Merve Ocal represents discerning buyers and sellers across Santa Cruz County's most coveted addresses — from Pleasure Point oceanfront to West Cliff Drive. Bilingual concierge service.
A curated selection of currently available homes across Santa Cruz County. Off-market opportunities available on request.
For sale
Under contract
New
Off-market
Off-market listings, pre-MLS introductions, and direct relationships with local builders — the kind of access you get from working with someone who has lived this market for six years.
A professional marketing campaign tailored to your home — drone cinematography, magazine-grade staging, targeted international buyer outreach, and the bilingual edge in a market where 18% of luxury buyers speak something other than English.
From short-term rental conversions in Capitola to 1031-exchange ready Class A multifamily in Carmel — structured deals, vetted operators, and modeled IRR. International investors welcome (E-2 / EB-5 guidance available).
I moved to California in 2020 with two suitcases and a clear thesis: that Santa Cruz was about to become the most interesting luxury market in America. Six years later, I've closed over $86M across 118 transactions, built a referral network that spans three continents, and sponsored more bilingual closings than any solo agent in the county.
Each market has its own rhythm. Here's where I'm closing today.
Santa Cruz
Capitola
Aptos
Los Gatos
Scotts Valley
Carmel
A 30-minute private call — in English or Turkish — to understand your timeline, budget, must-haves, and the kind of life you're trying to build.
Within 48 hours: a hand-picked shortlist of 5–8 homes including off-market opportunities you won't find on Zillow or Realtor.com.
In-person, helicopter, or video walk-throughs depending on geography. International buyers get same-day video coverage.
Strategy session before we submit; competitive offers structured to win without overpaying. My closings average 4.2% under list.
Inspectors, attorneys, lenders, movers — all coordinated. Post-close concierge: utilities, contractors, schools, club memberships.
"Merve found us a home in Pleasure Point that hadn't even been listed yet. He spoke Turkish to my mother on the closing call and English to the attorney on a three-way. That's how he closes."
"Sold our Aptos home in 17 days, $180K over ask. The marketing video alone was better than what most agents do in a year."
"Bought our investment portfolio over Zoom from Istanbul. Merve handled E-2 visa coordination, attorneys, the lot. Felt like I was already in Florida."
"Three agents told us the home was 'in our budget.' Merve was the one who said 'you can do better' — and proved it."
The mornings. The marinas. The Sunday brunches. The quiet ones nobody talks about.
Quarter-over-quarter, last 18 months. Single-family detached, $1M+ segment.
Source: Beaches MLS, Santa Cruz County, single-family detached homes > $1M. Last updated May 2026.
Get my full market briefA 30-minute call with no pressure and no commission talk. Tell me what you're looking for — I'll tell you whether I can help, and who else to call if I can't.
