December 2014 California Sales Report

California: $452,570
Calif. highest median home price by region/county December 2014: Marin, $990,130 million
Calif. lowest median home price by region/county December 2014: Glenn, $176,670
Calif. Pending Home Sales Index:
November 2014: Decreased 13.4 percent from 104.8 in October to 90.7 in November.

Calif. Traditional Housing Affordability Index: Second Quarter 2014: 30 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates: Week ending 1/15/2014 (Source: Freddie Mac)
• 30-yr. fixed: 3.66% fees/points: 0.6%
• 15-yr. fixed: 2.98% fees/points: 0.5%
• 1-yr. adjustable: 2.37% Fees/points: 0.4%

Mixed Signals in the Housing Market

Recently I have read how affordable home ownership has become, including how foreclosure filings are at a 7 year low. On the flip side, mortgage delinquencies are up! Mortgage delinquencies mean that the borrower is behind on their payments, but no sale is pending on the home. I believe if it weren’t for several states enacting new laws that delay foreclosure sales, the filing against delinquent borrowers would be much higher …http://dsnews.com/news/12-30-2014/foreclosures-falling-delinquency-rate-climbing

California Housing Holds Steady for August

Fast Facts:

Calif. median home price: August 2014:

California: $480,280

Calif. highest median home price by region/county August 2014: San Mateo, $1 million

Calif. lowest median home price by region/county August 2014: 
Siskiyou County, $127,500

Calif. Pending Home Sales Index:

August 2014: Decreased 4.5 percent from 104.5 in July to 99.78 in August.

Calif. Traditional Housing Affordability Index: Second Quarter 2014: 30 percent (Source: C.A.R.)

Mortgage rates: Week ending 9/18/2014 (Source: Freddie Mac)

30-yr. fixed: 4.23% fees/points: 0.5%

15-yr. fixed: 3.37% fees/points: 0.5%

1-yr. adjustable: 2.43% Fees/points: 0.4%

Generation Z Embraces Home Ownership!

A new study by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate reveals that Generation Z, teens ages 13-17, hold traditional views on homeownership, and are willing to give up modern luxuries for the mainstream definition of the American Dream.

Nearly all of the teens surveyed (97 percent) believe they will own a home, and four out of five (82 percent) indicate that homeownership is the most important factor in achieving the American Dream.

Highlights from the study include:

  • These potential home buyers aim to own their first home by age 28 – three years earlier than the median age of first-time homeowners, according to NAR.
  • More than half (51 percent) of Gen Z believe they know more about saving money compared to their parents at the same age.
  • While city living tends to appeal to young generations looking for a variety of career, entertainment, and social opportunities, nearly half (47 percent) of respondents said their future home will most likely be located in a suburban neighborhood, followed by a city (23 percent), country or rural areas (20 percent), and destination locations (10 percent).
  • On average, this generation plans to own just two homes in their lifetime. When it comes to prioritizing square footage versus amenities, it’s nearly a 50/50 split.

California Housing Affordability Down in June 2014!

For those who follow the affordability levels here in California will notice that house affordability is DOWN 2%…

FAST FACTS

  1. median home price: June 2014:
  2. Pending Home Sales Index
    June 2014: Decreased 2.8 percent from 110.1 in May to 107 in June.
      
    Calif. Traditional Housing Affordability Index: Second Quarter 2014: 30 percent (Source: C.A.R.)
  • California: $451,160
  • Calif. highest median home price by region/county June 2014: San Mateo, $1.12 million
  • Calif. lowest median home price by region/county June 2014: 
    Merced, $158,820

Mortgage rates: Week ending 8/7/2014 (Source: Freddie Mac)

  • 30-yr. fixed: 4.14% fees/points: 0.7%
  • 15-yr. fixed: 3.27% fees/points: 0.6%
  • 1-yr. adjustable: 2.35% Fees/points: 0.5%