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

home-pic
ACTIVE$1,995,000
1430 Merrill Street, Santa Cruz, California 95062
3Beds
3Baths
1,630Sqft
19,646Lot
Year Built
1927
Close
-
List price
$2M
Original List price
$2M
Price/Sqft
-
HOA
-
Days on market
-
Sold On
-
MLS number
ML82025094
Home ConditionTear down
Features
View-

About this home

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.

Price History

Date
Event
Price
10/16/25
Listing
$1,995,000
Neighborhood Comparison

 SubjectAverage HomeNeighbourhood Ranking (70 Listings)
Beds33
50%
Baths32
55%
Square foot1,6301,638
48%
Lot Size19,6465,449
97%
Price$2M$1.88M
58%
Price per square foot$1,224$1,213
51%
Built year19271969
11%
HOA
Days on market19155
1%
Condition Rating
Tear down

The property, built in 1927, consists of three cottages that the listing explicitly states 'need love.' The provided images show significant exterior disrepair, including peeling paint, dilapidated fences, and overgrown vegetation, indicating a severe lack of maintenance over many years. There are no interior photos, but given the age and exterior condition, it's highly probable the interiors are in a similar or worse state. The listing heavily emphasizes the 'pure potential' of the half-acre lot and its zoning for extensive redevelopment (up to 6 detached homes or 19 multifamily units), suggesting the value lies almost entirely in the land rather than the existing structures. The structures appear to be beyond practical repair for modern living, aligning with the 'tear-down' criteria where the property's value is based solely on the land and its potential for redevelopment.
Pros & Cons

Pros

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: The property boasts highly favorable RM-2.5 zoning with flexible 3-story development standards, offering significant opportunities including leveraging SB684 for up to 6 detached single-family homes or a Density Bonus for up to 19 multifamily units.
Prime Coastal Location & Walkability: Situated in desirable coastal Live Oak/East Cliff Village, the property offers unparalleled walkability, just a 5-minute stroll to Black's Beach, 3 minutes to the Live Oak Farmers Market, and 4 minutes to local coffee shops.
Large, Versatile & Private Lot: An extraordinary nearly half-acre (20,000 SF) level lot provides ample space for diverse visions, enhanced by mature trees for privacy, morning light, and refreshing ocean breezes.
Existing Multi-Unit Structure: The presence of three existing 1-bedroom/1-bathroom cottages offers immediate rental income potential or a foundation for a multi-family compound, providing flexibility for various owner-occupancy or investment strategies.
Rarity & Long-Term Investment: Described as a rare offering in a highly sought-after walkable East Cliff Village, this property represents a unique long-term investment opportunity with immense potential for appreciation through redevelopment or extensive renovation.

Cons

Current Condition of Structures: The existing three cottages are explicitly stated to 'need love' and 'lack polish,' indicating they are in poor condition and will require significant renovation, repair, or demolition.
Substantial Capital Investment Required: Realizing the property's extensive development or renovation potential will necessitate a significant upfront capital investment beyond the purchase price, which could be a barrier for some buyers.
Age of Property: Built in 1927, the existing structures are nearly a century old, suggesting potential for outdated systems, lead paint/asbestos concerns, and higher maintenance costs if not fully redeveloped.

Best solution for experienced home buyers!

Data-driven home buying experience with our licensed real estate agents and cutting-edge AI

Browse Properties by State Browse market stats by State