Monday, April 27, 2009

MAY 2009 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY CA COASTAL REAL ESTATE

"AN OPTIMIST WILL TELL YOU THE GLASS IS HALF FULL; THE PESSIMIST, HALF EMPTY; AND THE ANALYST WILL TELL YOU THE GLASS IS TWICE THE SIZE IT NEEDS TO BE." Anonymous

Indeed - Last week certainly contained news that could cause you to view the economy in an optimistic or pessimistic light.

HOUSING: Existing Home Sales came in slightly below market estimates - and while the report showed that Existing Home inventory in March fell by a modest 1.6%, at the current sales pace it would take an estimated 9.8 months to sell that inventory of properties, slightly longer than February's 9.7 month reading.

NEW HOME SALES: Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes rose five points in April to the highest level since October 2008. It was the largest one-month increase recorded since May of 2003.

FORECLOSURE FILINGS: Increased 9% in the first quarter of 2009. default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions. One in every 159 U.S. housing units received a foreclosure filing during this quarter a 46% increase compared with March 2008.

WHAT'S NEXT: The path back to economic recovery will go through housing, so these reports will be important to watch in the months ahead.

*04/27/09 Sandstone Financial, CAR

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL AREA SALES DATA AND DISTRESS SALES STATISTICS OF 2009 FROM 01/01/09 FOR:
Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, San Clemente

Active Listings = 2,768, w/Bank Conditions = 424
In Escrow Listings = 715, w/Bank Conditions = 367
Sold from 01/01/09 = 861, w/Bank Conditions = 354

*In Escrow Status Up 256 Units over April. SOCALMLS 04/30/09

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR MARCH 2008 COMPARED TO MARCH 2009:

City - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % change from 2008:
Balboa Island - 92662 - 10 - $1,700,000 - minus 44.5%
Capo Beach - 92624 - 9 - $482,000 - minus 84%
Corona del Mar - 92625 - 5- $2,905,000 - 33%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 29- $498,000 - minus 6.3%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 23 - $420,000 - minus 32.8%
Dana Point - 92629 - 10 - $575,000 - minus 24.9%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 14 - $1,143,000 - minus 30.8%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 36 - $711,000 - minus 24%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 11 - $850,000 - minus 29%
Newport Beach - 92661- 3 - $1,327,000 - minus 16%
Newport Beach - 92663 - 6 - $1,520,000 - minus 60%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 5 - $2,784,000 - minus 18.3%
San Clemente - 92672 - 16 - $631,000 - minus 23.5%
San Clemente - 92673 - 18 - $750,000 - minus 5.9%

**Percentage change is compared to the same month of the prior year.
*DQNews/LATimes, 04/30/09

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 her partner Amanda Horton look forward to helping you with your real estate needs in this picturesque area!
949.633.6667 - Pamela@PamelaHorton.com - www.PamelaHorton.com

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

APRIL 2009 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY, CA COASTAL REAL ESTATE

"IT REQUIRES A GREAT DEAL OF BOLDNESS AND A GREAT DEAL OF CAUTION TO MAKE A GREAT FORTUNE." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Last week's headlines contained a mix of items to inspire both boldness and caution.

And...there's room for cautious optimism on the economy, as good news was noted on several fronts last week. The housing market received good news when Existing Home Sales came in stronger than expected.


Sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose 5.1% in February, the largest gain since July 2003. About 45% of these sales were foreclosure or short-sale transactions. With the peak of the market having been April 2007, it is also noted that home prices are now at 2003 levels.

Additionally, Durable Goods Orders for February came in better than expected, showing the first increase in six months, and the Core Personal Consumption Expenditure Index (Core PCE) showed inflation is presently at tolerable levels. Plus, the US Dollar received a boost when China said it will continue to purchase US Treasuries.

*03/30/09 Sandstone Financial, Prospect Mortgage, CAR
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


COASTAL AREA SALES DATA AND DISTRESS SALES STATISTICS OF 2009 FOR:

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

Active Listings = 2,758, w/Bank Conditions = 449
In Escrow Listings = 579, w/Bank Conditions = 234
Sold from 01/01/09 = 588, w/Bank Conditions = 249

*MLS 03/31/09
------------------------------------------------------------------------


COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR FEBRUARY 2008 COMPARED TO FEBRUARY 2009:

City - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % change from 2008:
Balboa Island - 92662 - 0 - N/A - N/A
Capo Beach - 92624 - 2 - $603,000 - minus 65%
Corona del Mar - 92625 - 7- $2,100,000 - minus 12%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 13- $500,000 - minus 10%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 20 - $600,000 - 5%
Dana Point - 92629 - 8 - $745,000 - minus 1%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 5 - $1,275,000 - minus 41%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 33 - $673,000 - minus 14%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 10 - $850,000 - minus 39%
Newport Beach - 92661- 3 - $1,200,000 - minus 52%
Newport Beach - 92663 - 5 - $800,000 - minus 60%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 9 - $1,400,000 - minus 23%
San Clemente - 92672 - 15 - $725,000 - minus 60%
San Clemente - 92673 - 18 - $763,000 - minus 4%

