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About Mario

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MEET MARIO DESANTIS

If you’re looking to buy, sell, invest, upsize, downsize, or relocate in Santa Cruz County, Mario Desantis is here to guide you every step of the way. As the founder and team lead of Desantis Realty Group, Mario brings hands-on leadership, local expertise, and a relationship-first approach to every client experience.
 
Known for strategic negotiation, clear communication, and deep market knowledge, Mario ensures his clients feel confident, informed, and supported from the first conversation to the final closing.
 

AN AWARD-WINNING LEADER IN SANTA CRUZ REAL ESTATE

Born and raised in Altamura, Puglia, in southern Italy, Mario moved to Santa Cruz after falling in love with the coastline, redwoods, and tight-knit community. His passion for real estate began with the purchase of his first home and quickly grew into a career focused on helping others build long-term security through property ownership.
 
Since founding Desantis Realty Group, Mario has helped more than 200 families and closed over $175 million in total sales volume. His work has earned numerous production awards, including Rookie of the Year and multiple appearances on Tom Ferry’s “Under 30” lists — recognition that reflects his discipline, consistency, and client-first mindset.
 

A TRUSTED ADVOCATE FOR BUYERS

Mario speaks English, Spanish, and Italian and works with buyers across all price points. He is known for personally guiding clients through each phase of the transaction, providing honest advice, local insight, and strategic clarity — especially for first-time buyers, relocations, and international clients unfamiliar with the Santa Cruz market.
 
As a long-time Santa Cruz resident, Mario understands neighborhood nuances, lifestyle considerations, and long-term value drivers. Through Desantis Realty Group, clients also gain access to a trusted network of lenders, accountants, inspectors, and consultants — ensuring a seamless and informed buying experience.
 

A MARKETING-DRIVEN STRATEGIST FOR SELLERS

As founder of Desantis Realty Group, Mario leads a modern, high-impact marketing approach designed to maximize exposure and drive strong results. Every listing receives a custom strategy that combines professional photography, cinematic video, digital campaigns, social media distribution, and targeted print marketing.
 
Mario personally oversees pricing strategy, preparation guidance, and negotiation — advocating fiercely for his clients to secure top value and a smooth closing. His attention to detail and proactive communication are what consistently set his listings apart.
 

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY & FAMILY

Mario is deeply connected to the Santa Cruz community. He is a parishioner at Twin Lakes Church, an active member of a local soccer league, and a strong supporter of local businesses and families. He and his wife, Morgan, enjoy cooking, hiking, and spending time with their three young boys, Luca, Nico, and Enzo.

 

Having traveled extensively, Mario believes there is truly no place like home — and helping others find theirs is at the heart of everything he does.

 

If you’re ready to begin your next real estate chapter, Mario Desantis and the Desantis Realty Group team are ready to help. Ciao!

Mario Desantis

Sales Associate
LICENSE NUMBER
02119587
ADDRESS
824 Mission St Ste B, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Testimonials

Buyer

Buyer

Mario is amazing! He was super patient with us and available whenever we wanted to see properties in the area. When it came time to make an offer, he had our back the entire time. As first time home buyers, it is a very nerve-r...
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Seller

Seller

A friend of mine recommended Mario DeSanti when I started looking for a realtor in the Santa Cruz area. I’m so glad that he did. Mario and the Room Team did a fantastic job. Mario personally handled our communication and was al...
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Melissa P.

Melissa P.

We had the incredible fortune of stumbling across Mario while habitually attending open houses in the Boulder Creek area of Santa Cruz County about six months before we finally purchased our home. Initially, we were working wit...
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Farhad S.

Farhad S.

Mario is a perfect example of what you want to see and hope to see in an agent. He helped us with our listing twice and patiently worked through the process with us. He took care of everything specially that our house was a ren...
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Sirrya N.

Sirrya N.

Could not have asked for a better experience. Mario is a hustler and met our needs before we could even identify them. He negotiated masterfully with the selling agent and got us into our perfect home within 2 weeks of meeting ...
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Forbes W.

Forbes W.

Mario was a really great guy to work with in our home search. His extensive knowledge of the area and commitment to his client was fantastic, couldn’t ask for a better agent to work with.
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Buyer

Buyer

Mario is the best! We sold our old home and bought a new one simultaneously and we could not have survived the process without his amazing guidance and positivity. He works tirelessly and is always available for any questions, ...
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Buyer

Buyer

Mario is a joy to work with! If you're looking for someone reliable, extremely responsive, attentive, and super easy to work with, Mario is your guy. He has a great positive attitude and his passion for helping people shines th...
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Ryan M.

Ryan M.

Mario is one of those agents that you stick with for life. He’s outgoing, trustworthy, and makes you feel comfortable throughout the home buying process! I can’t thank him enough for being so open and keeping our priorities in ...
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Chezanne

Chezanne

Mario helped my husband and I sell our home last year. It was actually a difficult time of year to sell, but he was so dedicated, and his determination got us through! He was always going above and beyond, doing everything poss...
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Collaborative Solutions Designed Around You

With a deep understanding of the Santa Cruz market and a commitment to personalized service, I provide a collaborative approach designed to empower buyers and sellers alike. From the initial consultation to closing day, every step is a shared journey towards success.

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