J Rego Real Estate

10/18/2026

🏡 Santa Cruz Real Estate: Are Buyers Gaining Negotiating Power?

September brought more sales, higher median prices, and an interesting shift in buyer behavior.

In August, homes sold at 102.7% of asking price. By September, that number dropped to 98.9%.

Meanwhile, closed sales increased from 31 to 38, and the median sale price climbed from $1.55M to $1.63M.

The takeaway? Homes are selling, but buyers aren’t necessarily willing to pay above asking.

For sellers, strategic pricing matters. For buyers, there may be opportunities to negotiate.

The market isn’t standing still, and neither should your strategy.

Jesselyn Rego, REALTOR®
KW Thrive Santa Cruz | DRE 02226037
831-515-7162

10/09/2026

Hi, I’m Jesselyn! I’m a Santa Cruz REALTOR® with a background in carpentry and a relocation story of my own. Thirteen years ago, I visited California—and five months later, I moved across the country to make Santa Cruz home.

In Massachusetts, I worked as a carpenter on coastal homes, from framing to finish work, and reconditioned units for the Massachusetts Housing Authority. That hands-on experience helps me see a home’s possibilities, while my own move helps me understand the decisions that come with yours.

Today, I specialize in relocation and get to live my dream helping people find their next chapter in Santa Cruz County. Whether you’re buying, selling, or exploring an addition to the home you love, I’ll help you sort through your options and move forward with confidence.

Around here, you’ll find real estate, community, plenty of high school football—and coffee. Always coffee.

Jesselyn Rego, REALTOR®
KW Thrive Santa Cruz | DRE 02226037
831-515-7162

SantaCruzLife CoastalLiving CaliforniaDreaming

10/08/2026

A New Home Doesn’t Always Mean a Problem-Free Home.

I’ve been reminded of something lately, not as a REALTOR®, but as a homeowner.

Our home is just six years old, and we’re now dealing with major water intrusion issues hidden inside the walls. Problems we never imagined we’d be facing in a relatively new home.

It’s been an eye-opening experience, and one that has changed the way I think about homeownership.

We talk a lot about home inspections when purchasing older homes, but what about new construction?

Proper waterproofing, drainage, flashing, construction practices and even the smallest details behind the walls can make an enormous difference years down the road.

My takeaway? Never assume that newer means worry-free.

Ask questions. Understand your warranties. Keep your documentation. Consider independent inspections, even on new construction, and pay attention to the little things before they become big things.

A home is one of the largest investments most of us will ever make. Protecting that investment matters just as much as purchasing it.

And sometimes, the most valuable lessons in real estate come from our own experiences.



Jesselyn Rego, REALTOR®

KW Thrive Santa Cruz
CA DRE 02226037
831-515-7162

[email protected]

09/30/2026

09/28/2026

Get him! 🏴‍☠️

09/21/2026

When every weekend feels like a vacation… you must be in Santa Cruz. ☀️

09/18/2026

You probably don't need 20% down to buy a home.

That's one of the myths we're clearing up at our First-Time Buyer Class this October... along with why a 7% rate isn't automatically bad news, how first-time buyer programs actually work (and when you're better off skipping them), and the whole buying process from pre-approval to keys.

A Realtor and a mortgage lender will be in the same room, so you can ask about the house side and the money side and get answers on the spot.

Tuesday, October 6, 6:00 to 7:30pm
1360 41st Ave, Capitola
$20, and you take home a copy of
Your First Home

Space is limited and you need to
RSVP to get a seat. DM me "CLASS" and I'll send you the link.

Co-hosted by KW Thrive Santa Cruz and Loans with Mitch Mitch Stelling, Loans with Mitch, NMLS # 2318256

09/16/2026

We’re seeing some interesting movement month over month.

July had 103 active listings and 43 sales, while August had 99 active listings and 31 sales. Sales volume dropped from $86.5M to $52.2M, but the median sales price actually increased slightly—from $1.53M to $1.55M.

Another notable change: homes that sold in August averaged 102.7% of list price, compared with 100.2% in July, and the average time to sell improved from 41 days to 32 days.

So while fewer homes sold in August, the homes that did sell moved faster and, on average, sold further above their asking price.

That’s a good reminder that the market isn’t simply “up” or “down.” Price, inventory, demand and timing can all tell different parts of the story.

Curious what these numbers mean for your home or your neighborhood? Let’s talk.

Jesselyn Rego, REALTOR®
KW Thrive Santa Cruz | DRE #02226037

09/10/2026

Power outage in Capitola. Traffic lights not working. Stores
are closing,
traffic is very jammed
headed East.