The Condo Market is Active in Long Beach - Strong Minority of Recent Sales

April Stats for early 2025 SFR/Condo Sales 

 

Usually the buyer's first choice is buying a single family residence (SFR) if the local market, or a nearby market, has a desired property in the buyer's affordability range. And the active listings usually show more houses on the market than condominium style properties. However, the recent MLS sales in Long Beach within the last 90 days (Feb - April 2025) show that out of a total of 482 closings, 195 (including 8 own-your-owns) were condominium style listings, while 287 were single family residences.  This means is about 40% of sales were condos!

In 2024, there were almost the same number of total sales in the same time period at 481, but fewer condo/OYO sales of 170, or about 35%.

The recent average price for a condominium was $555,531, while the average price for a single family home was $1,137,589.  The table at the right is taken from the stats provided by CRMLS,: interestingly, the average days on market for a condo has been longer at 54 days, while for a SFR it was 35 days on market.

Affordability is a factor, yet those who can afford the higher price of a single family home do spend less time on the market.  For both types of properties, loan approval and insurance can be issues. For condominiums in particular, an HOA needs to meet the lender's reserve requirements (enough money in the bank for future maintenance and repairs), owner-occupancy ratios, absence of HOA litigation, and the overall condition of the property. Many buyers are well qualified for FHA loans, but many HOAs have not gone through the required FHA process which will allow such loans. 

For single family homes, depending on the type of loan a borrower is getting, there may be a few lender repair demands such as peeling paint, mold issues, certain repair requirements in order to close escrow. 

In both type of properties, insurance companies are looking at age and condition of roofing.

Please see a prior post about more  specifics on maintenance for insurance requirements https://longbeachrealestate.blogspot.com/2025/03/how-to-obtain-insurance-for-investment.html

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