“Michelle went above and beyond expectations made our first home buying experience a breeze she's always got a smile on her face and a wonderful personality is very knowledgeable and helped us immensely”
Century 21 Select
- Agent Pronto
- California
- Santa Cruz
The best way to find top real estate agents in Santa Cruz, CA
We analyze thousands of real estate agents in Santa Cruz and nationwide to find you proven local professionals, for free.
- Client Testimonials and Reviews
- Local Market Reports
- Tailored Agent Recommendations
- Free Home Value Estimates
- Agent Sales Histories
- 100% Free, No Obligation
Compare top Santa Cruz real estate agents.
Agent Pronto analyzes transaction data, agent specialties, and client reviews to handpick the best agents in your area. Updated for October 2026.*
* Sales data is calculated based on transaction information available to Agent Pronto at the time of publishing and may not accurately reflect all transactions for a given agent.
The easiest way to find a top agent you can trust.
Sell faster. Buy smarter. Get matched with proven agents who know your market—all for free.
- Tell us what you need.
- Answer a few quick questions about your real estate goals.
- Get matched.
- We’ll find you top local agents based on performance, expertise, and customer reviews.
- Connect and compare.
- Review your personalized recommendations and choose who’s right for you.
- Move forward with confidence.
- Whether you’re buying, selling, or both, you’ll have a proven expert on your side.
Santa Cruz real estate Market Report.
Information and statistics on the latest trends in the Santa Cruz real estate market. *
Latest Rolling 3-Month Snapshot
Jul 1, 2026 - Sep 30, 2026
Median sale price
$1.4M
-7.8%
from Q2 '26
Median list price
$1.2M
-12%
from Q2 '26
Active listings
177
+7.9%
from Q2 '26
Homes sold
77
-18%
from Q2 '26
New pendings
91
+5.8%
from Q2 '26
New listings
112
-7.4%
from Q2 '26
Quarterly Pricing Trends for Santa Cruz
Rolling three-month data ending on quarter boundaries when available.
Median sale price
Median list price
Quarterly Pricing Trends for Santa Cruz
Rolling three-month data ending on quarter boundaries when available.
Median sale price
Median list price
Quarterly Pricing Trends for Santa Cruz
Rolling three-month data ending on quarter boundaries when available.
Median sale price
Median list price
Quarterly Inventory and Sales Activity for Santa Cruz
Rolling three-month supply and activity totals for the selected period.
Active listings
Homes sold
New pendings
New listings
Quarterly Inventory and Sales Activity for Santa Cruz
Rolling three-month supply and activity totals for the selected period.
Active listings
Homes sold
New pendings
New listings
Quarterly Inventory and Sales Activity for Santa Cruz
Rolling three-month supply and activity totals for the selected period.
Active listings
Homes sold
New pendings
New listings
19
Seller’s Market
Seller’s Market
Buyer’s Market
0
20
40
60
80
100
0
25
50
75
100
Market gauge is calculated using active listings and pending sales from the most recently available reporting period (Jul 2026 - Sep 2026).
Santa Cruz home values have held relatively steady over the past year, with the typical home value down less than 1% in this rolling three-month view through September 2026. Median list prices are down more noticeably year over year, reflecting about a 5% decline. At the same time, the number of homes sold has fallen more than 20% compared with a year ago, pointing to softer overall demand.
In the latest three-month period, inventory has expanded while buyer activity has cooled. Active listings are up about 8% from last year and months of supply has more than doubled to 3.2 months, signaling more options and slightly less urgency for buyers. Despite that, the market still leans toward sellers, with the average sale-to-list price ratio just above 100% and more than one-third of recent sales closing above list price.
Day-to-day, homes continue to move quickly in Santa Cruz, with a median of 17 days on market and nearly 45% of properties going off-market within two weeks. New listings have ticked up year over year, yet pending sales are down, suggesting buyers are taking more time and being selective. This rolling three-month snapshot shows a market in transition, where informed pricing and strategy matter for both sellers and buyers, and Agent Pronto can connect each with a skilled local agent to navigate it effectively.
Learn more about what Santa Cruz has to offer.
Santa Cruz offers residents a vibrant coastal lifestyle with beautiful beaches, easy outdoor recreation, a lively arts and downtown scene, and a welcoming sense of community.
Santa Cruz offers a coastal lifestyle that feels distinctly more relaxed and quirky than its Silicon Valley and San Jose neighbors, with an identity deeply tied to the ocean, redwoods, and university culture. The iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and steady surf at Steamer Lane shape daily life as much as the tech and academic influence from UC Santa Cruz. Neighborhoods range from quiet tree lined streets above Downtown Santa Cruz to classic beach cottages near Seabright State Beach, where people gather around fire pits at sunset.
