Brandi Jones Realtor

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Brandi Jones Realtor Over 22 years of helping buyers and sellers as a trusted advisor! About me:
I am Passionate and Innovative in my career.

I watch the details and I am creative which allows me to make selling or buying your home one of the best experiences for you!

10/26/2026

You asked the seller for a price reduction... and they didn't go all the way. Now what?

Most buyers think the negotiation is over. The good news is it doesn't have to be.

After 22 years in real estate, here's a move I come back to again and again: ask the seller to put a credit toward a mortgage rate buydown.

Why it works:
🏡 The seller gets a number they'll accept
💰 You may get a monthly payment that fits your budget better
📉 A lower rate can sometimes save you more each month than a price cut would

There are a few ways to set it up, like a permanent buydown or a temporary 2-1 buydown. Which one makes sense depends on your loan, your goals and how long you plan to stay in the home.

I'm not a lender, so I won't guess at your numbers. If you're already working with a realtor or lender, ask them to run your scenario. If you're not, I'm happy to connect you with some of the top lenders in the county. They can walk you through your specific situation so you can decide if this is the right choice for you.

Would it be helpful if I made that introduction? Send me a message anytime.

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter.
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

There's a reason people fall in love with this part of Santa Cruz.The 95060 zip code runs from the Eastside to the Wests...
10/25/2026

There's a reason people fall in love with this part of Santa Cruz.

The 95060 zip code runs from the Eastside to the Westside, through Downtown, Mission Hill and Natural Bridges, and up into the redwoods of Bonny Doon. In one zip code, you can walk to the Boardwalk, surf Steamer Lane and drive home to a quiet ridge with ocean views, vineyards and room to breathe. Every neighborhood has its own history and character.

Here's what Zillow shows for Santa Cruz 95060 right now.

According to Zillow's October 25 market update, the typical home value is $1,372,773. One year ago it was $1,291,565. That's about $81,000 more, a 6.3% increase in 12 months.

At the same time, 104 homes are for sale and 39 sold recently.

So what does that mean?

Demand is real. Homes here are selling, and values have grown. But buyers also have choices, and they're paying good money for homes that feel like a good value and show well. The homes that are priced right, prepped well and easy to love are the ones selling. The others stay on the market.

For buyers, that's an opportunity. With 104 homes available, from Eastside and Westside cottages to Bonny Doon acreage, you can be selective and negotiate.

For sellers, the good news is your equity has likely grown. Most people don't need a perfect home. They need a home that stands out from the others, at a price that makes sense to buyers.

If you're curious where you fit in today's 95060 market, I'm happy to share a quick, no-pressure look at values or what's available right now. Just send me a message.

Source: Zillow market update for Santa Cruz 95060, October 25, 2026. Zillow figures are estimates and may differ from MLS data.

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

HELIOPHILE (say it "HEE-lee-oh-file") - a person who loves the sun.There's something about catching the sunrise here. Th...
10/25/2026

HELIOPHILE (say it "HEE-lee-oh-file") - a person who loves the sun.

There's something about catching the sunrise here. The quiet streets, the empty benches, the palm trees in silhouette, and that first gold light coming up over the bay. Before the day gets busy, the whole coast feels like it belongs to you.

If you slept right through it. The good news is, it happens again every morning.

I'm curious - where's your favorite place to watch the sunrise in Santa Cruz County?

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

10/24/2026

Oh Lordy, 🙄

Somebody was a little excited in this video 😝- I probably overdid it a little,

but honestly,

October is one of my favorite months in Santa Cruz County. We’re just coming out of Open Studios, where 350 local artists open their doors and we get to see the creativity in our own neighborhoods,

and now Santa Cruz Restaurant Week is here.

From October 21 through October 28, participating restaurants across the county are offering three-course dinners for $45, $55 or $65 - a great excuse to try somewhere new or go back to an old favorite. This is the kind of community stuff that makes living here feel so special, and if you’re thinking about calling Santa Cruz County home, it’s a big part of what you’re really buying into. Check out the menus and make your reservations here: https://santacruzrestaurantweek.com -

and I’m curious, where are you headed first?

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter.
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

Most buyers never see what’s really happening with a temporary mortgage buydown 👀A temporary buydown doesn’t actually ch...
10/24/2026

Most buyers never see what’s really happening with a temporary mortgage buydown 👀

A temporary buydown doesn’t actually change your loan’s note rate or lower your long-term payment. Instead, money gets set aside at closing, sometimes from the seller or builder, and that fund is used behind the scenes to make your initial monthly payments smaller for a set period. You still need to qualify for the full future payment, but during that first phase, your budget breathes a bit easier.

When the buydown period ends, payments rise to the actual mortgage amount you signed for, so planning ahead is key. In Santa Cruz County, these buydowns are seeing more local attention as buyers look for ways to smooth out early payment shock while keeping their options open for a possible refinance down the road. As someone who guides buyers and sellers through these programs, I always recommend comparing a buydown to alternatives like seller credits or a price reduction to see which move makes the most sense for your situation. 🏡✨

💾 Save this post if you want to remember how a buydown works for your next home search.

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

Felton’s single family home market is full of insights for anyone planning their next move. Here’s what’s actually out t...
10/22/2026

Felton’s single family home market is full of insights for anyone planning their next move. Here’s what’s actually out there right now. ✨

Homes here are listed around $699,000, which gives a real sense of where the middle of the market sits, great if you’re setting a budget or comparing what you can get for your money.

