C.A.R. reports sales increased 17.5 percent; median home price fell 37.7 percent in June
LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2008 (RealEstateRama) – Home sales increased 17.5 percent in June in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home fell 37.7 percent, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today.
“Statewide home sales remained above the 400,000 level for the second month in a row, and up nearly 18 percent from a year ago,” said C.A.R. President William E. Brown. “Following a 30-month string of year-to-year percentage decreases that began in October 2005, sales last month also posted their third consecutive year-to-year gain.
“Sales were driven in part by large shares of deeply discounted distressed sales in many parts of the state,” he said. “With lower prices and favorable interest rates, affordability also has improved significantly in recent months, paving the way for many buyers to purchase their first home.”
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 420,550 in June at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations statewide. Statewide home resale activity increased 17.5 percent from the revised 357,890 sales pace recorded in June 2007.
The statewide sales figure represents what the total number of homes sold during 2008 would be if sales maintained the June pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.
The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during June 2008 was $368,250, a 37.7 percent decrease from the revised $591,280 median for June 2007, C.A.R. reported. The June 2008 median price fell 4.3 percent compared with May’s $384,840 median price.
“The significant declines in the median price over the past several months are largely due to a dramatic shift in the sales mix since the onset of the credit crunch and the increase in the share of distressed sales,” said C.A.R. Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young. “A year ago, the under $500,000 price range accounted for 40 percent of sales, the middle segment made up about 45 percent, and the over $1 million segment captured 15 percent of the market. As of June 2008, the shares had shifted to 67 percent, 24 percent, and 9 percent, respectively.”
Highlights of C.A.R.’s resale housing figures for June 2008:
. C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes in June 2008 was 7.7 months, compared with 10.2 months (revised) for the same period a year ago. The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.
. Thirty-year fixed-mortgage interest rates averaged 6.32 percent during June 2008, compared with 6.66 percent in June 2007, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable-mortgage interest rates averaged 5.15 percent in June 2008, compared with 5.68 percent in June 2007.
. The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home was 49.1 days in June 2008, compared with 51.5 days (revised) for the same period a year ago.
Regional MLS sales and price information are contained in the tables that accompany this press release. Regional sales data are not adjusted to account for seasonal factors that can influence home sales. The MLS median price and sales data for detached homes are generated from a survey of more than 90 associations of REALTORS® throughout the state. MLS median price and sales data for condominiums are based on a survey of more than 60 associations. The median price for both detached homes and condominiums represents closed escrow sales.
In a separate report covering more localized statistics generated by C.A.R. and DataQuick Information Systems, 2.9 percent, or 11 out of 385 cities and communities, showed an increase in their respective median home prices from a year ago. DataQuick statistics are based on county records data rather than MLS information. DataQuick Information Systems is a subsidiary of Vancouver-based MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates. (The top 10 lists are generated for incorporated cities with a minimum of 30 recorded sales in the month.)
Note: Large changes in local median home prices typically indicate both local home price appreciation, and often, large shifts in the composition of housing market activity. Some of the variations in median home prices for June may be exaggerated due to compositional changes in housing demand. The DataQuick tables listing median home prices in California cities and counties are accessible through C.A.R. Online at http://new.car.org/economics/historicalprices/2008medianprices/june2008medianprices/.
. Statewide, the 10 cities with the highest median home prices in California during June 2008 were: Manhattan Beach, $1,942,500; Los Altos, $1,595,000; Burlingame, $1,575,000; Newport Beach, $1,325,000; Mill Valley, $1,150,000; Los Gatos, $1,143,000; Cupertino, $1,072,500; San Carlos, $1,022,500; Danville, $965,000; Santa Barbara, $950,000.
. Statewide, the 10 cities with the greatest median home price increases in June 2008 compared with the same period a year ago were: Manhattan Beach, 49.4 percent; Cupertino, 33.3 percent; San Luis Obispo, 11.4 percent; Los Gatos, 3 percent; San Carlos, 1.5 percent; Sunnyvale, 1.4 percent; Ridgecrest, 1.4 percent; Campbell, 1.3 percent; Temple City, 0.9 percent; San Rafael, 0.8 percent.
Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with nearly 175,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.
