Real Estate End of Year Market Report for Santa Cruz | 2018

Get to know this quintessential California beach town!

Santa Cruz is located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay and has 29 miles of coastline and includes numerous state parks and beaches. It encompasses a total area of 607 square miles, of which 445 square miles is land and 162 square miles is water.

Many buyers looking for Santa Cruz CA homes for sale are drawn to its pristine beaches, lush redwood forests, and rich farmland. The area has an ideal Mediterranean climate with low humidity and sunshine 300 days a year.

Santa Cruz County includes the incorporated cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville. Some of the most popular communities include Aptos, Bonny Doon, Brookdale, Corralitos, Felton, Larkin Valley, La Selva Beach, Los Gatos Mountains, Rio del Mar, Scotts Valley, Seacliff, and Soquel.

Find your dream home in Santa Cruz CA!

Home to more than 250,000 residents, the county’s strong local economy is anchored by technology, agriculture, and tourism. Santa Cruz CA is also known for its captivating blend of nostalgia, natural beauty, and engaging activities such as kayaking, sailing, hiking, surfing, and golf.


You’ll also find an array of art galleries, museum, festivals, and outdoor performances. There are premier cultural events such as Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Capitola Twilight Concerts, the Santa Cruz Film Festival, Scotts Valley Art and Wine, and Open Studios.

Real estate in Santa Cruz CA

The real estate market in Santa Cruz is diverse and includes single-family homes, waterfront houses on pristine beaches, condos, townhomes, apartment buildings, commercial development properties, golf properties, and land for sale.

The homes in this area offer the ultimate comfort and lifestyle with prices that are absolutely to die for. Living here, you’ll be constantly surrounded by beautiful nature and great surf.  It’s simply a wonderful place to call home.


End of Year Market Report for Santa Cruz CA

Last March, the median price of single-family homes in Santa Cruz County hit a record of $935,100. Since then, the median price has stayed above the $900,000 mark.

There was also an increase in the inventory of homes for sale. During the first week of November, there were 544 listings. This is 9% more than the available number of homes for sale last year.

As for the number of sold homes, it was the same as about last year. However, with more homes on the market, the unsold inventory index — listings divided by sales — was 3.1 months, up from 2.8 months a year ago.

According to MLSListings, the median days on the market to sell a home was 35 days in October, up from 20 days in last 2017.

The median price for condos in Santa Cruz County was $565,000 — down from the January record of $637,500 — on 41 sales. There were 138 listings, a 68 percent increase from a year ago, and the unsold inventory index rose to 3.4 months.

For next year, it has been predicted that California's median home price would go down by 0.2 percent.

Click here for the most recent list of homes for sale in Santa Cruz CA.

Call me, Sandy Wallace, at (831) 818-7099. I am here to assist you with all of your home buying and selling needs in Santa Cruz CA. I am committed to providing you with the best service possible.

 

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view Real Estate End of Year Market Report for Santa Cruz | 2018 on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TOVADoRQ7I&index=2&list=PLH3GvGx4MIHO6zHJbnM-Hwza_acCknQCS&t=0s

What's My Pleasure Point Beach Home Worth?

Home valuations are estimates.

If you are looking into your Pleasure Point Beach home’s worth with the intent to sell it soon, it is essential that you get the right value. As tempting as it may be to use the result of an online valuation, the best valuation will come from an experienced REALTOR® in your area.

When you enlist the assistance of the REALTOR®, the first thing he or she will do is to come up with your home’s worth. This valuation is of utmost significance since it will be the basis of your home’s listing price. Thus, it is vital that the estimate is done right and by someone who has the skills and experience to do it properly.

Coming up with your home value is not an exact science. No two REALTORS® will produce the same amount.  It important to remember - valuations are just estimates. In the end, it is the buyer who gets to decide how much your home is worth.

Factors that influence your home’s value

Your REALTOR® will look at different factors to determine your Pleasure Point Beach home’s value. Here are the most critical factors which significantly influence the valuation.

1. Location. Your home’s site is responsible for a large part of its appeal. Is it near a school? Is it near a major highway?

What is in that location that makes it viable to invest in it? The safety and security of location matters. So does the possible increase of commerce of the neighborhood.

All these will be taken into consideration by your REALTOR®.

2. Size and appeal. The home’s square footage, lot size, architectural style, and curb appeal will all be looked at during the valuation process. Size matters. The more extensive your property is, the higher its value.

