We Buy Houses in Santa Cruz County, CA

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team. Recorder details come from the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office; sources are listed at the end.

We buy houses across Santa Cruz County for cash, as-is, with no commissions, repairs or closing costs. We send a written offer within 24 hours of hearing about your property, and you choose when to close. That helps owners of older coastal homes, mountain properties with deferred maintenance, inherited houses and rentals who do not want to spend months preparing a sale.

Selling a house in Santa Cruz County at a glance

County seat	Santa Cruz
Recorder’s Office	701 Ocean St., Room 230, Santa Cruz. (831) 454-2800
Office hours	Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., except county holidays
Recording cutoff	Documents received after 3 p.m. are examined for recording the next business day
County transfer tax	$0.55 per $500 of the sale price, set by state law
City transfer taxes	Some cities add their own; ask escrow
Property tax installments	Due November 1 and February 1; late after December 10 and April 10

Which Santa Cruz County areas do we buy in?

We buy in the city of Santa Cruz and across the county, from the coast to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Pajaro Valley. Our local page is live for the county seat:

How to sell a house in Santa Cruz County

To sell a house in Santa Cruz County you can list it or sell it directly for cash. Listing can bring a higher price on a house in good shape, but older homes often turn up repair requests, permit questions and inspection delays, and a buyer’s loan has to be approved. Selling to a cash buyer removes those steps and lets you set the closing date.

1. Contact us. Fill in the form or call (424) 435-2326.
2. Review your written offer. It arrives within 24 hours with no obligation.
3. Choose a closing date. Escrow pays off the mortgage, liens and taxes from the proceeds.
4. Close and get paid. The deed is recorded at the Recorder’s Office, and the weekday cutoff of 3 p.m. is worth knowing if you are timing a closing.

What does it cost to sell a house in Santa Cruz County?

The county transfer tax is $0.55 per $500 of value, due when the deed is recorded, so a $1,000,000 sale carries $1,100 of county transfer tax. Cities may add their own, so ask escrow what applies. Any unpaid property tax or lien is paid from your proceeds.

Agent commissions and repairs are the other big costs on a traditional sale, and a cash offer from us has neither. Use the calculator for a quick estimate, and see the California transfer tax report for how rates compare.

Situations we help with in Santa Cruz County

• Older or hard-to-finance homes: a cash buyer does not need a lender’s appraisal.
• Inherited houses: sell without clearing out or repairing the property.
• Rentals with tenants: see our tenant-occupied sale report.
• Foreclosure or tax trouble: close before the debt grows.

Not sure of the value? Read how much your house is worth in California.

Ready to sell your Santa Cruz County house? Call (424) 435-2326 or request a cash offer. There is no cost and no obligation.

Santa Cruz County selling FAQ

Where is the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office?

At 701 Ocean St., Room 230, in Santa Cruz. It is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., closed for lunch between noon and 1 p.m.

Can I sell my Santa Cruz County house as-is?

Yes. We buy as-is, so there are no repairs, cleaning or inspections for you to arrange.

How fast can I close a house sale in Santa Cruz County?

You get an offer within 24 hours and choose the closing date, so it can be as soon as escrow can close or later if you need time.

How much is the transfer tax on a Santa Cruz County home sale?

The county rate is $0.55 per $500 of value, plus any city tax that applies to your address.

Sources

• Santa Cruz County Recorder: Contact Us

This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rates and hours can change; confirm with the county and your escrow officer.