Barry Green

In Santa Cruz County, it all depends on the area/neighborhood. If you are talking about the whether a single-family home appreciates more than a condo in the same neighborhood, the nod usually goes to the home. Santa Cruz is difficult to figure out in the current market. One need almost approach buying property like one normally approaches buying stock or mutual funds.- it is very difficult to know where the bottom is, so focus on what features and location are really important for you and combine that with a longer term investment horizon, say 5-10 years. Personally I think conditions will remain soft, property values will move sideways for sometime as the credit fallout gets sorted out. If you are going to buy property in the near-term, Santa Cruz is certainly a good place to buy. - Thu Mar 27 2008, 19:36