California News Blog

Real estate experts have seen promising signs for Southern California and Newport Beach real estate.  Over the past few months, the Southern California region has posted increases in both its home sales and median sales prices.  Despite real estate struggles that began in 2007, prior to the economic recession of 2008, which only worsened the situation, Southern California has provided real estate experts with optimistic views of the future.  Many experts believe that the greater affordability of housing in the region, as well as favorable interest rates, the decline of the inventory of foreclosed properties, and the federal tax credit will play major roles in the recovery of the Newport Beach real estate market during the 2010 year.

According to DQNews.com, Southern California has posted significant improvements in the region’s real estate markets with an increase in both the number of houses and condos sold and the median sales price.  In December of 2009, a total of 22,328 new and resale houses and condos were sold in Southern California, a 16.4 percent increase from that of the previous year, and a 12.1 percent from that of the previous year.  December marked the 18^th consecutive month in which Southern maintained a year-over-year gain in terms of home sales.  December also marked the first month with year-over-year gains in the median sales price.  In December, the median sales price for houses and condos in Southern California was $289,00, a 1.4 percent increase from $285,000 in November and a 4 percent increase from $278,000 a year earlier.

The Los Angeles Times has also reported on the recent improvements made to the Southern California real estate market.  The LA Times reported that very favorable interest rates and more affordable housing played a major role in the recent increases in real estate activity and median sales prices.  The rebounding home prices is expected to lead the recovery of the housing market as construction and development projects are also increased to satisfy the increasing demand for housing in the Southern California region.  Real estate experts also believe that the federal tax credit will spur real estate activity as the deadline approaches in the spring.