03.06.2002 :: Rental News
Searching for a Place to Live? Updates on Rental Housing in Santa Cruz County.
by Rita Law

The rental market has made its down turn, HOWEVER, if you look in the local newspaper, you wouldn't think so. The rents are like an arch form, Some are down, some are up and higher than they should be.

My theory for this is that some landlords just haven't seen the turn. They are still living in the ages of pre-September 11th. You will see these properties advertised for long periods of time.

My advice is that you contact these landlords and property managers and try to negotiate the rent. Remember it sometimes takes landlords 12 months to recoup one or two months rent lost by asking too high rents. Waiting for your price can be a very expensive game.

If you are a well-qualified tenant, with good credit, references and rental history, you are a great candidate for negotiation, especially if you are willing to sign a one-year lease.

You may know the term "it's a buyers or sellers market". It is now a "tenant's market". Again, if you are a qualified tenant.

Average rents depending on location, view and amenities:

Studios from $725.00 to $900.00 per month
One Bedrooms - $985.00 to $1200.00
Two Bedrooms - $1250.00 to $1800.00
Three to Four Bedrooms - $1650.00 to $2800.00

DON'T ALWAYS BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU HEAR OR READ. There was a recent article in newspapers all over California that stated Santa Cruz had the highest rents in California. I researched Santa Cruz rents compared to San Francisco rents and we are lower than San Francisco by $200.00 to $300.00. San Francisco studios are $1800.00 per month. What they failed to mention is that the reason Santa Cruz rents are ranked higher is the ratio between wages and price of homes, whether buying or renting. Wages in San Francisco are much higher for similar employment.

So, now is the time to get out there and look, negotiate and find a great place to live in this unique and wonderful city.

Rita Law is President of Kendall & Potter Property Management, Inc., one of the largest property management companies in Santa Cruz, providing both long term rentals and vacation or short term rentals. She is a Real Estate Broker, a member of the Aptos Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Property Managers, a board member of the Vacation Rental Managers Association and a board member of the Santa Cruz Tourist and Convention Bureau of Santa Cruz County. You can e-mail Rita at kpr@cruzio.com with any topics you would like to see discussed.