Santa Cruz County Home & Community Information

SEABRIGHT HOME VALUES - MARKET REPORT 2011

 Seabright is a great neighborhood in Santa Cruz, CA filled with charming craftsman, victorian, and beach bungalow homes.  People love to live in Seabright and be able to walk to Seabright Beach, Betty's burgers, the Seabright Brewery, Java Junction, La Posta . . .  Seabright is a classic California beach neighborhood. Home values in Seabright have remained fairly strong compared to many other areas over the past few years.

Let's take a look at Seabright, CA home values in 2011:

 There were about 38 homes sold in Seabright in 2011 with an average sale price of $753,000.  The highest priced home home sold in Seabright in 2011 was a 4500 SF oceanview, craftsman style home that sold for $2,660,000, all cash.

The lowest priced home sale in Seabright in 2011 was small, 2 bedroom foreclosure that sold for $360,000 on Frederick St.

Last year about 45% of all home sales in Santa Cruz county were short sales or foreclosures.  In Seabright this rate is much lower.  There were 3 Seabright foreclosure sales and 2 short sales in Seabright in 2011, which means that the percent of distressed home sales in Seabright is only 10%.  That is pretty great compared to the rest of the county and the state. 

Seabright is a highly desireable area.  There are full-time residents, commuters, and vacation home owners.  It is a great place to live and vacation and there is a large buyer pool for this area.

Contact me for more information about home values in Seabright, market trends, homes for sale in Seabright and community information.

Santa Cruz Foreclosure Sales - Market Report 2011

We hear alot about foreclosures and bank owned sales all over the country.  But how many foreclosure sales are there in Santa Cruz county?  What percentage of all homes sales are foreclosures in Santa Cruz county?

Looking back at 2011, there were a total of 434 foreclosure sales in Santa Cruz county.  These are single family homes sold through the  MLS (multiple listing service) by banks are REOs or foreclosures.  In  2011, there were a total of 1821 single family homes sold in Santa Cruz.  This means that Santa Cruz county foreclosure sales made up almost 24% of our real estate market.

I am always asked by buyers about how to get a great deal on a foreclosure and if you can really low ball a bank when making an offer.  My answer is, it depends.  If you are an all cash buyer, you do have a better chance of getting a great deal on a Santa Cruz foreclosure.  If the home has a lot of issues, we can sometimes use that to get a big discount.  If there are multiple offers and the bank has underpriced the home in order to sell it quickly, I don't recommend making a low ball offer.

The median price of all Santa Cruz county foreclosures sold in 2011 was $330,000.  The median price of 'regular sales' (not foreclosures or short sales) in Santa Cruz county in 2011 was $565,000.  So you can see that Santa Cruz foreclosure sales are selling for less than regular sales.

I expect to see Santa Cruz foreclosure sales continuing in 2012 and beyond, but with a trend to more short sales than foreclosures or REOs.

Looking to buy a foreclosure?  Go here to see a current list of Santa Cruz County foreclosures for sale

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HOME VALUES - MARKET REPORT 2011

Looking back at Santa Cruz County Home Values in 2011, the trend has been slightly downward, but not by much compared to the past 3 years.

The median home price for all of Santa Cruz County in 2011 was $465,000. this is down slightly from 2010 when the median home value in Santa Cruz was $520,000 but about the same as 2009 when the median Santa Cruz county home sold for $495,000.

GRAPH OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HOME VALUES 2009-2011

The number of Santa Cruz home sales is up in 2011, there were a total of 1821 single family home sales in 2011 in all of Santa Cruz County.  In 2010 there were 1598 SFR Santa Cruz county home sales.

Of the 1821 home sales in Santa Cruz County in 2011, 818 were short sales or foreclosures (REOs), which means almost 45% of all home sales in Santa Cruz were distressed sales.  That is a huge portion of our market.  I expect to see more short sales and foreclosures in 2012, but with a trend toward more short sales than foreclosures.  

Overall, more Santa Cruz homes are selling and at a slightly lower price than the previous year.  Santa Cruz home values are getting to be attractive to home buyers and first time home buyers are making up a large percentage of the market.  With the historic low interest rates and great deals on foreclosures and short sales, many people have decided that now is the time to buy.

Contact me for more information about Santa Cruz home values in your neighborhood or city.

