Meet Nico Vargas | Your Watsonville Real Estate Agent

Nico Vargas

Primary phone
(831) 227-6901
License Number
#01983874
Email
[email protected]
Address
124 Rancho Del Mar,
Aptos, CA 95003

Get To Know Me

Nico Vargas is a Santa Cruz County REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Realty, licensed since 2015 and serving buyers and sellers throughout Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Capitola, Aptos, Scotts Valley, Soquel, Royal Oaks, Prunedale, and Aromas. Since beginning his real estate career, he has closed 44 residential transactions totaling more than $29 million in combined sales volume.

Over a recent 12-month period, Nico ranked #1 in Watsonville by total transaction sides and in the top 3% of Santa Cruz County real estate agents by closed transaction sides, according to MLS Listings Inc. residential production data. He also ranked in the top 10% countywide by closed sales volume. During that period, he closed 13 sides totaling more than $9 million in volume.

In 2025 alone, Nico closed 15 residential transactions totaling more than $11 million in sales volume, reflecting consistent production and a strong presence in the local market.

Nico previously served as Sales Manager and top-performing agent at Hillcrest Residences, where he specialized in new construction sales, builder negotiations, pricing strategy, and contract structuring. His experience also includes guiding clients through complex transactions, including the successful assumption of a 3.25% FHA mortgage, a strategy many agents never execute during their careers.

As a Santa Cruz County real estate agent, Nico works with both buyers and sellers and brings a calm, strategic approach to each side of the transaction. For buyers, that means understanding the market, writing competitive offers, and making confident decisions. For sellers, it means thoughtful preparation, data-informed pricing, and clear communication from listing through closing.

Nico maintains eight 5-star reviews on Zillow and seven 5-star reviews on Google, reflecting consistent client satisfaction and trusted representation. Zillow publicly reflects 42 of his closed transactions.

A Santa Cruz County local, Nico combines market knowledge, negotiation experience, and strong community ties to help clients navigate one of California’s most competitive coastal real estate markets.

Outside of real estate, he loves spending time with his wife and two sons. Being a dad is a huge part of his life and one of his biggest motivators. When he’s not with clients or out on a showing, you can usually find him cooking for friends and family, playing golf, or catching up on a good show after the kids are asleep.

What You Can Expect

Clear, honest communication at every step
Local insight and experience you can rely on
A plan tailored to your goals, timeline, and comfort level
A trusted network of inspectors, stagers, painters, handymen, landscapers, cleaners, and other reliable professionals who are ready to move quickly to support our timeline

If you're considering buying or selling, whether here in Santa Cruz County or anywhere in the world, feel free to reach out. Even if it’s outside our area, I have a strong network of agents and would be happy to help.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Nico expertly guided us through a challenging first-time home-buying market over the last nearly 3 years. With so many changes and uncertainty in our lives, he stuck with us, viewing many homes, discussing at length what we wanted and needed, and helping us purchase our first home! We are so thankful for his support during the many open houses and back and forth with listings from the South Bay to Santa ...

— Tyler J.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

We were looking for a rental property for a 1031 exchange. Nico was very professional, patient, and helpful. He understood what we were looking for and the short time frame we had to find a property and then close on it. Due to the crazy housing market and our initial decision to look in two different locations about 100 miles apart, he provided lots of information from local realtors, checked with city ...

— Julio H.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Talk about patience, gusto, and pertinacity. For an entire year, Nico helped me search for the perfect home for my daughter and me. He not only answered all of my many questions and concerns throughout our year-long house hunting journey, but he also really listened to what it was I was looking for and what things were really important to us in a home. I never felt rushed or pressured to settle for just ...

— Lo V.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Nico was incredible to work with! It can be extremely stressful buying your first home, but Nico was patient in answering all of our questions and constantly checked in with us. He’s professional and responsive, and the process was smooth from start to finish. Nico made it happen, and we were able to close in less than 30 days! I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to buy or sell.

— Debbie G.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Nico helped our family purchase our first home. Nico took the time to explain the home-buying process and every document. Whenever I had a question, he responded promptly. Nico is professional and knowledgeable. I would give him 10 gold stars, but they only allowed 5!

— Tracey A.

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY

Nico Vargas made our dreams possible by helping our family become first-time home buyers. He guided us every step of the way. Nico is professional, reliable, and deserves the realtor of the year award!

— Buyer

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