Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Pamela Horton's South Orange County California Real Estate Update

CALIFORNIA MEDIUM HOME PRICES AND HOME SALES RISE IN MAY

Home prices increased 1.2% in May in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price, the average price of all sales, rose 23%.

Home sales posted their third largest increase on record for May, due in part to first-time home buyers who opened and closed escrows to capitalize on both the federal and state tax credits,

May 2010 also marked the 5th month of double-digit gains in the median price, indicative of strong buyer demand relative to the supply of homes for sale. With a 4.6-month supply of homes for sale, unsold inventory continues to be well below the long-run average of seven months, and will continue to drive price appreciation over the next several months.

THE LAGUNA MARKET: In Laguna Beach May 2010 had 37 closed sales compared to May 2005, the peak year of the market, with 41 closed sales. Inventory at the end of May 2010 was 375 properties for sale compared to May 2005 with only 139 for sale. This dIsparIty in inventory is the reason that prices are not increasing. Until existing inventory lowers there will still be a lot of competition among sellers for a property to be sold.

*CAR & PH - 6/25/10
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COASTAL AREA SALES DATA AND DISTRESS SALES STATISTICS OF 2010 FROM 01/01/10 FOR:

Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, San Clemente

Active Listings = 2628, w/Bank Conditions = 470
In Escrow Listings = 936, w/Bank Conditions = 508
Sold from 01/01/09 = 2110, w/Bank Conditions = 730

*SOCALMLS 06/30/10
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COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR MAY 2009 COMPARED TO MAY 2010:

City - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % of price change:
Balboa Island - 92662 - 3 - $1,750,000 - minus 20%
Capo Beach - 92624 - 5 - $574,000 - 1%
Cororna del Mar - 92625 - 12 - $1,323,000 - 31%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 18- $525,000 - minus 2%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 25 - $465,000 - minus 14%
Dana Point - 92629 - 27 - $715,000 - minus 8%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 38 - $985,000 - minus 6%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 55 - $635,000 - minus 2%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 31 - $1,010,000 - minus 5%
Newport Beach - 92661- 92 - $1,620,000 - 18%
Newport Beach - 92663 - 9 - $1,633,000 - 41%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 19 - $2,550,000 - 40%
San Clemente - 92672 - 23 - $602,000 - 5%
San Clemente - 92673 - 38 - $655,000 - minus 6%

*DQNews/LATimes, 06/30/2010

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ZIP Codes: 92662, 92625, 92626, 92627, 92624, 92629, 92651, 92677, 92657, 92657, 92660, 92661, 92662, 92663, 92672, 92673

Approximate Location Boundaries: Coastal Communities of South Orange County

Location Characteristics: Specializing in the South Orange County California Coastal Cities known as the "California Riviera." The cities are Balboa Island, Corona Del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Newport Coast and San Clemente. From "Castles to Cottages" there is a home here for everyone. Pamela Horton and Amanda Horton look forward to helping you with your real estate needs in this picturesque area!