Two Silicon Valley cities just eight miles apart are telling completely different real estate stories. One saw its median home price jump 57%, while the other dropped 18%. Same county, same month, same mortgage rates, very different markets.
That contrast is a good reminder of why countywide statistics only tell part of the story. Santa Clara County’s median single-family home price is hovering around $1.9 million, roughly flat from the previous month and up slightly from a year ago. Yet underneath that relatively calm headline, individual cities, neighborhoods, and price ranges are moving in very different directions.
The broader numbers also show a market that is becoming more selective. Closed sales fell 15% from the previous month, pending sales dropped 26%, and the average sale-to-list price ratio has settled around 100%. Meanwhile, mortgage rates reached 6.77%, their highest level of the year, putting additional pressure on buyers who depend heavily on financing.
But higher rates aren’t affecting every buyer, or every neighborhood, the same way. Strong stock market performance and the wealth generated throughout Silicon Valley continue to support portions of the luxury market, while more rate-sensitive areas are feeling greater affordability pressure. That helps explain why two nearby communities can experience dramatically different price movements at the same time.
This is also where absorption rate-the relationship between available inventory and how quickly buyers purchase it-can reveal more than median prices alone. Looking at actual buyer demand city by city provides a much clearer picture of whether sellers have leverage, buyers have leverage, or a particular market is moving toward balance.
For longtime homeowners considering a move, these differences matter. The question isn’t simply whether the Silicon Valley market is “up” or “down.” It’s what’s happening with homes like yours, in your particular community, at your price point, and how that compares with the market where you may be planning to move next. And with the fall selling season approaching, timing and pricing strategy deserve especially careful attention. If you’re considering selling this fall or beginning to think about a move within the next few years, now is a good time to understand what the numbers in your specific market are actually telling you and build a strategy around your goals.
Sell As-Is. Sell Easy. Sell Smart!
From the Monterey Bay Wayback Machine
CSU Monterey Bay Holds First Day of Classes (August 28, 1995)
California State University, Monterey Bay welcomed students for its first day of classes on the former Fort Ord military base near Seaside and Marina. The university’s opening marked a major transformation of land left behind after Fort Ord closed in 1994. By converting former military facilities into a public university campus, CSUMB created new educational opportunities for Central Coast residents and became an important part of the region’s post-military redevelopment.
This Week in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz Mayoral Candidates Push Back on Six-Story Housing Project
Santa Cruz mayoral candidates are voicing opposition to a proposed six-story housing development at Seabright Avenue and Soquel Avenue, arguing the project highlights concerns about how much control cities retain over local development. The proposal has sparked debate over building height, neighborhood character, and the effects of state housing laws on local planning decisions.
The candidates say Santa Cruz needs additional housing but want the city to regain greater authority over where and how larger developments are built. Their concerns reflect frustration with California laws that can limit cities’ ability to reject or significantly modify projects that meet certain state requirements.
The debate illustrates the challenge facing Santa Cruz as it works to increase housing supply while responding to residents concerned about rapid neighborhood change. With development pressure expected to continue, questions about density, local control, and balancing state housing mandates with community priorities are becoming increasingly important in the city’s political conversation.
Cyber-Seniors Digital Literacy Series
Date: Wednesday, August 19
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Scotts Valley Branch Library, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Build confidence with technology in this weekly digital literacy series designed for older adults. Each class covers a practical topic, from VPNs and smartwatches to AI art, social media, accessibility, and phone safety, with time for questions and one-on-one tech support. Participants can bring their own device or use one provided during class.
BetterGolf One-Year Anniversary Party
Date: Thursday, August 20
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Capitola Mall, 1855 41st Avenue, Capitola
Celebrate BetterGolf’s One-Year Anniversary with an evening of golf, networking, and community fun. Join the ribbon cutting, explore the indoor golf simulator and practice facility, and connect with fellow community members while celebrating this local milestone.
Boulder Creek Fire Department Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 5:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Location: Boulder Creek Fire Station, 13230 Central Avenue, Boulder Creek
Support the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department at its annual Summer BBQ Dinner & Dance. Enjoy a firefighter-served BBQ dinner, live country music, dancing, and family-friendly activities, all while helping raise funds for vital rescue and medical equipment.
An Evening of Music, Hope & Insight
Date: Saturday, August 22
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Kuumbwa Jazz, 320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz
Experience an inspiring evening blending science, personal growth, and live music with Bruce Lipton, Lauren Monroe, Rick Allen, and special guests. The program features a thought-provoking talk and Q&A, an intimate acoustic performance, and a book signing celebrating Lipton’s new book, Beyond Darwin.
Time to talk to a REALTOR?
Senior Friendly Homes in Silicon Valley South
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