**Percentage change is compared to the same month of the prior year.

*DQNews/LATimes, 03/31/09

Saturday, February 28, 2009

MARCH 2009 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY, CA COASTAL REAL ESTATE

STATE HOME SALES DOUBLE AS PRICES FALL

Sales of existing, single-family homes soared 100.8% in January in California, and the median price declined 40.5%. Just look at the statistics for the area home sales below, as most areas have had minus increases for a least 2 years.

STATE TAX CREDIT: Beginning March 1, 2009, home buyers who purchase a new, unoccupied home could receive a $10,000 state tax credit. The credit is available to anyone who closes escrow by March 1, 2010 and agrees to occupy the home for at least two years.

THE ECONOMY: The Commerce Dept. on 2/27/09 reported that the economy shrank at a pace of 6.2% in the fourth quarter of 2008, the country's worst performance since 1982.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

SELLERS: Try not to let your desire to sell be clouded by what you paid or how much money you've put into your property. Price according to comparable sales in your area, and you should be on your way in a reasonable amount of time. If you want to start at a somewhat higher price that's ok, just be willing to reduce your list price, if necessary. Remember: Market Value is determined by the price you and the buyer agree upon. Your professional Realtor's evaluation is an estimate of future market value.

BUYERS: I have been advising this for quite a while now...this is your market! Take advantage of reduced prices. Don't insult a seller, be reasonable but expect to get a great deal. Investor buyers...this is your market, too!

*DataQuik & CAR, 02/28/09

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL AREA SALES DATA AND DISTRESS SALES STATISTICS OF 2009 FOR:
Balboa Island, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, San Clemente


Active Listings = 2,693, w/Bank Conditions = 478
In Escrow Listings = 499, w/Bank Conditions = 276
Sold from 01/01/09 = 360, w/Bank Conditions = 160

*MLS 02/28/09

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR JANUARY 2008 COMPARED TO JANUARY 2009:

City - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % change from 2008:
Balboa Island - 92662 - $2,285,000 - minus 33.3%
Capo Beach - 92624 - 3 - $899,000 - 24.6%
Corona del Mar - 92625 - 9- $2,125,000 - minus 28.0%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 16- $543,000 - minus 8.8%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 21 - $428,000 - minus 18.0%
Dana Point - 92629 - 8 - $727,000 - 10.7%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 11 - $825,000 - minus 50.7%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 24 - $691,000 - minus 7.3%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 9 - $1,528,000 - minus 14.6%
Newport Beach - 92661- 1 - $7,500,000 - 341.2%
Newport Beach - 92663 - 2 - $1,813,000 - minus 11.6%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 9 - $1,865,000 - minus 35.2%
San Clemente - 92672 - 10 - $561,000 - minus 53.3%
San Clemente - 92673 - 16 - $649,000 - minus 31.3%

*DQNews/LATimes, 02/28/09
**% change is compared to the same month of the prior year.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

FEBRUARY 2009 SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY CA COASTAL REAL ESTATE

SOUTHLAND HOME SALES PICKING UP WITH A CHANGE SEEN IN THE COASTAL REAL ESTATE MARKET

CORE TREND: The core trends of Southern California's 2008 housing market were on prominent display in December: Low-cost inland foreclosures sold briskly, builders had their worst month in decades, expensive markets remained in wait-and-see mode and lenders continued to hold back on making 'jumbo' home loans.

HOME SALES: Outpaced last year for the fifth consecutive month in November, when 55% of buyers in the resale market chose repossessed homes. The abundance of discounted foreclosures helped push the median sale price down a record 35% from a year ago.

LENDERS: The most active lenders to Southland home buyers right now are Countrywide, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.

FICO SCORES: So this is how FICO scores are weighted by lendrs for loan qualification purposes...
35% by Payment History
30% by Balances Owed
15% by Length of Credit History
10% by New Credit
10% by Types of Credit in Use

How calculated FICO scores effect loan rates:
720 - 850 Excellent, A-paper credit, the "good-guy" rates available;
680 - 719 Good, not much of a compromise on rates;
620 - 679 OK or Fair, clearly in range for FHA consideration;
580 - 619 Low, bottom of the range for FHA consideration, "alternate credit" comes heavily into play;
500 - 579 Poor, truly nothing can be done without credit rehabilitation.

