Residential real estate remains as lucrative as ever.
For investors looking to secure their future with steady and reliable income, real estate is one of the few genuinely reliable investment opportunities. Below we explore how investing in coastal vacation rental along the shores of Santa Cruz is a wise play for individuals who want to develop a new portfolio (or grow an existing one) and one day soon retire in style.
WHY RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE?
Despite a handful of ebbs and flows over the past two decades—those both foreseen and others unexpected—real estate has a long history of defying and exceeding expectations. Even in cycles of uncertainty, such as the current unsettled economic climate in the U.S., real estate plays a vital role in buoying investment portfolios against losses in other, less reliable sectors of the economy.
Even in the most dire market climates—the days and weeks after September 11, the duration of the 2008 financial crisis, and the months following the Covid-lockdowns in early 2020—real estate was the leading segment in the eventual economic recoveries. In many cases, posting sizable returns for savvy investors long be any other non-real property investments.
Real estate succeeds where other investments fail because it’s a tangible asset with relatively low risk. As part of a portfolio, property ownership offers diversification and the ability to generate income. You can also reap tax advantages from specific types of ownership and as a balance against periods of inflation.
Ultimately, as an always appreciating asset, real estate is both a frontrunning and a bounce-back investment. Vacation rentals, in particular, can result in a financial windfall for investors adverse to the seemingly all-or-nothing proposition offered by less tangible assets. Long-term, few things are better at generating income and building substantial ROI ownership of Santa Cruz vacation rentals.
WHY SANTA CRUZ?
Of course, the better question might be, why not Santa Cruz?
Situated on the northernmost shores of Monterey Bay, 70 miles south of San Francisco, and a 30-mile drive southwest of San Jose, Santa Cruz is one of California’s most underrated gems—an affluent coastal enclave that is both bucolic and remote yet incredibly accessible. It’s no accident that this quaint burg of nearly 63,000 residents hosts well over 3 million annual visitors.
Both Santa Cruz and its namesake county are destination locations. The city has five museums, over 20 art galleries and more than 250 restaurants, cafes and bars. Nearby, you’ll discover close to 50 vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms. Outdoor recreation is just as plentiful, with 28 city-based parks, 14 state and regional parks, 29 miles of incredible Pacific Ocean coast and more than 300 miles of trails. And the waters just off the Santa Cruz coast are home to 11 of the world’s top surf breaks, making it one of the globe’s preeminent surfing locations.
In addition to the above, Santa Cruz serves as an ideal jumping-off point for accessing all the Central California Coast offers.
One can quickly surmise how lucrative it is to own Santa Cruz-based coastal vacation rentals.
BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN COASTAL VACATION RENTALS
Once a niche market, vacation rentals have exploded in popularity over the past decade. More than ever, travelers are seeking out unique experiences. But they also appreciate the privacy and flexibility of staying in a spectacular home in a stunning location.
Given the unwavering popularity of Santa Cruz and its surrounding area as a destination vacation spot, one can see the advantages of securing rental property along the vaunted section of the California coast.
Spurred on by a steady, steady stream of adventure seeking willing to pay top dollar for rentals, the benefits of investing in coastal vacation rentals include:
Income generation
A vacation home with a steady stream of rental traffic pays for itself in fairly short order, after which you can start seeing sizable profits. Getting there requires choosing the right homes in the right locations and offering an in-house experience that vacationers will want to come back to while also extolling the virtues of the said rental to all of their friends.
Appreciation
As we noted earlier, as an appreciable asset, real estate offers steady, low-risk investment opportunities. However, the biggest returns come to the most patient investors, as your vacation portfolio’s value will increase over time. Want to be directly involved in the ROI and value-add process? Stick to always popular locales, but target homes with upgrade potential; you’ll add value to the property and command even higher rental rates.
Tax benefits
If you own a home, then you understand the advantages ownership provides when tax time rolls around. The same holds true for rental property, except you could be eligible for even greater benefits based on how many rentals you ultimately own and how you choose to set up what is essentially a passive income-based business.
The most common tax benefits stem from the available deductions, including mortgage interest, depreciation, operating expenses, owner expenses, and pass-through deductions. In addition, you can also qualify to defer capital gains tax and avoid FICA or payroll taxes.
Flexibility
One of the most overlooked and underappreciated aspects of real estate investment is the option to be fully involved or completely passive with your investments. You may even choose to manage them from somewhere in between.
The point being the world of vacation rentals has evolved into a truly turn-key endeavor. Want to be hands-on and make your rentals your full-time job? Absolutely doable. Prefer to keep the day-to-day aspects at arm’s length and take advantage of the passive nature of rentals? You can do that too.
TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR SANTA CRUZ INVESTMENT JOURNEY
If the time is now for you to start building your Santa Cruz rental portfolio, the tips below will help ensure early success.
Establish your investment goals
As with any new venture or business-related investment, you want to determine your goals for success. You’re almost always planning for a long-term commitment with vacation rentals, so your goals should reflect that journey. Account for early up-front costs that might delay immediate profits, such as updates or renovations to a property.
Also, factor in third-party management, which allows you to step back from direct oversight of your asset but comes with its own set of expenses.
Finally, factor in growth plans. The more assets you add to your portfolio, the more you can scale expenses and grow income. Just ensure that whatever your ambitions, you weigh the risks and rewards for reaching specific milestones, including setting tangible and realistic income targets.
Shop around for lenders, and their best loans
To generate lucrative rental-based income on Santa Cruz vacation properties, you must make a sizable upfront investment to start building your portfolio. Of course, cash is the most direct path to acquiring investment property if it’s financially feasible.
However, given the large variety of loans available, and the willingness of certain lenders to work with portfolio-building investors, you may find greater financial flexibility via loan-based acquisitions.
Each avenue offers benefits and disadvantages, so don’t be shy about shopping around to identify top lenders, and the most favorable loans before committing any resources to investment.
Assess Santa Cruz’s market conditions
Sound real estate investment starts with learning the market you want to enter, understanding its peaks and valleys, and determining what assets and locations will allow you to achieve your investment goals.
Considering your overall plan is an investment in the Santa Cruz market, the next steps are identifying the coastal neighborhoods or rental hotspots that will offer you the best return. And remember, just because one location is earning massive income at the time of your investment doesn’t mean it will always be a guaranteed money-maker. Unless your plans call for a quick turnaround with your assets and their ROI, seek consistency in traffic and rental rates.
Long before any acquisitions, jump head first into Santa Cruz market data to pinpoint where to make your wisest investments. The exercise may uncover under-the-radar opportunities where a little risk could result in immense rewards.
Partner with an experienced Santa Cruz real estate agent
Finally, although it’s a relatively small market, there are plenty of nuances one must navigate along Santa Cruz’s high-end coastal communities. Partnering with a seasoned, well-respected local agent makes managing your investment endeavors far easier.
Look for highly recommended people who provide reliable, up-to-date market data with a strong skill set that reflects a history of successfully closing deals.
As your guide to the local market, the honest opinion of an experienced professional is critical for building a portfolio with consistent returns. So make sure your agent is one with whom you have an excellent rapport, with open and honest communication.
If you’re ready to start your Santa Cruz investment journey or searching for a partner to help you buy or sell a Santa Cruz luxury home, contact the Poncetta Real Estate Group today. Allow Scott Poncetta and his team’s years of experience and expertise to help you navigate Santa Cruz’s celebrated coastal real estate market.
