Century 21 LAD
By Edita McQuary
Fourth-generation Californian Kelley Trousdale, GRI, has been in the real estate business for more than 25 years. He and Kenn Ellis, the managing broker, have worked together for over 20 years.
In June 2019 they moved Century 21 LAD Real Estate to a new location in the Rancho Del Mar in the Safeway Shopping Center, rebranding their business as Century 21 Sandcastle Realty.
The business focuses primarily on Santa Cruz County as well as Monterey and Santa Clara counties. They have been geared up for the shelter-in-place situation as most of their 20+ agents typically work out of their home offices.
In March and April when only vacant properties could be shown, volume of sales decreased by approximately 25-30 percent, however, sales were still pretty good, according to Kelley.
There has been a real lack of inventory for years in this area as well as nationally. People are tending to stay in their homes longer. Prices rose considerably due to the reduced supply and increased demand.
“Interest rates are at their lowest in recent history and there is a abundance of cash in the marketplace. We have recently received three all-cash offers on one property last month. Some people living in the Santa Cruz hill communities want to move closer to the beach.
The outlook for the local real estate market is very good, in my opinion, said Kelley. Especially in light of recent events which have made people reconsider their home and surroundings as a place to enjoy and spend more time in. Many of those buyers are seeking beach areas and more rural, peaceful settings. A home to “staycation” is the new thinking.
Kelley and his wife, Cindy, have lived in Aptos for 30 years. They raised their three children and have four grandchildren.
They also have two dogs: Winston, a Boxer, and Lola, a Chinese Crested, that love to walk on the beach. For relaxation, Kelley plays drums with his musical friends.
Are you interested in beach property? Call Sandcastle Realty.
Know of anyone who wants to work in real estate? Call Sandcastle Realty and speak with Kelley.
Kelley has been very successful investing in coastal real estate and representing buyers and sellers in that specialized marketplace.
Kelley is a graduate of Georgetown University where he majored in international relations. He is a veteran and worked as a Defense Department analyst for nearly 20 years before his career in real estate.
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Century 21 Sandcastle Realty, Rancho Del Mar Shoppng Center, Aptos. Cell: 831-566-7070, Office: 831-688-1933; sandcastle.c21.com