”

July 5, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

Real Estate News You Can Use By M.C. Dwyer The biggest real estate news happened mid-June when the Federal Reserve raised its lending rate by a stunning 0.75% for the first time in nearly 30 years. Usually rates adjust in 0.25% and 0.5% increments. Fed policy members agree another 0.75% increase will follow: the goal is reducing runaway inflation of… Read More

Column: MC Dwyer Columns Real Estate

Surfing Summer Waves in Real Estate

June 5, 2022September 28, 2023 slvpost.com0 comment

By M.C. Dwyer Summer weather is here — Boulder Creek recorded a high of 99 recently, Scotts Valley hit 95 — even if the season doesn’t officially start until June 21st. Right now we’re at the height of the home selling season, and home prices are sizzling like a summer bar-b-que. But the average 30-year mortgage rate is 2% higher… Read More