Santa Cruz County Real Estate Market Report — What We Learned from 
October 2025
The Santa Cruz County housing market continued its fall transition in October 2025, offering a clearer picture of how buyers and sellers should position themselves heading into year-end. With pricing, inventory, and market velocity shifting across both single-family homes and condos/townhomes, buyers are gaining flexibility while sellers must lean into strategy and presentation.
📊 Pricing Trends: Cooling but Stable
Single-Family Homes
The median sales price for single-family homes dipped to $1.28M, down from $1.33M in October 2024. This signals a moderate cooling trend — not a correction — as buyers recalibrate around rates and inventory expands.
Homes are now selling for 98.9% of list price, a slight adjustment from last year’s 99.4%.
Condos & Townhomes
Condo and townhome median pricing shifted from $859K to $710K, aligning with a softer demand profile and more measured competition.
Units sold for 98% of list price in October, compared to 98.4% last year.
⏱️ Market Speed & Competition
Days on Market
• Single-family homes: 42 DOM (up from 41)
• Condos & townhomes: 57 DOM (up from 33)
The increase reflects a less urgent pace — buyers are taking more time, evaluating more choices, and negotiating more confidently.
Overbidding Trends
• Single-family homes: 98.9% of list
• Condos/townhomes: 98% of list
The era of aggressive overbidding has leveled off, reinforcing the value of smart pricing and strong presentation.
📦 Inventory & Supply Conditions
October inventory landed at:
• 3.6 months (single-family homes)
• 3.2 months (condos & townhomes)
This moves the county closer to a balanced market — a significant shift from the ultra-tight seller conditions of previous years.
🧭 What This Means for You
For Sellers
• Pricing discipline is critical to staying competitive.
• Homes professionally prepared and marketed outperform the market.
• Buyers are negotiating more — expect more thoughtful offers and strategic contingencies.
For Buyers
• More time to evaluate homes — less pressure and more opportunity.
• Price softening in condos creates entry-level and investor advantages.
• Proper guidance is essential; competition still appears in the best-prepared listings.
Ready to Strategize?
Whether you’re preparing to sell, exploring a purchase, or considering a transitional move, data-backed planning gives you the edge in today’s shifting market.
Brandi Jones | Realtor® | KW Thrive | KW Luxury
📞 831-588-5145
🌐 brandijones.com
🎙️ Owning the Coast Podcast — local insights, market trends & lifestyle:
https://owningthecoast.buzzsprout.com/
If you want, I can also:
✨ Turn this into a newsletter
✨ Create Instagram carousel slides
✨ Build a caption set for each image individually
✨ Add GG33-aligned timing or SEO keywords
Just say the word.