- Tom Brezsny

The Conversation Around Housing is Changing

Continuing…still talking about those tall buildings going up around town and the thousands of new housing “units” that are on the way…and how the local conversation around housing is changing. We left off last week, talking about two of the huge gaps (some might say chasms) that have opened up over the last few decades, as the housing crisis worsened and more locals began falling through the cracks.  The first is the “homeownership gap” which refers to the fact that the number of homeowners in...
- Dax Nollenberger

Friday Fun: Kid-Friendly Activities in Santa Cruz County

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this weekend? Santa Cruz County makes it easy to put together a great day without overthinking it. Whether you want something active, creative, or just easy to pull off, here are a few go-to options. Classic Santa Cruz Experiences You can’t go wrong starting with the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Rides, games, and energy all in one place. It’s the kind of spot where you can spend an hour or most of the day depending on how...
- Dax Nollenberger

Do You Still Need a Real Estate Agent in the Age of AI?

AI is changing how people buy and sell homes. You can pull comps in seconds, estimate values instantly, and generate listing descriptions or investment projections with a few prompts. It’s efficient, impressive, and here to stay. So it’s a fair question: do you still need a real estate agent? The answer is yes, but not in the same way as before. The strongest outcomes today come from a hybrid approach, where AI enhances the agent rather than replaces them. This Isn’t a Small Decision For...
- Dax Nollenberger

AB 12 and What It Signals for Rental Property Owners in Santa Cruz County

AB 12, which took effect in 2023, capped most residential security deposits in California at one month’s rent. On its own, this change is modest. Its real significance is what it represents for rental property owners and investors in California. What AB 12 Does AB 12 limits security deposits to: One month’s rent for most residential rentals Who Is Exempt Small landlords are generally exempt. AB 12 does not apply when: The landlord owns two or fewer residential rental properties The properties together contain no...
- Dax Nollenberger

Is Commuting From Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley Worth It? The Financial Cost Breakdown

Santa Cruz vs Silicon Valley Housing Math When buyers consider moving from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz, the first question is usually about the commute. Is it worth it? But there is another way to frame the decision. What is the financial value of living further away if housing costs are lower and the difference is invested instead? Let’s walk through a simplified scenario. The Scenario Assume a buyer is comparing two similar homes. Santa Clara County home Purchase price: $1,800,000 Santa Cruz County home...
- Tom Brezsny

More About House…

Continuing the conversation … still talking about all of those tall buildings going up around town and the thousands of new housing “units” that are on their way …and what it all means for a place that has been so stubbornly opposed to growth for the last fifty years. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t overhear someone extolling the virtues of living here in Santa Cruz. The list of amenities is long…  open space, beautiful beaches, laid-back vibes, great weather, caring community and...
- Dax Nollenberger

Why Santa Cruz Weather Is One of the Region’s Best Kept Secrets

Santa Cruz is often described as a coastal town with great weather, but the reality is a bit more interesting than that. The county sits between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Cruz Mountains, creating a set of weather patterns that make the climate unusually comfortable for much of the year. For many people who move here from Silicon Valley or other parts of California, the weather quickly becomes one of the biggest reasons they stay. The Ocean as a Natural Temperature Regulator The Pacific...
- Dax Nollenberger

What Surprises Silicon Valley Buyers About Living in Santa Cruz

For many Silicon Valley buyers, Santa Cruz begins as a place to visit. A beach trip. A surf session. A weekend away from the pace of the tech corridor. But when buyers begin considering Santa Cruz as a place to live, a few surprises often appear. The region may sit just over the hill, yet daily life here can feel very different from Silicon Valley. Understanding those differences helps buyers set realistic expectations as they explore the area. Santa Cruz Is Full of Microclimates One...
- Dax Nollenberger

The Highway 17 Effect: How Silicon Valley Demand Shapes the Santa Cruz Housing Market

When people talk about the Santa Cruz housing market, the conversation often centers on local factors. Local income. Local inventory. Local demand. But Santa Cruz does not operate as an isolated housing market. It sits directly next to one of the most economically powerful regions in the world. Because of that proximity, demand from Silicon Valley often flows across the mountains and influences housing conditions here. One way to think about this dynamic is what I call the Highway 17 Effect. Santa Cruz Is a...
- Dax Nollenberger

SB 330 and Why Zoning Expectations Tend to Stick in Santa Cruz County

SB 330, known as the Housing Crisis Act, was enacted in 2019 to prevent cities and counties from reducing housing capacity during California’s housing shortage. While often assumed to be temporary, the most important parts of SB 330 are now effectively permanent. In Santa Cruz County, this has lasting implications for land value and development potential. Current Status and What Is Permanent SB 330 originally included a sunset date. Since then, later legislation clarified what stays and what expires. SB 330 took effect in 2019...
- Dax Nollenberger

What $2 Million Buys in Santa Cruz vs Silicon Valley

For many buyers working in Silicon Valley, the Santa Cruz housing market can feel surprising. Not because homes are inexpensive. But because the same budget can often buy something very different once you cross Highway 17. A $2 million budget is common for many Bay Area buyers. In parts of Silicon Valley, that price point often buys a modest home with limited space and a very high price per square foot. In Santa Cruz County, that same budget can sometimes open the door to a...
- Tom Brezsny

More About All of Those Buildings

Continuing the conversation…STILL talking about those tall buildings going up around town and the thousands of new housing “units” that are on their way and what it all means for a place that has so stubbornly opposed any growth for the last fifty years. So what happened? Who opened the floodgates? How do we respond?  Looking through the lens of our local, no/slow growth past, it’s tempting to see those new buildings as extensions of the longstanding battle between good and evil, local vs. out-of-towners,...
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