Santa Cruz VA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats
SANTA CRUZ-WATSONVILLE, CA
A VA loan is a mortgage loan that’s backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for those who have served or are presently serving in the U.S. military. The VA does not directly lend, it guarantees the loans made by private lenders to veterans, active military personnel, and qualifying military spouses.
The most obvious benefit of VA loans is that no downpayment is necessary to purchase a home. They will also typically have significantly lower fees-- meaning that if you're eligible to receive a VA loan, it will likely be the most favorable option. VA loans come in 3 varities: purchase, refinance and cash out refis.
For additional benefits of VA loans, click here.
Santa Cruz's 17 lenders originated 36 VA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $31,210,000, with an average VA loan value of $866,944.
Santa Cruz VA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates
30 Year VA mortgages in Santa Cruz
averaged
6.77%
for the week of 2025-07-11, compared to the national average (all VA variants) of
6.37% for the same period.
Santa Cruz's average VA mortgage closing costs are $10,046.
The average rate for the prior week (2025-07-04) was
6.98% and
one month ago for the week of 2025-06-06, the
average rate was 6.95%.
The average rate one year ago was 7.17%.
For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-07-11, the average rate
was 6.72%.
Santa Cruz VA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees
The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for VA 30 Year Fixed Rate (purchase, first lien) mortgages originated by each lender at the Santa Cruz level.
| Name | # of Loans | 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate | 2024 Avg. Closing Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC | 6 | 6.07% | $7,420 |
| QUICKEN LOANS, LLC | 5 | 5.95% | $17,798 |
| Mortgage Research Center, LLC | 4 | 6.50% | $23,748 |
| VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE | 2 | 5.69% | $17,073 |
| LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC | 2 | 5.49% | $5,632 |
| MASON MCDUFFIE MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 2 | 5.69% | $27,739 |
| NEWREZ LLC | 2 | 5.94% | $21,225 |
| PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC | 2 | 6.06% | $16,288 |
| UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC | 2 | 6.25% | $2,568 |
| GUARANTEED RATE, INC. | 1 | 5.50% | $1,260 |
| FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 1 | 6.13% | $13,966 |
| Paramount Bank | 1 | 5.63% | $14,011 |
| GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY | 1 | 6.50% | $14,249 |
| USAA Federal Savings Bank | 1 | 6.25% | $37,970 |
| FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION | 1 | 6.75% | $7,179 |
