Tuesday, January 1, 2013

JANUARY 2013 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY REAL ESTATE MARK...



December Sunset and Basketball at Main Beach
Photo by Leah Overstreet
 
CALIFORNIA MEDIAN HOME PRICE HIGHEST YEAR-TO-YEAR INCREASE SINCE JUNE 2004
                                           WITH INTERST RATES HISTORICLY LOW

As the statewide median price continued to register double-digit gains from year-ago levels, strong sales of higher-priced homes led to a year-over-year increase in sales in California during November. This is due to the very low inventory priced under $1 million. The negative impact of a lean housing supply on home sales is becoming more apparent.

Sale Trends: California's median home prices continued to strengthen in November, marking its highest point since August 2008. The significant increase in price is due in part to the change in the mix of sales. Coastal markets, which tend to have high-end properties, accounted for a larger share of total sales which led to stronger price gains overall.

Mortgage Interest Deduction: In the new year it is likely that sales and prices will remain solid. This is dependent upon the strength of the economy and if Congress preserves the valuable mortgage interest deduction that homeowners in California depend on.

Interest Rates: One of the key reasons real estate agents and others often cite for buying a home now is that historically low mortgage rates won't last forever. And they're right. On Thursday, Freddie Mac reported rates at 3.99% for just the second time since 1971. Projected interest rates won't get much higher over the next two years: The forecast predicts that rates will average 4% in 2012 and 4.5% in 2013.

2014 and Beyond: Forecasts then project a steep rise in mortgage rates in 2014 with interest averaging 7.3% from 2015 through 2017 and median home prices increasing 35% over the next six years in Orange County and nearly 53% in California.

DECEMBER 2012 STATISTICS FOR LAGUNA BEACH:
173 active listings
52 in escrow
38 closed sales from 12/01/12 - 12/31/12

38 Sales for December 2012:
12 sales under $1 million
12 sales $1-2 million
8 sales $2-3 million
2 sales $3-4 million
1 sale $4,460,000
1 sale $6,200,000
1 sale $14,025,000 (auction - oceanfront)
1 sale $17,500,000

*CRMLS, DQNews 1/01/13
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COASTAL AREA SALES AND DISTRESS SALE STATISTICS FOR 2012 FROM 01/01/12:
Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, San Clemente

Active Listings = 1028 Distressed = 56
In Escrow Listings = 908 Distressed = 383
Sold from 01/01/12 = 4,891 Distressed = 1,304

*Distress sale amounts are decreasing.
*CRCalMLS 1/01/13
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COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR MOVEMBER 2011 COMPARED TO NOVEMBER 2012:

City - Zip Code - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % of price change:
Balboa Island - 92662 - 3 - $1,930,000 - 40.9%
Capo Beach - 92624 - 6 - $575,000 - 20.0%
Corona del Mar - 92625 - 14 - $2,145,000 - 26.4%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 21 - $515,000 - minus 27.8%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 24 - $660,000 - 50%
Dana Point - 92629 - 29 - $705,000 - 13.3%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 42 - $1,150,000 - 4.5%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 70 - $650,000 - minus 2.6%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 37 - $1,060,000 - minus 4.4%10.1%
Newport Beach - 92661 - 11 - $1,335,000 - minus 6.3%
Newport Beach - 92663- 20 - $1,263,000 - 36.3%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 21 - $2,350,000 - minus 3.19%
San Clemente - 92672 - 32 - $710,000 - 42.9%
San Clemente - 92673 - 29 - $710,000 - 18.3%

*Only 5 zip codes with lower median price year over year. Info DataQuickNews/LATimes/CRMLS 1/01/13
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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!