June 2008 Regional Sales and Price Activity*
Regional and Condo Sales Data Not Seasonally Adjusted
|
|
Median Price | Percent Change in Price from Prior Month | Percent Change in Price from Prior Year | Percent Change in Sales from Prior Month | Percent Change in Sales from Prior Year | ||
| Jun-08 | May-08 | Jun-07 | May-08 | Jun-07 | |||
| Statewide | |||||||
| Calif. (sf) | $368,250 | -4.3% | -37.7% | -0.7% | 17.5% | ||
| Calif. (condo) | $343,500 | -4.0% | -23.4% | -0.6% | -20.8% | ||
| C.A.R. Region | |||||||
| Central Valley | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | ||
| High Desert | $180,570 | -10.0% | -41.0% | 4.9% | 71.0% | ||
| Los Angeles | $396,560 | -6.1% | -32.3% | -8.3% | 1.7% | ||
| Monterey Region | $450,000 | 1.2% | -39.7% | 28.8% | 39.7% | ||
| Monterey County | $359,900 | 0.5% | -49.9% | 32.8% | 103.9% | ||
| Santa Cruz County | $610,000 | -1.2% | -19.8% | 22.4% | -8.9% | ||
| Northern California | $341,400 | 1.0% | -13.0% | 12.1% | -1.4% | ||
| Northern Wine Country | $415,820 | -6.0% | -34.5% | 8.0% | 7.1% | ||
| Orange County | $560,900 | 7.1% | -22.5% | -4.1% | 18.1% | ||
| Palm Springs/Lower Desert | $277,970 | -1.9% | -29.4% | -4.0% | 19.0% | ||
| Riverside/San Bernardino | $261,980 | 1.7% | -32.5% | 4.8% | 75.4% | ||
| Sacramento | $220,630 | -5.4% | -37.3% | 14.1% | 95.5% | ||
| San Diego | NA | NA | NA | 6.9% | -20.1% | ||
| San Francisco Bay | $676,740 | -1.5% | -19.8% | 3.8% | -4.7% | ||
| San Luis Obispo | $487,500 | 10.2% | -22.0% | -3.8% | -16.3% | ||
| Santa Barbara County | $364,280 | -8.9% | -54.8% | 1.8% | 6.8% | ||
| Santa Barbara South Coast | $1,035,000 | -13.7% | -24.5% | -4.2% | -25.8% | ||
| North Santa Barbara County | $290,620 | -2.4% | -31.1% | 4.0% | 50.7% | ||
| Santa Clara | $740,000 | -3.9% | -14.5% | 6.4% | -6.8% | ||
| Ventura | $480,430 | -1.5% | -30.6% | 6.3% | -15.7% | ||
na – not available
*Based on closed escrow sales of single‑family, detached homes only (no condos). Reported month‑to‑month changes in sales activity in June overstate actual changes because of the small size of individual regional samples. Movements in sales prices should not be interpreted as measuring changes in the cost of a standard home. Prices are influenced by changes in cost and changes in the characteristics and size of homes actually sold.
sf = single‑family, detached home
Source: CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
Median Prices By Region – Current Month vs. Year Ago
| Jun-08 | May-08 | Jun-07 | |||
| Statewide | |||||
| Calif. (sf) | $368,250 | $384,840 | $591,280 | r | |
| Calif. (condo) | $343,500 | $357,970 | $448,550 | r | |
| C.A.R. Region | |||||
| Central Valley | NA | NA | $329,960 | ||
| High Desert | $180,570 | $200,740 | $306,310 | ||
| Los Angeles | $396,560 | $422,160 | $586,020 | r | |
| Monterey Region | $450,000 | $444,740 | $746,390 | r | |
| Monterey County | $359,900 | $358,000 | $719,000 | r | |
| Santa Cruz County | $610,000 | $617,500 | $761,000 | r | |
| Northern California | $341,400 | $337,870 | $392,360 | ||
| Northern Wine Country | $415,820 | $442,270 | $634,480 | ||
| Orange County | $560,900 | $523,890 | $723,860 | ||
| Palm Springs/Lower Desert | $277,970 | $283,480 | $393,750 | ||
| Riverside/San Bernardino | $261,980 | $257,660 | $388,290 | r | |
| Sacramento | $220,630 | $233,230 | $351,620 | ||
| San Diego | NA | $446,610 | $619,180 | ||
| San Francisco Bay | $676,740 | $686,810 | $843,390 | r | |
| San Luis Obispo | $487,500 | $442,310 | $625,000 | ||
| Santa Barbara County | $364,280 | $400,000 | $806,820 | r | |
| Santa Barbara South Coast | $1,035,000 | $1,199,000 | $1,370,000 | ||
| North Santa Barbara County | $290,620 | $297,820 | $422,000 | ||
| Santa Clara | $740,000 | $769,650 | $865,000 | ||
| Ventura | $480,430 | $487,790 | $692,730 |
na – not available
r – revised
Source: CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