| MLD MORTGAGE INC. | 1 | 6.13% | $5,399 |
| ML Mortgage Corp. | 1 | 6.25% | $11,391 |
The top Santa Cruz VA lender as defined by loan originations is CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC, with
6 VA loans originated. Their average total fees are
$7,420, which is $10,378
lower than the next largest lender,
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC.
The lowest fee Santa Cruz VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are
.
The lowest rate Santa Cruz VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are
.
Market Conditions (Median, Average Prices & Listing Count)
Realtor.com - Santa Cruz (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis| Date | Median Listing Price (YoY Change) | Average Listing Price (YoY) | MSA/US Median Price Ratio | Active Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-01 | $899,472 (5.9%) | $1,396,805 (9.7%) | 3.33 | 220 |
| 2018-02-01 | $899,250 (5.9%) | $1,382,567 (7.2%) | 3.26 | 246 |
| 2018-03-01 | $976,500 (10.1%) | $1,367,781 (3.6%) | 3.43 | 286 |
| 2018-04-01 | $950,000 (5.6%) | $1,441,990 (7.9%) | 3.22 | 337 |
| 2018-05-01 | $939,000 (4.5%) | $1,412,309 (8.1%) | 3.14 | 379 |
| 2018-06-01 | $971,000 (5.7%) | $1,416,724 (9.1%) | 3.24 | 421 |
| 2018-07-01 | $962,500 (4.1%) | $1,371,001 (6.0%) | 3.21 | 474 |
| 2018-08-01 | $929,006 (3.2%) | $1,309,226 (4.1%) | 3.11 | 525 |
| 2018-09-01 | $925,000 (2.8%) | $1,290,292 (3.2%) | 3.11 | 560 |
| 2018-10-01 | $897,000 (-0.2%) | $1,281,559 (3.8%) | 3.04 | 561 |
| 2018-11-01 | $899,500 (0.1%) | $1,300,835 (-0.4%) | 3.05 | 536 |
| 2018-12-01 | $895,000 (-0.4%) | $1,307,537 (-0.2%) | 3.09 | 428 |
| 2019-01-01 | $896,500 (-0.3%) | $1,329,675 (-4.8%) | 3.10 | 321 |
| 2019-02-01 | $899,000 (0.0%) | $1,306,642 (-5.5%) | 3.04 | 303 |
| 2019-03-01 | $940,121 (-3.7%) | $1,342,249 (-1.9%) | 3.07 | 350 |
| 2019-04-01 | $986,821 (3.9%) | $1,341,204 (-7.0%) | 3.13 | 410 |
| 2019-05-01 | $999,125 (6.4%) | $1,336,669 (-5.4%) | 3.12 | 469 |
| 2019-06-01 | $996,500 (2.6%) | $1,372,995 (-3.1%) | 3.11 | 514 |
| 2019-07-01 | $957,125 (-0.6%) | $1,333,530 (-2.7%) | 3.00 | 583 |
| 2019-08-01 | $960,818 (3.4%) | $1,337,063 (2.1%) | 3.04 | 580 |
| 2019-09-01 | $954,170 (3.2%) | $1,341,141 (3.9%) | 3.05 | 568 |
| 2019-10-01 | $949,000 (5.8%) | $1,343,860 (4.9%) | 3.06 | 553 |
| 2019-11-01 | $949,250 (5.5%) | $1,363,268 (4.8%) | 3.11 | 465 |
| 2019-12-01 | $899,250 (0.5%) | $1,390,006 (6.3%) | 3.00 | 305 |
| 2020-01-01 | $899,500 (0.3%) | $1,383,186 (4.0%) | 3.01 | 238 |
| 2020-02-01 | $925,000 (2.9%) | $1,361,002 (4.2%) | 3.03 | 262 |
| 2020-03-01 | $949,000 (0.9%) | $1,337,346 (-0.4%) | 2.97 | 325 |
| 2020-04-01 | $948,500 (-3.9%) | $1,315,874 (-1.9%) | 2.97 | 356 |
| 2020-05-01 | $959,500 (-4.0%) | $1,356,750 (1.5%) | 2.92 | 388 |