A five bedroom home is more expensive than a three bedroom home. Similarly, a .50 acre lot size has a higher worth than a 10,500 square foot lot. Even your home’s exterior features matter.

3. Age and condition. Another factor which contributes to your home’s valuation is its age and consequently, its shape. Obviously, a recently  constructed home will sell better than an old one. Buyers prefer newer homes because they are easier to maintain.

The condition of the house also affects the estimate. A well-maintained home will command a higher selling price than one with repair issues.

4. Home improvements. The REALTOR® will also include in the valuation any improvements or upgrades you’ve done to the home.

Did you add another bedroom or bathroom? Did you upgrade the kitchen countertop? Did you get new appliances?

Did you install energy-saving fixtures? Did you replace the garage doors with steel ones? Did you install a deck?

The improvements you’ve made will count.

5. Market condition. The market condition, along with location and size, are the factors you have no control over. If it’s a seller’s market, there are less Pleasure Point Beach homes for sale on the market, and there’s a large percentage of sellers. In this market, you can add up to 10% on your listing price, and your home will still sell.

If it happened to be a buyer’s market, there are more homes for sale. In this market, it is suggested you drop your listing price by at least 5% to compete with the other homes.  The market condition in the area where your home is located influences the valuation.

Knowing what factors affect your Pleasure Point Beach home’s price will help you have ideas of what you can still improve in your home.

Interested in selling your home? Call me, Sandy Wallace, at 831-818-7099 for a free home valuation with no obligation to list with me.

In case you can not view this video here, please click the link below to view What's My Pleasure Point Beach Home Worth? on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/HZv1pTiKS_I.

341 35th Ave Santa Cruz CA 95062 | Santa Cruz CA Home for Sale

341 35th Ave Santa Cruz CA 95062 | Santa Cruz CA Home for Sale

Experience the fun and excitement of life near the edge of the Pacific in this fabulous home for sale in Santa Cruz CA. This lovely vacation home is located in one of the most desired pieces of coastline by surfers, whale watchers and beach goers. The property is located less than one block from the beach and East Cliff Drive, and is conveniently near a variety of fun and unique shops.

This fully furnished, immaculate home has been a successful vacation rental and permanent residence for many years. The gross rental income has been up to $85,000 a year. This home will be sold as is, with the current advertising, vacation rental permit in place and help from the current owners if you need to learn how to rent it.

The open architecture design of this vacation home for sale in Pleasure Point allows the cook in the kitchen to easily talk with those in the other areas. Serving your sumptuous culinary creations to friends and family alike is as fun as it is convenient.

Two queen-bed sleeping alcoves have been designed with blue-velvet curtains for privacy from the rest of the home.

Almost all appliances are gas and the home has new electric solar panels on the roof. There are two bathrooms, one indoor and the other located in the rear building, 10-steps out the back door through the private 6’ high fenced-in yard.

The garden has a lemon, lime, avocado, apple, pear tree, plus beautiful flowers. Enjoy the sounds of the ocean while relaxing in the $10,000 hot tub with a small tranquil colored-light waterfall and 5 massage-type jets.

Located behind the bungalow is a detached 2.5 story building that measures 15’ x 15’ x 21’ high. Ficus greenery covers the sides. It is considered an uninhabited building.

The 12’ high bottom level can be a workshop and extra storage. For access to the second & third levels, there is a metal circular staircase on the driveway alley side, and a standard wood stairway from the backyard. Both stairways lead to an office/storage bonus room with a ½ bath on the 2nd level and continues on the outside of the building to a short attic.

There are 2 private on-site parking spaces (a real plus in a beach area) which are accessed from a back alley. Thirty-Fifth Avenue is very quiet as it does not connect with any major through streets except East Cliff Drive. It does not require parking permits.

There are 15+ restaurants within a short walking or biking distance. Also, the nearby 41st Avenue has many fun and unique shops to explore in this desirable Pleasure Point area.

If you are in search of a home that has all the fun and excitement of life in Pleasure Point, then 341 35th Ave is the perfect home for you. For more information on this listing and other homes for sale in Santa Cruz CA, visit www.SantaCruzCAHomesForSale.com.

Call Sandy Wallace today at 831-818-7099. Her professional and expert knowledge of the local housing market in and around Santa Cruz CA will help you find the home of your dreams.