Residents prize access to the outdoors. Locals move easily between morning hikes in Wilder Ranch State Park and evening concerts or community events at spots like the Abbott Square Market. The city’s schools, coastal climate, and strong local food scene make it attractive for longtime residents and newcomers deciding between Santa Cruz and nearby Capitola or Scotts Valley.
For buyers, the market can be competitive, with differences block to block in sun exposure, parking, and commute access over Highway 17 toward Campbell. For sellers, timing around seasonal tourism, university schedules, and coastal weather can influence interest and pricing. Partnering with a knowledgeable local real estate agent through Agent Pronto helps both buyers and sellers prepare strategically and move confidently in the Santa Cruz market.
Trusted by over 500,000 buyers and sellers.
See why so many people rely on Agent Pronto to make their real estate journey a success.
“Alfred was extremly knowldegable, friendly, reliable and most importantly extremely transparent with us during the whole process. He would tell us how the market was looking if it was a good a bad idea on certain decisions with the property but would back it up with facts, pictures message etc. That made me trust him even more because even when looking for an agent he agreed our other option was a good option he didn't bash the other agent to make him sound better and that speaks volumes to his character. I'm truly pleased with the service he provided and would recommend him.”
Century 21 PrimeTime Realtors
“Rienne has been incredible from day one. She always made us feel good about the situation while still keeping us grounded on potential deals. We asked so many questions about different possibilities and outcomes, Rienne always had an answer or a path to get one for us. She helped to mitigate alot of the concerns we had through the process and kept us informed and optimistic while we were waiting for 'the right deal'. She was very professional and insightful, yet so personable and trustworthy. Rienne goes the extra mile for her clients. Even when we she was busy, she found time to make sure we were taken care of.”
Century 21 Discovery
“Judy is very professional, kind, understanding and quite knowledgeable. I appreciate her directness, her friendship and her commitment to selling my dad's house.”
Century 21 Award
“The amount of work and effort that Justin Bonney of Clear Way Real Estate put into selling our Lake Balboa home was incredible. The home needed work. Justin acted like a general contractor to coordinate his handyman, plumber, A/C guy, and landscaper. These contractors were all very happy to do the work on short notice for for Justin’s clients. And they did it based on our very limited budget. It blew us away. The repairs Justin’s team did for us (replacing old French doors, touch-up paint, replacing cabinetry, repairing electrical outlets) cost us about one third the amount quoted to us by independent general contractors. With Justin’s strategy, his guidance, and his network of realtors and clients, we had three good offers within two weeks and were happy with the price. Escrow closed in about 20 days. It is clear to me now that not all realtors are the same. Justin has developed these relationships and he puts them to work for his clients. His efforts far exceeded our expectations.”
Clear Way Real Estate
“Working with JoAnna Nassar was an absolute pleasure.”
COLDWELL BANKER | ENVISION
“I would absolutely recommend our real estate agent Gabriela again! Her hard work, excellent communication, and unwavering commitment to her clients truly set her apart. She went above and beyond to make sure we felt supported and informed throughout the process. We are so grateful for her dedication and couldn’t recommend her enough to anyone looking for an agent who genuinely cares about her clients and their goals! She truly made the transactions seamless.”
Century 21 Citrus Realty
“Casey Newhouser is most knowledable about the homes and community in this area. She priortized our needs and questions as well as helping us with the things we didn't know and needed too. She made this a seamless, supportive and all around excellent experience and would recommend her to anyone!”
Century 21 Affiliated
“We had an incredible experience working with Amy and highly recommend her! She supported us every step of the way through selling our condo and purchasing our first single-family home. One of our biggest concerns was whether we would be able to coordinate the timing of our sale and purchase, but Amy helped make the entire transition incredibly smooth. She provided us with helpful information and market data so we could make informed decisions about pricing, and her guidance and negotiation skills helped us achieve the price we were looking for. Throughout the entire process, Amy was knowledgeable, supportive, and always there when we needed her. A huge thank you to Amy and Brittany for being such amazing partners during this important milestone for our family. We are so grateful for everything they did and would highly recommend them!”
Coldwell Banker Realty
“We highly recommend Herbert to anyone looking to buy or sell a home! We have been working with Herbert since we purchased our very first home, and he has continued to help not only us but also our family members and friends with their home purchases over the years. Herbert is more than just a real estate agent to us. He is incredibly friendly, trustworthy, professional, and genuinely cares about his clients. He always takes the time to listen, answer questions, and make sure everyone feels comfortable and confident throughout the entire process. He treats his clients like family, not just another transaction. We recently worked with him again on another property purchase, and once again, he provided excellent service. We truly appreciate his dedication, patience, and continued support throughout all these years. We are grateful to have Herbert as our trusted real estate agent and would absolutely recommend him to our family, friends, and anyone looking for an agent who truly cares.”
eXp Realty of California Inc.
