- Dax Nollenberger

Discovering La Selva Beach: A Quiet Coastal Pocket with Local Charm

La Selva Beach is one of those places people drive through once and never forget. It sits just south of Seacliff and Rio Del Mar, tucked between rolling agricultural fields and the Monterey Bay. The pace is slower here. The views feel wider. And the community still carries that small seaside village feeling that can be tough to find along the coast. The Beach That Defines the Neighborhood The heart of La Selva is its beach. Residents enjoy easy access to long stretches of sand,...
- Dax Nollenberger

A Thanksgiving Note of Gratitude: Honoring the People Who Make This Work Meaningful

Thanksgiving is a good reminder of how many people shape the real estate experience long before a home ever hits the market or a transaction reaches the finish line. This season always brings me back to the connections, teamwork, and support that make this work feel meaningful. The Clients Who Let Me Be Part of Their Story I am grateful for the people who invite me into a major moment in their lives. Buying or selling a home often comes with excitement, transition, uncertainty, or...
- Dax Nollenberger

How to Find a Realtor: The Real Ways People Connect and How to Choose the Right Fit

Finding a Realtor can feel simple on the surface. People meet agents at open houses, through friends, online, or by clicking a button on Zillow. But each path comes with real differences in how much you actually learn about the person who may guide one of the largest financial decisions of your life. The goal is not just choosing an agent. The goal is choosing someone you trust, someone who communicates in a way that works for you, and someone with the experience and systems...
- Dax Nollenberger

Mortgage Portability and What It Could Mean for Homeowners Across the Country

Mortgage portability is gaining national attention as policymakers explore ways to improve mobility in a housing market stalled by high interest rates. The current administration has begun discussing the concept publicly, raising the possibility that homeowners may one day be able to take their existing mortgage and interest rate with them when they move. For homeowners in markets like Santa Cruz, where lifestyle changes often drive decisions as much as affordability, mortgage portability could create meaningful shifts in how and when people move. What Is...
- Tom Brezsny

Dominican Hospital Dignity Health Mobile Wellness Van

The Dominican Hospital Dignity Health Mobile Wellness Van program is a powerful example of compassionate, community-centered healthcare in action. By bringing essential medical services directly to neighborhoods, it breaks down barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking timely care—transportation challenges, cost concerns, or limited access to clinics. The mobile team delivers screenings, preventive care, education, and support with warmth and dignity, meeting people exactly where they are. This outreach not only strengthens individual health outcomes but also nurtures healthier communities by identifying needs early and...
- Tom Brezsny

Discovering “Downsizing”

It’s been more than a decade since my younger self first wandered through the looking glass, into the subject of “downsizing” in these columns. I had just crossed the threshold of my 60th year and had no idea that “downsizing” was about to morph into a catch-all term, synonymous with an entire generation of people wrestling with questions about aging. And little did I know that “downsizing” would become a topic du jour that I returned to many times as the scope of the great...
- Dax Nollenberger

Your Guide to Short-Term Rental Regulations in Monterey County

Short-term rental rules in Monterey County have undergone major changes. Whether you are buying a home for personal use, investment, or occasional rental income, it is important to understand how the county regulates short stays. These rules apply only to homes located in the unincorporated areas of Monterey County, and the requirements differ between inland and coastal regions. Incorporated Cities Cities like Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Marina, and Salinas each have their own STR rules that do not follow county policy. If you want...
- Dax Nollenberger

How Ignoring Home Issues Can Cost You More When It’s Time to Sell

Many sellers wait until they are ready to list before thinking seriously about repairs or maintenance. The reality is that not addressing certain issues early can cost you much more down the line. What seems like saving money today often leads to lower offers, difficult negotiations, and reduced buyer confidence later. In a market where buyers have choices and thorough inspections are the norm, the smallest details can make a big difference in perception and price. The Hidden Cost of Deferred Maintenance When a home...
- Dax Nollenberger

The 50 Year Mortgage and What It Could Mean for Santa Cruz Buyers

The 50 year mortgage has recently been floated as a way to increase affordability in high cost markets like Santa Cruz. While it is not widely available, understanding how it works helps buyers evaluate where it could fit and where it likely falls short. How a 50 Year Mortgage Works A 50 year loan functions like a standard fixed rate mortgage but stretches repayment from 30 years to 50. The monthly payment drops because the principal is repaid more slowly. The downside is much higher...
- Tom Brezsny

My How Things Have Changed

Real estate works a lot differently than it used to when I first got my license back in 1990. Most things today’s buyers, sellers and agents take for granted or consider “normal” weren’t even on the radar back then. Given the speed of the process these days, it’s hard to imagine anyone who bought or sold a home twenty or thirty years ago, feeling comfortable wading into the deep end of the market without some significant reorientation and guidance. Here’s what’s changed: Extensive remodeling? Doing...
- Dax Nollenberger

What Can Impact a Buyer’s Ability to Get Home Insurance in Santa Cruz

When buying a home in Santa Cruz, insurance plays a bigger role than many expect. Certain home features can make it difficult to get coverage, and without insurance, most lenders will not fund a loan. Understanding what matters most can save time and stress for both buyers and sellers. Some issues almost always cause delays, while others depend on location, condition, or insurer guidelines. Below are the most common factors that can affect a buyer’s ability to secure home insurance in Santa Cruz County, grouped...
- Dax Nollenberger

Helping Your Kids with a Down Payment: The Key to Unlocking Homeownership in Santa Cruz

For first-time buyers in Santa Cruz County, the hardest part of buying a home is not the monthly mortgage payment. It is saving for the down payment. Even buyers with good incomes find it nearly impossible to save when rent consumes so much of their paycheck. The average rent for a two-bedroom home can easily reach $3,000 a month. When you add in high local costs and everyday expenses, putting away money for a down payment becomes almost impossible. By the time a buyer saves...
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