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Home sales in California had another soft month in August as interest rates surged to the highest level in 22 years late last month before calming down slightly in the past two weeks. Home prices continue to recover, nevertheless, with the California median price gaining year-over-year for the second straight month. Tight supply remained the primary factor that prevented prices from falling, and new listings have been shrinking for more than a year already. Housing shortage also has been keeping sales down and the situation may get worse before it gets better. With retail activity staying solid and core inflation not cooling fast enough, rates are not expected to retreat meaningfully in the next couple weeks. Home sales will likely have another slow month in September but could bounce back in October and November, as signs of slower economic growth in recent weeks suggest lower mortgage rates could be forthcoming in Q4 2023.
California home sales dip again as rates soar to a 22-year high: Sales of existing homes in California dipped on a year-over-year basis as costs of borrowing continued to climb while supply remained tight. The dip extended the months of annual declines to 26 in a row, and the sales pace in August reached the lowest level in seven months. Despite the continuing decline, sales remained above the recent bottom of 237,000 recorded in November of last year when mortgage rates surpassed 7% for the first time in over two decades. With rates staying elevated and above 7% in recent weeks, sales are expected to be muted in the coming months. Pending sales, in fact, declined nearly 25% in August, which suggests that closed sales in California will likely slip again in September before bouncing back in October.
Home prices continue to recover with the statewide median price gaining the most in 14 months: Home prices rose again from the year-ago level for the second straight months, with the statewide median having its biggest year-over-year gain in fourteen months. August’s median price was the highest in 15 months and was the highest since California reached its peak in May of last year. Despite the average 30-year fixed rate remaining about 200 bps above the same time last year, tight housing supply and a highly competitive housing environment continued to provide support to home prices. The share of sales with sold price above asking price, in fact, remained elevated at 47.4% and was above last year’s level by 15 percentage points. Upward pressure on home prices will ease in coming months as the market moves towards the year-end, but positive year-over-year gain should persist throughout the rest of the year as rates begin to come down in Q4 2023.
Lock-in effect keeps inventory low throughout the summer: Housing supply in California continued to decline from last year in August as mortgage rates remained elevated. Active listings at the state level have fallen from a year ago for five months in a row, and the decline in each of the last four months all registered more than 20% year-over-year. Newly added for-sale properties shrank again last month but the annual pace of decline continued to decelerate, after reaching -30.1% in April earlier this year. The statewide new active listings for existing single-family homes in August increased month-to-month by 6.1% and dropped 17.5% year-over-year. As the market enters the last quarter of the year, the number of new listings should shrink month-over-month if it follows the normal seasonal trend. The rate of decline could be reduced, however, if rates begin to moderate in the coming months.
If you have any real estate questions or would like to discuss if now is a good time for you to buy, sell, or invest in a home or investment property, please feel free to contact me.
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2059 W 160th St.
Torrance 90504
2 Bed | 1 Bath | 837 SF | $779,900
Discover Your Dream Home in North Torrance! This charming 2-bedroom home is nestled on a serene residential street, offering you a remarkable opportunity to own in this sought-after neighborhood with great schools.
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4200 Via Norte
Cypress 90630
4 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,915 SF | $1,550,000
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436 N Bellflower Blvd #104
Long Beach 90814
1 Bed | 1 Bath | 693 SF | $475,000
Resort living in the heart of Long Beach. Stoneybrook is a highly desirable Gated Community. Walking distance to shopping, restaurants, Cal State Long Beach, the VA Medical Center and the Colorado Lagoon.
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1669 E 65th St.
Long Beach 90805
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,023 SF | $635,000
Charming Spanish style home with large living room with ample windows allowing plenty of natural Light, original hardwood floors, updated kitchen, central heat and AC, and a permitted rumpus Room with ADU potential.
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807 Delaware St
Huntington Beach 92648
4 Bed | 5 Bath | 3,237 SF | $2,750,000
Tesoro Builders has created another extraordinary opportunity to own a brand new, custom designed single-family home in the heart of highly coveted downtown Huntington Beach. The epitome luxury living offers an exceptional beach lifestyle. Starting at $2,750,000, based on options and interest.
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781 W 30th St
San Pedro 90731
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,067 SF | $1,225,000
Stunning 3-bed, 2-bath home with breathtaking ocean views in Coastal San Pedro. Experience the beauty of the ocean from the front yard, primary bedroom, and the expansive backyard. Situated on a generous 9,576 SF lot, there's plenty of space to potentially add an ADU.
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773 W 30th St
San Pedro 90731
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,040 SF | $955,000
Enjoy beautiful ocean and harbor views from the front yard, living room, and the expansive backyard. This 3-bed, 2-bath home offers even more possibilities with an additional enclosed patio area currently staged as a family room and game room. The spacious 8,904 SF lot provides ample room for expansion, including the possible potential to add an ADU.
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1007 Catalina Ave #108
Redondo Beach 90277
2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,181 SF | $1,175,000
Welcome to Your Dream Beach Home! A Stunning 2 story, 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo located half a block to the beach. Beautifully updated throughout with dramatic high ceilings, gorgeous kitchen, and an abundance of natural light and open space.
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985 S. Idaho Ave. #60
La Habra 90631
2 Bed+Den | 2 Bath | 1,073 SF | $505,000
This 2 bedroom plus a den (currently being used as a 3rd bedroom) is tucked away in a peaceful serene location surrounded by beautiful trees in the Woodlake Villas of La Habra.
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211 Saint Joseph
Long Beach 90803
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,057 SF | $1,299,000
Welcome to this charming Belmont Shore home located just 4 blocks to the beach! Enjoy the open concept floor plan, granite countertops, hardwood flooring, and a serene primary suite with a spa-like bathroom. Don't miss this opportunity for coastal living at its finest!
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5528 Pearce Ave.
Lakewood 90712
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,592 SF | $845,000
The "Honey Due" list has already been done for you; all you have to do is move in and start enjoying this 3-bedroom 2 bath Lakewood home. Open concept kitchen with newer cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops.
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199 Prospect Ave
Long Beach 90803
5 Bed | 3 Bath | 2,557 SF | $1,878,000
Stunning 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom Belmont Heights Tudor with a nicely-sized Guest Quarters/Rental Unit/Home Office above the 2-car garage!
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