*DataQuik 01/27/09, NLB Financial 01/27/09
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL AREA SALES DATA AND DISTRESS SALES STATISTICS AS OF 01/31/09 FOR:
Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, San Clemente

Active Listings = 2,185, w/Bank Conditions = 477
In Escrow Listings = 385, w/Bank Conditions = 235
Sold from 01/01/08 = 3,061, w/Bank Conditions = 1,172

*MLS 01/31/09

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR DECEMBER 2007 COMPARED TO DECEMBER 2008:
% Change is from the same month last year.

City - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % change from 2007:

Balboa Island - 92662 - 0 - N/A - N/A
Capo Beach - 92624 - 3 - $840,000 minus 25.3%
Corona del Mar - 92625 - 8- $2,240,000 - minus 27.4%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 22- $473,000 - minus 16.4%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 32 - $433,000 - minus 20.6%
Dana Point - 92629 - 18 - $920,000 - minus 23.3%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 23 - $1,275,000 - minus 14.4%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 34 - $700,000 - minus 3.4%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 9 - $1,528,000 - minus 58.9%
Newport Beach - 92661- 3 - $910,000 - minus 68.3%
Newport Beach - 92663 - 5 - $1,608,000 - minus 6.4%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 8 - $3,600,000 - minus 10.6%
San Clemente - 92672 - 18 - $653,000 - minus 8.7%
San Clemente - 92673 - 26 - $769,000 - minus 21.4%

*DQNews/LATimes, 01/29/09
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Approximate Location Boundaries: Coastal Communities of South Orange County

Location Characteristics: Commonly called the "California Riviera" for its beautiful beaches and mild climate!

ZIP Codes: 92662, 92625.92626, 92627, 92624, 92629, 92651, 92677, 92657, 92657, 92660, 92661, 92662, 92663, 92672, 92673

Sunday, December 28, 2008

SOUTHLAND HOME SALES EASE, STILL BEATING '07

THE MARKET: SoCal home sales outpaced last year for the fifth consecutive month in November, when 55% of buyers in the resale market chose repossessed homes. The abundance of discounted foreclosures helped push the median sale price down a record 35% from a year ago.

MORTGAGE DEFAULTS: The number of mortgage default notices filed against CA homeowners fell last quarter for the first time in three years as a change in the state's formal foreclosure process took effect. If that change hadn't kicked in during early September, indications are that third-quarter default filings would have been about the same as the record number filed in this year's second quarter.

THE FUTURE: A lot of the market's distress is working its way through the system and the spectacular jumps in activity may be behind us.

IRS TO SUBORDINATE FEDERAL TAX LIENS:The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) last week announced it is "subordinating" federal tax liens and allowing primary mortgage holders to take precedence when a mortgage is refinanced or the home is sold. The new IRS program allows homeowners to refinance or sell a home without first having to pay any federal tax liens. However, the IRS is not forgiving the debt and homeowners must pay any back taxes owed.

*Sources MLS 12/28/08, CAR 11/26/08

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL AREAS SALES DATA AND DISTRESS SALES STATISTICS AS OF 12/29/08 FOR:
Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, San Clemente

Active Listings = 2,119, w/Bank Conditions = 511
In Escrow Listings = 386, w/Bank Conditions = 247
Sold from 01/01/08 = 2,851, w/Bank Conditions = 1,067

*MLS 11/28/08

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COASTAL ZIP CODES BY MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR NOVEMBER 2007 COMPARED TO NOVEMBER 2008:

% Change is from the same month last year.

City - # Sold - Median Sale Price - % change from 2007:

Balboa Island - 92662 - 1 - $1,760,000 - N/A
Capo Beach - 92624 - 2 - $543,000 minus 82.5%
Corona del Mar - 92625 - 9- $3,000,000 - 40.4%
Costa Mesa - 92626 - 24- $449,000 - minus 27.3%
Costa Mesa - 92627 - 15 - $570,000 - minus 28.3%
Dana Point - 92629 - 9 - $800,000 - minus 24.3%
Laguna Beach - 92651 - 11 - $1,266,000 - minus 29.7%
Laguna Niguel - 92677 - 22 - $718,000 - minus 13.4%
Newport Beach - 92660 - 8 - $1,225,000 - minus 25.8%
Newport Beach - 92661- 2 - $2,350,000 - minus 28.1%
Newport Beach - 92663 - 3 - $2,175,000 - minus 16.3%
Newport Coast - 92657 - 1 - $2,350,000 - minus 18.9%
San Clemente - 92672 - 10 - $650,000 - 26.8%
San Clemente - 92673 - 15 - $653,000 - minus 25.9%

*Sales information provided by DQNews/LATimes, 11/29/08

Approximate Location Boundaries: Coastal Communities of South Orange County
Location Characteristics: Commonly called the "California Riviera" for its beautiful beaches and mild climate.