Real Estate Blog
Real Estate Blog
Market reads, buying and selling notes, and neighborhood guides from Walter Stauss. Local since 1978.
Santa Cruz County real estate doesn’t follow the national script. These articles cover what’s actually happening here: prices, inventory, neighborhood reads, and strategy for buyers and sellers. I’ve been local since 1978 and licensed since 1991 — this market is what I know.
Designtex has been making contract-grade textiles and wall coverings since 1962. Here’s what homeowners should know about their products, materials, and how to order.
Fire hazard zones cover large parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Aptos hills. Here’s what buyers need to know about Cal Fire designations, insurance, and what’s changed since the CZU fire.
Planning a remodel near the Santa Cruz coast? The California Coastal Commission regulates development in the coastal zone. Here’s what triggers a permit, what doesn’t, and how to find out if your property is affected.
What do closing costs look like in Santa Cruz County? Here’s a plain breakdown of what sellers and buyers each pay — and how to read your net sheet before you sign.
School district boundaries in Santa Cruz County are complex and split streets. Here’s how the districts are organized, what to look up by address, and why it matters before you write an offer.
Santa Cruz County gopher control: why Juicy Fruit, car exhaust, and ultrasonic stakes fail, what actually works, and four local pros to call.
Single women now account for 1 in 4 first-time homebuyers nationwide. Here’s what that trend looks like in Santa Cruz County — and what to know before you buy.
Thinking about downsizing in Santa Cruz County? Here’s what local homeowners actually gain — financially, practically, and in daily quality of life.
That big, messy tree taking over your yard — or your neighbor’s — has a history worth knowing. Here’s what Santa Cruz County homeowners need to understand about eucalyptus.
Most deer-resistant plant lists are written for somewhere else. These five self-seeding flowers hold up against the deer pressure specific to Santa Cruz County — and come back on their own every year.
Everything you need to know about the Santa Cruz real estate market in 2026 — median prices, neighborhoods, buyer and seller strategy, and local expertise from 35-year Realtor Walter Stauss.
When someone inherits property, U.S. tax law offers a powerful advantage — one that can erase decades of capital gains instantly. Walter Stauss explains the step-up in basis and what it means for heirs and real estate investors.
Thinking of relocating to the Santa Cruz-Watsonville area? Walter Stauss covers neighborhoods, lifestyle, schools, costs, and everything you need to know about living on California’s central coast.
A complete guide to Santa Cruz County’s distinct communities — Santa Cruz city, Capitola, Aptos, Scotts Valley, the San Lorenzo Valley, and Watsonville. Expert local insight from Walter Stauss, 35 years in Santa Cruz County real estate.
What’s happening in Santa Cruz County real estate right now? Walter Stauss breaks down spring 2026 inventory, pricing, and what it means for buyers and sellers in Aptos, Soquel, and beyond.