Cardiff-by-the-Sea real estate agent for buying, selling, and ADUs.
I’m Zach, a real estate broker at Utmost. I’ve personally closed $201 million in home sales across 267 transactions, I work with Cardiff-by-the-Sea buyers and sellers, from beach cottages near Coast Highway 101 to homes overlooking San Elijo Lagoon, and I help owners plan ADUs here too.
Market figures: Redfin, 92007, September 2026. Updated monthly.
Zach's track record
The Cardiff-by-the-Sea housing market
In September 2026, the median home in 92007 sold for $2,792,679, up 34.4% from a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 24 days, for 98.7% of list price on average, and 24 homes sold, compared with 25 a year before. With this few sales, the median can swing a lot depending on which homes sold.
If you’re selling
Few homes come up for sale in Cardiff, and well-priced homes are selling in about three and a half weeks. Pricing from the right nearby sales matters, because homes priced too high tend to sit.
If you’re buying
Cardiff offers beach cottages, condos, and single-family homes in a small area between San Elijo Lagoon and Encinitas. With only a couple dozen sales a quarter, get pre-approved so you’re ready when the right home comes up.
If you own and want more income
Many Cardiff lots have room for a detached ADU or a JADU under City of Encinitas rules. Much of the area is in the Coastal Zone, so plan for a coastal permit before you design.
Cardiff-by-the-Sea neighborhoods
Cardiff Village
Homes and shops around Newcastle Avenue and Aberdeen Drive, a small walkable center with cafés, restaurants, and a neighborhood market a few blocks from the beach.
Along the coast
Homes and condos near South Coast Highway 101, with Cardiff State Beach, San Elijo State Beach and its campground, and the oceanfront restaurants along the highway.
East of I-5
Single-family neighborhoods on the hills above San Elijo Lagoon, near the lagoon’s trails, the MiraCosta College San Elijo campus, and Manchester Avenue.
Schools: most Cardiff-by-the-Sea homes are in the Cardiff School District and the San Dieguito Union High School District. Check boundaries for a specific address on the district site.
Cardiff sits between San Elijo Lagoon and the rest of Encinitas, with state beaches, a small village center, and I-5 a few minutes away. I’ll help you find the street that fits.
Adding an ADU in Cardiff-by-the-Sea
Cardiff-by-the-Sea is part of the City of Encinitas, so ADUs follow the city’s rules. Here is what shapes most projects.
- How many: a single-family lot can usually add an ADU plus a JADU of up to 500 square feet inside the home.
- Size and setbacks: a detached ADU can typically be up to 1,200 square feet, with 4-foot side and rear setbacks. Lot slope and height limits are worth reviewing with city planning staff early.
- Coastal permit: much of Cardiff is in the Coastal Zone, where detached ADUs and ADUs that add living space need a coastal development permit before the building permit is issued.
- Permit-ready plans: the city offers free pre-approved ADU plans, from a studio to three bedrooms, and waives its own plan review and inspection fees for ADUs.
- Rules change, so confirm details with the City of Encinitas before you design.
What clients say
“The process of selling our home was incredibly smooth and not stressful one bit because of Zach! Our house was only on the market for 4 days and we got $50,000 over asking!”
“This was our 3rd time selling a home and Zach was the best agent we've ever worked with. He has a dialed in process, he's organized and he's data driven.”
“We were told not to expect a “deal”—just to get in the market and start building equity. But Zach found us a steal.”
Cardiff-by-the-Sea questions
Who is a good real estate agent in Cardiff-by-the-Sea?
Look for an agent who knows Cardiff-by-the-Sea values street by street, has strong reviews, and has a clear plan for pricing or offers. I’m a real estate broker who has personally closed $201 million in home sales across 267 transactions, and I have a 5.0-star rating from 163 Google reviews.
How much is my Cardiff-by-the-Sea home worth?
It depends on recent sales of similar homes near yours. The median home in 92007 sold for $2,792,679 in September 2026, but with so few sales, values vary a lot between condos, beach cottages, and homes above San Elijo Lagoon. Request a free value analysis and I’ll price your home from nearby sold homes.
How long does it take to sell a home in Cardiff-by-the-Sea?
Homes in 92007 sold in a median of 24 days in September 2026. Most sellers spend another two to three weeks getting ready to list, and escrow usually takes about 30 days after an offer is accepted.
Can I build an ADU on my Cardiff-by-the-Sea property?
Many single-family lots in Cardiff can add a detached ADU and a JADU of up to 500 square feet, under City of Encinitas rules, and the city offers free permit-ready plans. The coastal permit, lot slope, and height are the details to check first.
Is Cardiff-by-the-Sea its own city?
No. Cardiff-by-the-Sea is a community within the City of Encinitas, with its own ZIP code, 92007. City of Encinitas rules apply for permits and ADUs.
Can you help me sell my Cardiff-by-the-Sea home and buy my next one?
Yes. I coordinate both sides so your sale and purchase line up, and as a licensed loan originator I can help you understand financing for the next home.
Buying or selling in Cardiff-by-the-Sea?
Start with a value analysis from recent Cardiff-by-the-Sea sales, or call me to talk through your plans.