CAPITOLA HOMES FOR SALE – MARKET REPORT 2011

Capitola is a small beach town located in Santa Cruz County and is one of the most desirable places to live on the West Coast.  Capitola attracts second home and vacation home buyers with its quaint atmosphere and easy beach living.  Capitola is a great place to live full-time and raise a family as well.  Capitola is a great community with many events and fun things to do like the Capitola Art & Wine Festival and Capitola Begonia Festival.  Let’s take a look at Capitola homes for sale and the sales activity in 2011.

Capitola Homes for Sale – Market Report 2011: 

There were 43 homes sold in Capitola in 2011, this number is down slightly from 2010 when 50 Capitola homes sold.

The average price of a Capitola home for sale in 2011 was $728,000 down from 2010 when the average home price in Capitola was $834,000.  Capitola homes sell for much higher than Santa Cruz county as a whole where the current average home sale price hovers around $450,000.

The highest priced Capitola home for sale in 2011 was an oceanfront lot in Depot Hill that sold for $2,200,000.

The lowest priced Capitola home for sale was a small 2 bedroom near 41st Avenue Mall that was a short sale home, it sold for $350,000.

You can find homes priced under $500,000 in Capitola and you will find short sale and foreclosures in Capitola along with multi-million dollar beach homes.  Capitola has some wonderful neighborhoods like the Jewel Box, Depot Hill and Cliffwood Heights.

Contact me for more information about Capitola homes for sale and Capitola community information.

WESTSIDE SANTA CRUZ CONDOS – Market Report 2011

The Westside of Santa Cruz is a great place to live, you are close to beaches, walks on Westcliff Dr, Santa Cruz Downtown, the Boardwalk, shopping and entertainment.  Westside Santa Cruz condos are great for first time home buyers and families of UCSC students.

Here is the Sales Activity Report for Westside Santa Cruz Condos 2011:

Westside Santa Cruz condo sale prices are down slightly in 2011 to an average of $312,000.  In 2010, the average price of a Westside Santa Cruz condo was $360,000.

The number of Westside Santa Cruz condo sales is up just a bit, there were 44 closed escrows in 2011, compared to 42 Westside condo sales in 2010.

The highest priced Westside Santa Cruz condo sale in 2011 was a 3 bedroom, ocean view condo on Beach Hill that sold for $690,000.

The lowest priced Westside Santa Cruz condo sale in 2011 was a small 435 SF, bank owned condo that sold for $170,000.

In 2011, 9 Westside Santa Cruz condo sales were short sales and 11 were REO or foreclosure condo sales.  This means that almost half of all Westside Santa Cruz condo sales were distressed sales.  This has attributed to lower sale prices for Westside Santa Cruz condos.

Buying a condo on the Westside of Santa Cruz can be a great option for first time home buyers, UCSC students and families.  Contact me for more information about condos and homes for sale in Santa Cruz.

CAPITOLA CONDOS FOR SALE – Market Report 2011

Capitola is one of the most popular beach towns on the West Coast, sometimes with real estate prices to match.  Captiola condos for sale offer a great opportunity for those who want to live in Capitola at a lower price.  Capitola is a great vacation area as well, and a low maintenance condo in Capitola may be your perfect beach pad.

Let’s take a look at the Capitola Condo Sales Activity for 2011:

The average price of a Capitola Condo in 2011 was $340,000, this is down slightly from 2010 when the average Capitola condo sold for $357,000.

The number of Capitola condo sales are up in 2011, there were a total of 45 closed condos sales in Capitola.  In 2010 there were 35 Capitola condo sales.

Capitola condos for sale are going into escrow more quickly than last year.  The average days on market in 2011 was 85, compared to 96 days on market average in 2010.

Capitola condos for sale are selling more quickly, for a slightly lower price and more condos are selling in 2011.  I attribute this to the fantastic interest rates we have seen this year and the great bank owned and short sale deals that are coming on the market.  I have sold several foreclosure or bank owned condos this year.  The banks tend to price their condos aggressively and my clients have walked away with some great buys.

Contact me for more information about Capitola Condos for sale, the value of your Captiola condos and Capitola community information, I am happy to help!

Capitola Shores - Capitola Condos – Market Report 2011

The Capitola Shores – Capitola Condos are located in the Jewel Box in Capitola, close to 41st Ave Mall and walking distance to Capitola Village.  The Capitola Shores condos are mostly 2 bedroom condos, the complex does have a pool and nicely landscaped grounds.

