How Much Froth in the Housing Market is There?

Mortgage interest rates have been volatile, going up and down on a daily basis--today's rate (August 17) is at 5.22% per https://thefinancials.com for a 30-year mortgage, but recently it was up past 6%.  This has been affecting buyer behavior a lot for the purchase market, and has been slowing the sales volume for sellers.  However, while market time is longer than it was in the crazy pandemic purchase market, it is still not a buyer's market, just a somewhat longer selling time for sellers. 

Credit: Steven Thomas--Housing Reports

Price reductions in Los Angeles County equals 35% of market listings as of last week; Orange County reductions at 39% of market listings last week, and so on for Southern California counties. 

What counts right now for sellers is really taking stock of how you as a seller compare to your nearby home sales in terms of curb appeal, views, upgrades, remodels, and showing condition, on a more specific level than has been happening since before the pandemic price surge.  There are more listings on the market, but still not at the "normal" 6 month inventory level, and in fact, the Long Beach inventory level for July single family homes and condominiums was still only 1.9 months! On a national basis, it's more like 3 months--so in spite of the media attention given to some kind of housing debacle, there is in fact still a demand for inventory.  Increased interest rates have definitely affected buyers--the super low rates are not around, and the higher rates have pushed up monthly mortgage costs that many people cannot absorb.

 For a more complete weekly analysis of the Southern California real estate market, visit Orange County economist Steven Thomas at his weekly show.

Local market update for average single family home prices in July by zip code: 

Long Beach

90803 - $1,665,375

90815 - $1,008,650

90808 - $1,093,065

90806 - $728,800

Lakewood 

90712 - $817,938 

90713 - $855,535 

Signal Hill

$1,170,000 

Cerritos

$1,022,733

If you are thinking of selling, or would just like to know the market pricing for your home in the next 30-60 days, please contact me, I will be happy to assist you in person or online.  

 

Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | http://www.juliahuntsman.com | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996