| 2020-06-01 | $1,018,250 (2.2%) | $1,496,095 (9.0%) | 3.00 | 377 |
| 2020-07-01 | $1,094,000 (14.3%) | $1,518,079 (13.8%) | 3.17 | 351 |
| 2020-08-01 | $1,100,000 (14.5%) | $1,617,445 (21.0%) | 3.15 | 311 |
| 2020-09-01 | $1,088,250 (14.1%) | $1,558,731 (16.2%) | 3.12 | 273 |
| 2020-10-01 | $1,072,500 (13.0%) | $1,556,863 (15.9%) | 3.07 | 270 |
| 2020-11-01 | $1,042,222 (9.8%) | $1,469,102 (7.8%) | 3.05 | 255 |
| 2020-12-01 | $972,919 (8.2%) | $1,403,710 (1.0%) | 2.89 | 217 |
| 2021-01-01 | $950,000 (5.6%) | $1,390,225 (0.5%) | 2.84 | 167 |
| 2021-02-01 | $944,500 (2.1%) | $1,435,531 (5.5%) | 2.75 | 149 |
| 2021-03-01 | $1,074,750 (13.3%) | $1,501,887 (12.3%) | 3.05 | 159 |
| 2021-04-01 | $1,134,250 (19.6%) | $1,632,051 (24.0%) | 3.07 | 185 |
| 2021-05-01 | $1,199,500 (25.0%) | $1,698,025 (25.2%) | 3.19 | 206 |
| 2021-06-01 | $1,231,000 (20.9%) | $1,695,900 (13.4%) | 3.24 | 215 |
| 2021-07-01 | $1,200,000 (9.7%) | $1,647,008 (8.5%) | 3.17 | 234 |
| 2021-08-01 | $1,172,250 (6.6%) | $1,548,492 (-4.3%) | 3.13 | 243 |
| 2021-09-01 | $1,200,000 (10.3%) | $1,586,279 (1.8%) | 3.20 | 221 |
| 2021-10-01 | $1,250,000 (16.6%) | $1,669,649 (7.2%) | 3.33 | 187 |
| 2021-11-01 | $1,348,250 (29.4%) | $1,698,584 (15.6%) | 3.60 | 151 |
| 2021-12-01 | $1,283,750 (32.0%) | $1,587,594 (13.1%) | 3.48 | 101 |
| 2022-01-01 | $1,200,000 (26.3%) | $1,498,415 (7.8%) | 3.24 | 83 |
| 2022-02-01 | $1,249,500 (32.3%) | $1,498,586 (4.4%) | 3.25 | 106 |
| 2022-03-01 | $1,297,750 (20.8%) | $1,587,953 (5.7%) | 3.25 | 136 |
| 2022-04-01 | $1,299,000 (14.5%) | $1,634,705 (0.2%) | 3.10 | 156 |
| 2022-05-01 | $1,397,500 (16.5%) | $1,724,447 (1.6%) | 3.19 | 234 |
| 2022-06-01 | $1,363,500 (10.8%) | $1,722,783 (1.6%) | 3.04 | 269 |
| 2022-07-01 | $1,332,000 (11.0%) | $1,692,267 (2.8%) | 3.00 | 325 |
| 2022-08-01 | $1,344,500 (14.7%) | $1,660,443 (7.2%) | 3.11 | 312 |
| 2022-09-01 | $1,386,000 (15.5%) | $1,720,097 (8.4%) | 3.24 | 286 |
| 2022-10-01 | $1,349,000 (7.9%) | $1,723,678 (3.2%) | 3.17 | 297 |
| 2022-11-01 | $1,399,000 (3.8%) | $1,777,598 (4.7%) | 3.36 | 266 |
| 2022-12-01 | $1,345,000 (4.8%) | $1,715,599 (8.1%) | 3.32 | 232 |
| 2023-01-01 | $1,285,750 (7.2%) | $1,643,300 (9.7%) | 3.18 | 171 |
| 2023-02-01 | $1,316,250 (5.3%) | $1,659,280 (10.7%) | 3.18 | 176 |
| 2023-03-01 | $1,397,000 (7.7%) | $1,790,272 (12.7%) | 3.29 | 173 |
| 2023-04-01 | $1,399,000 (7.7%) | $1,856,567 (13.6%) | 3.25 | 204 |
| 2023-05-01 | $1,432,000 (2.5%) | $1,810,164 (5.0%) | 3.25 | 243 |
| 2023-06-01 | $1,387,000 (1.7%) | $1,748,746 (1.5%) | 3.12 | 280 |
| 2023-07-01 | $1,375,000 (3.2%) | $1,764,170 (4.3%) | 3.13 | 297 |
| 2023-08-01 | $1,298,000 (-3.5%) | $1,717,326 (3.4%) | 2.98 | 312 |
| 2023-09-01 | $1,250,000 (-9.8%) | $1,723,492 (0.2%) | 2.91 | 319 |
| 2023-10-01 | $1,197,000 (-11.3%) | $1,695,612 (-1.6%) | 2.82 | 332 |
