We analyze thousands of real estate agents in Santa Cruz and nationwide to find you proven local professionals, for free.
Agent Pronto analyzes transaction data, agent specialties, and client reviews to handpick the best agents in your area. Updated for August 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.
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Information and statistics on the latest trends in the Santa Cruz real estate market. *
May 1, 2026 - Jul 31, 2026
Rolling three-month data ending on quarter boundaries when available.
Rolling three-month data ending on quarter boundaries when available.
Rolling three-month data ending on quarter boundaries when available.
Rolling three-month supply and activity totals for the selected period.
Rolling three-month supply and activity totals for the selected period.
Rolling three-month supply and activity totals for the selected period.
Market gauge is calculated using active listings and pending sales from the most recently available reporting period (May 2026 - Jul 2026).
Santa Cruz home values have softened slightly in this rolling three-month view, with the typical sale price down about 2% from a year ago. Median list prices are also a bit lower year over year, showing sellers are adjusting expectations. Even with those declines, prices remain elevated compared with earlier years.
Sales activity has cooled compared with last year, as homes sold and pending sales are both down double digits year over year. At the same time, inventory is a bit tighter than a year ago, with active listings down around 7%, though months of supply has risen nearly 20%, pointing to a bit more breathing room than last year’s conditions. Buyers are still moving quickly when they find the right place, with a median of just 14 days on market and more than half of homes going off market within two weeks.
Pricing power in Santa Cruz continues to lean toward sellers, supported by a seller’s market gauge and an average sale-to-list ratio just above 101%. Roughly 37% of homes are still selling above list price, only slightly higher than last year but below this spring’s peak, suggesting bidding is focused on the best-priced homes. With 169 active listings and 112 new listings in the latest period, there are options for buyers while sellers must position carefully to stand out. Whether you are buying or selling in Santa Cruz, Agent Pronto can connect you with a local agent who understands these trends and how to navigate them.
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.
See why so many people rely on Agent Pronto to make their real estate journey a success.
“Gabby made this home buying/selling process so easy right from the very start. She is quick to respond to any and all messages in a timely manner. Gabby went above and beyond to find us our dream house and exceeded all of our expectations.”
“Real fun to work with”
“Our Mom had recently passed and needed to sell her home in Lancaster, CA. I have known Amy for a long time and quite familair with her real estate knowledge and skill. However, being that it was so far away from where she is based, we weren't sure she could help us. Amy assured us (My Brother and Sister-in-law) that the distance would not be an issue. She was right! As soon as we started with Amy, everthing went very smooth, fast and easier than we had anticipated. Amy is very knowledgeable, experienced, professional and always accessible if we had any questions or concerns. I would definitely recommend Amy to friends and family members for any real estate needs.”
“Lauralyn is personable and diligent in her work. She does over and above what most realtors will do to make a property marketable.”
“April Hugh was wonderful to work with. I was a first-time homebuyer, and her knowledge and expertise were crucial throughout the process. She explained every step clearly and helped me understand my options. Overall, she made the whole complex process feel manageable.”
“Professional and easy to do business with .”
“Michael Rowan had so much patience with us, as we were buying a home, but living far away from the area where we wanted to purchase a home. He followed through on all that we asked of him. He went out of his way to work with our son who does live in the area of the home we wanted to buy. He responded quickly to questions we phoned or e-mailed to him. He gathered information to give us more knowledge of the area we were interested in. My husband and I would recommend him to others.”
“This guy is one of the best agents we ever met. I strongly recommend anyone who's reading this review and we're gonna continue to use them for the rest of our lives and recommend them to all our family member members.”
“Working with Angelina was one of the best decisions I made throughout the home buying process. From day one, she struck the perfect balance between professionalism and genuine personal care. She was knowledgeable, responsive, and always took the time to make sure I understood every step of the process. What impressed me most was how available she was. No matter the time or situation, I always felt like I was her number one client. She responded quickly, stayed ahead of potential issues, and never left me wondering what came next. She was also incredibly aggressive when it mattered most. Whether it was negotiating, coordinating with other parties, or solving last-minute challenges, she did whatever was needed in the moment to keep things moving forward and protect my interests. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a real estate agent who is knowledgeable, hardworking, responsive, and genuinely invested in her clients long after the transaction is over.”
