Local Market Stats – September 2018 Figures

Comparing September’s numbers to months past shows a trend toward an equalizing market.  We’ve been in a strong seller’s market for some time now, with this past year having been quite difficult for home buyers.

While we remain in a seller’s market (less than a 6 month supply of homes), it is softening.  Looking at the chart below, you’ll see many of our cities showing a 3-4-month supply of homes. This past spring we barely had two months’ worth.

Many are anticipating a housing crisis such as we experienced in 2008. It’s important to keep in mind that the 2008 crash occurred due to issues in the mortgage arena. Lending standards are much more stringent today than they were during the run-up before the recession.

What about interest rates? “Some consumers may be thinking that because mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, maybe I should just wait until rates fall down again,” said NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun in a recent speech. “Well, they will be waiting forever.”

If you’ve been waiting to buy a home, you may want to act now. A shortage of available homes on the market means prices are likely to keep going up. And a lack of affordable rental inventory means rents are expected to rise, as well.

If you buy now, you will benefit from appreciating property values while locking in an historically-low interest rate on your mortgage. Waiting to buy could mean paying more for your home as prices increase and paying higher interest on your mortgage as rates continue to rise.

CITY September Average Sales Price Sept. Ave. Days on Market Total # of Sales – September Total # of Sales – YTD Year over Year Appreciation Active Listings Months of Supply
Arcadia  $         1,661,451 60 46 430 12.3% 299 6.5
Azusa  $            496,176 25 34 348 1.5% 112 3.3
Baldwin Park  $            468,233 28 27 229 11.7% 79 2.9
Claremont  $            778,295 53 24 255 7.5% 76 3.2
Covina  $            547,006 28 53 475 5.7% 165 3.1
Diamond Bar  $            688,832 42 42 417 4.8% 262 6.2
Fontana  $            408,084 28 136 1449 9.2% 420 3.1
Glendora  $            698,020 35 46 409 4.0% 156 3.4
Hacienda Heights  $            612,430 36 30 314 8.9% 121 4.0
La Puente  $            497,771 24 35 434 9.8% 112 3.2
La Verne  $            697,021 39 24 224 7.1% 64 2.7
Montclair  $            437,475 30 20 174 6.3% 44 2.2
Montebello  $            559,462 37 13 196 8.0% 56 4.3
Ontario  $            402,882 28 97 967 8.2% 308 3.2
Pomona  $            419,093 30 79 705 8.7% 214 2.7
Rancho Cucamonga  $            584,581 33 141 1342 8.5% 441 3.1
Rowland Heights  $            681,307 35 20 175 2.7% 85 4.3
San Dimas  $            644,289 31 19 251 6.1% 84 4.4
Upland  $            549,576 35 54 636 6.4% 233 4.3
Walnut  $            729,250 45 22 209 -0.6% 120 5.5
West Covina  $            591,280 29 51 539 7.1% 181 3.5

And if you’re in the market to sell your home, there’s no need to wait any longer. Prices have begun to stabilize, and rising interest rates could decrease the number of available buyers for your home. While the current lack of inventory is generally preferred by sellers because it means less competition, a combination of high prices and rising interest rates has narrowed the pool of potential buyers who can afford to enter the market. What does this mean? Sellers should seek out real estate agents who utilize technologically-advanced marketing tactics to reach qualified buyers in their area.  If you’ve been considering selling, acting now would allow you to take advantage of this strong seller’s market before it levels out. 

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Mary Anglin, United Real Estate Los Angeles ~ (626) 290-1250 ~ Follow me on YouTube at http://bit.ly/MaryAnglinYouTubeS