“Paul and his team were incredibly helpful professional the communication was spot on. I would definitely recommend going with Paul and his team.”
RE/MAX Gold
“We interviewed seven agents before selecting Jim Tierney, and we’re very glad we chose him. His experience, strong knowledge of the local market, and reasonable commission stood out from the beginning. Jim and his team were excellent to work with and made the entire process feel very smooth and well organized. He was responsive, practical, and kept us well informed from preparation through closing. We were very happy with both his service and the final result and would highly recommend him.”
NetEquity Real Estate
“Fran is an amzaing Realtor!”
Coldwell Banker Home Source
“Working with Angelina to purchase my very first home was an absolute dream! Going into the home buying process for the first time, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect, but Angelina made the entire journey seamless, transparent, and exciting. From day one, she took the time to truly understand what I was looking for, patient with all my questions, and guided me through every single step. From initial viewings all the way to closing day. Her knowledge of the local market, sharp eye for detail during walkthroughs, and strong negotiation skills made all the difference. I always felt completely supported and confident that my best interests were the top priority. Thanks to Angelina, what could have been a stressful process felt manageable and rewarding. I couldn't be happier with my new home! If you are a first-time buyer (or looking to buy or sell at all), I cannot recommend Angelina highly enough.”
RE/MAX Marketplace
“Michael is incredibly attentive and communicative . He does an amazing job at setting appropriate expectations while listening to your concerns. I had an enjoyable experience with Michael.”
Century 21 Masters
“We picked Deanne to list our home because we had seen her work and professionalism in action with some friends of ours when they sold some LOP homes. Deanne took the time to make sure the listing price was correct and did not get caught up in trying to get to much for the property. Deanne was very professional in how she handled the buyers and the prosective buyers that looked at our home. We would recommend her to anyone in the Auburn CA area looking to buy or sell a home without a second thought.”
Century 21 Cornerstone
“She did an excellent job no complaints at all. She was very professional all the time she kicked out my bad Roomates and sold my house. No complaints.”
eXP Realty
“To whom it may concern, Pamela Hogue is an excellent communicator. She did an amazing job at keepingus up-to-date and informed on every aspect of the sale. Her advice was invaluable and reassuring. I suggest you put her on speed dial. We will be using her again. Thank you Pamela.”
Century 21 Hometown Realty
“Erica was all about taking care of me and getting my propert sold. Cannot imagine anyone better to deal with.”
Century 21 Peak
“Our estate home in Scripps Ranch, San Diego was on the market with another realtor from March through June this year We really liked that realtor, but the home did not sell External economic conditions made it very difficult to sell homes in Scripps Ranch priced in the 1.8 to $2,000,000 category We had known Chad since before our home went on the market, but did not choose him as the listing agent initially After our contract with our agent expired, we had Chad list our home, and he sold it in 10 days! His professionalism, sensitivity to our needs, and market understanding are absolutely second to none Chad connected us with his corporate EXP marketing network and conducted all showings and communication with prospective buyers and agents personally In addition to being a licensed real estate agent, Chad is a certified financial planner with an MBA in business We're happy to recommend Chad without reservation and are confident he will perform exceptionally for you and he has for us”
eXp Realty of Southern California, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
There are more than 2 million real estate agents across the U.S., and you want to be sure the one you partner with is an experienced and trustworthy professional with strong local expertise covering the housing market in and around Santa Cruz. Working with a proven agent will help you sell your home faster and for more money, and help you find your dream home at the best possible price.
-
Choosing a real estate agent to help you buy or sell property is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. You want to make sure your agent is an expert in your area, has a proven record helping people buy and sell similar homes to yours, and is well regarded by their previous clients. Let us know a few details about the property you are selling or the kind of home you want to buy, and Agent Pronto will match you with trusted real estate agents that have the experience you need. And before you interview an agent, check out our top five questions to ask a buyer’s agent and listing agent.
-
We consider performance metrics, close rates, specialties, and client reviews to qualify the best full-time agents. We then take the information you provide about the home you are selling or the kind of home you want to buy, and analyze the top local agents with the right experience for your specific needs. For more than a decade, we've helped hundreds of thousands of home buyers and sellers find the right agent. Get started now and find the perfect real estate agent.
-
No. Agent Pronto is a free service for home buyers and sellers and you are under no obligation to work with our recommended agents. Find your Santa Cruz Realtor® or real estate agent today.
Looking for an agent outside Santa Cruz or in a specific neighborhood?
We’ll match you with top-rated real estate agents in just about any city—wherever your next move takes you.