09/01/2026
Empty nesting doesnât have to mean simply downsizing. It can mean using the equity youâve built to design what comes next.
The proposed More Homes on the Market Act would double the federal capital-gains exclusion on the sale of a qualifying primary residenceâfrom $250,000 to $500,000 for individual filers and from $500,000 to $1 million for married couples filing jointly. The proposal has not become law, but for longtime Santa Cruz County homeowners, it could preserve significantly more of the equity theyâve worked so hard to build. More Homes on the Market Actâ ïżŒ
That equity could give you choices:
Move up to the home youâve always wanted.
Move down to something easier to maintain.
Buy your retirement home in Hawaii.
Create a combination of all three.
Or use a portion to purchase the home your college student is living inâpotentially helping with housing costs while building equity instead of paying rent to someone else.
Your next move doesnât have to fit into one box. With the right planning, your current home may help create more freedom, flexibility, and security for the entire family.
If youâve been wondering what your home could make possible, letâs map out the numbers and your options together.
Guiding You Home with Aloha. đș
Every situation is different. Speak with a qualified tax and financial professional before making decisions based on proposed legislation or potential tax benefits.
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