Santa Cruz Real Estate Blog

Clever Home Improvements to Outsmart the Trump Tariff Squeeze

Ever feel that knot in your stomach when you hear about rising prices? You’re not alone. Everybody is watching the news, wondering how the 2025 Trump tariffs and other policies will affect their wallets.

Picture this: You’ve been saving for that beautiful kitchen remodel, only to discover your imported Italian tile just jumped 25% in price. Or maybe you’ve been considering solar panels to cut energy costs—only to hear installation prices are about to surge. As a Santa Cruz realtor who’s helped dozens of homeowners navigate these exact challenges, I’ll share a secret: The window to save is still open—but it’s closing fast.

Inside this Article:

• The Tariff Landscape and Its Local Impact
• Strategic Upgrades to Consider Now in Santa…

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Trump Tariffs and the Santa Cruz Housing Market

When President Trump announced his sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" in April 2025, you probably heard a lot of doom and gloom—higher prices, supply chain headaches, and job losses. And yeah, there's some short-term pain. But as a Santa Cruz resident, you might be surprised to learn that these policies could bring some long-term relief to our crazy housing market.

First off, I’m not in favor of the current tariffs! Let's break down how these tariffs could potentially reshape things right here in our backyard:

Inside this Article:

• Trump Tariffs and the Cooling of Foreign Home Buying
• Home Sweet Homegrown: Boosting Local Construction
• Tariffs and the Shift Toward More Affordable Housing Options
• The Rise of the Prefab Revolution
• …

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How to Navigate Mortgage Rates in a Tariff-Turbulent Market

Buying a home in 2025 may feel like a roller coaster. If you're trying to buy a home in Santa Cruz—or anywhere in California—you've probably noticed the market feels a little...off. One week, mortgage rates are steady. Next, they're up half a point. And now, with the 2025 U.S. tariff proposals rolling out, things look even more unpredictable.

Inside this Article:

• How Will the 2025 US Tariffs Impact California Real Estate?
• Mortgage Strategies for Rising Home Prices Amid Tariffs
• Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

• Managing Mortgage Payments During Tariff-Driven Inflation
• FAQs

These new policies include a 10% baseline tariff on all imported goods, with even higher rates for select countries. While…

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Home Seller’s Closing Checklist: 5 Key Steps You Can’t Afford to Miss

Closing day should be the triumphant finale of your home-selling process—but without proper preparation, it can become a stressful scramble. For Santa Cruz County sellers (whether you’re in the Scotts Valley foothills or Capitola’s beachside communities), the final weeks before closing demand careful attention to detail.

Inside this Article:

• Prior to the Closing Day
• The signing of the PSA (purchase and sale agreement)
• Seller’s Closing Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Partner With a Local Expert for a Seamless Sale

One missed signature, unresolved repair, or last-minute paperwork hiccup can delay your sale by weeks or even jeopardize the deal entirely. This checklist covers the non-negotiable tasks every local…

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When the Kitchen Table Isn’t Enough: Smart Moves for Upsizing to Support Your Home-Based Business

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The modern home isn’t just a place to rest. For a growing number of people, it’s also where ideas are built, side hustles turn full-time, and businesses begin to breathe on their own. But what happens when your business starts taking over your living space—when packaging materials are stacked next to cereal boxes, and client calls echo through kids’ nap times? That’s when the idea of upsizing your home starts to sound less indulgent and more like the next strategic step. Making that leap, though, takes more than just checking Zillow listings and daydreaming about spare rooms.

Inside this Article:

• Rethink What “Space” Means for Your Work
• New State, New Rules for Doing Business
• Natural Light Can Make or Break the…

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Absentee Property Owners: How to Manage (or Sell) Your Property from Afar

Tucked away on California's stunning northern Monterey Coast, just under an hour's drive from the bustling heart of Silicon Valley, Santa Cruz is blossoming into a vibrant cultural and business center. It's rapidly gaining popularity as a prime spot for residential and commercial real estate investment.

Santa Cruz real estate—whether it’s an ADU (accessory dwelling unit) in the beach town of Capitola, a rental property in the charming streets of Scotts Valley, or a residential unit in the peaceful hills of Aptos—can be a lucrative investment. But for absentee homeowners who aren’t living in the area, managing the property remotely comes with unique challenges. Absentee landlords often have to deal with various challenges, such as tenant problems…

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How to Buy a Beach Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Santa Cruz is more than just a beautiful coastal city—it’s a lifestyle. From the iconic West Cliff Drive to the charming Capitola Village, this area offers some of the most sought-after beachfront properties in California. If you're thinking about a beach house in Santa Cruz—whether it's for getting away, living there full-time, or as a smart investment—it's a big step that calls for some serious thought and guidance from local experts.

As a local realtor with years of experience helping buyers in neighborhoods like Scotts Valley, Los Gatos, Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Watsonville, and the San Lorenzo Valley, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities of this ever-changing Santa Cruz real estate market. I'm here to make this whole thing…

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From Shared Barns to Riding Trails: The Charm of California’s Equestrian Homes

Most know California state and Santa Cruz County for surf breaks and tech hubs—but just minutes from downtown, private  trails run through towering redwoods here, and high-end barns lie tucked against the dramatic coastal foothills. It is not hard to find carefully designed horse communities that offer equestrians proximity to well-tended trail networks, first-rate amenities, and turnkey estates featuring custom tack rooms and dedicated vet quarters.

Inside this Article:

• Benefits of Living in an Equestrian Community
• Finding Your Perfect Equestrian Community: A Buyer's Guide
• 1. Adequate Amenities and Facilities
• 2. Exceptional Stable and Barn Services
• 3. Clear and Fair Community Guidelines
• 4. Superior Infrastructure…

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What are the New Smart Home Features?

Santa Cruz is a place of breathtaking coastal beauty, a community deeply committed to sustainability, and a lifestyle that embraces both innovation and nature. It’s no surprise that smart home technology is gaining traction here. As a homeowner, you may have realized that making your home more energy efficient is not only a win for the environment but also a win for your wallet. Sure, some of the green equipment may seem expensive at first. But they tend to pay for themselves in the long run with lower energy bills and increased home value.

Inside this Article:

• What Smart Home Features Are Most Valuable for Santa Cruz Homeowners?
• 1. Energy-Efficient Smart Thermostats
• 2. Solar Panels and Solar-Powered Smart Systems
• 3. Climate…

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Stuck in Place: Smart Strategies for Homeowners Facing a Tough Housing Market

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Not too long ago, homeowners who secured ultra-low mortgage rates felt like they had won the real estate lottery. Fast forward to today, and that same golden ticket has turned into a set of golden handcuffs. With interest rates now soaring past 7%, many homeowners feel financially trapped, unable to move without taking a major hit. If you’re one of the millions feeling stuck in place, here’s what you need to know—and how you can maneuver through the uncertainty.

Higher Borrowing Costs Have Slowed Home Sales

Mortgage rates have more than doubled in the past two years, and that shift has put home sales on ice. If you’re considering selling, you might have already done the math: Even if you walk away with a hefty profit, buying your…

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