With deep roots in Santa Cruz and a career spanning back to 2007, Tom Motter is your trusted real estate advisor for Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. A true local, Tom graduated from Soquel High School and Cabrillo College, giving him an unparalleled understanding of the area’s neighborhoods, lifestyle, and community. From the surf breaks of Santa Cruz to the vineyards of Carmel Valley, Tom specializes in helping clients find their dream homes or perfect investment properties across cities like Capitola, Aptos, Scotts Valley, Watsonville, and Monterey.
As a seasoned professional at Epique Realty on 41st Avenue in Santa Cruz, Tom combines his local expertise with a global perspective gained from decades of experience in the medical and business fields. Before transitioning to real estate, Tom built a reputation as a trailblazing entrepreneur, taking companies public on NASDAQ and working with international leaders. His ability to negotiate, strategize, and connect with people has made him a top choice for buyers and sellers alike.
Tom’s connection to the Santa Cruz lifestyle runs deep. Whether he’s catching waves, enjoying the Capitola Village, or exploring the scenic beauty of Monterey Bay, he understands what makes this region special. His clients benefit not only from his real estate expertise but also from his insider knowledge of the area’s unique charm and opportunities.
If you’re looking to buy or sell a property in Santa Cruz or Monterey Counties, Tom is the expert who will guide you every step of the way. Contact him today to experience exceptional service rooted in local knowledge and a passion for helping you achieve your real estate goals.
Sharing particular information when connecting with a real estate agent can help give you an idea of your home’s value in today’s market. The in-person expertise of a real estate agent will give you a more accurate opinion of your home’s value.
Your first step is to hire a real estate agent you trust. Together, you will set an asking price, prepare your home for listing, list and market your property, negotiate an offer, and close on the sale.
A real estate agent is paid as part of the closing costs, which comes out of the sale proceeds at the end of the process.
A professional appraiser will inspect a property and compare it to other similar homes in the area. From there, a fair market value is determined. Unless you plan on paying all cash for a property, you will likely need a home appraisal.
There are many factors that affect the housing market, but understanding what to expect – and being prepared beforehand – can make buying and selling a property at the same time possible.
Any fixture that is ‘attached’ or built into the house typically remains. For example, if your house has built-in bookshelves, they typically stay with the house. The same is true of kitchen or bathroom fixtures, and fireplaces. Exceptions and details can be discussed during the negotiation process.
Factors such as the time of year and market conditions play a big role in how quickly a property sells. How you price, market and stage your home are also very important variables that will affect how long a home remains on the market.
When selling a property, it is incumbent upon the seller to disclose any details about the home that might negatively affect its value.
If someone is selling a home that needs repairs – yet chooses not to fix them – they may choose to list a property as-is. Disclosures and inspections are typical steps in the process. In an as-is sale, a buyer is willingly purchasing the home in its current state with full knowledge of its condition.
In most cases, the buyer pays for the home inspection.
The goal is to make your home as appealing as possible to the most potential buyers, before photos of your home are taken. Staging your home can include anything from redecorating to rearranging furniture, cleaning or other aesthetic strategies to present the home in the best possible light. You can do it yourself, have your real estate agent guide you, or hire a staging company.
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