“Steven, Adrian and the whole staff were absolutely amazing and went above and beyond to sell our house. It was in a trust and had a probate. Absolutely thee best probate realtor ever!!!!! Thank you again for everything”
“We had an amazing experience working with Kuya Herbert to find and purchase our current home. From the very beginning, he is very professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in helping us find the right house for our family. He made what can be a stressful process feel much easier and were always there to answer our questions, explain each step, and guide us through the process. We truly appreciated his patience, attention to detail, and dedication from start to finish. We’re so grateful for all his hard work in helping us find our home. So if you are looking to purchase or sell a house Kuya Herbert is the right man for the job!”
“Working with Paul Hayworth was one of the best decisions I made during the home buying process. From day one, his communication was outstanding. He kept me informed every step of the way, making sure I knew about every update and changes as soon as it happened. Paul went above and beyond to negotiate on my behalf and was able to convince the seller to agree to the deals that were important to me. His knowledge, strategy, and confidence throughout the process were incredible he truly is a mastermind at what he does. He also made sure all of my inspections were scheduled and completed within a week, which helped keep everything moving smoothly and on schedule. His personality made the entire experience enjoyable, and I always felt like I had someone in my corner who genuinely cared about helping me. As a first time homebuyer, I couldn’t have asked for a better realtor. Thank you for making my dream become reality!”
“Working with Jason Hoffman was one of the best decisions we made. He helped us sell our condo and guided us through the purchase of our first home in Moorpark, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. From start to finish, Jason was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly responsive. He made what could have been a stressful process feel organized and manageable by keeping us informed every step of the way. We always knew what to expect and felt confident because he was looking out for our best interests. Jason's marketing of our condo was exceptional, and his negotiation skills helped us achieve a great result on both the sale of our condo and the purchase of our new home. He was always available to answer our questions, offer honest advice, and make sure every detail was handled. What impressed us most was how much he genuinely cared about us, not just as clients, but as people. We never felt like just another transaction. His dedication, communication, and attention to”
“Very professional, and knowledgeable with many years of experience.”
“We are grateful having selected Angelica to represent the sale of our family home. Her expansive knowledge and experience, along with her interpersonal skills and ability to assess foreseen & unforeseen situations, enabled her to effectively guide and make recommendations to help us achieve desired goals. Her attention to detail, combined with her desire to produce quality service, made the home preparation and selling process easy for us. She and her team of professionals provided excellent work, communicated well, and she kept us updated on the processes and next steps - always moving forward. Her pleasant manner and desire to provide quality work with great services, make Angelica an outstanding realtor and an indispensable asset for her customers. We feel blessed to have worked with Angelica's on the sale of our 1950's family home and highly recommend her and her services.”
“A friend who's wife is a coworker of Alexandria gave me the referral. Trust was the main thing I was looking for as these transactions are really important.”
“I have known Deanna for many years and never hesitate to recommend her.”
“From beginning to .end, Lauren provided us with the best service anyone could have. She understood the familial connection to this home, and never minimized our wishes regarding it's history. In fact, she enhanced that connection. Her knowledge of the local market, comps, staging and showing, and closing the deal were all amazing. We felt totally involved, totally informed, and totally guided in every step of this process. We don't have any current needs to purchase or sell property, but if/when that arrises in the future, our only call will be to Lauren Dunn. She is the best”
“Adora Lazaro is very professional. We are very happy with our experience with her. We sold the house quickly .In fact , we are selling another house and want her help again. Steve and Maria King”
“Casey assisted us with both selling and the buying properties. She handled a fractious purchasing client with great skill and guided us through many negotiations. She is also very knowledgeable about the process and requirements of Laguna Woods Village. We appreciated her able contractor referrals as we were remodeling. All in all, a very positive experience.”
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.
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