| 2023-11-01 | $1,174,857 (-16.0%) | $1,674,739 (-5.8%) | 2.80 | 311 |
| 2023-12-01 | $1,182,000 (-12.1%) | $1,611,871 (-6.1%) | 2.88 | 248 |
| 2024-01-01 | $1,062,000 (-17.4%) | $1,536,203 (-6.5%) | 2.59 | 200 |
| 2024-02-01 | $1,074,850 (-18.3%) | $1,597,220 (-3.7%) | 2.59 | 193 |
| 2024-03-01 | $1,199,000 (-14.2%) | $1,709,344 (-4.5%) | 2.82 | 225 |
| 2024-04-01 | $1,298,000 (-7.2%) | $1,841,445 (-0.8%) | 3.02 | 270 |
| 2024-05-01 | $1,299,000 (-9.3%) | $1,906,698 (5.3%) | 2.96 | 344 |
| 2024-06-01 | $1,296,500 (-6.5%) | $1,898,389 (8.6%) | 2.95 | 375 |
| 2024-07-01 | $1,295,750 (-5.8%) | $1,803,485 (2.2%) | 2.96 | 395 |
| 2024-08-01 | $1,277,000 (-1.6%) | $1,795,602 (4.6%) | 2.97 | 432 |
| 2024-09-01 | $1,274,750 (2.0%) | $1,767,265 (2.5%) | 3.00 | 449 |
| 2024-10-01 | $1,295,000 (8.2%) | $1,745,854 (3.0%) | 3.05 | 442 |
| 2024-11-01 | $1,249,000 (6.3%) | $1,698,702 (1.4%) | 3.00 | 425 |
| 2024-12-01 | $1,182,500 (0.0%) | $1,639,745 (1.7%) | 2.94 | 324 |
| 2025-01-01 | $1,158,875 (9.1%) | $1,610,167 (4.8%) | 2.89 | 290 |
| 2025-02-01 | $1,194,500 (11.1%) | $1,678,991 (5.1%) | 2.90 | 311 |
| 2025-03-01 | $1,200,000 (0.1%) | $1,714,706 (0.3%) | 2.82 | 376 |
| 2025-04-01 | $1,249,000 (-3.8%) | $1,724,809 (-6.3%) | 2.90 | 455 |
| 2025-05-01 | $1,299,000 (0.0%) | $1,735,076 (-9.0%) | 2.95 | 550 |
| 2025-06-01 | $1,297,000 (0.0%) | $1,741,005 (-8.3%) | 2.94 | 606 |
Santa Cruz's median listing price comes in at 294% of the national average.
Santa Cruz's average listing price for 2025-06-01 was $1,741,005, a difference of $-157,384 (-8.3%) versus the prior year and $5,929 versus the prior month.
For the 2025-06-01 period, Santa Cruz had 606 MLS listings, a difference of 56 listings (10%) versus the prior month and 231 listings (62%) versus the prior year.
Median Listing Time on Market & Square Footage
Realtor.com - Santa Cruz (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis| Date | Median Listing Time on Market | Median Square Footage |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-01-01 | 67 days | 1,719 sqft |
| 2018-02-01 | 36 days | 1,608 sqft |
| 2018-03-01 | 30 days | 1,677 sqft |
| 2018-04-01 | 35 days | 1,699 sqft |
| 2018-05-01 | 33 days | 1,663 sqft |
| 2018-06-01 | 39 days | 1,693 sqft |
| 2018-07-01 | 42 days | 1,716 sqft |
| 2018-08-01 | 43 days | 1,655 sqft |
| 2018-09-01 | 46 days | 1,657 sqft |
| 2018-10-01 | 52 days | 1,650 sqft |
| 2018-11-01 | 56 days | 1,673 sqft |
| 2018-12-01 | 67 days | 1,614 sqft |
| 2019-01-01 | 81 days | 1,605 sqft |
| 2019-02-01 | 66 days | 1,661 sqft |
| 2019-03-01 | 41 days | 1,716 sqft |
| 2019-04-01 | 33 days | 1,762 sqft |
| 2019-05-01 | 36 days | 1,736 sqft |
| 2019-06-01 | 46 days | 1,744 sqft |
| 2019-07-01 | 47 days | 1,677 sqft |
| 2019-08-01 | 53 days | 1,669 sqft |
