Q1 2019 RECAP (1/1-3/31/19)
Across Santa Cruz County, inventory and sales volume is down from a year ago.
– Aptos Q1 Sales: 43 homes (H), 14 townhomes (TH), 12 condos (C) and 11 mobile homes (MH). Median Sales Prices: H-$1,095,200, TH-$737,500, C-$577,500 and MH-$405,000.
– Average Days on Market (DOM) : H–52 TH-27, C-25.
– Average percent of list price was 98 percent and average price per square foot was $600.
– In Q1-2018, 55 homes were sold, so Q1 ’19 sales volume is down 22 percent. In Santa Cruz County, 285 homes sold in Q1 versus 340 a year ago, down 17 percent.
Q2 MARKET
As of May 19, there are 65 homes on the market. High list is 195 Via Concha (front row ocean view) – $5,250,000 – 137 DOM. Low list is 3680 Redwood – $579,000 (2B/1.5B/784SF), 50 DOM. Median List price is $1,300,000 (compared to Median Sale price in Q1 of $1,095,000) – so, overall, sellers are priced too high and average DOM = 64. Twenty-three of the 65 have been on the market under 30 days, so these newer listings may go more quickly.
APTOS VILLAGE LISTINGS AND SALES – (per MLS)
Three of the back row tri-level townhomes have sold for $1,055,000, $1,075,000 and $1,150,000, and one is pending at $1,195,000. Four of the eight $895,000 townhomes (3B/2.5Ba/1706+/-SF) have sold, and two of the three $795,000 units facing the post office have sold (3B/2.5Ba/1278+/-SF). Four one-bedroom condos have sold for $590,000, $615,000, $615,000 and $625,000.
Affordable Housing unit buyers were selected by lottery back May 2017, and three 1-bedroom units now show as pending at $259,890 and $253,375, $253,155 and one two-bedroom at $312,644.
Current active listings on MLS are: 522 Granite Way-$795,000 (3B/2.5Ba/1420SF, 2-car garage), 454 and 458 Granite Way-$895,000 (3B/2.5Ba/1657SF/1car garage), Condos: 141 AV-$610,000 (1B/1Ba/880SF), 154 AVW 202-$879,000 (2B/2Ba/1457SF) and 337 Granite Way-$1,295,000 (3B/2.5Ba/1823SF).
NEW COUNTY SEWER LATERAL ORDINANCE
This 2019 County law requires that homeowners complete a sewer lateral inspection via camera/video (from the house to the street) by a County-approved plumber and complete any repairs necessary as defined by the County, prior to the close of escrow on the sale of the property.
Many homeowners are finding out they must come up with $5,000-30,000 for repairs, and home sales are being delayed. If you are (ever) planning to sell your home, I advise you to get the inspection done now. County website: http://www.dpw.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Home/SewerWater.aspx
SPRING IS HERE IN APTOS
In the Village, New Leaf has opened and Sock Shop and Shoe Company and the Sheriff’s Center are also expected to open soon. Occasionally, I like to remind myself why I love living in Aptos. Here are a few things I like to do: Go to the Saturday Farmer’s Market at Cabrillo College – broccolini is a favorite. Take the 4-mile hike at Nisene Marks from the entrance to the bridge and back via the trails, not too strenuous and beautiful nature abounds. Go to the Aptos History Museum – always something new to learn. Shop at Caroline’s non-profit thrift shop. Watch the sunset on the beach by the Cement Ship or sip a Mai Tai at Sanderlings at sunset. Taste wine at Armitage, shop at Cinnamon Bay, ride bikes to the beach or on the beach, golf, or take the 2-mile esplanade stroll from Rio Del Mar parking lot to the wall and back. So much to do in Aptos! Enjoy!