There are 27 homes on the market, so buyers who are ready to get serious have solid options to consider. 📋

The homes on the market have been listed about 51 days, so the pace is steady and there’s time to make a confident choice.

Asking prices come in around $625 a square foot, a helpful number if you’re eyeing value or want to compare properties on a deeper level.

8 homes came on the market in the past 30 days, so even in a smaller city, new opportunities are popping up regularly. ✨

About 18.5% of the homes listed have trimmed their asking price, something for negotiators to keep in mind when crafting a strategy.

About 25.9% are back on the market after an earlier attempt, which sometimes means a fresh second look could pay off.

What’s the most important factor for you: price, pace, or having more choices?

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

There's something special about Boulder Creek.Tall redwoods, the San Lorenzo River, Big Basin just up the road, and neig...
10/22/2026

There's something special about Boulder Creek.

Tall redwoods, the San Lorenzo River, Big Basin just up the road, and neighborhoods like Brookdale and Forest Springs that each have their own history and character. It's mountain living with a real small-town heart, and many of its corners are still truly undiscovered.

Here's what Zillow shows for Boulder Creek 95006 right now.

According to Zillow's October 20 market update, the typical home value is $721,574. One year ago it was $715,912. That's about $5,700 more, a 0.8% increase in 12 months.

At the same time, 105 homes are for sale and only 10 sold recently.

So what does that mean?

Values are holding steady, but buyers have a lot of choices. They're still paying good money for homes that feel like a good value and show well. The homes that are priced right, prepped well and easy to love are the ones selling. The others stay on the market, and every week that goes by makes buyers more careful about them.

For buyers, that's an opportunity. With 105 homes available, there's room to negotiate in one of the most beautiful parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

For sellers, most don't need a perfect home. They need a home that stands out from the others at a price that makes sense to buyers.

The good news is that with the right plan, you can be one of the homes that sells. If you're curious where you fit in today's Boulder Creek market, I'm happy to share a quick, no-pressure look at values or what's available right now. Just send me a message.

Source: Zillow market update for Boulder Creek 95006, October 20, 2026. Zillow figures are estimates and may differ from MLS data.

#95006

Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

Santa Cruz Restaurant Week is here - October 21 - 28.28 local restaurants from Scotts Valley to Watsonville are serving ...
10/22/2026

Santa Cruz Restaurant Week is here - October 21 - 28.

28 local restaurants from Scotts Valley to Watsonville are serving three-course dinners at $45, $55 or $65. No tickets needed, but reservations are a good idea.

Save this list for your next night out. I'm curious - which one is first on yours?

Menus and reservations: santacruzrestaurantweek.com



Brandi Jones | REALTOR® | KW Thrive Santa Cruz
🏡 Real estate strategy + aligned decisions for your next chapter
Reach out anytime if real estate is part of your next chapter.
📞 (831) 588-5145
🌐 brandijonesrealtor.com
📍 Santa Cruz • Monterey Bay • Santa Clara County
DRE # 01385191

10/21/2026

✨Coming Soon! ✨

🏡 Sunshine, forest views, and beautiful sunrises in the Santa Cruz Mountains. 10636 Redwood Dr in Felton is a clean, well-kept mountain home with big windows that flood the space with natural light and frame the surrounding redwood forest beautifully. Room for storage, paved road access, and that rare combination of sunshine AND forest that’s hard to find.

📍10636 Redwood Drive, Felton, CA
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,338 sq ft
Listed at: $690,000

Comment “REDWOOD” for the full listing details or DM to connect and be one of the first to see this beautiful home!

Not the right fit? Let’s connect and work together to find the right one for you!

Video by: Andrew Dean

Listed by: Brandi Jones
REALTOR® | DRE 0185181
831.588.5145

10/21/2026

Ethan Estess: Turning Ocean Waste Into Art | Santa Cruz
It's Open Studios this month and here is an episode of one of the featured artists, Ehtan Estess.

What happens when a marine scientist turns discarded fishing rope into art? A new way to see the ocean—and our responsibility to protect it. 🌊🎨

On this episode of Owning the Coast, we sit down with Santa Cruz artist and marine scientist Ethan Estess to explore the connection between surfing, science, creativity, and conservation.Ethan shares his journey from growing up surfing in Santa Cruz County to studying marine science at Stanford, researching sharks, and working with the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We talk about why he turned toward art as another way to communicate—and how retired fishing rope became the material for his ocean-inspired work.[youtube]Along the way, we explore:🌊 How surfing shaped his relationship with the ocean🎨

The process of transforming discarded fishing gear into artwork🔬 The connection between scientific research and creative storytelling🏡 Finding studio space and building a creative career in Santa Cruz🤝 Why a healthy coastline matters to the people, businesses, and communities connected to it.
For me, conversations like this are part of understanding what makes coastal living meaningful. It’s not just the homes or the views. It’s the people, creativity, and care that make this place feel like home.

The episode also opens with a local housing conversation about ADUs, homeowners insurance, and financing.

If you’re joining us specifically for Ethan, his introduction begins around 2:43.

📺 WATCH on YouTubeSearch “Owning the Coast Ethan Estess” or visit my YouTube channel, Brandi Jones Realtor.

🎧 LISTEN on iHeartSearch “Owning the Coast.” Prefer another podcast app? The link in the YouTube episode description takes you to additional listening options.

What’s one place along our coastline you hope future generations get to experience just as you have? Tell us in the comments. 💙

Address

1360 41st Avenue A
Santa Cruz, CA
95010

Telephone

+18315885145

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