Every 2 weeks I do a general overview of the OC real estate market - if you'd like more specific details about the cities I discuss (or any other), please let me know!
- •The active listing inventory decreased by 55 homes in the past two-weeks, down 2%, and now totals 2,438, its lowest level since tracking began in 2004. In January, there were 6% fewer homes that came on the market compared to the prior 5-year average, 169 less. Last year, there were 4,030 homes on the market, 1,592 additional homes, or 65% more.
•Demand, the number of pending sales over the prior month, surged by 273 pending sales in the past two-weeks, up 11%, and now totals 2,863, its strongest mid-February reading since 2013. The record low mortgage rate environment is fueling today’s exceptional demand. Last year, there were 2,479 pending sales, 13% fewer than today.
•The Expected Market Time, the number of days to sell all Orange County listings at the current buying pace, decreased from 29 days to 26, an extremely Hot Seller’s Market (less than 60 days) and the strongest reading since tracking began in 2004. It was at 49 days last year, slower than today.
•For homes priced below $750,000, the market is a Hot Seller’s Market (less than 60 days) with an Expected Market Time of 19 days. This range represents 32% of the active inventory and 43% of demand.
•For homes priced between $750,000 and $1 million, the Expected Market Time is 16 days, a Hot Seller’s Market. This range represents 16% of the active inventory and 26% of demand.
•For homes priced between $1 million to $1.25 million, the Expected Market Time is 25 days, a Hot Seller’s Market.
•For homes priced between $1.25 million to $1.5 million, the Expected Market Time is 20 days, a Hot Seller’s Market.
•For luxury homes priced between $1.5 million and $2 million, the Expected Market Time decreased from 48 to 39 days. For homes priced between $2 million and $4 million, the Expected Market Time decreased from 66 to 60 days. For homes priced above $4 million, the Expected Market Time decreased from 166 to 147 days.
•The luxury end, all homes above $1.5 million, accounts for 37% of the inventory and only 14% of demand.
•Distressed homes, both short sales and foreclosures combined, made up only 0.2% of all listings and 0.2% of demand. There are only 4 foreclosures and 2 short sales available to purchase today in all of Orange County, 6 total distressed homes on the active market, up 2 from two-weeks ago. Last year there were 34 total distressed homes on the market, more than today.
•There were 2,250 closed residential resales in January, 24% more than January 2020’s 1,817 closed sales. January marked a 27% drop over to December 2020. The sales to list price ratio was 99.0% for all of Orange County. Foreclosures accounted for just 0.04% of all closed sales, and short sales accounted for 0.13%. That means that 99.82% of all sales were good ol’ fashioned sellers with equity.
As every single transaction is different, as are individual borrowers needs and goals, there is no hard and fast rule on this topic. A good Realtor and mortgage finance specialist can help you determine whether or not this is the right choice for you!
If you'd like details on another city, please contact me!
Important: the highlights are for the market as a whole - but no one buys or sells into the market as a whole. Carefully see the detailed charts for information on your price range and location - these market niches all have their own specific characteristics.
For more information on the systems that I use and the extremely effective strategies I employ for both home buyers and sellers, please contact me. Phone: 949.413.2371 Email: Michael@HausamGroup.com
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