Let’s take a look at the condo sales activity in the Capitola Shores in 2011:

There have been 9 condo sales in the Capitola Shores in 2011, with an average sale price of $249,000.  Of these 9 condo sales, 2 were short sale condos and one was a foreclosure condo.

The lowest priced Capitola Shores condo sale was a unfinished 2 bedroom condo that sold all cash for $220,000.

The highest priced Capitola Shores condo sale was a single level, remodeled condo that sold for $271,000

There are 2 condos currently in escrow in the Capitola Shores, both are short sale condos.

The Capitola Shores Condos offer a great opportunity for buyers to live in Capitola for less.  They are low maintenance condos perfect for vacation or second homes.  The Capitola Shores are also great for seniors as there are single level condos and it is centrally located and walking distance to amenities and public transportation.

Contact me for a current list of Capitola Condos for sale or to find the value of your Capitola Condo.

WOODS COVE - SANTA CRUZ GATED HOME COMMUNITY- MARKET REPORT 2011

Woods Cove is a Santa Cruz Gated Home Community located off of Graham Hill Rd, half way between Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz.  Woods Cove is a fairly new development (for Santa Cruz), most homes are less than 10 years old.

Let's take a look at the homes sales in Woods Cove - Santa Cruz Gated Home Community in 2011:

Two homes sold in Woods Cove this year, for an average sale price of $1,411,000.  Both were large, executive style homes with an average square footage of almost 5000 square feet.

There is one home for sale in Woods Cove, it is listed for $1,795,000.

Two homes in Woods Cove, gated community in Santa Cruz are in escrow.  One of these gated homes is a short sale.  Yes, even in upscale gated home communities there are short sales and foreclosures.  The short sale home in Woods Cove is listed at $1,250,000 an is over 5000 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 5 1/2 bathrooms.

Woods Cove is a lovely gated home community in Santa Cruz with large, luxury homes on spacious lots.  Contact me for more information about buying in Woods Cove or what your home is worth in today's market.

Soquel Knolls Condos - Soquel Condos Sales Market Report 2011

The Soquel Knolls Condos are located off Wharf Rd, close to Soquel Village and 41st Ave Mall.  The Soquel Knolls condos are set on a hill above Soquel, in a quiet, peaceful location with landscaped grounds and great pool area.

Let's take a look at Soquel Knolls condos sales activity for 2011:

There were 3 Soquel Knolls condo sales in 2011 with an average sale price of $252,000. Of these 3 condo sales, one was a foreclosure condo, one was a short sale condo and the other was a regular sale.  All were 3 bedroom condos.  Soquel Knolls condo prices are down compared to 2010 when the average condo sale price was $295,000.

Currently there is one short sale in Soquel Knolls that is in escrow and one condo active on the market, both are 2 bedroom condos.

Soquel Knolls condos have declined in price over the past years due to short sales and foreclosures.  These Soquel condos for sale present a great opportunity for first time home buyers to live in Soquel at a lower price.  Contact me for more information about Soquel condos for sale and the Soquel Knolls at (831) 419-9345 or cjess4homes@yahoo.com.

CAPITOLA KNOLLS CONDOS - CONDO VALUE REPORT 2011

The Capitola Knolls Condos are located between Capitola Village and New Brighton State Beach in a great neighborhood close to New Brighton Middle School, Beaches and Capitola Village.  These Capitola condos are some of the best priced real estate in Capitola.

Let's take a look at Capitola Knolls Condo values for 2011

There were 6 condos sales in the Capitola Knolls so far this year with an average sale price of $274,650.  Only 2 out of the 6 sales were three bedroom condos, the rest were 2 bedroom condos.

The highest priced sale in the Capitola Knolls was nicely remodeled 3 bedroom condo that sold for $320,000

The lowest priced condo sale in the Capitola Knolls in 2011 was a 2 bedroom condo foreclosure that sold all cash for $239,900.

Of the six condo sales this year in the Capitola Knolls, 2 were short sale condos and one was a foreclosure condo.

The Capitola Knolls is a great condo complex in Capitola with a pool, landscaped grounds, and in a fantastic walk-to-beach location.  These Capitola condos for sale offer a great opportunity for buyers to live in Capitola for less!

Contact me for more information about Capitola condos for sale or to find out what the value is of your condo or home in today's market.

Go here to see all a current list of all Capitola condos for sale.