Keeping you up to date with Santa Cruz Real Estate

Weekly Market Update

• The hottest zip code in the county in terms of the Market Action Index (ratio of inventory/homes selling) is Ben Lomond with an index of 52 and a median list price of $995,000.
• This doesn't mean that Ben Lomond is the most desirable, it could mean that sellers in Ben Lomond are more closely aligned with accurate market prices and therefore their homes are selling more quickly than other areas in the county.
• 29 properties sold in the county this week with an average sale price of $1,386,291.
• There are 444 active for sale properties on the market here in Santa Cruz County (This number is down from 452 last week).
• As the year progresses we should watch inventory growth. Does it continue to grow through the rest of the year or does it taper off? Currently it is leveling off and sellers are pulling back slightly. That is typical for this time of year.
• The biggest economic release this week showed that inflation was in line with expectations, and the other data also had little impact on mortgage markets. As a result, rates ended the week nearly unchanged.
• Once again there are no signs in the data of prices decreasing notably in the future.

Zillow Showcase Agent

I Am Now A Zillow Showcase Agent

I am excited to announce that I am now part of the Zillow Showcase Listing Agent. Zillow is selecting 10% of agents in Santa Cruz County to be a part of their Zillow Showcase program. This is a program designed to give seller's who are represented by a showcase agent even more exposure in the market. I am offering this service to my sellers and you can see more info about it in the video above ands flyer below. Contact me if you want to know more.

Market Matters

Homelessness Dips in Santa Cruz, Rises in Watsonville

 Homelessness dropped 36% in the City of Santa Cruz and jumped 60% in Watsonville from 2023 to 2024, according to a recent report from the Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Partnership. The number of homeless people living in Capitola and Scotts Valley also increased. Countywide homelessness remained “essentially unchanged” at 1,850 people, Housing for Health Division Director Robert Ratner wrote in a July 19 statement. County staff worked with community volunteers and consultant ASR Research to complete the Santa Cruz County 2024 Homelessness Point-in-Time Count and Report. The count took place Jan. 25. 

Other key findings from the report:

• 86% of survey respondents were living in Santa Cruz County when they became homeless. Of those people, 63% were county residents for a decade or longer.
• There were fewer homeless veterans, families, and unaccompanied children and youth in 2024.
• The number of chronically homeless people countywide increased slightly in 2024.

Local Market Data

ALTOS Research Market Report

ALTOS RESEARCH MARKET REPORT IS AN INTERACTIVE, REAL-TIME REPORT. IT DISPLAYS THE CURRENT ACTIVITY FOR ANY MARKET YOU WISH.

Click the buttons for each area below to learn more

US Market Summary

My Listings

4930 Cliff Drive, Capitola

This luxurious oceanfront property in the heart of Capitola is the most affordable oceanfront single family home in Santa Cruz County! This one-of-a kind home is one of only four single family homes located oceanside above the wharf and at the perfect angle to give you panoramic views of the entire Monterey Bay. On clear days you can even see all the way to the point at Big Sur. Spectacular views and easy access to the best parts of Capitola are just a few features that make this home so amazing. Add to that meticulous maintenance, tasteful renovations, and a layout that really maximizes the view and you have a home that is truly a masterpiece.

3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 1,288sqft

Listed at $3,999,000

1460 Lockhart Gulch Rd, Scotts Valley

This 1 bedroom home is 730 sqft with a 300 sqft additional dwelling unit that includes a full bath and kitchenette. This home is well maintained and updated with hardwood floors, granite countertops, high ceilings, and two fireplaces. Outside is a partial wrap around deck with a hot tub. It also includes a 24 hour backup battery in case of power outages. It's vicinity near Mission Springs in Scotts Valley puts you in a great commuting location to Silicon Valley

1 Bedrooms, 1 Bathrooms, 730sqft w/ 300sqft ADU

Listing at $749,000

Events in Santa Cruz This Weekend

Wharf to Wharf Race

Each year, on the fourth Sunday in July, thousands of runners from across America and around the globe return to Santa Cruz, California for the annual six-mile race to Capitola-by-the-Sea. First run in 1973 by a handful of locals, the Wharf to Wharf Race today enjoys a gourmet reputation in running circles worldwide. Its scenic, seaside setting, perfect weather, and festive beach party atmosphere make it a favorite of casual joggers and elite athletes alike. Limited to 16,000 runners, the race sells out each of its registration windows in a mere few hours. Runners are thrilled just to get in!

Widely acclaimed “The best little road race in California”, Wharf to Wharf is the biggest summer event of its kind on the West Coast and a boon to local business, annually infusing more than 8 million dollars into the Santa Cruz County economy. It receives broad media attention, and is highlighted in all running industry polls and publications as one of the top races in America each year.

The Wharf to Wharf Race starts at the Santa Cruz Wharf (Beach St. & Cliff St.) near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and finishes at the Capitola Wharf (Wharf Rd. & Cliff Dr.) near Capitola Village.

Sunday, July 28, 2024 , 8:30am