1430 Merrill Street, Santa Cruz, California 95062, Santa Cruz, 95062 - 3 bed, 3 bath

1430 Merrill Street, Santa Cruz, California 95062 home-pic-0

1430 Merrill Street

Santa Cruz, California 95062

ACTIVE
CONDITION: TEAR DOWN
3Beds
3Baths
1,630Sq Ft
19,646Lot Size

Property Price

LIST PRICE$1,975,000

SUMMARY

Analysis of 1430 Merrill Street, Santa Cruz, California 95062 is currently available with a list price of $1,975,000. The property maintains a Tear down Condition Rating (10/100), reflecting significant deferred maintenance. This property is best suited for experienced investors or developers prepared for substantial renovation work. Located in a high-demand neighborhood within the Santa Cruz Unified School District, this asset is categorized as a low-risk, high-reward acquisition suitable for Experienced Investors and Fix-and-Flip Specialists.

Condition Analysis

OVERALL CONDITION SCORE

Tear down
TeardownExcellent

Property is land value only, full reconstruction required.

Built in 1927, the property consists of three cottages that are explicitly stated to 'need love' and 'lack polish.' The images reveal extremely outdated and worn interiors, including very old kitchens with basic appliances, exposed light bulbs, and dilapidated flooring. There's no evidence of significant renovations in the past 50 years. The listing heavily emphasizes the land's development potential (e.g., 'create a family compound,' 'build a surf-centric community,' 'leverage SB684 for up to 6 detached single-family homes,' 'Density Bonus for up to 19 multifamily units'), indicating that the value is primarily in the land and its redevelopment opportunities, rather than the existing structures. The current structures are in a condition that suggests they are beyond economical repair for modern living standards, aligning with the 'tear-down' criteria.

PROSSTRENGTHS & OPPORTUNITIES

  • High Available Lot Utilization

    The property has a large lot size, which is more than 4 times of its living area. lot size in square feet = 19646, living area = 1630.

  • Exceptional Development Potential

    Zoned RM-2.5 with flexible standards, offering significant opportunities for multi-unit development (up to 19 units with Density Bonus) or multiple single-family homes (up to 6 via SB684).

  • Prime Walkable Coastal Location

    Unbeatable proximity to Black's Beach (5 min walk), Live Oak Farmers Market (3 min), and local amenities, situated in the highly sought-after East Cliff Village.

CONSRISKS & DEFICIENCIES

  • Extensive Renovation/Redevelopment Required

    The existing cottages are explicitly noted as needing 'love' and lacking 'polish,' indicating a substantial capital investment for modernization or complete redevelopment.

  • High Entry Price Point

    The list price of $1.975 million represents a significant initial investment, which will be further compounded by the necessary costs for renovation or new construction.

  • Age of Structures

    Built in 1927, the current structures are nearly a century old, likely requiring comprehensive updates to systems, infrastructure, and aesthetics to meet modern standards.

About 1430 Merrill Street

Hello, I'm a special property with three charming cottages on an extraordinary half-acre in coastal Live Oak. My three 1BR/1BA homes need love, but what I lack in polish, I make up for in pure potential and a walkable location that offers privacy and design flexibility with mature trees, morning light and ocean breezes on my nearly 20,000 SF level lot. Imagine waking up just a 5-minute stroll from Black's Beach with Live Oak Farmers Market at your doorstep (3 min) and morning coffee at Bodega del Lago (4 min). Maybe you'll create a family compound, design your dream beach estate with a pool and gardens, or build a surf-centric community where multiple families can share this coastal paradise and catch waves at Pleasure Point. I'm zoned for possibilities (RM-2.5) with flexible development standards (3-stories). Your options: 1) leverage SB684 for up to 6 detached single-family homes on separate parcels, 2) use Density Bonus for up to 19 multifamily units (14 base + 5 bonus), 3) create your single dream home with incredible outdoor living or beach houses for extended family and rental income - your vision can become reality. Properties like me in walkable East Cliff Village don't come along often. Come visit. Walk to the beach. Imagine possibilities. Create your coastal legacy.

Property Details

Public Facts

Property Type
Single Family Residence
Year Built
1927
Lot Size
19,646 Sq. Ft.

Interior

Total Bedrooms
3
Total Bathrooms
3 (3 Full, 0 Half)

Exterior & Parking

No exterior & parking available.

Utilities & Misc

HOA Fee
$0 / Month

Neighborhood Insights

Sensitive Facilities

No sensitive facilities data found.

Neighborhood Comparison

FeatureSubjectAverage HomeNeighborhood Ranking (50 Listings)
Beds3.03.0
50%
Baths3.02.0
65%
Square foot1,6301,565
54%
Lot Size19,6465,336
94%
Price$1.98M$1.47M
75%
Price per sq ft$1.2K$1.0K
58%
Built year19271960
15%
HOA$0$0
50%
Days on market142155
44%

Pricing History

Listed for Sale

Jan 15, 2026

$1,975,000

$1,995,000

-1% Price Drop

Initial Listing

Price Change

Oct 16, 2025

$1,995,000

Initial Listing

Browse Properties by State Browse housing market trends by state