| 2019-09-01 | 58 days | 1,684 sqft |
| 2019-10-01 | 61 days | 1,691 sqft |
| 2019-11-01 | 69 days | 1,700 sqft |
| 2019-12-01 | 95 days | 1,625 sqft |
| 2020-01-01 | 90 days | 1,636 sqft |
| 2020-02-01 | 39 days | 1,610 sqft |
| 2020-03-01 | 34 days | 1,634 sqft |
| 2020-04-01 | 47 days | 1,672 sqft |
| 2020-05-01 | 53 days | 1,725 sqft |
| 2020-06-01 | 44 days | 1,740 sqft |
| 2020-07-01 | 45 days | 1,842 sqft |
| 2020-08-01 | 48 days | 1,842 sqft |
| 2020-09-01 | 66 days | 1,799 sqft |
| 2020-10-01 | 62 days | 1,795 sqft |
| 2020-11-01 | 57 days | 1,722 sqft |
| 2020-12-01 | 59 days | 1,617 sqft |
| 2021-01-01 | 54 days | 1,618 sqft |
| 2021-02-01 | 35 days | 1,538 sqft |
| 2021-03-01 | 33 days | 1,636 sqft |
| 2021-04-01 | 27 days | 1,654 sqft |
| 2021-05-01 | 25 days | 1,792 sqft |
| 2021-06-01 | 31 days | 1,798 sqft |
| 2021-07-01 | 29 days | 1,792 sqft |
| 2021-08-01 | 31 days | 1,665 sqft |
| 2021-09-01 | 42 days | 1,827 sqft |
| 2021-10-01 | 49 days | 1,851 sqft |
| 2021-11-01 | 64 days | 1,952 sqft |
| 2021-12-01 | 74 days | 1,833 sqft |
| 2022-01-01 | 52 days | 1,646 sqft |
| 2022-02-01 | 17 days | 1,574 sqft |
| 2022-03-01 | 18 days | 1,535 sqft |
| 2022-04-01 | 24 days | 1,600 sqft |
| 2022-05-01 | 23 days | 1,712 sqft |
| 2022-06-01 | 28 days | 1,723 sqft |
| 2022-07-01 | 36 days | 1,705 sqft |
| 2022-08-01 | 41 days | 1,700 sqft |
| 2022-09-01 | 45 days | 1,738 sqft |
| 2022-10-01 | 44 days | 1,705 sqft |
| 2022-11-01 | 54 days | 1,796 sqft |
| 2022-12-01 | 66 days | 1,723 sqft |
| 2023-01-01 | 78 days | 1,703 sqft |
| 2023-02-01 | 61 days | 1,691 sqft |
| 2023-03-01 | 38 days | 1,723 sqft |
| 2023-04-01 | 36 days | 1,786 sqft |
| 2023-05-01 | 32 days | 1,753 sqft |
| 2023-06-01 | 32 days | 1,754 sqft |
| 2023-07-01 | 36 days | 1,696 sqft |
| 2023-08-01 | 40 days | 1,587 sqft |
| 2023-09-01 | 39 days | 1,600 sqft |
| 2023-10-01 | 43 days | 1,531 sqft |
| 2023-11-01 | 48 days | 1,516 sqft |
| 2023-12-01 | 60 days | 1,438 sqft |
| 2024-01-01 | 68 days | 1,351 sqft |
| 2024-02-01 | 49 days | 1,387 sqft |
| 2024-03-01 | 36 days | 1,428 sqft |
| 2024-04-01 | 33 days | 1,553 sqft |
| 2024-05-01 | 32 days | 1,606 sqft |
| 2024-06-01 | 36 days | 1,596 sqft |
| 2024-07-01 | 45 days | 1,601 sqft |
| 2024-08-01 | 44 days | 1,609 sqft |
| 2024-09-01 | 47 days | 1,585 sqft |
| 2024-10-01 | 51 days | 1,578 sqft |
| 2024-11-01 | 53 days | 1,550 sqft |
| 2024-12-01 | 70 days | 1,509 sqft |
| 2025-01-01 | 73 days | 1,502 sqft |
| 2025-02-01 | 41 days | 1,462 sqft |
| 2025-03-01 | 36 days | 1,514 sqft |
| 2025-04-01 | 36 days | 1,569 sqft |
| 2025-05-01 | 38 days | 1,611 sqft |
| 2025-06-01 | 45 days | 1,661 sqft |
Santa Cruz's median square footage for active listings during the 2025-06-01 period was 1,661 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 1,596 sqft.